Battery pack

Abstract

To provide a battery pack.SOLUTION: A battery pack includes: a plurality of battery cells; a housing which houses the plurality of battery cells; a bus bar which electrically connects the plurality of battery cells; a holder portion which fixes bottom portions and side surface portions of the plurality of battery cells; a cooling unit which is arranged below the holder portion to cool the plurality of battery cells; and a filling portion which is arranged between the plurality of battery cells and the cooling portion in contact with surfaces of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the filling portion is so formed as to cover at least in part the bottom portions and the side portions of the plurality of battery cells.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a secondary battery is a battery that can be charged and discharged, unlike a primary battery that cannot be charged. Secondary batteries are used as energy sources for mobile devices, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric bicycles, uninterruptible power supplies, etc., and depending on the type of external device to which they are applied, they may be used in the form of a single battery or in the form of a module in which multiple batteries are connected together to form one unit.

[0003] Small mobile devices such as mobile phones can operate for a certain period of time with the output and capacity of a single battery, but when long-term operation or high-power operation is required, such as in power-hungry electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, a modular form containing multiple batteries is preferred due to output and capacity issues, and the output voltage and output current can be increased depending on the number of built-in batteries. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2022-00023366 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that ensures heat dissipation performance through a structure in which an opening is formed in a holder portion that fixes a battery cell.

[0006] Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack that ensures a fixing force of the battery cell through a structure that fixes the bottom and side surfaces of the battery cell together.

[0007] However, such a problem is merely an example, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to this. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells; a housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells; a bus bar that electrically connects the plurality of battery cells; a holder portion that fixes bottom and side portions of the plurality of battery cells; a cooling portion disposed below the holder portion and that cools the plurality of battery cells; and a filling portion disposed between the plurality of battery cells and the cooling portion so as to contact surface portions of the plurality of battery cells; and the filling portion is formed to cover at least a portion of the bottom portions and at least a portion of the side portions of the plurality of battery cells.

[0009] In a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the holder portion is formed to include an opening through which a portion of a bottom portion and a portion of a side portion of the plurality of battery cells are exposed, and the filling portion may cover a portion of a bottom portion and a portion of a side portion of the plurality of battery cells above the opening.

[0010] In the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, a sheet portion may be disposed between the filling portion and the cooling portion.

[0011] In a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the holder portion may include a first holder portion formed along a circumferential direction of a side portion of one of the plurality of battery cells to fix the side portion of the battery cell; a second holder portion formed at a center of a bottom portion of one of the plurality of battery cells to fix the bottom portion of the battery cell; and a third holder portion formed to be bent along the bottom portion and side portion of the one of the plurality of battery cells to connect the first holder portion and the second holder portion.

[0012] In a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second holder part is formed in a ring shape and includes a first opening which is an area formed by an inner portion of the second holder part on a lower surface portion of the battery cell, and the battery cell can be exposed to the outside of the holder part through the first opening.

[0013] In a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, a first filling portion that covers a portion of a lower surface of the battery cell may be received in the first opening.

[0014] In a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the third holder part includes a 3-1 holder part extending radially from the second holder part on a lower surface of the battery cell centered on the second holder part, and arranged in a circumferential direction of the second holder part, and includes a second opening formed on the lower surface of the battery cell between an outer portion of the second holder part and two adjacent 3-1 holder parts among the plurality of 3-1 holder parts, and the battery cell may be exposed to the outside of the holder part through the second opening.

[0015] In a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, a second filling portion that covers a portion of a lower surface of the battery cell may be received in the second opening.

[0016] In a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first holder portion is disposed at a position spaced apart from a lower surface portion of the battery cell, and the third holder portion includes a plurality of 3-2 holder portions arranged to be spaced apart along a circumferential direction of a side surface portion of the battery cell, and includes third openings formed on the side surface of the battery cell between the first holder portion and the lower surface portion of the battery cell and between two adjacent 3-2 holder portions among the plurality of 3-2 holder portions, and the battery cell may be exposed to the outside of the holder portion through the third openings.

[0017] In a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, a third filler that covers a portion of a side surface of the battery cell may be received in the third opening.

