Battery pack assembly with shock absorbing function, and manufacturing device and method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack assembly having an impact absorbing function, and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly to a battery pack assembly having an impact absorbing member capable of protecting a battery pack from impact, and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0005308 dated January 13, 2022, 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 pack assembly with a shock absorbing function, and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a battery pack assembly with a shock absorbing function that can absorb or mitigate the shock received by the battery pack when the battery pack is dropped, thereby preventing physical damage to the battery pack, and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries are an alternative energy source to fossil fuels, which generate air pollutants, and are used in electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and energy storage devices (ESSs).

[0004] Currently, the types of secondary batteries that are widely used include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel zinc batteries, etc. Such unit secondary battery cells are generally configured into battery modules by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series or parallel according to a required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] In particular, pouch-type lithium ion batteries, which have a structure in which a stack-type or stack / folding-type electrode assembly is built into a pouch-type battery case made of an aluminum laminate sheet, are gradually becoming more widely used due to advantages such as low manufacturing costs and high energy density.

[0006] Meanwhile, with the rapid development of mobile communication technology, various mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet-type personal computers (PCs) are becoming increasingly popular among the public. These mobile devices are also equipped with rechargeable secondary batteries, but if the user drops the mobile device due to carelessness, the installed secondary batteries may be damaged.

[0007] In particular, pouch-type secondary batteries are filled with electrolyte, and if the pouch is damaged, such as being ruptured due to impact, the electrolyte may leak out and cause the mobile device to malfunction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0055175 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0063763 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a battery pack assembly having a shock absorbing function capable of protecting a battery pack from physical shock such as dropping, and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the battery pack assembly according to the present invention includes a battery pack (110) and a shock absorbing member (120) provided on one side of the battery pack (110).

[0011] In the battery pack assembly according to the present invention, the shock absorbing member (120) includes a polymer resin having an air pocket portion (121).

[0012] Also, an apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to the present invention includes a jig (200) in which a polymer resin is filled so as to form a shock absorbing member (120) on one side of a battery pack (110), a flat support part (300) having a predetermined width to support the battery pack (110) and the jig (200), and a hardening part (400) for hardening the polymer resin filled in the jig (200), and the jig (200) has a predetermined width. The battery pack (110) includes a rectangular bottom plate (210), four side walls (220) extending to a predetermined height along the edge of the bottom plate (210), an opening (230) provided in any one of the four side walls (220) so that one side edge of the battery pack (110) can be seated on the bottom plate (210), and an air forming bar (240) located between the four side walls (220) with one side in close contact with the bottom plate (210).

[0013] In the apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to the present invention, a plurality of jigs (200) are seated on the upper surface of the support portion (300).

[0014] In addition, in the apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to the present invention, the support part (300) has a circular shape that can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, and there is one or more jigs (200) located on the upper surface of the support part (300).

[0015] In addition, the apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a cleaning unit (600) for removing polymer resin remaining on the jig (200) and the support unit (300) after separating the battery pack (110) having the shock absorbing member (120) formed thereon from the jig (200).

[0016] In the apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to the present invention, the polymer resin is a UV-curable resin.

[0017] Also, a method for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to the present invention includes a first step of seating the battery pack (110) on a jig (200), a second step of filling the jig (200) with a polymer resin so that the polymer resin is positioned along one side of the battery pack (110), and a third step of hardening the polymer resin so that a shock absorbing member (120) is formed on one side of the battery pack (110), the jig (200) including a rectangular bottom plate (210) having a predetermined width, The battery pack (110) includes four side walls (220) extending to a predetermined height along an edge of the bottom plate (210), an opening (230) provided in any one of the four side walls (220) so that one side edge of the battery pack (110) is seated on the bottom plate (210), and an air forming bar (240) located between the four side walls (220) with one side in close contact with the bottom plate (210), and the polymer resin is filled inside the four side walls (220).

[0018] In addition, the method for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to the present invention is characterized in that it further includes a fourth step of separating the battery pack (110) having the shock absorbing member (120) formed thereon from a jig (200).

[0019] In addition, the method for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a fifth step of cleaning the jig (200) to remove any polymer resin remaining thereon.

[0020] In addition, in the method for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to the present invention, the polymer resin is a UV-curable resin, and the method further includes a step of printing a UV-curable material on the upper surface of the battery pack (110) between the first and third steps.

