Battery pack
The battery pack design with a serviceable tape and pressure relief sections allows for efficient replacement of faulty cells, ensuring pack safety and energy density through a modular approach.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing battery packs lack efficient mechanisms for after-sales service, particularly in replacing faulty battery cells while maintaining the integrity and safety of the pack.
A battery pack design featuring a serviceable tape interposed between the Thermal Interface Material (TIM) layer and the base plate, allowing easy removal and replacement of faulty battery cell assemblies, with complementary crossbeams and pressure relief sections to facilitate separation.
Enables easy replacement of faulty battery cells without damaging the TIM layer, maintaining pack integrity and safety, and enhancing energy density by optimizing assembly processes.
Smart Images

Figure 2026512349000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
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[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack. This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2023-0178211, filed on December 11, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Background Art
[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are widely used as an energy source for various wireless devices such as handsets, notebook computers, and wireless vacuum cleaners. In recent years, due to the improvement of energy density and economies of scale, the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has been significantly reduced, and as the driving range of BEV (battery electric vehicle) increases to a level equivalent to that of fuel vehicles, the main application of secondary batteries has shifted from mobile devices to mobility.
[0003] The trend in the technological development of secondary batteries for mobility is the improvement of energy density and safety. The safety of secondary batteries for mobility is of great importance as it directly relates to the lives of passengers. The safety of secondary batteries can be achieved by mechanical robustness, reliability of electrical insulation, and delay of heat transfer when a thermal runaway event occurs.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] The problem to be solved by the technical idea of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that facilitates after-sales service.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a base plate, a first battery cell assembly and a second battery cell assembly mounted on the base plate and each including a plurality of battery cells, a TIM (Thermal Interface Material) layer between the first and second battery cell assemblies and the base plate, and a serviceable tape interposed between the TIM layer and the base plate.
[0006] The serviceable tape described above overlaps with the first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly described above.
[0007] The serviceable tape described above can be removed by pulling it in a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the base plate.
[0008] The first battery cell assembly includes a first crossbeam and a second crossbeam spaced apart from each other with the plurality of battery cells in between, the second battery cell assembly includes a third crossbeam and a fourth crossbeam spaced apart from each other with the plurality of battery cells in between, the second crossbeam has a shape complementary to the third crossbeam, and the first crossbeam includes a pressure relief section.
[0009] The pressure relief portion of the first cross beam described above faces the base plate described above.
[0010] The pressure relief portion described above has a rounded shape or includes a chamfered surface.
[0011] The battery pack further includes a supporting beam coupled to the base plate, the first battery cell assembly includes a first cross beam and a second cross beam spaced apart from each other with the plurality of battery cells in between, the second battery cell assembly includes a third cross beam and a fourth cross beam spaced apart from each other with the plurality of battery cells in between, the first cross beam is coupled to the supporting beam, the second cross beam has a shape complementary to the third cross beam, and the supporting beam includes a pressure relief section.
[0012] The pressure relief portion of the supporting beam described above faces the base plate described above.
[0013] The pressure relief portion described above has a rounded shape or includes a chamfered surface.
[0014] The first and second battery cell assemblies described above partially cover the serviceable tape.
[0015] The first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly are arranged in a first direction, and the serviceable tape protrudes in the first direction relative to the first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly.
[0016] The above serviceable tape covers the above base plate.
[0017] The serviceable tape described above is in contact with the base plate and the TIM layer, respectively.
[0018] The above TIM layer is separated from the above base plate. [Effects of the Invention]
[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack includes a tape interposed between a TIM (Thermal Interface Material) layer and a base plate. By pulling the tape, the adhesive force of the TIM layer can be removed, and when quality problems occur in a part of the battery cells, they can be separated and replaced.
[0020] The effects obtainable from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong from the following description. That is, unintended effects associated with implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0021] [Figure 1] It is a plan view showing a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line 1I-1I' of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a drawing for explaining a method according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view for explaining a method according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a plan view showing a battery pack according to another exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line 5I-5I' of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line 5II-5II' of FIG. 5.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0022] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. On the premise that terms and words used in this specification and the claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, they can be construed as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to explain his own invention in the best way.
