Cell module for pouch

Abstract

The present application relates to a pouch-type cell module, a method for fixing a folding portion thereof, and a method for fixing a battery pack including the same. The pouch-type cell module, the method for fixing a folding portion thereof, and the battery pack including the same of the present application have excellent insulation properties, reduce costs by decreasing process takt time, and protect the lifespan of the cell by minimizing localized pressure occurring in the upper region during swelling.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present application relates to a pouch-type cell module, a method for fixing a folding portion thereof, and a battery pack including the same. Background Technology

[0002] Batteries that store electrical energy can generally be classified into primary and secondary batteries. Primary batteries are disposable, consumable batteries, whereas secondary batteries are rechargeable batteries manufactured using materials capable of repeating oxidation and reduction processes between the electric current and the material. In other words, when a reduction reaction is performed on the material by the electric current, the power is charged, and when an oxidation reaction is performed on the material, the power is discharged; this charging and discharging cycle can be performed repeatedly.

[0003] Among various types of secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries are generally manufactured by mounting an electrode assembly, in which a cathode, a separator, and an anode are stacked, into a pouch, and the charging and discharging of the lithium secondary battery proceeds as the process of lithium ions intercalating and deintercalating from the lithium metal oxide of the cathode to the anode is repeated.

[0004] Among lithium secondary batteries, pouch-type cells in particular are easy to shape, have low manufacturing costs, and offer relatively high energy density, leading to an increasing demand for them.

[0005] In pouch-type cells, the pouch (battery cover sheet) is composed of a thin aluminum film coated with PE and PP on both sides; however, when the pouch is cut during battery manufacturing, the aluminum layer is exposed to the outside at the cut surface, making it vulnerable to electrical insulation.

[0006] To solve these problems, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the aluminum layer exposed to the outside of the pouch-type cell (2100), i.e., the folding part, must be folded. In order to prevent the folded folding part (1110, 2110) from being exposed to the outside, a portion or the entire surface is fixed with a fixing member (1200, 2200), such as tape. However, when a fixing member is attached to each folding part of each individual cell, an area where some fixing members overlap occurs, resulting in cost loss. Furthermore, as the cell deteriorates and swells, localized pressure may occur on the upper area due to the tape. This can reduce the lifespan of the cell. Additionally, when tape is attached to each individual cell, the process tact time increases, leading to a problem of increased costs.

[0007] Therefore, pouch-type cells are required to solve these problems. The problem to be solved

[0008] The objective of the present application is to provide a pouch-type cell module having excellent insulation properties, reducing costs by decreasing process takt time, and protecting the lifespan of the cell by minimizing localized pressure occurring in the upper region during swelling, a method for fixing the folding portion thereof, and a battery pack including the same. means of solving the problem

[0009] To solve the above problem, the pouch-type cell module of the present application comprises a plurality of pouch-type cells, each having a folding portion; and a fixing member that integrally fixes all folding portions of the plurality of pouch-type cells, wherein the plurality of pouch-type cells are arranged so that the folding portions are exposed in the same direction, and the fixing member is attached at both ends to each of two pouch-type cells positioned on the outermost sides among the plurality of pouch-type cells, while surrounding all folding portions provided in each of the plurality of pouch-type cells.

[0010] The above folding part may have two or more folding sections.

[0011] In addition, the folding section may include a first folding part connected to the pouch-type cell and a second folding part connected to the first folding part and folded at a different angle from the first folding part.

[0012] In addition, when both ends of the fixing member are attached to each of the two pouch-type cells positioned on the outermost sides among the plurality of pouch-type cells, the fixing member can be attached to the first folding part of one pouch-type cell and the second folding part of the other pouch-type cell, respectively.

[0013] Additionally, the pouch-type cell may include a pouch; and a cell provided in the pouch, wherein a cathode, a separator, and an anode are stacked.

[0014] In addition, the plurality of pouch-type cells can be arranged in contact with each other in a single direction.

[0015] In addition, the above fixing members are provided in multiple numbers with spaced intervals from each other, and each can integrally fix all folding parts of the multiple pouch-type cells.

[0016] In addition, the above fixing member is provided as one, and can fix all folding parts of the plurality of pouch-type cells as a single unit.

[0017] In addition, the method for fixing the folding portion of a pouch-type cell module according to the present application relates to a method for fixing the folding portion of said pouch-type cell module, comprising the step of fixing all folding portions provided in each of a plurality of pouch-type cells integrally using a fixing member, wherein the plurality of pouch-type cells are arranged so that the folding portions are exposed in the same direction, and the fixing member surrounds all folding portions provided in each of the plurality of pouch-type cells, and both ends of the fixing member are attached to each of the two pouch-type cells positioned on the outermost sides among the plurality of pouch-type cells.

