Battery module with improved waterproof and dustproof performance and battery pack including the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module with improved waterproof and dustproof performance and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module in which battery cells are accommodated in a space formed by a lower case and an upper case seated on the upper part of the lower case, wherein a lower rib provided at an end of the lower case and an upper rib provided at an end of the upper case are in close contact with each other, and the close contact is achieved by one face contact and one or more line contacts, and the battery pack including the same.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 2021-0154408 dated November 11, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. The present invention relates to a battery module having improved waterproof and dustproof performance and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly to a battery module that can be expected to have excellent waterproof and dustproof effects even without a sealing gasket and a battery pack including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, the demand for secondary batteries that can store electrical energy produced by the development of alternative energy sources due to air pollution caused by the use of fossil fuels and energy depletion has increased. Rechargeable secondary batteries are widely used in various fields, such as mobile devices, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and industrial robots.

[0003] Secondary batteries are used as an energy source for various electronic devices that are essential in modern society, and the required capacity is increasing due to the increasing use and complexity of mobile devices and the development of electric vehicles, etc. To meet user demands, small devices are equipped with multiple battery cells, while automobiles and other devices use battery modules that electrically connect multiple battery cells, or battery packs that include multiple such battery modules.

[0004] Meanwhile, a battery module typically has a structure in which a number of battery cells are housed inside a case that is separated into an upper and lower section, thereby protecting the battery cells from external impacts and preventing the penetration of moisture or various foreign objects.

[0005] However, most battery modules are rated IP63, which is equivalent to the waterproof standard for daily use, so there are limitations on the devices and environments in which they can be used.

[0006] Of course, it is possible to meet the IP53 rating by providing a sealing gasket at the contact point between the upper and lower cases, but in this case, the sealing gasket must be provided separately and the receiving part where the gasket can be seated must be precisely machined, which is problematic. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 2014-0081949 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module having excellent waterproof and dustproof properties without a sealing gasket, and a battery pack including the same.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and a battery pack including the same that are easy to assemble and fasten even if some tolerance occurs during processing of the module case and have excellent waterproof and dustproof properties. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above object, the battery module according to the present invention is a battery module in which battery cells are accommodated in a space formed by a lower case (110) and an upper case (120) seated on the upper part of the lower case (110), and is characterized in that a lower rib (111) provided at an end of the lower case (110) and an upper rib (121) provided at an end of the upper case (120) are in close contact with each other, and the close contact is achieved by one face contact and one or more line contacts.

[0011] In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the lower rib (111) of the lower case (110) has a shape in which a first lower surface (111(a)) lying horizontally based on the bottom surface of the lower case (110), a second lower surface (111(b)) inclined at a predetermined angle downward toward the outside of the lower case (110), a third lower surface (111(c)) having an inclination angle relatively larger than that of the second lower surface (111(b)), and a fourth lower surface (111(d)) are continuously connected, and the upper rib (121) of the upper case (120) has a shape in which the first lower surface (111(a)) lying horizontally based on the bottom surface of the lower case (110), a second lower surface (111(b)) inclined at a predetermined angle downward toward the outside of the lower case (110), a third lower surface (111(c)) having an inclination angle relatively larger than that of the second lower surface (111(b)), and a fourth lower surface (111(d)) are continuously connected. It is characterized by a shape in which a first upper surface (121(a)) is positioned horizontally so as to make face contact with a first lower surface (111(a)) of the lower case (110), a second upper surface (121(b)) is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the inside and lower side of the upper case (120) so as to make line contact with a third lower surface (111(c)) of the lower case (110), a third upper surface (121(c)) is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the outside and lower side of the upper case (120), and a fourth upper surface (121(d)) are continuously connected.

[0012] In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the lower case (110) and the upper case (120) are closely attached to each other through one face contact and two line contacts.

