Battery assembly cover and battery assembly, and vehicle containing the same.

Abstract

A battery assembly cover and battery assembly, as well as a vehicle including the same, are disclosed, which include: a base that is coupled to the open surface of the battery assembly case to seal the battery assembly case and has a plurality of first holes through which the leads of the battery cells pass, thereby exposing the leads of the battery cells to the outside; and an insulating part that is coupled to the base and is located between the edges of the first holes in the base and the leads of the battery cells to insulate the leads of the battery cells from the base and has second holes through which the leads of the battery cells pass.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery assembly cover, a battery assembly, and a vehicle including the same, which can simplify the process in the assembly of the battery assembly and improve the overall performance of the battery.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in order to solve environmental problems such as abnormal temperatures, technologies for carbon reduction have been actively developed. For carbon reduction, it is necessary to produce energy in a nature-friendly way rather than from fossil fuels, store the produced energy in the form of electrical energy, and use this stored electrical energy in vehicles, various industrial sites, and households.

[0003] For the utilization of electrical energy for carbon reduction, the use of a battery that can store and derive electrical energy is essential. Therefore, to ensure sufficient storage of electrical energy and use it without inconvenience, it is essential to ensure the performance of the battery.

[0004] Batteries mainly use the oxidation-reduction reaction of metal ions. In order to increase the capacity, charge-discharge performance, and efficiency of the battery, metal ions are used at a high density, and much research has been conducted on substances constituting electrolytes and solid electrolytes. However, generally, there is a problem that as the performance of the battery develops, the safety decreases.

[0005] In the case of batteries used in vehicles, industries, households, etc., they are manufactured in a physical unit called a pack. The battery pack achieves the function of protecting the internal battery cells from deteriorating due to the influence of the external environment or being damaged due to physical reasons by enclosing and sealing a large number of battery cells inside the battery case, thereby preventing the transfer of fire to the outside even in case of an accident such as thermal runaway of the battery.

[0006] A battery pack contains numerous battery cells in an intermediate form between modules and cell modules (CMAs, or cell module assemblies). In the case of battery modules or cell assemblies, numerous battery cells are assembled into a single module or assembly, and the battery pack is completed by fastening these modules inside the pack case. Maintenance is made easier by allowing maintenance to be performed at the module or assembly level.

[0007] In the case of battery modules and assemblies, a large number of battery cells are connected to each other as a battery assembly and fixed to a module case or the like, and the fixed battery cells are connected by busbars. Busbars are rod-shaped conductors that enable electrical connections between battery cells and constitute part of the battery assembly in which the battery cells are stacked.

[0008] However, when using busbars to electrically connect battery cells, there is the time and expense required to manufacture separate busbars, and space for the busbars must be provided in the battery assembly such as the battery module. Furthermore, when structurally connecting the busbars to the battery cells or battery assembly, it can be difficult to achieve a completely integrated connection, which can pose a problem for the durability of the battery assembly. Therefore, it is necessary to have effective countermeasures in place to address this.

[0009] Numerous unit battery cells that make up a battery assembly, such as a module or assembly, consist of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte. Since battery cells generate heat during charging and discharging, effective heat dissipation is necessary. Furthermore, from the perspective of battery modules, assemblies, or battery packs, efficient heat dissipation design is essential to prevent safety accidents.

[0010] To improve battery performance, batteries must have a high energy density. In particular, in vehicles, where space is limited due to the installation of various devices, there is a need for technology to efficiently stack battery assemblies, such as battery cells and battery modules, within a limited space to secure sufficient space.

[0011] On the other hand, batteries can deteriorate due to manufacturing errors, excessive charging and discharging, and aging. If battery deterioration persists, it can eventually lead to a fire. Therefore, it is necessary to take precautions to prevent battery fires. To this end, it is important to continuously sense the battery's condition, recognize and respond to any problems in advance, and minimize damage when unexpected problems occur.

