Battery cell Module

Abstract

A battery cell module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of battery cells, wherein the plurality of battery cells are integrally joined through a joint extending to one side of the battery cells, and the plurality of battery cells are sequentially stacked as the joint is bent inward or outward. According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is an effect of effectively maintaining the stability of the stacked structure of the plurality of battery cells while maintaining the reliability of the electrical connection.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a battery cell module. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, a secondary battery is a battery that can be used repeatedly through the discharge process, which converts chemical energy into electrical energy, and the reverse charging process. Its types include nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, nickel-hydrogen (Ni-MH) batteries, lithium-metal batteries, lithium-ion (Ni-Ion) batteries, and lithium-ion polymer batteries (Li-Ion Polymer Battery, hereinafter referred to as "LIPB").

[0004] A secondary battery consists of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrolyte, and a separator, and stores and generates electricity by utilizing the voltage difference between different positive and negative electrode materials. Here, discharge refers to the movement of electrons from the negative electrode, which has a higher voltage, to the positive electrode, which has a lower voltage (generating electricity equal to the voltage difference between the positive and negative electrodes), and charging refers to the movement of electrons back from the positive electrode to the negative electrode; during this process, the positive electrode material accepts electrons and lithium ions and returns to its original metal oxide form. In other words, when a secondary battery is charged, a charging current flows as metal atoms move from the positive electrode to the negative electrode through the separator, and conversely, when it is discharged, a discharge current flows as metal atoms move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode.

[0005] Recently, secondary batteries have garnered attention as a promising energy source due to their widespread use in IT products, the automotive sector, and energy storage. In the IT product sector, secondary batteries are required to enable long-term continuous use, as well as to be miniaturized and lightweight. In the automotive sector, high output, durability, and safety to eliminate the risk of explosion are required. The energy storage sector involves storing surplus electricity generated from sources such as wind and solar power; as these are used in a stationary manner, secondary batteries with more relaxed conditions can be applied.

[0006] For secondary batteries to be used in various devices, multiple battery cells are combined to form modules that meet the diverse specifications required by each device. Consequently, there is a growing need to address stability, flexibility of combination, and various structural and electrical issues that may arise when individual battery cells constitute a module. Prior art literature

[0008] (Patent Document 0001) KR 2020-0056376 A The problem to be solved

[0009] The objective according to one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a battery cell module that effectively improves the degree of freedom of the stacking structure and electrical connection structure for the battery cell module structure through a structure that connects the battery cells of the battery cell module to each other.

[0010] In addition, it is intended to effectively overcome spatial constraints for combining heat dissipation components for cooling the battery cell module, while simultaneously effectively improving the design freedom of the battery cell module specifications through the compactness of the battery cell module. means of solving the problem

[0012] A battery cell module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of battery cells, wherein the plurality of battery cells are integrally joined through a joint extending to one side of the battery cells, and the plurality of battery cells are sequentially stacked as the joint is bent inward or outward.

[0013] Here, the battery cell comprises an outer casing that accommodates an electrode assembly, a positive electrode tab formed extending from one end or the other end of the electrode assembly, and a negative electrode tab formed extending from one end or the other end of the electrode assembly and spaced apart from the positive electrode tab; and the joint is formed between the battery cells and the battery cells, and is formed with an upper outer casing and a lower outer casing so that the outer casings of mutually adjacent battery cells extend integrally, and may include a communication hole formed between the upper outer casing and the lower outer casing so that the internal space of the adjacent battery cells can communicate with each other.

[0014] In addition, at least one sealing portion may be formed in the joint portion to join the upper exterior material and the lower exterior material.

[0015] In addition, a sealing portion may be intermittently formed in the joint portion along the lateral longitudinal direction of the battery cell.

[0016] In addition, the joint may further include a heat dissipation member coupled to either the outer surface of the upper exterior material or the outer surface of the lower exterior material.

[0017] In addition, the heat dissipation member may be formed to be bent inward or outward together with the joint.

[0019] The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description based on the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in their ordinary and dictionary senses, but should be interpreted in a sense and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention. Effects of the invention

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is an effect of effectively maintaining the stability of a stacked structure of a plurality of battery cells while maintaining the reliability of the electrical coupling.

