Battery module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module including an insulating member that prevents short circuits of terminals, has no risk of loss, is applicable to various types of terminals, and can be reused in other products even after the battery module's lifespan has ended. The battery module according to the present invention includes a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked, a main body portion surrounding the cell stack, end plates disposed to close openings of the main body portion and on the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack, and an insulating member disposed between the cell stack and the main body portion. The insulating member may include a terminal cover shaped to extend outside the main body portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2022 - 0063117 filed on May 23, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0040788 filed on Mar. 28, 2023, and all of the contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module, and more particularly, to a secondary battery module including a plurality of cells.

Background Art

[0003] Recently, due to the depletion of fossil fuels, the price of energy sources has increased, and the concern about environmental pollution has been amplified. The demand for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources has become an essential factor for future life. Therefore, research on various power generation technologies such as solar power, wind power, and tidal power has been continuously carried out, and a great deal of attention has also been paid to power storage devices such as batteries for more efficiently using the electrical energy produced in this way.

[0004] Furthermore, as the technology development and demand for electronic mobile devices and electric vehicles using batteries increase, the demand for batteries as an energy source has increased rapidly, and thus, many studies on batteries that can meet various requirements have been conducted.

[0005] Batteries for storing electrical energy can generally be classified into primary batteries and secondary batteries. A primary battery is a disposable consumable battery, while a secondary battery is a rechargeable battery manufactured using a material in which the process of oxidation and reduction between current and substances can be repeated. That is, when a reduction reaction is performed on the material by current, the power source is charged, and when an oxidation reaction is performed on the material, the power source is discharged, and electricity is generated while such charging - discharging is repeated.

[0006] On the one hand, in recent years, as the need for large-capacity structures has increased, including their use as energy storage sources, the demand for battery packs that combine a large number of secondary batteries or battery modules has been increasing, and as a result, the demand for battery modules has also been increasing.

[0007] For safety reasons, a battery module can include an insulating structure for insulating a collection of cells disposed therein and members such as a frame.

[0008] In addition to the configuration that is disposed inside the battery module to insulate the collection of cells and members such as a frame, the insulating structure may also require a configuration for preventing a short circuit from occurring in a terminal exposed to the outside of the battery.

[0009] Conventionally, since the insulating structure for preventing a short circuit in a terminal is a separate component, there has been a problem that it is not easy to store during separation and there is a high possibility of loss. There has also been a problem that it is difficult to apply to various types of terminals.

[0010] To solve such problems, a battery module including a different form of insulating structure is required.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0011] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems. Specifically, the problem of the present invention is to provide a configuration capable of preventing a short circuit in a terminal, having no risk of loss, being applicable to various types of terminals, and including an insulating member that can be reused in other products even after the life of the battery module has ended.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The battery module according to the present invention includes a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked, a main body portion surrounding the cell stack, end plates closing the openings of the main body portion and disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack, and an insulating member disposed between the cell stack and the main body portion. The insulating member can include a terminal cover shaped to extend outside the main body portion.

[0013] The main body portion can include a top plate disposed on the upper portion of the cell stack and a frame surrounding the lower and side surfaces of the cell stack.

[0014] The cell stack includes terminals extending outside the main body portion for electrical connection to the outside, and the end plates can include terminal frames disposed below the terminals.

[0015] The terminal cover can have the same width as the width of the terminal frame.

[0016] The terminal cover can surround the open upper and front surfaces of the terminal.

[0017] The terminal cover can be opened so that the upper and front surfaces of the surrounded terminal can be in contact with the outside.

[0018] The terminal cover can include a horizontal portion extending in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the terminal to surround the open upper surface of the terminal and a vertical portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal portion to surround the open front surface of the terminal.

[0019] The terminal cover can have a shape corresponding to the shape of the terminal.

[0020] The terminal cover includes an elastic material, whereby deformation and restoration of the shape of the terminal cover can be possible.

[0021] The terminal cover is deformable when a force is applied, and the deformed shape can be maintained.

[0022] The insulating member may be an insulating film.

