Flexible flat cable assembly device and assembly method thereof

Abstract

A flexible flat cable assembly device for manufacturing a battery cell unit according to various embodiments comprises: a transfer member; and a plurality of gripping members protruding from the transfer member, wherein the plurality of gripping members may include a first gripping member for gripping one end of a flexible flat cable and a second gripping member for gripping the other end of the flexible flat cable. Various other embodiments are possible.

Description

Flexible flat cable assembly device and assembly method thereof

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an assembly device for assembling a flexible flat cable used in the manufacture of a battery cell unit and an assembly method thereof.

[0002] Unlike primary cells, secondary batteries can be recharged and discharged, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, including digital cameras, mobile phones, laptops, hybrid vehicles, and electric vehicles. Secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-hydrogen batteries, with lithium-ion batteries gaining widespread use recently.

[0003] As electric vehicles and power storage devices demand large capacity and high output, large-capacity battery devices such as battery modules and battery packs, which house multiple battery cells (battery cells) within a housing, are widely utilized. In particular, recently, to maximize the energy density of battery devices, a technology related to a CTP (Cell To Pack) structure has emerged, which omits the conventional battery module case and directly houses battery cell units (or battery cell assemblies) formed by grouping battery cells into specific units within a battery pack housing.

[0004] Meanwhile, when multiple battery cells are bundled and housed in a single battery pack housing, the multiple battery cells need to be electrically connected. When multiple battery cells are connected in series or parallel in this way and used, components such as a sensing element for measuring the voltage and temperature of multiple battery cells, a battery management system (BMS) capable of voltage balancing and temperature control functions, a cable (e.g., a flexible flat cable (FFC)) for transmitting voltage and temperature information from the sensing element to the battery management system, and a connector may be included in a battery cell unit (or a battery pack including one or more battery cell units or battery modules).

[0005] In the past, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) was installed between busbar frames located at the front and rear ends of a battery cell unit (or battery module), and the two busbar frames were connected through the flexible printed circuit. A cover plate was installed on the top of the flexible printed circuit board to prevent damage to the flexible printed circuit board.

[0006] However, recently, there is a trend toward removing the cover plate that protects and supports the flexible circuit board and using a flexible flat cable (FFC) that does not require a protective member such as a cover plate instead of the flexible circuit board to connect the two busbar frames.

[0007] Meanwhile, the battery cell unit (or battery module) according to various embodiments may further include, in addition to the flexible flat cable directly connecting the two busbar frames located at the front and rear ends of the battery cell unit, a flexible flat cable for electrically connecting predetermined different components (e.g., components such as integrated circuits) provided in the battery cell unit, as various design changes are made to maximize energy density. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a flexible flat cable for electrically connecting two components provided on one side of the battery cell unit facing the first direction (e.g., the front end of the battery cell unit) may be additionally provided.

[0008] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus and method for manufacturing a battery cell unit by automatically assembling a flexible flat cable into a connector even when the space around the battery cell unit is narrow is proposed.

[0009] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a flexible flat cable assembly device for manufacturing a battery cell unit includes a transfer member and a plurality of gripping members protruding from the transfer member, wherein the plurality of gripping members may include a first gripping member for gripping one end of the flexible flat cable and a second gripping member for gripping the other end of the flexible flat cable.

[0010] For example, the flexible flat cable may be configured to electrically connect two different components arranged on one side of the battery cell unit facing the first direction.

[0011] For example, the first grip member and the second grip member can be set to have their relative positions adjusted in advance based on position information of the two parts connected to the flexible flat cable.

[0012] For example, the transfer member may be configured to be driven to bring the first and second gripping members closer to the two parts simultaneously while maintaining the relative positions of the first and second gripping members, thereby assembling the first and second ends of the flexible flat cable to the two parts, respectively.

[0013] For example, each of the first gripping member and the second gripping member may include a gripper including a pair of fingers operable to move closer to or further away from each of the first end and the second end of the flexible flat cable.

[0014] For example, each of the first grip member and the second grip member may be formed to protrude within an inner space formed at an end of the transfer member.

[0015] For example, the pair of fingers may be configured in an L shape.

[0016] For example, the grippers may include pneumatic grippers or vacuum suction grippers.

[0017] For example, the transfer member may include a robot arm.

