Battery pack

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack. The battery pack according to the present invention is a battery pack including a battery module, and the battery module includes a cell stack in which a number of battery cells are stacked, a flexible circuit board that transmits information about the battery cells, a module housing that accommodates the cell stack and the flexible circuit board, a wireless transmitting BMS (Battery Management System) that receives information about the battery cells from the flexible circuit board, and a BMS storage section that is provided on the outside of the module housing and accommodates the wireless transmitting BMS.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0023960, filed on February 23, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack. [Background technology]

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be recharged, and due to their potential for miniaturization and large capacity, a lot of research and development has been done on secondary batteries in recent years. As technological development and demand for mobile devices increases, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing.

[0004] Secondary batteries are classified into coin type batteries, cylindrical type batteries, square type batteries, and pouch type batteries according to the shape of the battery case. In secondary batteries, the electrode assembly installed inside the battery case is a power generating element capable of charging and discharging, which is made of a laminated structure of electrodes and separators.

[0005] Secondary batteries have attracted much attention not only for use in mobile devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, and notebook computers, but also as energy sources for power devices such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles.

[0006] Small devices such as mobile phones and cameras use small battery packs that contain one battery cell, while medium- to large-sized devices such as notebook computers and electric cars use medium- to large-sized battery packs that contain two or more battery cells connected in parallel and / or series. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in a battery pack can be set in various ways depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0007] Meanwhile, when constructing a battery pack by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series / parallel, a common method is to first construct a battery module consisting of at least one battery cell, and then use this at least one battery module to add other components to construct the battery pack.

[0008] That is, a battery is composed of cells, which are the smallest unit, and since pouch-shaped cells require structural rigidity, they are composed of intermediate units called modules that contain a number of cells, and a number of modules are combined to form a pack.

[0009] Each module in the pack is electrically connected to the BMS (Battery Management System) to perform various signal sensing (voltage / temperature) through the BMS. Also, the components are connected by a long wire called LV (Low Voltage) Line.

[0010] Recently, as packs have become higher in voltage and capacity, the importance of stability within the pack has increased. However, if such LV Wire is configured within a pack, there is a problem of safety risks such as electrical short circuits. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that can reduce the occurrence of safety risks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention is a battery pack including a battery module, and the battery module may include a cell stack in which a number of battery cells are stacked, a flexible circuit board that transmits information of the number of battery cells, a housing that accommodates the cell stack and the flexible circuit board, a wireless transmitting BMS (Battery Management System) that receives information of the battery cells from the flexible circuit board, and a BMS storage unit provided on the outside of the housing and accommodating the wireless transmitting BMS. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, in the battery pack, the battery module includes a wireless transmission BMS that receives information of the battery cells located therein and a BMS storage unit that stores the wireless transmission BMS, so that information of the battery cells can be transmitted wirelessly, and electric wires such as LV (Low Voltage) that connect the BMS inside the battery pack can be eliminated, so that the occurrence of safety risks can be reduced. That is, electric wire bundles such as LV that connect the BMS can be eliminated, so that the risk of a short circuit occurring due to current and voltage being applied to the electric wire bundles such as LV can be prevented.

[0014] In addition, the BMS storage unit is fastened to the outside of the module housing by a fastening means, making it easy to modularize, and in the event of a malfunction of the wireless transmitting BMS stored in the BMS storage unit, it is easy to access and repair.

[0015] The BMS storage unit is attached to the end plate of the module housing, and at this time, it is attached to a recessed mounting groove extending from the end plate toward the internal excess space of the module housing, thereby minimizing wasted space inside the battery module. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective plan view illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a battery module in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a cell stack in a battery module of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 2 is a side view showing a battery cell in a battery module of the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a side view of a main portion showing a battery cell in a battery module of the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view of a main portion showing a battery module in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main portion showing a battery module in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of a main portion illustrating the concept of a battery module of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention with end plates removed therefrom; [Figure 10] 2 is a side view of a main portion showing a battery module in the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a main portion of a battery module in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The object, particular advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, when referring to components in each drawing, it should be noted that the same components have the same numbers as much as possible even if they are displayed on different drawings. In addition, the present invention can be realized in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known technologies that may obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted.

