Battery Module

Abstract

A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a case including a base plate and a sidewall protruding upward from the base plate and providing an internal space, a plurality of battery cells housed inside the case and arranged along the sidewall, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) positioned between any one of the plurality of battery cells and the sidewall and having one surface facing the sidewall, and a temperature sensor disposed on the one surface of the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0183528 filed on December 23, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0077754 filed on June 16, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, as the demand for portable electronic products such as notebook computers, video cameras, and mobile phones has increased dramatically and robots, electric vehicles, and the like have been commercialized in earnest, active research has been conducted on high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0004] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Of these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention due to their advantages over nickel-based secondary batteries, such as the fact that they have almost no memory effect, can be freely charged and discharged, have a very low self-discharge rate, and have a high energy density.

[0005] In general, lithium secondary batteries can be broadly classified into cylindrical secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is housed in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is housed in a pouch made of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the exterior material.

[0006] When multiple battery cells are deployed, it is important to monitor the temperature of the battery cells, because based on the temperature monitoring, the multiple battery cells can be appropriately controlled to prevent overheating. Therefore, a structure that can improve the accuracy of measuring the temperature of the multiple battery cells is required. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT The present invention seeks to solve the above-referenced problems and other problems.

[0008] Another object of the present invention may be to provide a battery module including a structure that improves the assemblability of a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) including a temperature sensor.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention may be to provide a battery module including a structure that prevents damage to a temperature sensor while closely contacting the temperature sensor with a battery cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a case including a base plate and a sidewall protruding upward from the base plate and providing an internal space, a plurality of battery cells housed inside the case and arranged along the sidewall, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) positioned between any one of the plurality of battery cells and the sidewall and having one surface facing the sidewall, and a temperature sensor disposed on the one surface of the FPCB.

[0011] The battery module may further include a compressible pad located between the FPCB and the sidewall.

[0012] Furthermore, the plurality of battery cells may have a cylindrical shape extending in the up-down direction, and the portion of the sidewall facing the FPCB may have a curved surface that curves along a side surface of the battery cell facing the FPCB.

[0013] Furthermore, the pad may be attached to the one side of the FPCB.

[0014] Furthermore, the pad may be made of a polyurethane material.

[0015] Furthermore, the sidewall may include a groove in which at least a portion of the pad is received.

[0016] Furthermore, the pad may include a housing in which the temperature sensor is housed.

[0017] Furthermore, the pad may include a portion that progressively decreases in cross-sectional size moving downwardly.

[0018] Furthermore, the tire may further include a main FPCB extending elongately along the sidewall, and the FPCB may extend and bend from the main FPCB.

[0019] In order to achieve the above object, a battery pack according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery module according to the present invention.

[0020] In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery module according to the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a battery module can be provided that includes a structure that improves the assembly of an FPCB that includes a temperature sensor.

[0022] According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a battery module can be provided that includes a structure that prevents damage to the temperature sensor while closely contacting the temperature sensor with the battery cell.

[0023] In addition to these, the present invention can have various other effects, which will be described in the sections for each embodiment, and descriptions of effects that can be easily inferred by a person skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0024] The drawings attached to this specification are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to facilitate a further understanding of the technical ideas of the present invention as well as the content of the invention, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters depicted in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a view of the battery module of FIG. 1 viewed from another direction. [Diagram 3] 2 is an exploded view illustrating some components of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is an exploded view illustrating components coupled to an FPCB of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an FPCB of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing a part of a cross-sectional configuration taken along line CC' in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 13A-13C illustrate an alternative embodiment of the FPCB of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. 2. [Figure 9] 3 is a diagram showing a part of a cross-sectional configuration taken along line BB' in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part E in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of a cross-sectional configuration taken along line AA' in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and claims are not to be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but are to be interpreted as being corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention in accordance with the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term himself / herself in order to best describe the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configuration shown in the drawings are merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore there may be various equivalent and modified embodiments that can be substituted therefor at the time of this application.

[0027] FIG 1 shows a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG 2 shows the battery module of FIG 1 viewed from another direction. FIG 3 shows an exploded view of some components of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG 4 shows an exploded view of components coupled to an FPCB 300 of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG 5 shows an FPCB 300 of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG 6 shows a part of a cross-sectional configuration taken along the cut line CC' of FIG 5.

[0028] 1 to 6, a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a case 100, a plurality of battery cells 200, an FPCB 300, and a temperature sensor 500.

