Frame for cylindrical battery module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a frame for a cylindrical battery module that is configured vertically for assembly, provides multiple internal spaces, and fixes a cylindrical battery therein. The frame for a cylindrical battery module according to the present invention can fix a cylindrical battery without shaking, even without separate adhesive components or physical support members. The frame according to the present invention can be applied to both battery modules and battery packs.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a frame for a cylindrical battery module. Specifically, it relates to a frame for a cylindrical battery module that is configured vertically for assembly, provides multiple internal spaces, and fixes cylindrical batteries therein. The frame according to the present invention can be applied to both battery modules and battery packs. Background Technology

[0002] In line with the increase in electric vehicle sales, the demand for cylindrical batteries is also rising. Due to their cylindrical shape, a separate frame is essential to secure the cylindrical batteries when using them as modules or packs.

[0003] In the case of a cylindrical battery module, multiple cylindrical batteries are inserted into a frame and fixed, and then each cylindrical battery is electrically connected using busbars or the like.

[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame (100) for a cylindrical battery module according to the prior art, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower frame (20) of a frame (100) for a cylindrical battery module according to the prior art, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a frame (100) for a cylindrical battery module according to the prior art.

[0005] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a frame (100) for a cylindrical battery module includes an upper frame (10), a lower frame (20), and a plurality of upper holders (12) and a plurality of lower holders (22) provided on each of the upper frame (10) and the lower frame (20). A plurality of cylindrical batteries (30) are fitted into the upper holders (12) and the lower holders (22), and the upper frame (10) and the lower frame (20) are combined and additionally secured by a fixing screw (40).

[0006] As needed, the top cap of the cylindrical battery (30) is fitted onto the upper holder (12) and the lower holder (22) in a downward or upward direction. Subsequently, each cylindrical battery (30) is electrically connected through a bus bar (50), etc.

[0007] The upper holder (12) and the lower holder (22), into which the cylindrical battery (30) is inserted, have a cross-section that is slightly wider than the cross-section of the cylindrical battery (30) to facilitate the process of inserting the cylindrical battery (30) and fitting the upper frame (10) and the lower frame (20) together. This space is called the assembly space (Gap).

[0008] The upper gap (14) of the upper frame (10) refers to the empty space between the upper holder (12) and the cylindrical battery (30), and the lower gap (24) of the lower frame (20) refers to the empty space between the lower holder (22) and the cylindrical battery (30). In FIG. 3, the upper gap (14) and the lower gap (24) each refer to half the length obtained by subtracting the diameter of the cylindrical battery (30) from the width of the upper holder (12) and half the length obtained by subtracting the diameter of the cylindrical battery (30) from the width of the lower holder (22).

[0009] When performing ultrasonic welding or the like for electrical connection of the above cylindrical battery (30), shaking of the above cylindrical battery (30) occurs due to the assembly space, and welding defects occur as a result.

[0010] Assembly space is necessary for the efficiency of manufacturing or assembling cylindrical battery modules, but it becomes a problem later on in ultrasonic welding, etc.

[0011] In order to insert multiple cylindrical batteries into the holder (12, 22) at once and to combine the frames at once, it is desirable to expand the assembly space, but in this case, the defect rate in the subsequent process increases.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a product (200) that improves the frame for a cylindrical battery module according to the prior art.

[0013] Conventionally, to solve these problems, an adhesive member (26) is applied to the interior of a lower holder (22) into which a cylindrical battery (30) is first inserted, and the inserted cylindrical battery (30) is fixed using this. Inside the upper holder (12), a protrusion structure, a baffle, or an additional ring is used so that the cylindrical battery (30) can be inserted into the upper holder (12) in a forced-fit manner. FIG. 4 shows an example in which a cylindrical battery (30) is fixed to the upper holder (12) using a fitting member (16).

[0014] Although the adhesive member (26) and the fitting member (16) were used as a means to prevent shaking caused by the lower gap (24) and the upper gap (14), there are still the following problems.

[0015] 1) Additional time is required to add the adhesive member (26) and the insert member (16). In particular, since it is impossible to prepare the adhesive member (26) in advance due to the problem of curing, it must be prepared before assembling or manufacturing the cylindrical battery module, so a certain amount of preparation time is required.

