Battery module and method for determining battery cell center

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module and a method for determining the center of a battery cell, and more particularly to a method for measuring the center position of a battery cell in a non-contact manner to prevent misalignment of the battery cell and damage to the battery cell, thereby improving the quality of the battery module. A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells and a battery cell case that houses the plurality of battery cells, and is characterized in that the longitudinal center positions of the battery cells are indicated on the surfaces of the plurality of battery cells.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0065059, filed May 19, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module and a method for determining the center of a battery cell, and more particularly to a method for measuring the center position of a battery cell in a non-contact manner to prevent misalignment of the battery cells and prevent damage to the battery cells, thereby improving the quality of the battery module. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, with the depletion of fossil fuels causing rising energy prices and increasing concerns about environmental pollution, the demand for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources has become an essential factor for future life. Therefore, research into various electricity production technologies such as solar, wind, and tidal power has been progressing, and there has also been great interest in power storage devices such as batteries to more efficiently use the electrical energy produced in this way.

[0004] Furthermore, with the technological development and increasing demand for battery-based electronic mobile devices and electric vehicles, the demand for batteries as an energy source is increasing rapidly, and as a result, much research is being conducted on batteries that can meet various demands.

[0005] Batteries have attracted much attention as an energy source for various products such as mobile devices and electric vehicles. In particular, secondary batteries are an excellent energy resource that can replace the use of conventional products that use fossil fuels, and are attracting attention as an environmentally friendly energy source because they do not produce by-products from energy use.

[0006] Meanwhile, secondary batteries are also attracting attention as a power source for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (Plug-In HEVs), etc., which have been proposed as a means to solve the air pollution caused by conventional gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, etc. that use fossil fuels. In other words, such secondary batteries are used in the form of battery packs containing a large number of battery modules.

[0007] A secondary battery is made up of battery cells that are grouped together to form a battery module, and a plurality of battery modules are formed to form a battery pack. In this process, the battery cells must be aligned and stacked. Conventionally, the battery cells have been aligned using a jig based on one side of the lead tab of each battery cell. For example, mechanical alignment has been used based on one side of the negative electrode.

[0008] Conventional battery cells are aligned by contact, which means that when the battery cells are inverted, the reference surface is reversed, causing misalignment and resulting in incorrect alignment of the battery cells. In addition, because contact alignment is performed using a jig, there is also the problem of the battery cells being damaged during the alignment process. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a battery module and a method for determining the center of a battery cell that can improve the quality of the battery module by measuring the center position of the battery cell in a non-contact manner to prevent misalignment of the battery cell and damage to the battery cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The battery module according to the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells and a battery cell case that houses the plurality of battery cells, and the longitudinal center positions of the battery cells can be indicated on the surfaces of the plurality of battery cells.

[0011] The center position may be indicated by a line on the surface of the battery cell in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the battery cell.

[0012] The center position can be indicated by marking on the surface of the battery cell.

[0013] The battery module according to the present invention may be stacked such that the centers of the plurality of battery cells all overlap.

[0014] The method for determining the center of a battery cell according to the present invention may include a positioning step of positioning the battery cell so that both ends of the battery cell are spaced a certain distance from a measurement unit; a measurement step of measuring the distance from the measurement unit to both ends of the battery cell; and a determination step of determining the center position of the battery cell by a determination unit receiving information on the distance to both ends of the battery cell.

[0015] In the measuring step, the measuring unit can measure the shapes of both ends of the battery cell and visually represent the shapes of both ends of the battery cell.

[0016] In the measuring step, the shapes of both ends of the battery cell that are visually represented can be synthesized.

[0017] In the measuring step, a composite shape of both ends of the battery cell can be displayed on a display device.

[0018] In the determination step, the distance from the measuring unit to the center position of the battery cell can be determined by subtracting the distance from each measuring unit to both ends of the battery cell from the distance between the measuring units and adding half the total length of the battery cell.

[0019] The method may further include a display step in which a display unit displays the determined center position of the battery cell on the battery cell.

[0020] In the displaying step, the center position of the battery cell can be displayed by marking on the surface of the battery cell.

[0021] The method may further include the step of rearranging the battery cells according to the center position.

