Modular battery pack

Abstract

The present invention is a modular battery pack including a base pack that houses two or more cylindrical battery cells connected in series therein and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and one or more additional packs that house two or more cylindrical battery cells connected in series therein and have a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The cylindrical battery cells are arranged side by side in parallel with each other inside each of the base pack and the additional packs. The base pack and the additional packs are arranged such that the side surfaces of the cylindrical battery cells face each other. Since all of the base pack and the additional packs can be connected in parallel, by connecting additional packs to the base pack in parallel without setting a limit on the number, the capacity of the battery pack can be easily and simply increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0182120, filed on December 22, 2022, and all of the contents disclosed in the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a modular battery pack. Specifically, it relates to a modular battery pack that can be assembled and used in various sizes and capacities without the need to manufacture a new mold.

Background Art

[0003] Battery packs including lithium secondary batteries are used as power tools in various fields, and the number of battery cells constituting the battery pack can be changed according to a desired capacity or output power. Since it is necessary to change the housing for accommodating the battery cells depending on the number of battery cells, it is not substantially easy to change the number of initially designed battery cells.

[0004] Patent Document 1 relates to a vehicle battery device including a basic battery pack that is basically mounted on a vehicle and an auxiliary battery pack that can be selectively mounted on the vehicle. The basic battery pack and the auxiliary battery pack include a plurality of cells, and the plurality of battery cells are connected in series and / or in parallel.

[0005] By additionally connecting an auxiliary battery pack to the basic battery pack, the electrical energy of the vehicle can be increased. In addition, since the auxiliary battery pack can be connected in series to the basic battery pack via one or more junction boxes, the operation of additionally mounting the auxiliary battery pack to the basic battery pack can be performed simply and stably.

[0006] Patent Document 1 shows a configuration and method of using one auxiliary battery pack connected to a basic battery pack, but does not show a technique that can further connect and use an additional auxiliary battery pack.

[0007] Patent Document 2 relates to a battery including two or more battery modules. The battery modules include a plurality of battery cells connected electrically in series and / or in parallel with each other. A positive electrode tab and a first module connection member are connected by an electrical conduction method, a negative electrode tab and a second module connection member are connected by an electrical conduction method, a module connection member of a first battery module and a module connection member of a second battery module are connected by an electrical conduction method, and the electrically conductive connection between the module connection members is formed in the form of a plug connection portion.

[0008] Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a first module connection member of a first battery module and a first module connection member of a second battery module are connected by an electrical conduction method, or a second module connection member of a first battery module and a second module connection member of a second battery module are connected by an electrical conduction method, but does not show a configuration in which three or more battery modules are connected.

[0009] Thus, conventionally, only a method that can add capacity in a limited way has been shown. A technique that can provide battery packs having various sizes and capacities easily, simply, and economically has not been shown so far.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0010]

Patent Document 1

[0011]

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0012] The present invention solves the above problems, and aims to provide a new modular battery pack that can easily increase or decrease the capacity of a battery pack, thereby reducing the number of components and the manufacturing cost such as molds.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] The present invention for achieving such an object is a modular battery pack including a base pack that houses two or more cylindrical battery cells connected in series therein and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and one or more additional packs that house two or more cylindrical battery cells connected in series therein and have a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, wherein the cylindrical battery cells are arranged parallel to each other inside each of the base pack and the additional packs, the base pack and the additional packs are arranged such that the side surfaces of the cylindrical battery cells face each other, and all of the base pack and the additional packs are connected in parallel.

[0014] The base pack can include a battery pack connector that functions as a terminal of the entire battery pack and a BMS that manages the battery pack as a whole.

[0015] The base pack and the additional packs include a first surface and a second surface on which the side surfaces of the internal cylindrical battery cells face each other. The battery pack connector and the BMS are arranged on the first surface of the base pack. The first surface of the additional pack is arranged to face the second surface of the base pack. When two or more additional packs are connected, the first surface of a new additional pack can be arranged to face the second surface of an already arranged additional pack.

[0016] On the second surface of the base pack, and on the first and second surfaces of the additional pack, connection terminals for electrical parallel connection may be provided.

[0017] On the second surface of the base pack, and on the first and second surfaces of the additional pack, fixing parts for physical connection may be provided.

[0018] The base pack and the additional pack can be physically connected by the connection terminals.

