Battery pack and device that includes the same

Abstract

Battery pack comprising: a lower pack housing (100) with a plurality of module areas; a partition (110) dividing the plurality of module areas; a cell block (200) mounted in each of the plurality of module areas; and a coupling element (300), the coupling element (300) being configured to couple the cell block (200) to the battery pack, the cell block (200) comprising a battery cell stack (210) formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells (211); and a side surface plate (240) located between the battery cell stack (210) and the partition (110), the side surface plate (240) being in contact with the battery cell stack (200) and being separated from the partition (110).

Description

[TECHNICAL FIELD] Cross-reference to related registration(s) The present application claims the benefits of Korean patent application No. 10-2020-0080829, which was filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on July 1, 2020. The present disclosure relates to a battery pack and a device including the same, and in particular to a battery pack comprising a swelling absorption and a coupling structure for battery cells, and to a device including the same. [STATE OF THE ART] Secondary batteries have garnered significant attention as an energy source in various products, such as mobile devices and electric vehicles. They represent a powerful energy resource that can replace existing products powered by fossil fuels and are considered an environmentally friendly energy source because they do not produce any byproducts during energy consumption. Recently, along with the ever-increasing need for a high-capacity secondary battery structure, including the use of the secondary battery as an energy storage source, there has also been a growing demand for a battery pack with a multi-module structure, which is an assembly of battery modules in which a large number of secondary batteries are connected in series / parallel. When a large number of battery cells are connected in series / parallel to configure a battery pack, a common procedure is to configure a battery module consisting of at least one battery cell, and then add further components to the at least one battery module to configure a battery pack. However, configuring a battery pack with a battery module requires a two-stage assembly process in which a battery cell is manufactured in units of battery modules, and then the battery modules manufactured in units of battery modules are again placed in the battery pack, which leads to the problem that the entire manufacturing process is complicated. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional battery module. Fig. 2 is section AA' of Fig. 1, which is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional battery module with a compression pad inserted into it. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the conventional battery module 10 can include a compression pad 13, which is positioned between the battery cell 11 and the frame 12 such that it comes into contact with the battery cell 11. If swelling of the battery cell 11 occurs, the compression pad 13 absorbs the swelling of the battery cell 11 by contraction, thereby minimizing the morphological deformation of the battery module 10. However, when a battery pack is configured with a battery module, a two-stage assembly process is required. This involves manufacturing a battery module, including a battery cell and a compression pad to absorb swelling, and then reassembling the battery modules into a battery pack. This complicates the entire manufacturing process. Furthermore, if battery cells are directly housed within a battery pack without manufacturing a battery module, an element to absorb swelling from the battery cells within the pack may be necessary. [DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION] [Technical problem] One objective of the present disclosure is to provide a battery pack that simplifies the manufacturing process of the battery pack, as well as a device pack that contains the same. Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a battery pack comprising a structure that absorbs the swelling between a battery cell and a battery pack and couples the battery cell to the battery pack, as well as a device pack containing the same. The objectives of this disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned objectives, and other objectives not described herein should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. [Technical solution] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery pack is provided comprising: a lower pack housing with a plurality of module areas; a partition separating the plurality of module areas; a cell block mounted in each of the plurality of module areas; and a coupling element coupling the cell block and the partition, the cell block comprising a battery cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells; and a side surface plate located between the battery cell stack and the partition. The cell block may additionally contain a retaining band designed to encircle the circumference of the battery cell stack. The coupling element can couple the retaining strap and the partition wall together. The side plate is designed to come into contact with the outermost battery cells on both sides of the battery cell stack, and the retaining band can be designed to enclose the circumference of the battery cell stack and the side plate. The retaining strap can be formed at both the front and rear ends of the battery cell stack. Retainer band projections can be formed in the middle of both sides of the retainer band. The coupling element can couple the retaining strap projection and the partition wall together. An opening can be formed in the section of the partition wall corresponding to the retaining strap projection, and the retaining strap projection can be inserted into the opening. The coupling element can be a screw. The screw penetrates the partition from a top to a bottom and comes into contact with the retaining band projection inserted into the opening, and the retaining band projection is compressed from a top to a bottom, so that the retaining band projection and the partition formed on the underside of the retaining band projection are coupled together. The screw can be provided on either of the two retaining band projections formed on both sides of the retaining band and can compress the retaining band projections. The side surface plate can consist of an elastic element. The side panel can come into contact with the battery cell stack and can be separated from the partition. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a device is provided which includes the aforementioned battery pack. [BENEFICIAL EFFECTS] A battery pack and a device including the same according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can accommodate the swelling of the battery cells housed directly in the battery pack through the side plate and the partition, and can couple the battery cells and the side plate to the battery pack through the coupling element. The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects listed above, and further effects not described above are clearly understandable to the person skilled in the art from the description of the attached claims. [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional battery module; Fig. 2 is section AA' of Fig. 1, which is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional battery module with a compression pad inserted into it; Fig. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a cell block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 is a perspective exploded view of a cell block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the battery pack is assembled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 7 is a view showing section B of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of section D of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of section C of Fig. 6; Fig.Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing section FF' of Fig. 9; and Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing section EE' of Fig. 9. [DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS] It must be acknowledged that the embodiments described below are for illustrative purposes only, to facilitate understanding of this disclosure. However, in this disclosure, specific descriptions and illustrations of publicly known functions or components are omitted where it is determined that such descriptions and illustrations might unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of this disclosure. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, the accompanying drawings are not to scale, and some components may be exaggerated in size. As used here, terms like first, second, and the like can be used to describe different components, and the components are not limited by these terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Furthermore, the terms used herein are employed only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. A singular expression encompasses a plural expression unless they have clearly opposite meanings in context. The terms "comprise," "include," and "have" as used herein are to be understood as denoting the presence of specified features, numbers, steps, movements, basic elements, parts, or combinations thereof; however, they are to be understood as not precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, movements, basic elements, parts, or combinations thereof. The structure of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. 6. Fig. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a cell block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a perspective exploded view of a cell block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the battery pack is assembled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. 6, a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a lower pack housing 100 with a plurality of module areas, a partition 110 dividing the plurality of module areas, and a cell block 200 mounted in each of the plurality of module areas. The lower pack housing 100 contains a plurality of cell blocks 200. The plurality of module areas of the lower pack housing 100 can be configured in a size corresponding to the size of the cell block 200, and the plurality of cell blocks 200 can each be located in a plurality of module areas. According to this embodiment, the plurality of cell blocks 200 can be arranged in two rows along the stacking direction of the battery cells. A partition 110 can be formed between module sections to divide them. The partition 110 can be configured to face opposite side surfaces of the cell block 200 located in the module sections. The lower packing housing 100 and the partition 110 formed therein can protect the multiple cell blocks 200 from external impacts. The thermally conductive resin layer 500 can be formed on the underside of the lower pack housing 100. The thermally conductive resin layer 500 can transfer heat generated by the multitude of cell blocks 200, which are arranged in each of the multitude of module areas, to the outside of the battery pack. The thermally conductive resin layer 500 can be formed by curing the coated thermally conductive resin. The cell block 200 can be positioned in each of the multitude of module areas before the thermally conductive resin has cured. Heat transferred to the thermally conductive resin layer 300 can be dissipated to the outside through the underside of the lower pack housing 100. According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery pack can further comprise an upper pack housing 400 for covering an upper section of the cell block 200. The upper pack housing 400 can be coupled to the lower pack housing 100 and the partition 110 formed in the lower pack housing 100. The upper pack housing 400 allows the plurality of cell blocks 200 to be fixed in upward and downward directions and protects the plurality of cell blocks from external forces. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a dual assembly structure was conventionally used, in which a battery cell stack and various associated components are assembled to form a battery module, and several battery modules are housed in a battery pack. However, as shown in Figure 3, the battery pack according to this embodiment contains a battery cell stack 210 and is designed in a module-less structure, in which the cell block 200, from which the module frame is removed, is directly coupled to the lower pack housing 100 that forms the battery pack. This makes it possible to form a battery pack structure with a simple structure in which the cell block, including the battery cell stack, is directly coupled to the battery pack housing structure, thus eliminating the need to manufacture a separate battery module as in the prior art.This simplifies the entire battery pack manufacturing process, reduces manufacturing costs, and lowers the battery pack's weight. Furthermore, it offers the advantage of easier reassembly during the battery pack assembly process, unlike conventional battery modules where the module frames are welded together, making reassembly difficult in case of a fault. The cell block 200 contains a battery cell stack 210 in which a plurality of battery cells 211 are stacked, and a side surface plate 240 located between the battery cell stack 210 and the partition 110. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the battery cell 211 is a secondary battery and can be configured as a bag-type secondary battery. Such a battery cell 211 can consist of a plurality of cells, and the plurality of battery cells 211 can be stacked together so that they are electrically interconnected, forming the battery cell stack 100. Each of the plurality of battery cells can include an electrode assembly, a cell casing, and an electrode lead extending from the electrode assembly. The cell block 200 can further include a retaining band 220 configured to encircle the battery cell stack 210. The retaining band 220 is arranged around both the front and rear ends of the battery cell stack 210 and serves to fix these ends. The front and rear ends of the battery cell stack 210 can refer to both ends along the longitudinal (y-axis) direction of the battery cell stack 210. According to this embodiment, the cell block 200 does not have a fixing element such as a module frame in a conventional battery module. Thus, the battery cell stack 210, consisting of a plurality of battery cells, is fixed by a fixing material such as the retaining band 220, allowing the battery cell stack 210 to be stably positioned in a plurality of module regions. The retaining band 220 can be made of a material with elastic force. The cell block 200 can further comprise a battery cell stack 210, in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, and an insulating cover 230 coupled to