[0018] FIG. 1 is an exemplary see-through plan view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a battery module in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] 1 to 3, a battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery module 1000, and the battery module 1000 includes a cell stack 200 in which a number of battery cells 210 are stacked, a flexible circuit board 700 that transmits information of the number of battery cells 210, a module housing 100 that accommodates the cell stack 200 and the flexible circuit board 700, a wireless transmitting BMS 600 that receives information of the battery cells 210 from the flexible circuit board 700, and a BMS storage section H in which the wireless transmitting BMS 600 is stored. The battery pack 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a wireless receiving BMS 3000 and a pack case 2000.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a cell stack in a battery module of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a side view showing a battery cell 210 in a battery module of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a side view of a main portion showing a battery cell in a battery module of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] More specifically, referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the cell stack 200 may include a number of battery cells 210 stacked one on the other.

[0022] The battery cell 210 can include an electrode assembly and a pouch 211 that houses the electrode assembly therein.

[0023] The electrode assembly is a power generating element capable of charging and discharging, and may be formed by alternately stacking electrodes and separators. Here, the electrodes include positive and negative electrodes, and the positive electrodes, separators, and negative electrodes may be alternately stacked. Here, the separator separates and electrically insulates the positive and negative electrodes.

[0024] The battery cell 210 may further include an electrode lead 212 having one side connected to an electrode of the electrode assembly and the other side extending outside the pouch 211 .

[0025] For example, the electrode leads 212 of the battery cell 210 may extend on both sides. Also, referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, since the electrode leads 212 are located and extend in a downward direction, an excess space R1, which is an empty space, may be formed at an upper corner portion R of the battery cell 210. As a result, referring to Fig. 4, when a plurality of battery cells 210 are stacked in the Y-axis direction, which is the horizontal direction, to form the cell stack 200, an excess space R1, which is an empty space, may be formed at an upper corner portion R of the cell stack 200.

[0026] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a main part showing a battery module in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a main part showing a battery module in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a main part showing a concept of removing an end plate from a battery module of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, Fig. 9 illustrates a state in which the BMS storage part has been removed for convenience in order to clearly show a state in which flexible circuit board 700 is connected to wireless transmission BMS 600.

[0027] 3 and 7 to 9, a wireless transmission BMS (Battery Management System) 600 can receive information of the battery cell 210 from a flexible circuit board 700.

[0028] The wireless transmission BMS 600 may include a connection portion 630 to which an end portion 710 of the flexible circuit board 700 connects.

[0029] The wireless transmitting BMS 600 may include a wireless transmitting unit 620 that wirelessly transmits the information signal of the battery cell 210 received from the flexible circuit board 700 .

[0030] The wireless transmission BMS 600 may include a substrate unit 610 on which the connection unit 630 and the wireless transmission unit 620 are mounted. The substrate unit 610 may have a fitting hole 611 formed therein.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a side view of a main portion showing a battery module in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of a main portion showing a battery module in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] 7 to 11, the BMS storage section H is provided on the outside of the module housing 100, and can store a wireless transmission BMS 600 therein.

[0033] 7 and 8, the BMS storage unit H may include a storage case 400 having a storage groove 410 that opens to the outside of the module housing 100 and stores a wireless transmission BMS 600. The BMS storage unit H may further include a cover 500 that covers the opening of the storage groove 410.

[0034] The storage case 400 is formed with a coupling protrusion 420, and the lid 500 is formed with a coupling hole 520 to which the coupling protrusion 420 is coupled. As a result, the coupling protrusion 420 of the storage case 400 is coupled to the coupling hole 520 of the lid 500, so that the lid 500 can be detachably coupled to the storage case 400. Therefore, the wireless transmission BMS 600 stored in the storage case 400 can be easily replaced.

[0035] The storage case 400 can be fastened to the outer side of the module housing 100 by fastening means 900 .

[0036] In addition, the receiving case 400 may be formed with fastening holes 430 through which the fastening means 900 penetrates and fastens. The fastening holes 430 may be formed in fastening portions 440 extending in a Y-axis direction, which is a width direction of the battery module 1000, from the receiving case 400.

[0037] The fastening means 900 includes, for example, a bolt 910 and a nut 920, one side of the bolt 910 being fixed to the module housing 100 and the other side extending in an outer direction of the module housing 100, and the nut 920 may be coupled to the other side of the bolt 910 after the bolt 910 is fastened to the fastening hole 430 of the storage case 400. Here, the bolt 910 is inserted into the fastening hole 430 of the storage case 400, and the nut 920 is coupled to the other side of the bolt 910, so that the storage case 400 can be fixed to the outer side of the module housing 100. However, in the battery module 1000 of the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention, the fastening means 900 is not necessarily limited to the bolt 910 and the nut 920, and may be composed of a rivet, for example.

[0038] 8 and 11, the storage case 400 may further include a fitting protrusion 450 that fits into a fitting hole 611 of a substrate part 610 in the wireless transmission BMS 600. This allows the wireless transmission BMS 600 to be stored in the storage case 400 without moving.

