Battery cell activation tray, battery cells manufactured using the same, battery pack containing the battery cells, and automobile

Abstract

A battery cell activation tray, a battery cell manufactured using the same, a battery pack containing the battery cell, and an automobile are disclosed. A battery cell activation tray according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a battery cell activation tray on which a battery cell is placed and an activation process is performed, comprising: a pair of inner frames supporting both side ends of the battery cell, an outer frame to which the inner frames are joined, and a pressing member disposed between the pair of inner frames and pressing the center of the battery cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0052875 filed on April 19, 2024, and all the content disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application is incorporated into this application.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a battery cell activation tray, a battery cell manufactured using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle, and more particularly, to a battery cell activation tray capable of improving electrolyte impregnation, a battery cell manufactured using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries that are easy to apply according to product groups and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density are not only applied to portable devices but also widely applied to electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by an electric drive source.

[0004] Such secondary batteries have not only the main advantage of being able to dramatically reduce the use of fossil fuels but also the advantage of generating no by-products due to energy use, and thus are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental consideration and energy efficiency improvement.

[0005] The types of secondary batteries currently widely used include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel zinc batteries, etc. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell is about 2.5V to 4.5V.

[0006] Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells are connected in series to form a battery module or battery pack. Alternatively, depending on the required charge / discharge capacity, multiple battery cells may be connected in parallel to form a battery module or battery pack. Thus, the number of battery cells and the electrical connection configuration included in a battery module or battery pack can be set in various ways depending on at least one of the required output voltage and charge / discharge capacity.

[0007] On the other hand, pouch-type, cylindrical, and prismatic battery cells are known as types of secondary battery cells. The process of assembling a battery cell includes placing an electrode assembly, which includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator membrane interposed between the positive and negative electrodes, into a case, and then injecting an electrolyte to impregnate it.

[0008] Furthermore, the battery cells are activated after the case is impregnated with electrolyte. For example, the battery cell activation process is performed by applying current to the battery cells using a charge / discharge device equipped with charge / discharge pins.

[0009] Next, to activate the battery cells, they are placed on an activation tray.

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional battery cell activation tray.

[0011] Referring to Figure 1, a conventional battery cell activation tray 2 includes a main body 3 and a pair of support bases 4 that are inserted into the main body 3 and support both ends of the battery cell 1, respectively.

[0012] However, conventional activation trays 2 have a problem in that the pair of support bases 4 only support the ends of the battery cell 1 on both sides, and cannot support or press the central part 5 of the battery cell 1. As a result, electrolyte does not penetrate or penetrates insufficiently in any part of the central part 5 of the battery cell 1, which causes lithium to precipitate from the final battery cell 1 and results in defects in the battery cell 1. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0013] Therefore, the technical problem that this disclosure aims to solve is to provide a battery cell activation tray that can improve electrolyte impregnation, a battery cell manufactured using the same, a battery pack containing the battery cell, and an automobile.

[0014] Furthermore, the invention provides a battery cell activation tray that prevents lithium deposition in the final battery cell, thereby preventing defects in the battery cell; a battery cell manufactured using the same; a battery pack containing the battery cell; and an automobile.

[0015] Furthermore, since electrolyte impregnation can be improved simply by adding a pressing member to an existing battery cell activation tray, the objective is to provide a cost-effective battery cell activation tray, a battery cell manufactured using the same, a battery pack containing the battery cell, and an automobile.

[0016] However, the technical problems that this disclosure seeks to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery cell activation tray is provided on which a battery cell is placed and an activation process is performed, the tray comprising: a pair of inner frames supporting each of the two side ends of the battery cell; an outer frame to which the inner frames are joined; and a pressing member positioned between the pair of inner frames and pressing the center of the battery cell.

[0018] In one embodiment, the pressing member may include a bottom portion coupled to the outer frame and a plurality of pressing portions coupled to the bottom portion.

[0019] In one embodiment, the multiple pressing portions are spaced apart at predetermined intervals, and the battery cell can be inserted into the intervals between the multiple pressing portions.

[0020] In one embodiment, the battery cell can be inserted into the gap between the plurality of pressing portions by press-fitting.

[0021] In one embodiment, the pressing portion may be formed in the shape of a flat plate.

[0022] In one embodiment, the multiple pressing portions may have elastic force.

[0023] In one embodiment, the multiple pressing portions may be formed in the shape of leaf springs.

[0024] In one embodiment, at least one of the multiple pressing portions may have multiple protrusions.

[0025] In one embodiment, the plurality of pressing portions may be configured to be movable toward or toward each other so as to adjust the spacing between the plurality of pressing portions.

[0026] In one embodiment, to facilitate the insertion of the battery cell, a plurality of the pressing portions may have rounded portions.

