A battery module with a structure that is easy to expand vertically

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module including a plurality of cylindrical battery cells having electrode terminals on one side for electrical connection to the outside, a frame for accommodating the plurality of cylindrical battery cells, bus bars for electrically connecting the plurality of cylindrical battery cells, a circuit board mounted with various components for controlling operation of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells, and a cylindrical module case for accommodating the plurality of cylindrical battery cells, the frame, the bus bars, and the circuit board, wherein the plurality of cylindrical battery cells are arranged in a lying form with the electrode terminals facing a center of the frame.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0185311 dated December 22, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module having a structure that is easily expandable in the vertical direction by arranging cylindrical battery cells horizontally in a cylindrical module case. [Background technology]

[0003] As technological development and demand for mobile devices such as smartphones, notebook PCs, and digital cameras increases, technologies related to rechargeable secondary batteries are being actively developed. In addition, new energy sources such as solar and wind power have been attracting more attention in response to environmental issues such as global warming.

[0004] Secondary batteries are not only used in energy storage systems (ESS) that store electricity produced in these new energy fields, but are also an essential component of electric vehicles (EVs) that replace internal combustion engine vehicles that use fossil fuels that generate air pollutants.

[0005] Currently, the types of secondary batteries that are widely used include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, and nickel zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such unit secondary battery cells, i.e., unit battery cells, is about 2.0V to 5.0V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a cell module assembly may be constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series, and a battery module may be constructed by connecting cell module assemblies in series or in parallel depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity. It is common to manufacture a battery pack by adding additional components using at least one such battery module.

[0006] In particular, wind power generation has the advantage that it can generate electricity using wind, which is a clean energy source, and is already in large scale operation in Europe and other regions.

[0007] However, new renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar power do not produce a constant amount of electricity compared to existing thermal and nuclear power plants, and the amount of electricity produced varies greatly depending on environmental factors such as the season and weather.

[0008] Therefore, in order to overcome the efficiency loss caused by irregular power production, a method is used in which the power produced from new energy sources is stored in an energy storage system (ESS) and then used when needed.

[0009] Such an energy storage system includes a number of battery cells and a management system, etc. Conventionally, such an energy storage system has been generally used separately from a wind power generation device, but in this case, there is a problem that a separate facility is required.

[0010] Also, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to operate a system with one main ESS and multiple sub-ESSs provided in each individual wind power generation device.

[0011] Here, the sub-ESS can be installed adjacent to each wind power generating device or inside the tower of the wind power generating device.

[0012] However, when the ESS is installed by utilizing the space inside the tower as in Patent Document 1, a separate storage facility for the sub-ESS is not required. However, since the typical battery modules used in conventional ESSs are not designed to fit the shape of the tower, there is a problem that it is difficult to install a battery module with sufficient capacity inside, especially when the wind turbine is small, as the space utilization is reduced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 2020-0003582 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module that is easily expandable in the vertical direction by arranging a plurality of cylindrical battery cells horizontally in a cylindrical module case and positioning electrode terminals of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells at the center. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a battery module according to the present invention includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells having an electrode terminal on one side for electrical connection to the outside, a frame for accommodating the plurality of cylindrical battery cells, a bus bar for electrically connecting the plurality of cylindrical battery cells, a circuit board mounted with various components for controlling operation of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells, and a cylindrical module case for accommodating the plurality of cylindrical battery cells, the frame, the bus bar, and the circuit board, wherein the plurality of cylindrical battery cells are arranged in a lying form such that the electrode terminals face a center of the frame.

[0016] In the battery module according to the present invention, the plurality of cylindrical battery cells are arranged radially or annularly.

[0017] In the battery module according to the present invention, the frame is formed to accommodate the cylindrical battery cells arranged radially or annularly in multiple layers.

[0018] In the battery module according to the present invention, a fixing portion capable of mechanically fixing the battery module to an external device is provided on the outside of the module case.