[0018] For example, a battery cell unit manufactured by an assembly device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes a battery cell stack in which one or more battery cells are stacked; a first busbar frame coupled to the battery cell stack and disposed on a first side of the battery cell unit facing a first direction; a second busbar frame coupled to the battery cell stack and disposed on a second side of the battery cell unit facing a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a lead cover frame coupled to at least partially cover the first busbar frame on the first side of the battery cell unit, wherein the transfer member and the plurality of gripping members are operable such that the one end of the flexible flat cable is connected to a first integrated circuit mounted on the first busbar frame, and the other end of the flexible flat cable is connected to a second integrated circuit mounted on the lead cover frame.

[0019] For example, the second integrated circuit may include a Cell Management Controller (CMC).

[0020] For example, a first point where the first integrated circuit is connected to the first end of the flexible flat cable and a second point where the second integrated circuit is connected to the other end of the flexible cable may have different first direction distances and different vertical heights from the center of the battery cell unit.

[0021] For example, the lead cover frame may include slits at positions corresponding to the first point and the second point.

[0022] For example, based on the connection of the flexible flat cable by the assembly device, information related to the potential sensed by the first integrated circuit can be transmitted to the second integrated circuit via the flexible flat cable.

[0023] According to various embodiments, a device and method for automatically assembling a flexible flat cable during the manufacture of a battery cell unit can be provided.

[0024] In particular, the present invention provides a device and method for effectively assembling cables to connectors even in situations where the peripheral space of a battery cell unit is limited. Furthermore, by quickly and easily assembling flexible flat cables, the manufacturing time of battery cell units can be shortened and manufacturing costs can be reduced by eliminating unnecessary repetitive processes.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery cell unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a battery cell unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic top and perspective views, respectively, of a flexible flat cable assembly device used in the manufacture of a battery cell unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 3c is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state in which a flexible flat cable assembly device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure holds a flexible flat cable.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a flexible flat cable assembly method used in manufacturing a battery cell unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a flexible flat cable and busbar frame included in a battery cell unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a method of assembling a flexible flat cable used in manufacturing a battery cell unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the battery cell unit of Fig. 7.

[0034] Figure 9 is a partial exploded perspective view of the battery cell unit of Figure 7.

[0035] Before going into the detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted with meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term in order to explain his own invention in the best way. Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0036] The same reference numbers or symbols used in each drawing attached to this specification represent parts or components that perform substantially the same functions. For convenience of explanation and understanding, the same reference numbers or symbols may be used in different embodiments. In other words, even if components with the same reference numbers are depicted in multiple drawings, they do not necessarily represent a single embodiment.

[0037] In the following description, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms such as "comprises" or "comprises" should be understood to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0038] In addition, in the description below, expressions such as top, upper, lower, lower, side, front, and rear are expressed based on the direction shown in the drawing, and it is noted in advance that they may be expressed differently if the direction of the object in question changes.

[0039] Additionally, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., may be used in this specification and claims to distinguish between components. These ordinal numbers are used to distinguish identical or similar components from each other, and the use of these ordinal numbers should not be interpreted in a limited manner. For example, components associated with these ordinals should not be interpreted in a restricted manner, such as in the order of use or arrangement, based on their numbers. If necessary, each ordinal number may be used interchangeably.

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the presented embodiments. For example, those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention may propose other embodiments within the spirit of the present invention by adding, modifying, or deleting components, etc., but such embodiments will also be considered to be within the spirit of the present invention. The shapes and sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a battery cell unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a battery cell unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] For example, FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a state before a flexible flat cable (200) according to one embodiment is coupled to each component (110, 120), and FIG. 2 may correspond to a drawing showing a state after the flexible flat cable (200) of FIG. 1 is coupled to each component (110, 120).

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery cell unit (100) according to various embodiments may be configured such that two components (110, 120) are electrically connected via a flexible flat cable (200).

[0045] In particular, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, both components (110, 120) are arranged to face the same direction (e.g., the front of the battery cell unit (100) facing the +Y-axis direction of FIGS. 1 and 2) on one side of the battery cell unit (100), and each of the connectors (115, 125) coupled to one end of each component (110, 120) may also be arranged to face the same direction (e.g., the +Z-axis direction of FIGS. 1 and 2 (e.g., the upper direction of the battery cell unit (100))). Meanwhile, the flexible flat cable (200) may be configured such that both ends (210, 220) thereof are connected or inserted into the connectors (115, 125) of the components (110, 120), respectively.

