Battery monomer heating equipment and battery module

Abstract

The utility model discloses battery monomer heating equipment and a battery module. The battery cell heating apparatus includes: a heater configured to emit heat to heat a battery cell; a circuit portion electrically connected to the heater and configured to supply power to the heater; an insulator at least partially overlapping the circuit portion and the heater, the insulator configured to suppress heat transfer such that the circuit portion is not heated by heat emitted by the heater; and an outer cover surrounding and fixedly holding the heater, the circuit portion, and the insulator. Therefore, deterioration of charging and discharging performance of the battery cell and the battery module including the plurality of battery cells can be suppressed.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0171232 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 30, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The embodiments relate to a battery cell heating device and a battery module. Background Art

[0003] Generally, as demand for portable electronic products such as notebook computers, cameras, mobile phones has sharply increased and commercialization of robots, electric vehicles, etc. has begun in earnest, research on high-performance secondary batteries capable of repeated charge and discharge is actively underway.

[0004] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute prior art. Utility Model Content

[0005] An embodiment relates to a battery cell heating device, which includes: a heater configured to emit heat to heat a battery cell; a circuit portion electrically connected to the heater and configured to supply power to the heater; an insulator at least partially overlapping the circuit portion and the heater, the insulator being configured to suppress heat transfer so that the circuit portion is not heated by the heat emitted by the heater; and an outer cover surrounding and fixedly holding the heater, the circuit portion, and the insulator.

[0006] The circuit portion may be disposed around the heater, the heater may include heater terminals, the circuit portion may include circuit portion terminals, and the heater terminals and the circuit portion terminals may overlap and be electrically connected to each other.

[0007] Each of the heater terminal and the circuit part terminal may include: a terminal body including a metal material; and a solder layer stacked on the terminal body so that the heater terminal and the circuit part terminal can be joined when the heater terminal and the circuit part terminal are in close contact and melted while being heated.

[0008] The battery cell heating device may further include solder between the stacked heater terminals and the circuit portion terminals so that the heater terminals and the circuit portion terminals may be electrically connected.

[0009] The battery cell heating apparatus may further include a rivet penetrating through and coupling the heater terminal and the circuit portion terminal so that the heater terminal and the circuit portion terminal may be electrically connected.

[0010] The insulator may include: a first insulator that may partially cover a surface of the heater facing the battery cell and a surface of the circuit portion facing the battery cell; and a second insulator that may completely cover a surface of the heater facing away from the battery cell and may partially cover a surface of the circuit portion facing away from the battery cell.

[0011] The circuit portion may be spaced farther from the battery cell than the heater may be spaced farther from the battery cell.

[0012] The heater may include a heater terminal, the circuit part may include a circuit part terminal overlapping the heater terminal, the insulator may be between the heater terminal and the circuit part terminal, and the insulator may include a terminal connection part electrically connecting the heater terminal and the circuit part terminal.

[0013] The circuit portion may be disposed around the heater.

[0014] The outer cover may include a first film facing the battery cell; and a second film spaced farther from the battery cell than the first film.

[0015] The first film may have an opening such that the heater faces the battery cell.

[0016] The heater may include carbon nanotubes.

[0017] The battery cell heating apparatus may further include a sensor, which may be electrically connected to the circuit portion, configured to measure a state of the battery cell, and positioned outside the outer cover.

[0018] The sensor may include a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage of a battery cell and / or a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the battery cell.

[0019] The heater may include a plurality of heating parts, the plurality of heating parts being positioned so that they do not overlap one another, the sensor may include a plurality of temperature sensors, the plurality of temperature sensors corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of heating parts and being configured to measure the temperature of the battery cells around the plurality of heating parts, and each of the plurality of heating parts being configured so that its operation can be controlled according to the temperature measured by the corresponding temperature sensor among the plurality of temperature sensors.

[0020] An embodiment relates to a battery module, which includes a plurality of battery cells and a battery cell heating device, the battery cell heating device including: a heater configured to emit heat to heat the plurality of battery cells; a circuit portion adjacent to and electrically connected to the heater and configured to supply power to the heater; an insulator at least partially overlapping the circuit portion and the heater, the insulator being configured to suppress heat transfer so that the circuit portion is not heated by the heat emitted by the heater; and an outer cover surrounding and fixedly holding the heater, the circuit portion, and the insulator.

[0021] The plurality of battery cells may be arranged in a row in one direction; and the battery cell heating device may be in contact with the plurality of battery cells and extend in the one direction.

[0022] The battery cell heating device may further include: a sensor that can be electrically connected to the circuit part, positioned outside the outer cover, and configured to measure the state of a battery cell among the multiple battery cells; the heater may include multiple heating parts, the multiple heating parts being positioned so that they do not overlap each other; the sensor may include multiple temperature sensors, the multiple temperature sensors corresponding one-to-one to the multiple heating parts, and may be configured to measure the temperature of the battery cells around the multiple heating parts; and each of the multiple heating parts may be configured so that its operation can be controlled according to the temperature measured by its corresponding temperature sensor among the multiple temperature sensors.

[0023] Each of the multiple heating parts can be constructed to be turned on if the temperature measured by its corresponding temperature sensor among the multiple temperature sensors is lower than a preset reference temperature; and each of the multiple heating parts can be constructed to be turned off if the temperature measured by its corresponding temperature sensor among the multiple temperature sensors is higher than a preset reference temperature or equal to a preset reference temperature.

[0024] The multiple heating parts may include a pair of first heating parts positioned at both ends of the battery cell heating device in the longitudinal direction and a second heating part positioned between the pair of first heating parts; the length of the second heating part may be greater than the length of the first heating part; and the planar area of the second heating part may be smaller than the planar area of the first heating part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Features will become apparent to those skilled in the art by describing exemplary embodiments in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a plan view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 2is an exploded perspective view showing a plurality of battery cells, a plurality of bus bars, and a battery cell heating device included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 A sectional view taken along line III-III;

[0029] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of a battery cell heating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIG.

[0030] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 An enlarged view of part V;

[0031] Figure 6 It shows Figure 4 An enlarged view of part VI;

[0032] Figure 7 It is shown in Figure 5 The circuit portion terminals are electrically connected to Figure 6 A sectional view of a first example of a state in which a heating element terminal is provided;

[0033] Figure 8 It is shown in Figure 5 The circuit portion terminals are electrically connected to Figure 6 A sectional view of a second example of a state in which a heating element terminal is provided;

[0034] Figure 9 It is shown in Figure 5 The circuit portion terminals are electrically connected to Figure 6 A sectional view of a third example of a state where the heating element terminal is disconnected;

[0035] Figure 10 is a plan view showing a plurality of battery cells and a heater included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery cell heating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a battery cell heating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 13 It shows Figure 11 an enlarged view of portion XIII;

[0039] Figure 14 It shows Figure 11 An enlarged view of section XIV;

[0040] Figure 15 It is shown in Figure 13 The circuit portion terminals are electrically connected to Figure 14 A sectional view of a first example of a state in which a heating element terminal is provided;

[0041] Figure 16 It is shown in Figure 13 The circuit portion terminals are electrically connected to Figure 14 A sectional view of a second example of a state in which a heating element terminal is provided;

[0042] Figure 17 It is shown in Figure 13 The circuit portion terminals are electrically connected to Figure 14 a cross-sectional view of a third example of a state where the heating element terminal is disconnected; and

[0043] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a battery cell heating apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art.