[0021] In addition, the method for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a step of inspecting the battery pack assembly between the third step and the fifth step. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the battery pack assembly with a shock absorbing function of the present invention, since the battery pack is provided with a shock absorbing member, it has an advantage that even if a physical collision occurs due to a drop, etc., damage to the battery pack can be prevented or minimized.

[0023] In addition, the battery pack assembly with a shock absorbing function according to the present invention has the advantage that it is possible to prevent or minimize leakage of electrolyte from the battery pack in the event of a physical collision, such as a drop, thereby reducing damage to the device.

[0024] In addition, according to the battery pack assembly manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of the present invention, the support section is provided with a number of jigs onto which shock absorbing members can be attached, which has the advantage that mass production is possible and manufacturing time can be further reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a battery pack assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a jig for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a plan view of an apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the device shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state in which a plurality of jigs are attached to one support portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which a plurality of battery packs are mounted on respective jigs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] In this application, the terms "including," "having," or "comprising" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, components, parts, or combinations thereof set forth 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.

[0027] 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 part excludes the other component, but that the part may further include the other component, unless otherwise specified.

[0028] Hereinafter, a battery pack assembly with a shock absorbing function according to the present invention, and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same will be described.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery pack assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery pack assembly according to the present invention has a function of protecting a battery pack from an external impact.

[0031] Specifically, the battery pack assembly includes a battery pack 110 and a shock absorbing member 120 .

[0032] The battery pack 110 may have a flat hexahedral shape, but is not limited thereto. An electrode assembly is housed inside the case, and a power connector 111 protrudes from the outside of the case by a predetermined length.

[0033] The case may use a laminate sheet that includes an outer coating layer, a metal layer, and an inner coating layer.

[0034] Since the inner coating layer is in direct contact with the electrode assembly, it must have insulating properties and electrolyte resistance, and in order to seal against the outside, the sealing portion where the inner layers are thermally bonded together must have excellent thermal adhesion strength.

[0035] The material for such an inner coating layer may be selected from polyolefin resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene acrylic acid, and polybutylene, which have excellent chemical resistance and good sealing properties, polyurethane resins, and polyimide resins, but is not limited thereto. Polypropylene, which has excellent mechanical properties such as tensile strength, rigidity, surface hardness, and impact strength, and excellent chemical resistance, is the most preferred.

[0036] The metal layer in contact with the inner coating layer corresponds to a barrier layer that prevents moisture and various gases from penetrating into the inside of the battery from the outside. A preferred material for such a metal layer is a thin aluminum film, which is lightweight yet has excellent formability.

[0037] The other side of the metal layer is provided with an outer coating layer, and the outer coating layer may be made of a heat-resistant polymer having excellent tensile strength, moisture permeability, and air permeability so as to protect the electrode assembly while ensuring heat resistance and chemical resistance. Examples of the outer coating layer include, but are not limited to, nylon or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0038] The electrode assembly housed inside the case can be classified into a stack type electrode assembly in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked, a jelly roll type electrode assembly in which a separator is interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode and the electrode is wound up, a lamination / stack type electrode assembly in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked, and a stack / folding type electrode assembly in which a unit cell is positioned on a separator sheet and the electrode is wound up.

[0039] A unit cell is prepared to manufacture the lamination / stack type electrode assembly and the stack / folding type electrode assembly. Such a unit cell may have a mono-cell in which a separator is interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, or a bi-cell in which a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a positive electrode, or a negative electrode, a positive electrode and a negative electrode, are stacked and a separator is interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0040] The electrode assembly according to the present invention may have a structure in which anode / separator / cathode / separator / anode are stacked, and the number of cathodes and anodes constituting the electrode assembly may be freely set. Also, a lamination / stack type electrode assembly in which a plurality of unit cells are laminated may be used, and the structure of the electrode assembly may be applied to any of the electrode assemblies described in this specification.

[0041] The positive and negative electrodes of the electrode assembly each have a positive tab and a negative tab, and these pairs of tabs are connected to the positive and negative leads, respectively, by spot welding or the like, and may be formed to protrude to the outside of the cell case by a predetermined length or to protrude to the outside through the power connection part 111.

[0042] Here, an example of the power connector 111 may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) refers to a printed circuit board in which a flexible film is formed as an outer layer on a metal foil such as a flexibly bending copper foil, and is attached to the battery pack 110 so as to exchange power and signals when the battery pack assembly 100 is attached to a device.