[0039] 2 and 3, the module housing 100 can house the cell stack 200 and a flexible circuit board 700 .

[0040] The module housing 100 includes a hollow body 110 having a stack receiving section 114 for receiving the cell stack 200 therein and openings on both sides, and end plates 120, 130 for covering the openings of the body 110. Here, the BMS receiving section H can be attached to the end plate 120.

[0041] 3, 4 and 8, after the cell stack 200 is accommodated in the stack accommodating portion 114 inside the main body 110, a surplus space R1 may be formed as an empty space. Here, the end plate 120 may have a concave mounting groove 121 formed inside the module housing 100 so as to occupy the surplus space R1. The BMS accommodating portion H may be accommodated in the mounting groove 121 and mounted on the end plate 120.

[0042] A plurality of end plates 120 and 130 may be provided to cover the openings formed on both sides of the main body 110. Here, the BMS storage unit H may be attached to any one of the end plates 120 and 130. Here, the end plates 120 and 130 may be located at the front and rear parts of the main body 110, and the BMS storage unit H may be attached to the end plate 120 located at the front part of the main body 110. In addition, the end plate 120 located at the front part of the main body 110 may be pressed to form a concave mounting groove 121 having a concave shape. In addition, the end plate 120 located at the front part of the main body 110 may be sealed and welded to the main body 110, which may be advantageous in terms of sealing and thermal propagation of the module.

[0043] The body 110 may include a U-shaped body 112 that is open at the top, and an upper plate that covers an upper portion 111 of the body 112. In addition, a gas exhaust hole 113 is formed in the body 110 so that internal gas can be exhausted to the outside.

[0044] 3, 4 and 9, in the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the battery module 1000 may further include bus bars 310, 320.

[0045] The electrode leads 212 of the battery cells 210 may be electrically connected to the bus bars 310 and 320. Here, the electrode leads 212 of the battery cells 210 may be connected to the bus bars 310 and 320 by passing through connection holes 311 of the bus bars 310 and 320. The electrode leads 212 may be connected to the bus bars 310 and 320 and electrically connected to the terminals 810 and 820.

[0046] The bus bars 310 and 320 may include an insulating portion made of an insulating material and a conductive portion made of an electrically conductive material. The conductive portion may be a portion that connects the periphery of the connection hole to the terminals 810 and 820.

[0047] 3, 8 and 9, the flexible circuit board 700 can transmit information of the battery cell 210 to the wireless transmission BMS 600. Here, the flexible circuit board 700 can transmit an information signal of the battery cell 210 to the wireless transmission BMS 600. Here, the information signal of the battery cell 210 can be at least one of a remaining capacity, a voltage, and a temperature signal of the battery cell 210.

[0048] The flexible circuit board 700 can be, for example, a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB).

[0049] In addition, the flexible circuit board 700 includes a measurement sensor for measuring voltage and current, and is connected to the bus bars 310, 320 to measure the voltage and current flowing inside the bus bars 310, 320. As a result, the electrode leads 212 of the battery cells 210 are connected to the bus bars 310, 320 to measure the voltage and current of electricity flowing inside the bus bars 310, 320, and the voltage and current flowing through the battery cells 210 can be measured.

[0050] In addition, the flexible circuit board 700 includes a temperature sensor, and the portion where the temperature sensor is located is in contact with the cell stack 200 so that the temperature of the battery cell 210 can be measured.

[0051] Additionally, the flexible circuit board 700 may have an end 710 that extends further to connect to the wireless transmitting BMS 600 .

[0052] 1, 3 and 8, a wireless receiving BMS 3000 (Battery Management System; BMS) can wirelessly receive an information signal of the battery cell 210 from a wireless transmitting BMS 600.

[0053] The wireless receiving BMS 3000 can determine the state of the battery cell 210 based on the received information signal of the battery cell 210, and control the charging and discharging of the battery cell 210 so as to maintain an appropriate battery state.

[0054] The information signal of the battery cell 210 may be at least one of a remaining capacity, a voltage, and a temperature signal of the battery cell 210.

[0055] 1, a pack case 2000 can accommodate therein a battery module 1000. Here, the battery module 1000 can be configured in a plurality of units and accommodated inside the pack case 2000.

[0056] In addition, the wireless receiving BMS 3000 is installed on the inside of the pack case 2000 and can receive information signals of the battery cells 210 located in each battery module 1000 from the wireless transmitting BMS 600 provided in each of the multiple battery modules 1000.