[0013] In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the lower rib (111) of the lower case (110) has a shape in which a first lower surface (111(a)) lying horizontally based on the bottom surface of the lower case (110), a second lower surface (111(b)) inclined at a predetermined angle downward toward the outside of the lower case (110), a third lower surface (111(c)) having a relatively larger inclination angle than the second lower surface (111(b)), a fourth lower surface (111(d)) inclined at a predetermined angle upward toward the outside of the lower case (110), and a fifth lower surface (111(e)) extending vertically are continuously connected, and the upper rib (121) of the upper case (120) has a shape in which a first lower surface (111(a)) lying horizontally based on the bottom surface of the lower case (110), a second lower surface (111(b)) inclined at a predetermined angle downward toward the outside of the lower case (110), a third lower surface (111(c)) having a relatively larger inclination angle than the second lower surface (111(b)), a fourth lower surface (111(d)) inclined at a predetermined angle upward toward the outside of the lower case (110), and a fifth lower surface (111(e)) extending vertically are continuously connected. The case is characterized by a shape in which a first upper surface (121(a)) is positioned horizontally so as to make face-to-face contact with the first lower surface (111(a)), a second upper surface (121(b)) is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the inside and downward of the upper case (120) so as to make line contact with the third lower surface (111(c)) of the lower case (110), a third upper surface (121(c)) is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the outside and downward of the upper case (120), and a fourth upper surface (121(d)) extending toward the outside of the upper case (120) so as to make line contact at the position where the fourth lower surface (111(d)) and fifth lower surface (111(e)) of the lower case (110) meet.

[0014] In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the lower rib (111) of the lower case (110) further includes a sixth lower surface (111(f)) that is perpendicular to the fifth lower surface (111(e)) and extends toward the outside of the lower case (110).

[0015] In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the edge where the outer surface of the upper rib (121) meets the fourth upper surface (121(d)) is located on the same vertical line as the outer surface of the lower rib (111).

[0016] The present invention also provides a battery pack including the above-mentioned battery module.

[0017] The battery pack according to the present invention is characterized by including a pair of battery modules (100) spaced a predetermined distance apart, a cable (200) electrically connecting the pair of battery modules (100), and a connecting terminal (300) connected to the cable (200) and fastened to a device.

[0018] In the battery pack according to the present invention, the device is a robot.

[0019] In addition, in the battery pack according to the present invention, the cable (200) includes a first cable (210) connecting a pair of battery modules (100) to each other, a second cable (220) connected at one end to one battery module (100) and at the other end to the connecting terminal (300), and a third cable (230) connected at one end to the remaining battery module (100) and at the other end to the connecting terminal (300).

[0020] In the battery pack according to the present invention, the cable (200) further includes a fourth cable (240) capable of wireless communication. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] As described above, according to the battery module and the battery pack including the same according to the present invention, the lower rib of the lower case and the upper rib of the upper case are formed of multiple surfaces that are bent or cut at a predetermined angle, and these lower ribs and upper ribs are in close contact with each other through one face contact and two line contacts, which has the advantage of being able to expect excellent waterproof and dustproof effects.

[0022] Furthermore, the battery module and the battery pack including the same according to the present invention have a number of spaces between the lower rib and the upper rib, and the upper rib has a curved surface with a predetermined radius of curvature. This makes it easy to fasten the battery module even if some tolerances occur during the manufacturing process, and also provides waterproof and dustproof effects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a lower case corresponding to part A in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an upper case corresponding to part A in FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper case shown in FIG. 3, seen from another angle. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the joining structure between the lower case and the upper case, corresponding to part A in FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a detailed description will be given of an embodiment of the present invention that will enable a person skilled in the art to easily carry out the present invention. However, in describing the operation principle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in detail, detailed description of related well-known functions or configurations will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed description may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0025] Furthermore, 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 a direct connection but also an indirect connection via another element therebetween. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, "including a certain element" does not mean that other elements are excluded, but that other elements may also be included.

[0026] Hereinafter, a battery module with improved waterproofing performance and a battery pack including the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the battery pack according to the present invention can be applied to devices such as humanoid robots, and can include a battery module 100, a cable 200, and a connecting terminal 300. In particular, the battery module 100 may be a pair of battery modules spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The battery module 100 will be described in detail later.

[0028] The cable 200 is for electrically connecting these battery modules 100 to each other or for communication with devices, and may be composed of a first cable 210, a second cable 220, a third cable 230, and a fourth cable 240.

[0029] Specifically, the first cable 210 electrically connects a pair of battery modules 100 to each other, and the second cable 220 may be a positive cable connected to one battery module 100 at one end and connected to the connecting terminal 300 at the other end. The third cable 230 may be a negative cable connected to the remaining battery module 100 at one end and connected to the connecting terminal 300 at the other end.

[0030] Of course, it is clear that if the second cable 220 is a negative cable, the third cable 230 corresponds to a positive cable.