[0019] The connection terminals may be one or more of a plate-like structure, a leaf spring, a ring spring, and a blade clip.

[0020] The cylindrical battery cells are arranged parallel to each other inside the base pack and the additional pack respectively, and adjacent cylindrical battery cells may be arranged such that the cap assemblies face in opposite directions.

[0021] The number of cylindrical battery cells accommodated in the base pack and the additional pack may be the same as each other.

[0022] The cylindrical battery cells accommodated in each of the base pack and the additional pack may be connected in series via a bus bar.

[0023] One end of the bus bar connected to the electrode terminal of the cylindrical battery cell may be bent so as to penetrate the pack cases of the base pack and the additional pack.

[0024] A plurality of additional packs are connected in parallel to the second surface of the base pack, and the plurality of additional packs may be connected to each other in parallel connection.

[0025] Further, the present invention can also be provided in a form in which various combinations of the above-described problem-solving means are combined.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] As described above, in the modular battery pack according to the present invention, since a plurality of additional packs can be connected to one base pack, a battery pack with a desired capacity can be provided by simple assembly.

[0027] Since it is composed of one base pack and a predetermined number of additional packs, the manufacturing cost such as the mold cost can be reduced while reducing the number of parts.

[0028] Since the base pack and the additional pack, and the additional packs are connected in parallel with each other, there is an advantage that they can be easily detached even during use.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

[0030]

Figure 2

[0031]

Figure 3

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Figure 4

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Figure 5

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Figure 6

[0035]

Figure 7

[0036]

Figure 8

[0037]

Figure 9

[0038]

Figure 10

[0039]

Figure 11

[0040]

Figure 12

[0041]

Figure 13

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0042] Hereinafter, based on the accompanying drawings, embodiments that enable a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains to easily implement the present invention will be described in detail. When it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention in explaining the operation principle of the embodiments of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for parts having similar functions and operations. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only the case where they are directly connected, but also the case where they are indirectly connected with other elements interposed therebetween. Also, including a certain component means, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, not excluding other components, but further capable of including other components.

[0044] Explanations for limiting or adding and specifying components are applicable to all inventions without special restrictions and are not limited to specific inventions.

[0045] Throughout the description and claims of the present invention, those expressed in the singular include the plural cases unless otherwise mentioned.

[0046] Throughout the description and claims of the present invention, "or" includes "and" unless otherwise mentioned. Therefore, "including A or B" means three cases: including A, including B, or including both A and B.

[0047] The present invention will be described in detail together with the detailed embodiments based on the drawings.

[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular battery pack according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state where the case of the base pack is removed from the modular battery pack according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an additional pack in the modular battery pack according to the first embodiment. Also, FIG. 3 can also be utilized as an additional pack of the modular battery pack according to the following second embodiment.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the modular battery pack according to the present invention includes a base pack 100 to which a battery pack connector 110 functioning as a terminal of the battery pack is attached, and an additional pack 200 connected to the base pack 100 to increase the capacity of the battery pack.

[0050] On the first surface 101 which is the upper surface of the base pack 100, a battery pack connector 110 is arranged. The battery pack connector 110 is electrically connected to the connection terminals of the base pack 100 inside the pack case 210. Since the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200 are electrically connected in parallel, the battery pack connector 110 functions as the terminal of the entire battery pack. That is, the battery pack connector 110 can function as any one or more of an external input / output terminal, a power supply terminal, and a communication terminal.

[0051] Inside the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200, cylindrical battery cells 10 are closely arranged. Adjacent cylindrical battery cells 10 are alternately arranged such that the cap assemblies 11 and the can bottoms 12 face in opposite directions.

[0052] Since a bus bar 301 is connected to the electrode terminals of the cylindrical battery cells 10, the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 10 are connected in series via the bus bar 301.

[0053] The other end 302 of the bus bar 301 connected to the electrode terminals of the cylindrical battery cells 10 is bent to penetrate the pack case 210 of the additional pack 200 as shown in FIG. 3. Since a through hole 201 is formed on the upper surface of the pack case 210 of the additional pack 200, the other end 302 of the bent bus bar 301 can protrude outside the pack case 210 through the through hole 201.