[0045] In the drawings, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. It will also be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being "on" another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may be present. Furthermore, it will be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "under" another layer, it can be directly under the other layer, or one or more intervening layers may be present. Additionally, it will be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "between" two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may be present. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0046] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, directly connected to, or directly coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. When an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. For example, when a first element is described as being “coupled to” or “connected to” a second element, the first element can be directly coupled or directly coupled to the second element, or the first element can be indirectly coupled or indirectly coupled to the second element via one or more intervening elements.

[0047] In the figures, the dimensions of various elements, layers, etc. may be exaggerated for clarity. Identical reference numerals represent identical or similar elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items. Furthermore, when describing embodiments of the present disclosure, the use of "may" refers to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure." Phrases such as "at least one of..." and "any of...", when following a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements, not the individual elements in that list. When phrases such as "at least one of A, B, and C," "at least one of A, B, or C," "at least one selected from the group of A, B, and C," or "at least one selected from A, B, and C," are used to specify a list of elements A, B, and C, the phrase may refer to any and all suitable combinations or subsets of A, B, and C, such as A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C. As used herein, the term "use" and variations thereof may be considered synonymous with the term "utilize" and variations thereof, respectively. As used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and similar terms are used as terms of approximation, not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variations in measured or calculated values that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize.

[0048] It will be understood that although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another element, component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0049] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as “under,” “beneath,” “below,” “above,” and “on” may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, an element described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” or “on” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “under” can encompass both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented otherwise (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0050] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a" and "an" are also intended to include the plural forms. It will also be understood that when the terms "comprises," "comprising," and / or variations thereof are used in this specification, the description indicates the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0051] In addition, any numerical range disclosed and / or described herein is intended to include all subranges of the same numerical precision contained within the described range. For example, the range of "1.0 to 10.0" is intended to include all subranges between (and including) the described minimum value of 1.0 and the described maximum value of 10.0, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limit described herein is intended to include all lower numerical limits contained therein, and any minimum numerical limit described in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limits contained therein. Therefore, the applicant reserves the right to amend this specification and claims to explicitly describe any subranges contained within the ranges explicitly described herein.

[0052] Referring to two compared elements, features, etc. as "the same" may mean that they are "substantially the same." Thus, the phrase "substantially the same" may include situations with what is considered in the art to be low deviations, for example, 5% or less. Additionally, when a parameter is referred to as being uniform in a given area, this may mean being uniform with respect to the average value.

[0053] Throughout the specification, unless stated otherwise, each element may be singular or plural.

[0054] When any element is referred to as being arranged (or positioned or located) “on (or below)” or “on (or below)” a component, this may mean that the arbitrary element is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component, and may also mean that another component may be placed between the component and the arbitrary element arranged (or positioned or located) on (or below) the component.

[0055] In addition, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “coupled,” “linked,” or “connected” to another element, the elements may be directly “coupled,” “linked,” or “connected” to each other, or one or more intervening elements may be present therebetween through which the element is “coupled,” “linked,” or “connected” to the other element. In addition, when a component is referred to as being “electrically coupled” to another component, the component may be directly electrically connected to the other component, or one or more intervening components may be present therebetween so that the component and the other component are indirectly electrically connected.

[0056] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise stated, when "A and / or B" is stated, it means A, B, or A and B. That is, "and / or" includes any and all combinations of multiple listed items. When "C to D" is stated, unless otherwise stated, it means C or greater and D or less. As used herein, the term "or" is not an exclusive term. For example, "A or B" will include A, B, or A and B.

[0057] Figure 1 is a plan view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a plurality of battery cells, a plurality of bus bars, and a battery cell heating apparatus included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along line III-III, Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 0 is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell heating device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIG. Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 An enlarged view of part V, and Figure 6 It shows Figure 4 An enlarged view of part VI. Figure 7 It is shown in Figure 5 The circuit portion terminals are electrically connected to Figure 6 A sectional view of a first example of a state of a heating element terminal, Figure 8 It is shown in Figure 5 The circuit portion terminals are electrically connected to Figure 6 A sectional view of a second example of a state in which the heating element terminal is provided. Figure 9 It is shown in Figure 5 The circuit portion terminals are electrically connected to Figure 6 A sectional view of a third example of a state of a heating element terminal, Figure 10 is a plan view illustrating a plurality of battery cells and a heater included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Reference Figures 1 to 7 and Figure 10 The battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of battery cells 11, a plurality of bus bars 40, and a battery cell heating device 100. Each of the battery cells 11 may further include a cell case 12, a pair of cell terminals 25, and an electrode assembly 23.

[0059] The electrode assembly 23 may be housed in the cell case 12. The electrode assembly 23 may be formed by winding or stacking a stack including a first electrode plate, a separator, and a second electrode plate, each of which may be formed in a thin plate shape or a film shape.

[0060] In an embodiment, the electrode assembly 23 may be a wound stack, and the winding axis of the electrode assembly 23 may be parallel to the length direction of the cell shell 12. In an embodiment, the electrode assembly 23 may be a stacked type rather than a wound type. In an embodiment, the electrode assembly 23 may be a Z stacked electrode assembly in which the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate may be between both sides of a separator bent into a Z stack. In an embodiment, one or more electrode assemblies 23 may be stacked and housed in the cell shell 12 so that their long side surfaces may be close to each other. The first electrode plate of the electrode assembly 23 may be used as a negative electrode, and the second electrode plate may be used as a positive electrode. However, the opposite is also possible.

[0061] The first electrode plate can be formed by coating a first current collector plate, which can be formed of a metal foil (e.g., copper, copper alloy, nickel, or nickel alloy foil), with a first electrode active material (e.g., graphite or carbon). The plate can include a first electrode tab (or a first uncoated portion) that can serve as a region where the first electrode active material may not be applied. The first electrode tab can be a current flow path between the first electrode plate and the first current collector portion. In embodiments, the first electrode tab can be formed by cutting the first electrode plate during manufacture so that the tab protrudes toward one side, and can protrude farther toward one side than the separator without additional cutting.

[0062] The second electrode plate can be formed by coating a second current collector plate, which can be formed from a metal foil (e.g., aluminum or aluminum alloy foil), with a second electrode active material (e.g., a transition metal oxide). The second electrode plate can include a second electrode tab (or a second non-coated portion), which can serve as a region where the second electrode active material may not be applied. The second electrode tab can serve as a current flow path between the second electrode plate and the second current collector portion. In embodiments, the second electrode tab can be formed by cutting the second electrode plate during manufacture so that the tab protrudes toward the other side, and can protrude further toward the other side than the separator without additional cutting.

