Battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack related to one embodiment of the present invention includes at least one battery cell, a circuit module having element components mounted on a mounting surface and electrically connected to the battery cell, a pack frame having a cell mounting portion to which the battery cell is mounted and a module mounting portion to which the circuit module is mounted, and a module support portion inserted into the module mounting portion to support the circuit module and formed to be elastically deformable when in contact with the element components.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to a battery pack, and more particularly to a battery pack that can elastically support a circuit module and reinforce the rigidity of a pack frame.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0063157, filed on May 24, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] As technological development and demand for portable devices increases, the demand for battery cells as power supply devices is rapidly increasing. Depending on the type of portable device, a single battery cell is used or multiple battery cells are electrically connected.

[0004] In order for a battery pack including multiple battery cells or a single battery cell to operate stably for a long period of time, the electrical connections between the components constituting the battery pack must be stable. In particular, the electrical connections and components of the battery pack must not be damaged by external factors such as electrostatic discharge (ESD) during operation.

[0005] 1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining the structure of a conventional battery pack.

[0006] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional battery pack 10 for a notebook computer includes a plurality of battery cells 20, a pack frame 30, and a circuit module 40.

[0007] The circuit module 40 is composed of a substrate 41 and a plurality of elements 42 mounted on the substrate 41. The elements 42 have different specifications depending on their functions, and as elements 42 of different specifications are arranged, there is a difference in height between the elements 42 protruding from one surface of the substrate 41.

[0008] The pack frame 30 also includes a module mounting section 32 on which the circuit module 40 is mounted, and the module mounting section 32 is manufactured taking into consideration the arrangement and height of the elements 42 mounted on the substrate 41 in order to protect the elements 42 from external impact.

[0009] The module mounting portion 32 includes a plurality of support ribs 32, 32a for providing a space in which the circuit module 40 is mounted and housed, and the plurality of support ribs 32, 32a are formed to reinforce the rigidity of the portion where the circuit module 40 is mounted and at the same time to stably support each element 42. In addition, a space 32b in which the element 42 is disposed is formed between adjacent support ribs 32, 32a.

[0010] On the other hand, the multiple support ribs 32, 32a are formed at various heights to correspond to the arrangement and height of the elements 42, which causes the internal structure of the pack frame 30 to become complicated, resulting in an increase in the manufacturing cost of the pack frame 30.

[0011] Furthermore, conventionally, there has been a problem that a new pack frame 30 must be manufactured because the structure of the module mounting portion 32 that supports the circuit module 40 is changed depending on the design of the circuit module 40.

[0012] Furthermore, in the conventional battery pack 10, there is a space 32b between the circuit module 40 and the pack frame 30, and convection occurs in the space 32b due to the heat Q generated from the circuit module 40, which reduces the heat dissipation efficiency. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack having a module support portion that can replace the support ribs that are injection molded into the pack frame to support the conventional circuit module.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that can elastically support a circuit module and reinforce the rigidity of the pack frame.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack in which the module support part fills the space between the circuit module and the pack frame, so that heat generated from the circuit module can be transferred to the pack frame through the module support part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes at least one battery cell, a circuit module having element components mounted on a mounting surface and electrically connected to the battery cell, a pack frame having a cell mounting portion to mount the battery cell and a module mounting portion to mount the circuit module, and a module support portion inserted into the module mounting portion to support the circuit module and formed to be elastically deformable when in contact with the element components.

[0017] In addition, the module support may be made of an elastic material.

[0018] The module support portion may have a contact surface facing the mounting surface and formed to be elastically deformable when in contact with an element component.

[0019] The module support portion may have a block shape and be disposed between the module mounting portion and the mounting surface.

[0020] The module mounting portion may have a pair of side walls and a mounting surface formed between the pair of side walls, and the module support portion may be inserted into a space defined by the pair of side walls and the mounting surface.

[0021] The mounting surface may be formed as a flat surface.

[0022] The module support may be disposed so as to contact the pair of side walls and the mounting surface, respectively.

[0023] The circuit module can be disposed between the pair of side walls so that the mounting surface faces the attachment surface.

[0024] The module support portion may be formed without a rib protruding from the mounting surface into the space.

[0025] The module mounting portion may have at least one first opening that passes through the mounting surface in the vertical direction.

[0026] The cell mounting portion and the module mounting portion may be formed to be separated within the pack frame.

[0027] The cell mounting portion may have at least one second opening penetrating the pack frame, and the second opening may be formed to expose a portion of the battery cell to the outside when the battery cell is mounted in the cell mounting portion.

[0028] In addition, the module support may be made of a thermoplastic polyester elastomer material.

[0029] In addition, the module support may have a shore hardness in the range of D25 to D40.

