Battery module

Abstract

A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a case including a base plate and a sidewall protruding upward from the base plate and providing an internal space, a plurality of battery cells housed inside the case and arranged along the sidewall, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) positioned between any one of the plurality of battery cells and the sidewall and having one surface facing the sidewall, and a temperature sensor disposed on the one surface of the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0183528 filed on December 23, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0077754 filed on June 16, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of the applications are incorporated herein.

Background Art

[0003] In recent years, with the rapid growth in demand for portable electronic products such as notebook computers, video cameras, and mobile phones, and the full-scale commercialization of robots, electric vehicles, etc., research on high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged has been actively conducted.

[0004] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among them, lithium secondary batteries have attracted attention because they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, can be freely charged and discharged, have a very low self-discharge rate, and have a high energy density.

[0005] Generally, lithium secondary batteries can be broadly classified into cylindrical secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is built into a metal can according to the shape of the exterior material, and pouch-type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is built into a pouch of an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0006] When a plurality of battery cells are provided, it is important to monitor the temperature of the battery cells. This is because based on the temperature monitoring, a plurality of battery cells can be appropriately controlled so as not to overheat. Therefore, a structure that can improve the accuracy of measuring the temperature of a plurality of battery cells is required.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] One objective of this invention is to solve the aforementioned problems and other problems.

[0008] Another object of the present invention may be to provide a battery module that includes a structure that improves the assembly of a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) including a temperature sensor.

[0009] A further object of the present invention may be to provide a battery module that includes a structure that prevents damage to the temperature sensor while keeping the temperature sensor in close contact with the battery cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, a battery module according to one aspect of the present invention may include a case that provides internal space, including a base plate and a side wall projecting upward from the base plate; a plurality of battery cells housed inside the case and arranged along the side wall; an FPCB (flexible printed circuit board) located between any one of the plurality of battery cells and the side wall, and having one side facing the side wall; and a temperature sensor disposed on the one side of the FPCB.

[0011] Furthermore, the battery module may further include a compressible pad located between the FPCB and the sidewall.

[0012] Furthermore, the multiple battery cells have a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and the portion of the sidewall facing the FPCB may have a curved surface that curves along the side surface of the battery cell facing the FPCB.

[0013] Furthermore, the pad may be attached to the one surface of the FPCB.

[0014] Furthermore, the pad may be formed from a polyurethane material.

[0015] Furthermore, the sidewall may include a groove in which at least a portion of the pad is housed.

[0016] Furthermore, the pad may include a housing portion in which the temperature sensor is housed.

[0017] Furthermore, the pad may include portions whose cross-sectional size gradually decreases as it extends downwards.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention further includes a main FPCB extending in an elongated manner along the sidewall, the FPCB being an extension of the main FPCB and bent.

[0019] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, a battery pack according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery module according to the present invention.

[0020] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, an automobile according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery module according to the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a battery module can be provided that includes a structure that improves the assembleability of an FPCB including a temperature sensor.

[0022] According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a battery module can be provided that includes a structure that prevents damage to the temperature sensor while keeping the temperature sensor in close contact with the battery cell.

[0023] In addition to these, the present invention may have various other effects, which will be described in the section for each embodiment, or the description of effects that can be easily inferred by a person skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0024] The drawings attached to this specification illustrate desirable embodiments of the present invention and are for the purpose of further understanding the technical idea of the present invention together with the content of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be construed as being limited only to the matters described in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] Shows a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a view of the battery module in FIG. 1 seen from another direction. [Figure 3] It is a view showing a part of the components of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention disassembled. [Figure 4] It is a view showing a part of the components coupled to the FPCB of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention disassembled. [Figure 5] It is a view showing the FPCB of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a view showing a part of the cross-sectional configuration along the cut line C-C' in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a view showing a modified embodiment of the FPCB of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a view showing an enlarged view of part D in FIG. 2. [Figure 9] It is a view showing a part of the cross-sectional configuration along the cut line B-B' in FIG. 2. [Figure 10] It is a view showing an enlarged view of part E in FIG. 1. [Figure 11] It is a view showing a part of the cross-sectional configuration along the cut line A-A' in FIG. 1.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and in the claims are not to be interpreted in their ordinary or dictionary sense, but rather in accordance with the principle that inventors may appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe their invention, and are to be interpreted in a sense corresponding to the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings represent only preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention; it should be understood that, at the time of filing, there may be a variety of equivalent and modified embodiments that can be substituted therefor.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a view of the battery module of Figure 1 from another direction. Figure 3 is an exploded view showing some of the components of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is an exploded view showing the components coupled to the FPCB300 of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the FPCB300 of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a diagram showing a part of the cross-sectional configuration along the cut line C-C' in Figure 5.

[0028] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a case 100, a plurality of battery cells 200, an FPCB 300, and a temperature sensor 500.