[0029] The case 100 may form an internal space. The case 100 may include a base plate 110, a side wall 120, a front wall 130, and a rear wall 140. The base plate 110 may be a plate having a square shape. The side wall 120 may protrude from the base plate 110 in the +Z axis direction or upward. The front wall 130 may protrude from the base plate 110 in the +Z axis direction or upward. The rear wall 140 may protrude from the base plate 110 in the +Z axis direction or upward. The front wall 130, the rear wall 140, and the side wall 120 may be formed integrally or may be connected to each other. The case 100 may further include a top plate. The top plate may cover the internal space. The top plate may be formed integrally with the front wall 130, the rear wall 140, and the side wall 120, or may be connected or fastened to each other.

[0030] The plurality of battery cells 200 may be housed inside the case 100. The plurality of battery cells 200 may refer to secondary batteries. The plurality of battery cells 200 may be cylindrical battery cells 200. Alternatively, each of the plurality of battery cells 200 may have a cylindrical shape. The plurality of battery cells 200 may be arranged in a row. The plurality of battery cells 200 may be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the side wall 120, the front wall 130, or the rear wall 140.

[0031] The FPCB 320 may be located between any one of the battery cells 200 and the sidewall 120. In this case, the FPCB may be referred to as a sub-FPCB 320. The sub-FPCB 320 may have one surface facing the sidewall 120. The other surface of the sub-FPCB 320 may face the side surface 201 of the battery cell 200. The sub-FPCB 320 may be provided in a plurality.

[0032] The temperature sensor 500 may be provided on one side of the secondary FPCB 320. A plurality of secondary FPCBs 320 may be provided, and the temperature sensor 500 may be provided on each secondary FPCB 320. For example, the secondary FPCB 320 may be made up of two secondary FPCBs 320, and the temperature sensor 500 may be provided on each of the two secondary FPCBs 320.

[0033] According to such a configuration of the present embodiment, by disposing the temperature sensor 500 on the sub FPCB 320, the temperature sensor 500 can be brought into contact with or in close contact with the side surface 201 of the battery cell 200. The side surface 201 of the battery cell 200 is formed in a curved shape, and by disposing the temperature sensor 500 on the sub FPCB 320, it becomes possible for the temperature sensor 500 to easily come into contact with or in close contact with the curved surface.

[0034] 1 to 6, a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a heat sink 600. The heat sink 600 may be formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The heat sink 600 may be in contact with, fixed to, fastened to, or coupled to a lower surface of the base plate 110. Alternatively, the heat sink 600 may function as the base plate 110. The heat sink 600 may include an inlet port 610 and an outlet port 620. A cooling medium (cm) may flow into the inlet port 610 and pass through a flow path formed inside the heat sink 600, and then be discharged through the outlet port 620. At this time, in order to stably control the battery module, it is necessary to measure the highest temperature among the plurality of battery cells 200. The plurality of temperature sensors 500 may be disposed in a portion of the plurality of battery cells 200 where the highest temperature is expected to occur. The temperature of the cooling medium (cm) passing through the heat sink 600 continues to change while passing through the flow path, so that a temperature difference may occur between the plurality of battery cells 200.

[0035] 1 to 6, the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a main FPCB 310 extending in an elongated shape along the sidewall 120, and the sub FPCB 320 may be configured to extend and bend from the main FPCB 310. The main FPCB 310 and the sub FPCB 320 may be collectively referred to as an FPCB 300. The main FPCB 310 and the sub FPCB 320 may be integrally formed. The FPCB 300 may further include a connection portion 330 that physically and electrically connects the main FPCB 310 and the sub FPCB 320.

[0036] According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 500 is provided on the sub FPCB 320, and thus can be easily bent and assembled or fastened to the battery module, thereby improving the assembly and productivity of the battery module.

[0037] 1 to 6, a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a compressible pad 400 located between the sub FPCB 320 and the sidewall 120. The pad 400 may be made of a material having compressibility and restoring force. The pad 400 may be fixed and compressed between the sub FPCB 320 and the sidewall 120. The pad 400 may guide the sub FPCB 320 to form a curved surface. The pad 400 may be bent so that the sub FPCB 320 contacts or is closely attached to the curved surface of the side surface 201 of the battery cell 200.

[0038] According to such a configuration of the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 500 can be in surface contact or in close contact with the curved surface of the side surface 201 of the cell, thereby improving the accuracy of the temperature sensor 500 and the accuracy of the control of the battery module.

[0039] 1 to 6, a pad 400 of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may be attached to one side of a sub FPCB 320. A temperature sensor 500 may be provided on one side of the sub FPCB 320, and the pad 400 may be attached thereto. In this case, the pad 400 may be configured to maintain a compression rate of about 50% so as not to damage the temperature sensor 500. In addition, the pressure applied by the pad 400 to the temperature sensor 500 may be configured to be equal to or lower than the guaranteed pressure of the temperature sensor 500.