the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 210. The insulating cover 230 can interrupt the electrical connection between the electrode leads formed on the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 210 and the outside. This allows the cell block 200 to achieve electrical stability. The cell block 200 can further include a side plate 240, which is configured to contact the outermost battery cells 211a on both sides of the battery cell stack 210. The side plate 240 is a plate-shaped element that can supplement the rigidity of the cell block 200 and is simultaneously formed from an elastic element, thus enabling it to accommodate the swelling of the battery cell stack 210. The side plate 240 can be made of a plastic material that can be produced by injection molding. In some cases, a leaf spring material can be applied to the side plate 240.According to this embodiment, the retaining band 220 is designed to simultaneously enclose the battery cell stack 210 and the side surface plates 240, which are coupled to both sides of the battery cell stack 210, so that the battery cell stack 210 and the side surface plate 240 can be fixed simultaneously. A battery pack with a coupling element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9 to Fig. 10. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the battery pack is mounted according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a view showing section B of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of section D of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of section C of Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing section FF' of Fig. 9. Referring to Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 to 10, the battery pack according to this embodiment includes a coupling element 300 that couples the cell block 200 and the partition 110. More precisely, the coupling element 300 can couple the retaining strap 220 and the partition 110 together, as shown in Figure 10. According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a retaining band projection 221 is formed at the center of both sides of the retaining band 220, as shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 10, and the coupling element 300 can compress the retaining band projection 221 to couple the retaining band projection 221 and the partition 110. Both sides of the retaining band 220 can be sections located near the side surface plate 240. Both sides of the retaining band 220 can be sections located near the outermost battery cell 211 of the battery cell stack 210. The retaining band projection 221 can be a section projecting at the periphery of the retaining band 220 toward the partition 110. The retaining band projection 221 can be a section where both ends of the retaining band 220 wrapping around the cell block 200 meet.Alternatively, the retaining band projection 221 can be a section where a section of the retaining band 220 enclosing the cell block 200 overlaps. Therefore, the thickness of the retaining band projection 221 can be greater than the thickness of other sections of the retaining band 220. An opening 110a can be formed in a section of the partition 110 corresponding to the retaining band projection 221. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the retaining band projection 221 can be inserted into the opening 110a. According to this embodiment, the coupling element 300 can be a screw 300. Referring to Figure 10, the screw 300 can penetrate the partition 110 from a top to a bottom and come into contact with the retaining band projection 221 inserted into the opening 110a. Additionally, the screw 300 can compress the retaining band projection 221 from a top to a bottom to couple the retaining band projection 221 and the partition 110 formed beneath the retaining band projection. The top side can be oriented in the +z-axis direction and the bottom side in the -z-axis direction. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the retaining band projection 221 can be formed on both sides of the retaining band 220, and the screw 300 can be provided on each of the two retaining band projections 221 formed on either side of the retaining band 220. The screw 300 can fix the retaining band 220 to the partition 110 by compressing each of the retaining band projections 221. The screw 300 can be formed on both sides of the retaining band projection 221 in order to compress both ends of the retaining band projection 221 and fix the retaining band 220 to the partition 110. The retaining strap 220 is fixed to the partition 110, with the battery cell stack 210 surrounding the retaining strap 220 being coupled to the lower pack housing 100, including the partition 110, so that the cell block 200 can be fixed to the battery pack. The coupling structure of the retaining strap 220 ensures not only the fixing force of the cell block 200 itself, but also the fixing force between the cell block 200 and the housing. The retaining strap 220 contributes to the stable coupling of the battery cells to the interior of the battery pack. In addition to the screw according to this embodiment, 300 different types of coupling materials can be provided as coupling elements, capable of coupling the retaining strap 220 and the partition 110 to the retaining strap 220. The structure and function of the side surface plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing section EE' of Fig. 9. The side plate 240 according to this embodiment can be formed between the battery cell stack 210 and the partition 110. In this case, the side plate 240 can be designed such that it can be separated from the partition 110 while remaining in contact with the battery cell stack 210. The side plate sections of the retaining strap 220 shown in Fig. 10 are arranged at both ends between the side plate 240 and the partition 110, so that a space S can be secured between the side plate 240 and the central section of the partition 110. Since a space is formed between the side panel 240 and the partition 110, the elastically acting side panel 240 is curved towards the partition 110 when swelling of the battery cell stack 210 occurs, thus naturally accommodating the swelling of the battery cell stack 210. In this case, the partition 110 can be made of a material with high stiffness. The partition 110, made of a material with high stiffness, can withstand the compressive force of the side panel 240 curved by the swelling and prevent deformation of the pack housing. The battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure can have a structure that is packed by adding a battery management system (BMS) and a cooling system that controls and manages the temperature, voltage, etc. of the battery. The battery pack can be used for various devices. Such a device can be applied to a vehicle such as an electric bicycle, an electric vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle, but the present disclosure is not limited to these and applies to various devices that can use a battery module, which also falls within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. [Description of the reference numbers] 100 lower pack housing 110 partition 110a opening 200 cell block 210 battery cell stack 211 battery cell 211a outermost battery cell 220 retaining strap 221 retaining strap projection 230 insulating cover 240 side panel 300 coupling element 400 upper pack housing 500 thermally conductive resin layer QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature KR 10-2020-0080829