[0012] The matters described above as background technology are merely for the purpose of enhancing understanding of the background of the present invention and should not be accepted as acknowledging that they correspond to prior art already known to those with ordinary skill in the art. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0013] The present invention was proposed to solve these problems, and aims to provide a battery assembly cover, a battery assembly, and a vehicle including the same, which can reduce costs by simplifying the assembly process and improve battery performance by securing extra space, by exposing the battery cell leads to the outside and welding them to each other in the battery assembly manufacturing process without a separate structure such as a busbar to connect the battery cells.

[0014] The technical problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understandable to a person with ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] To achieve the above objective, the battery assembly cover according to the present invention includes a base configured to be coupled to the open surface of a battery assembly case to seal the battery assembly case, having a plurality of first holes formed therein, through which the leads of a battery cell are passed, thereby exposing the leads of the battery cell to the outside; and an insulating portion configured to be coupled to the base, having a second hole formed therein that is located between the edge of the first hole of the base and the leads of the battery cell to insulate the leads of the battery cell from the base, and through which the leads of the battery cell are passed.

[0016] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the battery assembly case may be configured such that a plurality of battery cells are stacked inside, and the leads of each stacked battery cell are exposed through an open surface of the battery assembly case.

[0017] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the leads of a plurality of battery cells are exposed to the outside through first and second holes, and the exposed battery cell leads can be electrically connected to each other outside the battery assembly case.

[0018] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the leads of a plurality of battery cells exposed to the outside of the battery assembly case through the first hole and the second hole can be joined to each other by welding on the outside of the battery assembly cover, with adjacent leads being able to do so.

[0019] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, a plurality of first holes may be formed in the base at positions corresponding to the leads of the battery cells, spaced apart from each other.

[0020] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, a plurality of second holes of the insulating portion may be formed so as to be spaced apart from each other at positions overlapping a plurality of first holes of the base.

[0021] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the first hole and the second hole are formed at positions corresponding to the leads of the battery cells in the base and the insulating portion, respectively, so that the leads of the battery cells can be configured to penetrate through the first hole and the second hole along a straight path.

[0022] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the base may have a panel shape and be configured such that an edge thereof is coupled to the battery assembly case to close an open surface of the battery assembly case.

[0023] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the base may be formed of a metal material.

[0024] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the insulating portion may be formed of a non-conductive material and be configured to contact one surface of the base.

[0025] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the insulating portion may be composed of a pair of non-conductive materials, and the base may be positioned between the pair of insulating portions such that both surfaces of the base contact the pair of insulating portions, respectively.

[0026] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the leads of the battery cells may be configured to penetrate through all of the first holes of the base and the second holes of the pair of insulating portions, and a portion exposed by penetrating through the second holes of the outermost insulating portion may be bent.

[0027] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the size of the insulating portion disposed on the inner side facing the battery cell among the pair of insulating portions may be smaller than that of the base.

[0028] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the base is covered by an inner insulating portion and can be coupled to the battery assembly case through an exposed edge end.

[0029] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the size of the insulating portion disposed on the outer side facing outward among the pair of insulating portions may be the same as or larger than that of the base.

[0030] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, one or more of the pair of insulating portions are configured such that a portion where a second hole is formed is recessed or inserted inside the first hole, and the pair of insulating portions can be configured to be in surface contact with each other at the portion where the second hole is formed.

[0031] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the size of the first hole of the base may be larger than the second hole of the insulating portion.

[0032] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the second holes of the insulating portions can be aligned along a straight-line path with respect to the centers of the respective holes at positions corresponding to the first holes of the base.

[0033] In the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, the first hole and the second hole are arranged such that their respective center points coincide with each other, and the second hole can be arranged spaced inward from the edge of the first hole.

[0034] The battery assembly according to the present invention includes the battery assembly cover.

[0035] The vehicle according to the present invention includes the battery assembly cover.

