Pressing jig for battery cell

Abstract

The disclosed invention comprises a pressure jig for assembling battery cells, wherein the pressure jig comprises: a lower plate having a first pressure member provided on its upper surface so that a plurality of battery cells are seated and aligned; an upper plate having a second pressure member provided on its lower surface so that a plurality of battery cells are seated in an aligned state on the upper portion of the lower plate; a pressure means for mutually pressing the upper plate and the lower plate in the direction of the battery cells; and a plurality of sensing members coupled on the upper plate so as to be electrically connected to a plurality of battery cells.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell pressurizing jig.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a battery cell pressurizing jig for pressurizing and assembling battery cells for manufacturing a battery module. Background Technology

[0003] Recently, rechargeable secondary batteries are being widely used as an energy source for wireless mobile devices.

[0004] Furthermore, secondary batteries are attracting attention not only as an energy source for portable devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and camcorders, but also for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, which are being proposed as solutions to address air pollution caused by conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels.

[0005] Therefore, the types of applications using secondary batteries are becoming highly diversified due to their advantages, and it is expected that secondary batteries will be applied to many more fields and products in the future than they are now.

[0006] These secondary batteries are classified into lithium-ion batteries, lithium-ion polymer batteries, and lithium-polymer batteries depending on the composition of the electrodes and electrolytes; the use of lithium-ion polymer batteries is increasing because they have a low risk of electrolyte leakage and are easy to manufacture.

[0007] Generally, secondary batteries are classified according to the shape of the battery case into cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries, in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a cylindrical or prismatic metal can, and pouch-type battery cells, in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch-type case made of aluminum laminate sheets.

[0008] In addition, the electrode assembly embedded in the battery case is a power generation element capable of charging and discharging, having a structure comprising a positive plate, a negative plate, and a separator interposed between the positive plate and the negative plate. It is classified into a jelly roll type, which is wound with a separator interposed between long sheet-type positive plates and negative plates coated with respective active materials, and a stack type, which is formed by sequentially stacking a plurality of positive plates and negative plates of a predetermined size with a separator interposed between them.

[0009] Meanwhile, these battery cells are manufactured through an assembly process and an activation process; during the activation stage, the produced battery cells are subjected to repeated charging and discharging cycles to a specific voltage several times to ultimately be shipped as battery cells with the required voltage.

[0010] Here, when manufacturing the battery module, the battery cells are assembled using a pressure jig.

[0011] At this time, when checking the condition of the battery cell with the pressure jig assembled to the battery cell, the pressure jig was separated from the battery cell to check for any abnormalities in the battery cell.

[0012] In other words, there was a problem in that whenever a short circuit or similar issue occurred in the battery cell, the battery cell had to be detached from the pressure jig and its voltage measured, which was inconvenient and required a long production time.

[0013] In addition, there was a problem in that the work was cumbersome, such as having to detach the pressure jig from the battery cell before performing the operation during charging and discharging of the battery cell. Prior art literature

[0014] Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 10-1764497 The problem to be solved

[0015] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems by providing a battery cell pressure jig that enables charging and discharging of the battery cell while measuring the voltage of the battery cell without separating the pressure jig when a short circuit occurs in the battery cell while the pressure jig is assembled to the battery cell for manufacturing a battery module. means of solving the problem

[0016] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention comprises a pressure jig for assembling battery cells, wherein the pressure jig comprises: a lower plate having a first pressure member provided on its upper surface so that a plurality of battery cells are seated and aligned; an upper plate having a second pressure member provided on its lower surface so that a plurality of battery cells are seated in an aligned state above the lower plate; a pressure means for mutually pressing the upper plate and the lower plate in the direction of the battery cells; and a plurality of sensing members coupled to the upper plate so as to be electrically connected to a plurality of battery cells.

[0017] As an example, the battery cell is a cylindrical battery cell.

[0018] As another example, a plurality of first seating grooves are formed on the upper surface of the first pressing member so that the lower outer circumference of the battery cell comes into contact and is seated thereon, and a plurality of second seating grooves are formed on the lower surface so that the upper outer circumference of the battery cell comes into contact and is seated thereon.