[0018] In a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first holder part, the second holder part, and the third holder part may be integrally formed.

[0019] In a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the third holder portion includes: a 3-1 holder portion, the plurality of which are arranged radially on the underside of the battery cell centered on the second holder portion; and a 3-2 holder portion, the plurality of which are arranged spaced apart along a circumferential direction of the side of the battery cell; and the 3-1 holder portion and the 3-2 holder portion may be integrally formed.

[0020] Other aspects, features, and advantages in addition to those described above will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims, and drawings. Effect of the Invention

[0021] The battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention can ensure heat dissipation performance through a structure in which an opening is formed in a holder portion that fixes a battery cell.

[0022] The battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may ensure a fixing force of the battery cell through a structure for fixing the bottom and side portions of the battery cell together.

[0023] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a plurality of battery cells and a holder unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a holder portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] This is a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] This is a view seen from direction B in FIG. [Figure 7] This is a view seen from the direction B in FIG. 3, including the filling portion. [Figure 8] 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of a holder portion into which one battery cell is inserted, together with a loading portion. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The present invention can be modified in various ways and can have various embodiments, and a specific embodiment will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the description of the invention. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiment, and it should be understood that the present invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In describing the present invention, the same identification symbols are used for the same components even if they are illustrated in other embodiments.

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing with reference to the drawings, the same or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0027] In the following examples, the terms "first", "second" and the like are used not in a limiting sense but for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

[0028] In the following examples, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0029] In the following examples, terms such as "comprise" or "have" mean the presence of a feature or component described in the specification, but do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

[0030] In the drawings, the size of components may be exaggerated or reduced for the convenience of explanation. For example, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown in the drawings.

[0031] In the following embodiments, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are not limited to the three axes on a Cartesian coordinate system, but may be interpreted in a broader sense including the three axes. For example, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis may be mutually orthogonal, or may indicate different directions that are not mutually orthogonal.

[0032] When an embodiment can be implemented differently, the order of certain steps may be performed differently than that described. For example, two steps described in succession may be performed substantially simultaneously or may be reversed from that described.

[0033] The terms used in this application are merely used to describe certain embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and should be understood not to preclude the presence or additional possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0034] Hereinafter, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a plurality of battery cells and a holder part according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the holder part according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a view seen from direction B in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a view seen from direction B in FIG. 3, including a filling part. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the holder part into which one battery cell is inserted, together with the filling part.

[0036] 1 to 8, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells 300, a housing 100 for accommodating the plurality of battery cells, a bus bar 400 for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells, a holder part 200 for fixing lower and side portions of the plurality of battery cells, a cooling part 110 disposed below the holder part for cooling the plurality of battery cells, and a filling part 210 disposed between the plurality of battery cells and the cooling part so as to contact surface portions of the plurality of battery cells, the filling part being formed to cover at least a portion of the lower and at least a portion of the side portions of the plurality of battery cells.

[0037] The housing 100 may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in Fig. 1. Although the rectangular parallelepiped housing 100 is described in the present embodiment, the shape of the housing 100 may be variously embodied. A set of a plurality of battery cells 300 may be accommodated in the internal space of the housing 100. The plurality of battery cells 300 may also be cylindrical secondary batteries that repeatedly perform charging and discharging.

[0038] The battery cells 300 may be arranged in a number of rows and columns inside the housing 100, and the battery cells 300 in the number of rows and columns may be arranged in a staggered manner.

[0039] The plurality of battery cells 300 arranged in a plurality of rows and columns may be fixed inside the housing 100 by the holder unit 200. The holder unit 200 may be formed under the plurality of battery cells 300 and may simultaneously fix the plurality of battery cells 300.

[0040] A bus bar 400 may be formed on the upper sides of the battery cells 300. The bus bar 400 may be disposed on the upper sides of the battery cells 300 and connected to all of the battery cells 300, thereby electrically connecting the battery cells 300 to each other.