Advantages of the Invention

[0036] According to the battery assembly cover and battery assembly of the present invention, and the vehicle including the same, the assembly process is simplified and costs are reduced by exposing the leads of the battery cells to the outside and welding them to each other during the battery assembly manufacturing process. Furthermore, by eliminating separate structures that connect the battery cells, extra space is secured, allowing additional battery cells or battery assemblies to be stacked, thereby improving the performance of the battery assembly and the overall higher-level system that utilizes it.

[0037] The effects obtained by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understandable to a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the following description. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1] This figure shows a battery assembly cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows a battery assembly cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figures 1 and 2 show the battery assembly cover in a state where it is connected to the battery assembly. [Figure 4] Figures 1 and 2 show the state in which the battery cell leads of the battery assembly cover penetrate the first and second holes. [Figure 5] This figure shows a battery assembly cover according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows a battery pack and a vehicle to which the battery assembly cover of the present invention is applied. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] In describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if it is determined that a specific description of related known technology may obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed herein, such detailed description will be omitted. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are merely for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and should not be understood as limiting the technical ideas disclosed herein, but rather as including all modifications, equivalents, or substitutions that fall within the concept and technical scope of the present invention.

[0040] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," etc., can be used to describe a variety of components, but the components are not limited by such terms. Such terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from others. A singular expression includes plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0041] In this specification, terms such as “includes” or “have” are intended to indicate the presence of features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof as described in the specification, and should be understood not to preemptively exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0042] The suffixes "module" and "part" used with respect to the constituent elements in the following description are added or used interchangeably solely for the purpose of facilitating the preparation of the specification, and do not in themselves have a distinct meaning or role from one another.

[0043] When it is mentioned that one component is “connected” or “linked” to another component, it should be understood that this may mean that it is directly connected or linked to the other component, or that there may be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that one component is “directly connected” or “directly linked” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0044] Figures 1 and 2 show a battery assembly cover according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows the battery assembly cover shown in Figures 1 and 2 coupled to a battery assembly; Figure 4 shows the battery cell leads of the battery assembly cover shown in Figures 1 and 2 passing through the first and second holes; Figure 5 shows a battery assembly cover according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 shows a battery pack and vehicle to which the battery assembly cover of the present invention is applied.

[0045] The embodiments disclosed herein will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Identical or similar components will be given the same reference numerals regardless of their relationship to the drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0046] In vehicle batteries, a higher energy density is advantageous in terms of vehicle range, safety, and charging time. Therefore, efforts to increase battery energy density have become important in recent years. In the case of vehicle batteries, since the battery is located in a limited space, methods for increasing the energy density inside the battery are being discussed.

[0047] One method for increasing the energy density of a battery is to stack the battery cells 120 inside the battery at high density. The battery cell 120 is the basic unit that makes up the battery, and many battery cells 120 come together to form a battery module or assembly, which is a single battery assembly. Many of these battery assemblies, such as battery modules or assemblies, come together to form a single battery pack BP, which is placed in the vehicle V. By efficiently stacking the battery cells 120 at high density within the battery assemblies, such as battery modules or assemblies, the energy efficiency of the battery can be increased inside the battery pack BP. This does not involve adding separate additional parts, but rather adjusting the density of the battery cells 120 or battery assemblies inside the battery, so battery performance can be improved within a limited space without interference with other parts inside the vehicle V.

[0048] A battery module or assembly is a structured battery assembly in the form of a case, frame, or straps, in which multiple battery cells 120 are bundled in fixed numbers and stacked on a case or frame to protect the battery cells 120 from external shocks, heat, vibrations, etc. Conventionally, a battery module or assembly was constructed by fixing a large number of battery cells 120 to a case or frame, and then electrically connecting the battery cells 120 with busbars to form a circuit. Conventional busbars are metal rods used to transmit electric current and play the role of electrically connecting the battery cells 120 to each other.