[0019] As a specific example, the first and second pressurizing members are made of foam.

[0020] As another specific example, a plurality of sensing holes are formed through the upper plate, into which a sensing member is inserted.

[0021] As another specific example, it is positioned vertically upward corresponding to the electrode terminal position of the battery cell seated on the first and second pressure members.

[0022] As an example, the sensing element is a pogopin, which is electrically connected to the electrode terminal of a battery cell and is retractable by an embedded elastic member.

[0023] As another example, the sensing element is a measuring pin comprising a tip formed of a conductive material to be electrically connected to the electrode terminal of a battery cell.

[0024] As an example, it further includes a measuring device that measures the current or voltage of a battery cell electrically connected to a sensing member.

[0025] As another example, it further includes a charging and discharging device that performs charging and discharging on a battery cell electrically connected through a sensing element. Effects of the invention

[0026] According to the present invention, when a short circuit occurs in a battery cell while a pressure jig is assembled to a battery cell for manufacturing a battery module, the voltage of the battery cell can be measured and the battery cell can be charged and discharged without separating the pressure jig, thereby reducing the module manufacturing time and improving the productivity of the battery module. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery cell pressurizing jig according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a battery cell pressurizing jig according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery cell pressure jig according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a sensing member according to one embodiment of the present invention installed on a battery cell pressure jig. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a sensing member according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a sensing member according to another embodiment of the present invention installed on a battery cell pressure jig. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a sensing member according to another embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0028] The present invention will be described in detail below. Prior to this, terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Instead, based on the principle that the inventor may appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe their invention, they must be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0029] Terms such as "comprising" or "having," as used throughout the specification of the present invention, are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, 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.

[0030] Furthermore, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "on" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately above" the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "under" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately below" the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Additionally, in the specification of the present invention, being "placed on" may include cases where it is placed on the lower part as well as the upper part.

[0031] Furthermore, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "on" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately above" the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "under" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately below" the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Additionally, in this application, being placed "on" may include cases where it is placed not only on the upper part but also on the lower part.

[0032] (First embodiment)

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery cell pressurizing jig according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a battery cell pressurizing jig according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery cell pressurizing jig according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a sensing member installed on a battery cell pressurizing jig according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a sensing member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] The battery cell pressurizing jig (1) according to the present invention is for installing a plurality of battery cells (3) to be manufactured into a battery module, and comprises a lower plate (10), an upper plate (20), a pressurizing means (30), and a sensing member (50).

[0035] The lower plate (10) is provided with a first pressure member (11) on its upper surface so that a plurality of battery cells (3) are seated and aligned.

[0036] The first pressing member (11) has a plurality of first seating grooves (11a) formed on its upper surface so that the lower outer circumference of the battery cell (3) comes into contact with and is seated thereon, and the edges of the first seating grooves (11a) are formed to protrude upward in a shape that surrounds the lower outer circumference of the battery cell (3).

[0037] The upper plate (20) is provided above the lower plate (10), and a plurality of second mounting grooves (21a) are formed so that the upper outer circumference of a battery cell (3) mounted on the first pressing member (11) of the lower plate (10) comes into contact with and is mounted thereon.

[0038] Even at this time, the edge of the second mounting groove (21a) is formed to protrude downward, wrapping around the upper outer circumference of the battery cell (3).

[0039] Thus, the first pressure member (11) and the second pressure member (21) are formed with a plurality of first mounting grooves (11a) and second mounting grooves (21a) that are concave, and the edges of the first mounting grooves (11a) and second mounting grooves (21a) are formed to protrude in a pointed shape, thereby allowing the battery cell (3) to be easily mounted and ensuring that the mounted battery cells (3) do not interfere with each other.

[0040] Here, the battery cell (3) may be a cylindrical battery cell, and each of the mounting grooves (11a, 21a) is formed in a shape corresponding to the cylindrical battery cell so as to be installed in each of the mounting grooves (11a, 21a) formed in the first pressing member (11) and the second pressing member (21).