[0030] The battery pack may further include a protective cover attached to the pack frame and surrounding the circuit module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] As described above, the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages.

[0032] The support ribs injection molded on the pack frame to match the design of conventional circuit modules can be replaced with module supports, which elastically support the circuit modules while simultaneously reinforcing the rigidity of the pack frame.

[0033] The module support portion is capable of changing its shape to match the arrangement and height of the element components of the circuit module, so that the module support portion can elastically support the element components of the circuit module and stably cushion the impact applied to the circuit module in the event of an external impact.

[0034] Furthermore, since the module support portion fills the space between the circuit module and the pack frame, heat generated from the circuit module does not convect in the space, but can be transferred to the pack frame through the module support portion, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the circuit module.

[0035] In conventional pack frames, the portion where a circuit module is mounted has support ribs formed to match the arrangement and height of the element components of the circuit module, resulting in a complex pack frame structure. However, the present invention simplifies the pack frame structure by using a block-shaped module support portion.

[0036] Furthermore, since there is no need to change the structure of the pack frame in response to a change in the design of the circuit module, the manufacturing cost of the pack frame can be reduced and production efficiency can be improved.

[0037] In the past, circuit modules were assembled to pack frames according to the arrangement of the element components and support ribs of the circuit modules, but in the present invention, the module support portion is placed in the module mounting portion of the pack frame, and then the circuit module is mounted on the module support portion, thereby simplifying the assembly process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional battery pack structure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a conventional battery pack structure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a transmission path of heat generated from a circuit module. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a transmission path of heat generated from a circuit module. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an assembly process of the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] Hereinafter, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] Furthermore, regardless of the reference numerals, identical or similar reference numerals will be used to designate identical or corresponding components, and redundant explanations thereof will be omitted. For the sake of convenience, the size and shape of each component shown in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a battery pack 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the cross-sectional structure of the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the transmission path of heat generated from a circuit module.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an assembly process of the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] The battery pack 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a pack frame 110 , battery cells 120 , a module support 130 and a circuit module 140 .

[0044] The battery pack 100 includes at least one battery cell 120, a circuit module 140 having element components 142 mounted on a mounting surface 143 and electrically connected to the battery cell 120, a pack frame 110 having a cell mounting portion 111 to mount the battery cell 120 and a module mounting portion 115 to mount the circuit module 140, and a module support portion 130 inserted into the module mounting portion 115 to support the circuit module 140 and formed to be elastically deformable when in contact with the element components 142.

[0045] The battery cell 120 is a rechargeable secondary battery. The battery cell 120 may be a lithium-ion battery. For example, the battery cell 120 may include an electrode assembly and a case that houses the electrode assembly. The case may be a cylindrical can or a pouch.

[0046] In addition, the electrode assembly may be fabricated by stacking a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate in sequence multiple times. In this embodiment, the battery cell 120 is a lithium-ion battery, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the battery cell 120 may be a nickel-cadmium battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery.

[0047] A cathode tab and an anode tab may protrude from one side of the battery cell 120. The anode tab is electrically connected to the anode plate of the electrode assembly, and the anode tab is electrically connected to the anode plate of the electrode assembly.

[0048] The battery pack 100 may include a single battery cell 120 or multiple battery cells 120 .

[0049] In addition, the circuit module 140 may include a protection circuit electrically connected to the battery cell 120 to control overcharge, overdischarge, and overcurrent of the battery cell 120 .

[0050] The circuit module 140 includes a substrate 141 and a plurality of element components 142 mounted on the substrate 141. A circuit is formed on the substrate 141. In this specification, the surface of the substrate 141 on which the circuit is formed and on which the element components 142 are mounted is referred to as a "mounting surface 143."

[0051] Furthermore, the element components 142 are mounted in the circuit area on the substrate 141. The element components 142 can selectively include safety elements made up of passive elements such as resistors and capacitors, active elements such as field effect transistors, or integrated circuits.

[0052] The pack frame 110 supports and protects the battery cells 120 and the circuit module 140. A protective cover (not shown) may be coupled to the pack frame 110. The protective cover (not shown) is installed on the pack frame 110 to cover the circuit module 140 and protect the circuit module 140.

[0053] The pack frame 110 is formed with a cell mounting part 111 and a module mounting part 115. Here, the cell mounting part 111 refers to a part where a battery cell 120 is mounted, and the module mounting part 115 refers to a part where a circuit module 140 is mounted. In addition, the cell mounting part 111 and the module mounting part 115 may be formed to be partitioned within the pack frame.

[0054] In addition, a plurality of cell mounting parts 111 may be formed depending on the number of installed battery cells 120. For convenience of explanation, this embodiment will be described by taking a pack frame 110 applied to a notebook computer as an example.