[0027] In one embodiment, ribs for fixing to the outer frame with fastening members may be formed on the bottom portion.

[0028] In one embodiment, a plurality of through holes may be formed in the bottom portion.

[0029] On the other hand, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a battery cell manufactured using the above-described battery cell activation tray is provided, a battery pack including at least one of the above-described battery cells is provided, and a vehicle including at least one of the above-described battery cells may be provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure have the effect of improving electrolyte impregnation.

[0031] Also, lithium precipitation in the final battery cell can be prevented, thereby preventing defects in the battery cell.

[0032] In addition, since electrolyte impregnation can be improved simply by adding a pressing member to an existing battery cell activation tray, there is an advantageous effect in terms of cost.

[0033] However, the effects obtained by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described effects, and other technical effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0034] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and serve to further understand the technical idea of the present disclosure together with the detailed description of the invention. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited only to the matters described in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] [Figure 1]This is a perspective view of a conventional battery cell activation tray. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a battery cell activation tray according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the battery cells separated from the activation tray. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows the battery cell placed on the activation tray. [Figure 4] This is a separated perspective view of a battery cell activation tray according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This figure shows only a portion of how the battery cells are placed on the inner frame and pressing member in a battery cell activation tray according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view along line A-A' in Figure 5. [Figure 7] This figure shows a modified embodiment of Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a view from above of a battery cell activation tray according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, showing how the battery cells are placed on the pressing member. [Figure 9] This figure shows a modified embodiment according to one example of the present disclosure, illustrating how the spacing between multiple pressing portions of the pressing member is adjusted. [Figure 10] This figure shows another modified embodiment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a plurality of protrusions are formed on the pressing portion of the pressing member. [Figure 11] This is another modified embodiment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view along line B-B' in Figure 11, illustrating the process by which battery cells are inserted into multiple elastic pressure points. [Figure 13] This figure schematically shows the configuration of a battery pack including battery cells manufactured using a battery cell activation tray according to each embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] This is a diagram illustrating an automobile including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] Preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and in the claims shall not be interpreted in their usual and dictionary sense, but in accordance with the principle that inventors can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their invention, and shall be interpreted in terms and concepts that correspond to the technical idea of ​​this disclosure. Accordingly, please understand that the configurations shown in the embodiments described herein are merely the most preferred embodiments of this disclosure and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​this disclosure, and that there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can be substituted thereat the time of this application.

[0037] In the drawings, the size of each component or specific part thereof is exaggerated, omitted, or schematic for the sake of clarity and ease of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component does not fully reflect its actual size. Where a specific description of a relevant known function or configuration would unnecessarily obscure the essence of this disclosure, such description is omitted.

[0038] As used herein, the terms “joining” or “connecting” include not only cases where one member is directly joined or directly connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member via a connecting member.

[0039] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a battery cell activation tray according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the battery cell separated from the activation tray; Figure 3 shows the battery cell from Figure 2 placed on the activation tray; Figure 4 is a separated perspective view of the battery cell activation tray according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 5 is a diagram showing only a part of the battery cell placed on the inner frame and pressing member in the battery cell activation tray according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a diagram showing a modified embodiment of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is a view from above of the battery cell placed on the pressing member in the battery cell activation tray according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] A battery cell activation tray 10 according to one embodiment of this disclosure is a tray on which battery cells 20 are placed, impregnated with electrolyte, and an activation process is performed.

[0041] As described above, in the manufacturing process of the battery cell 20, the electrolyte is injected through one side of the battery cell 20 case containing the electrode assembly, and then the cell case is sealed. The battery cell 20 with the injected electrolyte is then placed on the battery cell activation tray 10, and impregnation with the electrolyte occurs inside the cell case.

[0042] A battery cell activation tray 10 according to one embodiment of this disclosure can improve electrolyte impregnation by pressing the central part 22 of the battery cell 20 placed on the activation tray. This will be described in detail below.

[0043] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, a battery cell activation tray 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pair of inner frames 100, an outer frame 200, and a pressing member 300.

[0044] The inner frame 100 consists of a pair and supports each of the two ends of the battery cell 20. The inner frame 100 is also connected to the outer frame 200.

[0045] Here, the battery cell 20 can be configured in various ways and may be a pouch-type battery cell 20, but is not limited to this.

[0046] The battery cell 20 may have a structure in which multiple unit cells arranged in the order of positive electrode plate - separator - negative electrode plate, or bi-cells arranged in the order of positive electrode plate - separator - negative electrode plate - separator - positive electrode plate - separator - negative electrode plate are stacked according to the battery capacity.

[0047] The battery cell 20 may be provided with electrode leads 21. The electrode leads 21 are a type of terminal that is exposed to the outside and connected to external devices, and can be made of a conductive material. The electrode leads 21 may include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead.