[0046] FIGS. 3A and 3B are a top view and a perspective view illustrating a flexible flat cable assembly device (300) used in the manufacture of a battery cell unit (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, FIGS. 3A and 3B are a top view and a perspective view schematically illustrating a portion of a transfer member (310) included in a device (300) for assembling a flexible flat cable (200), respectively. FIG. 3C is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state in which a flexible flat cable assembly device (300) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure holds a flexible flat cable (200).

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, an assembly device (300) according to various embodiments may include one or more gripping members (320) having a shape protruding from one transfer member (310).

[0048] For example, the assembly device (300) may include a first gripping member (322) protruding from a first height and a second gripping member (324) protruding from a second height. Each of the gripping members (322, 324) may be configured to individually (i.e., independently of each other) move in an up-down direction (e.g., +Z direction, -Z direction), a left-right direction (e.g., +X direction, -X direction), and a front-back direction (e.g., +Y direction, -Y direction).

[0049] For example, the first gripping member (322) and the second gripping member (324) may be operable to grip each connector formed at each end (210, 220) of the flexible flat cable (200) to move the flexible flat cable (200) to an assembly area where the battery cell unit (100) is located, and then insert the connectors of each end (210, 220) of the flexible flat cable (200) into each component (110, 120) (e.g., connectors (115, 125) formed at each component (110, 120)). For example, each connector formed at each end (210, 220) of the flexible flat cable (200) may be a female connector, and each connector (115, 125) formed at each component (110, 120) may be a male connector. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these examples, and conversely, it is also possible for a male connector to be formed at each end (210, 220) of the flexible flat cable (200) and a female connector (115, 125) to be formed at one side of each part.

[0050] Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, two components (110, 120) provided in the battery cell unit (100) may have a predetermined step in the shape of a staircase, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 . For example, the second component (120) may be positioned at a position that protrudes further in the +Y-axis direction than the first component (110). In addition, for example, the first component (110) may be positioned at a position that is further upward in the +Z-axis direction than the second component (120).

[0051] In this way, the first component (110) and the second component (120) can be positioned at different positions based on the Y-axis and / or Z-axis direction. In this case, the first component (110) and the second component (120) can be configured as a single member having a predetermined step as illustrated in FIG. 2, but alternatively, as described below with reference to FIG. 9, the first component (110) and the second component (120) can be applied to a structure in which a predetermined step is formed by mechanically mounting an additional frame on which the second component (120) is mounted on one surface on which the first component (110) is mounted.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the assembly device (300) may adjust the positions of the two holding members (322, 324) in advance, taking into account the relative positions of the portions of the two components (110, 120) that are connected to the flexible flat cable (200) (i.e., the respective connectors (115, 125) of the two components (110, 120)) so that the two components (110, 120) provided in the battery cell unit (100) and the two ends (210, 220) of the flexible flat cable (200) can be assembled and interconnected simultaneously. In this case, the assembly device (300) is driven to come closer to each component (110, 120) based on the operation of the transfer member (310) while the relative positions of the two gripping members (322, 324) are adjusted in advance and maintained, thereby assembling one end and the other end of the flexible flat cable (200) to each component (110, 120). Through this, the assembly device (300) can easily and quickly assemble the flexible flat cable (200) to the connectors (115, 125) of each component (110, 120) of the battery cell unit without interference with other components even in a situation where the space around the battery cell unit (100) is narrow.

[0053] However, it is not necessarily limited to these examples, and the relative positions of each gripping member (322, 324) may be positioned so as not to correspond to the relative positions of each connector (115, 125) of each component (110, 120), and it is of course possible to operate such that a specific gripping member (e.g., a first gripping member (322) first assembles one end (210) of a flexible flat cable (200) to one component (110) and then the remaining gripping members (324) assemble the other end (220) of the flexible flat cable (200) to another component (120).

[0054] Meanwhile, each of the gripping members (320) (e.g., the first gripping member (322), the second gripping member (324)) may be formed to protrude within an inner space (315) provided at an end of the transfer member (310). For example, the inner space (315) may correspond to a space formed by the first extension portion (310a) and the second extension portion (310b) of the transfer member (310), and may correspond to a space in which the gripping members (320) actually perform the work of gripping or releasing the gripping parts.

[0055] Each gripping member (320) may be a gripper comprising a pair of fingers (322a and 322b, 324a and 324b). Additionally, in one embodiment, the transfer member (310) may comprise a robotic arm.

