Industrial battery pack with variable capacity

Abstract

The present invention relates to an industrial battery pack that improves electrical safety and convenience through a stable stacking structure when expanding series and parallel capacity. By symmetrically arranging electrode busbars connected to a plurality of electrically connected battery cells on the outer side of the battery pack case, the invention enables the simple implementation of a series or parallel connection structure for a plurality of battery packs by simply changing only the stacking direction of the plurality of battery packs during the process of stacking the plurality of battery packs vertically.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an industrial battery pack that improves electrical safety and convenience through a stable stacking structure when expanding series and parallel capacity. By symmetrically arranging electrode busbars connected to a plurality of electrically connected battery cells on the outer side of the battery pack case, the invention enables the convenient implementation of a series or parallel connection structure for a plurality of battery packs through a process of simply changing only the stacking direction of the plurality of battery packs during the process of stacking the plurality of battery packs vertically.

[0002] In particular, the present invention provides an industrial battery pack that improves electrical safety and convenience through a stable stacking structure for series-parallel capacity expansion, wherein the body of the battery pack case is manufactured using an extrusion mold, and various capacities can be controlled with a single mold by adjusting the length of the case according to capacity, and capacity can be increased by stacking battery packs with cases of the same length in various height directions. Background Technology

[0003] Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are widely used as an energy source for wireless mobile devices. They are also attracting attention as a power source for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which are being proposed as solutions to address air pollution caused by conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels.

[0004] Batteries used in electric vehicles, electric vehicles, and various other fields are composed of multiple connected battery packs. A battery pack is manufactured by assembling related components (such as housings) and multiple battery modules, in which numerous basic unit battery cells are arranged to achieve specific voltage and current specifications. A battery system assembly (BSA) is fabricated by mounting the battery pack along with other components (such as busbars and cooling structures) in the space between the lower case and the upper cover, and this assembly is used as a voltage source for loads such as motors.

[0005] A battery pack, which is an energy storage device, includes a plurality of battery cell arrays in a single battery pack and is equipped with a Battery Management System (hereinafter referred to as "BMS") for monitoring and controlling status information such as voltage, current, and temperature so as to operate multiple battery cell arrays smoothly.

[0006] Large-capacity battery modules installed in vehicles and the like are used in a state where multiple battery packs are connected in series. However, the lifespan of each battery pack varies slightly due to manufacturing tolerances, and individual degradation or aging may also occur depending on operating conditions.

[0007] In addition, when multiple battery packs are stacked and connected, each battery pack is configured to be exposed to the outside using harnesses, wires, etc., while there has been a process problem in that the electrodes forming the battery packs must be individually connected using busbars when the multiple battery packs are arranged in series or parallel. Prior art literature

[0009] Republic of Korea Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1382297 "Battery Module" (April 8, 2014) The problem to be solved

[0010] The objective of the present invention is to provide a stacked connection structure for battery packs that simplifies the implementation of a series or parallel connection structure for multiple battery packs by simply changing only the stacking direction of the multiple battery packs during the process of stacking multiple battery packs vertically. means of solving the problem

[0011] In a capacity-adjustable industrial battery pack according to the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose, a plurality of electrically connected battery cells;

[0012] A hollow battery case that accommodates the above-mentioned plurality of battery cells inside;

[0013] A cover portion coupled to the front of the battery case; and

[0014] A battery pack comprising: an electrode busbar coupled such that a portion thereof is exposed on the outer side of the cover portion while electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; and

[0015] A series or parallel connection structure for the battery packs is implemented by changing the stacking direction of the battery packs during the process of stacking two or more of the battery packs.

[0016] We provide industrial battery packs with adjustable capacity.

[0017] The above electrode busbar is integrally formed in the above cover portion through insert coupling.

[0018] The above electrode busbar includes a negative busbar and a positive busbar arranged in a straight line along the upper and lower parts of the battery case.

[0019] The above-described stacked plurality of battery packs are connected through a connecting busbar that electrically connects the negative busbar and the positive busbar. Effects of the invention

[0020] According to the present invention, all the objectives of the present invention described above can be achieved.

[0021] The present invention symmetrically arranges a negative busbar and a positive busbar connected to a plurality of electrically connected battery cells on the outer side of a battery pack case, thereby enabling the simple implementation of a series or parallel connection structure for a plurality of battery packs by simply changing only the stacking direction of the plurality of battery packs during the process of stacking the plurality of battery packs vertically.

