Secondary Battery Tray

Abstract

The present invention relates to a secondary battery tray, and more particularly, to a secondary battery tray that minimizes damage to corners of a secondary battery during transportation of the secondary battery. The present invention provides a secondary battery tray for accommodating a secondary battery including an electrode assembly and a pouch in which the electrode assembly is accommodated, the secondary battery tray including: a frame portion having an accommodating space in which the secondary battery is accommodated; and a support portion provided in the accommodating space and supporting the secondary battery, the support portion being formed to be spaced apart from a corner portion of the secondary battery where a corner of the electrode assembly is located.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0132001, filed on October 5, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of this Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a secondary battery tray, and more particularly to a secondary battery tray that minimizes damage to corners of a secondary battery during transportation of the secondary battery. [Background technology]

[0003] As the prices of energy sources rise due to the depletion of fossil fuels and concerns about environmental pollution grow, the demand for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources is becoming an essential factor for future life. In particular, as technological development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing.

[0004] Typically, in terms of battery shape, there is a high demand for prismatic secondary batteries and pouch-type secondary batteries that are thin and applicable to products such as mobile phones, and in terms of materials, there is a high demand for lithium secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and lithium ion polymer batteries that have high energy density, discharge voltage, and output stability.

[0005] In general, a secondary battery is manufactured by forming a cathode and an anode by applying an electrode mixture containing an electrode active material to the surface of a current collector, and then interposing a separator therebetween to form an electrode assembly, which is then mounted inside a cylindrical or rectangular metal can or a pouch-type case made of an aluminum laminate sheet, and then injecting or impregnating the electrode assembly with a liquid electrolyte or using a solid electrolyte.

[0006] Secondary batteries can also be classified according to the structure of the electrode assembly, which has a positive electrode / separator / negative electrode structure. Representative examples include a jelly-roll (winding type) electrode assembly in which long sheet-like positive and negative electrodes are wound up with a separator interposed therebetween; a stack-type electrode assembly in which a number of positive and negative electrodes cut into predetermined sizes are stacked in sequence with a separator interposed therebetween; and a stack / folding type electrode assembly in which a bi-cell or full cell in which predetermined units of positive and negative electrodes are stacked with a separator interposed therebetween is wound up with a separator sheet.

[0007] Meanwhile, such secondary batteries are manufactured through multiple processes, and are stored in trays and transported to each process for each process, or stored in trays in a standby state before being transported.

[0008] However, secondary batteries stored in trays may move inside the tray due to external vibrations or impacts during transportation, which may cause collisions between the tray and the secondary batteries. This may result in impacts on the secondary batteries, causing defects such as dents and scratches on the exterior of the secondary batteries. In particular, as shown in Figure 1, stress is concentrated at corner C of the secondary battery during transportation, which can cause cracks.

[0009] Since the cracks can cause quality and performance problems in secondary batteries, there is a need to develop a technology to minimize the occurrence of cracks at the corners of secondary batteries during transportation. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery tray that can minimize damage to corners of secondary batteries during transportation of the secondary batteries. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention provides a secondary battery tray for accommodating a secondary battery including an electrode assembly and a pouch in which the electrode assembly is accommodated, the secondary battery tray including: a frame portion having an accommodating space in which the secondary battery is accommodated; and a support portion provided in the accommodating space to support the secondary battery, the support portion being spaced apart from a corner portion of the secondary battery where a corner of the electrode assembly is located.

[0012] The support may include a pair of side support portions that face each other and support the side surfaces of the secondary battery, and a lower support portion that supports the lower portion of the secondary battery.

[0013] The side support portion may include a support block formed along an arrangement direction of the secondary battery, a plurality of first side support portions formed spaced apart from each other and extending upward from the support block, and a second side support portion formed protruding from the first side support portion and positioned such that one surface faces one side of a corner portion of the secondary battery.

[0014] The second side support portion may have a recessed area corresponding to a corner of the secondary battery.

[0015] The second side support portion may have a step at its lower portion so as to be spaced apart from a corner portion of the secondary battery.

[0016] The second side support portion may include a first region having a first width and a second region having a second width formed smaller than the first width, and the second region may be located in a region corresponding to a corner of the secondary battery.

[0017] The second side support portion may include a connecting region provided between the first region and the second region and connecting the first region and the second region, and the connecting region may connect the first region and the second region obliquely.

[0018] Both ends of the lower support portion may be fixed to the side support portions.

