Battery module fixing device and battery module fixing method using same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module fixing device and a battery module fixing method using same. The battery module fixing device includes: a holder unit including a first holder coming in contact with a first surface of a first electrode lead and a second holder coming in contact with a fourth surface of a second electrode lead; a pressing unit provided to move the second holder toward the first holder; a guide unit that guides the linear movement of the holder unit; and a connection unit provided so that the holder unit is moved or fixed with respect to the guide unit.

Description

Battery module fixing device and battery module fixing method using the same

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2023-0182398, filed December 14, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module fixing device and a battery module fixing method using the same, and more specifically, to a battery module fixing device for assembling battery modules without welding for electrical connection of battery cells, and a battery module fixing method using the same.

[0003]

[0004] As technological development and demand for mobile devices increase, rechargeable secondary batteries are increasingly being used as energy sources for a variety of mobile devices. Secondary batteries are also attracting attention as an energy source for electric and hybrid electric vehicles, offering an alternative to conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles that rely on fossil fuels.

[0005] Secondary batteries, the energy source for various electronic devices indispensable in modern society, are seeing increased capacity requirements due to the increasing use and complexity of mobile devices and the development of electric vehicles. To meet user demand, small devices are equipped with multiple battery cells. However, automobiles and other devices utilize battery modules, which electrically connect multiple battery cells, or battery packs comprising multiple such modules.

[0006] Figure 1 is a drawing for explaining a battery module equipped with a bus bar according to the prior art.

[0007] Referring to Fig. 1, the leads (11, 21) and bus bars (30) of a plurality of battery cells (10, 20) are joined by welding and assembled into a battery module.

[0008] The battery module according to this prior art has a high fixing effect as the leads (11, 21) of the battery cells (10, 20) are welded to the bus bar (30), but there is a problem in that the entire battery module must be replaced when the battery cells (10, 20) need to be replaced.

[0009]

[0010] (Prior art literature)

[0011] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2256733

[0012]

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, the purpose is to provide a battery module fixing device that allows replacement of battery cells and a battery module fixing method using the same.

[0014]

[0015] As a technical means for achieving the above purpose, a battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by including a holder portion (100) including a first holder (110) with which a first surface (11a) of a first electrode lead (11) is in contact and a second holder (120) with which a fourth surface (21b) of a second electrode lead (21) is in contact; a pressing portion (200) provided to move the second holder (120) toward the first holder (110); a guide portion (300) for guiding linear movement of the holder portion (100); and a connecting portion (400) provided to allow the holder portion (100) to move or be fixed relative to the guide portion (300).

[0016] In addition, in the battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the connecting portion (400) is characterized by including a first connecting member (410) positioned on one surface of the first holder (110) and provided to fix the first holder (110) to the guide portion (300); and a second connecting member (420) positioned on the other surface of the second holder (120) and provided to enable linear movement of the second holder (120) with respect to the guide portion (300).

[0017] In addition, in the battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, a guide groove (310) corresponding to the linear movement section of the second connecting member (420) is formed in the guide portion (300).

[0018] In addition, in the battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second connecting member (420) is formed with a protrusion (421) that is inserted into the guide groove (310) and is provided to move linearly with respect to the guide groove (310), and the protrusion (421) is characterized in that it is coupled with a male-female joint that is capable of moving linearly with respect to the guide groove (310).

[0019] In addition, in the battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the pressurizing member (200) is characterized by including a screw member (210) having a male screw thread formed on an outer surface and connected to the second holder (120); a ratchet gear (220) coupled with the screw member (210) and having a plurality of teeth (221) formed on an outer surface; and a stopper member (230) provided so as to enable a hooking connection between any two teeth (221) adjacent to each other among the plurality of teeth (221) of the ratchet gear (220).

[0020] In addition, in the battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the ratchet gear (220) is characterized in that it is provided so as to allow rotation in the rotational direction of the screw member (210) and restrict rotation in the opposite direction of the rotational direction while the stopper member (210) is engaged between any two adjacent teeth (221) among the plurality of teeth (221).