[0018] Additionally, the battery pack of the present application includes the pouch-type cell module; and a lower housing that accommodates the pouch-type cell module and has an open top.

[0019] In addition, the above pouch-type cell module may be multiple.

[0020] In addition, the pouch-type cell module can be stored such that the folding portion of each of the plurality of pouch-type cells is exposed toward the open upper part of the lower housing.

[0021] In addition, the battery pack may further include an upper housing coupled to the upper part of the lower housing. Effects of the invention

[0022] The pouch-type cell module of the present application, the method for fixing the folding portion thereof, and the battery pack including the same have excellent insulation properties, reduce costs by decreasing the process takt time, and protect the lifespan of the cell by minimizing localized pressure generated in the upper region during swelling. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0023] FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating an exemplary battery pack having a conventional pouch-type cell module. FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an exemplary conventional pouch-type cell module. FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating an exemplary pouch-type cell module according to one embodiment of the present application. FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating an exemplary battery pack according to one embodiment of the present application. FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating an exemplary battery pack according to another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary battery pack according to another embodiment of the present application. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0024] Hereinafter, the pouch-type cell module of the present application is described with reference to the attached drawings. The attached drawings are exemplary, and the pouch-type cell module of the present application is not limited to the attached drawings.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating an exemplary pouch-type cell module according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 3, the pouch-type cell module of the present application includes a plurality of pouch-type cells (3100) and a fixing member (3200). According to the pouch-type cell module of the present application, excellent insulation is achieved, cost is reduced by decreasing the process takt time, and the cell lifespan is protected by minimizing the localized area during swelling. In this specification, the term "plural" means two or more.

[0026] The above pouch-type cell is a pouch in which a cell is mounted, and each has a folding portion (3110). The folding portion refers to a portion exposed to the outside as a sealing surface at the end of the pouch. Additionally, the sealing surface refers to the end of the pouch that is sealed after inserting a cell in which a cathode, a separator, and an anode are laminated into the pouch and an electrolyte is injected.

[0027] The plurality of pouch-type cells are arranged so that the folding portions are exposed in the same direction. Specifically, the folding portions of each of the plurality of pouch-type cells may be provided at the same end that does not come into contact with each other among the plurality of pouch-type cells.

[0028] The above pouch-type cell may include a pouch and a cell provided in the pouch. Specifically, the pouch-type cell may have a cell in which a cathode, a separator, and an anode are stacked and provided in the pouch. The cell may be a lithium secondary battery.

[0029] The plurality of pouch-type cells may be arranged in contact with one another in a single direction. Specifically, the plurality of pouch-type cells may be arranged in contact with one another in the width direction (w). In this specification, the "width direction" may refer to a direction in which the side length is relatively short. By arranging the plurality of pouch-type cells in the aforementioned direction, serial or parallel connection between the plurality of pouch-type cells is facilitated, and this may be advantageous in terms of minimizing the pouch-type cell module structure.

[0030] In one example, the folding portion may have two or more folding sections. Specifically, the folding portion may have a folding section that is folded in one or more directions different from the first direction after being folded in a first direction. In one embodiment, the folding portion may be folded in a reel shape. By having the aforementioned folding section, the folding portion may have excellent insulation properties.

[0031] More specifically, the folding section may include a first folding part (3111) connected to the pouch-type cell and a second folding part (3112) connected to the first folding part and folded at a different angle from the first folding part. By including the aforementioned folding part, the folding section may have excellent insulation properties.

[0032] The above fixing member is a member that integrally fixes all folding portions of the plurality of pouch-type cells. Specifically, the fixing member may be a single member, and all folding portions of the plurality of pouch-type cells can be integrally fixed using the single member. By integrally fixing each of the folding portions, the fixing member provides excellent insulation, reduces process takt time to lower costs, and minimizes localized areas during swelling to protect the lifespan of the cells.

[0033] The above fixing member surrounds all folding parts provided in each of the plurality of pouch-type cells, and both ends are attached to each of the two outermost pouch-type cells among the plurality of pouch-type cells. By attaching both ends of the fixing member to the aforementioned positions, all folding parts provided in each of the plurality of pouch-type cells can be integrally connected and fixed. As a result, excellent insulation is achieved, cost is reduced by decreasing the process takt time, and the cell lifespan is protected by minimizing the localized area during swelling.