[0054] In the case of the base pack 100, the BMS is disposed on the upper surface of the cylindrical battery cell 10, and the BMS can be connected to the battery pack connector 110. The other end 302 of the bus bar 301 bent from the bus bar 301 connected to the electrode terminal of the cylindrical battery cell 10 accommodated in the base pack to the first surface 101 side which is the upper surface is connected to the BMS120 inside the pack case 210. Since no through hole is formed in the first surface 101 of the pack case 210 of the base pack 100, it does not include a configuration in which connection terminals are exposed through the through hole. However, on the second surface which is the outer surface on the opposite side of the first surface 101 of the base pack 100, the connection terminals of the base pack 100 are exposed at positions corresponding to the through hole 201 and the connection terminal 230 formed on the first surface 101 of the additional pack 200 shown in FIG. 3, and can be in contact with the connection terminal 230 in a vertically overlapping manner.

[0055] Therefore, the connection terminals protruding from the second surface of the pack case 210 of the base pack 100 are configured to contact the connection terminals 230 of the additional pack 200 located at the lower part of the base pack 100 with the same polarity, so that the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200 are connected in parallel.

[0056] In the base pack 100, the other end 302 of the bus bar 301 is connected to the BMS120 so that the voltage or current can be measured at each terminal. In the base pack 100, among the other ends 302 of the bus bar 301, the start end and the end of the series connection are connected to the external battery pack connector 110 of the entire battery pack.

[0057] The bus bar 301 can penetrate the through hole 201 of the pack case 210 and protrude outside the pack case 210 to function as a connection terminal, or a separate connection terminal 230 can be connected to the other end 302 of the bent bus bar 301 and arranged so that the connection terminal 230 penetrates the through hole 201 of the pack case 210.

[0058] In the base pack 100, the other end 302 of the bus bar bent on the first side of the pack case 210 can be bent upward as shown in FIG. 2, or can have a structure that is not bent upward so as to be in face-to-face contact with the lower surface of the BMS.

[0059] The through hole 201 is formed in the pack case 210 adjacent to the bent other end 302 of the bus bar 301. Since the bus bar 301 is disposed between two cylindrical battery cells 10, the position of the through hole corresponding to the other end 302 of the bus bar connected to the end of the first side A of the cylindrical battery cell and the position of the through hole corresponding to the other end 302 of the bus bar connected to the end of the second side B of the cylindrical battery cell are arranged so as not to coincide in the X direction of FIG. 3.

[0060] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a modular battery pack according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing connection terminals of a base pack and an additional pack according to a first embodiment.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 4, the modular battery pack according to the second embodiment has a structure in which one additional pack 200 is further added to the lowermost end of the modular battery pack according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the base pack and the additional pack of the first embodiment can be similarly applied to the modular battery pack according to the second embodiment.

[0062] The modular battery pack according to the second embodiment includes a base pack 100 that houses two or more cylindrical battery cells 10 connected in series therein and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and one or more additional packs 200 that house two or more cylindrical battery cells 10 connected in series therein and have a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. FIG. 4 shows a configuration with two additional packs 200.

[0063] The cylindrical battery cells 10 are arranged in parallel within each of the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200, and the cylindrical side surfaces of the cylindrical battery cells 10 are arranged to face the first surface 101 and the second surface 102 of the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200. Also, the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200 are arranged such that the side surfaces of the cylindrical battery cells 10 face each other.

[0064] Since the number of cylindrical battery cells 10 housed in the base pack 100 can be configured to be the same as the number of cylindrical battery cells 10 housed in the additional pack 200, the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200 can be formed to have the same area in the stacking direction.

[0065] All of the cylindrical battery cells 10 are arranged in parallel within each of the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200. Here, adjacent cylindrical battery cells 10 are arranged such that the cap assemblies 11 and the bottom cans 12 face in opposite directions. That is, when looking at adjacent cylindrical battery cells 10 in the A direction, the cap assemblies 11 and the bottom cans 12 are arranged to be alternately repeated.

[0066] In this state, since the cylindrical battery cells 10 are connected in series, the cylindrical battery cells 10 form a series connection via the bus bar 301 inside each of the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200. Specifically, the bus bar 301 for the series connection of the cylindrical battery cells 10 can be connected to connect the cap assemblies 11 and the bottom cans 12 of adjacent cylindrical battery cells to make an electrical connection.

[0067] After the cylindrical battery cells 10 are connected in series inside the pack cases of the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200, only the bus bar 301 for electrical connection to the outside, or the connection terminals 130, 230 connected to the bus bar 301, protrude to the outside.