[0063] In an embodiment, the first electrode tab may be positioned on the side surface of the left end of the electrode assembly, and the second electrode tab may be positioned on the side surface of the right end of the electrode assembly, or the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab may be positioned on one surface in the same direction. In this case, for ease of description, the terms left and right may be used, and the side may change if the battery cell 11 is rotated in the left-right or vertical direction.

[0064] The first electrode tab of the first electrode plate and the second electrode tab of the second electrode plate may be positioned at both ends of the electrode assembly 23. In an embodiment, the electrode assembly 23 may be housed in a housing together with the electrolyte. In an embodiment, in the electrode assembly 23, the first current collector portion and the second current collector portion may be welded and connected to the first electrode tab of the first electrode plate and the second electrode tab of the second electrode plate, respectively, and positioned at the first electrode tab of the first electrode plate and the second electrode tab of the second electrode plate.

[0065] The cell case 12 may have a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and may house the electrode assembly 23 and the electrolyte therein. The cell case 12 may include a metal can having one open side and a cover plate for sealing the open side of the metal can. A pair of cell terminals 25 may be mounted on the cover plate in a manner protruding outward from the cover plate.

[0066] One of the pair of cell terminals 25 may be electrically connected to one of the first and second current collector portions, and the other cell terminal 25 may be electrically connected to the other of the first and second current collector portions. In an embodiment, one of the pair of cell terminals 25 may be a positive electrode terminal, and the other of the pair of cell terminals 25 may be a negative electrode terminal.

[0067] A pair of cell terminals 25 may be positioned at both ends of the cover in the length direction. One surface of the cell housing 12 from which the pair of cell terminals 25 may protrude may be the upper surface 17 of the cell housing 12, a surface opposite to the upper surface 17 of the cell housing 12 may be the lower surface 18 of the cell housing 12, and a pair of surfaces connecting the upper surface 17 and the lower surface 18 and which may be opposite to each other may be the pair of side surfaces 15 of the cell housing 12.

[0068] Each of the battery cells 11 may include a cell vent 19 that may be configured to rupture and discharge emissions such as gas and flaming materials (e.g., combustible materials) from the interior of the battery cell 11 to the outside if high-temperature gas, flaming materials, or the like are generated in the cell housing 12 due to overcharging or abnormal operation. The cell vent 19 may be positioned in the lower surface 18 of the cell housing 12.

[0069] The plurality of battery cells 11 may be arranged in a row in the front-rear direction. The rear surface of the cell case 12 of one battery cell 11 in a pair of adjacent battery cells 11 among the plurality of battery cells 11 may face the front surface 13 of the cell case 12 of the other battery cell 11 .

[0070] Hereinafter, the front-to-rear direction along which the plurality of battery cells 11 may be arranged in a row is referred to as a first direction, the width direction (i.e., the left-to-right direction) of the cell housing 12 perpendicular to the first direction is referred to as a second direction, and the vertical direction perpendicular to the first and second directions is referred to as a third direction.

[0071] The battery module 10 may further include a pair of end frames 30 and a pair of side plates 33. One end frame 30 of the pair of end frames 30 may be located in front of the plurality of battery cells 11 to hide (e.g., cover) the front surface 13 of the battery cell 11 positioned at the frontmost side among the plurality of battery cells 11 arranged in the first direction.

[0072] The other end frame 30 of the pair of end frames 30 may be behind the plurality of battery cells 11 to hide (eg, cover) a rear surface of the battery cell 11 positioned at the rearmost side among the plurality of battery cells 11 arranged in the first direction.

[0073] The pair of side plates 33 may conceal (e.g., cover) the pair of side surfaces 15 of the plurality of battery cells 11 and face the side surfaces 15 so as to be in close contact with (e.g., in direct contact with) the side surfaces 15. The front and rear end portions of the pair of side plates 33 may be connected to both end portions of the pair of end frames 30 in the second direction by, for example, welding or applying an adhesive.

[0074] The plurality of bus bars 40 may electrically connect the plurality of battery cells 11. Each of the bus bars 40 may electrically connect the positive cell terminal 25 of one battery cell 11 in a pair of battery cells 11 adjacent in the first direction with the negative cell terminal 25 of the other battery cell 11 using a method such as welding. The plurality of bus bars 40 may be arranged along two imaginary lines extending in the first direction and spaced apart from each other.

[0075] If the plurality of battery cells 11 and the battery module 10 are in a low-temperature state, the battery cell heating device 100 can heat the battery cells 11. The battery cell heating device 100 may include a heater 130, a circuit portion 140, insulators 115 and 120, and an outer cover 101. The heater 130 may emit heat to heat the battery cells 11. The circuit portion 140 may be electrically connected to the heater 130 to supply power to the heater 130.

[0076] The insulators 115, 120 may suppress heat transfer so that the circuit portion 140 may not be heated by heat emitted by the heater 130. The outer cover 101 may surround and fixedly position the heater 130, the circuit portion 140, and the insulators 115, 120, eg, hold them in place.

[0077] The heater 130 may be a plate-shaped member having a predetermined thickness in the third direction and extending in the first direction, and may include a plurality of heating portions 131 , 134 that may be spaced apart from each other and positioned not to overlap in the third direction.

[0078] The plurality of heating portions 131 and 134 may be formed by curing a paste containing a mixture of carbon nanotubes and metal. The metal included in the plurality of heating portions 131 and 134 may be, for example, silver (Ag), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), or palladium (Pd).

[0079] exist Figure 4 and Figure 10 In the embodiment shown in , the heater 130 may include a pair of first heating portions 131 and a second heating portion 134. The pair of first heating portions 131 may be positioned at both ends of the battery cell heating device 100 in the longitudinal direction (e.g., the first direction). The second heating portion 134 may be positioned between the pair of first heating portions 131. In the longitudinal direction (e.g., the first direction) of the battery cell heating device 100, the length HL12 of the second heating portion 134 may be greater than the length HL11 of the first heating portion 131.

[0080] In the width direction (eg, in the second direction) of the battery cell heating apparatus 100 , the width HE12 of the second heating portion 134 may be smaller than the width HE11 of the first heating portion 131 .

[0081] Each of the pair of first heating portions 131 may be positioned to overlap with the upper surfaces 17 of five battery cells 11 positioned at both ends in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells 11, and may emit heat for heating the five stacked battery cells 11. The second heating portion 134 may be positioned to overlap with the upper surfaces 17 of six battery cells 11 positioned at a middle portion in the first direction (e.g., between the battery cells 11 positioned at the ends along the first direction among the plurality of battery cells 11), and may emit heat for heating the six stacked battery cells 11.

[0082] The amount of heat loss of the six battery cells 11 positioned in the middle portion may be smaller than the amount of heat loss of the five battery cells 11 positioned at both ends. In an embodiment, power may be supplied to the heater 130, and even if the amount of heat emitted per unit time by the second heating portion 134 is less than the amount of heat emitted per unit time by the first heating portion 131, the temperature of all the battery cells 11 included in the battery module 10 may be uniformly increased.