[0043] The shock absorbing member 120 is for absorbing or mitigating a shock applied to the battery pack 110 when the battery pack 110 is dropped while attached to a device. The shock absorbing member 120 for implementing the above-mentioned function is provided on one side of the battery pack 110, more specifically, on one end surface and edge of the battery pack 110 where the power connector 111 is not provided.

[0044] Specifically, the aforementioned impact absorbing member 120 is fixed in close contact with one end face of the battery pack 110 and the side face in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) and extends a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the battery pack 110.

[0045] Here, the shock absorbing member 120 is not particularly limited as long as it has flexibility and can be deformed to some degree, and is made of polymer resin, for example epoxy resin containing a UV (Ultraviolet Ray) hardener.

[0046] A bar-shaped air pocket 121 that is not filled with polymer resin is provided at a position spaced a predetermined distance from one end surface of the battery pack 110. The air pocket 121 reduces or prevents external shock from being transmitted to the battery pack 110.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a jig for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] The jig 200 for forming the shock absorbing member 120 on the battery pack 110 includes a bottom plate 210 , a side wall 220 , an opening 230 and an air forming bar 240 .

[0049] Specifically, the bottom plate 210 has a rectangular shape with a predetermined width, and the side walls 220 are made up of four pieces extending along the edge of the bottom plate 210 to a predetermined height.

[0050] It is preferable that the opening 230 is provided in any one of the four side walls 220 so that one side edge of the battery pack 110 can be seated on the bottom plate 210, and the air forming bar 240 is located between the four side walls 220 while being in close contact with the bottom plate 210.

[0051] One side of the battery pack 110 is seated on the jig 200 having the above-described structure, and polymer resin is filled inside the four side walls 220 and then hardened, forming an air pocket 121 therein, thereby obtaining a battery pack assembly 100 having the shock absorbing member 120 attached to one end surface and part of the edge of the battery pack 110.

[0052] Next, an apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to the present invention will be described.

[0053] Fig. 3 is a plan view of an apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a front view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3. Also, Fig. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which a plurality of jigs are mounted on one support, and Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a plurality of battery packs are mounted on each of the jigs.

[0054] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, an apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack assembly according to the present invention may include the above-mentioned jig 200, a supporting unit 300, a hardening unit 400, an inspection unit 500, a cleaning unit 600, and a transport unit 700.

[0055] The jig 200 has been described in detail above, and therefore will not be described here. The support 300 is for supporting the whole or part of the battery pack 110 and the jig 200, and may have a circular flat plate shape having a predetermined area.

[0056] It is preferable that a plurality of jigs 200 are seated on the upper surface of such a support portion 300, and it is more preferable that the openings 230 of the jigs 200 are arranged so as to face outward, because this makes it easier to attach the battery pack 110.

[0057] In particular, when the support shaft 310 is provided on the lower surface of the support part 300 so that the support part 300 can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, there is an advantage that the attachment of the battery pack 110 can be made even easier.

[0058] Of course, even if the support shaft 310 is omitted and the support part 300 does not rotate, it is possible to attach the battery pack 110 to the jig 200, and the attachment of the battery pack 110 is not particularly limited as long as the battery pack 110 can be moved to the desired position by manual work or by attaching the upper surface of the battery pack 110 to an adsorption plate and then seating it on the jig 200.

[0059] For example, although the drawings show four jigs 200 seated on the top surface of the support 300, this is by way of example only and any number of jigs 200 may be used.

[0060] The curing unit 400 is for curing the polymer resin filled in the jig 200. For example, if the impact absorbing member 120 is made of epoxy resin containing a UV (Ultraviolet Ray) curing agent, the curing unit 400 may be a chamber equipped with a UV lamp (not shown), and if the impact absorbing member 120 is made of a thermosetting resin, the curing unit 400 may be a chamber equipped with a heat source (not shown) capable of heating to a predetermined temperature.

[0061] The inspection unit 500 is used to determine whether the impact absorbing member 120, which is integrated with the battery pack 110 by hardening the polymer resin, i.e., the battery pack assembly 100, is good or bad. The inspection unit 500 may be a vision camera, but is not limited to this, and an operator may determine whether it is defective with the naked eye or by hand.

[0062] Of course, in the inspection section 500, the battery pack 110 is separated by the same or similar means as that used for mounting.

[0063] The cleaning unit 600 is for removing a part of the polymer resin remaining on the jig 200, and may be a chamber equipped with a high-pressure cleaning nozzle (not shown) on the top or side.

[0064] The transport unit 700 is for transporting the support unit 300 with the multiple jigs 200 seated thereon to the curing unit 400, the inspection unit 500, and the cleaning unit 600 in sequence, and may be, but is not limited to, a conveyor belt.