[0023] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Thus, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.
[0024] In addition, in the description of the present invention, when it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0025] Embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to an ordinary technician. Therefore, the shapes and sizes of the components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for a clearer explanation. Thus, the sizes and ratios of each component do not fully reflect the actual sizes and ratios.
[0026] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line 1I-1I' of FIG. 1.
[0028] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the battery pack 100 may include a pack housing 110, multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, 120F, supporting beams 131, 133, serviceable tape 141, and a TIM (Thermal Interface Material) layer 143. The battery pack 100 may be a final product implemented in applications such as vehicles.
[0029] The pack housing 110 can provide space for the battery cell assembly 120 to be mounted. The pack housing 110 may include a base plate 111 and side walls 112, 113, 114, and 115.
[0030] Here, we define the two directions substantially parallel to the mounting surface 111M of the base plate 111 (i.e., the surface facing the battery cell assembly 120) as the X and Y directions, and the direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface 111M of the base plate 111 as the Z direction. The X, Y, and Z directions may be substantially perpendicular to each other.
[0031] The base plate 111 and the side walls 112, 113 can each be provided by an extrusion process. The extrusion direction of the base plate 111 and the side walls 112, 113 can each be the X direction. The side walls 114, 115 can also be provided by an extrusion process. The side walls 112, 113, 114, 115 can be substantially perpendicular to the base plate 111.
[0032] According to an exemplary embodiment, the base plate 111 and the side walls 112, 113 can be joined by friction stir welding. The base plate 111 may include a plurality of unit plates joined by friction stir welding.
[0033] The pack housing 110 may include a center beam 116. The center beam 116 may extend in the X direction. The center beam 116 may be interposed between the side walls 112 and 113. The center beam 116 may be included in a center plate which is one of a plurality of unit plates friction stir welded to each other. Thus, the center beam 116 may be formed together with the center plate, and the center beam 116 may be a continuous element formed integrally with the center plate.
[0034] The base plate 111 may include multiple cooling channels. These multiple cooling channels can provide passages for the movement of a coolant, such as water. The multiple cooling channels can be formed by an extrusion process. The multiple cooling channels may extend in the X direction. The multiple cooling channels may be spaced apart in the Y direction.
[0035] Multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F can be placed on a base plate 111 of a pack housing 110. The base plate 111 can support the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F. Side walls 112, 113, 114, and 115 can horizontally surround the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F. The side walls 112, 113, 114, and 115 can protect the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F.
[0036] The technical concept of the present invention will be described below primarily in embodiments in which the battery pack 100 is of a moduleless type and each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F does not include a module frame, but this is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the technical concept of the present invention in any sense. Based on what is described herein, ordinary articulators of the art will readily arrive at embodiments in which the battery pack is of a module type and each of the multiple battery cell assemblies includes a module frame.
[0037] Multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F can be arranged on a base plate 111. Each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F may include multiple battery cells 121, pads 122, a first crossbeam 125A, and a second crossbeam 125B.
[0038] Each of the multiple battery cells 121 may be a lithium-ion battery. Each of the multiple battery cells 121 includes an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a case. Each of the multiple battery cells 121 may be one of a cylindrical battery cell, a prismatic battery cell, or a pouch-type battery cell. The electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell is housed in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of a prismatic battery cell is housed in a prismatic metal can. The electrode assembly of a pouch-type battery cell is housed in a pouch case containing an aluminum laminate sheet.
[0039] An electrode assembly may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separation membrane interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. The electrode assembly may be either a jelly roll type or a stack type. A jelly roll type electrode assembly may include a winding structure of the positive electrode, negative electrode, and separation membrane interposed between them. A stack type electrode assembly may include multiple sequentially stacked positive electrodes, multiple negative electrodes, and multiple separation membranes interposed between them.