[0055] The cell mounting part 111 has a structure that is open in the insertion direction of the battery cell 120. The cell mounting part 111 is formed to detachably sandwich and couple the battery cell 120. The cell mounting part 111 is formed to surround an end region including a side surface of the battery cell 120 and supports the side surface of the battery cell 120.

[0056] In addition, the cell mounting portion 111 may have at least one second opening 111a penetrating the pack frame 110. In addition, the second opening 111a may be formed to expose a portion of the battery cell 120 to the outside when the battery cell 120 is mounted in the cell mounting portion 111.

[0057] For example, at least one second opening 111a may be formed to penetrate the pack frame 110 vertically in the insertion direction of the battery cell 120. Here, the second opening 111a may have an area smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the battery cell 120.

[0058] When the battery cell 120 is inserted into the cell mounting part 111, the second opening 111a exposes a portion of the battery cell 120 to the outside. As a result, the cell mounting part 111 minimizes the contact area with the battery cell 120, and heat from the battery cell 120 can be easily transferred to the outside through the second opening 111a.

[0059] The module mounting part 115 is formed to support the module support part 130. The module mounting part 115 may have a size that allows the module support part 130 and the circuit module 140 to be mounted thereon.

[0060] For example, the module mounting part 115 has a pair of side walls 125 and a mounting surface 115b formed between the pair of side walls 125. The module mounting part 115 may be formed in a groove shape with the mounting surface 115b formed therein.

[0061] The module support 130 may be inserted into a space formed by the pair of side walls 125 and the mounting surface 115b. The mounting surface 115b may be flat. The module support 130 may be formed without ribs (reference numerals 32 and 32a in FIG. 1) protruding from the mounting surface 115b into the space.

[0062] In addition, the module mounting portion 115 may have at least one first opening 115a that penetrates the mounting surface 115b in the vertical direction.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 4, the module support part 130 is inserted into the module mounting part 115 and disposed between the mounting surface 115 b of the module mounting part 115 and the mounting surface 143 , and supports the circuit module 140 .

[0064] In addition, the module support 130 may have a contact surface 131 facing the mounting surface 143 and formed to be elastically deformable when in contact with the device component 142 .

[0065] In addition, the module support part 130 may have a block shape disposed between the module mounting part 115 and the mounting surface 143 .

[0066] The module support 130 may be disposed so as to contact the pair of side walls 125 and the mounting surface 115b, respectively.

[0067] 4 and 5, the circuit module 140 may be disposed between the pair of side walls 125 such that the mounting surface 143 faces the attachment surface 115b.

[0068] As described above, the module support part 130 may have a block structure corresponding to the shape of the module mounting part 115, and when inserted into the module mounting part 115, the module support part 130 fills the space between the mounting surface 115b and the mounting surface 143. With this structure, the module support part 130 can reinforce the rigidity of the module mounting part 115.

[0069] The module support part 130 is made of an elastic material, and can be deformed when the contact surface 131 that contacts the circuit module comes into contact with the element component 142 mounted on the circuit module 140, and the module support part 130 elastically supports the circuit module 140.

[0070] 5, the module support 130 can be deformed to fit the shape of the device component 142 as the contact surface 131 that contacts the circuit module 140 is pressed by the device component 142 provided on the circuit module 140. With this structure, the module support 130 protects the device component 142 of the circuit module 140 and buffers shocks transmitted to the circuit module 140 in the event of an external shock.

[0071] In addition, the module support part 130 may be made of a thermoplastic polyester elastomer material, and may have a Shore hardness in the range of D25 to D40.

[0072] The module support part 130 is made of a material having thermal conductivity and insulating properties, and can transfer heat Q of the circuit module 140 to the module mounting part 115 .

[0073] In this way, the rigidity of the pack frame 110 can be reinforced by using the module support part 130, and the shock applied to the circuit module 140 when an external shock is applied to the pack frame 110 can be buffered, thereby protecting the circuit module 140.

[0074] In addition, the module support 130 is disposed between the pack frame 110 and the circuit module 140, and the shape of the contact surface 131 can be changed according to the arrangement of the element components 142 of the circuit module 140 and the height between the element components 142. In this way, the element components 142 of the circuit module 140 are elastically supported, and an impact applied to the circuit module 140 in the event of an external impact can be stably buffered.

[0075] The present invention provides a device including the battery pack as a power source, which may be a mobile phone, a portable computer, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a wearable electronic device, or the like.

[0076] 7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating the structure of a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] 7 and 8, a battery pack 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention may further include a protective cover 250 mounted on the pack frame and surrounding the circuit module.

[0078] Specifically, the battery pack 200 includes a pack frame 210, battery cells (not shown), a module support 230, a circuit module 240, and a protective cover 250. The battery pack 200 according to this embodiment may include cylindrical battery cells.