[0019] In the battery module according to the present invention, the fixing portion may be provided at least one on each of an upper portion and a lower portion of the module case.

[0020] In the battery module according to the present invention, a charging current terminal for charging the battery module with current and a current usage terminal for using the current of the battery module are provided on the outside of the module case.

[0021] In the battery module according to the present invention, the charging current terminal and the working current terminal are separated and positioned at an upper portion and a lower portion of the module case, respectively.

[0022] In the battery module according to the present invention, the bus bar may be provided in a plurality of bus bars so as to vertically connect the cylindrical battery cells arranged in multiple layers radially or annularly.

[0023] In the battery module according to the present invention, the electrode terminals and the bus bars may be electrically connected to each other by wire bonding.

[0024] The present invention also provides a device including the battery module described above.

[0025] The device according to the present invention is also characterized in that it is a wind power generating device. Effect of the Invention

[0026] Since the battery module of the present invention has a cylindrical outer shape, it has an advantage that space utilization can be improved when the battery module is mounted on cylindrical equipment such as a tower of a wind power generation system. In addition, the battery module of the present invention has an advantage that it is easy to expand in the vertical direction by positioning the cylindrical battery cells in the horizontal direction and arranging them radially or annularly so that the electrode terminals face the center. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the battery module of the present invention taken along line AA' in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating only a plurality of cylindrical battery cells and bus bars separated from a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] In this application, the terms "comprise", "have", "include" and the like are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, components, parts or combinations thereof described in the specification, but should be understood as not precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0029] In addition, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings for parts having similar functions and actions. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only the case where the part is directly connected to another part, but also the case where the part is indirectly connected via another element between the two parts. In addition, when a part includes a certain component, it does not mean that the other component is excluded, but that the part may further include the other component, unless otherwise specified.

[0030] Hereinafter, a battery module according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the battery module of the present invention taken along line A-A' in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a view showing only a plurality of cylindrical battery cells and bus bars separated from a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The battery module 1000 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The battery module 1000 of the present invention includes a module case 100, cylindrical battery cells 200, a frame 300, a bus bar 400 for connecting the cylindrical battery cells 200 in series or parallel, a circuit board 500, and wire bonding 600 for electrically connecting the cylindrical battery cells 200 and the bus bar 400.

[0033] First, the module case 100 accommodates the cylindrical battery cells 200, the frame 300, the bus bars 400, the circuit board 500, etc., and protects them from external impacts, etc., and has a cylindrical shape.

[0034] The diameter of the cross-sectional circle of the module case 100 may be appropriately selected depending on the equipment in which the battery module 1000 of the present invention is to be installed.

[0035] Furthermore, the module case 100 is provided with a fixing portion 110 at an outer upper and / or lower portion thereof so that the battery module 1000 can be fixed to equipment by a mechanical fastening method such as bolts and nuts.

[0036] By using such a fixing portion 110, it becomes possible to easily fix the device to a desired location, such as inside the tower of a wind power generating device.

[0037] In addition, on the upper and lower outer surfaces of the module case 100, there are provided a charging current terminal 120 that is electrically connected to the equipment in which the battery module 1000 is mounted to charge the battery module 1000, and a current usage terminal 130 that uses current from the charged battery module 1000.

[0038] In the drawings of the present invention, the fixing part 110, the charging current terminal 120 and the usage current terminal 130 are described as being located at the top and bottom, respectively, but the positions of not only the fixing part 110 but also the charging current terminal 120 and the usage current terminal 130 can be appropriately selected depending on the equipment in which the battery module 1000 is installed.

[0039] Next, a plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 are provided in the battery module 1000 of the present invention.

[0040] Battery cells can generally be broadly classified into a can type in which an electrode assembly is housed in a metal can and a pouch type in which an electrode assembly is housed in a pouch having a laminate sheet structure, depending on the shape of the case. A cylindrical battery cell 200 means that the shape of the metal can is cylindrical.