[0048] The positive and negative leads may be positioned in opposite directions relative to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 20, or they may be positioned in the same direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 20.

[0049] Referring to Figures 3 and 5, for example, the inner frame 100 can support the battery cell 20 in close proximity to the electrode leads 21 of the battery cell 20.

[0050] The inner frame 100 is connected to the outer frame 200. A pressing member 300 may also be connected to it. That is, the outer frame 200 is configured to support the inner frame 100 and the pressing member 300. However, if necessary, the pressing member 300 may also be configured to be connected to the inner frame 100 instead of the outer frame 200.

[0051] Referring to Figure 2, the pressing member 300 is positioned between a pair of inner frames 100. Also referring to Figures 3 and 5, the pressing member 300 is configured to press against the central part 22 of the battery cell 20.

[0052] Here, the central part 22 of the battery cell 20 should be understood not only as the exact center of the battery cell 20 relative to the lateral direction, but also as the central part even if it includes both the exact center and the non-center portion of the battery cell 20.

[0053] In the case of pouch-type battery cells, if the pair of inner frames 100 support only the ends on both sides, the electrolyte will sag downwards in the central part 22 of the battery cell 20. As a result, the electrolyte cannot move to the upper part of the central part 22, and this creates an unimpregnated portion in the central part 22 of the battery cell 20.

[0054] Thus, if impregnation does not occur in the central part 22 of the battery cell 20, or if impregnation is insufficient, as mentioned above, lithium will precipitate from the final battery cell 20, resulting in a defect in the battery cell 20.

[0055] To solve this problem, the pressing member 300 presses the central part 22 of the battery cell 20, causing the electrolyte to move to the upper side of the battery cell 20, thereby ensuring sufficient impregnation in the central part 22 of the battery cell 20.

[0056] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the pressing member 300 may include a bottom portion 310 and a plurality of pressing portions 320. The bottom portion 310 is coupled to the outer frame 200. There are various ways in which the bottom portion 310 is coupled to the outer frame 200. For example, a rib portion 311 (see Figure 8) may be formed on the bottom portion 310, and various types of fastening members, such as bolts, may be fixed to the outer frame 200 via the rib portion 311.

[0057] In this manner, the pressing member 300 is connected to the outer frame 200 by a fastening member, and by adding the pressing member 300 to an existing battery cell activation tray, electrolyte impregnation can be improved.

[0058] In other words, by forming fastening holes in an existing battery cell activation tray that can be joined to fastening members, the pressing member 300 provided in the battery cell activation tray 10 according to one embodiment of this disclosure can be joined, eliminating the need to separately manufacture the entire battery cell activation tray, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

[0059] Referring to Figure 8, multiple through holes 312 can be formed in the bottom 310. Forming through holes 312 in the bottom 310 has the effect of reducing the overall weight and thus reducing manufacturing costs.

[0060] Multiple pressing portions 320 are provided and are coupled to the bottom portion 310, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Referring to Figures 6 and 8, the multiple pressing portions 320 are spaced apart at predetermined intervals, and the battery cell 20 is inserted into the space between the multiple pressing portions 320. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the pressing portions 320 press against the central part 22 of the battery cell 20.

[0061] The battery cell 20 can be inserted in a press-fit manner between the multiple press portions 320 so that the press portion 320 can press against the central part 22 of the battery cell 20. When inserted in this press-fit manner, the press portion 320 can sufficiently press against the battery cell 20, and impregnation with electrolyte can be carried out smoothly at the central part 22 of the battery cell 20.

[0062] The pressing portion 320 can be formed in various shapes, and may be formed as a flat plate so as to contact and press the battery cell 20. However, the shape of the pressing portion 320 can be more varied.

[0063] Furthermore, if the tip of the pressing portion 320 is sharp, there is a possibility of damaging the battery cell 20 when inserting it between the pressing portions 320. To prevent this and facilitate the insertion of the battery cell 20, rounded portions 321 may be formed on multiple pressing portions 320, as shown in Figure 7.

[0064] Figure 9 is a modified embodiment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, showing how the spacing between multiple pressing portions of the pressing member is adjusted.

[0065] Referring to Figure 9, the multiple pressing portions 320 may be configured such that the spacing between them can be adjusted. For example, the multiple pressing portions 320 may be configured to move toward or away from each other.

[0066] In other words, the spacing between the multiple pressing parts 320 can be widened to insert the battery cell 20 between them, and then the spacing between the multiple pressing parts 320 can be narrowed. This makes it easier to insert the battery cell 20 between the multiple pressing parts 320, and the central part 22 of the battery cell 20 can be sufficiently pressed by narrowing the spacing between the multiple pressing parts 320.

[0067] Here, there can be various methods for adjusting the spacing between the multiple pressing parts 320. For example, the operator may manually grasp the pressing part 320 and then move it, or it may be connected to a motor or the like and configured to move along a guide (e.g., an LM guide).

