Battery module for vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module for a vehicle, wherein two end plates (21) and two sensing blocks (22) are combined by a coupling mechanism (100) to form a single modular component (20), and the battery module (1) can be configured by combining the integrated single modular component (20) with the battery cell (10) so as to surround the perimeter of the stacked battery cell (10).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle battery module, and more specifically, to a vehicle battery module configured to achieve modularization so that an end plate and a sensing block become a single component before being assembled with a battery cell. Background Technology

[0002] Hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, electric vehicles, and eco-friendly vehicles are all configured to drive the vehicle using an electric motor, and are necessarily equipped with a high-voltage battery pack that supplies driving power to the electric motor.

[0003] A high-voltage battery pack typically includes a battery case, multiple battery modules mounted within the battery case, and a Battery Management System (BMS) that detects the voltage, current, and temperature of each unit cell constituting the battery module and controls their operation.

[0004] In addition, the battery module includes multiple stacked battery cells, left and right end plates connected to the left and right sides of the stacked battery cells to protect the cells, and front and rear sensing blocks connected to the front and rear sides of the stacked battery cells to electrically connect the cells to each other.

[0005] However, conventional battery modules have a configuration in which two end plates on the left and right sides and two sensing blocks on the front and rear sides are all separated individually. When assembling a battery module by combining a pouch-type cell and these four components, it is difficult to control the position of the end plates and sensing blocks, which makes assembly inconvenient. Furthermore, if a separate assembly jig is used to solve this, there is a disadvantage of increased costs.

[0006] In addition, conventionally, the end plate and the sensing block had to be assembled in separate processes, which resulted in the disadvantage of increased costs and slowed productivity due to the expansion of assembly line lines.

[0007] The matters described above as background technology are intended only to enhance understanding of the background of the present invention and should not be construed as an acknowledgment that they constitute prior art already known to those skilled in the art. Prior art literature

[0008] Republic of Korea Published Patent Application No. 10-2019-0054709 The problem to be solved

[0009] The present invention aims to achieve cost reduction and productivity improvement by reducing the assembly line and the number of assembly processes of the battery module, in a configuration of a battery module comprising a battery cell, two end plates, and two sensing blocks, wherein the end plates and sensing blocks are modularized to become a single component before being assembled with the battery cell. means of solving the problem

[0010] The vehicle battery module of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose comprises a coupling mechanism that combines a pair of end plates and a pair of sensing blocks to form a single integrated modular component by connecting them; and is characterized in that the modular component is coupled to a battery cell so as to surround the perimeter of the stacked battery cell.

[0011] The above-described modular component is characterized by being configured to be connected in a square structural shape as the coupling mechanism connects the corner portions of the end plates and the corner portions of the sensing blocks while the end plates are arranged to face each other and the sensing blocks face each other.

[0012] The above coupling mechanism is characterized by comprising: a hinge bracket fixedly coupled to both ends of an end plate; a first coupling pin fixedly coupled to the hinge bracket; a second coupling pin fixedly coupled to both ends of a sensing block; and a link bracket coupled to connect the first coupling pin and the second coupling pin.

[0013] The first connecting pin and the second connecting pin each include a rod portion fixed to a hinge bracket and a sensing block, and a head portion formed with a cross-sectional diameter larger than that of the rod portion; and the link bracket is characterized by being connected to connect the first connecting pin and the second connecting pin in a form through which the rod portion is penetrated.

[0014] The above link bracket is characterized by having a coupling hole formed along the longitudinal direction of the link bracket through which a rod portion passes, and an assembly hole formed at one end of the coupling hole into which a head portion is inserted.

[0015] The method is characterized by passing the head portion of a first coupling pin through the assembly hole of the link bracket and positioning the rod portion of the first coupling pin at the end of the coupling hole; passing the head portion of a second coupling pin through the assembly hole of the link bracket so that the end plate and the sensing block are connected via the link bracket to form a single integrated modular component; and positioning a superimposed battery cell within the modular component and then moving the sensing block so that the rod portion of the second coupling pin is positioned within the coupling hole to combine the battery cell and the modular component. Effects of the invention

[0016] An embodiment according to the present invention is configured such that two end plates and two sensing blocks are combined by a coupling mechanism to form a single modular component, and the integrated single modular component is coupled to a battery cell to surround the perimeter of a stacked battery cell to form a battery module. As the assembly work of the battery module proceeds conveniently, the convenience of the work is greatly improved. In particular, since the modular component can be assembled with the battery cell on a single assembly line to form a battery module, the number of assembly lines and assembly processes can be reduced, thereby achieving the effect of reducing costs and improving productivity. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a battery module configured by combining a modular component and a battery cell according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a modular component and a battery cell according to the present invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 are drawings for explaining a coupling mechanism according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the assembly process of a modular component according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the assembly process of a battery module by combining a modular component and a battery cell according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0018] Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in this specification or application are merely illustrative for the purpose of explaining embodiments according to the present invention, and embodiments according to the present invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments described in this specification or application.