[0083] The circuit portion 140 may be disposed around the heater 130, for example, surrounding at least a portion of the outer periphery of the heater 130. In embodiments, the circuit portion 140 and the heater 130 may be coplanar. The circuit portion 140 may include a pair of overlapping and bonded protective film layers and a plurality of wires formed of a conductive material and extending within the pair of protective film layers. The circuit portion 140 may extend to surround the heater 130. The size of the gap CO12 between the inner circumferential corner portions of the circuit portion 140 facing each other in the second direction may be slightly greater than or equal to the width HE11 of the first heating portion 131.

[0084] The battery cell heating device 100 may include a plurality of sensors 150, 152, 154, 156 that may be electrically connected to the circuit portion 140 and may measure states of the plurality of battery cells 11. The plurality of sensors 150, 152, 154, 156 may include temperature sensors 150, 152, 154 and a voltage sensor 156.

[0085] The temperature sensors 150, 152, and 154 can measure the temperature of the battery cell 11. The temperature sensors 150, 152, and 154 can be provided as a plurality of temperature sensors 150, 152, and 154. The plurality of temperature sensors 150, 152, and 154 can correspond one-to-one to the plurality of heating portions 131 and 134. In an embodiment, the first temperature sensor 150 can measure the temperature of the battery cell 11 around the first heating portion 131 positioned on one side of the pair of first heating portions 131.

[0086] The second temperature sensor 152 may measure the temperature of the battery cells 11 around the second heating portion 134. The third temperature sensor 154 may measure the temperature of the battery cells 11 around the first heating portion 131 positioned at the other side of the pair of first heating portions 131.

[0087] The operation of any one heating portion 131 or 134 among the plurality of heating portions 131 , 134 may be controlled according to a temperature measured by one temperature sensor 150 , 152 or 154 corresponding to the one heating portion 131 or 134 among the plurality of temperature sensors 150 , 152 , 154 .

[0088] If the temperature measured by one temperature sensor 150, 152, or 154 is lower than the preset reference temperature, the one heating portion 131 or 134 corresponding to the temperature sensor 150, 152, or 154 may be turned on. If the temperature measured by one temperature sensor 150, 152, or 154 is higher than or equal to the preset reference temperature, the one heating portion 131 or 134 corresponding to the temperature sensor 150, 152, or 154 may be turned off.

[0089] In an embodiment, if the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor 150 is lower than a preset reference temperature, the first heating portion 131 at the side corresponding to the first temperature sensor 150 may be turned on, and if the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor 150 is higher than or equal to the preset reference temperature, the first heating portion 131 at the side corresponding to the first temperature sensor 150 may be turned off.

[0090] In an embodiment, if the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor 152 is lower than a preset reference temperature, the second heating portion 134 corresponding to the second temperature sensor 152 may be turned on, and if the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor 152 is higher than or equal to the preset reference temperature, the second heating portion 134 corresponding to the second temperature sensor 152 may be turned off.

[0091] In an embodiment, if the temperature measured by the third temperature sensor 154 is lower than a preset reference temperature, the first heating portion 131 at the other side corresponding to the third temperature sensor 154 may be turned on, and if the temperature measured by the third temperature sensor 154 is higher than or equal to the preset reference temperature, the first heating portion 131 at the other side corresponding to the third temperature sensor 154 may be turned off.

[0092] The voltage sensor 156 may measure the voltage of the battery cell 11. The voltage sensor 156 may be provided in plurality in a one-to-one correspondence with the number of the bus bars 40. Each of the voltage sensors 156 may be electrically connected to the corresponding bus bar 40 using a method such as welding.

[0093] The circuit portion 140 electrically connects the plurality of voltage sensors 156 and the plurality of temperature sensors 150, 152, 154 to a battery management system (BMS). The circuit portion 140 may be connected to the BMS via a connector. In an embodiment, the detection signals generated by the plurality of temperature sensors 150, 152, 154 may be transmitted to the BMS via the circuit portion 140. If the BMS determines that the temperature of the battery cell 11 measured by the plurality of temperature sensors 150, 152, 154 is lower than a preset reference temperature, the BMS may supply power for operating the heater 130 via the circuit portion 140.

[0094] The insulators 115 and 120 may include a first insulator 115 and a second insulator 120. The first insulator 115 may partially cover a surface of the heater 130 facing the battery cell 11 and a surface of the circuit portion 140 facing the battery cell 11. In an embodiment, the first insulator 115 may partially cover the lower surface of the heater 130 and also partially cover the lower surface of the circuit portion 140.

[0095] An opening 118 for transferring radiant heat emitted by the heater 130 to the upper surface 17 of the cell case 12 of the battery cell 11 may be formed at a central portion of the first insulator 115 .

[0096] In the second direction, the width SLO1 between the outer peripheral corners 116 of the first insulator 115 may be larger than the size of the gap CO12 between the inner peripheral corners of the circuit portion 140 and smaller than the size of the gap CO11 between the outer peripheral corners of the circuit portion 140. In the second direction, the width SLI1 between the inner peripheral corners 117 of the first insulator 115 may be smaller than the widths HE11, HE12 of the heater 130.

[0097] The second insulator 120 may completely cover the surface of the heater 130 that faces away from the battery cell 11 (e.g., away from the battery cell 11), and partially cover the surface of the circuit portion 140 that faces away from the battery cell 11. For example, the second insulator 120 may completely cover the surface of the heater 130 that faces away from the surface of the heater 130 covered by the first insulator 115, and partially cover the surface of the circuit portion 140 that faces away from the surface of the circuit portion 140 covered by the first insulator 115. In an embodiment, the second insulator 120 may completely cover the upper surface of the heater 130 and also partially cover the upper surface of the circuit portion 140.

[0098] In the second direction, the width SU1 between the outer peripheral corners 121 of the second insulator 120 may be larger than the size of the gap CO12 between the inner peripheral corners of the circuit portion 140 and smaller than the gap CO11 between the outer peripheral corners of the circuit portion 140. According to the above configuration, the heat emitted by the heater 130 can be suppressed from being transferred to the circuit portion 140 to the greatest extent.

[0099] The outer cover 101 may include a first film 103 and a second film 110. The first film 103 may face the plurality of battery cells 11. The second film 110 may be spaced farther apart from the plurality of battery cells 11 than the first film 103.

[0100] The first film 103 and the second film 110 may be formed of a material such as polyimide (PI) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). If the heater 130, the circuit portion 140, and the insulators 115 and 120 are between the first film 103 and the second film 110, and the first film 103 and the second film 110 are heated and pressed in a direction in which the first film 103 and the second film 110 are in close contact with each other (for example, in the third direction), the outer corner 104 of the first film 103 and the outer corner 111 of the second film 110 may be joined to form the outer cover 101.

[0101] An adhesive that is melted by heat may be applied in advance on surfaces of the first film 103 and the second film 110 (eg, an upper surface of the first film 103 and a lower surface of the second film 110 ).

[0102] The first film 103 may be partially open (e.g., have an opening) so that the heater 130 faces the plurality of battery cells 11. In an embodiment, the opening 107 may be formed in the center portion of the first film 103. Radiant heat emitted by the heater 130 may be transferred to the upper surface 17 of the cell housing 12 of the battery cell 11 through the opening 118 of the first insulator 115 and the opening 107 of the first film 103.