[0040] Multiple battery cells 121 can constitute multiple banks. Each of these banks can contain one or more battery cells 121. In each of these banks, one or more battery cells 121 can be connected in parallel. Multiple banks can be connected in series. The number of series-connected banks and the number of battery cells 121 included in each bank can be determined according to the magnitude of the voltage and current that each battery cell assembly 120 is to output.
[0041] Multiple pads 122 can be interposed between multiple battery cells 121. Multiple pads 122 can apply horizontal pressure to the multiple battery cells 121, preventing or mitigating swelling of the multiple battery cells 121. Multiple pads 122 can isolate the multiple battery cells 121 from one another. According to exemplary embodiments, each of the multiple pads 122 may be made of PU (Polyurethane). According to exemplary embodiments, each of the multiple pads 122 may be made of a fire-resistant material such as silicone.
[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of pads 122 can be arranged alternately with a plurality of banks. According to an exemplary embodiment, one of the plurality of banks can be interposed between adjacent pads 122, and one of the plurality of pads 122 can be interposed between adjacent banks. According to another exemplary embodiment, two or more banks may be interposed between adjacent pads 122.
[0043] Each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F may include a first busbar assembly and a second busbar assembly. The first busbar assembly and the second busbar assembly can be spaced apart in the Y direction with the multiple battery cells 121 in between. Each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F may further include a cable configured to electrically connect the first busbar assembly and the second busbar assembly.
[0044] A first busbar assembly may include a first busbar frame, a first integrated circuit, and busbars. A second busbar assembly may include a second busbar frame and a second integrated circuit.
[0045] The first busbar frame and the second busbar frame may include an insulating material such as plastic. The first busbar frame may be configured to support busbars and elements of the first busbar assembly, such as a first integrated circuit. The second integrated circuit may be mounted on the second busbar frame.
[0046] The first and second integrated circuits of the first busbar assembly 123 and the second busbar assembly 124 can be connected to sensors for sensing the voltage, current, and / or temperature inside the multiple battery cell assemblies 120. The voltage, current, and / or temperature inside the battery cell assemblies 120 received by the second integrated circuit can be transmitted to the first integrated circuit via a cable. The first integrated circuit can be configured, for example, to transmit electrical signals indicating the voltage, current, and / or temperature inside the battery cell assemblies 120 to a BMS (Battery Management System).
[0047] The busbars of the first busbar assembly may be external connection terminals. These external connection terminals may be configured to output a resulting voltage (or current) corresponding to the electrical coupling of multiple battery cells 121.
[0048] The crossbeams 125A and 125B of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F can be spaced apart in the X direction with multiple battery cells 121 in between. The crossbeams 125A and 125B of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F can cover multiple battery cells 121. The crossbeams 125A and 125B of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F can be fixed to the multiple battery cells 121. The crossbeams 125A and 125B of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F can be fixed to the base plate 111 by methods such as bolting.
[0049] Each of the crossbeams 125A and 125B of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F can include ribs that define the cavity. This allows for weight reduction of each of the crossbeams 125A and 125B of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F, thereby improving the energy density of the battery pack 100.
[0050] According to exemplary embodiments, the crossbeams 125A and 125B of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F may have a stepped structure. According to exemplary embodiments, the crossbeams 125A and 125B of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F may have complementary shapes. This allows the crossbeams 125B of battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120D, and 120E to be coupled with the crossbeams 125A of subsequent battery cell assemblies 120B, 120C, 120E, and 120F. The complementary shapes of the crossbeams 125A and 125B are a concept that includes clearance between them for assembly margins.
[0051] The crossbeams 125A, 125B of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F can be provided, for example, by an extrusion process, but are not limited thereto.
[0052] According to exemplary embodiments, the crossbeam 125A of battery cell assemblies 120A, 120D can be coupled to a supporting beam 131 on a base plate 111. The crossbeam 125A of battery cell assemblies 120A, 120D can be bolted to the supporting beam 131. According to exemplary embodiments, a supporting beam 133 can be coupled to the crossbeam 125B of battery cell assemblies 120C, 120F. According to exemplary embodiments, the crossbeam 125B and supporting beam 133 of battery cell assemblies 120C, 120F can be bolted to a base plate 111. The supporting beams 131, 133 can be supplied by an extrusion process and may include cavities.