[0068] Considering the capacity of the energy source required by the device using the battery pack and the usage time, the number of additional packs connected to the base pack can be set. Therefore, the base pack 100 and the additional packs 200 can increase the total capacity of the battery pack by connecting all of them in parallel.

[0069] In the basic design process, first, by setting the desired voltage, the number of cylindrical battery cells connected in series can be determined. In one embodiment of the present invention, inside all of the base pack and the additional packs, i) they have a configuration connected only in series, and ii) they have the same number of cylindrical battery cells.

[0070] i) In the case of the base pack, it can have a configuration in which the cylindrical battery cells connected in series inside are further connected in parallel for the basic capacity. When applied to the case of FIG. 4, by stacking the base pack 100 including five cylindrical battery cells and two additional packs 2002 each including five cylindrical battery cells, a battery pack stacked in three layers as a whole can be manufactured.

[0071] ii) Although FIG. 4 shows that both the base pack and the additional pack include five cylindrical battery cells, the number of cylindrical battery cells can be increased as needed to form a high-capacity base pack or a high-capacity additional pack. In this case, they are arranged to be connected in series inside each of the base pack and the additional pack, and it is preferable that the base pack and the additional pack are configured in parallel with each other. When applied to the case of FIG. 4, as the number of additional packs connected to the base pack increases, it can be composed of cylindrical battery cells that increase in multiples of 5, such as 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, etc.

[0072] The base pack 100 can be provided with a battery pack connector 110 that functions as a terminal for all battery packs and a BMS 120 that manages the battery pack for charging and discharging all battery packs.

[0073] The base pack 100 and the additional pack 200 include a first surface 101 and a second surface 102 on which the sides of the internal cylindrical battery cells 10 face each other. Throughout this specification, the first surface 101 means the upper surface of the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200, and the second surface 102 means the lower surface of the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200.

[0074] A battery pack connector 110 and a BMS 120 are arranged on the first surface 101 of the base pack 100, and the first surface 101 of the additional pack 200 is arranged to face the second surface 102 of the base pack 100.

[0075] When two or more additional packs 200 are connected, they are stacked such that the first surface 101 of a new additional pack 200 faces the second surface 102 of the already arranged additional pack 200.

[0076] Here, connection terminals 130 and 230 for electrically connecting in parallel are arranged on the second surface 102 of the base pack 100, and the first surface 101 and the second surface 102 of the additional pack 200.

[0077] Referring also to FIG. 4, the additional pack 200 houses five cylindrical battery cells 10, and six connection terminals 230 are arranged on the first surface 101. The connection terminals 230 can be composed of two terminal terminals 232 at both ends of the series connection and four intermediate terminals 231 excluding the terminal terminals.

[0078] The stacked additional packs 200 are arranged such that the connection terminals 230 protruding outside the pack case are in close contact or contact in the vertical direction. Therefore, the terminal terminals 232 protruding from the second surface of the upper additional pack 200 contact the terminal terminals 232 protruding from the first surface of the lower additional pack 200, and the intermediate terminals 231 protruding from the second surface of the upper additional pack 200 contact the intermediate terminals protruding from the first surface of the lower additional pack 200 to form an electrical connection. Thus, the two terminal terminals 232 can be connected in parallel to each other.

[0079] In the case of FIG. 4, since the two end terminals 232 and the four intermediate terminals 231 are connected to a bus bar 301 connected to the electrode terminals of the cylindrical battery cells 10, all the cylindrical battery cells 10 are electrically connected via the end terminals 232 and the intermediate terminals 231.

[0080] The two end terminals 232 and the four intermediate terminals 231 can be continuously connected in parallel in a stacked state only when they are arranged in the same position and in the same form on the first surface 101 and the second surface 102.

[0081] Although not shown in FIG. 4, separate terminals can be added to the first surface 101 and the second surface 102 for voltage measurement of each of the cylindrical battery cells 10 inside the base pack 100 and the additional packs 200. Since this is not a terminal for supplying power but only for voltage measurement, it is possible to have a difference in width or thickness from the two end terminals 232 and the four intermediate terminals 231. Also, although not shown in the drawing, terminals for transmitting these voltage measurement results to the BMS 120 of the base pack 100 can be provided separately from the connection terminals 130 and 230. If each additional pack 200 does not have a separate configuration for voltage measurement, the battery cells 10 of the additional pack 200 can be connected to the BMS 120 of the base pack 100 via the connection terminals 130 and 230, so that the BMS of the base pack can measure the voltages of the base pack and the additional packs connected thereto.

