Battery Assembly

Abstract

A battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells, a battery housing that houses the plurality of battery cells, a plurality of through holes corresponding to each of the plurality of battery cells, an insulating plate stacked on top of the plurality of battery cells, a metal plate positioned on top of the insulating plate that electrically connects the plurality of battery cells, and a battery management unit electrically connected to the metal plate that controls the charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [Cross-Reference to Related Application] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0096092 filed on July 22, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the document of the Korean patent application are incorporated as part of the present specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery assembly that is mounted inside a vehicle and supplies electric power. [Background Art]

[0003] A rechargeable battery refers to a battery that can be charged and discharged. Low-capacity rechargeable batteries are used in portable small electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, and video cameras, while large-capacity batteries are widely used as power sources for driving motors in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and the like.

[0004] A rechargeable battery used in automobiles and the like includes a plurality of battery cells and a battery management unit for controlling the plurality of battery cells. A battery assembly composed of a plurality of battery cells, a battery management unit, and the like requires a metal plate, a mounting frame, and the like for connecting the battery management unit and the battery cells. A battery housing that accommodates a plurality of battery cells requires an installation space in which the metal plate, the mounting frame, and the like for connecting the battery management unit can be fastened. As a result, there are problems such as an increase in the overall size and volume of the battery housing and a decrease in the space efficiency inside the battery housing. [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a battery assembly that allows a battery management unit to be connected to multiple battery cells without requiring a separate installation space inside the battery housing for fastening the battery management unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells, a battery housing in which the plurality of battery cells are housed, a plurality of through holes corresponding to each of the plurality of battery cells, an insulating plate stacked on top of the plurality of battery cells, a metal plate positioned on top of the insulating plate and electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells, and a battery management unit electrically connected to the metal plate and configured to control the charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells.

[0007] The battery housing may include multiple openings into which multiple battery cells are individually inserted, and fastening guides formed by protruding portions of the sides of the battery housing, which are configured to assist in fastening the insulating plates.

[0008] The fastening guide may include a first fastening guide having a protruding surface on one side of the battery housing and including a plurality of missing portions, and a second fastening guide having a protruding surface on one side of the battery housing opposite to the side of the battery housing on which the first fastening guide is formed.

[0009] The metal plate may be placed on one surface of the insulating plate, excluding the area where multiple through-holes formed in the insulating plate are located.

[0010] The metal plate can be connected to multiple battery cells using a wire bonding method.

[0011] The battery management unit may include a circuit board on which a control circuit for controlling multiple battery cells is formed, a connecting section on which a connecting circuit for connecting the control circuit to a metal plate is formed, and a management unit housing that houses the circuit board and the connecting section.

[0012] The connecting portion may be made of a flexible material that bends under external force.

[0013] The connecting portion may include at least one protrusion that is exposed to the outside of the management unit housing.

[0014] The protruding portion may include a connecting circuit that extends from the interior of the protruding portion and is connected to the metal plate by wire bonding.

[0015] A battery assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells, a battery housing housing the plurality of battery cells, an insulating plate laminated on top of the plurality of battery cells and including a plurality of through holes corresponding to each of the plurality of battery cells, and a battery management unit configured to control the charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the battery management unit may include a substrate on which a control circuit for controlling the charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells is formed, and a coupling portion including a coupling circuit for electrically connecting the control circuit to the plurality of battery cells and including a plurality of protrusions having a length extending in a direction parallel to one surface of the insulating plate.

[0016] The connecting portion is made of a flexible material that bends under external force, and can be fastened to the upper part of the insulating plate by being bent under external force. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a battery management unit can be connected to multiple battery cells without having to secure a separate space inside the battery housing for fastening the battery management unit.

[0018] The effects obtained in the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described effects, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood from the following description by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] [Figure 1] It is an exploded perspective view of the battery assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view of the battery assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view of the battery housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is an exploded perspective view of the battery housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of an insulating plate and a metal plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view of an insulating plate and a metal plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view of a battery management unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is an exploded perspective view of the battery management unit in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a side view of the battery management unit in FIG. 7. [Figure 10] It is an exploded perspective view of the battery assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0020] In describing the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, if it is determined that a specific description of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only provided to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, the technical idea disclosed herein is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and it should be understood that all modifications, equivalents or alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are included.

[0021] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second and the like may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by such terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components.

[0022] When a component is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly coupled or connected to the other component, and other components may exist therebetween. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that no other components exist therebetween.

[0023] In the present application, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify that the features, numbers, steps, acts, components, parts or combinations thereof described in the specification exist, and it should be understood that the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, acts, components, parts or combinations thereof is not excluded in advance.