[0022] The measuring unit may be a laser profile sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] The battery module and battery cell determination method according to the present invention has the advantage of being able to improve the quality of the battery module by measuring the center position of the battery cell in a non-contact manner to prevent misalignment of the battery cell and prevent damage to the battery cell. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing stacked battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a battery cell center according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention before being measured by a measuring unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention being measured by a measurement unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily understand the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention may be realized in various different forms and is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0026] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of parts that are not relevant to the explanation or related known technologies that may obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted, and in this specification, when adding reference symbols to components in each drawing, the same or similar reference symbols will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0027] Furthermore, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in a limited way to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a way that is consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that an inventor can appropriately define the concept of a term in order to best explain his or her invention.

[0028] [Battery module] Hereinafter, a battery module 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing stacked battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] 1 and 2, a battery module 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells 11. The battery module 1 may include a battery cell case (not shown).

[0031] A center position 111 may be displayed on the surface of the plurality of battery cells 11. The plurality of battery cells 11 may be stacked to form a battery module 1. Since the plurality of battery cells 11 are stacked, the battery cells 11 need to be aligned and stacked.

[0032] The center position 111 can be marked on the surface of the battery cell 11 by a line perpendicular to the length direction of the battery cell 11. The center position 111 can be marked on the surface of the battery cell 11 by a line perpendicular to the length direction of the battery cell 11. The center position 111 can be marked on the surface of the battery cell 11 by engraving.

[0033] In the battery module 1, the plurality of battery cells 11 may be stacked so that their central positions 111 all overlap. Stacking the battery cells 11 so that their central positions 111 all overlap may increase the stability of the battery module 1. The central positions 111 may be displayed on a wide surface of the battery cells 11.

[0034] A battery module 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells 11, and center positions 111 are marked on the plurality of battery cells 11. As described above, the plurality of battery cells 11 need to be aligned and stacked. Because the center positions 111 of all of the plurality of battery cells 11 are marked, stacking the plurality of battery cells 11 so that all of the center positions 111 coincide results in the effect of stacking the plurality of battery cells 11 in an aligned state. Therefore, by preventing misalignment of the battery cells 11, the quality of the module is improved.

[0035] [How to determine the battery cell center] The method for determining the battery cell center will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for determining the center of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention before being measured by a measurement unit, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention being measured by a measurement unit.

[0037] 3 to 5, a method for determining a battery cell center according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a locating step 21, a measuring step 22, and a determining step .

[0038] In the placement step 21, the battery cell 11 can be placed so that both ends of the battery cell 11 are spaced apart from the measuring unit 31 by a certain distance. The battery cell 11 needs to be spaced apart because the distance between the measuring unit 31 and both ends of the battery cell 11 needs to be measured. The battery cell 11 can be placed so that the wide surface faces upward.

[0039] In the measurement step 22, the distance from the measurement unit 31 to both ends of the battery cell 11 can be measured. The distance from each measurement unit 31 to both ends of the battery cell 11 can be measured. In the measurement step 22, the measurement unit 31 measures the shape of both ends of the battery cell 11, and the shape of both ends of the battery cell 11 can be visually represented. In the measurement step 22, the 2D profile of the battery cell 11 can be detected and measured. In order to visually represent the shape of both ends of the battery cell 11, the leads of the battery cell 11 can also be represented.

[0040] In the measurement step 22, the visually represented shapes of both ends of the battery cell 11 can be synthesized. The synthesized shapes of both ends of the battery cell 11 can be displayed on a display device.

[0041] In the determination step 23, distance information to both ends of the battery cell 11 is provided, and the center position 111 of the battery cell 11 can be determined. In the determination step 23, the center position 111 of the battery cell 11 can be determined by a determination unit (not shown).

[0042] In determining step 23, the total length L4 of the battery cell 11 is determined by subtracting the distances L2 and L3 to the two ends of the battery cell 11 from the distance L1 between the measurement units 31. The sum of the distances L2 and L3 from the measurement units 31 to the two ends of the battery cell 11 and half the total length L4 of the battery cell 11 can be determined as the distance from the measurement units 31 to the center position 111 of the battery cell. Therefore, in determining step 23, the sum of half the total length L4 of the battery cell 11 and the distance from the measurement units 31 to the end of the battery cell 11 is determined as the center position 111.