[0019] Since embodiments according to the present invention may be subject to various modifications and may take various forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in this specification or application. However, this is not intended to limit embodiments according to the concept of the present invention to specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that they include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0020] Terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components shall not be limited by said terms. For the sole purpose of distinguishing one component from another, for example, without departing from the scope of rights according to the concept of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component.

[0021] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. Conversely, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between. Other expressions describing the relationship between components, such as "between" and "exactly between," or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to," should be interpreted in the same way.

[0022] The terms used herein are merely for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of the described features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this specification.

[0024] A control unit (controller) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be implemented through a non-volatile memory (not shown) configured to store data relating to an algorithm configured to control the operation of various components of a vehicle or software instructions for executing said algorithm, and a processor (not shown) configured to perform the operation described below using the data stored in said memory. Here, the memory and the processor may be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip integrated with each other. The processor may take the form of one or more processors.

[0025] Hereinafter, a vehicle battery module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be examined with reference to the attached drawings.

[0026] Vehicles using an electric motor as a power source are essentially equipped with a high-voltage battery pack that provides driving power to the electric motor.

[0027] A high-voltage battery pack typically includes a battery case, multiple battery modules mounted within the battery case, and a Battery Management System (BMS) that detects the voltage, current, and temperature of each unit cell constituting the battery module and controls their operation.

[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, a battery module (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of stacked battery cells (10) and a single modular component (20) coupled to the battery cells (10) to surround the perimeter of the battery cells (10).

[0029] The above modular component (20) refers to a single component formed by combining a pair of end plates (21) and a pair of sensing blocks (22) so as to form an integrated unit as they are connected to each other through a coupling mechanism (100).

[0030] The end plates (21) are composed of two and are positioned on the left and right sides so as to face each other with the stacked battery cells (10) in between, and are formed as rigid bodies for the protection of the battery cells (10) and for controlling the swelling reaction force of the cells.

[0031] The sensing block (22) is composed of two parts and is arranged in a front-to-back manner so as to face each other with the stacked battery cell (10) in between, and electrically connects the battery cell (10) and the cell.

[0032] A battery module (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that two end plates (21) and two sensing blocks (22) are combined by a plurality of coupling mechanisms (100) to form a single modular component (20), and the integrated single modular component (20) is combined with a battery cell (10) to surround the perimeter of a stacked battery cell (10). Through this, the assembly line of the battery module (1) and the number of assembly processes can be reduced, and as a result, cost reduction and productivity improvement can be achieved.

[0033] Conventional battery modules have a configuration in which two end plates and two sensing blocks are all separated individually. When assembling a battery module by combining pouch-type cells and these four components, it is difficult to control the positioning of the end plates and sensing blocks, making assembly inconvenient. Furthermore, using a separate assembly jig to solve this problem results in increased costs. In particular, since the end plates and sensing blocks had to be assembled in separate processes, there was a disadvantage of increased costs and slowed productivity due to the increase in assembly process lines.

[0034] In contrast, an embodiment according to the present invention is configured such that two end plates (21) and two sensing blocks (22) are combined by a coupling mechanism (100) to form a single modular component (20), and the integrated single modular component (20) is combined with the battery cell (10) to surround the perimeter of the stacked battery cell (10) to form a battery module (1). As a result, the assembly work of the battery module (1) is much easier than in the conventional method, so the convenience of the work is greatly improved. In particular, since assembly can be performed on a single assembly line with a single modular component (20), the assembly line and the number of assembly processes can be reduced, thereby enabling cost reduction and increased productivity.

[0035] The modular component (20) is configured to be connected in a rectangular frame shape by connecting the corner portion of the end plate (21) and the corner portion of the sensing block (22) in a state where the end plates (21) are arranged to face each other and the sensing blocks (22) are arranged to face each other, and the connecting mechanism (100) is connected to connect the corner portion of the end plate (21) and the corner portion of the sensing block (22).

[0036] The coupling mechanism (100) includes a hinge bracket (110) fixedly coupled by welding to both ends (both ends positioned to face the front and rear directions) of an end plate (21), a first coupling pin (120) fixedly coupled to the hinge bracket (110), a second coupling pin (130) fixedly coupled to both ends (both ends positioned to face the left and right directions) of a sensing block (22), and a link bracket (140) coupled to connect the first coupling pin (120) and the second coupling pin (130).

[0037] The first connecting pin (120) is fixedly connected to the hinge bracket (110) and includes a rod portion (121) protruding from the hinge bracket (110), and a head portion (122) integrally formed at the end of the rod portion (121) and formed with a larger cross-sectional diameter than the rod portion (121).

[0038] The second connecting pin (130) is fixedly connected to the sensing block (22) and includes a rod portion (131) protruding from the sensing block (22), and a head portion (132) integrally formed at the end of the rod portion (131) and formed with a larger cross-sectional diameter than the rod portion (131).

[0039] The link bracket (140) is a steel bracket extended in a straight line with a predetermined thickness, and is structured to connect the first connecting pin (120) and the second connecting pin (130) in a form through which the rod portions (121, 131) of the first and second connecting pins (120, 130) are penetrated.