[0057] 1 and 8, in the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the battery module 1000 in the battery pack 1 includes the wireless transmission BMS 600 that receives information of the battery cell 210 located therein and the BMS storage unit in which the wireless transmission BMS 600 is stored, and is therefore capable of wirelessly transmitting information of the battery cell 210. This makes it possible to eliminate the need for wires such as LV (Low Voltage) connecting the BMS (Battery Management System) inside the battery pack, thereby reducing the occurrence of safety risks. That is, it is possible to eliminate the wire bundles such as LV connecting the BMS, thereby preventing the risk of a short circuit occurring due to current and voltage being applied to the wire bundles such as LV.

[0058] In addition, the BMS storage section H is fastened to the outside of the module housing 100 by a fastening means, making it easy to modularize, and in the event of a malfunction of the wireless transmission BMS 600 stored in the BMS storage section H, it is easy to access and repair, and the surrounding steel parts that may interfere with communication of the wireless transmission BMS 600 can be minimized.

[0059] In addition, the BMS storage section H is attached to the end plate 120 of the module housing 100, and at this time, it is attached to a mounting groove 121 that is recessed toward the internal surplus space R1 of the module housing 100 in the end plate 120, thereby minimizing wasted space in the terrace shape of the battery cells 210 that form the surplus space R1 inside the battery module 1000.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments, this is for the purpose of specifically explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It can be said that various implementations are possible within the technical concept of the present invention by those having ordinary skill in the art.

[0061] Moreover, the specific scope of protection of the invention will be clarified by the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Battery pack 1000 Battery Modules 2000 pack case 3000 Wireless Reception BMS 100 module housing 110 Main unit 111 Upper Board 112 Main unit 113 Gas exhaust hole 120, 130 End Plate 121 Mounting groove 200 Cell Stack 210 Battery Cell 211 Pouch 212 Electrode Lead 310, 320 busbar 311 Connection hole 400 Storage Case 410 Storage groove 420 Connection protrusion 430 Fastening hole 440 Fastening Part 450 Fitting protrusion 500 Lid 520 Binding Hole 600 Radio Transmission BMS 610 Substrate section 611 Fitting hole 620 Radio transmitter 630 Connection 700 Flexible Circuit Board 710 End 810, 820 terminals 900 Fastening means 910 Volts 920 Nut H BMS Storage Department R Upper corner part R1 Surplus space

Claims

1. A battery pack including a battery module, The battery module includes: A cell stack in which a large number of battery cells are stacked; A flexible circuit board that transmits information about the battery cell; a module housing that accommodates the cell stack and the flexible circuit board; a wireless transmission BMS (Battery Management System) that receives information of the battery cell from the flexible circuit board; a BMS storage section provided outside the module housing and in which the wireless transmission BMS is stored.

2. The BMS storage unit is The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a storage case having an opening on the outside of the module housing and a storage groove for storing the wireless transmission BMS.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the storage case is fastened to the outer side of the module housing by a fastening means.

4. The storage case includes: The battery pack according to claim 3 , further comprising a fastening hole through which the fastening means passes.

5. The BMS storage unit is The battery pack according to claim 2 , further comprising a lid for covering an opening of the storage groove.

6. The storage case is provided with a coupling protrusion, The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the cover is formed with a coupling hole to which the coupling protrusion is coupled.

7. The module housing includes: a hollow body having a stack accommodating section for accommodating the cell stack therein and open on both sides; and an end plate covering the opening of the main body, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the BMS storage section is attached to the end plate.

8. After the cell stack is accommodated in the stack accommodating portion, an empty space, i.e., a surplus space, is formed inside the main body, the end plate has a mounting groove recessed into the inside of the module housing to occupy the excess space; The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the BMS storage section is housed in the mounting groove and mounted to the end plate.

9. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless transmission BMS includes a connection portion to which an end portion of the flexible circuit board is connected.

10. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless transmission BMS includes a wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits an information signal of the battery cell received from the flexible circuit board.

11. The battery pack includes:

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless receiving BMS for wirelessly receiving the information signal of the battery cell from the wireless transmitting BMS.

12. The wireless receiving BMS is The battery pack according to claim 11 , further comprising: a control unit that determines a state of the battery cell based on an information signal transmitted from the battery cell, and controls charging and discharging of the battery cell so as to maintain an appropriate battery state.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12 , wherein the information signal of the battery cell is at least one of a remaining capacity, a voltage, and a temperature signal of the battery cell.

14. The battery module is composed of a plurality of battery modules, The battery pack further includes a pack case that accommodates a plurality of the battery modules therein, 12. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein the wireless receiving BMS is installed on an inner side of the pack case and receives information signals of the battery cells located in each battery module from the wireless transmitting BMS provided in each of the battery modules.

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