[0034] In one example, when both ends of the fixing member are attached to each of the two pouch-type cells positioned on the outermost sides among the plurality of pouch-type cells, the fixing member may be attached to the first folding part of one pouch-type cell and the second folding part of another pouch-type cell, respectively. For example, when the plurality of pouch-type cells are arranged in sequential contact such as the first pouch-type cell (3101) and the second pouch-type cell (3102), the third pouch-type cell (3103) and the fourth pouch-type cell (3104), when both ends of the fixing member are attached to each of the first pouch-type cell and the fourth pouch-type cell positioned on the outermost sides, the fixing member may be attached to the first folding part (3111) of the first pouch-type cell and the second folding part (3112) of the fourth pouch-type cell, respectively. By attaching both ends of the above-mentioned fixing member to the aforementioned positions, all folding parts provided in each of the plurality of pouch-type cells can be integrally connected and fixed, thereby providing excellent insulation, reducing the process tact time to lower costs, and minimizing the localized area during swelling to protect the lifespan of the cells.

[0035] In one example, as shown in FIG. 4 described below, a pouch-type cell module according to one embodiment of the present application may have a plurality of fixing members (4200) spaced apart from each other, and may integrally fix all folding portions (4110) of the plurality of pouch-type cells with each fixing member. Specifically, in the pouch-type cell module according to one embodiment of the present application, each of the plurality of fixing members spaced apart from each other may be attached to all folding portions of the plurality of pouch-type cells along the contact direction between the plurality of pouch-type cells, thereby integrally fixing all folding portions of the plurality of pouch-type cells. By integrally fixing all folding portions of the pouch-type cells with the aforementioned fixing members, the pouch-type cell module according to one embodiment of the present application has excellent insulation properties, reduces manufacturing tact time to lower costs, and minimizes localized areas during swelling to protect the lifespan of the cells.

[0036] In another example, a pouch-type cell module according to another embodiment of the present application is provided with one fixing member (5200) as shown in FIG. 5 described below, and can fix all folding portions of the plurality of pouch-type cells integrally with one fixing member. Specifically, in the pouch-type cell module according to another embodiment of the present application, one fixing member is attached to cover the upper portions of all folding portions of the plurality of pouch-type cells, thereby fixing all folding portions of the plurality of pouch-type cells integrally. By fixing all folding portions of the pouch-type cells integrally with the aforementioned fixing member, the pouch-type cell module according to another embodiment of the present application has excellent insulation properties, reduces costs by decreasing the process takt time, and protects the lifespan of the cells by minimizing the localized area during swelling.

[0037] The present application also relates to a method for fixing a folding portion of a pouch-type cell module. An exemplary method for fixing a folding portion of a pouch-type cell module relates to the method for fixing a folding portion of a pouch-type cell module described above. Since specific details regarding the method for fixing a folding portion of a pouch-type cell module described below can be applied identically to the content described in the above pouch-type cell module, they will be omitted.

[0038] The method for fixing the folding portion of a pouch-type cell module according to the present application includes a fixing step. According to the method for fixing the folding portion of a pouch-type cell module according to the present application, excellent insulation is achieved, cost is reduced by decreasing the process takt time, and the localized area is minimized during swelling, thereby protecting the lifespan of the cell.

[0039] The above fixing step is performed by integrally fixing all folding parts provided in each of the multiple pouch-type cells using a fixing member. Through this, excellent insulation is achieved, cost is reduced by decreasing the process takt time, and the cell lifespan is protected by minimizing localized areas during swelling. Since the above fixing step is identical to that described above, it will be omitted.

[0040] The plurality of pouch-type cells are arranged so that the folding portions are exposed in the same direction. Specifically, the folding portions of each of the plurality of pouch-type cells may be provided at the same end that does not come into contact with each other among the plurality of pouch-type cells.

[0041] In one example, the folding part may have two or more folding sections. Since the specific description of the folding sections is the same as described above, it will be omitted.

[0042] Additionally, the folding section may include a first folding part connected to the pouch-type cell and a second folding part connected to the first folding part and in contact with the first folding part at a different angle. Since the specific description of the first folding part and the second folding part is the same as described above, it will be omitted.

[0043] In addition, when both ends of the fixing member are attached to each of the two pouch-type cells positioned on the outermost sides among the plurality of pouch-type cells, the fixing member may be attached to the first folding portion of one pouch-type cell and the second folding portion of the other pouch-type cell, respectively. Through this, excellent insulation is achieved, cost is reduced by decreasing the process takt time, and the cell lifespan is protected by minimizing the localized area during swelling. Since the description regarding the attachment of the fixing member is the same as described above, it will be omitted.

[0044] The present application also relates to a battery pack. An exemplary battery pack relates to a battery pack comprising the aforementioned pouch-type cell module. Since specific details regarding the pouch-type cell module described below can be applied in the same way as those described for the pouch-type cell module, they will be omitted.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating an exemplary battery pack according to one embodiment of the present application. FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating an exemplary battery pack according to another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the battery pack includes a pouch-type cell module (4000, 5000) and a lower housing (4300, 5300) according to one embodiment or another embodiment of the present application. The battery pack of the present application may include the pouch-type cell module, which has excellent insulation properties, reduces costs by decreasing process takt time, and protects the lifespan of the cell by minimizing the local area during swelling.