[0049] However, when forming a battery assembly using such busbars, complex structures such as plastic structures to fix the busbars are required, which increases the manufacturing cost. In addition, the addition of busbars inevitably increases the longitudinal bulk of the battery assembly, making it difficult to secure sufficient space and thus difficult to maximize the battery's energy density. Furthermore, welding is not possible between the battery cell leads 140 and the plastic structures that fix the busbars, which reduces the safety of the connection.

[0050] In the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, the leads 140 of multiple battery cells located inside the battery assembly case 100 are exposed to the outside, and the battery cells 120 are electrically connected by welding the leads 140 of adjacent battery cells to each other. Therefore, the complex plastic structure required to fix the conventional busbar is eliminated, reducing costs. Since the busbar is not needed by directly welding the leads 140 of adjacent battery cells, the bulk in the longitudinal direction of the battery assembly does not increase, thus creating extra space inside the battery pack BP. This extra space allows for the addition of battery cells 120 or other battery assemblies such as battery modules, thereby increasing the energy density of the battery and contributing to an overall improvement in battery performance.

[0051] However, since the busbars are removed and the battery cell leads are directly connected to each other, it is necessary to increase the rigidity of the connection between the leads. Therefore, in the present invention, by forming the base 300 that connects to the metal battery assembly case 100 from a metal material, the battery assembly case 100 and the base 300 can be joined by welding, thereby improving the connection rigidity of the battery cell leads and the assembly safety of the battery assembly.

[0052] On the other hand, the battery assembly according to the present invention refers to a state in which multiple battery cells 120 are stacked inside. When the multiple battery cells 120 are stacked in a case form, it can be called a battery module, and when they are stacked in a form other than a case, such as a frame or strap, it can be called an assembly. In other words, the battery assembly of the present invention is structured in the form of a case, frame, or strap with multiple battery cells 120 stacked inside, and can be called a battery module or an assembly. However, the battery assembly of the present invention is not limited to the terms battery module or assembly, but is preferably interpreted as a concept that includes all forms in which multiple battery cells 120 are stacked inside, including battery modules or assemblies.

[0053] Specifically, in the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a part of the surface of the battery assembly case 100 on which the battery cells 120 are stacked is open, and after exposing the battery cell leads 140 through this open surface, the battery cells 120 are exposed to the outside through holes in the base 300 and insulating part 500, which have holes of a size that the battery cell leads 140 can pass through, and adjacent battery cells 120 are directly welded together, thereby directly electrically connecting the battery cell leads 140 to the outside without busbars.

[0054] As shown in Figure 1, the battery assembly cover of the present invention has an open surface in the battery assembly case 100 in which the battery cell leads 140 are exposed. A base 300 is formed in the base 300 that is coupled to this open surface of the battery assembly case 100 to seal the battery assembly case 100, and a plurality of first holes 320 are formed therein, allowing the battery cell leads 140 to pass through the first holes 320 of the base 300 and be exposed to the outside. In addition, there is an insulating part 500 that is coupled to the base 300 and is responsible for insulating the base 300 from the battery cell leads 140, and a second hole 522 is formed in the insulating part 500 through which the battery cell leads 140 pass to the outside.

[0055] On the other hand, the battery cells 120 are classified into unidirectional cells and bidirectional cells depending on whether the type of electrode located on the outermost casing is the same. A unidirectional cell is a battery cell 120 in which positive and negative electrodes are alternately provided in one direction, while a bidirectional cell is a battery cell 120 in which the same electrode is located on the outermost electrode portion. In the present invention shown in the drawing, the figure shows a battery assembly cover in which battery cells 120 having unidirectional cells are stacked, but in the present invention, even in the case of bidirectional cells, the battery cell leads 140 are exposed on the outermost casing, and the battery cells 120 can be electrically connected to each other without a busbar by welding between adjacent battery cells 120.

[0056] On the other hand, in the present invention, electrical connection refers to connecting the battery cells 120 to each other in a series or parallel manner. When the battery cells 120 are connected in series, the voltage can be increased, so a battery with the desired capacity and voltage can be obtained by connecting the battery cells 120 in series or parallel as needed.