[0031] Meanwhile, the fourth cable 240 is a wireless communication cable and can transmit various information about the battery pack. For example, when the battery pack according to the present invention is attached to a robot, the status of the battery pack can be wirelessly transmitted to a user at a long distance, and signals for controlling the battery pack can be received as needed. Such wireless transmission and reception and control can be implemented using known techniques, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] As described above, the connection terminal 300 to which one side of the second cable 220 and the third cable 230 corresponding to the positive and negative poles are connected is fastened to a power receiving terminal (not shown) of the device, so that the device receives power and operates.

[0033] As described above, the battery pack shown in FIG. 2 has an external shape in which a pair of battery modules 100 are arranged in a symmetrical structure with the cable 200 and the connecting terminal 300 provided between these battery modules 100. Therefore, it is advantageous to attach it to a robot made in the shape of a human, but there is no particular limitation as long as the device has a symmetrical structure.

[0034] Next, the battery module 100 will be described in detail.

[0035] 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the lower case corresponding to part A in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper case corresponding to part A in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper case shown in FIG. 3 viewed from another angle, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the joining structure between the lower case and upper case corresponding to part A in FIG. 1.

[0036] 2 to 5, a battery module 100 according to the present invention includes a lower case 110, an upper case 120, and a number of battery cells (not shown).

[0037] First, as shown in FIG. 1, one battery module 100 has an approximately hexahedral outer shape, and both a lower case 110 and an upper case 120 seated on the upper part of the lower case 110 have an open hexahedral shape.

[0038] Meanwhile, the lower case 110 and the upper case 120 have a structure that provides excellent waterproof and dustproof effects by having ribs that are tightly attached to each other.

[0039] That is, the lower rib 111 provided at the end of the lower case 110 and the upper rib 121 provided at the end of the upper case 120 are in close contact with each other.

[0040] To explain in more detail, first, the lower rib 111 provided on the lower case 110 is composed of a first lower surface 111(a), a second lower surface 111(b), a third lower surface 111(c), a fourth lower surface 111(d), a fifth lower surface 111(e), and a sixth lower surface 111(f).

[0041] That is, when viewed from the bottom surface of the lower case 110, the first lower surface 111(a) is positioned horizontally, and the second lower surface 111(b) is inclined at a predetermined angle downward toward the outside of the lower case 110.

[0042] The third lower surface 111(c) has a relatively larger inclination angle than the second lower surface 111(b), and the fourth lower surface 111(d) is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the outside and upper side of the lower case 110.

[0043] The fifth lower surface 111(e) extends vertically, and the sixth lower surface 111(f) forms a right angle with the fifth lower surface 111(e) and extends horizontally toward the outside of the lower case 110. The first to sixth lower surfaces 111(a) to 111(f) are continuously connected to each other.

[0044] The upper rib 121 provided on the upper case 120 has a shape in which a first upper surface 121(a), a second upper surface 121(b), a third upper surface 121(c), and a fourth upper surface 121(d) are continuously connected.

[0045] Specifically, the first top surface 121(a) is positioned horizontally, and the second top surface 121(b) is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the lower inside of the upper case 120. The third top surface 121(c) is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the lower outside of the upper case 120, and the fourth top surface 121(d) extends horizontally toward the outside of the upper case 120.

[0046] When the lower rib 111 and the upper rib 121 having the above-described configuration are engaged with each other, the lower case 110 and the upper case 120 are closely attached to each other through one face contact and two line contacts.

[0047] That is, the first lower surface 111(a) of the lower rib 111 and the first upper surface 121(a) of the upper rib 121 are in face-to-face contact. In addition, the third lower surface 111(c) of the lower rib 111 is in contact with the boundary line where the second upper surface 121(b) and the third upper surface 121(c) meet, and the boundary line where the fourth lower surface 111(d) and the fifth lower surface 111(e) meet is in contact with the fourth upper surface 121(d).

[0048] Therefore, it is very difficult for water or dust from the outside to enter the space formed by the lower case 110 and the upper case 120 .

[0049] More specifically, the structure makes it very difficult for moisture or dust to enter the case due to the primary blocking caused by line contact between the fourth upper surface 121(d), the fourth lower surface 111(d), and the fifth lower surface 111(e), the secondary blocking caused by line contact between the third lower surface 111(c), the second upper surface 121(b), and the third upper surface 121(c), and the face contact between the first lower surface 111(a) and the first upper surface 121(a).

[0050] Furthermore, even if some tolerance occurs in the lower rib 111 and the upper rib 121 during the manufacturing process, excellent waterproof and dustproof functions can be achieved.