[0019] The support blocks may have grooves formed therein into which ends of the lower support parts are fitted, and the lower support parts may be fixed by inserting both ends of the lower support parts into the grooves of the pair of support blocks.

[0020] The lower support portion may have a stepped upper surface.

[0021] The lower support portion includes a first region having a first height and a second region having a second height formed on both sides of the first region and lower than the first height, and the first region may support a center of a lower end of the secondary battery.

[0022] The lower support portion may include a connecting region provided between the first region and the second region and connecting the first region and the second region, and the connecting region may connect the first region and the second region obliquely.

[0023] The lower support portion may be made of a synthetic resin material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] The secondary battery tray according to the present invention has the advantage of being able to minimize damage to corners of secondary batteries that are housed in the tray and transported.

[0025] In addition, the secondary battery tray according to the present invention has the advantage of minimizing damage to corners of secondary batteries stored in the tray and transported, thereby improving crack defects that may occur in the corners and ensuring the quality of the secondary batteries, thereby preventing customer defection. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a front surface of a secondary battery housed in a secondary battery tray according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a secondary battery tray according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 3 is a plan view showing the secondary battery tray of FIG. 2 as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section in the direction II in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027]

[0032] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the present invention can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0028] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of parts that are not relevant to the explanation or related known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted, and when referring to components in each drawing in this specification, the same or similar reference symbols will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0029] The present invention provides a secondary battery tray 1 that accommodates a secondary battery 10 including an electrode assembly 11 and a pouch 12 in which the electrode assembly 11 is accommodated, the secondary battery tray 1 including: a frame part 100 having an accommodation space formed therein in which the secondary battery 10 is accommodated; and a support part 200 provided in the accommodation space to support the secondary battery 10.

[0030] Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the secondary battery 10 includes an electrode assembly 11 and a pouch 12 in which the electrode assembly 11 is housed, and various configurations are possible.

[0031] The electrode assembly 11 may be of a stack type or a stack-folding type in which unit cells, each having a separator interposed between positive and negative electrodes, are stacked on a separator sheet, and the unit cells may be bi-cell, mono-cell, full-cell, etc. An electrode tab (not shown) is formed at an end of the electrode assembly 11, and the electrode tab (not shown) is connected to an electrode lead 13 extending to the outside of the pouch 12.

[0032] The pouch 12 may have various configurations to house the electrode assembly 11. The pouch 12 is manufactured by injecting the electrode assembly 11 and an electrolyte into it and then sealing it with the electrode leads 13 exposed to the outside. The manufactured secondary battery 10 may be housed in a tray 1 for transportation and standby before and after the process.

[0033] Meanwhile, the secondary battery 10 may include a corner portion C formed at a corner of the electrode assembly 11 housed in the pouch 12, as shown in Fig. 1. The corner portion C of the secondary battery 10 may include a protrusion 12' formed below the corner of the electrode assembly 11, which is an excess portion of the pouch 12 remaining after the pouch 12 is sealed and protrudes downward. If the corner portion C of the secondary battery 10 comes into contact with the tray 1, stress may be concentrated, causing problems such as cracks or damage to the appearance of the protrusion 12'.

[0034] In addition, the tray 1 includes a frame portion 100 having a storage space formed therein in which the secondary battery 10 is stored, and a support portion 200 provided in the storage space to support the secondary battery 10, and various configurations are possible.

[0035] Here, the frame part 100 has a structure in which a receiving space for receiving the secondary battery 10 therein is formed, and various structures are possible.

[0036] For example, the frame unit 100 may have any shape as long as it has a space therein capable of accommodating the secondary battery 10 and the support unit 200. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the frame unit 100 may have an open side corresponding to the electrode lead 13 of the secondary battery 10 so that the electrode lead 13 can be exposed to the outside.

[0037] Meanwhile, the support part 200 is provided in the receiving space to support the secondary battery 10, and may have various configurations.

[0038] 2 and 3, the support part 200 may support the secondary batteries 10 such that the secondary batteries 10 are vertically erected in the receiving space of the frame part 100 and spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals. In this case, the secondary batteries 10 may be arranged in a row along the x direction in the drawing as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0039] The support part 200 may be integrally formed with the frame part 100 as one structure, or may be detachably provided on the frame part 100 as a separate structure.