[0016] 2) After inserting the cylindrical battery (30), additional time is required until the adhesive member (26) hardens.

[0017] 3) Since an adhesive member (26) is used, it is not easy to disassemble the cylindrical battery module in the future.

[0018] 4) The fitting member (16) placed in the upper holder (12) also gets pushed outward during the process of inserting the cylindrical battery (30), or the cylindrical battery (30) is not properly fixed in the center.

[0019] 5) The process becomes more complex, and productivity decreases as a result.

[0020] Patent Document 1 provides a battery pack capable of maintaining a cylindrical battery in a fixed position by efficiently preventing the battery from rotating due to vibration or shock, and secures the battery by adding an inclined rib inside the lower holder. The inclined rib of Patent Document 1 can only secure the lower part of the cylindrical battery and cannot prevent the upper part of the cylindrical battery from shaking due to the upper gap. The inclined rib of the lower holder of Patent Document 1 requires the battery to be forcibly and strongly inserted, and since it can be secured only by unidirectional friction, it does not clearly solve the problem regarding the assembly space.

[0021] Patent Document 2 has an upper frame and a lower frame to fix a cylindrical battery, and a plurality of hollows are formed inside the frame to surround the cylindrical battery, but while the hollow structure can serve as a cushion, it does not solve the problem of assembly space recognized as a problem in the present invention.

[0022] Patent documents 3 and 4 fix a cylindrical battery using only an upper frame and a lower frame, and it appears that they failed to consider the necessity of assembly space recognized in the present invention and the problems associated therewith. Prior art literature

[0023] Japanese Published Patent Application No. 2019-083087 ('Patent Document 1') Korean Published Patent Application No. 2020-0050777 ('Patent Document 2') Japanese Published Patent Application No. 2021-086679 ('Patent Document 3') International Publication No. 2013-021573 ('Patent Document 4') The problem to be solved

[0024] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing an improved cylindrical battery module frame that 1) maintains the efficiency of inserting the cylindrical battery and connecting the frame by utilizing the assembly space of the cylindrical battery module frame as is, 2) minimizes movement of the cylindrical battery when the frame is connected, and 3) facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the cylindrical battery module. means of solving the problem

[0025] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention relates to a frame for a cylindrical battery module comprising an upper frame and a lower frame for housing a cylindrical battery, a fastening means for fastening the upper frame and the lower frame, an upper side wall forming an upper holder capable of housing the cylindrical battery inside the upper frame, and a lower side wall forming a lower holder capable of housing the cylindrical battery inside the lower frame, wherein

[0026] One of the upper side wall and the lower side wall has a groove formed inside and the other has a protrusion formed therein, and when the upper frame and the lower frame are combined, the protrusion is inserted into the groove. A cylindrical battery module frame is provided.

[0027] When the above protrusion is inserted into the groove, the shape of the upper side wall and the lower side wall equipped with the groove may be deformed.

[0028] The above protrusion may be provided only on the upper side wall and the groove may be provided only on the lower side wall, or the above protrusion may be provided only on the lower wall and the groove may be provided only on the upper side wall, or the above protrusion and the groove may be provided alternately on adjacent upper side walls and adjacent lower side walls.

[0029] The depth of the upper holder and the depth of the lower holder may be at least 1 / 2, preferably 2 / 3, of the length of the cylindrical battery.

[0030] At least a portion of the inner cross-section of the above-mentioned groove and the cross-section of the above-mentioned protrusion may have an inclined surface.

[0031] The above fastening means may be by means of a screw or a bolt.

[0032] The present invention also provides a frame for a cylindrical battery module in which, when the protrusion is inserted into the groove, the cross-sections of the upper side wall and the lower side wall having the groove are deformed or stretched, the protrusion and the groove are alternately provided on adjacent upper side walls and adjacent lower side walls, the depth of the upper holder and the depth of the lower holder are at least 2 / 3 of the length of the cylindrical battery, the internal cross-section of the groove and the cross-section of the protrusion have inclined surfaces, and the fastening means is a screw or a bolt.

[0033] The present invention also provides a battery module and a battery pack comprising a cylindrical battery, a frame for the cylindrical battery module containing the cylindrical battery inside.