[0082] When the additional pack 200 includes a first additional pack directly connected to the base pack 100 and a second additional pack connected to the first additional pack below the first additional pack, on the first surface 101 of the first additional pack, connection terminals 230 for electrical connection to the base pack 100 are located, and on the second surface of the first additional pack, connection terminals 230 for electrical connection to the second additional pack are located. The connection terminal 130 on the second surface 102 of the base pack 100 and the connection terminal 230 on the first surface of the first additional pack physically contact each other to form an electrical parallel connection. Since the BMS 120 on the first surface 101 of the base pack 100 can be electrically connected to all the cylindrical battery cells 10 in the base pack 100, an electrical connection structure between the cylindrical battery cells 10, the BMS 120, and the battery pack connector 110 can be formed on the first surface 101 of the base pack 100.

[0083] On each of the first surface and the second surface of the second additional pack, connection terminals 230 for electrical connection to the upper first additional pack and the lower other additional packs are located, and the connection terminal 230 on the second surface of the first additional pack and the connection terminal 230 on the first surface of the second additional pack physically contact each other to form an electrical parallel connection.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 5, on the second surface 102 which is the lower surface of the base pack 100, a connection terminal 130 including two terminal terminals 132 and four intermediate terminals 131 is located, and on the first surface 101 which is the upper surface of the additional pack 200, a connection terminal 230 including two terminal terminals 232 and four intermediate terminals 231 is located.

[0085] When the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200 are stacked so as to overlap, the terminal terminal 132 of the base pack 100 is in close contact with the terminal terminal 232 of the additional pack 200, and the intermediate terminal 131 of the base pack 100 is in close contact with the intermediate terminal 231 of the additional pack.

[0086] The connection terminal 130 of the base pack 100 and the connection terminal 230 of the additional pack 200 can have a form that protrudes externally. When the terminal end 132 has a plate-like structure, the terminal end 232 can be one or more of a leaf spring, a ring spring, and a blade clip. When the terminal end 132 is one or more of a leaf spring, a ring spring, and a blade clip, the terminal end 232 can have a plate-like structure.

[0087] The relationship between the intermediate terminal 131 and the intermediate terminal 231 can be configured in the same manner as the relationship between the terminal end 132 and the terminal end 232.

[0088] The connection terminal 130 on the second surface 102 of the base pack 100 in FIG. 5 can adopt the same form as the connection terminal 230 on the second surface 102 of the additional pack 200. Therefore, even on the stacking surface where two additional packs 200 are stacked, the connection terminals 230 of the respective additional packs 200 can be arranged to be in contact with each other to make an electrical connection.

[0089] Even by only connecting the connection terminals 130 and 230, the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200, and the additional pack 200 and the additional pack 200 can be physically connected.

[0090] Although not shown in FIG. 5, on the second surface 102 of the base pack 100, the first surface 101, and the second surface 102 of the additional pack 200, detachable members for physically connecting the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200 can be arranged.

[0091] For example, when using a spring as a detachable member to facilitate the connection and separation of the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200, a configuration can be used in which the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200 are connected while the spring is compressed and deformed, and are separated while the compression is released. Alternatively, using a lever structure or a fixed hook as the detachable member, the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200 can be configured not to be easily separated.

[0092] Such a detachable member is preferably disposed on the first surface 101 and the second surface 102, but can be separately disposed on the side surfaces of the base pack 100 and the additional pack 200. Further, after the base pack and the additional pack are integrally connected, they can be separately fixed in a form that entirely surrounds these exteriors.

[0093] In a specific example, when cylindrical battery cells are arranged in series, when the terminals at both ends are expressed as V- and V+, in the case of a battery pack (1S Pack) composed of a single cylindrical battery cell, two terminals composed of V- and V+ are required.

[0094] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the modular battery pack according to the first embodiment.

[0095] As another embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, 5S1P means that a configuration in which five battery cells are connected in series constitutes one parallel connection unit.