[0040] Meanwhile, the support part 200 may be formed to separate the corner part C of the secondary battery 10 where the corner of the electrode assembly 11 is located. That is, the support part 200 is designed to avoid contact with the corner part C of the secondary battery 10, thereby preventing stress from concentrating on the corner part C of the secondary battery 10 even if an impact is applied to the secondary battery 10 while the secondary battery 10 is housed in the tray 1 and being transported.

[0041] The avoidance structure for the corner portion C of the support portion 200 will be described in more detail below.

[0042] The support 200 may include a pair of side support parts 210 that support the side surfaces of the secondary battery 10 and are provided facing each other, and a lower support part 220 that supports the lower part of the secondary battery 10 .

[0043] Here, the side support parts 210 are configured to support the side surfaces of the secondary battery 10 and are provided in pairs facing each other, and various configurations are possible.

[0044] For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the side support portion 210 may include a support block 211 formed along the arrangement direction of the secondary battery 10, a plurality of first side support portions 212 formed spaced apart from each other and extending upward from the support block 211, and a second side support portion 213 formed to protrude from the first side support portion 212 and positioned such that one surface faces one side of a corner portion C of the secondary battery 10.

[0045] Here, the support block 211 is configured to be formed along the arrangement direction of the secondary battery 10, and various configurations are possible.

[0046] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when a plurality of secondary batteries 10 are arranged in the x direction in the drawing, the support block 211 may be formed to extend in the x direction as a length direction.

[0047] Meanwhile, the first side support parts 212 are configured to be spaced apart from each other and extend upward from the support block 211, and various configurations are possible.

[0048] More specifically, a plurality of first side support portions 212 may be spaced apart from one another and extend upward from the support block 211 so that vertically aligned secondary batteries 10 can be sandwiched between them. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the first side support portions 212 may support the secondary batteries 10 in the x direction on the drawing.

[0049] At this time, the first side support portions 212 are spaced apart at a predetermined interval so that the secondary battery 10 is sandwiched therebetween, and the interval may be the same as the thickness of the secondary battery 10 in the thickness direction (x direction in FIG. 3) or may be larger than the thickness of the secondary battery 10.

[0050] Meanwhile, the first side support part 212 may have various shapes.

[0051] For example, the first side support portion 212 may have a plate shape as shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the first side support portion 212 may have various shapes, such as rounded corners or at least one side having a step, in order to minimize damage to the secondary battery 10 during the process of placing the secondary battery 10 in the tray 1 and transporting the secondary battery 10 placed in the tray 1.

[0052] Meanwhile, the second side support portion 213 is formed to protrude from the first side support portion 212, and is configured so that one surface faces one side of the corner portion C of the secondary battery 10, and various configurations are possible.

[0053] 3, the second side surface support portion 213 may be formed to protrude perpendicularly from the first side surface support portion 212. This makes it possible for the second side surface support portion 213 to prevent the secondary battery 10 sandwiched between the plurality of first side surface support portions 212 from coming off in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the first side surface support portions 212 (the y direction in the drawing).

[0054] The second side support portion 213 may be disposed such that one surface thereof faces one side of the corner portion C of the secondary battery 10. In this case, the second side support portion 213 may have a recessed area corresponding to the corner portion C of the secondary battery 10 on the surface thereof facing the one side of the corner portion C of the secondary battery 10 to avoid contact with the corner portion C of the secondary battery 10.

[0055] More specifically, the second side support portion 213 may have a stepped lower portion so as to be spaced apart from the corner portion C of the secondary battery 10, as shown in FIG.

[0056] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the second side support portion 213 may include a first region 213a having a first width W1 and a second region 213b having a second width W2 formed smaller than the first width W1.

[0057] Here, the first region 213a has a first width W1 and may be formed in various ways.

[0058] In this case, the first width W1 can be defined as a width from one surface of the first region 213a that is disposed to face the secondary battery 10 to another surface that is disposed in the opposite direction to the one surface.

[0059] Meanwhile, the second region 213b has a second width W2 that is smaller than the first width W1, and may be formed in various ways.

[0060] In this case, the second width W2 can be defined as the width from one surface of the second region 213b that is positioned to face the secondary battery 10 to the other surface that is positioned in the opposite direction of the one surface, and is formed smaller than the first width W1.

[0061] At this time, in order to prevent the second side support portion 213 from contacting the corner portion C of the secondary battery 10, the second region 213b may be located in a region corresponding to the corner portion C of the secondary battery 10. Therefore, the second region 213b may be spaced apart from the corner portion C of the secondary battery 10 by the difference between the first width W1 and the second width W2.