[0053] The TIM layer 143 can be provided on the base plate 111B of the pack housing 110. The TIM layer 143 can be interposed between each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F and the base plate 111. The TIM layer 143 may contain a resin composition. The TIM layer 143 can be provided by a thermal resin coating process.
[0054] In the example shown in Figure 3, there is no TIM layer 143 at the center in the Y direction of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F, and each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F is shown to have two corresponding TIM layers 143 (i.e., overlapping in the Z direction). However, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the technical idea of the present invention in any way.
[0055] The resin composition may be a room-temperature curing composition; that is, the curing reaction of the resin composition can begin and proceed at room temperature. The curing reaction of the resin composition can be accelerated at temperatures higher than room temperature. The curing reaction rate of the resin composition at temperatures higher than room temperature may be faster than the curing reaction rate of the resin composition at room temperature. As a non-limiting example, the main component of the resin composition may be any one of silicone resin, polyol resin, epoxy resin, and acrylic resin.
[0056] The curing agent for a resin composition can be selected according to the main component of the resin composition. For example, if the main component of the resin composition is a silicone resin, the curing agent may be a siloxane compound; if the main component is a polyol resin, an isocyanate compound may be used for curing; if the main component is an epoxy resin, an amine compound may be used for curing; and if the main component is an acrylic resin, an isocyanate compound may be used for curing.
[0057] The inorganic filler in the resin composition can have relatively high thermal conductivity. According to an exemplary embodiment, the thermal conductivity of the inorganic filler in the resin composition may be about 1 W / mK or higher. According to an exemplary embodiment, the thermal conductivity of the inorganic filler in the resin composition may be 5 W / mK or higher. According to an exemplary embodiment, the thermal conductivity of the inorganic filler in the resin composition may be 10 W / mK or higher. According to an exemplary embodiment, the thermal conductivity of the inorganic filler in the resin composition may be about 15 W / mK or higher.
[0058] According to exemplary embodiments, the inorganic filler of the resin composition may include ceramics. For example, the inorganic filler of the resin composition may include any one of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), aluminum nitride (AlN), boron nitride (BN), silicon nitride (Si3N4), silicon carbide (SiC), beryllium oxide (BeO), zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3), and boehmite. The resin composition may also include a carbon filler. The resin composition may include, for example, any one of fumed silica, clay, and calcium carbonate.
[0059] A serviceable tape 141 can be interposed between the TIM layer 143 and the base plate 111. The serviceable tape 141 can be in contact with both the TIM layer 143 and the base plate 111. The serviceable tape 141 can cover the base plate 111, so that each of the TIM layers 143 may not be in contact with the base plate 111. Each of the TIM layers 143 can be separated from the base plate 111.
[0060] Multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F can partially cover the serviceable tape 141. Multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F can expose portions of the serviceable tape 141. One of the serviceable tape 141 can protrude in the X direction relative to the battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, and 120C. One of the serviceable tape 141 can protrude in the X direction relative to the battery cell assemblies 120D, 120E, and 120F. The serviceable tape 141 may include portions interposed between the battery cell assemblies 120C and 120D and the side wall 115.
[0061] The TIM layer 143 can partially cover the serviceable tape 141. The TIM layer 143 can expose a portion of the serviceable tape 141. The serviceable tape 141 can protrude in the Y direction relative to the TIM layer 143. The serviceable tape 141 may include a portion interposed between the TIM layer 143 and the side wall 112, or a portion interposed between the TIM layer 143 and the side wall 113.
[0062] The center beam 116 can be extended in the X direction. The center beam 116 can isolate the battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C from the battery cell assemblies 120D, 120E, 120F in the Y direction. The center beam 116 can be interposed between the battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C and the battery cell assemblies 120D, 120E, 120F. The battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C can be interposed between the side wall 112 and the center beam 116. The battery cell assemblies 120D, 120E, 120F can be interposed between the side wall 113 and the center beam 116.
