Battery module and battery pack containing it

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack. A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells, a printed circuit board coupled to the plurality of battery cells, a temperature sensing unit disposed on the printed circuit board to sense the temperature of the plurality of battery cells, a top plate covering the printed circuit board and having an opening formed in a position overlapping the temperature sensing unit, and an opening cover covering the opening and being made of at least a portion of a transparent material so that the temperature sensing unit can be seen from the outside.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0112324 filed on August 25, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of the corresponding Korean patent application are incorporated herein as part of the present specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same.

Background Art

[0003] In recent years, the demand for portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, smartphones, and tablet computers has been increasing, and along with this, research on high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is actively progressing. In particular, with growing concern over the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental pollution, research on hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles is actively progressing.

[0004] The most core component in such hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles is a battery pack that supplies electric power to a motor. A battery pack used for hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles includes a battery module containing a plurality of battery cells, and the capacity and output of the battery module are increased by connecting the plurality of battery cells to each other in series and / or in parallel.

[0005] In battery cells, heat is generated by electrochemical reactions. If the heat generated in the battery cells is not smoothly released to the outside, heat will accumulate inside the battery module, which may cause degradation, ignition, or explosion of the battery module. Therefore, it is important to monitor and manage the heat generated by the battery cells. Accordingly, the temperature of the battery cells is measured in real time to monitor whether the heat generated in the battery cells is smoothly released to the outside. For this purpose, a temperature sensor is provided at a position adjacent to the battery cell.

[0006] However, conventionally, the temperature sensor inside the battery module could malfunction or be damaged due to physical interference with other components, and there was also the problem that workers could not determine whether the temperature sensor was fixed in the correct position.

[0007] Therefore, a battery module is needed that prevents physical interference between the temperature sensor and other structures, and that allows the position of the temperature sensor to be confirmed from outside the module. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a battery module that can prevent interference between the temperature sensing unit and the top plate.

[0009] An objective of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a battery module in which the temperature sensing unit can be viewed from the outside without performing a separate module disassembly process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells, a printed circuit board coupled to the plurality of battery cells, a temperature sensing unit disposed on the printed circuit board to detect the temperature of the plurality of battery cells, a top plate covering the printed circuit board and having an opening formed in a position overlapping the temperature sensing unit, and an opening cover covering the opening and being made of at least a portion of a transparent material so that the temperature sensing unit can be seen from the outside.

[0011] The printed circuit board includes a printed circuit board body and legs extending from the printed circuit board body so as to be elastically deformable relative to the printed circuit board body, and the temperature sensing unit can be positioned on the legs.

[0012] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a pressure pad provided on the leg to apply pressure to the leg in a direction toward the plurality of battery cells.

[0013] The pressure pad can be supported by contacting one inner surface of the top plate that faces the printed circuit board.

[0014] The pressure pad may have a U-shape.

[0015] The pressure pad can be positioned away from the temperature sensing unit and surrounding the temperature sensing unit.

[0016] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a stepped portion that is recessed by a predetermined width from the surface of the top plate and is provided in the region surrounding the opening.

[0017] The opening cover can be connected to the stepped portion.

[0018] The opening cover can be an insulating tape.

[0019] The temperature sensing units are provided in pairs and can be spaced apart along the length of the printed circuit board.

[0020] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include an adhesive unit laminated between the printed circuit board and the top plate so as to bond the printed circuit board and the top plate, and positioned between a pair of temperature sensing units.

[0021] The temperature detection unit can be a thermistor that is configured to detect temperature through changes in electrical resistance due to temperature.

[0022] The present invention pertains to a battery pack, wherein the battery pack according to the present invention may include a plurality of the above-described battery modules. Effects of the Invention

[0023] The battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention can prevent interference between the temperature detection unit and the top plate.

[0024] In the battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature detection unit can be checked from the outside without performing an additional module disassembly process.

[0025] In addition, effects that can be easily predicted by those skilled in the art from the configuration according to the embodiments of the present invention can be included. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a form in which a plurality of battery cells of the battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are stacked. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing a form in which a printed circuit board (PCB) is coupled to a plurality of battery cells of the battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing a form in which the top plate of the battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention covers the printed circuit board coupled to the battery cells. [Figure 4] It is an exploded perspective view of the battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a partial perspective view of the temperature detection unit and the pressure pad arranged on the printed circuit board of the battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a plan view of the temperature detection unit and the pressure pad arranged on the printed circuit board of the battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a partial perspective view of the stepped portion formed around the opening of the battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 8]This shows a plan view of a stepped portion formed around the opening of a battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so as to be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. The following description is one of various aspects of the embodiments, and in describing one embodiment, specific descriptions of known functions or configurations will be omitted in order to clarify the gist of the present invention.