[0001]

Claims

Battery pack comprising: a lower pack housing (100) with a plurality of module areas; a partition (110) dividing the plurality of module areas; a cell block (200) mounted in each of the plurality of module areas; and a coupling element (300), the coupling element (300) being configured to couple the cell block (200) to the battery pack, the cell block (200) comprising a battery cell stack (210) formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells (211); and a side surface plate (240) located between the battery cell stack (210) and the partition (110), the side surface plate (240) being in contact with the battery cell stack (200) and being separated from the partition (110). Battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: the cell block (200) further comprises a retaining strap (220) which is designed to enclose the circumference of the battery cell stack (210). Battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: the coupling element (300) connects the retaining strap (220) and the partition (110). Battery pack according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: the side surface plate (240) is designed to come into contact with the outermost battery cells (211) on both sides of the battery cell stack (210), and the retaining strap (220) is designed to enclose the circumference of the battery cell stack (210) and the side surface plate (240). Battery pack according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: the retaining strap (220) is formed at the front and rear ends of the battery cell stack (210). Battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: retaining strap projections (221) are formed in the middle on both sides of the retaining strap (220). Battery pack according to claim 6, wherein: the coupling element (300) connects the retaining strap projection (221) and the partition (110). Battery pack according to claim 6, wherein: an opening (110a) is formed in the section of the partition (110) corresponding to the retaining strap projection (21), and the retaining strap projection (221) is inserted into the opening (110a). Battery pack according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: the coupling element (300) is a screw. Battery pack according to claim 9, wherein: the screw (300) penetrates the partition (110) from a top to a bottom and comes into contact with the retaining band projection (221) inserted into the opening (110a), and the retaining band projection (221) is compressed from a top to a bottom, so that the retaining band projection (221) and the partition (110) formed on the bottom of the retaining band projection (221) are connected to each other. Battery pack according to claim 9, wherein: the screw (300) is provided on each of the two retaining band projections (221) formed on both sides of the retaining band (220) and compresses the retaining band projections (221) in each case. Battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: the side surface plate (240) is formed from an elastic element. Device comprising the battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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