[0041] Meanwhile, the first pressure member (11) and the second pressure member (21) may be made of foam having a predetermined compression ratio.

[0042] And, the above-mentioned pressurizing means (30) fixes the upper plate (20) and the lower plate (10) by mutually pressing them in the direction of the battery cell (3).

[0043] Here, the above-mentioned pressurizing means (30) may be made of a fastening member including a bolt.

[0044] A plurality of fastening holes (not shown) are formed through the edge of the upper plate (20) at regular intervals, and a fastening groove (not shown) corresponding to the fastening holes is formed on the edge of the lower plate (10).

[0045] By the structure described above, the fastening hole of the upper plate (20) and the fastening groove of the lower plate (10) are positioned to correspond to each other, and then a fastening member is fastened to the fastening hole and the fastening groove, thereby allowing the battery cell (3) installed in the upper plate (20) and the lower plate (10) to be pressed.

[0046] At this time, the above-mentioned pressing means (30) is connected to press the upper plate (20) against the lower plate (10), and accordingly, the first pressing member (11) and the second pressing member (21) come into contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the battery cell (3) and press the plurality of battery cells (3), thereby resizing the length of the battery cells (3).

[0047] And, the sensing member (50) is coupled to the upper plate (20) so as to be electrically connected to a plurality of battery cells (3).

[0048] To this end, the sensing member (50) is electrically connected by contacting the electrode terminal (3a) of the battery cell (3), thereby forming an electrical path accessible from the outside. For example, the voltage of the battery cell (3) can be measured through the sensing member (50) without disassembling the battery cell pressure jig (1).

[0049] In addition, the battery cell (3) can be charged and discharged while remaining fixed to the battery cell pressure jig (1) using the above-mentioned sensing member (50).

[0050] In addition, the sensing member (50) may contact a bus bar connecting multiple battery cells (3) to measure the voltage of multiple battery cells (3) and simultaneously charge and discharge multiple battery cells (3).

[0051] Meanwhile, a plurality of sensing holes (23) are formed through the upper plate (20) for inserting and installing a sensing member (50).

[0052] In this way, a plurality of sensing holes (23) are formed in the upper plate (20), and by inserting and installing a sensing member (50) in the sensing hole (23) at a position corresponding to the electrode terminal (3a) of each battery cell (3), the voltage of the battery cell (3) can be easily measured.

[0053] Here, the sensing hole (23) is formed in the shape of an elongated slot facing the longitudinal direction of the upper plate (20), and the sensing member (50) can be inserted and separated in a press-fit manner.

[0054] As described above, by forming a plurality of sensing holes (23) in the upper plate (20), the sensing member (50) is positioned vertically upward corresponding to the position of the electrode terminal (3a) of the battery cell (3) that is seated on the first pressing member (11) and the second pressing member (21).

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensing hole (23) is formed in the shape of an elongated slot, but it is also possible for the sensing hole (23) to be formed in a circular shape, and the shape of the sensing hole (23) is not limited thereto.

[0056] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the sensing member (50) is configured to be detachably inserted into the sensing hole (23), but it is also possible for the sensing member (50) to be fixed and integrally provided in the sensing hole (23), in which case the sensing member (50) is fixedly provided at a position corresponding to the electrode terminal (3a) of the battery cell (3).

[0057] Meanwhile, the sensing member (50) is composed of a pogo pin (Pogo-pin: 51) that is electrically connected to the electrode terminal (3a) of the battery cell (3) and is capable of moving back and forth by means of an embedded elastic member.

[0058] Specifically, the pogo pin (51) has a cylindrical shape and an elastic member such as a spring is installed inside, and the tip that probes the electrode terminal (3a) of the battery cell (3) is made of a conductive metal material and is inserted into the sensing hole (23) of the upper plate (20) and advances toward the battery cell (3) to make elastic contact with the electrode terminal (3a), thereby establishing an electrical connection.