[0023] The battery module according to the present invention includes a plurality of cells, a cell stack including terminals protruding in a direction away from the cells so that the cells are electrically connected to the outside, a main body in which the cell stack is accommodated in a form with both ends open with reference to the longitudinal direction of the cell stack, and an insulating member for insulating the cell stack, and the insulating member includes an upper plate disposed between the upper surface of the cell stack and the main body so as to insulate the cell stack from the main body, and a terminal cover extending in a direction away from the cell stack from the upper plate so as to cover the terminal.

[0024] The terminal cover may have a melting point higher than the melting point of the terminal.

[0025] The battery module may further include an end plate that closes the open ends of the main body and has a through hole through which the terminal penetrates at a position corresponding to the position of the terminal.

[0026] The terminal cover can cover the terminal through the through hole. [[Effect of the Invention]]

[0027] The battery module according to the present invention includes a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked, a main body surrounding the cell stack, an end plate closing the opening of the main body and disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack, and an insulating member disposed between the cell stack and the main body, and the insulating member may include a terminal cover extending outside the main body.

[0028] Thereby, the insulating member prevents a short circuit of the terminal, has no risk of loss, is applicable to various forms of terminals, and can be reused in other products even after the life of the battery module has ended.

[0029] In addition, since separate parts are combined into one part, the economy and efficiency of the work and manufacturing process can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement it. However, the present invention may be realized in various different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following embodiments.

[0032] In order to clearly explain the present invention, a detailed description of parts not related to the explanation or related known technologies that may obscure the gist of the present invention is omitted, and when attaching reference numerals to the components of each figure in this specification, the same or similar reference numerals are attached to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0033] Moreover, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. In accordance with the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of a term in order to best explain his or her invention, they should be construed in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention.

[0034] Example 1 The present invention provides a battery module as Example 1.

[0035] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a battery module 100 according to Example 1 of the present invention.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery module 100 according to Example 1 of the present invention can include a cell stack 110, a main body portion, an end plate 140, and an insulating member 150.

[0037] The cell stack 110 of the battery module 100 may be formed by stacking a plurality of cells. A cell may mean one secondary battery, and here the cell may be a pouch cell. Specifically, the cell stack 110 may be formed by stacking a plurality of cells arranged parallel to each other.

[0038] The cell stack 110 can generate electrical energy of the battery module 100. As an example of a configuration for discharging the electrical energy generated by the cell stack 110 to the outside, the cell stack 110 of the battery module 100 according to Example 1 of the present invention can include a terminal 111.

[0039] The terminal 111 may be formed to extend outside the main body portion for electrical connection to the outside. Specifically, it may extend outside the frame 130 described later. More specifically, the terminal 111 can have a shape extending in a direction away from the main body portion.

[0040] The terminal 111 according to Example 1 of the present invention may be formed in a pair and can serve as a negative electrode and a positive electrode, respectively. Further, the terminal 111 can have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0041] The main body of the battery module 100 may be formed to surround the cell stack 110. The main body can include a top plate 120 and a frame 130.

[0042] The top plate 120 included in the main body may be disposed on the upper part of the cell stack 110.

[0043] The top plate 120 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped plate shape, and may be formed such that the surface facing the cell stack 110 has approximately the same area as the lower surface of the frame 130.

[0044] By the top plate 120, the cell stack 110 can be protected from the outside.

[0045] The frame 130 included in the main body may have the cell stack 110 disposed therein. At this time, the frame 130 may be disposed so as to surround the lower surface and the side surface of the cell stack 110. The frame 130 according to Example 1 of the present invention may have a U shape when viewed from the front.

[0046] By the frame 130, the cell stack 110 may be disposed inside the battery module 100 while maintaining its form and can be protected from the outside.

[0047] The end plate 140 of the battery module 100 may be disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack 110 while closing the opening of the frame 130 in which the cell stack 110 is disposed.

[0048] The end plate 140 may generally have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped plate shape, and since it is disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack 110 respectively, it may be formed in a pair.

[0049] The cell stack 110 can be protected from the outside by the end plate 140.

[0050] As an example of a configuration for arranging the terminal 111 of the cell stack 110, the end plate 140 of the battery module 100 according to Example 1 of the present invention can include a terminal frame 141.