[0041] According to the present embodiment, the battery pack 10 may include a cooling unit 110 disposed below the holder unit 200 and cooling the plurality of battery cells 300. The cooling unit 110 may be disposed inside a bottom portion of the housing 100 below the holder unit 200. Coolant may flow on the cooling unit 110. Heat generated during the operation of the plurality of battery cells 300 may be appropriately cooled through the cooling unit 110, thereby adjusting the temperature of the battery pack 10.

[0042] The sheet unit 120 may be disposed between the cooling unit 110 and the holder unit 200. The sheet unit 120 may be made of an insulating PET sheet. Electrical insulation between the plurality of battery cells 300 and the housing 100 may be ensured via the sheet unit 120.

[0043] The filling part 210 may be formed between the plurality of battery cells 300 mounted on the holder part 200 and the sheet part 120. The filling part 210 may be a thermal glue having electrical insulation properties. The filling part 210 may be made of an adhesive material that is easily heat-transferable and hardens by heat. In the present embodiment, the filling part is described as a thermal glue, but the filling part is not limited thereto and may be changed to an adhesive material such as a silicon adhesive having thermal conductivity.

[0044] The filling portion 210 formed of the thermal glue is formed on the upper surface of the sheet portion 120 and can be accommodated in an opening 211 (described later) formed in the holder portion 200. At this time, heat generated in the plurality of battery cells 300 can be transferred to the cooling portion 110 via the thermally conductive thermal glue. In addition to the thermal conductivity, electrical insulation between the plurality of battery cells 300 and the housing 100 including the cooling portion 110 can be ensured via the thermal glue having electrical insulation.

[0045] The holder unit 200 is formed under the plurality of battery cells 300 and can simultaneously fix the plurality of battery cells 300. In addition, the holder unit 200 is formed to accommodate the plurality of battery cells 300 at equal intervals, and the plurality of battery cells 300 can be fixed on the holder unit 200 while maintaining a constant interval between adjacent battery cells.

[0046] According to this embodiment, the holder portion 200 is formed to include an opening 211 through which a portion of the bottom surface and a portion of the side surface of the plurality of battery cells 300 are exposed, and the filling portion 210 may cover a portion of the bottom surface and a portion of the side surface of the plurality of battery cells 300 above the opening 211.

[0047] That is, the holder part 200 is configured to fix not only the bottom parts of the battery cells 300 but also the side parts thereof, and serves to reliably fix the battery cells 300 so that the battery cells 300 are not detached from the holder part 200. As a result, the battery cells 300 mounted in the holder part 200 can be prevented from tilting, and the intervals between the battery cells 300 can be kept constant, ensuring the mechanical stability of the battery cells 300.

[0048] At the same time, the openings 211 formed in the holder portion 200 are formed not only on the bottom portions of the multiple battery cells 300 but also on the side portions, and the filling portion 210 covers both the bottom portions and the side portions of the multiple battery cells 300, thereby ensuring heat dissipation function through the side portions of the multiple battery cells 300 and further improving the heat dissipation performance for the multiple battery cells 300.

[0049] At the same time, since the thermal glue forming the filling portion 210 is made of an electrically insulating material, and the holder portion 200 and the sheet portion 120 are also made of electrically insulating materials, the electrical insulation between the multiple battery cells 300 and the housing 100 including the cooling portion 110 can be triple protected.

[0050] The specific structures of the holder section and the filling section according to this embodiment will be described in more detail below.

[0051] According to this embodiment, the holder part 200 may include a first holder part 201 formed along the circumferential direction of a side part of one of the plurality of battery cells 300 and fixing the side part of the battery cell, a second holder part 202 formed in the center of a bottom part of one of the plurality of battery cells and fixing the bottom part of the battery cell, and a third holder part 203 formed to be folded along the bottom part and side part of one of the plurality of battery cells and connecting the first holder part and the second holder part.

[0052] The first holder part 201 is formed along the circumferential direction of the side surface of the cylindrical battery cell and serves to fix the side surface of the battery cell. Therefore, the battery cell inserted into the first holder part 201 is prevented from moving in the lateral direction by the first holder part 201.

[0053] The second holder part 202 is formed in a ring shape at the center of the lower surface of the cylindrical battery cell and serves to fix the lower surface of the battery cell. Therefore, the battery cell mounted in the second holder part 202 is prevented from moving downward by the second holder part 202.

