Assembly method of battery module

Abstract

A method for assembling a battery module is disclosed. A method for assembling a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first step of stacking a plurality of battery cells in which a negative electrode plate, a separator, and a positive electrode plate are overlapped and packaged by an outer material, and a negative lead and a positive lead are exposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction; a second step of packaging the plurality of battery cells through a case that covers the outer side of the plurality of stacked battery cells; a third step of mounting a sensing module mounted on a bending jig on one end of the case; and a fourth step of bending an electrode lead inserted into a mounting slot of the sensing module through the bending jig in one direction.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for assembling a battery module, and more specifically, to a method for assembling a battery module that can reduce the number of processes by integrating a sensing module assembly process and an electrode lead bending process. Background Technology

[0002] A battery module assembly (BMA) applied to a hybrid or electric vehicle (EV) can be formed by combining cell module assemblies in which multiple battery cells are stacked.

[0003] Generally, the battery module assembly has a structure in which two end plates that hold both sides of the cell module assembly are fixed to a base plate to package the cell module assembly.

[0004] The above battery module assembly connects multiple battery cells and is configured in series or parallel according to the battery development specifications.

[0005] Multiple battery cells are connected by laser welding at the overlapping portions between the electrode leads of the battery cells.

[0006] Battery cell-unit voltage sensing measures the voltage of individual battery cells connected in series or parallel within the module through a sensing circuit via a battery control system called a Battery Management System (BMS).

[0007] In this way, battery cell-level voltage sensing enables the vehicle system to maintain optimal performance of the battery pack through battery cell balancing.

[0008] Recently, as the demand for eco-friendly vehicles increases, the proportion of improvements in the product quality of eco-friendly vehicles is rising.

[0009] In particular, there is significant interest in improving the marketability of eco-friendly vehicles regarding matters related to securing interior and trunk space.

[0010] For this reason, eco-friendly vehicles face spatial constraints regarding the battery pack mounting location due to improvements in product quality.

[0011] Therefore, due to space constraints, the battery module assembly needs to reduce its volume at the battery module level.

[0012] Conventionally, battery module assemblies are manufactured by welding individual busbars and overlapping sections between battery cells via lead folding; therefore, basic space must be secured as a welding jig needs to be inserted during the laser welding process.

[0013] Therefore, since conventional methods have limitations in reducing the volume of modules due to the need to secure basic space, it is necessary to improve these spatial aspects and minimize the structure of the battery module assembly.

[0014] The matters described in this background technology section are written to enhance understanding of the background of the invention and may include matters that are not prior art already known to those skilled in the art to which this technology belongs. The problem to be solved

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a method for assembling a battery module that can achieve process reduction and process efficiency by applying a process of bending the electrode leads while simultaneously fastening the sensing module before welding the sensing module and the electrode leads. means of solving the problem

[0016] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method for assembling a battery module may be provided, comprising: a first step of stacking a plurality of battery cells in which a negative electrode plate, a separator, and a positive electrode plate are overlapped and packaged by an outer material, and a negative lead and a positive lead are exposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction; a second step of packaging the plurality of battery cells through a case that covers the outer side of the plurality of stacked battery cells; a third step of mounting a sensing module mounted on a bending jig on one end of the case; and a fourth step of bending an electrode lead inserted into a mounting slot of the sensing module through the bending jig in one direction.

[0017] Additionally, the bending jig may include a jig body mounted on the tip of a robot arm, a pair of clampers mounted on opposite sides at the tip of the jig body, and a movable block mounted between the pair of clampers to be reciprocally movable and to bend the electrode lead.

[0018] In addition, the above pair of clampers can be configured to operate in directions that move closer to and further apart from each other through a cylinder rod mounted on the jig body.

[0019] Additionally, the moving block may include a block body fitted into the pair of clampers, and a bending guide mounted to reciprocate in one direction on the jig body and formed to protrude along the longitudinal direction of the mounting slot of the sensing module to bend a lead fitted into the mounting slot.

[0020] Additionally, the third step may include a step of contacting the case in a temporarily fastened state through a damper formed on the opposing inner surface of the pair of clampers, and a step in which, as the banding jig approaches the case side further, the damper is pushed into the interior of the clamper and the sensing module comes into contact with the battery cell.