[0103] In the second direction, the width FLO1 between the outer peripheral corners 104 of the first film 103 may be larger than the size of the gap CO11 between the outer peripheral corners of the circuit portion 140. In the second direction, the width FLI1 between the inner peripheral corners 105 of the first film 103 may be larger than the width SLI1 between the inner peripheral corners 117 of the first insulator 115 and smaller than the width SLO1 between the outer peripheral corners 116 of the first insulator 115.

[0104] The battery cell heating device 100 may be installed in the battery module 10 such that the first film 103 contacts the upper surface 17 of the cell housing 12. In an embodiment, the battery cell heating device 100 may contact a plurality of battery cells 11. The plurality of temperature sensors 150, 152, 154 and the plurality of voltage sensors 156 may be positioned on the exterior of the outer cover 101, rather than on the interior of the outer cover 101 where the heater 130, the circuit portion 140, and the insulators 115, 120 may be positioned.

[0105] The heater 130 may include heater terminals 135. In an embodiment, a pair of heater terminals 135 may be provided for each of the heating portions 131 and 134 to independently supply power to each of the pair of first heating portions 131 and one second heating portion 134 that may be included in the heater 130. The heater terminals 135 may be formed on upper surfaces of the heating portions 131 and 134.

[0106] The circuit portion 140 may include a circuit portion terminal 145 overlapping the heater terminal 135. The circuit portion 140 may include a terminal support 143 having a pair of circuit portion terminals 145 formed on a lower surface thereof. The terminal support 143 may protrude in one direction to overlap the heater 130.

[0107] The circuit portion terminals 145 may correspond one to one with the heater terminals 135. In an embodiment, three pairs of circuit portion terminals 145 may be provided to correspond to the three pairs of heater terminals 135, and three terminal supports 143 may be provided. The heater terminals 135 and the circuit portion terminals 145 may be stacked and electrically connected to each other.

[0108] like Figure 7 As shown in , the heater terminal 135 and the circuit portion terminal 145 can be in close contact with each other (e.g., direct contact) while being heated to be electrically connected to each other. In an embodiment, the heater terminal 135 may include a terminal body 1351 formed of a metal material and a solder layer 1352 stacked and solidified on the surface of the terminal body 1351. Similar to the heater terminal 135, the circuit portion terminal 145 may include a terminal body 1451 formed of a metal material and a solder layer 1452 stacked and solidified on the surface of the terminal body 1451.

[0109] If the heater terminal 135 and the circuit part terminal 145 are aligned in a third direction and pressed at the same time to be in close contact with each other, the solder layer 1352 of the heater terminal 135 and the solder layer 1452 of the circuit part terminal 145 can be joined by melting, so that the heater terminal 135 and the circuit part terminal 145 can be electrically connected.

[0110] In the embodiment, reference is made to Figure 8 , the heater terminal 135 and the circuit portion terminal 145 may be stacked to be electrically connected to each other, with the solder 147 interposed between the heater terminal 135 and the circuit portion terminal 145. In an embodiment, if the heater terminal 135 is coated with the solder 147, and the circuit portion terminal 145 is aligned with the heater terminal 135 and then moved toward the heater terminal 135, the circuit portion terminal 145 may be surface-mounted on the heater terminal 135. In an embodiment, the heater terminal 135 and the circuit portion terminal 145 may be electrically connected.

[0111] Reference Figure 9 The heater terminal 135 and the circuit portion terminal 145 may be electrically connected by a rivet 148 that passes through and joins the heater terminal 135 and the circuit portion terminal 145 aligned with each other in the third direction. In an embodiment, the rivet 148 may pass through the terminal support 143, the circuit portion terminal 145, the heater terminal 135, and the heater 130 to join the heater terminal 135 and the circuit portion terminal 145 so that the heater terminal 135 and the circuit portion terminal 145 do not separate. In an embodiment, the heater terminal 135 and the circuit portion terminal 145 may be electrically connected.

[0112] Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery cell heating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a battery cell heating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 13 It shows Figure 11 An enlarged view of part XIII, Figure 14 It shows Figure 11 An enlarged view of section XIV. Figure 15 It is shown in Figure 13 The circuit portion terminals are electrically connected to Figure 14 A sectional view of a first example of a state in which the heating element terminal is in contact with the heating element. Figure 16 It is shown in Figure 13 The circuit portion terminals are electrically connected to Figure 14 A sectional view of a second example of a state of a heating element terminal, Figure 17 It is shown in Figure 13 The circuit portion terminals are electrically connected to Figure 14 A sectional view of a third example of a state where the heating element terminal is disconnected.

[0113] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figures 11 to 14 The battery cell heating device 200 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may replace the battery cell heating device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and be installed in Figure 1 In the battery module 10 shown in FIG. The battery cell heating device 200 may include a heater 230, a circuit portion 240, an insulator 220, and an outer cover 201. The heater 230 may emit heat to heat the battery cell 11. The circuit portion 240 may be electrically connected to the heater 230 to supply power to the heater 230.

[0114] The insulator 220 may suppress heat transfer so that the circuit portion 240 may not be heated by heat emitted from the heater 230. The outer cover 201 may surround and fixedly position the heater 230, the circuit portion 240, and the insulator 220.

[0115] The heater 230 may be a plate-shaped member having a predetermined thickness in the third direction and extending in the first direction, and may include a plurality of heating portions 231 , 234 that may be spaced apart from each other and positioned not to overlap in the third direction.

[0116] The plurality of heating portions 231 and 234 may be formed by curing a paste containing a mixture of carbon nanotubes and metal. The metal included in the plurality of heating portions 231 and 234 may be, for example, silver (Ag), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), or palladium (Pd).

[0117] The heater 230 may include a pair of first heating portions 231 and a second heating portion 234. The pair of first heating portions 231 may be positioned at both ends of the battery cell heating device 200 in a lengthwise direction (e.g., in a first direction). The second heating portion 234 may be positioned between the pair of first heating portions 231. The length HL22 of the second heating portion 234 may be greater than the length HL21 of the first heating portion 231.

[0118] In the width direction of the battery cell heating apparatus 200 (ie, in the second direction), the width HE22 of the second heating portion 234 may be smaller than the width HE21 of the first heating portion 231 .

[0119] Each of the pair of first heating portions 231 may be positioned to overlap with the upper surfaces 17 of five battery cells 11 positioned at both ends in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells 11, and may emit heat for heating the five stacked battery cells 11. The second heating portion 234 may overlap with the upper surfaces 17 of six battery cells 11 positioned at a middle portion in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells 11, and may emit heat for heating the six stacked battery cells 11.

[0120] The amount of heat loss of the six battery cells 11 positioned in the middle portion may be less than the amount of heat loss of the five battery cells 11 positioned at both ends. In an embodiment, power may be supplied to the heater 230, and even if the amount of heat emitted per unit time by the second heating portion 234 is less than the amount of heat emitted per unit time by the first heating portion 231, the temperatures of all the battery cells 11 included in the battery module 10 may be uniformly increased.