[0054] The third holder part 203 may be formed to connect the first holder part 201 and the second holder part 202, and to be bent along a corner of the battery cell mounted on the first holder part 201 and the second holder part 202. The third holder part 203 is arranged in a circumferential direction around the second holder part 202 with the second holder part 202 as a center, and extends radially outward from the second holder part 202. In this embodiment, the third holder part 203 is composed of four third holder parts 203 arranged radially, but the number of the third holder parts 203 is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient that the third holder parts 203 are arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential direction based on the second holder part 202.

[0055] The first holder part 201, the second holder part 202 and the third holder part 203 may be integrally formed. This ensures the rigidity of the holder part 200, thereby ensuring a fixing force for the plurality of battery cells 300.

[0056] A first opening 211a, which is an area formed by an inner portion of the ring-shaped second holder part 202 on the battery cell lower surface part 301, may be included, and the battery cell may be exposed to the outside of the holder part 200 through the first opening 211a. In this case, a first filling part 210a covering a part of the lower surface part 301 of the battery cell may be received in the first opening 211a.

[0057] This allows heat generated on the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 300 to be dissipated to the outside of the plurality of battery cells 300 via the first filling portions 210a arranged on the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 300.

[0058] In addition, the third holder portion 203 may include a plurality of 3-1 holder portions 203a arranged radially on the battery cell lower surface portion 301 with the second holder portion 202 at the center.

[0059] At this time, the battery cell lower surface portion 301 may include an outer portion of the second holder portion 202 and a second opening 211b formed between two adjacent 3-1 holder portions among the plurality of 3-1 holder portions 203a, and the battery cell may be exposed to the outside of the holder portion through the second opening 211b. At this time, a second filling portion 210b covering a part of the lower surface portion of the battery cell may be received in the second opening 211b.

[0060] This allows heat generated on the lower surfaces and lower corner portions of the multiple battery cells 300 to be dissipated to the outside of the multiple battery cells 300 via the second filling portion 210b arranged on the lower surfaces and corner portions of the multiple battery cells 300.

[0061] In addition, the first holder part 201 is arranged at a position spaced apart from the lower surface part 301 of the battery cell, and the third holder part 203 may include a plurality of 3-2 holder parts 203b arranged at intervals along a circumferential direction of the side surface part 302 of the battery cell.

[0062] At this time, a third opening 211c is formed on the side surface 302 of the battery cell between the first holder part 201 and the lower surface 301 of the battery cell and between two adjacent 3-2 holder parts among the plurality of 3-2 holder parts 203b, and the battery cell may be exposed to the outside of the holder part 200 through the third opening 211c. At this time, a third filling part 210c covering a part of the side surface of the battery cell may be received in the third opening 211c.

[0063] This allows heat generated at the side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 300 to be dissipated to the outside of the plurality of battery cells 300 via the third filling portions 210c arranged at the side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 300.

[0064] Here, the 3-1 holder part 203a and the 3-2 holder part 203b which form the third holder part 203 are integrally formed to protect the corner parts of the multiple battery cells 300 and to accommodate a filling part on the opening formed by the 3-1 holder part 203a and the 3-2 holder part 203b, thereby ensuring heat dissipation performance for heat generated at the corner parts of the multiple battery cells 300 and ensuring insulation for the corner parts of the multiple battery cells 300.

[0065] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments shown in the drawings, but these are merely examples. Those skilled in the art will fully understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible from the embodiments. Therefore, the true technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the claims.

[0066] The specific technical contents described in the embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the technical scope of the embodiments. In order to provide a concise and clear description of the invention, descriptions of conventional general techniques and configurations may be omitted.

[0067] In addition, the line connections or connecting members between components shown in the drawings are illustrative of functional connections and / or physical or circuit connections, and may be expressed by various functional connections, physical connections, or circuit connections that can be substituted or added in an actual device. Furthermore, unless specifically mentioned as "essential" or "important," it does not necessarily mean that a component is essential for applying the present invention.