[0062] Meanwhile, the second side support part 213 may further include a connecting region 213c that is provided between the first region 213a and the second region 213b and connects the first region 213a and the second region 213b.

[0063] Here, the connecting region 213c is provided between the first region 213a and the second region 213b, and is configured to connect the first region 213a and the second region 213b, and may be configured in various ways.

[0064] For example, the connecting region 213c may connect the first region 213a and the second region 213b diagonally as shown in Fig. 5. This may minimize damage such as line scratches that may occur on the exterior of the secondary battery 10 due to a corner of a step formed by the first region 213a and the second region 213b.

[0065] Meanwhile, the lower support part 220 is configured to support the lower part of the secondary battery 10, and may have various configurations.

[0066] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower support portion 220 is disposed below the secondary battery 10 between a pair of side support portions 210 to support the lower portion of the secondary battery 10.

[0067] In this case, the lower support part 220 may be fixed to the frame part 100 or the side support part 211 in various ways.

[0068] For example, both ends of the lower support part 220 may be fixed to the side support part 210 as shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the support block 211 of the side support part 210 may be formed with grooves 211' into which the ends of the lower support part 220 are fitted as shown in Fig. 5. The both ends of the lower support part 220 may be fixed by being inserted into the grooves 211' formed in the pair of support blocks 211, respectively. In this case, the lower support part 220 is fixed by being fitted into the grooves 211' of the support block 211, so that the lower support part 220 can be easily installed and separated from the side support part 210. However, the fixing of the lower support part 220 is not limited to the above.

[0069] Meanwhile, the lower support portion 220 may have various shapes.

[0070] For example, the lower support portion 220 may have a stepped upper surface as shown in FIG. 4 to avoid contact with the corner portion C of the secondary battery 10.

[0071] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower support portion 220 may include a first region 221 having a first height H1 and a second region 222 having a second height H2 formed on both sides of the first region 221 and lower than the first height H1.

[0072] Here, the first region 221 is a region having a first height H1 and may be formed in various ways.

[0073] Here, the first height H1 may be defined as a height from one surface of the first region 221, where the secondary battery 10 is disposed to face the other surface, which is located in the opposite direction to the one surface.

[0074] Meanwhile, the second region 222 is a region having a second height H2 formed on both sides of the first region 221 and lower than the first height H1, and may be formed in various ways.

[0075] In this case, the second height H2 is the height from one surface of the second region 222 where the secondary battery 10 is arranged to face the other surface located in the opposite direction of the one surface, and can be defined as a height formed lower than the first height H1.

[0076] That is, the lower support portion 220 has a first region 221 that supports the center of the lower end of the secondary battery 10, and a second region 222 that is formed lower than the first region 221 and is arranged on both sides of the first region 221 to form a step, thereby preventing contact between the corner portion C of the secondary battery 10 and the tray 1.

[0077] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower support part 220 may further include a connecting region 223 disposed between the first region 221 and the second region 222 and connecting the first region 221 and the second region 222.

[0078] The connecting region 223 is provided between the first region 221 and the second region 222, and is configured to connect the first region 221 and the second region 222, and may be configured in various ways.

[0079] 6, the connecting region 223 may diagonally connect the first region 221 and the second region 222. This may minimize line scratches that may occur on the exterior of the secondary battery 10 due to the corners of the steps formed by the first region 221 and the second region 222.

[0080] In addition, it goes without saying that the surface of the connecting region 223 facing the secondary battery 10 may be curved in order to more effectively prevent the occurrence of the line-shaped scratches.

[0081] Meanwhile, the lower support part 220 may be made of various materials, but since it comes into contact with the center of the lower end of the secondary battery 10, it is preferable to use a synthetic resin material to minimize damage to the appearance of the secondary battery 10.

[0082] For example, the lower support part 220 may be made of an ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resin material containing acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene.

[0083] Furthermore, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that are consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that an inventor can appropriately define the concept of a term in order to best explain his or her invention.