[0021] In addition, in the battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the screw member (210) is characterized in that it moves the second holder (120) toward the first holder (110) when rotated in the rotational direction.

[0022] In addition, in the battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first holder (110) is characterized in that a first protrusion (111) protruding to the other side is provided on the other side that contacts the first side (11a) of the first electrode lead (11).

[0023] In addition, in the battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second holder (120) is characterized in that a second protrusion (121) protruding to one side is provided on one surface that comes into contact with the fourth surface (21b) of the second electrode lead (21).

[0024] In addition, in the battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first holder (110) and the second holder (120) are characterized in that they are made of a metal material.

[0025] In addition, the battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it further includes a sensing unit (500) attached to the first holder (110) and provided to be indirectly connected to the first electrode lead (11) and the second electrode lead (22).

[0026] In addition, the battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the holder part (100), the pressure part (200), and the connection part (400) are provided in multiple numbers.

[0027] In addition, a method for fixing a battery module using a battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by including: (S1) a step of inserting the first electrode lead (11) and the second electrode lead (21) into a gap between the first holder (110) and the second holder (120); and (S2) a step of the holder part (100) gripping the first electrode lead (11) and the second electrode lead (21).

[0028] In addition, in the battery module fixing method according to one embodiment of the present invention, in the step (S2), the screw member (210) is rotated in the rotational direction so that the second holder (120) moves toward the first holder (110), and the holder part (100) grips the first electrode lead (11) and the second electrode lead (21).

[0029]

[0030] As described above, according to the battery module fixing device and the battery module fixing method using the same according to the present invention, the holder portion holds the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead, so that the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead can be connected without a separate bus bar structure, and since welding is unnecessary, the product process can be advantageous.

[0031] In addition, as described above, according to the battery module fixing device and the battery module fixing method using the same according to the present invention, the pressurizing part provides linear movement of the second holder, so that when replacement of battery cells is required, only the battery cells requiring replacement can be replaced separately, thereby reducing the cost burden of replacing parts per module.

[0032]

[0033] Figure 1 is a drawing for explaining a battery module equipped with a bus bar according to the prior art.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a first electrode lead and a second electrode lead arranged in a battery module fixing device according to the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 is a perspective view for explaining the holder portion of the battery module fixing device according to the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the holder portion of the battery module fixing device illustrated in FIG. 2 holding the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the combination of the guide portion and the second connecting member of the battery module fixing device according to the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 is a drawing for explaining the pressurizing part of the battery module fixing device according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 is a drawing for explaining a battery module fixing device according to the present invention having a plurality of holders, pressurizing parts, and connecting parts.

[0040]

[0041] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, when describing the operating principles of preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail, if a detailed description of a related known function or configuration is judged to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0042] Additionally, the same drawing reference numerals are used for parts with similar functions and actions throughout the drawings. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only direct connections but also indirect connections with other elements intervening. Furthermore, inclusion of a component does not exclude other components unless specifically stated otherwise, but rather implies the inclusion of additional components.

[0043]

[0044] Below, a battery module fixing device according to the present invention is described.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a first electrode lead and a second electrode lead arranged in a battery module fixing device according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining a holder part of a battery module fixing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a holder part of the battery module fixing device illustrated in FIG. 2 holding the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead.

[0046] In addition, FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the combination of the guide part and the second connecting member of the battery module fixing device according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the pressing part of the battery module fixing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the holder part, the pressing part, and the connecting part of the battery module fixing device according to the present invention provided in multiple numbers.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 7, the battery module fixing device according to the present invention includes a holder portion (100), a pressure portion (200), a guide portion (300), a connection portion (400), and a sensing unit (500).

[0048] First, the holder portion (100) may include a first holder (110) and a second holder (120).

[0049] The first holder (110) may be provided so that the first surface (11a) of the first electrode lead (11) is in contact with it. For example, the first surface (11a) of the first electrode lead (11) may be a surface located on one side (9 o'clock direction with reference to FIG. 2).

[0050] Additionally, the second holder (120) may be provided so that the fourth side (21b) of the second electrode lead (21) is in contact with it. For example, the fourth side (21b) of the second electrode lead (21) may be a side located on the other side (3 o'clock direction with reference to FIG. 2).