[0022] The present invention enhances efficiency in the operation process by enabling the replacement or maintenance of only the problematic battery pack by simply disconnecting only the connecting busbar that electrically connects adjacent battery packs when a problem occurs with some of the stacked battery packs. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a connection structure of a battery pack in which battery cells are embedded, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a process of stacking multiple battery packs vertically and switching between a series or parallel connection structure of multiple battery packs by simply changing only the stacking direction of the multiple battery packs. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a battery pack containing battery cells. Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a battery pack containing battery cells, and shows the coupling structure of an electrode busbar that is inserted and coupled to the cover portion forming the battery pack. Figure 5 shows a cover portion forming a battery pack in which battery cells are embedded. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0024] Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0025] The present invention is characterized by easily implementing a series or parallel connection structure for a plurality of battery packs through a process of simply changing only the stacking direction of the plurality of battery packs during the process of stacking a plurality of battery packs vertically.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a connection structure of a battery pack containing battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a process of switching between a series and parallel connection structure of a plurality of battery packs by simply changing only the stacking direction of the plurality of battery packs during the process of stacking a plurality of battery packs vertically. FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a battery pack containing battery cells. FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of a battery pack containing battery cells, illustrating the coupling structure of an electrode busbar that is insert-coupled to a cover portion forming the battery pack. FIG. 5 shows a cover portion forming a battery pack containing battery cells.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of battery packs (100) can be stacked along the vertical direction.

[0028] Each of the plurality of battery packs (100) includes an electrically connected battery cell module (10), a hollow battery case (20) that accommodates the battery cell module (10) inside, a cover portion (30) coupled to the front of the battery case (20), an electrode bus bar (32) coupled such that a portion is exposed on the outer side of the cover portion (30) while electrically connected to the battery cell module (10), a plurality of support brackets (50) coupled to the outer edge of the battery pack case (20) forming each of the plurality of battery packs (100), and a rear cover portion (60) coupled to the rear of the battery case (20) so as to face the cover portion (30).

[0029] The battery cell module (10) includes a plurality of battery cells (11) arranged in a row, a cell busbar (12) connecting output terminals forming the plurality of battery cells (11), a terminal connecting bolt (13) that connects the cell busbar (12) to the output terminal of the battery cell (11), a cell tray (15) that functions to adjust the spacing between the plurality of battery cells (11) and simultaneously adjust the clearance between adjacent battery cells (11), and a cell separation plate (16) positioned at the front and rear of the plurality of battery cells (11) arranged in a row.

[0030] The cell busbar (12) connects the terminals that output positive (+) and negative (-) power from adjacent battery cells (11), respectively. For example, the cell busbar (12) is connected between the positive (+) terminal of one battery cell (11) and the negative (-) terminal of the other battery cell (11) to connect adjacent battery cells in series (parallel).

[0031] The battery case (20) has a hollow tube shape that allows the battery cell module (10) to be stably accommodated inside. In this embodiment, it is illustrated as having a rectangular shape with a square cross-section, but it is not limited thereto and various applications are possible with circular or polygonal shapes.

[0032] The battery case (20) includes a hollow case body (21), a seating projection (22) formed on the upper and lower end surfaces of the case body (21), and a case coupling member (23) formed on the front and rear surfaces of the case body (21).

[0033] In particular, in the present invention, the battery case (20) is manufactured using an extrusion mold, and various capacities can be controlled with a single mold by adjusting the length of the case according to the capacity.

[0034] In addition, we provide an industrial battery pack capable of increasing capacity by varying the stacking of battery packs with cases of the same length in the height direction.

[0035] When stacking multiple battery packs vertically, the seating protrusion formed at the bottom of the upper battery pack and the seating protrusion formed at the top of the lower battery pack overlap each other, thereby preventing the stacked multiple battery packs from shaking.

[0036] The cover portion (30) includes a cover body (31) having a shape with one side open, a busbar coating portion (35, 38) integrally formed on the cover body (31) to cover the front and rear surfaces of an electrode busbar (32) inserted into the cover body (31), a cover coupling rib (36) formed on the corner of the cover body (31), and a reinforcing rib (37) formed along the edge of the cover body (31).

[0037] During the process of combining the above cover part (30) and the battery case (20), mutual bonding is made possible through the connection between the cover connecting rib (36) and the case connecting member (23).

[0038] The electrode busbar (32) is symmetrically arranged with positive and negative electrode busbars on both sides of the cover portion (30). That is, for example, a negative electrode busbar may be arranged along the vertical direction on one side of the cover portion (30), while a positive electrode busbar may be arranged along the vertical direction on the other side of the cover portion (30). Through the above structure, a serial or parallel connection structure for a plurality of battery packs can be implemented by simply changing the stacking direction of the plurality of battery packs during the process of stacking the plurality of battery packs.

[0039] That is, looking at region A of Fig. 1, it can be seen that the polarities of the electrode busbars forming the multiple battery packs stacked vertically are arranged with opposite polarities. Through this, the multiple battery packs stacked vertically can have a series structure.

[0040] Meanwhile, referring to area B of FIG. 2, it can be seen that the polarities of the electrode busbars (32) forming the upper and lower stacked battery packs (100) are arranged with the same polarity. The electrode busbars (32) include negative and positive busbars arranged in a straight line along the upper and lower parts of the battery case (20). That is, in the upper and lower stacked battery packs (100), the positive electrode busbar may be arranged on the left side, while the negative electrode busbar may be arranged on the right side. Through this, the upper and lower stacked battery packs (100) can have a parallel structure.

[0041] The electrode busbar (32) is integrally formed by insert coupling with the cover portion (30).