[0068] In the description of the invention and claims, "the" or similar indicators refer to both the singular and the plural unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, when a range is described in the examples, it includes inventions to which individual values ​​within the range are applied (unless otherwise specified), as if each individual value constituting the range was described in the description of the invention.

[0069] Additionally, unless steps constituting a method according to an embodiment are expressly described in an order or described to the contrary, the steps may be performed in any suitable order.

[0070] The embodiment is not necessarily limited by the order of the steps described above. The use of any example or exemplary terminology (e.g., "etc.", etc.) in the embodiment is merely to describe the embodiment in detail, and the scope of the embodiment is not limited by the claims, so the example or exemplary terminology should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment.

[0071] Moreover, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various modifications, combinations, and variations can be made within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof depending on design conditions and factors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 10 Battery pack 100 Housing 110 Cooling section 120 Seat section 200 Holder part 201 First Holder Section 202 Second Holder Section 203 3rd Holder Section 203a 3-1 Holder Section 203b 3-2 Holder Section 210 Filling section 210a First filling section 210b 2nd filling section 210c 3rd filling section 211 Opening 211a 1st opening 211b 2nd opening 211c 3rd opening 220 Bulkhead section 300 Multiple Battery Cells 301 Battery cell bottom 302 Side of battery cell 400 Busbar

Claims

1. A plurality of battery cells; a housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells; A bus bar electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells; a holder portion that fixes bottom and side portions of the plurality of battery cells; a cooling unit disposed below the holder unit and configured to cool the battery cells; a filling portion disposed between the plurality of battery cells and the cooling portion so as to be in contact with surface portions of the plurality of battery cells; The filling portion is formed to cover at least a portion of a bottom surface and at least a portion of a side surface of the plurality of battery cells.

2. the holder portion is formed to include an opening through which a portion of a lower surface portion and a portion of a side surface portion of the plurality of battery cells are exposed, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the filling portion covers a part of a bottom surface portion and a part of a side surface portion of the plurality of battery cells above the opening.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein a sheet portion is disposed between the filling portion and the cooling portion.

4. The holder portion includes a first holder portion formed along a circumferential direction of a side surface portion of one of the plurality of battery cells and configured to fix the side surface portion of the battery cell; a second holder portion formed at a center of a bottom surface of one of the plurality of battery cells to fix the bottom surface of the battery cell; 2. The battery pack of claim 1, further comprising: a third holder portion formed to be bent along a bottom portion and a side portion of one of the plurality of battery cells, and connecting the first holder portion and the second holder portion.

5. The second holder portion is formed in a ring shape, a first opening that is an area formed by an inner portion of the second holder portion on a lower surface portion of the battery cell; The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the battery cell is exposed to an outside of the holder portion through the first opening.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the first opening contains a first filling portion that covers a part of a lower surface of the battery cell.

7. The third holder part includes a 3-1 holder part extending radially from the second holder part on the lower surface part of the battery cell with the second holder part as a center and arranged in a circumferential direction of the second holder part, a second opening formed on a lower surface of the battery cell between an outer portion of the second holder portion and two adjacent 3-1 holder portions of the plurality of 3-1 holder portions; The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the battery cell is exposed to an outside of the holder portion through the second opening.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the second opening contains a second filling portion that covers a part of a lower surface of the battery cell.

9. the first holder portion is disposed at a position spaced apart from a lower surface portion of the battery cell, The third holder portion includes a plurality of 3-2 holder portions spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of a side portion of the battery cell, a third opening formed on a side surface of the battery cell between the first holder portion and a lower surface of the battery cell and between two adjacent third-2 holder portions among the plurality of third-2 holder portions; The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the battery cell is exposed to an outside of the holder portion through the third opening.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9 , wherein the third opening contains a third filler portion that covers a part of a side surface of the battery cell.

11. The battery pack of claim 4 , wherein the first holder portion, the second holder portion, and the third holder portion are integrally formed.

12. The third holder portion is a third-1 holder part arranged radially on a lower surface of the battery cell with the second holder part as a center; and a third-2 holder part arranged spaced apart from one another along a circumferential direction of a side surface of the battery cell, The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein the 3-1 holder portion and the 3-2 holder portion are integrally formed.

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