[0065] As described above, in the battery pack assembly manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the supporting unit 300 with the jig 200 seated on the closed-loop transfer unit 700 moves continuously to the hardening unit 400, the inspection unit 500, and the cleaning unit 600, thereby enabling mass production and thus enabling operations to be carried out quickly.

[0066] Next, a method for manufacturing the battery pack assembly according to the present invention will be described.

[0067] The manufacturing method according to the present invention includes a first step of seating the battery pack 110 on a jig 200, a second step of filling the jig 200 with a polymer resin so that the polymer resin is positioned along one side of the battery pack 110, a third step of hardening the polymer resin so that an impact absorbing member 120 is formed on one side of the battery pack 110, a fourth step of separating the battery pack 110 with the impact absorbing member 120 formed thereon from the jig 200, and a fifth step of washing the jig 200 to remove any polymer resin remaining therein.

[0068] Meanwhile, between the first and third steps, a step of printing with a UV curable material on the upper surface of the battery pack 110 may be further performed. In general, it is preferable to print various information of the battery pack, such as the manufacturing date, on one side of the battery pack, and print the information after the battery pack 110 is seated, and more preferably, the printing material is a UV curable paint.

[0069] This is because, when the material of the impact absorbing member 120 is a UV-curable resin, the polymer resin and the print material can be cured simultaneously in the third step of curing the polymer resin.

[0070] Also, a step of inspecting the battery pack assembly may be further performed between the third step and the fifth step. For example, a vision camera or an operator inspects the quality of the battery pack assembly before or after the battery pack 110 on which the shock absorbing member 120 is formed is separated from the jig 200.

[0071] The battery pack assembly according to the present invention can be a device, for example, but not limited to, a mobile device such as a mobile phone.

[0072] 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. It is possible to make various changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention and the technical ideas thereof, and it goes without saying that such changes and modifications are also within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 100 Battery pack assembly 110 Battery Pack 111 Power connection section 120 Shock absorbing material 121 Air pocket section 200 Jig 210 Bottom Plate 220 Side wall 230 Open mouth 240 Air Forming Bar 300 Support part 310 Support shaft 400 Hardened part 500 Inspection Department 600 Cleaning section 700 Transfer section

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack assembly including a battery pack and a shock absorbing member, comprising: a jig in which a polymer resin is filled so that the shock absorbing member is formed on one side of the battery pack; a flat support portion having a predetermined area for supporting the battery pack and the jig; a curing section for curing the polymer resin filled in the jig; Including, the jig includes a rectangular bottom plate having a predetermined width, four side walls extending to a predetermined height along edges of the bottom plate, an opening provided in any one of the four side walls so that one side edge of the battery pack can be seated on the bottom plate, and an air forming bar positioned between the four side walls with one side in close contact with the bottom plate, Device.

2. A plurality of the jigs are seated on the upper surface of the support portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

3. The support has a circular shape that can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, and one or more jigs are located on the upper surface of the support.

3. The apparatus of claim 2.

4. and a cleaning unit for removing polymer resin remaining on the jig and the support unit after the battery pack having the shock absorbing member formed thereon is separated from the jig.

4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The polymer resin is a UV-curable resin; 2. The apparatus of claim 1.

6. A method for manufacturing a battery pack assembly comprising a battery pack and a shock absorbing member, comprising: a first step of seating the battery pack in a jig; a second step of filling the jig with a polymer resin such that the polymer resin is positioned along one side of the battery pack; a third step of curing the polymer resin so as to form a shock absorbing member on one side of the battery pack; Including, the jig includes a rectangular bottom plate having a predetermined width, four side walls extending to a predetermined height along edges of the bottom plate, an opening provided in any one of the four side walls so that one side edge of the battery pack is seated on the bottom plate, and an air forming bar positioned between the four side walls with one side in close contact with the bottom plate; The polymer resin is filled inside the four side walls. method.

7. The method further comprises: a fourth step of separating the battery pack having the shock absorbing member formed thereon from the jig; The method according to claim 6.

8. The method further comprises: and a fifth step of washing the jig to remove any remaining polymeric resin. The method according to claim 7.

9. The polymer resin is a UV-curable resin, The method further comprises: and printing a UV-curable material on the upper surface of the battery pack between the first and third steps. The method according to claim 6.

10. The method further comprises: between the third and fifth steps, inspecting the battery pack assembly; The method according to claim 8.

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