[0057] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the leads 140 of multiple battery cells are exposed to the outside by passing through the first hole 320 of the base 300 and the second hole 522 of the insulating part 500, and the exposed battery cell leads 140 are electrically connected outside the battery assembly case 100. In the case of electrical connection, with the battery cell leads 140 connected in series or parallel, adjacent battery cells 120 that are exposed to the outside can be welded together. This allows for electrical connection between battery cells 120 without additional structures such as busbars, thus simplifying the manufacturing process of the battery assembly and reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, because there are no additional structures, extra space can be secured, allowing battery cells 120 or battery modules to be stacked to have a higher energy density, thus contributing to improved battery performance.

[0058] In the case of a battery installed in a vehicle V, it is necessary to ensure performance against collisions and to prevent secondary damage in the event of a fire, so the battery assembly case 100 can be made of metal. Among metals, it can be made of aluminum, which is easy to mold, lightweight, and highly durable.

[0059] In the case of the base 300, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the open surface of the battery assembly case 100 must be closed, so it can be formed into a shape such as a panel corresponding to the open surface, and since it must be joined to the battery assembly case 100 while closing the open surface of the battery assembly case 100, it can be formed from a metal material. Since both the battery assembly case 100 and the base 300 are made of metal, joining them by welding is the method that can ensure the best durability, and the base 300 can be formed from the same metal material as the battery assembly case 100 for excellent bonding strength with the battery assembly case 100.

[0060] Of course, the battery assembly case 100 and the base 300 can be joined by various methods other than welding, such as adhesive bonding and mechanical fastening.

[0061] A first hole 320 is formed in the base 300 at the position corresponding to the battery cell lead 140, through which the battery cell lead 140 can pass. The first hole 320 is shaped to penetrate both sides of the base 300, and multiple holes are formed spaced apart from each other at the positions corresponding to the battery cell lead 140, based on the position when the battery assembly case 100 and the base 300 are joined by welding or other means. The first hole 320 can be formed during the manufacturing process by punching holes in the metal base 300 at predetermined intervals at the positions corresponding to the battery cell lead 140.

[0062] The base 300 is connected to the insulating part 500 to form a cover for the battery assembly, and the formed battery assembly cover closes the open surface of the battery assembly case 100, thus serving as the housing for the battery assembly case 100. Since the battery assembly has a structure in which battery cells 120 are stacked inside the battery assembly case 100, the battery assembly cover that serves as the housing must have durability against collisions, fires, and other elements.

[0063] Furthermore, since the base 300 is made of metal, when it comes into contact with the current flowing through the battery cell leads 140, there is a risk of electrical short circuits occurring and secondary damage due to overcurrent. Therefore, it is preferable to make the size of the first hole 320 large enough so that it does not come into contact with the battery cell leads 140. In other words, the battery assembly cover, which serves as the housing for the battery assembly case 100, must be made of a material with sufficient rigidity to protect the battery cells 120 from external impacts. In the case of the first hole 320 of the base 300, it must be made large enough so that the battery cell leads 140 can pass through it but not make contact, in order to prevent short circuits between the metal base 300 and the battery cell leads 140.

[0064] On the other hand, the insulating part 500 is made of a non-conductive material and is in contact with one surface of the base 300, providing insulation between the battery cell leads 140 and the base 300. The insulating part 500 not only provides insulation between the base 300 and the battery cell leads 140, but also between the base 300 and the battery cell 120, or between the base 300 and the external metal parts of the battery assembly. Therefore, it must be made of a material with high electrical insulation properties, and it must also be a heat-resistant material that can withstand high temperatures such as fire in the event of a battery malfunction. For this reason, it can be formed from a material such as mica.