[0022] In addition, the joints between battery cells can ensure the accuracy of the stacking position and stacking structure, thereby improving the reliability of the fabrication and assembly of the secondary battery module structure.

[0023] In addition, the outer casing of adjacent battery cells extends upward and downward to form a single unit at the joint between battery cells, and by partially sealing and joining these upper and lower outer casings, the precision of folding inward and outward at the joint can be enhanced.

[0024] In addition, by partially sealing and joining the upper and lower outer materials between battery cells to allow the internal spaces of adjacent battery cells to communicate with each other, it is possible to evenly distribute expansion caused by gases generated inside the battery cells throughout the entire battery cell module.

[0025] In addition, by allowing gases generated within the internal spaces of individual battery cells of the battery cell module to communicate with one another, the expansion and explosion of specific battery cells can be effectively prevented and delayed, and the electrical stability of the entire module can be enhanced.

[0026] In addition, by combining and bonding a heat dissipation member onto the joint between battery cells, the space required for combining the separate heat dissipation member is reduced and the structure of the battery cell module is made more compact, thereby improving the design freedom to suit the specifications of the applied device. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0028] FIG. 1 is a partially unfolded plan view of a battery cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view of AA' in FIG. 1 FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of CC' of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of BB' of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view of a battery cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a partially unfolded plan view of a battery cell module according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partially unfolded plan view of a battery cell module according to another modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an assembled perspective view of a battery cell module according to a modified example of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a partially unfolded plan view of a battery cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9a is a cross-sectional view of DD' in FIG. 8 FIG. 9b is a cross-sectional view of FF' in FIG. 8 FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of EE' of FIG. 8 Specific details for implementing the invention

[0029] The objects, specific advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in assigning reference numbers to the components of each drawing in this specification, identical components are assigned the same number whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, terms such as "one side," "other side," "first," and "second" are used to distinguish one component from another, and the components are not limited by these terms. In the following description of the present invention, detailed descriptions of related prior art that may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention are omitted.

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a partially unfolded plan view of a battery cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view of AA' of FIG. 1, FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of CC' of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of BB' of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view of a battery cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a partially unfolded plan view of a battery cell module according to a modified embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a partially unfolded plan view of a battery cell module according to another modified embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an assembled perspective view of a battery cell module according to a modified embodiment of FIG. 6.

[0034] A battery cell module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of battery cells (10), a plurality of battery cells (10) integrally joined through a joint portion (15, 16) extending to one side of the battery cells (10), and the plurality of battery cells (10) are sequentially stacked as the joint portion (15, 16) is folded inward or outward and folded in a zigzag direction.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a battery cell module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of battery cells (10) joined in a unidirectional manner and continuously joined through joints (15, 16) between each battery cell (10).

[0037] In this specification, the joints (15, 16) may be formed in a number corresponding to the number of stacked battery cells (10), and for convenience, they will be described below by referring to the first joint (15) and the second joint (16) as shown in the drawings.

[0039] A first joint (15) and a second joint (16) are sequentially formed between the battery cells (10) so that the battery cells (10) are joined side by side in one direction. A plurality of battery cells (10) are formed by being continuously joined through the first and second joints (15, 16), and a battery cell module can be formed by sequentially stacking the plurality of battery cells (10) by folding the first and second joints (15, 16) inward or outward (see FIG. 4).

[0041] The battery cell (10) includes a pouch outer material (13, 13a, 13b) that accommodates and seals an electrode assembly, a positive electrode tab (11, 11a, 11b) formed protruding from one end or the other end of the battery cell (10), and a negative electrode tab (12, 12a, 12b) formed protruding from one end or the other end of the battery cell (10) spaced apart from the positive electrode tab (11, 11a, 11b).

[0043] In FIG. 1, a positive tab (11, 11a, 11b) and a negative tab (12, 12a, 12b) are formed respectively at the other end opposite to one end of the battery cell (10), but the positive tab (11, 11a, 11b) and the negative tab (12, 12a, 12b) are not limited to a specific location, and it is known that appropriate positional changes are possible for electrical connection of the battery cell (10).