[0024] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are exploded perspective views of a battery assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a battery assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells 100, a battery housing 200, an insulating plate 300, a plurality of metal plates 400: 400-1, 400-2, 400-3, 400-4, and a battery management unit 500. Although Figures 1 and 2 show a battery assembly including 24 battery cells 100 and 4 metal plates 400, the present invention is not limited thereto. A battery assembly may include one or more battery cells 100 and one or more metal plates 400.

[0027] Referring to Figure 2, the battery assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in a form in which a plurality of battery cells 100, insulating plates 300, and a plurality of metal plates 400 are housed inside a battery housing 200, and a battery management unit 500 is installed on one side of the battery housing 200. In this case, the components housed inside the battery housing 200 may be stacked in the order of a plurality of battery cells 100, insulating plates 300, and a plurality of metal plates 400. Furthermore, the plurality of battery cells 100 may be electrically connected to the plurality of metal plates 400, and the plurality of metal plates 400 may be electrically connected to the battery management unit 500.

[0028] A battery cell 100 is the smallest unit of a secondary battery, consisting of an outer casing, electrolyte, positive electrode material, and negative electrode material, and can supply power to devices that use electricity as energy, such as vehicles. Multiple battery cells 100 can be connected to each other in series and / or parallel. In Figure 2, multiple battery cells 100 are shown having a cylindrical shape, but the shape of the battery cells 100 is not limited to this and can be freely changed as needed.

[0029] Figures 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views of the battery housing 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The battery housing 200 is configured to house multiple battery cells 100, insulating plates 300, and multiple metal plates 400, and may include an internal space for housing the multiple battery cells 100, insulating plates 300, and multiple metal plates 400. Depending on the embodiment, the battery housing 200 may be made of an insulator. For example, the battery housing 200 may be implemented as a case in the form of a rectangular hexahedron with a hollow interior. However, the shape and size of the battery housing 200 are not limited thereto and can be freely changed as needed.

[0031] Referring to Figure 3, the battery housing 200 may include a plurality of openings 210 and fastening guides 220: 220-1, 220-2. Although Figure 3 shows the battery housing 200 including 24 openings 210 and 2 fastening guides 220-1, 220-2, the present invention is not limited thereto. The battery housing 200 may include one or more openings 210 and one or more fastening guides 220.

[0032] Multiple battery cells 100 can be inserted into the multiple openings 210 in a separate manner. Depending on the embodiment, the multiple openings 210 may be cylindrical. However, the shape and size of the multiple openings 210 may be determined by the shape of the multiple battery cells 100.

[0033] The fastening guide 220 can assist in fastening the insulating plate 300. For example, the fastening guide 220 can assist in securing the insulating plate 300 fastened to the top of the battery housing 200. Depending on the embodiment, the fastening guide 220 may be implemented in a shape in which a portion of the side surface of the battery housing 200 protrudes. However, the shape and size of the fastening guide 220 are not limited thereto and can be freely changed as needed.

[0034] Depending on the embodiment, the fastening guide 220 may include a first fastening guide 220-1 formed by a protrusion on one side of the battery housing 200 and including a plurality of missing portions 230: 230-1, 230-2, 230-3, 230-4, as shown in Figure 4, and a second fastening guide 220-2 formed by a protrusion on one side of the battery housing 200 opposite to the side of the battery housing 200 on which the first fastening guide 220-1 is formed. Multiple protrusions 541 of the connecting portion 540 of the battery management unit 500, which will be described later, can be fastened to the plurality of missing portions 230.

[0035] Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of the insulating plate 300 and metal plate 400 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] The insulating plate 300 is configured to prevent direct contact between multiple battery cells 100 and may be made of an insulator. The insulating plate 300 may include multiple through holes 310. The insulating plate 300 may be fastened to the top of a battery housing 200 that houses multiple battery cells 100. The multiple through holes 310 can correspond to multiple battery cells 100 on a one-to-one basis when the insulating plate 300 is fastened to the top of the multiple battery cells 100. With the insulating plate 300 having multiple through holes 310, the outer covering of the multiple battery cells 100 is not exposed to the outside of the insulating plate 300, and only the positive or negative terminal of the multiple battery cells 100 can be exposed to the outside of the insulating plate 300.

[0037] Figures 5 and 6 show the insulating plate 300 as a thin rectangular plate. However, the shape and size of the insulating plate 300 are not limited to this and can be freely changed as needed. For example, the insulating plate 300 can be made in a variety of shapes such as a circular plate, a triangular plate, or a square plate.