[0051] Additionally, for example, the first holder (110) and the second holder (120) may be provided in a state spaced apart from each other, and the first electrode lead (11) and the second electrode lead (21) may be inserted (fitted) into the gap formed between the first holder (110) and the second holder (120).

[0052] The first holder (110) may be provided with a first protrusion (111), and the first protrusion (111) may protrude to the other side of the first holder (110) on the other side that comes into contact with the first surface (11a) of the first electrode lead (11).

[0053] In addition, the second holder (120) may be provided with a second protrusion (121), and the second protrusion (121) may protrude to one side on one side of the second holder (120) that comes into contact with the fourth side (21b) of the second electrode lead (21).

[0054] For example, the first protrusion (111) of the first holder (110) and the second protrusion (121) of the second holder (120) may be provided to improve the pressing force when the first holder (110) and the second holder (120) hold the first electrode lead (11) and the second electrode lead (21).

[0055] Additionally, the first holder (110) and the second holder (120) may be made of a metal material.

[0056] These first holders (110) and second holders (120) can pressurize and hold the first electrode lead (11) and the second electrode lead (21) inserted (fitted) by the pressurizing portion (200). At this time, the second surface (11b) of the first electrode lead (11) and the third surface (21a) of the second electrode lead (21) can come into contact and be electrically connected.

[0057] The pressurizing member (200) may include a screw member (210), a ratchet gear (220), and a stopper member (230).

[0058] The screw member (210) has a male thread formed on the outer surface and can be connected to the second holder (120). For example, the screw member (210) can be connected through a bolt and nut member provided to the second holder (120). Through this, the screw member (210) can move the second holder (120) toward the first holder (110) when rotating in the rotational direction (A).

[0059] Additionally, the ratchet gear (220) is coupled with the screw member (210), and a plurality of teeth (221) may be formed on the outer surface. For example, a hole may be formed at the center of the ratchet gear (220), and the screw member (210) may be coupled to the hole. This formed hole may substantially coincide with the rotation axis of the ratchet gear (220).

[0060] And the ratchet gear (220) may be provided so as to allow rotation of the screw member (210) in the rotational direction (A) and restrict rotation in the opposite direction (B) of rotation when the stopper member (210) is engaged between any two adjacent teeth (221) among the plurality of teeth (221).

[0061] For example, a plurality of teeth (221) of a ratchet gear (220) may be provided so that the angle of the surface facing the rotational direction (A) is gentler than the angle of the surface facing the opposite rotational direction (B).

[0062] The stopper member (230) may be provided to enable engagement between any two adjacent teeth among the plurality of teeth (221) of the ratchet gear (220).

[0063] For example, the stopper member (230) may be provided in a form having a hooking end that becomes increasingly thinner toward the end so as to enable hooking with the ratchet gear (220). For example, the end of the stopper member (230) may be provided in a shape of a pointed end so as to enable hooking between any two adjacent teeth (221) among the plurality of teeth (221) of the ratchet gear (220).

[0064] In addition, for example, the end of the stopper member (230) may be positioned between a surface facing the rotational direction (A) of a tooth (221) among a plurality of teeth (221) of the ratchet gear (220) and a surface facing the opposite rotational direction (B) of a neighboring tooth (221), so as to allow rotation of the ratchet gear (220) in the rotational direction (A) but restrict rotation in the opposite rotational direction (B).

[0065] The battery module can be fixed by the ratchet gear (220) and the stopper member (230). In addition, when a unit part of the battery cell needs to be replaced, the stopper member (230) is released from the ratchet gear (220), and then the screw member (210) is rotated in the opposite direction (B) to release the fixation of the battery cell, so that only the battery cell requiring replacement can be replaced. Accordingly, the cost burden of replacing unit parts of the battery module can be reduced, and since no busbar part is required, welding is unnecessary, which can be advantageous in terms of the product process.

[0066] The ratchet gear (220) and the stopper member (230) can be provided as ratchet gears and stopper members that are obvious to those skilled in the art, so a more detailed description will be omitted.