[0021] Additionally, the fourth step may be a step in which the bending guide moves in one direction and bends each electrode lead inserted into an adjacent mounting slot.

[0022] In addition, after the fourth step, the method may further include the step of detaching the bending jig and laser welding the bent electrode leads toward the sensing module. Effects of the invention

[0023] The assembly method of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention applies a bending jig that integrates the assembly process of a sensing module and the lead bending process, thereby preventing assembly defects that occur during assembly and improving assembly quality.

[0024] Furthermore, other effects that can be obtained or predicted by the embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed directly or implicitly in the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. That is, various effects predicted according to the embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed within the detailed description to be set forth below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a banding jig applied to a battery module assembly method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 to 6 are flowcharts of a battery module assembly method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0027] To clearly explain the present invention, parts unrelated to the description have been omitted, and throughout the specification, identical or similar components are described using the same reference numerals.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a banding jig applied to a battery module assembly method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, a bending jig (20) applied to a battery module assembly method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a jig body (21), a pair of clampers (23), and a movable block (25).

[0030] The above jig body (21) can be mounted on the tip of a robot arm (not shown).

[0031] In addition, a pair of clampers (23) are mounted on opposite sides of the front end of the jig body (21).

[0032] The above pair of clampers (23) can be configured to operate in directions that move closer to and further apart from each other through a cylinder rod (29) mounted on the jig body (21).

[0033] A moving block (25) is mounted between these pairs of clampers (23) to enable reciprocating movement.

[0034] The above moving block (25) is for bending the electrode leads (4, 7).

[0035] This moving block (25) includes a block body (250) positioned between the pair of clampers (23).

[0036] A bending guide (251) is mounted on the block body (250), and the bending guide (251) is mounted to move back and forth in one direction from the block body (250).

[0037] That is, it is advantageous for the bending guide (251) to be positioned so that the electrode leads (4, 7) are moved in the direction in which they are bent.

[0038] This bending guide (251) can be configured to reciprocate from the jig body (21) through a central axis (255) installed through the block body (250).

[0039] The bending guide (251) above reciprocates in the direction in which the electrode leads (4, 7) are bent.

[0040] The bending guide (251) is formed to protrude along the longitudinal direction of the mounting slot (11) on the sensing module (10).

[0041] Meanwhile, the sensing module (10) connected to the battery cell (1) is temporarily connected to the block body (250).

[0042] The above sensing module (10) is for sensing the voltage of a plurality of battery cells (1) and electrically connects a pair of electrode leads (4, 7) of the plurality of battery cells (1) so that they can be electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells (1).

[0043] The above sensing module (10) has a mounting slot (11) into which the electrode leads (4, 7) are inserted.

[0044] Additionally, the sensing module (10) includes a flange (13) so as to be temporarily fastened to the block body (250).

[0045] For example, the flange (13) may be formed on both sides of one end so as to be seated on the upper part of the block body (250).

[0046] These flanges (13) can be connected to a separate member after the sensing module (10) is mounted on the case (9).

[0047] The assembly method for assembling the battery module using the above-described bending jig is as follows.

[0048] FIGS. 2 to 6 are flowcharts of a battery module assembly method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, a negative plate (3), a separator (5), and a positive plate (6) are stacked in order, and the negative plate (3), separator (5), and positive plate (6) are wrapped and sealed with an outer material (8) to form a battery cell (1).

[0050] At this time, electrode leads (4, 7) are exposed on both ends in the longitudinal direction to the outside of the outer casing (8).

[0051] The above electrode leads include a negative lead (4) and a positive lead (7), and can be placed on each side.

[0052] And the above battery cells (1) are stacked in multiple numbers.

[0053] The above battery cells (1) and battery cells (1) can be joined to each other by applying an adhesive material.

[0054] In addition, when stacking the battery cells (1), the negative lead (4) and the positive lead (7) can be arranged in an alternating manner.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 3, the outer surface of a plurality of stacked battery cells (1) is packaged through a case (9).

[0056] At this time, the case (9) may cover the entire battery cell (1) or may cover only one side facing the battery cell (1).