[0028] In this specification, when assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, identical or similar components throughout the specification shall be given the same or similar reference numerals. Components included in one embodiment and components having a common function shall be described using the same name in other embodiments. Terms and words used in this specification and in the claims shall not be interpreted to be limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather should be interpreted in a sense that is consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that inventors may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their invention.

[0029] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs can make various modifications and variations from this description. Therefore, the idea of ​​the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described above, and it can be said that not only the claims attached, but all equivalent or equivalent variations of the claims, fall within the scope of the idea of ​​the present invention.

[0030] [Embodiment 1] Figures 1 to 3 are perspective views showing the coupling state of a battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 1 shows a configuration in which a plurality of battery cells 11 of the battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are stacked, Figure 2 shows a configuration in which a printed circuit board (PCB) 30 is coupled to a plurality of battery cells 11 of the battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and Figure 3 shows a configuration in which the top plate 40 of the battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention covers the printed circuit board coupled to the battery cells 11.

[0031] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells 11, a printed circuit board 30, and a top plate 40.

[0032] First, referring to Figure 1, the battery cell 11 can, for example, have a rectangular plate shape with a longitudinal direction. Multiple battery cells 11 can be provided, and the multiple battery cells 11 can be stacked along a predetermined stacking direction. The stacked multiple battery cells 11 can form a battery cell stack 10. The battery cells 11 can be provided, for example, as pouch-type battery cells, but the type and form of the battery cells 11 are not limited thereto. Each battery cell 11 can be provided with leads 12, which can be formed at both ends of the battery cell 11 in the longitudinal direction. The leads 12 can include positive electrode leads or negative electrode leads, and the multiple battery cells 11 can be arranged such that the positive electrode leads and negative electrode leads are alternately arranged along the stacking direction.

[0033] Referring to Figure 2, the printed circuit board (PCB) 30 can be coupled to a plurality of stacked battery cells 11. The printed circuit board 30 can be, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and can be configured to acquire / control the electrical state of the plurality of battery cells 11. Various circuit components such as semiconductors, resistors, capacitors, or wiring that electrically connects them can be mounted on the printed circuit board 30.

[0034] The battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may further include a busbar frame 20. The busbar frame 20 may be provided to electrically connect a plurality of battery cells 11. The busbar frame 20 may be coupled to both ends in the longitudinal direction of a stacked plurality of battery cells 11. The leads 12 of the plurality of battery cells 11 may be coupled to the busbar frame 20. For example, the leads 12 of the battery cells 11 may be connected to the busbar frame 20 by welding to the busbar frame 20. The busbar frame 20 may be made of, for example, a conductive material. In this case, the printed circuit board 30 may be electrically connected to the busbar frame 20 coupled to the plurality of battery cells 11. In other words, the printed circuit board 30 may be electrically / physically connected to the busbar frame 20.

[0035] A temperature sensing unit 50 can be provided on the printed circuit board 30. The temperature sensing unit 50 can be positioned in a portion of the printed circuit board 30 to detect the temperature of the battery cell 11. The temperature sensing unit 50 can be, for example, a temperature sensor. The temperature sensing unit 50 can be, for example, a thermistor that is provided to detect temperature through a change in electrical resistance due to temperature. In this case, the temperature sensing unit 50 can be formed by including oxides of multiple metals such as cobalt, copper, and iron. Multiple temperature sensing units 50 can be provided. The form and position of the temperature sensing unit 50 will be described in detail later in Figures 4 to 6.

[0036] Referring to Figure 3, the top plate 40 can be coupled to a plurality of stacked battery cells 11. The top plate 40 can be provided so as to cover the plurality of battery cells 11 and the printed circuit board 30 coupled to them. By covering the battery cells 11 and the printed circuit board 30, the top plate 40 can protect them from the outside and prevent the inflow of foreign matter. The top plate 40 can be formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate.

[0037] An opening 45 can be formed in the top plate 40. The opening 45 can be formed in a position corresponding to the temperature sensing unit 50 on the printed circuit board 30, while the top plate 40 is covering the printed circuit board 30. Therefore, multiple openings 45 can be formed to correspond to the temperature sensing unit 50 on the printed circuit board 30. The opening 45 can be formed through one side of the top plate 40, and by adopting the configuration of the opening 45, physical interference between the temperature sensing unit 50 placed on the printed circuit board 30 and the top plate 40 can be prevented. Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of the opening 45, the physical state of the temperature sensing unit can be checked from the outside. The arrangement relationship between the opening 45 and the temperature sensing unit 50 will be explained in detail in Figure 4 below.