[0056] A pair of fingers (322a and 322b, 324a and 324b) provided in each gripping member (320) are provided in opposite directions and can be controlled to come closer or further away (and / or rotate) with respect to one end or the other end of the flexible flat cable (200), respectively. For example, when a pair of fingers (322a and 322b, 324a and 324b) included in one gripping member (320) come closer to each other, the end of the cable (200) can be gripped, and when they move away from each other, the grip on the end of the cable (200) can be released.

[0057] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, each finger portion may be configured in an L-shape (or an L-shape). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3c, each finger portion may have a shape that can be engaged with and coupled to the outer portion of a connector provided at each end (210, 220) of the cable (200) when the cable (200) is gripped. By the shape of the finger portion as described above, when gripping the cable (200), the two sides (e.g., +X-axis direction and -X-axis direction) of each end (210, 220) of the cable (200) are pressed to enable stable gripping, and also, when assembling the cable (200) to each component (110, 120), the upper side (e.g., +Z-axis direction and -Z-axis direction) of each end (210, 220) of the cable (200) is pressed to effectively insert each end (210, 220) of the cable (200) into the connector (115, 125) of the component (110, 120).

[0058] Meanwhile, according to various embodiments, the gripping member (320) provided in the assembly device (300) may include at least one of a pneumatic gripper and a vacuum suction gripper. For example, the pneumatic gripper may operate each finger using compressed air and a piston. The vacuum suction gripper may grip the end of the cable (200) by generating a difference between atmospheric pressure and a vacuum using a pump.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method for assembling a flexible flat cable (200) used in manufacturing a battery cell unit (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, in a method of assembling a flexible flat cable (200) according to various embodiments, at step 410, a vision inspection may be performed to obtain location information of an assembly area (105) where a cable (200) is assembled in a battery cell unit (100).

[0061] For example, in the above step 410, the assembly device (300) can automatically sense the position information of the assembly area (105) using a vision sensor or camera (500). For example, the position information can be obtained in the form of three-axis coordinate information.

[0062] For example, the position information may include coordinate information of each end of two components (110, 120) arranged to face the same direction (e.g., the first direction, the +Y axis direction of FIG. 1) in the battery cell unit (100), that is, each of the connector (115) corresponding to the first component (110) and each of the connectors (125) corresponding to the second component (120). The position information may include not only absolute position information on where the connectors (115, 125) of each of the two components (110, 120) are arranged, but also relative position information between the two connectors (115, 125).

[0063] Meanwhile, although not illustrated in FIG. 4, the method for assembling a flexible flat cable (200) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may further include, as a step after step 440 described below, a step of automatically inspecting whether the cable (200) is correctly assembled to the battery cell unit (100) using the vision sensor or camera (500). For example, in various embodiments, the assembly device (300) may be configured to automatically output relevant information (e.g., information such as an assembly error notification) to a manager based on the inspection result, or to operate the assembly device (300) again to perform a reassembly operation of the cable (200).

[0064] The assembly device (300) can determine the transfer target point of the transfer member (310) based on the position information of the assembly area (105) of the battery cell unit (100) obtained through such vision inspection.

[0065] Next, in step 420, the assembly device (300) can place each of the gripping members (e.g., a plurality of grippers) (322, 324) protruding from a single transfer member (e.g., a robot arm) (310) in an open state as a preparation step for transferring the flexible flat cable (200), and move the transfer member (310) to a position where the flexible flat cable (200) can be gripped.

[0066] Next, in step 430, the assembly device (300) is a step for transporting the flexible flat cable (200), and after positioning each of the gripping members (322, 324) at each end (210, 220) of the flexible flat cable (200), the gripping members (320) are placed in a closed state to grip the flexible flat cable (200), and the transporting member (310) is controlled to transport the flexible flat cable (200) in a gripped state to the assembly area (105).

[0067] At this time, the assembly device (300) can adjust the relative positions of the two gripping members (322, 324) in advance based on the position information of the two parts (110, 120) of the battery cell unit (100) (i.e., the respective connectors (115, 125) of the two parts (110, 120)) obtained and pre-stored through the above step 410.

[0068] Meanwhile, in various embodiments, each of the gripping members (322, 324) may include a pair of fingers (322a and 322b, 324a and 324b) operable to move closer to or further away from each other.