[0041] Such a cylindrical battery cell 200 may include a cylindrical battery can, an electrode assembly housed inside the battery can, and a cap assembly coupled to an upper portion of the battery can.

[0042] The cylindrical battery cell 200 of the present invention has an electrode terminal on one side for electrical connection with the outside.

[0043] Here, having an electrode terminal on one side means that the positive and negative electrodes of the cylindrical battery cell 200 are both on the same surface and can be connected to the bus bar 400.

[0044] The reason for this, as will be described in detail below, is that since the bus bar 400 and the cylindrical battery cells 200 can be electrically connected on the same surface in this manner, it is easy to stack the cylindrical battery cells 200 to vertically extend the battery module 1000.

[0045] The frame 300 serves to fix the cylindrical battery cells 200, prevent short circuits between adjacent cylindrical battery cells 200, and protect the cells from impacts, and may be made of a plastic material that is electrically insulating and can be easily processed into complex shapes.

[0046] The frame 300 has a cylindrical outer shape like the module case 100, and is formed with a cell insertion space 310 into which a cylindrical battery cell 200 is inserted, with the center being open.

[0047] Meanwhile, in the battery module 1000 of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the cylindrical battery cells 200 are arranged in the horizontal direction.

[0048] Here, the horizontal direction means that the cylindrical battery cell 200 having a long cylindrical shape with a certain height is positioned in a horizontal direction on the bottom surface of the battery module 1000, as shown in Figures 2 to 4.

[0049] Therefore, it is effective in terms of fixing the cylindrical battery cells 200 and preventing impacts if the shape of the cell insertion space 310 in the frame 300 in which each cylindrical battery cell 200 is located has a hollow cylindrical shape that is the same as the outer shape of the cylindrical battery cell 200.

[0050] In addition, the cylindrical battery cells 200 arranged in the horizontal direction are arranged such that one side where the electrode terminals are located faces the center of the frame 300.

[0051] That is, in the battery module 1000 of the present invention, the cylindrical battery cells 200 may be arranged radially or annularly in a form lying with the electrode terminals facing toward the center on a plane formed by the x-axis and y-axis (xy plane) in FIG. 2.

[0052] The cylindrical battery cells 200 may be arranged radially or annularly in a lying form forming a certain angle with respect to the plane, preferably in a lying form forming an angle of 90 degrees or less above or below the plane, more preferably in a lying form forming an angle of 45 degrees or less above or below the plane.

[0053] Here, the radial and annular configurations are similar in that the cylindrical battery cells 200 are arranged lying down with the electrode terminals facing the center, but the difference is that the radial configuration refers to a case where the intervals between the cylindrical battery cells 200 are all uniform, while the annular configuration refers to a case where the intervals between the cylindrical battery cells 200 are not uniform.

[0054] Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and various types of arrangement are possible as long as the electrode terminals can face the center on the xy plane, and the lying shape can be arranged at an angle in addition to being exactly parallel to the bottom surface (xy plane).

[0055] The reason why the electrode terminals of the cylindrical battery cells 200 are arranged toward the center is that when the multiple cylindrical battery cells 200 are electrically connected to each other by a method such as the bus bar 400 and wire bonding 600, the electrode terminals are concentrated in the center of the frame 300 to facilitate electrical connection with the bus bar 400.

[0056] In addition, the battery module 1000 of the present invention may be provided with multiple cylindrical battery cells 200 depending on a desired capacity and size. In this case, the frame 300 may be easily formed by a method such as injection molding so that the cylindrical battery cells 200 can be stacked in multiple layers.

[0057] Here, stacking in multiple layers means that layers of cylindrical battery cells 200 arranged in the xy plane are repeatedly stacked in the z-axis direction, as described above.

[0058] During stacking, aligning the electrode terminals of the cylindrical battery cells 200 in the z-axis direction may facilitate a process for electrical connection with the bus bar 400.