[0063] In Figure 1, the arrangement of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F can be described as a 3x2 arrangement. The arrangement of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F disclosed in Figure 1 is a non-limiting example and does not limit the technical idea of the present invention in any sense. A person of ordinary skill in the art can easily arrive at an MxN arrangement of multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F (where M and N are integers greater than or equal to 2) based on what is described herein.
[0064] The battery pack 100 may further include a lid that is coupled to the side walls 112, 113, 114, and 115 of the pack housing 110. The lid can cover elements that are mounted inside the battery pack 100, such as multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F, and electrical components. The lid can be secured to the pack housing 110 by mechanical coupling means, such as bolting.
[0065] The battery pack may further include exhaust devices coupled to side walls 114, 115. One of the side walls 114, 115 may include an exhaust hole connected to the exhaust device. The exhaust devices may be configured to slow thermal propagation by releasing hot gases from inside the battery pack 100 to the outside in the event of a thermal runway event occurring in one of the battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, 120F.
[0066] Here, thermal runaway in multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F is a state in which the temperature change of multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F further accelerates that temperature change, resulting in an uncontrollable positive feedback loop. In a thermal runaway state, multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F exhibit a rapid temperature increase and emit large amounts of high-pressure gas and combustion residue.
[0067] The battery pack 100 may further include a Battery Management System (BMS). The BMS can be configured to perform monitoring, balancing, and control of the battery pack 100. Monitoring of the battery pack 100 may include measuring the voltage and current of specific nodes within multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F, and measuring the temperature at a set location within the battery pack 100. The battery pack 100 may include instruments for measuring the aforementioned voltage, current, and temperature.
[0068] Balancing the battery pack 100 is the operation of reducing deviations between multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F. Control of the battery pack 100 includes preventing overcharging, over-discharging, and overcurrent. Through monitoring, balancing, and control, the battery pack 100 can operate under optimal conditions, thereby preventing shortening of the lifespan of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F.
[0069] The battery pack 100 may further include additional electrical components such as a cooling device, a Power Relay Assembly (PRA), and a safety plug. The cooling device may include a cooling fan. The cooling fan can prevent overheating of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F by circulating air inside the battery pack 100. The PRA may be configured to supply or cut off power from the high-voltage battery to an external load (e.g., a vehicle motor). The PRA can protect the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F and the external load (e.g., a vehicle motor) by cutting off the power supply to the external load (e.g., a vehicle motor) in situations where abnormal voltages occur, such as voltage surges. Additional electrical components may be interposed between the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F and the side wall 115. The space between the battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F and the side wall 115 may be called the electrical component mounting area.
[0070] The battery pack 100 may further include a plurality of busbars configured to electrically connect a plurality of battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F. The plurality of battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F can be connected in series by the plurality of busbars. This allows the battery pack 100 to be configured to output a high voltage to an external load (e.g., a vehicle motor).
[0071] (Second Embodiment) Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a method according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0072] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0073] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the serviceable tape 141 can be removed at P120. Before removing the serviceable tape 141, the lid can be separated from the pack housing 110. In this process, the portion of the serviceable tape 141 that overlaps the problematic battery cell assembly 120 in the Z direction can be removed. The serviceable tape 141 can be removed by tensile force. The serviceable tape 141 must have sufficient tensile strength so that it does not break while being removed.
[0074] According to an exemplary embodiment, the serviceable tape 141 can protrude in the X direction toward the mounting area of the electrical components relative to a plurality of battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, 120F and the TIM layer. The mounting area of the electrical components includes empty space, and no additional space is provided for the removal of the serviceable tape 141, so the energy density of the battery pack can be improved.
[0075] Since the TIM layer 143 has already cured during the assembly step of the battery pack 100, there may be no adhesion between the TIM layer 143 and the base plate 111 if the serviceable tape 141 is removed. This allows any faulty battery cell assembly among the multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F in P130 to be replaced with a normal battery cell assembly.