[0068] Figure 10 shows another modified embodiment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a plurality of protrusions are formed on the pressing portion of the pressing member.

[0069] Referring to Figure 10, at least one of the multiple pressing portions 320 may have multiple protrusions 322 formed on it. The protrusions 322 formed on the pressing portion 320 can press the battery cell 20 more easily, and the degree of pressing can also be adjusted by forming larger or more numerous protrusions 322 in the parts of the battery cell 20 where more pressing is needed for impregnation.

[0070] Figure 11 is another modified embodiment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B' of Figure 11, showing the process by which a battery cell is inserted into a plurality of elastic pressing portions.

[0071] Referring to Figures 11 and 12, the multiple pressing portions 320 may be configured to have elastic force. For this purpose, the multiple pressing portions 320 may be formed in the shape of a leaf spring, but are not limited to this.

[0072] In other words, as shown in Figure 12, after spreading two adjacent pressing portions 320, inserting the battery cell 20 between the two pressing portions 320 allows the elastic pressing portions 320 to sufficiently press the battery cell 20 due to their elastic restoring force. However, the pressing portions 320 do not necessarily need to be formed in the shape of a leaf spring; various deformation forms are possible as long as they possess elastic force.

[0073] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack including battery cells manufactured using a battery cell activation tray according to each embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Referring to Figure 13, a battery pack 30 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include one or more battery cells 20. Here, the battery cells 20 are manufactured using the battery cell activation tray 10 according to each embodiment of the present disclosure as described above.

[0075] Furthermore, the battery pack 30 may further include a pack housing 31 for housing the battery cells 20, and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery cells 20, such as a BMS, a current sensor, and a fuse.

[0076] Referring to Figure 13, the battery cell 20 is directly housed inside the pack housing 31, but sometimes the battery cell 20 is housed in a module case, and the module case (battery module) containing the battery cell 20 is housed in the pack housing 31.

[0077] Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating an automobile including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] Referring to Figure 14, an automobile 40 according to one embodiment of this disclosure may include one or more battery packs 30 according to the aforementioned embodiments. Furthermore, the battery pack 30 may include one or more battery cells 20 as described above.

[0079] Here, the battery cell 20 is manufactured using the battery cell activation tray 10 according to each embodiment of the present disclosure as described above.

[0080] The aforementioned automobile 40 may include, for example, various automobiles that are equipped to use electricity, such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.

[0081] Where terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used herein, these terms are for illustrative purposes only and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art of this disclosure that they may vary depending on the position of the object in question, the observer's position, and so on.

[0082] Although the present disclosure has been described above with respect to limited embodiments and drawings, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains can make various modifications and variations within the equivalent scope of the claims below. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above should be considered in an explanatory rather than restrictive sense. That is, the true scope of the present disclosure is shown in the claims, and all differences within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the present disclosure. [Industrial applicability]

[0083] This disclosure relates to a battery cell activation tray, a battery cell manufactured using the same, a battery pack containing the battery cell, and an automobile, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. A battery cell activation tray on which battery cells are placed and which undergoes an activation process, A pair of inner frames supporting each end of the battery cell, The outer frame to which the inner frame is connected, A battery cell activation tray comprising: a pressing member positioned between a pair of inner frames and pressing the center of the battery cell;

2. The pressing member is, The bottom portion is coupled to the outer frame, The battery cell activation tray according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pressing portions coupled to the bottom portion.

3. Multiple pressing parts are spaced apart at predetermined intervals. The battery cell activation tray according to claim 2, wherein the battery cell is inserted in the interval between the plurality of pressing portions.

4. The battery cell activation tray according to claim 3, wherein the battery cell is inserted into the gap between the plurality of pressing portions by press-fitting.

5. The pressing portion is formed in the shape of a flat plate, as described in claim 2 of the battery cell activation tray.

6. The battery cell activation tray according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of pressing portions have elastic force.

7. The battery cell activation tray according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of pressing portions are formed in the shape of leaf springs.

8. The battery cell activation tray according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the multiple pressing portions has multiple protrusions.

9. The battery cell activation tray according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of pressing portions are configured to be movable toward or toward each other so as to adjust the spacing between the plurality of pressing portions.

10. The battery cell activation tray according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the pressing portions have rounded portions formed to facilitate the insertion of the battery cells.

11. The battery cell activation tray according to claim 2, wherein a rib portion is formed on the bottom portion for being fixed to the outer frame with a fastening member.

12. The battery cell activation tray according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of through holes are formed in the bottom.

13. A battery cell manufactured using the battery cell activation tray described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A battery pack comprising at least one battery cell as described in claim 13.

15. An automobile comprising at least one battery cell as described in claim 13.

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