[0084] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible within the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1: Tray 10: Secondary battery 11: Electrode assembly 12: Pouch 13: Electrode lead 100: Frame section 200: Support part 210: Side support part 211: Support block 212:First side support part 213:Second side support part 213a:First area 213b:Second area 213c: Connected area 220: Lower support part 221:First area 222:Second area 223: Connected area W1: 1st width W2: Second width H1: First height H2: Second height C: Corner

Claims

1. A secondary battery tray for accommodating a secondary battery including an electrode assembly and a pouch in which the electrode assembly is accommodated, a frame portion having a housing space formed therein for housing the secondary battery; a support portion provided in the accommodating space to support the secondary battery, The support portion is a corner of the electrode assembly is formed to be spaced apart from a corner of the secondary battery; The support portion is a pair of side support parts that support the side surfaces of the secondary battery and are provided to face each other; a lower support portion that supports a lower portion of the secondary battery, The side support portion is a support block formed along the arrangement direction of the secondary battery; a plurality of first side support portions extending upward from the support block and spaced apart from one another; a second side support portion protruding from the first side support portion and disposed such that one surface faces one side of a corner portion of the secondary battery, The second side support portion is A region corresponding to a corner of the secondary battery is recessed, The second side support portion is a lower portion formed with a step so as to be spaced apart from a corner portion of the secondary battery; Secondary battery tray.

2. A secondary battery tray for accommodating a secondary battery including an electrode assembly and a pouch in which the electrode assembly is housed, a frame portion having a housing space formed therein for housing the secondary battery; a support portion provided in the accommodating space to support the secondary battery, The support portion is a corner of the electrode assembly is formed to be spaced apart from a corner of the secondary battery; The support portion is a pair of side support parts that support the side surfaces of the secondary battery and are provided to face each other; a lower support portion that supports a lower portion of the secondary battery, The side support portion is a support block formed along the arrangement direction of the secondary battery; a plurality of first side support portions extending upward from the support block and spaced apart from one another; a second side support portion protruding from the first side support portion and disposed such that one surface faces one side of a corner portion of the secondary battery, The second side support portion is A region corresponding to a corner of the secondary battery is recessed, The second side support portion is a first region having a first width; a second region having a second width smaller than the first width, The second region is Located in an area corresponding to a corner portion of the secondary battery, Secondary battery tray.

3. A secondary battery tray for accommodating a secondary battery including an electrode assembly and a pouch in which the electrode assembly is housed, a frame portion having a housing space formed therein for housing the secondary battery; a support portion provided in the accommodating space to support the secondary battery, The support portion is a corner of the electrode assembly is formed to be spaced apart from a corner of the secondary battery; The support portion is a pair of side support parts that support the side surfaces of the secondary battery and are provided to face each other; a lower support portion that supports a lower portion of the secondary battery, The side support portion is a support block formed along the arrangement direction of the secondary battery; a plurality of first side support portions extending upward from the support block and spaced apart from one another; a second side support portion protruding from the first side support portion and disposed such that one surface faces one side of a corner portion of the secondary battery, Both ends of the lower support portion are fixed to the side support portions. Secondary battery tray.

4. The second side support portion is The secondary battery tray according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a lower portion of the tray is formed with a step so as to be spaced apart from corner portions of the secondary battery.

5. The second side support portion is a first region having a first width; a second region having a second width smaller than the first width, The second region is The secondary battery tray according to claim 1 or 3, which is located in an area corresponding to a corner portion of the secondary battery.

6. The second side support portion is a connecting region provided between the first region and the second region and connecting the first region and the second region; The linking region is The secondary battery tray according to claim 2 , wherein the first region and the second region are connected obliquely.

7. The secondary battery tray according to claim 1 , wherein both ends of the lower support portion are fixed to the side support portions.

8. The support block has a groove formed therein into which an end of the lower support part is fitted, The secondary battery tray according to claim 7 , wherein the lower support portion is fixed by inserting both ends thereof into the grooves of the pair of support blocks.

9. A secondary battery tray for accommodating a secondary battery including an electrode assembly and a pouch in which the electrode assembly is housed, a frame portion having a housing space formed therein for housing the secondary battery; a support portion provided in the accommodating space to support the secondary battery, The support portion is a corner of the electrode assembly is formed to be spaced apart from a corner of the secondary battery; The support portion is a pair of side support parts that support the side surfaces of the secondary battery and are provided to face each other; a lower support portion that supports a lower portion of the secondary battery, The lower support portion has an upper surface formed with a step, The lower support portion is a first region having a first height; a second region having a second height lower than the first height and formed on both sides of the first region, The first region is Supporting the center of the lower end of the secondary battery; The lower support portion is a connecting region provided between the first region and the second region and connecting the first region and the second region; The linking region is The first region and the second region are diagonally connected. Secondary battery tray.

10. The secondary battery tray according to claim 1 , wherein the lower support portion is made of a synthetic resin material.

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