[0067] Meanwhile, the guide portion (300) may be provided to guide the linear movement of the holder portion (100). For example, the guide portion (300) may be provided on the upper and lower sides of the first holder (110) and the second holder (120) to fix the first holder (110) and guide the linear movement of the second holder (120). For example, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the linear movement of the second holder (120) may be movement in the x-axis direction.

[0068] A guide groove (310) may be formed in the guide portion (300), and a more detailed description of the guide groove (310) will be described later.

[0069] Additionally, the connecting member (400) may include a first connecting member (410) and a second connecting member (420). The first connecting member (410) may be positioned on one side (9 o'clock side in FIG. 2) of the first holder (110) and may be provided to fix the first holder (110) to the guide member (300).

[0070] In addition, the second connecting member (420) is positioned on the other side of the second holder (120) (3 o'clock side as of FIG. 2), and may be provided so that the second holder (120) can move linearly with respect to the guide part (300). For example, the second holder (120) is connected to the second connecting member (420) and can move linearly together when the second connecting member (420) moves linearly.

[0071] That is, the connecting portion (400) can be provided so that the holder portion (100) can be moved or fixed relative to the guide portion (300).

[0072] A protrusion (421) may be formed on the second connecting member (420). The protrusion (421) may be inserted into a guide groove (310) formed on the guide portion (300) and may be provided to move linearly with respect to the guide groove (310).

[0073] The guide groove (310) may be a groove formed to enable the second connecting member (420) to move linearly with respect to the guide portion (300). This guide groove (9310) may be formed to correspond to the linear movement section of the second connecting member (420).

[0074] In addition, the protrusion (421) of the second connecting member (420) can be coupled in a male-female manner to enable linear movement with respect to the guide groove (310). For example, the protrusion (421) of the second connecting member (420) can be inserted into the guide groove (310) and can be linearly moved with respect to a groove length section formed in the transverse direction of the guide groove (310).

[0075] Additionally, the protrusion (421) of the second connecting member (420) can perform linear reciprocating movement with respect to the groove length section of the guide groove (310).

[0076] Additionally, the guide groove (310) formed in the guide portion (300) can be formed on the upper and lower sides of the guide portion (300) that supports or fixes the first holder (110) and the second holder (120).

[0077] The sensing unit (500) can be attached to the first holder (110) and can be provided to be indirectly connected to the first electrode lead (11) and the second electrode lead (22).

[0078] For example, the sensing unit (500) may be equipped with a temperature detection sensor that is attached to the first holder (110) or the second holder (120) and indirectly measures the temperature of the first electrode lead (11) and the second electrode lead (22).

[0079] In addition, as another example, the sensing unit (500) may be a current detection sensor attached to the first holder (110) or the second holder (120) to detect the current of the first electrode lead (11) and the second electrode lead (22). The sensing unit (500) is not limited thereto, and may be equipped with various sensors that are obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0080] A battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention may be provided with a plurality of the holder portions (100), the pressurizing portions (200), and the connecting portions (400) described above, and a plurality of sensing units (500) may also be provided depending on the number of holder portions (100) provided.

[0081]

[0082] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7, a method for fixing a battery module using a battery module fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0083] A method for fixing a battery module according to the present invention includes: (S1) a step of inserting a first electrode lead (11) and a second electrode lead (21) into a gap between a first holder (110) and a second holder (120); and (S2) a step of a holder portion (100) gripping the first electrode lead (11) and the second electrode lead (21).

[0084] In step (S2), the screw member (210) is rotated in the rotational direction (A) so that the second holder (120) moves toward the first holder (110), and the holder part (100) can hold the first electrode lead (11) and the second electrode lead (21).

[0085] And, after step (S2), when replacement of any one of the fixed battery cells (10, 20) is required, the stopper member (230) can be removed from the ratchet gear (220), and the screw member (210) can be rotated in the opposite rotational direction (B) to move the second holder (120) away from the first holder (110). Accordingly, the holder part (100) can release the grip of the first electrode lead (11) and the second electrode lead (21), and any one of the battery cells requiring replacement can be replaced with a new battery cell.