[0069] For example, the gripping member (320) may prevent the pair of fingers from gripping an article (e.g., a flexible flat cable (200)) as the pair of fingers move away from each other and enter an open state. In addition, the gripping member (320) may cause the article (e.g., a flexible flat cable (200)) to be caught in a space between the pair of fingers as the pair of fingers move closer to each other and enter a closed state.

[0070] Next, in step 440, the assembly device (300) can be driven to transport the flexible flat cable (200) to the assembly area (105) where the battery cell unit (100) is located based on the operation of the transfer member (310), and then lower the two gripping members (322, 324) simultaneously so that each end (210, 220) of the cable (200) is assembled to the connectors (115, 125) of the corresponding components (110, 120) at once.

[0071] In another embodiment, the assembly device (300) may be configured to sequentially assemble by first inserting an A connector (e.g., a female connector) of a first end (210) of a flexible flat cable (200) into a corresponding connector (115) (e.g., a male connector) of a first component (110) using a first gripping member (322), and then, in a subsequent operation, inserting a B connector (e.g., a female connector) of a second end (220) of the flexible flat cable (200) into a corresponding connector (125) (e.g., a male connector) of a second component (120) using a second gripping member (324).

[0072] In this case, there may be an advantage in that each end (210, 220) of the cable (200) can be positioned in the precise assembly area (105) of each part (110, 120) to enable precise assembly.

[0073] Meanwhile, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the assembly device (300) is applied in a manner in which the first gripping member (322) and the second gripping member (324) simultaneously assemble both ends (210, 220) of the flexible flat cable (200) to each component (110, 120), so that the positions of the two gripping members (322, 324) are adjusted in advance in response to the relative positions of the two components (110, 120) (e.g., connectors (115, 125) mounted on the two components (110, 120)), and then simultaneously and integrally lowered toward the components (110, 120) to perform assembly.

[0074] Accordingly, in the assembly step of step 440, the two holding members (322, 324) can be brought closer to the respective parts (110, 120) of the battery cell unit (100) by driving a single transfer member (310) without adjusting their relative positions in the up-down direction (e.g., +Z direction, -Z direction), left-right direction (e.g., +X direction, -X direction), and front-back direction (e.g., +Y direction, -Y direction) with respect to each other, and then assembly can proceed.

[0075] However, even in this case, the assembly device (300) according to one embodiment may be provided with a function to enable movement control in the up-down direction (e.g., +Z direction, -Z direction), left-right direction (e.g., +X direction, -X direction), and front-back direction (e.g., +Y direction, -Y direction) to correct the relative positions of the first gripping member (322) and the second gripping member (324) or to perform other operation control for maintenance.

[0076] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a busbar frame (600) included in a battery cell unit (100) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure and a flexible flat cable (200') assembled to the busbar frame (600). FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing for explaining an assembly method of a flexible flat cable (200') used in the manufacture of a battery cell unit (100) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a battery cell unit (100) according to various embodiments may include a first busbar frame (610) disposed on a first side of the battery cell unit (100) (e.g., a first side facing the +Y axis direction (e.g., a front side)) and a second busbar frame (620) disposed on a second side facing a different direction from the first side (e.g., a second side facing the -Y direction (e.g., a rear side)), and may include a flexible flat cable (200') for electrical signal connection between these busbar frames (600).

[0078] For example, the busbar frame (600) includes a busbar and a cell connection board, and can be formed to cover both sides of the battery cell unit (100) so as to electrically connect the electrode leads of a plurality of battery cells.

[0079] Meanwhile, an assembly device (300') according to one embodiment may include a transfer member (e.g., a robot arm) (310') and one or more gripping members (326, 328) protruding from the transfer member (310'), as illustrated in FIG. 6. For example, each of the gripping members (326, 328) may have a structure that protrudes in different directions (e.g., perpendicular directions) from the transfer member (310').

[0080] For example, the assembly device (300') can grip a region of the flexible flat cable (200') (e.g., a central region other than both ends) using a third gripping member (326) to transport the flexible flat cable (200') to the assembly region.

[0081] Next, the assembly device (300') can obtain position information of each component (and connectors of the components) by confirming the area to be assembled in the battery cell unit (100) through a vision inspection or the like.