[0051] The terminal frame 141 may be disposed below the terminal 111 and may be formed in a form surrounding the lower surface and a part of the side surface of the terminal 111. That is, the terminal frame 141 of the end plate 140 can be a place where the protruding terminal 111 of the cell stack 110 is disposed.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the insulating member 150 of the battery module 100 according to Example 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the insulating member 150 of the battery module 100 according to Example 1 of the present invention as viewed from above. Further, FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 according to Example 1 of the present invention is disposed on the terminal 111.

[0053] The battery module 100 can include an insulating structure to prevent defects that may occur while electricity flows between the cells disposed inside and other components. As an example of a configuration for insulation, the battery module 100 according to Example 1 of the present invention can include an insulating member 150.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the insulating member 150 may be formed in the form of a thin plate having insulating performance, and the insulating member 150 may be an insulating film. Further, the insulating member 150 may be disposed on the outer surface of the cell stack 110.

[0055] As an example of a configuration for protecting the terminal 111 of the cell stack 110, the insulating member 150 of the battery module 100 according to Example 1 of the present invention can include an upper plate 154 and a terminal cover 151.

[0056] The upper plate 154 of the insulating member 150 can be disposed between the cell stack 110 and the main body surrounding the cell stack 110. Specifically, it can be disposed between the upper surface of the cell stack 110 and the top plate 120. The upper plate 154 may be plate-shaped with a substantially rectangular cross-section.

[0057] The terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 may have a shape extending from the upper plate 154 to the outside of the main body. When looking at the battery module 100 from above, the portion not blocked by the top plate 120 can be the terminal cover 151.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 3, the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 viewed from above can have a substantially rectangular shape.

[0059] Since the terminals 111 according to Example 1 of the present invention can be formed in a pair, the terminal covers 151 can also be formed in a pair to protect the respective terminals 111.

[0060] The terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 can prevent a short circuit that may occur when the terminal 111 comes into contact with another external conductor during storage and transportation of the battery module 100, and can protect the terminal 111 from external physical factors, so that the stability of the battery module 100 can be improved.

[0061] As an example of a configuration for efficiently protecting the terminal 111, the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 according to Example 1 of the present invention can have the same width as the width of the terminal frame 141.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 4, the terminal cover 151 may be formed to have the same width as the width of the terminal frame 141. Here, the width may mean a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the terminal cover 151 extends outside the frame 130.

[0063] When the width of the terminal cover 151 is the same as the width of the terminal frame 141, the terminal cover 151 can easily surround the terminal 111 disposed on the upper part of the terminal frame 141, so that it is easy to protect the terminal 111, and when the terminal cover 151 is disposed, it will receive relatively less interference from other configurations, so the assembly can be simple during manufacturing.

[0064] As an example of a configuration for surrounding the open portion of the terminal 111, the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can include a horizontal portion 152 and a vertical portion 153.

[0065] Specifically, the horizontal portion 152 and the vertical portion 153 of the terminal cover 151 can surround the open upper surface and the front surface of the terminal 111.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 4, the horizontal portion 152 may be extended in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the terminal 111 and disposed to surround the open upper surface of the terminal 111, and the vertical portion 153 may be extended in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal portion 152 and disposed to surround the open front surface of the terminal 111. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the vertical portion 153 may be extended downward to be formed.

[0067] When the terminal cover 151 includes the horizontal portion 152 and the vertical portion 153, the open upper surface and the front surface of the terminal 111 can be efficiently surrounded, which can be advantageous for protecting the terminal 111.

[0068] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the opened state of the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 5, the terminal cover 151 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can open the terminal 111 in a form surrounding the terminal 111.

[0070] Specifically, the terminal cover 151 can be opened so that the upper surface and the front surface of the terminal 111 can be in contact with the outside.

[0071] In addition to when using the battery module 100, when inspecting the performance and defects of the battery module 100, or when repairing the battery module 100, it may be necessary to open the terminal 111. At this time, the terminal cover 151 can be opened so that the upper surface and the front surface of the terminal 111 can be in contact with the outside.

[0072] As an example of the configuration for opening, the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention can contain an elastic material.

[0073] Specifically, the terminal cover 151 contains an elastic material, whereby the shape of the terminal cover 151 can be deformed and restored. Therefore, the shape of the terminal cover 151 surrounding the upper surface and the front surface of the terminal 111 can be deformed as shown in FIG. 5, and the terminal 111 can be opened so as to be in contact with the outside. Also, when there is no need to open the terminal 111, the terminal cover 151 is restored to its original state by elastic force again, so that the terminal 111 can be surrounded.