[0043] The method for determining the battery cell center according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a display step 24 of displaying the determined center position 111 of the battery cell 11. In the display step 24, the center position 111 of the battery cell 11 may be displayed by a display unit (not shown).

[0044] In the display step 24, the center positions 111 of the battery cells 11 can be marked on the surfaces of the battery cells 11. The center positions 111 of the battery cells 11 can be marked with tape or the like. Once the center positions 111 have been determined and marked on the battery cells 11, the battery cells 11 can be aligned and stacked.

[0045] The method for determining the battery cell center according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include an alignment step 25 of rearranging the battery cells 11 according to the center positions 111. In the alignment step 25, the battery cells 11 may be aligned so that all of the center positions 111 overlap.

[0046] In the battery cell center determination method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the measurement unit 31 can be a laser profile sensor.

[0047] Previously, the center position of a battery cell was determined by aligning it using a jig based on one side of the lead tab of the battery cell. However, because alignment was based on one side, there was a problem that when the battery cell was turned over, the tab on the opposite side would not be aligned. In addition, because alignment was done by contact using a jig, there was a problem that the battery cell could be damaged.

[0048] The method for determining the battery cell center according to the embodiment of the present invention does not require contact with the battery cells 11, but allows the battery cells 11 to be aligned in a non-contact manner using the measurement unit 31. The non-contact method has the advantage of preventing the battery cells 11 from being damaged.

[0049] Since the center position 111 is determined by measuring the length of the entire battery cell 11, rather than aligning based on only one side, accuracy is improved. The length and center position 111 of the battery cell 11 are accurately measured and stored in a database, which can be used to build a smart factory later. Furthermore, the digitized value of the cell center position 111 can be continuously used in the battery module assembly process, which can contribute to improving product yield up to the final assembly.

[0050] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible within the technical spirit of the present invention and the scope of equivalents of the appended claims by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 Battery Module 11 Battery Cells 111 Center position 21 Placement Steps 22 Measurement Steps 23 Decision Steps 24 display steps 25 Alignment Steps 31 Measurement section L1 Distance between measuring devices L2, L3: Distance from the measuring device to both ends of the battery cell L4 Battery cell length

Claims

1. A plurality of battery cells; a battery cell case that houses the plurality of battery cells; A battery module, wherein longitudinal center positions of the battery cells are indicated on surfaces of the plurality of battery cells.

2. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the center position is indicated by a line on a surface of the battery cell in a direction perpendicular to a length direction of the battery cell.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the center position is indicated by marking on a surface of the battery cell.

4. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of battery cells are stacked so that the centers of all the battery cells overlap.

5. a positioning step of positioning the battery cell so that both ends of the battery cell are spaced a certain distance from a measuring unit; a measuring step of measuring the distance from the measuring unit to both ends of the battery cell; a determination step in which a determination unit receives distance information to both ends of the battery cell and determines a center position of the battery cell.

6. In the measuring step, The method for determining the battery cell center according to claim 5 , wherein the measurement unit measures the shapes of both ends of the battery cell and visually represents the shapes of both ends of the battery cell.

7. In the measuring step, The method for determining the center of a battery cell according to claim 6 , further comprising synthesizing the shapes of both ends of the battery cell visually represented.

8. In the measuring step, The method for determining the center of a battery cell according to claim 7 , wherein a composite shape of both ends of the battery cell is displayed on a display device.

9. In the determining step, The method for determining a battery cell center according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the distance from the measuring units to the center position of the battery cell is calculated by subtracting the distances from each measuring unit to both ends of the battery cell from the distance between the measuring units and adding half the total length of the battery cell to the resultant length.

10. The method for determining a battery cell center according to any one of claims 5 to 8, further comprising a display step of displaying the determined center position of the battery cell on the battery cell by a display unit.

11. In the display step, The method for determining the center of a battery cell according to claim 10 , wherein the center position of the battery cell is indicated by marking on the surface of the battery cell.

12. The method for determining a battery cell center according to any one of claims 5 to 8, further comprising an alignment step of rearranging the battery cells according to the center positions.

13. The method for determining a battery cell center according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the measurement unit is a laser profile sensor.

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