[0082] Thereafter, the assembly device (300') can be driven to place the flexible flat cable (200') at a designated location, and then move (e.g., rotate) the transfer member (310') to use the fourth gripping member (328) to grip another area of ​​the flexible flat cable (200') (e.g., either one of the two ends of the cable (200')) and position it closer to the assembly area (e.g., the first busbar frame (610) or the second busbar frame (620)) and then fasten it to the designated connector. In addition, the assembly device (300') can be driven to move the transfer member (310') again to grip the remaining one of the two ends of the cable (200') using the fourth gripping member (328) and assemble it to the remaining connector of the busbar frame (600).

[0083] Although not shown in FIG. 6, an assembly device (300') according to one embodiment may be provided with two transfer members, and may perform assembly of both ends of a cable at the same time by using the third and fourth gripping members provided on each of the transfer members.

[0084] It can be understood that the flexible flat cable (200') illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is provided in the battery cell unit (100) separately from the flexible flat cable (200) for electrically connecting the two parts (110, 120) facing one side described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0085] For example, in the case where the battery cell unit (100) according to various embodiments includes a flexible flat cable (200) for electrically connecting two parts (110, 120) arranged to face the same direction, the flexible flat cable (200) can be assembled to the battery cell unit (100) using the assembly device (300) and assembly method described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0086] In addition, when the battery cell unit (100) includes a flexible flat cable (200') for electrically connecting two parts (610, 620) arranged to face opposite directions, the flexible flat cable (200') can be assembled to the battery cell unit (100) using the assembly device (300') and assembly method described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0087] Figures 7 to 9 are exploded perspective views of a battery cell unit (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the battery cell unit (100) illustrated in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a partial exploded perspective view of the battery cell unit (100) illustrated in Figure 7.

[0088] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, a battery cell unit (100) manufactured by an assembly device (300) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, a battery cell unit (100) according to various embodiments may include a battery cell stack (CS), a first busbar frame (124F), a second busbar frame (124R), and a lead cover assembly (127F).

[0090] A battery cell stack (CS) may be formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells (e.g., a plurality of pouch-type battery cells) along one direction. Each of the battery cells may include at least one of a positive electrode lead (121P), a negative electrode lead (121N), an electrode assembly, and a pouch case. For example, the pouch case may be configured to cover an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes of each battery cell by embedding the electrode assembly in an inner space.

[0091] The positive electrode lead (121P) may be connected to the positive electrodes of the electrode assembly, and the negative electrode lead (121N) may be connected to the negative electrodes of the electrode assembly. The positive electrode lead (121P) and the negative electrode lead (121N) may at least partially protrude outward from the pouch case. The positive electrode lead (121P) and the negative electrode lead (121N) may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells.

[0092] The first busbar frame (124F) and the second busbar frame (124R) may each be coupled to the battery cell stack (CS). The first busbar frame (124F) may be disposed on a first side of the battery cell unit (100) facing a first direction (e.g., a front side of the battery cell unit (100)), and the second busbar frame (124R) may be disposed on a second side of the battery cell unit (100) facing a second direction opposite to the first direction in which the first busbar frame (124F) is disposed (e.g., a rear side of the battery cell unit (100)).

[0093] The first busbar frame (124F) and the second busbar frame (124R) can support positive leads (121P) for at least some battery cells of the battery cell stack (CS) and negative leads (121N) for at least some other battery cells, respectively. In addition, the first busbar frame (124F) can support first and second busbars (123P, 123N). Meanwhile, the first and second busbars (123P, 123N) can be coupled to the positive leads (121P) or negative leads (121N) of the battery cells to output a voltage of the battery cell stack (CS). Meanwhile, a first integrated circuit (125F) can be mounted on the first busbar frame (124F).

[0094] The lead cover assembly (127F) may include a lead cover frame (127FF) coupled to the first busbar frame (124F) so as to at least partially cover the first busbar frame (124F) on the first side of the battery cell unit (100). In addition, the lead cover assembly (127F) may include a second integrated circuit (127FIC) mounted on the lead cover frame (127FF) and an integrated circuit cover (127FC) coupled to the lead cover frame (127FF) to cover the second integrated circuit (127FIC). For example, the integrated circuit cover (127FC) and the lead cover frame (127FF) may include an insulating material. Meanwhile, the battery cell unit (100) may further include a lead cover (127R) coupled to the second busbar frame (124R) on the second side of the battery cell unit (100).