[0074] The present invention has the effect that even if the shape of the terminal cover 151 is deformed and the terminal 111 is opened, there is no risk of losing the terminal cover 151, and the terminal cover 151 can be reused.

[0075] Although not shown in the embodiments of the present invention, the battery module 100 can further include a configuration such as a synthetic resin for adhesion between the lower surface of the cell stack 110 and the frame 130.

[0076] The battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes an insulating member 150 in which a terminal cover 151 is integrally provided. Therefore, compared with the conventional insulating member, the number of parts is reduced, and since it can be reused, the economy can be improved. In addition, since the battery module 100 is easy to assemble, the battery module 100 can improve the efficiency of related operations and manufacturing processes.

[0077] Embodiment 2 The present invention provides, as Embodiment 2, a battery module including another form of insulating member.

[0078] Hereinafter, detailed descriptions of the same configurations as those of the battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be omitted.

[0079] The battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention may include a cell stack 110, a top plate 120, a frame 130, and an end plate 140 having the same form as the battery module 100 of Embodiment 1. However, the battery module according to Embodiment 2 may include an insulating member having a form different from that of the insulating member 150 of the battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0080] The terminal cover of the insulating member according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the terminal 111.

[0081] Specifically, the terminal cover may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the terminal 111 so as to surround the outside of the terminal 111.

[0082] When the terminal 111 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is disposed on the upper part of the terminal frame 141 with the upper surface, front surface, and side surface being open from the terminal frame 141, the terminal cover according to Embodiment 2 is formed to surround the upper surface, front surface, and side surface of the terminal 111, and the terminal 111 may be disposed inside the terminal cover.

[0083] Similar to Example 1, the terminal cover according to Example 2 of the present invention can also open the terminal 111 in a form surrounding the terminal 111.

[0084] Specifically, the terminal cover can be opened so that the upper surface, front surface, and side surface of the surrounded terminal 111 can come into contact with the outside.

[0085] As an example of a method for opening the terminal 111, the terminal cover according to Example 2 of the present invention can be deformed in shape when a force is applied.

[0086] Specifically, when a force is applied to the terminal cover, the shape can be deformed, and the deformed shape of the terminal cover can be maintained. For example, it can mean the same method as when a thin wire is deformed in shape when a force is applied and is maintained in the deformed shape.

[0087] When the terminal 111 does not need to be in contact with the outside, the terminal cover deformed for the opening of the terminal 111 can be restored to its original shape surrounding the terminal 111 in a shape corresponding to the terminal 111 when a force is applied again.

[0088] An explanation of the shape of the terminal cover is added. A part of the terminal cover surrounding the side surface of the terminal 111 may be formed by being connected to another part of the terminal cover surrounding the front surface of the terminal 111. That is, the terminal cover deformed into a substantially flat shape when a force is applied can have a shape similar to a part of a rectangular parallelepiped development view.

[0089] The terminal cover enabling such a method can be a film in the form of a thin plate or the like.

[0090] The form of the terminal cover according to Example 2 is exemplified for the case where the terminal 111 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Therefore, when the terminal has another shape, the shape of the terminal cover can also change so as to correspond to the shape of the terminal.

[0091] Example 3 The present invention provides Example 3 of a battery module including a terminal cover 151 arranged in another form.

[0092] Hereinafter, detailed descriptions of the same configurations as those of the battery module 100 according to Examples 1 and 2 of the present invention will be omitted.

[0093] The battery module according to Example 2 of the present invention can include a cell laminate 110, a top plate 120, a frame 130, and an end plate 140 in the same form as the battery module 100 of Example 1. However, the battery module according to Example 3 can include an insulating member arranged in a form different from that of the insulating member 150 of the battery modules 100 according to Examples 1 and 2.

[0094] As described above, the end plate 140 can include a terminal frame 141 as an example of a configuration for arranging the terminal 111.

[0095] The terminal frame 141 may be arranged below the terminal 111 and may be formed in a shape surrounding a part of the lower surface and side surface of the terminal 111. At this time, since the terminal 111 is arranged on the terminal frame 141 of the end plate 140, the terminal 111 may be arranged to penetrate the end plate 140.