[0065] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a second hole 522 is formed in the insulating portion 500, and multiple second holes 522 are formed spaced apart from each other so that they overlap with the multiple first holes 320 of the base 300. When the first hole 320 and the second hole 522 are positioned to overlap each other in this way, the second hole 522 is also formed in a position corresponding to the battery cell lead 140 by the first hole 320 which is formed in a position corresponding to the battery cell lead 140, and as a result the battery cell lead 140 can pass through the first hole 320 and the second hole 522 along a straight path.

[0066] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the battery assembly cover of the present invention is a cover in which a base 300 and an insulating part 500 are joined together, and which is joined to close the open surface of the battery assembly case 100. In the case of a base 300 made of a metal material and an insulating part 500 made of a material such as mica, they can be joined together with an adhesive or structurally joined using hooks or the like. Needless to say, manufacturing costs can be reduced by controlling the manufacturing process so that the base 300 and the insulating part 500 are assembled while still joined together, and since the overlapping portions of the first hole 320 and the second hole 522 can be easily aligned, manufacturing tolerances can be reduced so that the battery cell leads 140 are exposed to the outside without interference when joined to the battery assembly case 100.

[0067] Therefore, prior to joining the battery assembly cover to the open surface of the battery assembly case 100, it is preferable to first join the base 300 and insulating part 500 that constitute the battery assembly cover to complete the battery assembly cover, and then join them to close the open surface of the battery assembly case 100.

[0068] Since the base 300 is made of a metal material, if it comes into direct contact with the battery cell leads 140 through which current flows, an electrical short circuit may occur, potentially causing secondary damage due to overcurrent. Therefore, when the battery cell leads 140 penetrate the first hole 320 of the base 300, the battery cell leads 140 must not come into contact with the edge portion of the first hole 320, which constitutes part of the base 300. Referring to Figure 4, the present invention presents a battery assembly cover formed so that the size of the first hole 320 of the base 300 (dotted line portion) is larger than the second hole 542 of the insulating portion 540 (solid line portion), thereby preventing contact with the edge portion of the first hole 320 by ensuring that the battery cell leads 140 penetrate both the first hole 320 and the second hole 542 simultaneously but are positioned within the area of ​​the second hole 542.

[0069] Specifically, in Figure 4, the second hole 542 of the insulating portion 500, which is the solid line portion, is aligned along a straight path with respect to the center of each hole, corresponding to the first hole 320 of the base 300, which is shown by the dotted line, so that the center points coincide. With the center points coincided, the second hole 542 is positioned inward from the edge of the first hole 320, and although the battery cell lead 140 penetrates both the first hole 320 and the second hole 542, it cannot deviate from the area of ​​the second hole 542, thus preventing contact with the first hole 320.

[0070] This prevents electrical short circuits between the metal battery cell leads 140 and the first hole 320 of the base 300, thereby preventing secondary damage caused by overcurrent and contributing to overall battery safety improvement.

[0071] The insulating portion 500 is formed of a non-conductive material such as mica and serves to electrically insulate not only the battery cell leads 140 from the base 300, but also the external metal parts of the battery cell 120 from the base 300. Therefore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the insulating portion 500 must be responsible for electrical insulation not only between the battery cell leads 140 and the base 300, but also between the base 300 and the metal parts located outside the battery assembly, and thus can be located on the outside of the base 300.

[0072] Therefore, the insulating portion 500 can be configured in pairs so as to cover both sides of the base 300 with respect to the base 300, and can be divided into an insulating portion 520 located on the inside toward the battery cell 120 and an insulating portion 540 located on the outside toward the outside, with respect to the base 300, so as to contact both sides of the base 300.

[0073] In the case of the battery assembly cover according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, it can consist of a base 300 and an inner insulating portion 520 and an outer insulating portion 540 that surface-contact with both sides of the base so as to cover both sides of the base. In order to reduce manufacturing tolerances and improve assembly safety, it is preferable to manufacture the battery assembly cover in a form in which the base 300 and the pair of insulating portions 520 and 540 are pre-assembled before joining it to the battery assembly case 100, and then join the completed battery assembly cover to the battery assembly case 100 as shown in Figure 3.