[0051] That is, the lower rib 111 and the upper rib 121 have a structure in which they are bent or cut multiple times, a first space portion S1 is provided near the fifth lower surface 111(e) and the sixth lower surface 111(f), a second space portion S2 is provided near the third lower surface 111(c) and the third upper surface 121(c), and a third space portion S3 is provided near the second lower surface 111(b) and the second upper surface 121(b), and the portion connecting the first upper surface 121(a) and the second upper surface 121(b) is made up of a curved surface portion R having a predetermined radius of curvature.

[0052] Therefore, even if one or both of the lower rib 111 and the upper rib 121 have a predetermined tolerance range, one face contact and two line contacts are still possible.

[0053] On the other hand, in order to expect sufficient waterproof and dustproof effects, it is preferable that the length D1 from the first lower surface to the sixth lower surface be 3 mm or more, the length D2 of the fifth lower surface be 0.3 to 0.5 mm, the length D3 of the sixth lower surface be 0.3 to 0.5 mm, and the distance D4 from the junction of the second and third lower surfaces to the outer surface of the lower case be 1.5 to 2.0 mm.

[0054] In addition, it is preferable that the third lower surface 111(c) is angled from the bottom surface of the lower case 110 to be more than 90° and less than 92°, the fourth lower surface 111(d) is angled from more than 0° and less than 2°, the second upper surface 121(b) is angled from 86° to less than 90°, and the third upper surface 121(c) is angled from more than 90° to 94°.

[0055] Those skilled in the art will be able to make various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above content. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100 Battery Module 110 Lower Case 111 Lower Rib 111(a) 1st lower surface 111(b) Second lower surface 111(c) 3rd bottom surface 111(d) 4th lower surface 111(e) 5th lower surface 111(f) 6th lower surface 120 Upper Case 121 Upper Rib 121(a) 1st top surface 121(b) Second top surface 121(c) 3rd top surface 121(d) 4th top surface 200 Cable 210 First Cable 220 Second Cable 230 Third Cable 240 4th Cable 300 connecting terminal S1 1st space S2 2nd space S3 3rd space D1 Length from the 1st bottom surface to the 6th bottom surface D2 Length of the fifth lower surface D3 Length of the 6th lower surface D4 Distance from the contact point between the second and third bottom surfaces to the outer surface of the lower case R curved part

Claims

1. A battery module in which battery cells are housed in a space formed by a lower case and an upper case seated on an upper portion of the lower case, a lower rib provided at an end of the lower case and an upper rib provided at an end of the upper case are in close contact with each other; The lower case and the upper case are closely attached to each other through one face contact and two line contacts.

2. The lower rib of the lower case has a shape in which a first lower surface lying horizontally based on a bottom surface of the lower case, a second lower surface inclined at a predetermined angle toward the outer lower side of the lower case, a third lower surface having a larger inclination angle than the second lower surface, a fourth lower surface inclined at a predetermined angle toward the outer upper side of the lower case, and a fifth lower surface extending vertically are continuously connected, 2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the upper rib of the upper case has a shape in which the following are continuously connected: a first upper surface positioned horizontally to make face contact with a first lower surface of the lower case; a second upper surface inclined at a predetermined angle toward the inner lower side of the upper case to make line contact with a third lower surface of the lower case; a third upper surface inclined at a predetermined angle toward the outer lower side of the upper case; and a fourth upper surface extending toward the outer side of the upper case to make line contact at a position where a fourth lower surface and a fifth lower surface of the lower case meet.

3. The battery module of claim 2 , wherein the lower rib of the lower case further includes a sixth lower surface that is perpendicular to the fifth lower surface and extends toward an outer side of the lower case.

4. The battery module of claim 3 , wherein an edge where the outer surface of the upper rib meets the fourth top surface is located on the same vertical line as the outer surface of the lower rib.

5. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to claim 1 .

6. The battery pack a pair of battery modules positioned a predetermined distance apart; a cable electrically connecting the pair of battery modules; a connecting terminal that is fastened to the device while being connected to the cable; The battery pack of claim 5 , comprising:

7. The battery pack of claim 6 , wherein the device is a robot.

8. The cable a first cable connecting the pair of battery modules to each other; a second cable connected to one battery module at one end and to the connecting terminal at the other end; a third cable connected to the remaining battery module at one end and connected to the connecting terminal at the other end; The battery pack of claim 6 , comprising:

9. The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the cables further include a fourth cable capable of wireless communication.

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