[0057] Referring to FIG. 4, a sensing module (10) is mounted on a bending jig (20).

[0058] A pair of clampers (23) operate in directions that move closer to and further apart from each other, and when the sensing module (10) is loaded between the pair of clampers (23), they move closer to each other through the cylinder rod (29) and pressurize the sensing module (10).

[0059] At this time, the sensing module (10) can be temporarily fastened by being caught through a damper (27) formed on the inner side facing the pair of clampers (23).

[0060] The above damper (27) can be mounted to the above clamper (23) via a spring (not shown).

[0061] Subsequently, as the bending jig (20) approaches the case (9) further, the damper (27) is pushed into the interior of the clamper (23), allowing the sensing module (10) to come into contact with the battery cell (1).

[0062] In addition, the electrode leads (4, 7) are inserted into each mounting slot (11) of the sensing module (10).

[0063] Referring to FIG. 5, the electrode leads (4, 7) that are inserted into the mounting slot (11) of the sensing module (10) are bent in one direction through the bending jig (20).

[0064] More specifically, the bending guide (251) moves in one direction from the block body (250) and bends each electrode lead (4, 7) inserted into an adjacent mounting slot (11).

[0065] Referring to FIG. 6, finally, the bending jig (20) is returned, and the bent electrode leads (4, 7) are laser welded (W) toward the sensing module (10) to connect the sensing module (10) and the electrode leads (4, 7), thereby completing the battery module (100).

[0066] Accordingly, the assembly method of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present invention can achieve process reduction and process efficiency by applying a process of bending the electrode leads (4, 7) while fastening the sensing module (10) before welding (W) between the sensing module (10) and the electrode leads (4, 7).

[0067] That is, the assembly method of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention can prevent assembly defects occurring during assembly, improve assembly quality, and increase productivity by applying a bending jig (20) that integrates the assembly process of a sensing module (10) and the bending process of electrode leads (4, 7).

[0068] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0069] 1: Battery cell 3: Cathode plate 4: Cathode lead 5: Separator 6: Positive plate 7: Positive lead 8: Exterior materials 9: Case 10: Sensing Module 11: Mount slot 13: Flange 20: Bending Jig 21: Jig body 23: Clamper 25: Moving Block 250: Block body 251: Bending Guider 253: Connecting bracket 255: Central axis 27: Damper 29: Cylinder rod 100: Battery module

Claims

Claim 1 A first step of stacking a plurality of battery cells in which a negative plate, a separator, and a positive plate are overlapped and packaged by an outer material, and a negative lead and a positive lead are exposed at both longitudinal ends; a second step of packaging the plurality of battery cells through a case that covers the outer side of the plurality of stacked battery cells; and a third step of mounting a sensing module mounted on a bending jig to one end of the case. A method for assembling a battery module, comprising: a fourth step of bending electrode leads inserted into a mounting slot of the sensing module in one direction through the bending jig; wherein the bending jig comprises a jig body mounted on the tip of a robot arm, a pair of clampers mounted on opposite sides at the tip of the jig body, and a movable block mounted between the pair of clampers to be reciprocally movable and to bend the electrode leads; wherein the movable block comprises a block body disposed between the pair of clampers, and a bending guide mounted to be reciprocally movable in one direction from the jig body and formed to protrude long along the longitudinal direction of the mounting slot of the sensing module to bend the leads inserted into the mounting slot. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A method for assembling a battery module according to claim 1, wherein the pair of clampers are configured to operate in directions that move closer to and further apart from each other through a cylinder rod mounted on the jig body. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 A method for assembling a battery module according to claim 1, wherein the third step comprises: a step of contacting the case in a provisionally fastened state through a damper formed on the opposing inner surface of the pair of clampers; and a step in which, as the bending jig approaches the case side further, the damper is pushed into the interior of the clamper and the sensing module comes into contact with the battery cell. Claim 6 A method for assembling a battery module according to claim 1, wherein the fourth step is a step of bending each electrode lead inserted into the mounting slot while the bending guide moves in one direction. Claim 7 A method for assembling a battery module according to claim 6, further comprising the step of, after the fourth step, detaching the bending jig and laser welding the bent electrode leads toward the sensing module.

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