[0096] A through hole 142 may be formed in the end plate 140 of the battery module according to Example 3 of the present invention so that the terminal 111 can penetrate. Specifically, the through hole 142 may be formed at a position corresponding to the position where the terminal 111 is provided in the end plate 140. Also, the through hole 142 may be formed to have a size through which the terminal 111 can penetrate. Therefore, the terminal 111 protruding outside the main body may penetrate the through hole 142 and be arranged on the terminal frame 141.

[0097] On the other hand, the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention may be arranged to penetrate through the through-hole 142. That is, the terminal cover 151 can penetrate through the through-hole 142 together with the terminal 111 to cover the terminal 111.

[0098] The terminal cover 151 arranged in such a form can have a relatively large contact area with the terminal 111, so that the terminal 111 can be stably covered.

[0099] As an example of the configuration for improving the stability in the manufacturing process, the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention can have a melting point higher than the melting point of the terminal 111.

[0100] In the process of assembling the battery module, the terminal 111 can be welded for connection with other members. At this time, there is a possibility that the terminal cover 151 covering the terminal 111 may be damaged. Therefore, in order to prevent damage to the terminal cover 151, the terminal cover 151 can have a melting point higher than the melting point of the terminal 111.

[0101] It is sufficient to have a melting point higher than the melting point of the terminal 111, and the material forming the terminal cover 151 can be various.

[0102] As described above, even if the present invention is described with reference to limited embodiments and figures, the present invention is not limited thereby, and various implementations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical idea of the present invention and the claims described below by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0103] 100 Battery module 110 Cell stack 111 Terminal 120 Top plate 130 Frame 140 End plate 141 Terminal frame 142 Through hole 150 Insulating member 151 Terminal cover 152 Horizontal part 153 Vertical part 154 Upper plate

Claims

1. A cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked; A main body surrounding the cell stack; An end plate closing the opening of the main body and disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack; and An insulating member disposed between the cell stack and the main body, wherein the insulating member includes a terminal cover extending outside the main body, characterized by a battery module.

2. The main body includes a top plate disposed above the cell stack; and a frame surrounding the lower and side surfaces of the cell stack, the battery module according to claim 1.

3. The cell stack includes a terminal extending outside the main body for electrical connection to the outside, wherein the end plate includes a terminal frame disposed below the terminal, the battery module according to claim 1.

4. The terminal cover has the same width as the width of the terminal frame, the battery module according to claim 3.

5. The terminal cover surrounds the open upper and front surfaces of the terminal, the battery module according to claim 3.

6. The terminal cover is characterized in that the upper and front surfaces of the surrounded terminal can be opened to be in contact with the outside, the battery module according to claim 5.

7. The terminal cover includes a horizontal portion extending in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the terminal and surrounding the open upper surface of the terminal; and a vertical portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal portion and surrounding the open front surface of the terminal, the battery module according to claim 5.

8. The terminal cover has a shape corresponding to the shape of the terminal, the battery module according to claim 3.

9. The terminal cover contains an elastic material, whereby the terminal cover can be deformed and restored, the battery module according to claim 3.

10. The terminal cover is deformable when a force is applied and maintains the deformed shape, the battery module according to claim 3.

11. The insulating member is an insulating film, the battery module according to claim 1.

12. A cell stack including a plurality of cells and terminals protruding in a direction away from the cells so as to be electrically connected to the outside; A main body in which the cell stack is accommodated in a form with both ends open, with reference to the longitudinal direction of the cell stack; and An insulating member for insulating the cell stack, The insulating member includes An upper plate disposed between the upper surface of the cell stack and the main body to insulate the cell stack from the main body; and A battery module including a terminal cover extending in a direction away from the cell stack from the upper plate so as to cover the terminal.

13. The terminal cover has a melting point higher than the melting point of the terminal, and is characterized in that the battery module according to claim 12.

14. The battery module according to claim 12, further including an end plate that closes the open ends of the main body and forms a through hole through which the terminal penetrates at a position corresponding to the position of the terminal.

15. The terminal cover is characterized in that it covers the terminal through the through hole, and is the battery module according to claim 14.

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