[0034] The present invention can also be provided by combining two or more of the above-mentioned solution means. Effects of the invention

[0035] As described above, the frame for a cylindrical battery module according to the present invention has the advantages of: 1) being able to utilize the assembly space of the cylindrical battery module frame before assembly, thereby increasing the efficiency of inserting the cylindrical battery and joining the frame; 2) minimizing movement of the cylindrical battery by the vertical fastening force when the frame is joined; and 3) being able to disassemble the cylindrical battery module without requiring an adhesive member and without requiring additional parts such as a fitting member, thus making assembly and disassembly of the cylindrical battery module easy. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame for a cylindrical battery module according to the prior art. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower frame of a frame for a cylindrical battery module according to the prior art. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a frame for a cylindrical battery module according to the prior art. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a product with an improved frame for a cylindrical battery module according to the prior art. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a frame for a cylindrical battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a frame for a cylindrical battery module according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a frame for a cylindrical battery module according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a frame for a cylindrical battery module according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0037] Embodiments that enable a person skilled in the art to easily practice the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. However, in describing the operating principles of preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail, if it is determined that a specific description of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0038] In addition, the same reference numerals are used for parts having similar functions and operations throughout the drawings. Throughout the specification, when a part is described as being connected to another part, this includes not only cases where they are directly connected, but also cases where they are indirectly connected with other elements in between. Furthermore, unless specifically stated otherwise, the inclusion of a certain component does not exclude other components but implies that additional components may be included.

[0039] Hereinafter, a frame for a cylindrical battery module according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a frame (1000) for a cylindrical battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a frame (2000) for a cylindrical battery module according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a frame (3000) for a cylindrical battery module according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a frame (4000) for a cylindrical battery module according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] A frame (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000) for a cylindrical battery module according to the present invention comprises an upper frame (1010, 2010, 3010, 4010) for housing a cylindrical battery (30) and a lower frame (1020, 2020, 3020, 4020), a fastening means (40) for fastening the upper frame (1010, 2010, 3010, 4010) and the lower frame (1020, 2020, 3020, 4020), and an upper side wall (1018) forming an upper holder (1012, 2012, 3012, 4012) capable of housing the cylindrical battery (30) inside the upper frame (1010, 2010, 3010, 4010). A cylindrical battery module frame (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000) comprising 2018, 3018A, 3018B, 4018), and a lower side wall (1028, 2028, 3028A, 3028B, 4028) forming a lower holder (1022, 2022, 3022, 4022) capable of housing the cylindrical battery (30) inside the lower frame (1020, 2020, 3020, 4020), wherein

[0042] One side of the upper side wall (1018, 2018, 3018A, 3018B, 4018) and the lower side wall (1028, 2028, 3028A, 3028B, 4028) has a groove (1060, 2060, 3060, 4060) formed inside, and the other side has a protrusion (1070, 2070, 3070, 4070) formed, and when the upper frame (1010, 2010, 3010, 4010) and the lower frame (1020, 2020, 3020, 4020) are combined, the protrusion (1070, 2070, 3070, 4070) forms the groove (1060, 2060, 3060, It is inserted into 4060).

[0043] In the first embodiment of FIG. 5, the cylindrical battery module frame (1000) has a protrusion (1070) provided only on the upper side wall (1018) and a groove (1060) provided only on the lower side wall (1028); in the second embodiment of FIG. 6, the cylindrical battery module frame (2000) has a protrusion (2070) provided only on the lower side wall (2028) and a groove (2060) provided only on the upper side wall (2018); and in the third embodiment of FIG. 7, the cylindrical battery module frame (3000) has a protrusion (3070) and a groove (3060) provided alternately on adjacent upper side walls (3018B, 3018A) and adjacent lower side walls (3028B, 3028A).

[0044] In FIGS. 5 to 7, the upper or lower side wall provided with a groove is deformed such that the cross-section of the upper side wall and the lower side wall expands or widens due to the insertion of a protrusion, thereby compressing and fixing the cylindrical battery (30). In FIGS. 5 to 7, the gap between the cylindrical battery (30) and the upper or lower side wall is shown as being exaggeratedly wide, so that the degree of deformation of the upper or lower side wall is shown as small.

[0045] In FIGS. 5 to 7, the groove and the protrusion have a portion that contacts each other formed at an angle.