[0046] In one example, there may be multiple pouch-type cell modules. If there are multiple pouch-type cell modules, the specific upper limit is not particularly restricted.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary battery pack according to another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, the battery pack may further include an upper housing (6400). The upper housing is a cover that covers the lower housing (6300) and may be coupled to the upper part of the lower housing.

[0048] In addition, the battery pack may further include various control and protection systems, such as a Battery Management System (BMS) and a cooling system, mounted on the pouch-type cell module. Known products may be used as the various control and protection systems without any particular restrictions. Explanation of the symbols

[0049] 1110, 2110, 3110, 4110: Folding part 3111: 1st folding section 3112: 2nd folding section 1200, 2200, 3200, 4200, 5200: Fixed member 2100, 3100: Pouch-type cell 3101: 1st pouch-type cell 3102: Second pouch-type cell 3103: Third pouch-type cell 3104: 4th pouch-type cell 4000, 5000: Pouch-type cell module 4300, 5300, 6300: Lower housing 6400: Upper housing

Claims

Claim 1 A pouch-type cell module comprising: a plurality of pouch-type cells, each having a folding portion; and a fixing member that integrally fixes all folding portions of the plurality of pouch-type cells, wherein the folding portion is a part exposed to the outside through the sealing surface of the end of the pouch, the fixing member is configured in the form of a tape, and there is at least one fixing member, wherein one fixing member integrally fixes all folding portions of the plurality of pouch-type cells, and the plurality of pouch-type cells are arranged so that the folding portions are exposed in the same direction, and the fixing member surrounds all folding portions provided in each of the plurality of pouch-type cells, and both ends of the fixing member are attached to each of the two pouch-type cells positioned on the outermost sides among the plurality of pouch-type cells. Claim 2 In claim 1, the folding part is a pouch-type cell module having two or more folding sections. Claim 3 In claim 2, the folding section comprises a pouch-type cell module including a first folding part connected to the pouch-type cell and a second folding part connected to the first folding part and folded at a different angle from the first folding part. Claim 4 In claim 3, the fixing member is a pouch-type cell module attached to a first folding portion of one pouch-type cell and a second folding portion of another pouch-type cell, respectively, when both ends of the fixing member are attached to each of two pouch-type cells positioned on the outermost sides among the plurality of pouch-type cells. Claim 5 In claim 1, the pouch-type cell comprises a pouch; and a pouch-type cell module comprising a cell provided in the pouch, wherein a cathode, a separator, and an anode are stacked. Claim 6 In claim 1, the plurality of pouch-type cells are arranged in contact with each other in a single direction, forming a pouch-type cell module. Claim 7 In claim 1, the fixing members are provided in plurality with spaced intervals from each other, and each fixes all folding portions of the plurality of pouch-type cells integrally, forming a pouch-type cell module. Claim 8 In claim 1, the fixing member is provided as one, and the pouch-type cell module integrally fixes all folding parts of the plurality of pouch-type cells with one. Claim 9 A method for fixing a folding portion of a pouch-type cell module according to claim 1, comprising the step of fixing all folding portions provided in each of a plurality of pouch-type cells integrally using a fixing member, wherein the plurality of pouch-type cells are arranged so that the folding portions are exposed in the same direction, and the fixing member surrounds all folding portions provided in each of the plurality of pouch-type cells, and both ends of the fixing member are attached to each of two pouch-type cells positioned on the outermost sides among the plurality of pouch-type cells. Claim 10 In claim 9, the folding part is a method for fixing the folding part of a pouch-type cell module having two or more folding sections. Claim 11 A method for fixing a folding portion of a pouch-type cell module, wherein the folding portion comprises a first folding portion connected to the pouch-type cell and a second folding portion connected to the first folding portion and folded at a different angle from the first folding portion. Claim 12 A method for fixing a folding portion of a pouch-type cell module, wherein the fixing member is attached to each of the first folding portion of one pouch-type cell and the second folding portion of another pouch-type cell when both ends of the fixing member are attached to each of the two pouch-type cells positioned on the outermost sides among the plurality of pouch-type cells. Claim 13 A pouch-type cell module according to claim 1; and a battery pack comprising a lower housing that accommodates the pouch-type cell module and has an open top. Claim 14 In claim 13, the pouch-type cell module is a battery pack with multiple individual cells. Claim 15 In claim 13, the pouch-type cell module is a battery pack in which the folding portion of each of the plurality of pouch-type cells is stored so as to be exposed toward the open upper portion of the lower housing. Claim 16 A battery pack according to claim 13, further comprising an upper housing coupled to the upper part of the lower housing.

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