[0059] Even if the cylindrical battery cells 200 are arranged in multiple layers in this manner, as described above, the cylindrical battery cells 200 are positioned in a horizontal direction and the electrode terminals are concentrated in the center of the frame 300, so that electrical connection with the bus bar 400 is easy.

[0060] Therefore, the capacity and size of the battery module 1000 can be easily selected depending on how many layers the cylindrical battery cells 200 are arranged in the battery module 1000.

[0061] That is, the battery module 1000 of the present invention has a structure that allows easy expansion in the vertical direction (z-axis direction).

[0062] Meanwhile, the circuit board 500 is mounted with various components for controlling the operation of the cylindrical battery cells 200 in the battery module 1000, sensing the voltage, etc. One or more of these components may be provided in the battery module 1000.

[0063] The method for manufacturing the battery module 1000 of the present invention described above will be described below. The method for manufacturing the battery module 1000 includes the steps of: a) forming the frame 300 having the cell insertion space 310 formed therein; b) inserting the cylindrical battery cell 200 into the cell insertion space 310 of the frame 300 such that the electrode terminal faces the center of the frame 300; c) positioning the bus bar 400; d) electrically connecting the bus bar 400 and the cylindrical battery cell 200 by wire bonding 600; e) housing the frame 300 with the cylindrical battery cell 200 inserted therein within the module case 100; and f) positioning the circuit board.

[0064] Of course, in step d), the method of electrically connecting the bus bar 400 and the cylindrical battery cell 200 may be various known methods other than the wire bonding 600 described in the present invention.

[0065] The battery module 1000 manufactured in this manner can be used as a power supply source for various devices or for storing power.

[0066] In particular, the battery module 1000 of the present invention, which is manufactured in a cylindrical shape, can be mounted on a cylindrical facility such as a tower of a wind power generation system, thereby improving space utilization.

[0067] Although certain parts of the contents of the present invention have been described in detail above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such specific techniques are merely preferred embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Various changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the scope and technical ideas of the present invention, and it goes without saying that such changes and modifications are also included in the scope of the attached claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1000 Battery Module 100 module case 110 Fixed part 120 Charging current end 130 Usage current end 200 Cylindrical Battery Cells 300 frames 310 Cell insertion space 400 Busbar 500 Circuit Boards 600 Wire Bonding

Claims

1. A plurality of cylindrical battery cells each having an electrode terminal on one side for electrical connection to the outside; a frame that houses the plurality of cylindrical battery cells; A bus bar for electrically connecting the cylindrical battery cells; A circuit board on which various components for controlling the operation of the cylindrical battery cells are mounted; a cylindrical module case that houses the plurality of cylindrical battery cells, the frame, the bus bars, and the circuit board; The plurality of cylindrical battery cells are arranged in a lying state such that the electrode terminals face a center portion of the frame. The plurality of cylindrical battery cells are arranged radially or annularly; The frame is formed to accommodate the cylindrical battery cells arranged in a radial or annular manner in multiple layers, The battery module includes a plurality of bus bars arranged to vertically connect the plurality of cylindrical battery cells arranged in a radial or annular manner.

2. The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising a fixing portion on an exterior of the module case, the fixing portion being capable of mechanically fixing the battery module to an external device.

3. The battery module of claim 2 , wherein the fixing portion is provided at least one on each of an upper portion and a lower portion of the module case.

4. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein a charging current terminal for charging the battery module with current and a current usage terminal for using the current of the battery module are provided on the exterior of the module case.

5. The battery module according to claim 4 , wherein the charging current end and the working current end are separated and positioned at an upper portion and a lower portion of the module case, respectively.

6. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the electrode terminals and the bus bars are electrically connected to each other by wire bonding.

7. A battery module as described in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical battery cells are arranged radially at equal intervals.

8. A device comprising a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the device is a wind power generating device.

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