[0029] The case 100 may form an internal space. The case 100 may include a base plate 110, side walls 120, a front wall 130, and a rear wall 140. The base plate 110 may be a rectangular plate. The side walls 120 may project from the base plate 110 in the +Z direction or upward. The front wall 130 may project from the base plate 110 in the +Z direction or upward. The rear wall 140 may project from the base plate 110 in the +Z direction or upward. The front wall 130, the rear wall 140, and the side walls 120 may be formed integrally or connected to each other. The case 100 may further include a top plate. The top plate may cover the internal space. The top plate may be formed integrally with the front wall 130, the rear wall 140, and the side walls 120, or connected or fastened to each other.

[0030] Multiple battery cells 200 can be housed inside the case 100. Multiple battery cells 200 may refer to secondary batteries. Multiple battery cells 200 may be cylindrical battery cells 200. Alternatively, each of the multiple battery cells 200 may have a cylindrical shape. Multiple battery cells 200 may be arranged in rows. Multiple battery cells 200 may be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the side wall 120, front wall 130, or rear wall 140.

[0031] The FPCB320 may be located between one of the multiple battery cells 200 and the sidewall 120. In this case, the FPCB may be referred to as a sub-FPCB320. The sub-FPCB320 may have one side facing the sidewall 120. The other side of the sub-FPCB320 may face the side 201 of the battery cell 200. Multiple sub-FPCB320s may be deployed.

[0032] The temperature sensor 500 may be mounted on one side of the sub-FPCB 320. Multiple sub-FPCBs 320 may be installed, and the temperature sensor 500 may be mounted on each of them. For example, the sub-FPCB 320 may consist of two units, and the temperature sensor 500 may be mounted on each of the two sub-FPCBs 320.

[0033] With this configuration of the embodiment, by positioning the temperature sensor 500 on the sub-FPCB320, the temperature sensor 500 can contact or be in close contact with the side surface 201 of the battery cell 200. The side surface 201 of the battery cell 200 is formed in a curved shape, and by positioning the temperature sensor 500 on the sub-FPCB320, it can easily contact or be in close contact with the curved surface.

[0034] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a heat sink 600. The heat sink 600 may be formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. The heat sink 600 may be in contact with, fixed to, fastened to, or coupled to the lower surface of the base plate 110. Alternatively, the heat sink 600 may function as the base plate 110. The heat sink 600 may have an inlet port 610 and an outlet port 620. Cooling fluid (cm) may flow into the inlet port 610, pass through a channel formed inside the heat sink 600, and then be discharged through the outlet port 620. In this case, it is necessary to measure the highest temperature among the multiple battery cells 200 in order to stably control the battery module. Multiple temperature sensors 500 may be deployed in the parts of the multiple battery cells 200 where the highest temperature is expected to occur. As the temperature of the cooling fluid cm passing through the heat sink 600 continues to change as it passes through the channel, a temperature difference may occur among the multiple battery cells 200.

[0035] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a main FPCB 310 extending elongated along the sidewall 120, and a sub-FPCB 320 may be configured to extend from the main FPCB 310 and bend. The main FPCB 310 and the sub-FPCB 320 may be collectively referred to as FPCB 300. The main FPCB 310 and the sub-FPCB 320 may be formed integrally. The FPCB 300 may further include a connector 330 that physically and electrically connects the main FPCB 310 and the sub-FPCB 320.

[0036] With this configuration of the embodiment, the temperature sensor 500 is positioned on the sub-FPCB320, making it flexible and easy to assemble and fasten to the battery module. This improves the assembly efficiency and productivity of the battery module.

[0037] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a compressible pad 400 located between the sub-FPCB 320 and the sidewall 120. The pad 400 may be formed from a material that is compressible and resilient. The pad 400 may be fixed and compressed between the sub-FPCB 320 and the sidewall 120. The pad 400 may guide the sub-FPCB 320 to form a curved surface. The pad 400 may be bent so that the sub-FPCB 320 contacts or adheres closely to the curved surface of the side surface 201 of the battery cell 200.

[0038] With this configuration of the embodiment, the temperature sensor 500 can make surface contact or adhere closely to the curved surface of the side 201 of the cell. This improves the accuracy of the temperature sensor 500 and increases the accuracy of the control of the battery module.

[0039] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a pad 400 of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may be attached to one side of a sub-FPCB 320. A temperature sensor 500 may be positioned on one side of the sub-FPCB 320, and the pad 400 may be attached to it. In this case, the pad 400 may be configured to maintain a compression ratio of approximately 50% so as not to damage the temperature sensor 500. The pressure that the pad 400 applies to the temperature sensor 500 may be configured to be less than or equal to the guaranteed pressure of the temperature sensor 500.

[0040] This configuration of the embodiment allows the temperature sensor 500 to be in contact with or in close contact with the curved surface of the cell's side surface 201 without being damaged by the pressure of the pad 400.