[0096] In the case of a battery pack (5S Pack) composed of five cylindrical battery cells connected in series, six terminals composed of V-(=V0), V1, V2, V3, V4, V+(=V5) are required. In the case of FIG. 6, the 5S1P connection on the upper side corresponds to the base pack, and all the battery cells are connected in parallel with the BMS. The 5S1P connection on the lower side corresponds to the additional pack, and all the battery cells constitute a series circuit and a parallel circuit. Therefore, in the right circuit diagram where the base pack and the additional pack are connected, all the battery cells are substantially mixed in parallel and in series.

[0097] When configured in this way, even if one BMS is applied, the resistance of the base pack and the additional pack can be measured, and a battery pack having a low resistance can be configured.

[0098] FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view seen in the A direction of FIG. 4.

[0099] Referring to FIG. 7, the base pack 100 and two additional packs 200 are stacked, and their sizes on these horizontal planes are configured to be the same. Therefore, the base pack 100 and the additional packs 200 are overlapped and stacked such that their outer peripheries coincide along the stacking direction.

[0100] The connection terminals 130 are located on the second surface 102 of the base pack 100, and the connection terminals 230 are respectively located on the first surface and the second surface of the additional pack 200 so as to coincide with the positions of the connection terminals 130. Therefore, the connection terminals 130 of the base pack 100, the connection terminals 230 of the additional pack 200, and the connection terminals 230 of different additional packs are arranged in close contact with each other, forming a physically and electrically connected state.

[0101] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the module-type battery pack according to the third embodiment with the case of the base pack removed, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the additional pack in the module-type battery pack according to the third embodiment.

[0102] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, when comparing the module-type battery pack according to the third embodiment with the module-type battery packs according to the first and second embodiments, the base pack arranged on the upper part of the additional pack 200 is the same in that five cylindrical battery cells 10 are configured to be connected in series via the bus bar 301 inside, but is different in that only the other ends 302 of the bus bars 301 at both ends forming the series connection of the cylindrical battery cells 10 are configured to be bent upward.

[0103] Also, in the additional pack 200 of the module-type battery pack according to the third embodiment, two through holes 201 are formed in the first surface 101 of the pack case 210, and the connection terminals 230 protrude through the respective through holes 201, so that only the terminal terminals are provided without intermediate terminals.

[0104] The configuration of the through-hole 201 and the connection terminal 230 formed on the first surface of the additional pack 200 shown in FIG. 9 can be similarly applied to the through-hole 201 and the connection terminal 230 formed on the second surface in the base pack of the modular battery pack according to the third embodiment.

[0105] Further, FIG. 10 shows an exploded perspective view of a modular battery pack according to a fourth embodiment. The additional pack 200 shown in FIG. 9 can constitute the additional pack of the modular battery pack according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10.

[0106] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the connection terminals of the base pack and the additional pack according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of the modular battery pack according to the fourth embodiment.

[0107] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the modular battery pack according to the fourth embodiment has a structure in which another additional pack 200 is added to the lowermost end of the modular battery pack according to the third embodiment. Therefore, the description of the base pack and the additional pack of the third embodiment can be similarly applied to the modular battery pack according to the fourth embodiment.

[0108] In the modular battery packs according to the third and fourth embodiments, since the connection terminal 230 exposed outside the pack case is composed of only two terminal terminals 232, the battery cells arranged inside the base pack 100 are not connected in parallel with the battery cells arranged inside the additional pack 200, and the battery cells arranged inside the additional pack 200 are not connected in parallel with the battery cells arranged inside other additional packs.

[0109] However, among the terminal terminals of the base pack 100, the positive electrode is connected to the positive electrode among the terminal terminals of the additional pack 200, and the negative electrode among the terminal terminals of the base pack 100 is connected to the negative electrode among the terminal terminals of the additional pack 200. By connecting the positive electrode and the negative electrode among the terminal terminals of the additional pack 200 to the positive electrode and the negative electrode among the terminal terminals of other additional packs 200 respectively, the connection between the individual base pack and the additional pack, and the connection between the additional packs form a parallel connection.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 12, the upper 5S1P connection corresponds to the base pack, and all the battery cells are connected in parallel with the BMS. The lower 5S1P connection corresponds to the additional pack, and all the battery cells form a series circuit. Therefore, in the right circuit diagram where the base pack and the additional pack are connected, the base pack and the additional pack are connected in parallel, and all the battery cells of the BMS and the base pack are connected in parallel. Thus, the BMS can measure the voltage of the individual battery cells in the additional pack.