[0040] Such a configuration of the present embodiment allows the temperature sensor 500 to be in contact with or in close contact with the curved surface of the side surface 201 of the cell without being damaged by the pressure of the pad 400 .

[0041] 1 to 6, a pad 400 of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may be made of a polyurethane material.

[0042] According to such a configuration of the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 500 can be in surface contact or in close contact with the curved surface of the side surface 201 of the cell, thereby improving the accuracy of the temperature sensor 500 and the accuracy of the control of the battery module.

[0043] 1 to 6, a pad 400 of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a receiving portion 410 in which a temperature sensor 500 is received.

[0044] According to such a configuration of the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 500 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 410, so that even if the pad 400 is compressed, the temperature sensor 500 is not subjected to pressure from the pad 400. This makes it possible to stably maintain the function of the temperature sensor 500.

[0045] 7 is a diagram showing a modified embodiment of the FPCB 300 of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the pad 400 of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a portion whose cross-sectional size gradually decreases in the -Z axis direction or downward. Alternatively, the pad may include an inclined portion formed diagonally downward.

[0046] This configuration of the present embodiment improves the ease of assembly or fastening of the FPCB 300. The FPCB 300 can be assembled or fastened by being fitted or inserted between the sidewall 120 and the battery cell 200. Therefore, since the portion where the pad 400 starts to be fitted has a small cross-sectional area, the FPCB 300 can be easily fitted or inserted between the sidewall 120 and the battery cell 200.

[0047] 1 to 6 , a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of bus bars 700. The plurality of bus bars 700 may be electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 200, respectively. The main FPCB 310 may include a plurality of terminals 340 arranged along the longitudinal direction. The plurality of terminals 340 may be electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars 700, respectively.

[0048] Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of portion D in Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a view showing a part of a cross-sectional configuration along the cutting line B-B' in Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of portion E in Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a view showing a part of a cross-sectional configuration along the cutting line A-A' in Fig. 1. Referring to Figs. 8 to 11, the plurality of battery cells 200 of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention have a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and a portion of the sidewall 120 facing the sub FPCB 320 may have a curved surface that is bent along the side surface 201 of the battery cell 200 facing the sub FPCB 320.

[0049] The sidewall 120 may be formed in the shape of a curved surface 121 having a curvature similar or substantially the same as that of the side surface 201 of the cylindrical battery cell 200 .

[0050] According to such a configuration of the present embodiment, the sidewall 120 can bend or guide the sub FPCB 320 so that the sub FPCB 320 can be in surface contact or in close contact with the side surface 201 of the cylindrical battery cell 200 .

[0051] 8 to 11, the sidewall 120 of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a groove in which at least a portion of the pad 400 is accommodated. The groove may be formed in the up-down direction or the Z-axis direction. At least a portion of the pad 400 may be compressed and accommodated in the groove.

[0052] According to such a configuration of the present embodiment, the pad 400 is accommodated in the groove, and thus it is possible to reduce the pressure that the pad 400 applies to the temperature sensor 500. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the temperature sensor 500, and improves the safety of the control of the battery module.

[0053] The battery pack according to the present embodiment may include the battery module according to the present invention described above. In addition to the battery module according to the present invention, the battery pack according to the present invention may further include various other components, such as a battery management system (BMS), a bus bar, a pack case (case) 100, a relay, a current sensor, and other components of a battery pack known at the time of filing of the present invention.

[0054] The automobile according to the present invention may include the battery module according to the present invention described above. The battery module according to the present invention is applicable to automobiles such as electric automobiles and hybrid automobiles. In addition to the battery module, the automobile according to the present invention may further include various other components included in the automobile, such as a body, a motor, and a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU). [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 100 cases 110 Base Plate 120 Sidewall 200 Battery Cells 300 Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) 500 Temperature Sensor

Claims

1. a case including a base plate and a sidewall protruding upward from the base plate to provide an interior space; A plurality of battery cells housed inside the case and arranged along the sidewall; a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) positioned between any one of the plurality of battery cells and the sidewall, the FPCB having a surface facing the sidewall; a temperature sensor disposed on the one side of the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB); a battery module.

2. 10. The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising a compressible pad located between the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and the sidewall.

3. The plurality of battery cells have a cylindrical shape extending in a vertical direction, 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the sidewall facing the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) has a curved surface that curves along a side of the battery cell facing the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

4. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the pads are attached to the one side of the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

5. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the pad is made of a polyurethane material.

6. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the sidewall includes a groove in which at least a portion of the pad is received.

7. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the pad includes a housing portion in which the temperature sensor is housed.

8. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the pad includes a portion having a cross-sectional size that gradually decreases in a downward direction.

9. Further comprising a main flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) extending in an elongated manner along the sidewall, 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) is extended and bent from the main flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

10. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A motor vehicle comprising a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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