[0041] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, the pad 400 of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may be formed from a polyurethane material.

[0042] With this configuration of the embodiment, the temperature sensor 500 can make surface contact or adhere closely to the curved surface of the side 201 of the cell. This improves the accuracy of the temperature sensor 500 and increases the accuracy of the control of the battery module.

[0043] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, the pad 400 of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a housing 410 in which a temperature sensor 500 is housed.

[0044] With this configuration of the embodiment, the temperature sensor 500 is housed in the housing 410, which prevents it from receiving pressure from the pad 400 even when the pad 400 is compressed. This makes it possible to stably maintain the function of the temperature sensor 500.

[0045] Figure 7 shows a modified embodiment of the FPCB300 of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 7, the pad 400 of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a portion whose cross-sectional size gradually decreases as it proceeds in the -Z axis direction or downward. Alternatively, the pad may include an inclined portion formed diagonally downward.

[0046] This configuration of the embodiment improves the ease of assembly or fastening of the FPCB300. The FPCB300 can be assembled or fastened by being fitted or inserted between the sidewall 120 and the battery cell 200. Therefore, because the portion into which the pad 400 begins to be fitted has a small cross-sectional area, the FPCB300 can be easily fitted or inserted between the sidewall 120 and the battery cell 200.

[0047] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of busbars 700. Each of the plurality of busbars 700 may be electrically connected to a plurality of battery cells 200. The main FPCB 310 may have a plurality of terminals 340 arranged along the longitudinal direction. Each of the plurality of terminals 340 may be electrically connected to the plurality of busbars 700.

[0048] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of portion D in Figure 2. Figure 9 is a view showing a part of the cross-sectional configuration along the cut line B-B' in Figure 2. Figure 10 is an enlarged view of portion E in Figure 1. Figure 11 is a view showing a part of the cross-sectional configuration along the cut line A-A' in Figure 1. Referring to Figures 8 to 11, a plurality of battery cells 200 of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention have a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and the portion of the sidewall 120 facing the sub-FPCB 320 may have a curved surface that bends along the side surface 201 of the battery cell 200 facing the sub-FPCB 320.

[0049] The sidewall 120 may be formed in the shape of a curved surface 121 having a curvature similar to or substantially identical to the side surface 201 of the cylindrical battery cell 200.

[0050] According to this configuration of the embodiment, the sidewall 120 can bend or guide the sub-FPCB 320 so that it can make surface contact or be in close contact with the side surface 201 of the cylindrical battery cell 200.

[0051] Referring to Figures 8 to 11, the sidewall 120 of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a groove in which at least a portion of the pad 400 is accommodated. The groove may be formed in the vertical direction or the Z-axis direction. At least a portion of the pad 400 may be compressed and accommodated in the groove.

[0052] With this configuration of the embodiment, the pad 400 is housed in a groove, which reduces the pressure the pad 400 applies to the temperature sensor 500. This prevents damage to the temperature sensor 500 and improves the safety of the battery module control.

[0053] The battery pack according to this embodiment may include the battery module according to the present invention as described above. In addition to the battery module according to the present invention described above, the battery pack according to the present invention may further include various other components, such as a battery management system (BMS), busbars, pack case (case) 100, relays, current sensors, and other components of a battery pack known at the time of filing the present invention.

[0054] The automobile according to the present invention may include the battery module according to the present invention as described above. The battery module according to the present invention is applicable to automobiles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. In addition to such a battery module, the automobile according to the present invention may further include various other components included in the automobile, such as the vehicle body, motor, and control devices such as an electronic control unit (ECU). [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 100 cases 110 Base Plate 120 Sidewall 200 battery cells 300 Flexible Printed Circuit Boards (FPCBs) 500 temperature sensors

Claims

1. A case that includes a base plate and side walls protruding upward from the base plate, and provides an internal space, A plurality of battery cells housed inside the case and arranged along the side wall, A flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) is located between one of the plurality of battery cells and the sidewall, and has one side facing the sidewall, A temperature sensor is provided on one side of the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), A pad attached to one side of the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), including a housing portion that accommodates the temperature sensor, Includes, The aforementioned housing is a space formed by the one surface of the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and the pads, in a battery module.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the pad is located between the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and the sidewall and is compressible.

3. The aforementioned plurality of battery cells have a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the sidewall facing the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) has a curved surface that curves along the side surface of the battery cell facing the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

4. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the pad is formed from a polyurethane material.

5. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the sidewall includes a groove in which at least a portion of the pad is housed.

6. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the pad includes a portion whose cross-sectional size gradually decreases as it extends downwards.

7. The present invention further includes a main flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) that extends in an elongated manner along the sidewall, The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) extends from and is bent from the main flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

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

9. An automobile comprising a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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