[0046] FIG. 8 shows only a part of the cylindrical battery module type frame (400) according to the fourth embodiment, with the shape of the protrusion (4070) modified. The cross-section of the protrusion (4070) is rectangular, and the groove (4060) has an inner surface that is inclined. FIG. 8 also shows in detail the lower side wall (4028) being modified to come into contact with the cylindrical battery (30), and FIG. 5 to 7 also come into contact with the cylindrical battery (30) in the same form as FIG. 8 when actually applied.

[0047] The shapes of the protrusions and grooves are not limited; any shape is possible as long as the protrusions and grooves combine to deform the groove and increase its cross-section.

[0048] The depth of the upper holder and the depth of the lower holder may be at least 1 / 2, preferably 2 / 3, of the length of the cylindrical battery. In FIGS. 5 to 8, the portion where the groove and the protrusion overlap is approximately 1 / 3 of the length of the cylindrical battery (30), and the cylindrical battery (30) is fixed through this portion, so the depth of the upper holder and the depth of the lower holder must be at least 1 / 2 of the length of the cylindrical battery.

[0049] In FIGS. 5 to 8, the fastening means (40) is a screw or a bolt, and any means capable of fastening the upper frame and the lower frame, such as a screw, bolt, or fitting method, is possible.

[0050] A person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains would be able to perform various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above content. Explanation of the symbols

[0051] 100, 200, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000: Frame for cylindrical battery module 10, 1010, 2010, 3010, 4010 : Upper frame 12, 1012, 2012, 3012, 4012 : Upper holder 14 : Upper gap 16 : Insert member 1018, 2018, 3018A, 3018B, 4018 : Upper side wall 20, 1020, 2020, 3020, 4020 : Lower frame 22, 1022, 2022, 3022, 4022 : Lower holder 24 : Lower gap 26 : Adhesive member 1028, 2028, 3028A, 3028B, 4028 : Lower side wall 30: Cylindrical battery 40: Fixing screw 50: Busbar or electrical connection 1060, 2060, 3060, 4060 : Home 1070, 2070, 3070, 4070 : Protrusion

Claims

Claim 1 A frame for a cylindrical battery module comprising: an upper frame and a lower frame for housing a cylindrical battery; a fastening means for fastening the upper frame and the lower frame; an upper side wall forming an upper holder capable of housing the cylindrical battery inside the upper frame; and a lower side wall forming a lower holder capable of housing the cylindrical battery inside the lower frame; wherein a protrusion is provided at one end of the upper side wall and the lower side wall, and a groove is provided at the corresponding end of the upper side wall or the lower side wall, and when the upper frame and the lower frame are combined, the protrusion is inserted into the groove. Claim 2 A cylindrical battery module frame according to claim 1, wherein when the protrusion is inserted into the groove, the shape of the upper side wall and the lower side wall having the groove is deformed. Claim 3 A cylindrical battery module frame according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided only on the upper side wall and the groove is provided only on the lower side wall. Claim 4 A cylindrical battery module frame according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided only on the lower side wall and the groove is provided only on the upper side wall. Claim 5 A cylindrical battery module frame according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions and grooves are alternately provided on adjacent upper side walls and adjacent lower side walls. Claim 6 A frame for a cylindrical battery module according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the upper holder and the depth of the lower holder are at least 1 / 2 of the length of the cylindrical battery. Claim 7 In claim 6, a frame for a cylindrical battery module in which the depth of the upper holder and the depth of the lower holder are at least 2 / 3 of the length of the cylindrical battery. Claim 8 A cylindrical battery module frame according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the inner cross-section of the groove and the cross-section of the protrusion have an inclined surface. Claim 9 A cylindrical battery module frame according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means is a screw or bolt. Claim 10 A frame for a cylindrical battery module according to claim 1, wherein when the protrusion is inserted into the groove, the cross-sections of the upper side wall and the lower side wall having the groove are extended, the protrusion and the groove are alternately provided on adjacent upper side walls and adjacent lower side walls, the depth of the upper holder and the depth of the lower holder are at least 2 / 3 of the length of the cylindrical battery, the internal cross-section of the groove and the cross-section of the protrusion have inclined surfaces, and the fastening means is a screw or a bolt. Claim 11 A battery module comprising: a cylindrical battery; a frame for a cylindrical battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 10 containing the cylindrical battery inside.

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