[0076] (Third embodiment) Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating a battery pack 101 according to another exemplary embodiment.
[0077] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along the cutting line 5I-5I' in Figure 5.
[0078] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the cutting line 5II-5II' in Figure 5.
[0079] Referring to Figures 5 to 7, the battery pack 100 may include a pack housing 110, multiple battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120C', 120D, 120E, 120F, supporting beams 131, 131', 133, serviceable tape 141, and a TIM layer 143. The battery pack 100 may be a final product implemented in applications such as vehicles.
[0080] The pack housing 110, battery cell assemblies 120A, 120B, 120D, 120E, 120F, supporting beams 133, 135 (see Figure 2), supporting beams 131, 133, serviceable tape 141, and TIM layer 143 are substantially the same as those described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, so redundant descriptions of them are omitted.
[0081] The battery cell assembly 120C' is the same as the battery cell assembly 120C in Figure 1, except that the crossbeam 125B' includes a pressure relief section 125BC. The pressure relief section 125BC may have a rounded shape or may include a chamfered surface. The pressure relief section 125BC may face the base plate 111.
[0082] The supporting beam 131' is the same as the supporting beam 131, except that it includes a pressure relief portion 131C. The pressure relief portion 131C may have a rounded shape or may include a chamfered surface. The pressure relief portion 131C may face the base plate 111.
[0083] According to an exemplary embodiment, the formation of pressure relief sections 125BC and 131C can reduce the pressure applied to the serviceable tape 141 while it is being removed, thereby preventing or mitigating the breakage of the serviceable tape 141.
[0084] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described herein are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for them at the time of filing. [Explanation of symbols]
[0085] 100, 101 Battery Pack 110 Pack Housing 111, 111B base plate 111M mounting surface 112, 113, 114, 115 side wall 116 Center Beam 120 Battery Cell Assembly 120A, 120B, 120C, 120C', 120D, 120E, 120F Battery Cell Assembly 121 battery cells 122 pads 123 First Busbar Assembly 124 Second Busbar Assembly 125A First Crossbeam 125B Second Crossbeam 125B Crossbeam 125B' Crossbeam 125BC Pressure relief section 131, 131' Supporting beam 131C Pressure relief section 133, 135 Supporting beams 141 Servicable Tape 143 TIM layer
Claims
1. base plate and Mounted on the base plate are a first battery cell assembly and a second battery cell assembly, each including a plurality of battery cells. The TIM (Thermal Interface Material) layer between the first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly and the base plate, A battery pack comprising a serviceable tape interposed between the TIM layer and the base plate.
2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the serviceable tape overlaps the first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly.
3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the serviceable tape can be removed by pulling it in a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the base plate.
4. The first battery cell assembly includes a first cross beam and a second cross beam spaced apart from each other with the plurality of battery cells in between. The second battery cell assembly includes a third crossbeam and a fourth crossbeam spaced apart from each other with the plurality of battery cells in between. The second crossbeam has a shape complementary to the third crossbeam, The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first crossbeam includes a pressure relief section.
5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the pressure relief portion of the first crossbeam faces the base plate.
6. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the pressure relief portion has a round shape or includes a chamfered surface.
7. The system further includes a supporting beam coupled to the base plate, The first battery cell assembly includes a first cross beam and a second cross beam spaced apart from each other with the plurality of battery cells in between. The second battery cell assembly includes a third crossbeam and a fourth crossbeam spaced apart from each other with the plurality of battery cells in between. The first cross beam is coupled with the supporting beam, The second crossbeam has a shape complementary to the third crossbeam, The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the supporting beam includes a pressure relief section.
8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the pressure relief portion of the supporting beam faces the base plate.
9. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the pressure relief portion has a round shape or includes a chamfered surface.
10. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly partially cover the serviceable tape.
11. The first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly are arranged in a first direction, The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the serviceable tape protrudes in the first direction relative to the first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly.
12. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the serviceable tape covers the base plate.
13. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the serviceable tape is in contact with the base plate and the TIM layer, respectively.
14. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the TIM layer is separated from the base plate.