[0121] The circuit portion 240 may be disposed around the heater 230, for example, bordering the heater 230. In an embodiment, the circuit portion 240 may not overlap the heater 230 in the third direction. However, the circuit portion 240 may be spaced further from the battery cell 11 than the heater 230. For example, the circuit portion 240 and the heater 230 may be spaced apart from each other in the third direction. In an embodiment, the distance between the heater 230 and the battery cell 11 may be smaller than the distance between the circuit portion 240 and the battery cell 11.

[0122] The circuit portion 240 may include a pair of overlapping and bonded protective film layers and a plurality of wires formed of a conductive material and extending between the pair of protective film layers. The size of the gap CO22 between the inner peripheral corners of the circuit portion 240 facing each other in the second direction may be slightly larger than or equal to the width HE21 of the first heating portion 231.

[0123] The battery cell heating device 200 may include a plurality of sensors 250, 252, 254, 256 that may be electrically connected to the circuit portion 240 and measure states of the plurality of battery cells 11. The plurality of sensors 250, 252, 254, 256 may include temperature sensors 250, 252, 254 and a voltage sensor 256.

[0124] The temperature sensors 250, 252, and 254 can measure the temperature of the battery cell 11. The temperature sensors 250, 252, and 254 can be provided as a plurality of temperature sensors 250, 252, and 254. The plurality of temperature sensors 250, 252, and 254 can correspond one-to-one to the plurality of heating portions 231 and 234. In an embodiment, the first temperature sensor 250 can measure the temperature of the battery cell 11 around the first heating portion 231 positioned on one side of the pair of first heating portions 231.

[0125] The second temperature sensor 252 may measure the temperature of the battery cells 11 around the second heating portion 234. The third temperature sensor 254 may measure the temperature of the battery cells 11 around the first heating portion 231 positioned at the other side of the pair of first heating portions 231.

[0126] The operation of any one of the plurality of heating portions 231 , 234 may be controlled according to a temperature measured by one of the plurality of temperature sensors 250 , 252 , 254 corresponding to the one heating portion 231 or 234 .

[0127] If the temperature measured by a temperature sensor 250, 252 or 254 is lower than a preset reference temperature, a heating part 231 or 234 corresponding to the temperature sensor 250, 252 or 254 can be turned on, and if the temperature measured by a temperature sensor 250, 252 or 254 is higher than or equal to the preset reference temperature, a heating part 231 or 234 corresponding to the temperature sensor 250, 252 or 254 can be turned off.

[0128] In an embodiment, if the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor 250 is lower than a preset reference temperature, the first heating portion 231 at the side corresponding to the first temperature sensor 250 may be turned on, and if the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor 250 is higher than or equal to the preset reference temperature, the first heating portion 231 at the side corresponding to the first temperature sensor 250 may be turned off.

[0129] In an embodiment, if the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor 252 is lower than a preset reference temperature, the second heating portion 234 corresponding to the second temperature sensor 252 may be turned on, and if the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor 252 is higher than or equal to the preset reference temperature, the second heating portion 234 corresponding to the second temperature sensor 252 may be turned off.

[0130] In an embodiment, if the temperature measured by the third temperature sensor 254 is lower than a preset reference temperature, the first heating portion 231 at the other side corresponding to the third temperature sensor 254 may be turned on, and if the temperature measured by the third temperature sensor 254 is higher than or equal to the preset reference temperature, the first heating portion 231 at the other side corresponding to the third temperature sensor 254 may be turned off.

[0131] The voltage sensor 256 may measure the voltage of the battery cell 11. The voltage sensor 256 may be provided in plurality in a one-to-one correspondence with the number of bus bars 40. Each of the voltage sensors 256 may be electrically connected to the corresponding bus bar 40 using a method such as welding.

[0132] The circuit portion 240 may electrically connect the plurality of voltage sensors 256 and the plurality of temperature sensors 250, 252, 254 to the BMS. The circuit portion 240 may be connected to the BMS via a connector. In an embodiment, the detection signals generated by the plurality of temperature sensors 250, 252, 254 may be transmitted to the BMS via the circuit portion 240. If the BMS determines that the temperature of the battery cell 11 measured by the plurality of temperature sensors 250, 252, 254 is lower than a preset reference temperature, the BMS may supply power for operating the heater 230 via the circuit portion 240.

[0133] The insulator 220 may be positioned between the heater 230 and the circuit portion 240. A width SU2 in the second direction between the peripheral corners 221 of the insulator 220 may be greater than the widths HE21, HE22 of the heater 230 (specifically, the width HE21 of the first heating portion 231), and smaller than the size of the gap CO21 between the peripheral corners of the circuit portion 240.

[0134] Insulator 220 may completely cover the surface of heater 230 facing away from battery cell 11 and partially cover the surface of circuit portion 240 facing battery cell 11. In an embodiment, insulator 220 may completely cover the upper surface of heater 230 and also partially cover the lower surface of circuit portion 240.

[0135] In the inner space of the outer cover 201, if the heater 230, the insulator 220, and the circuit portion 240 are pressed to be in close contact with each other, the insulator 220 may bend, and then the heater 230 may move to the space between the inner peripheral corners of the circuit portion 240. In an embodiment, the upper surface of the heater 230 may be surrounded by the insulator 220 to minimize the transfer of heat emitted by the heater 230 to the circuit portion 240.

[0136] The outer cover 201 may include a first film 203 and a second film 210. The first film 203 may be positioned to face the plurality of battery cells 11. The second film 210 may be spaced farther from the plurality of battery cells 11 than the first film 203.

[0137] The first film 203 and the second film 210 may be formed of, for example, PI or PEN. If the heater 230, the circuit portion 240, and the insulator 220 are placed between the first film 203 and the second film 210, and the first film 203 and the second film 210 are heated and pressed in a direction in which the first film 203 and the second film 210 are in close contact with each other, the outer peripheral corner 204 of the first film 103 and the outer peripheral corner 211 of the second film 210 may be joined to form the outer cover 201.

[0138] An adhesive that can be melted by heat may be pre-applied on surfaces of the first film 203 and the second film 210 (eg, an upper surface of the first film 203 and a lower surface of the second film 210 ).

[0139] The first film 203 may be partially open (e.g., have an opening) so that the heater 230 faces the plurality of battery cells 11. In an embodiment, the opening 207 may be formed in the center of the first film 203. Radiant heat emitted by the heater 230 may be transferred to the upper surface 17 of the cell housing 12 of the battery cell 11 through the opening 207 of the first film 203.

[0140] In the second direction, the width FLO2 between the outer peripheral corners 204 of the first film 203 may be larger than the size of the gap CO21 between the outer peripheral corners of the circuit portion 240. In the second direction, the width FLI2 between the inner peripheral corners 205 of the first film 203 may be smaller than the widths HE21 and HE22 of the heater 230 (specifically, the width HE22 of the second heating portion 234).