[0086]

[0087] As described above, specific parts of the present invention have been described in detail. To those skilled in the art, such specific descriptions are merely preferred embodiments, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereby. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications are possible within the scope and technical idea of ​​the present invention, and it is natural that such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended patent claims.

[0088] (Explanation of symbols)

[0089] 10: 1st battery cell

[0090] 11: First electrode lead

[0091] 11a: Page 1 11b: Page 2

[0092] 20: Second battery cell

[0093] 21: Second electrode lead

[0094] 21a: Page 3 21b: Page 4

[0095] 100: Holder section

[0096] 110: First holder 111: First protrusion

[0097] 120: Second holder 121: Second protrusion

[0098] 200: Pressurized section

[0099] 210: Screw member

[0100] 220: Ratchet gear 221: Cog

[0101] 230: Absence of stopper

[0102] 300: Guide section 310: Guide home

[0103] 400: Connection

[0104] 410: First connecting member

[0105] 420: Second connecting member 421: Protrusion

[0106] 500: Sensing Unit

Claims

1. A holder part including a first holder with a first surface of a first electrode lead in contact and a second holder with a fourth surface of a second electrode lead in contact; A pressurizing portion provided to move the second holder toward the first holder; A guide part that guides the linear movement of the holder part; and A battery module fixing device characterized by including a connecting portion provided so that the holder portion can move or be fixed relative to the guide portion.

2. In paragraph 1, The above connecting part, A first connecting member positioned on one side of the first holder and provided to fix the first holder to the guide portion; and A battery module fixing device characterized by including a second connecting member positioned on the other side of the second holder and configured to enable linear movement of the second holder relative to the guide portion.

3. In paragraph 2, A battery module fixing device, characterized in that a guide groove corresponding to the linear movement section of the second connecting member is formed in the above guide portion.

4. In paragraph 3, The second connecting member is formed with a protrusion that is inserted into the guide groove and is provided to move linearly with respect to the guide groove. A battery module fixing device characterized in that the above protrusions are joined by a male-female joint capable of linear movement with respect to the above guide groove.

5. In paragraph 1, The above pressurized part, A screw member having a male screw thread formed on the outer surface and connected to the second holder; A ratchet gear coupled with the screw member and having a plurality of teeth formed on the outer surface; and A battery module fixing device characterized by including a stopper member that is provided so as to enable engagement between any two adjacent teeth among a plurality of teeth of the ratchet gear.

6. In paragraph 5, A battery module fixing device characterized in that the ratchet gear is provided so as to allow rotation of the screw member in the rotational direction while restricting rotation in the opposite direction to the rotational direction in a state where the stopper member is engaged between any two adjacent teeth among the plurality of teeth.

7. In paragraph 6, A battery module fixing device, characterized in that the screw member moves the second holder toward the first holder when rotated in the rotational direction.

8. In paragraph 1, A battery module fixing device, characterized in that the first holder has a first protrusion that protrudes toward the other side on a surface that contacts the first surface of the first electrode lead.

9. In paragraph 1, A battery module fixing device, characterized in that the second holder has a second protrusion that protrudes to one side on one side that comes into contact with the fourth side of the second electrode lead.

10. In paragraph 1, A battery module fixing device, characterized in that the first holder and the second holder are made of a metal material.

11. In paragraph 10, A battery module fixing device characterized in that it further includes a sensing unit attached to the first holder and provided to be indirectly connected to the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead.

12. In paragraph 1, A battery module fixing device characterized in that the holder part, the pressurizing part, and the connecting part are provided in multiple numbers.

13. A battery module fixing device according to any one of clauses 1 to 12 and a battery module fixing method using the same, (S1) a step of inserting the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead into the gap between the first holder and the second holder; and (S2) A battery module fixing method, characterized in that it includes a step of the holder part holding the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead.

14. In paragraph 13, In the above step (S2), A battery module fixing method, characterized in that the second holder is moved toward the first holder by rotating the screw member in the rotational direction, and the holder portion grips the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead.

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