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 2a, the first joint (15) is formed between the battery cell (10) and the battery cell (10), and the outer material (13) of the battery cell (10) on one side is extended to form an upper outer material (15a) integrally formed with the outer material (13a) of the adjacent battery cell (10), and a lower outer material (15b) may be formed in a position facing the upper outer material (15a) vertically.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2b, the second joint (16), like the first joint (15), may have an upper outer casing (16a) formed integrally with the outer casing (13b) of the adjacent battery cell (10) and an outer casing (13a) of the battery cell (10) on one side, and a lower outer casing (16b) formed in a position facing the upper outer casing (16a) vertically.

[0047] The upper outer casing (15a, 16a) and the lower outer casing (15b, 16b) can be manufactured by integrally extending the outer casing (13, 13a, 13b) of the two adjacent battery cells (10), and, of course, the first and second joints (15, 16) can be formed by integrally extending and joining the side portions between the two battery cells (10) with individual outer casings as needed.

[0049] First and second joints (15, 16) connecting adjacent battery cells (10) are formed using upper outer casings (15a, 16a) and lower outer casings (15b, 16b), so that the internal space containing the electrode assembly (14, 14a, 14b) of the battery cell (10) can be connected to each other. The first and second joints (15, 16) are formed by the upper outer casings (15a, 16a) and lower outer casings (15b, 16b). When the first and second joints (15, 16) are bent inward or outward, at least one sealing part (S) can be formed to partially fix the upper outer casings (15a, 16a) and lower outer casings (15b, 16b) in order to maintain the accuracy of the stacking position of the battery cells (10) on both sides according to the bending.

[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the sealing portion (S) can be formed intermittently with a spaced gap to form a communication hole (18) between the sealing portions (S). This communication hole (18) can communicate with the internal space of adjacent battery cells (10). The communication hole (18) allows internal gas that may be generated from the internal space of the battery cell (10) to flow effectively between the internal spaces of adjacent battery cells (10). By communicating the gas flow of the internal spaces of multiple battery cells (10) with one another, the physical expansion force of the battery cell (10) generated by the internal gas of the battery cell (10) is evenly distributed, thereby further improving the electrical stability of the battery cell module.

[0051] FIG. 3 illustrates that the sealing portion (S) of the first joint (15) is formed with a certain distance of spacing and a communication hole (18) is formed between them, but the location or shape of the sealing portion (S) is not limited to a special structure. However, it is necessary to provide a communication hole (18) that allows the internal space of the battery cell (10) to be communicated between the sealing portions (S) through partial sealing. Although not illustrated, it is also necessary to provide the same for the second joint (16).

[0053] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a structure in which a final battery cell module is stacked by alternately bending the first and second joints (15, 16) between the plurality of battery cells (10) and the battery cells (10) shown in FIG. 1 inward or outward.

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first joint (15) and the second joint (16) may form at least one sealing portion (S) in the longitudinal direction of each joint (15, 16) where the upper outer material (15a, 16a) and the lower outer material (15b, 16b) are joined, in order to ensure the precision of the stacking position of the battery cell (10) that is stacked during folding. However, as previously described, it is obvious that a minimum communication hole (18) structure for communication within the internal space of the battery cell (10) may be included.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 5, a positive tab (11, 11a, 11b) and a negative tab (12, 12a, 12b) are formed at one end of a battery cell (10), and a positive tab (11, 11a, 11b) and a negative tab (12, 12a, 12b) can also be formed at one end of the battery cell (10) in the same direction in an adjacent battery cell (10).

[0057] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 6, a positive tab (11, 11a, 11b) and a negative tab (12, 12a, 12b) are formed at one end of a battery cell (10), and adjacent battery cells (10) connected through first and second joints (15, 16) may have a positive tab (11, 11a, 11b) and a negative tab (12, 12a, 12b) formed at the other end opposite to the one end. When multiple battery cells (10) are electrically connected sequentially through the first joint (15) and the second joint (16) while alternately forming positive tabs (11, 11a, 11b) and negative tabs (12, 12a, 12b) at the one end and the other end, there is an advantage in that the design freedom of the electrical connection method between the battery cells (10), namely the series connection or the parallel connection, can be increased.

[0058] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a battery cell module in which a plurality of battery cells (10) shown in FIG. 6 are sequentially stacked by bending the first and second joints (15, 16).