[0141] The battery cell heating device 200 may be installed in the battery module 10 so that the first film 203 may be in contact with the upper surface 17 of the cell housing 12. In an embodiment, the battery cell heating device 200 may be in contact with a plurality of battery cells 11. The plurality of temperature sensors 250, 252, 254 and the plurality of voltage sensors 256 may be positioned on the exterior of the outer cover 201, rather than on the interior of the outer cover 201 where the heater 230, the circuit portion 240, and the insulator 220 may be positioned.

[0142] The heater 230 may include heater terminals 235. In an embodiment, a pair of heater terminals 235 may be provided for each of the heating portions 231 and 234 to independently supply power to each of the pair of first heating portions 231 and one second heating portion 234 that may be included in the heater 230. The heater terminals 235 may be formed on upper surfaces of the heating portions 231 and 234.

[0143] The circuit portion 240 may include a circuit portion terminal 245 overlapping the heater terminal 235. The circuit portion 240 may include a terminal support 243 having a pair of circuit portion terminals 245 formed on its lower surface. The terminal support 243 may protrude in one direction to overlap the heater 230.

[0144] The circuit portion terminals 245 may correspond one-to-one to the heater terminals 235. In an embodiment, three pairs of circuit portion terminals 245 may be provided to correspond to the three pairs of heater terminals 235, and three terminal supports 243 may be provided.

[0145] The insulator 220 may be between the heater terminal 235 and the circuit portion terminal 245. The insulator 220 may include a terminal connection portion 223 electrically connecting the heater terminal 235 and the circuit portion terminal 245.

[0146] The terminal connection portion 223 may have an insulator through-hole passing through the insulator 220 in the thickness direction. The heater terminal 235 and the circuit portion terminal 245 may directly contact and be electrically connected to each other through the insulator through-hole of the terminal connection portion 223 .

[0147] like Figure 15 As shown in , the heater terminal 235 and the circuit portion terminal 245 can be in close contact with each other while being heated to be electrically connected to each other. In an embodiment, the heater terminal 235 may include a terminal body 2351 formed of a metal material and a solder layer 2352 stacked and solidified on the surface of the terminal body 2351. Similar to the heater terminal 235, the circuit portion terminal 245 may include a terminal body 2451 formed of a metal material and a solder layer 2452 stacked and solidified on the surface of the terminal body 2451.

[0148] If heater terminal 235, the insulator through-hole of terminal connection portion 223, and circuit portion terminal 245 are aligned in the third direction and simultaneously pressed to closely contact one another, at least one of insulator 220, heater 230, and circuit portion 240 may be elastically compressed, and then heater terminal 235 may come into contact with circuit portion terminal 245. In an embodiment, solder layer 2352 of heater terminal 235 and solder layer 2452 of circuit portion terminal 245 may melt and bond to electrically connect heater terminal 235 and circuit portion terminal 245.

[0149] In the embodiment, reference is made to Figure 16 , the heater terminal 235 and the circuit portion terminal 245 can be stacked to be electrically connected to each other with solder 247 therebetween. In an embodiment, if the heater terminal 235 is coated with solder 247 and the circuit portion terminal 245 is aligned with the heater terminal 235, passes through the insulator through-hole of the terminal connection portion 223, and then moves toward the heater terminal 235, at least one of the insulator 220, the heater 230, and the circuit portion 240 can be elastically compressed, and then the circuit portion terminal 245 can be surface-mounted on the heater terminal 235. In an embodiment, the heater terminal 235 and the circuit portion terminal 245 can be electrically connected.

[0150] Reference Figure 17 The heater terminal 235 and the circuit portion terminal 245 may be electrically connected via a rivet 248. The rivet 248 may penetrate and couple the heater terminal 235 and the circuit portion terminal 245 aligned with each other in the third direction. In an embodiment, while the heater terminal 235 and the circuit portion terminal 245 may be in contact with each other via the insulator through-hole of the terminal connection portion 223, the rivet 248 may penetrate the terminal support 243, the circuit portion terminal 245, the heater terminal 235, and the heater 230 to couple the heater terminal 235 and the circuit portion terminal 245 so that the heater terminal 235 and the circuit portion terminal 245 do not separate. In an embodiment, the heater terminal 235 and the circuit portion terminal 245 may be electrically connected.

[0151] Figure 18 : is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell heating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 18 A battery cell heating device 300 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may be installed in place of the battery cell heating device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1In the battery module 10 shown in FIG. , the battery cell heating device 300 may include a heater 330, a circuit portion 340, an insulator 320, and an outer cover 301. The heater 330 may emit heat to heat the battery cell 11. The circuit portion 340 may be electrically connected to the heater 330 to supply power to the heater 330.

[0152] The insulator 320 may suppress heat transfer so that the circuit portion 340 may not be heated by heat emitted from the heater 330. The outer cover 301 may surround and fixedly position the heater 330, the circuit portion 340, and the insulator 320.

[0153] Heater 330 may be a plate-shaped member having a predetermined thickness in the third direction and extending in the first direction. Heater 330 may be formed by curing a paste containing a mixture of carbon nanotubes and a metal. The metal included in heater 330 may be, for example, silver (Ag), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), or palladium (Pd).

[0154] The circuit portion 340 may be spaced further from the battery cell 11 than the heater 330 may be spaced from the battery cell 11. For example, the circuit portion 340 and the heater 330 may be spaced apart from each other in the third direction. In other words, the distance between the heater 330 and the battery cell 11 may be smaller than the distance between the circuit portion 340 and the battery cell 11.

[0155] The circuit portion 340 may include a pair of protective film layers that are overlapped and can be joined, and a plurality of wires formed of a conductive material and extending in the pair of protective film layers.

[0156] The battery cell heating device 300 may include a plurality of sensors that may be electrically connected to the circuit portion 340 and may measure the states of the plurality of battery cells 11. The plurality of sensors may include a temperature sensor and a voltage sensor 356. The temperature sensor may measure the temperature of the battery cell 11, and the voltage sensor 356 may measure the voltage of the battery cell 11. The voltage sensor 356 may be provided in a plurality in a one-to-one correspondence with the number of bus bars 40.

[0157] The insulator 320 may be positioned between the heater 330 and the circuit portion 340. In an embodiment, the upper surface of the heater 330 may be surrounded by the insulator 320 to minimize the transfer of heat emitted by the heater 330 to the circuit portion 340.

[0158] The outer cover 301 may include a first film 303 and a second film 310. The first film 303 may face the plurality of battery cells 11. The second film 310 may be spaced farther from the plurality of battery cells 11 than the first film 303 may be spaced from the plurality of battery cells 11.

[0159] The first film 303 and the second film 310 can be formed of, for example, PI or PEN. If the heater 330, the circuit portion 340, and the insulator 320 are positioned between the first film 303 and the second film 310, and the first film 303 and the second film 310 are heated and pressed in a direction in which they are in close contact with each other, the outer peripheral corners of the first film 303 and the outer peripheral corners of the second film 310 can be joined to form the outer cover 301.