[0059] As described above, the pogo pin (51) is elastically connected to the electrode terminal (3a), thereby allowing for accurate inspection of electrical characteristics such as voltage or current of the battery cell (3).

[0060] Here, the battery cell pressurizing jig (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a measuring device (60) electrically connected to a sensing member (50) to measure the current or voltage of the battery cell (3).

[0061] Additionally, the device may further include a charging / discharging device (70) that performs charging and discharging immediately without removing the battery cell pressure jig (1) for a battery cell (3) electrically connected to the sensing member (50).

[0062] At this time, one side of the sensing member (50) exposed to the outside of the upper plate (20) is connected to the measuring device (60) and the charging / discharging device (70) via electrical wiring so that current can be applied to the battery cell (3), voltage can be measured, or the battery cell (3) can be charged / discharged.

[0063] (Second embodiment)

[0064] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a sensing member according to another embodiment of the present invention installed on a battery cell pressurizing jig. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a sensing member according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sensing member (50) according to the second embodiment is composed of a measuring pin (56) having a conductive tip at the bottom that is electrically connected to the electrode terminal (3a) of the battery cell (3).

[0066] Specifically, the measuring pin (56) is a rod-shaped body made of a conductive metal material that probes the electrode terminal (3a) of the battery cell (3), has a tip formed at the bottom, and a cover body made of synthetic resin material is formed on the outer circumference.

[0067] As described above, the measuring pin (56) is installed in the sensing hole (23) of the upper plate (20) and then pressed toward the battery cell (3), so that the tip formed at the bottom of the measuring pin (56) comes into contact with the electrode terminal (3a) of the battery cell (3), thereby electrically connecting to the electrode cell (3).

[0068] Although the present invention is illustrated and described above in relation to specific embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0069] 1 : Battery cell pressure jig 3 : Battery cell 3a: Electrode terminal 10: Lower plate 11 : First pressure member 11a : First seating groove 20: Upper plate 21 : Second pressure member 21a : Second seating groove 30: Pressurizing means 50 : No sensing 51 : Pogopin 56 : Measuring pin 60 : Measuring device 70 : Charging and discharging device

Claims

Claim 1 A battery cell press jig for assembling battery cells, comprising: a lower plate having a first press member provided on its upper surface so that a plurality of battery cells are seated and aligned; an upper plate having a second press member provided on its lower surface so that the plurality of battery cells are seated in an aligned state above the lower plate; a press means for resizing the length of the battery cells by mutually pressing the upper plate and the lower plate in the direction of the battery cells; and a plurality of sensing members coupled to the upper plate so as to be electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; wherein a plurality of sensing holes are formed through the upper plate so that the sensing members are detachably inserted and installed, and the sensing members are positioned vertically upward corresponding to the electrode terminal positions of the battery cells seated on the first press member and the second press member. Claim 2 A battery cell pressure jig according to claim 1, characterized in that the battery cell is a cylindrical battery cell. Claim 3 A battery cell pressing jig according to claim 1, characterized in that the first pressing member has a plurality of first seating grooves formed on its upper surface to contact and seat the lower outer circumference of the battery cell, and the second pressing member has a plurality of second seating grooves formed on its lower surface to contact and seat the upper outer circumference of the battery cell. Claim 4 A battery cell pressurizing jig characterized in that, in paragraph 3, the first and second pressurizing members are made of foam. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 delete Claim 7 A battery cell pressurizing jig according to claim 1, wherein the sensing member is characterized in that the conductive tip electrically connected to the electrode terminal of the battery cell is a pogo pin capable of moving back and forth by an embedded elastic member. Claim 8 A battery cell pressure jig according to claim 1, wherein the sensing member is a measuring pin comprising a tip formed of a conductive material to be electrically connected to the electrode terminal of the battery cell. Claim 9 A battery cell pressure jig according to claim 1, further comprising a measuring device for measuring the current or voltage of a battery cell electrically connected to the sensing member. Claim 10 A battery cell pressurizing jig according to claim 1, further comprising a charging / discharging device that performs charging and discharging on a battery cell electrically connected through the sensing member.

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