[0038] The metal plate 400 is a component for electrically connecting multiple battery cells 100 and may be made of a conductor. The metal plate 400 can be made of a metal plate of various shapes. The metal plate 400 may be placed on top of the insulating plate 300. In this case, the metal plate 400 may be positioned so as not to obstruct the multiple through holes 310 formed in the insulating plate 300. For example, the metal plate 400 may be placed on one surface of the insulating plate 300 in an area excluding the area where the multiple through holes 310 formed in the insulating plate 300 are located.

[0039] The metal plate 400 can be electrically connected to the electrodes (positive and negative electrodes) of multiple battery cells 100. In this case, the electrodes of the multiple battery cells 100 are exposed to the outside of the insulating plate 300 through multiple through-holes 310 formed in the insulating plate 300. Depending on the embodiment, the metal plate 400 can be electrically connected to the multiple battery cells 100 by a wire bonding method. Wire bonding refers to a method of electrically connecting chips, electrodes, plates, etc., using metal wires (thin wires) such as gold, copper, or aluminum.

[0040] Depending on the embodiment, the metal plate 400 may be implemented in multiple units. In this case, multiple battery cells 100 electrically connected to one metal plate 400 can form one battery module. For example, as shown in Figure 1, six battery cells 100 can be electrically connected to one metal plate 400 to constitute one battery module.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the plurality of metal plates 400-1 to 400-4 may be arranged on an upper portion of the insulating plate 300. Each of the plurality of metal plates 400-1 to 400-4 may be arranged so as not to block the plurality of through holes 310 formed in the insulating plate 300. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of metal plates 400-1 to 400-4 may be embodied in an "己"-shaped configuration, and may be arranged to pass through side surfaces of the six through holes 310 formed in a zigzag pattern on the insulating plate 300. As another example, as shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of metal plates 400-1 to 400-4 may be embodied in a "1"-shaped configuration, and may be arranged at the center of the six through holes 310 formed in a zigzag pattern on the insulating plate 300. However, the shape and size of the metal plate 400 are not limited thereto, and may be freely changed as needed.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a battery management unit 500 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the battery management unit 500 of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a side view of the battery management unit 500 of FIG. 7.

[0043] The battery management unit 500 is configured to control charging and discharging of a plurality of battery cells 100. The battery management unit 500 is electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 100 through the metal plates 400, can measure the temperature, resistance, voltage and the like of the plurality of battery cells 100, and can diagnose and analyze the states of the plurality of battery cells 100. The battery management unit 500 can control charging and discharging, cell balancing and the like of the plurality of battery cells 100 based on analysis results of the states of the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0044] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the battery management unit 500 may include a management unit housing 510, a mounting frame 520, circuit boards 530: 530-1, 530-2, and a connecting portion 540. Although Figures 7 and 8 show the battery management unit 500 including two circuit boards 530-1 and 530-2, the present invention is not limited thereto. The battery management unit 500 may include one or more circuit boards 530.

[0045] The management unit housing 510 is configured to house the mounting frame 520, the substrate 530, and the connecting portion 540, and may be made of an insulator. The mounting frame 520, the substrate 530, and the connecting portion 540 may be stacked in order inside the management unit housing 510. Depending on the embodiment, the management unit housing 510 may include a first management unit housing 511 and a second management unit housing 512. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the mounting frame 520, the substrate 530, and the connecting portion 540 may be housed between the first management unit housing 511 and the second management unit housing 512. In Figure 8, the management unit housing 510 is shown as a rectangular plate, but the shape and size of the management unit housing 510 are not limited thereto and can be freely changed as needed.

[0046] The mounting frame 520 is a structure for fixing the substrate 530 and may be made of an insulator. The mounting frame 520 may have a structure that allows the substrate 530 to be fastened to it. In Figure 8, the mounting frame 520 is shown as a rectangular frame with two square holes formed inside, but the shape and size of the mounting frame 520 are not limited to this and may be determined by the number and shape of the substrates 530.

[0047] Circuits 531:531-1, 531-2 for controlling multiple battery cells 100 may be formed on the substrate 530. The substrate 530 may be made of an insulating board. In Figure 8, the substrate 530 is shown as a square board, but the shape and size of the substrate 530 are not limited to this and can be freely changed as needed.

[0048] The connecting portion 540 is a configuration for electrically connecting the control circuit 531 formed on the substrate 530 and the metal plate 400, and may be made of an insulator. Connecting circuits 542: 542-1, 542-2, 542-3, 542-4 may be formed in the connecting portion 540. Here, a connecting circuit 542 means an electrical circuit that electrically connects the control circuit 531 formed on the substrate 530 and the metal plate 400. One end of the connecting circuit 542 may be connected to a specific point in the control circuit 531, and the other end of the connecting circuit 542 may be connected to the metal plate 400.