[0160] The battery cell heating device 300 may be installed in the battery module 10 so that the first film 303 may contact the upper surface 17 of the cell housing 12. In an embodiment, the battery cell heating device 300 may contact a plurality of battery cells 11. The plurality of temperature sensors and the plurality of voltage sensors 356 may be positioned outside the outer cover 301, rather than inside the outer cover 301 where the heater 330, the circuit portion 340, and the insulator 320 may be positioned.

[0161] The heater 330 may include heater terminals. The heater terminals may be on the upper surface of the heater 330. The circuit portion 340 may include circuit portion terminals overlapping the heater terminals. The circuit portion terminals may correspond one-to-one with the heater terminals.

[0162] The insulator 320 may be between the heater terminal and the circuit portion terminal. The insulator 320 may include a terminal connection portion 323 that may electrically connect the heater terminal and the circuit portion terminal.

[0163] The terminal connection portion 323 may have an insulator through-hole passing through the insulator 320 in the thickness direction. The heater terminal and the circuit portion terminal may directly contact each other through the insulator through-hole of the terminal connection portion 323 to be electrically connected to each other.

[0164] By way of summary and review, secondary batteries for driving devices or energy storage can be used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices, but also in medium- to large-sized devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS). Specifically, in the case of medium- to large-sized devices, a battery module can be formed in a form in which multiple battery cells can be electrically connected to each other to increase the output power and / or capacity of the battery.

[0165] The charge and discharge performance of the battery module at a sub-zero temperature (ie, at low temperatures) may be lower than that at room temperature, and the reduction in charge and discharge performance may be proportional to the reduction in temperature.

[0166] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, battery cells can be heated in a low-temperature environment, and thus the temperature of the battery cells and battery modules can be quickly increased. Consequently, degradation of the charging and discharging performance of the battery cells and battery modules including multiple battery cells can be suppressed. Specifically, one aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure may involve providing a battery cell heating device and a battery module that heats battery cells to suppress degradation of the battery module in a low-temperature environment.

[0167] Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. In some cases, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon filing this application, features, characteristics, and / or elements described in conjunction with a particular embodiment may be used alone or in combination with features, characteristics, and / or elements described in conjunction with other embodiments, unless specifically noted otherwise. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery cell heating device, characterized in that: The battery cell heating device comprises: a heater configured to emit heat to heat the battery cells; a circuit portion electrically connected to the heater and configured to supply power to the heater; an insulator at least partially overlapping the circuit portion and the heater, the insulator being configured to suppress heat transfer so that the circuit portion is not heated by heat emitted from the heater; and An outer cover surrounds and fixedly holds the heater, the circuit portion, and the insulator.

2. The battery cell heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circuit portion is disposed around the heater; The heater includes heater terminals; The circuit portion includes a circuit portion terminal; and The heater terminal and the circuit portion terminal overlap and are electrically connected to each other.

3. The battery cell heating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: Each of the heater terminal and the circuit portion terminal includes: a terminal body formed of a metal material; and A solder layer is stacked on the terminal main body so that the heater terminal and the circuit portion terminal are joined with the heater terminal and the circuit portion terminal being in close contact and melted while being heated.

4. The battery cell heating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The battery cell heating device further includes solder between the stacked heater terminals and the circuit portion terminals such that the heater terminals and the circuit portion terminals are electrically connected.

5. The battery cell heating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The battery cell heating apparatus further includes a rivet that passes through and couples the heater terminal and the circuit portion terminal so that the heater terminal and the circuit portion terminal are electrically connected.

6. The battery cell heating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The insulator comprises: a first insulator partially covering a surface of the heater facing the battery cell and a surface of the circuit portion facing the battery cell; and The second insulator completely covers a surface of the heater facing away from the battery cell and partially covers a surface of the circuit portion facing away from the battery cell.

7. The battery cell heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circuit portion is spaced farther from the battery cell than the heater is spaced from the battery cell.

8. The battery cell heating device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The heater includes heater terminals; The circuit portion includes a circuit portion terminal overlapping the heater terminal; The insulator is between the heater terminal and the circuit portion terminal; and The insulator includes a terminal connection portion electrically connecting the heater terminal and the circuit portion terminal.

9. The battery cell heating device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The circuit portion is disposed around the heater.

10. The battery cell heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer cover comprises: a first film facing the battery cell; and A second film is spaced further from the battery cell than the first film is spaced from the battery cell.

11. The battery cell heating device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The first film has an opening such that the heater faces the battery cell.

12. The battery cell heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heater is formed using carbon nanotubes.

13. The battery cell heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery cell heating device further includes a sensor, wherein: electrically connected to the circuit portion; configured to measure a state of the battery cell; and Positioned outside the outer cover.

14. The battery cell heating device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The sensor comprises: a voltage sensor configured to measure the voltage of the battery cell; and / or The temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature of the battery cell.

15. The battery cell heating device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The heater includes a plurality of heating portions, the plurality of heating portions being positioned such that they do not overlap one another; The sensor includes a plurality of temperature sensors corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of heating portions and configured to measure temperatures of the battery cells around the plurality of heating portions; and Each of the plurality of heating sections is configured such that an operation thereof is controlled according to a temperature measured by a corresponding temperature sensor of the plurality of temperature sensors.

16. A battery module, characterized in that: The battery module comprises: a plurality of battery cells; and A battery cell heating device includes: a heater configured to emit heat to heat the plurality of battery cells; a circuit portion adjacent to and electrically connected to the heater and configured to supply power to the heater; an insulator at least partially overlapping the circuit portion and the heater, the insulator being configured to suppress heat transfer so that the circuit portion is not heated by the heat emitted by the heater; and an outer cover surrounding and fixedly holding the heater, the circuit portion, and the insulator.

17. The battery module according to claim 16, wherein: The plurality of battery cells are arranged in a row in one direction; and The battery cell heating device contacts the plurality of battery cells and extends in the one direction.

18. The battery module according to claim 17, wherein: The battery cell heating apparatus further includes a sensor electrically connected to the circuit portion, positioned outside the outer cover, and configured to measure a state of a battery cell among the plurality of battery cells; The heater includes a plurality of heating portions, the plurality of heating portions being positioned such that they do not overlap one another; The sensor includes a plurality of temperature sensors corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of heating portions and configured to measure temperatures of the battery cells around the plurality of heating portions; and Each of the plurality of heating sections is configured such that an operation thereof is controlled according to a temperature measured by its corresponding temperature sensor of the plurality of temperature sensors.

19. The battery module according to claim 18, wherein: each of the plurality of heating parts is configured to be turned on if a temperature measured by its corresponding temperature sensor of the plurality of temperature sensors is lower than a preset reference temperature; and Each of the plurality of heating sections is configured to be turned off if a temperature measured by its corresponding temperature sensor of the plurality of temperature sensors is higher than or equal to the preset reference temperature.

20. The battery module according to claim 18, wherein: the plurality of heating portions including a pair of first heating portions positioned at both ends of the battery cell heating apparatus in a length direction and a second heating portion positioned between the pair of first heating portions; The length of the second heating portion is greater than the length of the first heating portion; and A planar area of the second heating portion is smaller than a planar area of the first heating portion.

Images