[0038] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It should be noted that the shape of the battery cell stack is omitted in Figure 4 for the purpose of understanding the structure of the battery module.

[0039] Referring to Figure 4, the battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may include a busbar frame 20, a printed circuit board 30, and a top plate 40.

[0040] As described above, the busbar frame 20 is connected to both ends of the battery cell stack in the longitudinal direction and can electrically connect multiple battery cells, and the printed circuit board 30 can be physically / electrically connected to the busbar frame 20 while connected to the battery cell stack. The top plate 40 can be provided to cover the battery cell stack and the printed circuit board 30 connected thereto.

[0041] A temperature sensing unit 50 can be provided on the printed circuit board 30. The temperature sensing unit 50 is provided to detect the temperature of multiple battery cells and multiple units can be provided on the printed circuit board 30. Multiple temperature sensing units 50 can be spaced apart along the length of the printed circuit board 30. For example, the temperature sensing units 50 can be provided in pairs and formed symmetrically spaced apart along the length of the printed circuit board 30. By adopting such a configuration, the temperature of various parts of the stacked battery cells can be detected, and more accurate temperature data can be constructed.

[0042] The top plate 40 covers the printed circuit board 30, and an opening 45 can be provided in the portion of the printed circuit board 30 corresponding to the temperature sensing unit 50. The opening 45 can be formed to correspond to the number and position of the temperature sensing unit 50. By forming an opening 45 through the portion of the top plate 40 corresponding to the temperature sensing unit 50 of the printed circuit board 30, physical interference between the temperature sensing unit 50 and the top plate 40 can be prevented. Therefore, phenomena such as damage or malfunction of the temperature sensing unit 50 due to physical interference with the top plate 40 can be significantly reduced.

[0043] The battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may further include an opening cover 60. The opening cover 60 is provided to cover an opening formed in the top plate 40 and is made of a transparent material so that the temperature sensing unit 50 of the printed circuit board 30 can be observed through the opening cover 60. The opening cover 60 may be provided, for example, in the form of a transparent or translucent tape. For electrical stability, the opening cover 60 may be made of an insulating material. The opening cover 60 may be made of, for example, a transparent insulating tape. The number of opening covers 60 may be provided corresponding to the number of openings 45 formed in the top plate 40.

[0044] The battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may further include an adhesive unit 90. The adhesive unit 90 may be provided to bond and fix the top plate 40 and the printed circuit board 30. The adhesive unit 90 may be stacked between the top plate 40 and the printed circuit board 30. The adhesive unit 90 may have a form that extends along the length of the printed circuit board 30, for example, and may be provided in multiple units. The adhesive unit 90 may be bonded to a portion of the printed circuit board 30 where the temperature sensing unit 50 is not formed.

[0045] Figures 5 and 6 show a temperature sensing unit 50 and a pressure pad 70 provided on a printed circuit board 30. Specifically, Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the temperature sensing unit 50 and pressure pad 70 arranged on the printed circuit board 30, and Figure 6 is a plan view of the temperature sensing unit 50 and pressure pad 70 arranged on the printed circuit board 30.

[0046] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the printed circuit board 30 may include a printed circuit board body 31 and legs 32. The legs 32 are provided in a manner that extends from the printed circuit board body 31 and can be elastically deformable relative to the printed circuit board body 31. The legs 32 may be provided in a manner that is located in a leg hole 33 formed in a part of the printed circuit board body 31. Therefore, for example, when a force is applied to the legs 32 in the direction toward the battery cell stack, the connection between the legs 32 and the printed circuit board body 31 is elastically deformed, and the legs 32 can be moved a predetermined distance toward the battery cell stack.

[0047] The temperature sensing unit 50 can be positioned on the legs 32 of the printed circuit board 30. The battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may further include a pressure pad 70. The pressure pad 70 can be positioned on the legs 32 of the printed circuit board 30 together with the temperature sensing unit 50 and is provided to pressurize the legs 32 in a direction toward the battery cell stack. The pressure pad 70 may have a shape that surrounds the temperature sensing unit 50. For example, the pressure pad 70 may have a U-shape that surrounds the temperature sensing unit 50 (see Figure 6). When the top plate covers the printed circuit board 30, the inner surface of the top plate facing the printed circuit board pressurizes the pressure pad 70 in a direction toward the battery cell stack, thereby allowing the pressure pad 70 to further pressurize the legs 32 in a direction toward the battery cell stack. In other words, the pressure pad 70 is supported against the inner surface of the top plate and presses the leg 32 toward the battery cell stack, and the leg 32 is elastically deformed by the pressure pad 70, so that it can be moved a predetermined distance toward the battery cell stack. By adopting such a configuration, the gap between the temperature sensing unit 50 placed on the leg 32 and the battery cell stack is reduced, thereby significantly improving the accuracy and reliability of the temperature sensing unit 50 in sensing the temperature of the battery cells.