[0111] Needless to say, different from what is shown in FIG. 12, the BMS can also be configured to be connected only to both ends of the battery cells constituting the base pack.

[0112] In addition, the descriptions of the modular battery packs according to the third and fourth embodiments can apply the descriptions of the modular battery packs according to the first and second embodiments.

[0113] FIG. 13 is a perspective cross-sectional view seen in the A direction of FIG. 10.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 13, the BMS 120 is located above the base pack 100, and the other end 302 of the bus bar connected to the cylindrical battery cell 10 inside the base pack 100 is arranged to penetrate the BMS 120 and is connected to the BMS 120.

[0115] The two connection terminals 130 formed on the second surface 102 of the base pack 100 are stacked so as to contact the two connection terminals 230 formed on the first surface of the additional pack 200, and the respective connection terminals 230 are arranged to contact each other on the surfaces of the additional pack 200 facing each other to form a parallel connection. Thus, an electrical connection can be made between the base pack 100 and one or more additional packs 200.

[0116] As described above, the battery pack according to the present invention includes one base pack and one or more additional packs, and in theory, there is no limit to the number of additional packs, and it has a structure that allows continuous connection. Therefore, considering the capacity and usage time of the necessary power tools, a high-capacity battery pack can be provided in a simple and easy manner.

[0117] Those having ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above content.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0118] 10 Cylindrical battery cell

[0119] 11 Cap assembly

[0120] 12 Can bottom

[0121] 100 Base pack

[0122] 101 First surface

[0123] 102 Second surface

[0124] 110 Battery pack connector

[0125] 120 BMS

[0126] 130, 230 Connection terminal

[0127] 131, 231 Intermediate terminal

[0128] 132 and 232 terminal ends

[0129] 200 additional pack

[0130] 201 through-hole

[0131] 210 pack case

[0132] 301 bus bar

[0133] 302 other end

[0134] A first side

[0135] B second side

Claims

1. A base pack that houses two or more cylindrical battery cells connected in series therein and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, One or more additional packs that house two or more cylindrical battery cells connected in series therein and have a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, A modular battery pack including: The cylindrical battery cells are arranged side by side in parallel with each other inside each of the base pack and the additional packs, The base pack and the additional packs are arranged such that the side surfaces of the cylindrical battery cells face each other, A modular battery pack in which all of the base pack and the additional packs are connected in parallel.

2. The modular battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the base pack includes a battery pack connector that functions as a terminal of the entire battery pack and a BMS that manages the battery pack as a whole.

3. The base pack and the additional packs include a first surface and a second surface on which the side surfaces of the internal cylindrical battery cells face each other, The battery pack connector and the BMS are arranged on the first surface of the base pack, and the first surface of the additional pack is arranged to face the second surface of the base pack, When two or more additional packs are connected, the first surface of a new additional pack is arranged to face the second surface of an already arranged additional pack. The modular battery pack according to claim 2.

4. The modular battery pack according to claim 3, wherein connection terminals for electrically connecting in parallel are provided on the second surface of the base pack and the first and second surfaces of the additional packs.

5. The modular battery pack according to claim 3, wherein fixing portions for physically connecting are provided on the second surface of the base pack and the first and second surfaces of the additional packs.

6. The modular battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the base pack and the additional packs are physically connected by the connection terminals.

7. The modular battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the connection terminals are one or more of a plate-like structure, a leaf spring, a ring spring, and a blade clip.

8. The cylindrical battery cells are arranged parallel to each other inside the base pack and the additional pack, respectively, and adjacent cylindrical battery cells are arranged such that the cap assemblies face in opposite directions to each other. The modular battery pack according to claim 1.

9. The number of cylindrical battery cells accommodated in the base pack and the additional pack is the same as each other. The modular battery pack according to claim 1.

10. The cylindrical battery cells accommodated in each of the base pack and the additional pack are connected in series via a bus bar. The modular battery pack according to claim 1.

11. One end of the bus bar connected to the electrode terminal of the cylindrical battery cell is bent so as to penetrate the pack cases of the base pack and the additional pack. The modular battery pack according to claim 10.

12. A plurality of additional packs are connected to the second surface of the base pack by parallel connection. The plurality of additional packs are connected to each other by parallel connection. The modular battery pack according to claim 3.

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