[0074] Furthermore, although Figure 2 shows the outer insulating part 540 separately to explain the coupling relationship of the battery assembly cover, in the case of the battery assembly cover of the present invention, it is not necessarily required that the base 300 and the pair of insulating parts 520 and 540 be coupled first before being coupled to the battery assembly case 100. The inner insulating part 520, base 300 and outer insulating part 540 can also be coupled in order to the open surface of the battery assembly case 100.

[0075] The base 300 is made of metal and, as shown in Figure 3, is joined to the edge of the open surface of the battery assembly case 100 by welding or other means to close the open surface of the battery assembly case 100. Therefore, of the pair of insulating parts 500, the insulating part 520, which is positioned inward toward the battery cell 120, is formed smaller than the base 300, as shown in Figure 1, so that the edge of the base 300 can be joined to the edge of the open surface of the battery assembly case 100. The insulating part 540, which is positioned outward toward the outside relative to the base 300, can be made to the same size as or smaller than the base 300 in order to sufficiently close the open surface of the battery assembly case 100 and act as the housing of the battery assembly case 100, and to ensure insulation between the base and the external metal parts.

[0076] As shown in Figure 1, the inner insulating portion 520 and the outer insulating portion 540 are arranged to contact both sides of the base 300, and second holes 522 and 542 are formed in the inner insulating portion 520 and the outer insulating portion 540, respectively. The second holes 522 and 542 are formed at positions corresponding to the first hole 320 of the base 300 and the battery cell leads 140. The inner insulating portion 520 and the outer insulating portion 540 contact both sides of the base 300 with respect to the base 300, and the battery cell leads 140 penetrate both the second hole 522 of the inner insulating portion 520 and the second hole 542 of the outer insulating portion 540 and reside inside the second holes 522 and 542, respectively. This more reliably prevents the battery cell leads 140 from contacting the first hole 320, which is made of metal and is larger than the second holes 522 and 542, and also reduces the possibility of secondary damage due to electrical short circuits.

[0077] Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the battery assembly cover, which includes a pair of insulating portions 500 that contact both sides of the base 300, wherein one or more of the insulating portions 500 are formed such that the portion in which the second holes 522, 542 are formed curves inward or fits into the first hole 320, and the battery assembly cover shows the pair of insulating portions 500 in surface contact with each other in the portion in which the second hole 522 is formed.

[0078] As shown in the figure, since the first hole 320 is larger than the second holes 522 and 542, the battery cell lead 140 penetrates both the first hole 320 and the second holes 522 and 542 without contacting the first hole 320. However, if the base 300 and the insulating part 500 are subjected to impact due to the external environment of the battery assembly, such as vibration or external shock, the battery cell lead 140 may momentarily come into contact with the edge of the first hole 320, potentially causing an electrical short circuit.

[0079] To prevent this, the inner insulating portion 520 is bent and then shaped to curve into or enter the first hole 320 of the base 300, thereby bringing it into surface contact with the outer insulating portion 540. This prevents the base 300 and the battery cell leads 140 from coming into contact with each other, and the battery assembly can be more firmly fixed by the direct contact between the inner insulating portion 520 and the outer insulating portion 540.

[0080] In Figure 5, the larger the surface area of ​​the contact portion 560, the greater the bonding force between the inner insulating portion 520 and the outer insulating portion 540, thereby enabling the manufacture of a battery assembly cover with improved durability. Therefore, the battery assembly cover can be manufactured such that the inner insulating portion 520 is bent at the point where the surface contact portion 560 is maximized, while the battery cell leads 140 smoothly pass through the first hole 320 and the second holes 522 and 542, and then bent or inserted into the first hole 320 to bond with the outer insulating portion 540.