[0048] In this case, the pressure pad 70 can surround the temperature sensing unit 50 and be spaced apart from the temperature sensing unit 50 to prevent physical interference between them. In other words, the distance between the pressure pad 70 and the temperature sensing unit 50 can be set to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value to reduce the possibility of physical interference between the temperature sensing unit 50 and the pressure pad 70.

[0049] [Embodiment 2] The battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention differs from Embodiment 1 in that a stepped portion 80 is formed in the area surrounding the opening 45, recessed by a predetermined width from the surface of the top plate 40. It should be made clear that the technical details of Embodiment 1 described above are also applicable to Embodiment 2. Therefore, the details common to Embodiment 1 will be omitted as much as possible, and Embodiment 2 will be described focusing on the differences from Embodiment 1.

[0050] Figures 7 and 8 show the stepped portion 80 of the battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the stepped portion 80 formed around the opening 45 of the battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and Figure 8 is a plan view of the stepped portion 80 formed around the opening 45 of the battery module according to Embodiment 2.

[0051] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention may include a stepped portion 80.

[0052] The stepped portion 80 is formed as a recess of a predetermined width from one surface of the top plate 40 and can have a shape that surrounds the opening 45 formed in the top plate 40. For example, if the opening 45 has the shape of a rectangular hole overall, the stepped portion 80 can also be provided in a rectangular shape that surrounds the opening 45.

[0053] An opening cover 60 can be placed on the stepped portion 80. As described above in Embodiment 1, the opening cover 60 can be a transparent / translucent insulating tape, and by placing the opening cover 60 on the stepped portion 80, the possibility of the opening cover 60 falling off is significantly reduced, and the overall appearance can be improved. The opening cover 60 has a larger area than the opening 45 and can be provided with a smaller area than the stepped portion 80 so that it can be appropriately placed on the stepped portion 80. The physical state of the temperature sensing unit 50 located on the leg 32 of the printed circuit board and the pressure pad 70 surrounding the temperature sensing unit 50 can be confirmed through the opening cover 60 placed on the stepped portion 80.

[0054] The present invention can be provided in a battery pack that includes multiple battery modules as described above.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, this description is merely illustrative of the technical concept of the present invention, and a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs can make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0056] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only, and not to limit the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by such embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted in accordance with the appended claims, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the rights of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 10 Battery cell stack 11 battery cells 12 Reeds 20 Busbar Frame 30 Printed circuit boards 31 Printed circuit board body 32 Legs 33 Leg Holes 40 Top Plate 45 Aperture 50 Temperature detection units 60 Opening cover 70 Compression Pads 80 Step section 90 adhesive units

Claims

1. Multiple battery cells, A printed circuit board coupled to the plurality of battery cells, A temperature detection unit is placed on the printed circuit board to detect the temperature of the plurality of battery cells, A top plate covering the printed circuit board and having an opening formed in a position overlapping the temperature sensing unit, An opening cover made of at least a portion of a transparent material is provided to cover the opening and allow the temperature sensing unit to be seen from the outside, A battery module, including...

2. The aforementioned printed circuit board is Printed circuit board body and A leg extending from the printed circuit board body so as to be elastically deformable relative to the printed circuit board body, Includes, The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensing unit is located on the leg.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, further comprising a pressure pad provided on the leg so as to apply pressure to the leg in a direction toward the plurality of battery cells.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein the pressure pad is supported by contacting one inner surface of the top plate facing the printed circuit board.

5. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein the pressure pad has a U-shape.

6. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein the pressure pad is spaced apart from the temperature sensing unit and is provided so as to surround the temperature sensing unit.

7. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a stepped portion recessed by a predetermined width from the surface of the top plate and provided in the region surrounding the opening.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, wherein the opening cover is coupled to the stepped portion.

9. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the opening cover is an insulating tape.

10. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensing units are provided in pairs and spaced apart along the length of the printed circuit board.

11. The battery module according to claim 10, further comprising an adhesive unit laminated between the printed circuit board and the top plate so as to bond the printed circuit board and the top plate, and positioned between a pair of temperature sensing units.

12. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensing unit is a thermistor that is provided to detect temperature via a change in electrical resistance due to temperature.

13. A battery pack comprising a plurality of battery modules as described in claim 1.

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