[0079] The pack frame 210 is a case that protects the battery cells and the circuit module 240. The pack frame 210 is formed with a cell mounting portion and a module mounting portion.

[0080] The cell mounting part 211 has a structure that is open in the direction in which the battery cell is inserted. The cell mounting part 211 has a cylindrical structure into which the battery cell can be inserted. A module mounting part 215 is formed on one side of the cell mounting part 211.

[0081] A circuit module 240 is mounted in the module mounting portion 215. The circuit module 240 includes element components 242 mounted on a mounting surface of a substrate 241, and the circuit module 240 is electrically connected to the battery cell. In this embodiment, the circuit module 240 can be coupled to the module mounting portion such that the element components 242 face the cover surface 251 of the protective cover 250.

[0082] The protective cover 250 is coupled to the pack frame 210 to protect the circuit module 240. The protective cover 250 has a groove structure with a cover surface 251 formed therein. The cover surface 251 is the inner bottom surface of the protective cover 250.

[0083] Unlike the first embodiment described above, the module support part 230 according to this embodiment is installed between the circuit module 240 and the protective cover 250. The module support part 230 may have a block structure that covers the circuit module 240 and can be inserted into the protective cover 250. In addition, the module support part 230 is formed to fill the space between the mounting surface of the substrate 241 and the cover surface 251, thereby reinforcing the rigidity of the protective cover 250. The module support part 230 may have a Shore hardness in the range of D25 to D40.

[0084] The module support 230 is made of an elastic material, and the surface that contacts the circuit module 240 is deformed to correspond to the device components 242 mounted on the circuit module 240, thereby elastically supporting the circuit module 240. As an example, the module support 230 may be made of a thermoplastic polyester elastomer material. The module support 230 is made of a material that has thermal conductivity and insulation properties, and can transfer heat from the circuit module 240 to the protective cover 250.

[0085] Specifically, the module support part 230 is disposed so that one surface thereof contacts the cover surface 251 and the other surface thereof contacts the circuit module 240. With this structure, the protective cover 250 is coupled to the pack frame 210, and the force that presses the module support part 230 causes the surface of the module support part 230 that contacts the circuit module 240 to deform due to the element components 242 mounted on the circuit module 240, thereby elastically supporting the circuit module 240.

[0086] In this embodiment, heat generated from the circuit module 240 when the battery cells are driven is transferred to the protective cover 250 through the module support part 230, and the temperature can be reduced by 5°C or more under the same conditions compared to a conventional battery pack. In other words, the cooling efficiency of the battery pack can be improved.

[0087] The above-described embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, and a person skilled in the art with ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions must be considered to fall within the scope of the following claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0088] According to a battery pack related to one embodiment of the present invention, the support ribs injection-molded into the pack frame to match the design of a conventional circuit module can be replaced with a module support portion, and the module support portion can elastically support the circuit module while simultaneously reinforcing the rigidity of the pack frame.

Claims

1. at least one battery cell; a circuit module having element components mounted on a mounting surface and electrically connected to the battery cell; a pack frame having a cell mounting portion in which the battery cells are mounted and a module mounting portion in which the circuit module is mounted, the module mounting portion having a pair of side walls, a mounting surface formed between the pair of side walls, and at least one first opening vertically penetrating the mounting surface; and a module support portion that is inserted into the module mounting portion so as to support the circuit module while being in contact with the mounting surface, and that is formed so as to be elastically deformable when in contact with an element component; A battery pack comprising:

2. The module support is made of an elastic material, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the module support portion has a contact surface facing the mounting surface and formed to be elastically deformable when contacting an element component.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the module support portion has a block shape and is disposed between the module mounting portion and the mounting surface.

4. A battery pack as described in claim 1, characterized in that the module support portion is inserted into a space consisting of a pair of side walls and a mounting surface.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the mounting surface is formed as a flat surface.

6. The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the module support portion is disposed so as to contact the pair of side walls and the mounting surface, respectively.

7. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the circuit module is disposed between a pair of side walls whose mounting surfaces correspond to the attachment surfaces.

8. The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the module support portion does not have a rib protruding from the mounting surface into the space.

9. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the cell mounting portion and the module mounting portion are formed to be separated from each other within a pack frame.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9 , wherein the cell mounting portion has at least one second opening penetrating the pack frame.

11. The battery pack according to claim 10, wherein the second opening is formed to expose a portion of the battery cell to the outside when the battery cell is mounted in the cell mounting part.

12. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the module support is made of a thermoplastic polyester elastomer material.

13. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the module support has a Shore hardness in the range of D25 to D40.

14. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a protective cover attached to the pack frame and surrounding the circuit module.

Images