[0059] The positive tabs (11, 11a, 11b) and negative tabs (12, 12a, 12b) are alternately arranged at one end and the other end, allowing for the selection and implementation of the required electrical connection type.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a partially unfolded plan view of a battery cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9a is a cross-sectional view of DD' of FIG. 8, FIG. 9b is a cross-sectional view of FF' of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of EE' of FIG. 8.

[0063] As another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, a heat dissipation member (17) is additionally coupled and bonded to the first and second joints (15, 16) of the battery cell (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] By combining a heat dissipation member (17) with the first and second joints (15, 16), a separate space for combining the heat dissipation member (17) of the battery cell module can be eliminated, and by utilizing the folded inner and outer spaces of the first and second joints (15, 16), there is an advantage of being able to implement a more compact battery cell module structure.

[0065] The heat dissipation member (17) is preferably a flexible member that can be folded together with the first and second joints (15, 16) when the first and second joints (15, 16) are folded, or has a thickness that can be flexibly folded. For example, a heat dissipation member (17) in the form of an adhesive pad can be applied. However, if necessary, when the first and second joints (15, 16) are finally joined to the inner or outer surface in a folded state, it is not necessary for the heat dissipation member (17) to be in a foldable shape, so there is no need to specifically limit the characteristics and material of the heat dissipation member (17).

[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 9a, the heat dissipation member (17) may be formed as an upper heat dissipation member (17a) coupled to the upper outer cladding (15a) of the first joint (15) and a lower heat dissipation member (17b) coupled to the lower outer cladding (15b). By being coupled to the upper and lower parts of the first joint (15) respectively, it can effectively exhibit heat dissipation characteristics while flexibly responding to the bending of the first joint (15).

[0067] FIG. 9b illustrates the upper heat dissipation member (17a) and the lower heat dissipation member (17b) respectively connected to the upper outer material (16a) and the lower outer material (16b) of the second joint (16), and it is known that they have substantially the same functions and characteristics as FIG. 9a.

[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the heat dissipation member (17) can be attached to both the inner and outer sides of the first joint (15). Additionally, although not illustrated, it is understood that it can be attached to either the inner or outer side or a partial area depending on the application space or specifications of the battery cell module. Although not illustrated, it is understood that the same can be applied to the second joint (16).

[0071] Although the present invention has been described in detail through specific embodiments, this is for the purpose of specifically explaining the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto. It is evident that modifications or improvements can be made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope of the invention.

[0072] All simple variations or modifications of the present invention fall within the scope of the present invention, and the specific scope of protection of the present invention will be clarified by the appended claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0073] 10: Battery cell 11, 11a, 11b: Positive tabs 12, 12a, 12b: Negative tabs 13, 13a, 13b: Exterior material 14, 14a, 14b: Electrode assembly 15: First joint 16: Second joint 15a, 16a: Upper exterior material 15b, 16b: Lower exterior material 17: Heat dissipation member 17a: Upper heat dissipation member 17b: Lower heat dissipation member 18: Chimney hole S: Sealing part

Claims

Claim 1 delete Claim 2 A battery cell module comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a plurality of battery cells integrally joined through a joint extending to one side of the battery cells, wherein the plurality of battery cells are sequentially stacked as the joint is bent inward or outward, and wherein the battery cells include an outer casing that accommodates an electrode assembly; a positive electrode tab formed extending from one end or the other end of the electrode assembly and a negative electrode tab formed extending from one end or the other end of the electrode assembly and spaced apart from the positive electrode tab; wherein the joint is formed between the battery cells and the battery cells, and is formed as an upper outer casing and a lower outer casing so that the outer casings of mutually adjacent battery cells are integrally extended, and includes a communication hole formed between the upper outer casing and the lower outer casing so that the internal space of the adjacent battery cells can communicate with each other. Claim 3 In claim 2, the joint portion is a battery cell module having at least one sealing portion formed therein where the upper outer casing and the lower outer casing are joined. Claim 4 A battery cell module according to claim 2, wherein a sealing portion is intermittently formed in the lateral longitudinal direction of the battery cell at the joint portion. Claim 5 A battery cell module according to claim 2, wherein the joint further comprises a heat dissipation member coupled to either the outer surface of the upper outer casing or the outer surface of the lower outer casing. Claim 6 In claim 5, the heat dissipation member is a battery cell module formed to be folded inward or outward together with the joint.

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