[0081] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, the battery assembly cover according to the present invention can be applied to battery packs BP of various vehicles V such as internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles. In addition to vehicles V, it can also be applied to battery packs BP in various fields such as industrial energy storage systems (ESS), household ESS, and small battery packs.

[0082] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A base configured to be coupled to the open surface of a battery assembly case to seal the battery assembly case, having a plurality of first holes formed therein, through which the leads of a battery cell are passed, thereby exposing the leads of the battery cell to the outside; A battery assembly cover comprising an insulating portion configured to be coupled to the base, the insulating portion located between the edge of the first hole of the base and the lead of the battery cell, insulating the lead of the battery cell from the base, and having a second hole formed through which the lead of the battery cell passes.

2. The battery assembly cover according to claim 1, wherein the battery assembly case is configured such that a plurality of the battery cells are stacked inside, and the leads of each of the stacked battery cells are exposed through an open surface of the battery assembly case.

3. The battery assembly cover according to claim 1, wherein the leads of a plurality of the battery cells are exposed to the outside through the first hole and the second hole, and the exposed leads of the battery cells are electrically connected to each other outside the battery assembly case.

4. The battery assembly cover according to claim 1, wherein the leads of the plurality of battery cells exposed to the outside of the battery assembly case through the first hole and the second hole are joined to each other by welding adjacent leads on the outside of the battery assembly cover.

5. The battery assembly cover according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of first holes are formed on the base at positions corresponding to the leads of the battery cells, spaced apart from each other.

6. The battery assembly cover according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second holes in the insulating portion are formed spaced apart from each other so as to be positioned to overlap with the plurality of first holes in the base.

7. The battery assembly cover according to claim 1, wherein the first hole and the second hole are formed in the base and the insulating portion, respectively, at positions corresponding to the leads of the battery cell, so that the leads of the battery cell pass through the first hole and the second hole along a straight path.

8. The battery assembly cover according to claim 1, wherein the base has a panel shape and its edge is connected to the battery assembly case to close the open surface of the battery assembly case.

9. The battery assembly cover according to claim 1, wherein the base is formed of a metal material.

10. The battery assembly cover according to claim 1, wherein the insulating portion is formed of a non-conductive material and is configured to contact one surface of the base.

11. The battery assembly cover according to claim 1, wherein the insulating portion is composed of a pair of non-conductive materials, and the base is positioned between the pair of insulating portions and configured such that both sides of the base are in contact with the pair of insulating portions, respectively.

12. The battery assembly cover according to claim 11, wherein the leads of the battery cell are configured to penetrate all of the first holes in the base and the second holes in the pair of insulating parts, and the portion exposed after penetrating the second hole in the outermost insulating part is bent.

13. The battery assembly cover according to claim 11, wherein the size of the insulating part of the pair of insulating parts that is positioned on the inside toward the battery cell is smaller than the base.

14. The battery assembly cover according to claim 11, wherein the base is covered by the insulating portion positioned on the inside toward the battery cell and is configured to be coupled to the battery assembly case via an exposed edge.

15. The battery assembly cover according to claim 11, wherein the size of the insulating part of the pair of insulating parts that is positioned on the outside facing outwards is the same as or larger than the base.

16. The battery assembly cover according to claim 11, wherein one or more of the pair of insulating portions are configured such that the portion in which the second hole is formed is recessed into the inside of the first hole, and the pair of insulating portions are configured to be in surface contact with each other at the portion in which the second hole is formed.

17. The battery assembly cover according to claim 1, wherein the size of the first hole in the base is larger than the second hole in the insulating portion.

18. The battery assembly cover according to claim 1, wherein the second holes of the insulating portion are aligned along a straight path with respect to the center of each hole at a position corresponding to the first hole of the base.

19. The battery assembly cover according to claim 1, wherein the first hole and the second hole are arranged such that their respective center points coincide with each other, and the second hole is positioned inward and away from the edge of the first hole.

20. A battery assembly comprising a battery assembly cover according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. A vehicle comprising a battery assembly cover according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

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