[0040] In the link bracket (140), a coupling hole (141) through which the rod portion (121, 131) of the first and second coupling pins (120, 130) pass is formed extending along the longitudinal direction of the link bracket (140), and an assembly hole (142) into which the head portion (122, 132) of the first and second coupling pins (120, 130) is inserted is formed at one end of the coupling hole (141).

[0041] That is, the diameter of the assembly hole (142) is formed to be larger than that of the coupling hole (141) formed in the link bracket (140), and the coupling hole (141) becomes a slit hole formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the link bracket (140).

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates an assembly process in which two end plates (21) and two sensing blocks (22) are combined by a coupling mechanism (100) to form a single modular component (20).

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5(A), the link bracket (140) is positioned above the first coupling pin (120), and as shown in FIG. 5(B), the head portion (122) of the first coupling pin (120) is passed through the assembly hole (142) of the link bracket (140), and then the link bracket (140) is moved so that the rod portion (121) of the first coupling pin (120) is positioned at the end of the coupling hole (141) of the link bracket (140).

[0044] Next, as shown in Fig. 5(C), the head portion (132) of the second coupling pin (130) is passed through the assembly hole (142) of the link bracket (140), and as shown in Fig. 5(D), the end plate (21) and the sensing block (22) are connected through the link bracket (140), thereby completing the configuration of a single integrated modular component (20).

[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates an assembly process for forming a battery module (1) by combining a battery cell (10) and a modular component (20).

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5(D), the end plate (21) and the sensing block (22) are combined to be connected via the link bracket (140), thereby completing the configuration of a single integrated modular component (20). Then, as shown in FIG. 6(A), a battery cell (10) is positioned within the modular component (20), and then, as shown in FIG. 6(B), the sensing block (22) is pushed toward the battery cell (10). Then, with the first coupling pin (120) positioned at the end of the coupling hole (141) of the link bracket (140), the second coupling pin (130), which was located within the assembly hole (142) of the link bracket (140), is positioned at a predetermined position within the coupling hole (141). During this process, as the sensing block (22) moves toward the battery cell (10) due to the rotation of the link bracket (140), the configuration of the battery module (1) in which the battery cell (10) and the modular component (20) are combined is completed.

[0047] As described above, the embodiment according to the present invention is configured such that two end plates (21) and two sensing blocks (22) are combined by a coupling mechanism (100) to form a single modular component (20), and the integrated single modular component (20) is combined with the battery cell (10) to surround the perimeter of the stacked battery cell (10) to form a battery module (1). As the assembly work of the battery module (1) proceeds conveniently, the convenience of the work is greatly improved. In particular, as the modular component (20) can be assembled with the battery cell (10) on a single assembly line to form the battery module (1), the assembly line and the number of assembly processes can be reduced, thereby achieving the advantage of reducing costs and improving productivity.

[0048] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in relation to specific embodiments, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as provided by the following claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0049] 1 - Battery Module 10 - Battery Cell 20 - Modular component 21 - End plate 22 - Sensing Block 100 - Coupling Mechanism 110 - Hinge bracket 120 - First connecting pin 121,131 - Load section 122,132 - Head section 130 - Second connecting pin 140 - Link bracket 141 - Joining hole 142 - Assembly hole

Claims

Claim 1 A vehicle battery module characterized by comprising: a coupling mechanism comprising a pair of end plates and a pair of sensing blocks combined to form an integrated single modular component; said modular component being coupled to a battery cell so as to surround the perimeter of a stacked battery cell; and said coupling mechanism comprising a hinge bracket fixedly coupled to both ends of the end plate; a first coupling pin fixedly coupled to the hinge bracket; a second coupling pin fixedly coupled to both ends of the sensing block; and a link bracket coupled to connect the first coupling pin and the second coupling pin. Claim 2 A vehicle battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that the modular components are configured to be connected in a square structure shape by means of a coupling mechanism connecting the corner portion of the end plate and the corner portion of the sensing block while the end plates are arranged to face each other and the sensing blocks are arranged to face each other. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A vehicle battery module according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling pin and the second coupling pin each comprise a rod portion fixed to a hinge bracket and a sensing block, and a head portion formed with a cross-sectional diameter larger than that of the rod portion; and wherein the link bracket is coupled to connect the first coupling pin and the second coupling pin in a form through which the rod portion is penetrated. Claim 5 A vehicle battery module according to claim 4, wherein the link bracket has a coupling hole formed so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the link bracket through which a rod portion passes; and an assembly hole formed at one end of the coupling hole into which a head portion is inserted. Claim 6 A vehicle battery module according to claim 5, wherein the head portion of a first coupling pin is passed through the assembly hole of the link bracket and the rod portion of the first coupling pin is positioned at the end of the coupling hole; wherein the head portion of a second coupling pin is passed through the assembly hole of the link bracket so that the end plate and the sensing block are connected through the link bracket to form a single integrated modular component; wherein a battery cell is positioned overlapping within the modular component and the sensing block is moved so that the rod portion of the second coupling pin is positioned within the coupling hole to combine the battery cell and the modular component.

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