[0042] The electrode busbar (32) has a pair of first busbar terminals (33) formed exposed through the inner and outer sides of the cover body (31) and a second busbar terminal (34) that interconnects the pair of first busbar terminals (33) while having a significant portion of the area covered within the cover body (31) through the busbar coating portions (35, 38).

[0043] The second busbar terminal (34) is stepped from a pair of first busbar terminals (33), and the second busbar terminal (34) is positioned further forward than the first busbar terminal (33) of the cover body (31). The connection portion between the second busbar terminal (34) and the first busbar terminal (33) may be gently curved.

[0044] A plurality of battery packs (100) stacked in the vertical direction are electrically connected through a connecting bus bar (40) that interconnects the first bus bar terminals (33) forming the electrode bus bar (32). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connecting bus bar (40) connects the positive (+) or negative (-) terminals of the electrode bus bar (32) exposed to the stacked plurality of battery packs (100).

[0045] Meanwhile, the second busbar terminal (34) has a state in which a significant portion of the area within the cover body (31) is covered by the busbar coating portions (35, 38), while a portion adjacent to the first busbar terminal (32) is exposed on the inner side of the cover body (31). As described above, when looking at the inner side of the cover body (31), a portion of both sides of the second busbar terminal (34) of the electrode busbar (32) is exposed, while the first busbar terminal (32) is exposed through the inner and outer sides of the cover body (31).

[0046] A plurality of support brackets (50) are attached to the outer corners of the case body (21).

[0047] In the case where the battery pack is used as a single layer, the support bracket (50) may be attached only to the lower outer corner of the case body (21). That is, the support bracket (50) attached to the bottom of the battery pack sets the battery pack to a stable position on the floor.

[0048] Meanwhile, when multiple battery packs are stacked vertically, the support bracket (50) may be attached to the upper and lower outer corners of the case body (21). That is, the support bracket (50) attached to the bottom of the lower battery pack sets the battery pack to a stable position on the floor, while the support bracket (50) attached to the top of the lower battery pack enables a stable connection by preventing shaking through binding with the support bracket (50) attached to the bottom of the upper battery pack.

[0049] The support bracket (50) is installed so as to be exposed on the upper and lower outer corners of the case body (21) and has a seating portion (51) having a curved shape and a coupling plate (53) formed on one side of the seating portion (51). The seating portion (51) may have a curved shape to cover along the contour of the corner portion of the case body (21) which is chamfered.

[0050] The coupling plate (53) is positioned between the case body (21) and the cover part (30) when the battery pack (100) is coupled. A coupling hole (54) is formed to penetrate both sides of the coupling plate (53). When a plurality of battery packs (100) are stacked vertically, they are coupled to prevent shaking through the coupling plate (53) coupled to the upper and lower ends of the case body (21) of each stacked battery pack. Specifically, the coupling plate of the support bracket coupled to the upper end of the lower battery pack and the coupling plate of the support bracket coupled to the lower end of the upper battery may be coupled through a separate coupling plate. The coupling plate may have coupling holes formed on both sides, and the coupling plate may be connected through the coupling holes formed through each coupling plate.

[0051] Although the present invention has been described through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. The above embodiments may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and those skilled in the art will understand that such modifications and changes are also within the scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0052] 100 : Battery pack 10: Battery cell module 11 : Battery cell 12 : Cell busbar 13: Terminal connection bolt 15: Cell Tray 16 : Cell separation plate 20 : Battery Case 21 : Case body 22 : Settling protrusion 23 : Case coupling 30 : Cover part 31 : Cover body 32 : Electrode busbar 35,38 : Busbar coating section 36: Cover joining rib 37 : Reinforcement rib 40 : Connecting busbar 50 : Support bracket 51 : Seating part 53 : Connecting plate 60: Rear cover section

Claims

Claim 1 A plurality of electrically connected battery cells; a hollow battery case accommodating the plurality of battery cells therein; a cover portion coupled to the front of the battery case; and an electrode bus bar coupled such that a portion thereof is exposed on the outer side of the cover portion while electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; An industrial battery pack that improves electrical safety and convenience with a stable stacking structure when increasing series and parallel capacity, comprising: a plurality of support brackets coupled to the upper and lower outer corners of the battery case and mutually connected with the support brackets of adjacent battery packs stacked vertically to prevent shaking of the plurality of stacked battery packs; wherein the electrode busbars have different polarities symmetrically arranged on both sides of the cover portion, thereby implementing a series or parallel connection structure for the battery packs by rotating the battery packs themselves to change the stacking direction for the battery packs during the process of stacking two or more battery packs; and wherein the electrode busbars include a pair of first busbar terminals exposed through the inner and outer sides of the cover portion, and a second busbar terminal that interconnects the pair of first busbar terminals and protrudes stepwise from the first busbar terminals toward the front side of the cover portion, and is covered within the cover portion through a busbar coating portion. Claim 2 An industrial battery pack that improves electrical safety and convenience through a stable stacked structure when increasing series and parallel capacity, wherein the electrode busbar is integrally formed through insert coupling to the cover portion, and the electrode busbar includes a negative busbar and a positive busbar arranged in a straight line along the upper and lower portions of the battery case.

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