[0049] The connecting portion 540 may include a plurality of protrusions 541: 541-1, 541-2, 541-3, and 541-4. Figures 7 and 8 show the connecting portion 540 including four protrusions 541-1, 541-2, 541-3, and 541-4, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The connecting portion 540 may include one or more protrusions 541.

[0050] The projection 541 can be exposed to the outside of the management unit housing 510. The projection 541 may include the other end of a connecting circuit 542 that is connected to the metal plate 400. The projection 541 may be made of a flexible material that bends under external force. By bending under external force, the projection 541 can be fastened to the battery housing 200 or the gap 230. With the projection 541 fastened to the battery housing 200 or the gap 230, the other end of the connecting circuit 542 included in the projection 541 can be electrically connected to the metal plate 400 via a wire bonding method.

[0051] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of a battery assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Regarding the battery assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the parts that are common with the battery assembly according to the first embodiment described above will not be explained, and only the parts that differ will be described.

[0053] Referring to Figure 10, a battery assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells 100, a battery housing 200, an insulating plate 300, and a battery management unit 500.

[0054] The connecting portion 540 of the battery management unit 500 according to a second embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of protrusions 541. The protrusions 541 may be formed of a flexible material that bends under external force. The protrusions 541 can be fastened to the battery housing 200 and the insulating plate 300 by bending under external force. The protrusions 541 may have a length that extends in a direction parallel to one surface of the insulating plate 300. In this case, the length of the protrusions 541 may be determined as a length that does not protrude outside the battery housing 200 when the protrusions 541 are fastened to the upper part of the insulating plate 300. The protrusions 541 can be electrically connected to a plurality of battery cells 100. According to the embodiment, the protrusions 541 can be connected to a plurality of battery cells 100 by wire bonding.

[0055] In other words, the battery assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that the metal plate 400 is omitted compared to the battery assembly according to the first embodiment, as the protruding portion 541 of the connecting portion 540 of the battery management unit 500 extends along one end face of the insulating plate 300, and the multiple battery cells 100 and the protruding portion 541 are directly connected.

[0056] The scope of the present invention is indicated not by the above detailed description but by the claims set forth below, and all modifications or alterations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and the concept of equivalents thereto should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Multiple battery cells, A battery housing containing the aforementioned multiple battery cells, An insulating plate is stacked on top of the plurality of battery cells, each of which has multiple through holes corresponding to the plurality of battery cells, A metal plate positioned on top of the insulating plate, electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells, A battery assembly comprising a battery management unit electrically connected to the metal plate and configured to control the charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells.

2. The aforementioned battery housing is Multiple openings into which the aforementioned multiple battery cells are inserted separately, The battery assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a fastening guide formed by a portion of the side surface of the battery housing protruding and configured to assist in fastening the insulating plate.

3. The aforementioned fastening guide is One side of the battery housing is formed to protrude, and includes a first fastening guide with multiple missing parts, The battery assembly according to claim 2, further comprising: a second fastening guide having a protruding side facing one side of the battery housing on which the first fastening guide is formed.

4. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate is arranged on one surface of the insulating plate in a region excluding the region where the plurality of through holes formed in the insulating plate are located.

5. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate is connected to the plurality of battery cells by wire bonding.

6. The aforementioned battery management unit A circuit board on which a control circuit for controlling the plurality of battery cells is formed, A connecting section is formed in which a connecting circuit is formed for connecting the control circuit to the metal plate, The battery assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a management unit housing in which the substrate and the connecting portion are housed.

7. The battery assembly according to claim 6, wherein the connecting portion is made of a flexible material that bends under external force.

8. The battery assembly according to claim 6, wherein the connecting portion includes at least one protruding portion exposed to the outside of the management unit housing.

9. The battery assembly according to claim 8, wherein the protrusion extends from the interior of the protrusion and includes the connecting circuit which is connected to the metal plate by wire bonding.

10. Multiple battery cells, A battery housing containing the aforementioned multiple battery cells, An insulating plate is stacked on top of the plurality of battery cells, each of which has multiple through holes corresponding to the plurality of battery cells, The battery management unit is configured to control the charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells, The aforementioned battery management unit A circuit board on which a control circuit for controlling the charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells is formed, A battery assembly comprising a coupling portion including a plurality of protrusions having a length extending in a direction parallel to one surface of the insulating plate, and including a coupling circuit for electrically connecting the control circuit to the plurality of battery cells.

11. The battery assembly according to claim 10, wherein the connecting portion is made of a flexible material that bends under external force, and is fastened to the upper part of the insulating plate by being bent under the external force.

Images