[0095] A first integrated circuit (125F) mounted on a first busbar frame (124F) and a second integrated circuit (127FIC) mounted on a lead cover frame (127FF) may be electrically connected to each other by a first flexible flat cable (126F) (e.g., the flexible flat cable (200) of FIG. 1). For example, one end of the first flexible flat cable (126F) may be connected to the first integrated circuit (125F), and the other end of the first flexible flat cable (126F) may be connected to the second integrated circuit (127FIC).

[0096] The lead cover frame (127FF) may include a first slit (127S1) at a position corresponding to a first point where one end of the first flexible flat cable (126F) is connected to the first integrated circuit (125F) and a second point where the other end of the first flexible flat cable (126F) is connected to the second integrated circuit (127FIC). For example, the first flexible flat cable (126F) may be connected to the second integrated circuit (127FIC) through the first slit (127S1) of the lead cover frame (127FF). At this time, the first point where the first flexible flat cable (126F) of the first integrated circuit (125F) is connected and the second point where the first flexible flat cable (126F) of the second integrated circuit (127FIC) is connected may have different heights in the Z-axis direction (i.e., vertical direction) and different distances in the Y-axis direction (i.e., first direction) from the center of the battery cell unit (100). In addition, the first point and the second point may be located on the same axis in the X-axis direction. For example, the first point and the second point may correspond to different positions in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions from the center of the battery cell unit (100), i.e., positions having a predetermined step in a staircase shape.

[0097] Meanwhile, the first integrated circuit (125F) is configured to detect a potential for at least a portion of a plurality of battery cells constituting the battery cell stack (CS), and information (e.g., voltage value) related to the potential detected by the first integrated circuit (125F) can be transmitted to the second integrated circuit (127FIC) through the first connection cable (126F).

[0098] In an embodiment, the second integrated circuit (127FIC) may include a Cell Management Controller (CMC) and may be configured to monitor and balance a plurality of battery cells. By mounting the CMC as the second integrated circuit (127FIC) on the lead cover frame (127FF) in this way, the CMC can be prevented from being damaged during other processes such as welding of electrode leads, and since a predetermined step can be provided at points where the first integrated circuit (125F) and the second integrated circuit (127FIC) are each connected to the first flexible flat cable (126F), an advantage can be obtained in that the cable (126F) can be easily and quickly assembled using the assembly device (300) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0099] The battery cell unit (100) according to various embodiments may include a third integrated circuit (125R) mounted on a second bus bar frame (124R) disposed on the other side of the battery cell unit (100) facing the second direction (i.e., the -Y-axis direction). In addition, the battery cell unit (100) may further include a second flexible flat cable (126R) (e.g., the flexible flat cable (200') of FIG. 5) electrically connecting the third integrated circuit (125R) and the second integrated circuit (125R). Through this, information (e.g., voltage values) regarding potentials of predetermined battery cells detected by the third integrated circuit (125R) may be transmitted to the second integrated circuit (125R) through the second flexible flat cable (126R).

[0100] Meanwhile, the lead cover frame (127FF) may further include a second slit (127S2) at a point where one end of the second flexible flat cable (126R) and the second integrated circuit (127FIC) are connected. That is, the second flexible flat cable (126R) may be connected to the second integrated circuit (127FIC) through the second slit (127S2) of the lead cover frame (127FF).

[0101] Meanwhile, although terms indicating directions such as up and down are used in this specification, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms are only for convenience of explanation and may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer.

[0102] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention as set forth in the claims. Furthermore, the embodiments described above may be implemented by deleting some components, and the embodiments may be implemented in combination with each other.

Claims

1. In a flexible flat cable assembly device for manufacturing a battery cell unit, It comprises a transfer member and a plurality of gripping members formed protruding from the transfer member, An assembly device, wherein the plurality of grip members include a first grip member for gripping one end of the flexible flat cable and a second grip member for gripping the other end of the flexible flat cable.

2. In paragraph 1, The above flexible flat cable is, An assembly device configured to electrically connect two different components arranged on one side of a battery cell unit facing a first direction.

3. In paragraph 1, The above first and second grip members are, An assembly device, wherein the relative positions of two parts connected to the above flexible flat cable are set to be adjusted in advance based on position information.

4. In paragraph 3, The above transport member is, An assembly device configured to simultaneously bring the first and second gripping members closer to the two parts while maintaining the relative positions of the first and second gripping members, thereby assembling the first and second ends of the flexible flat cable to the two parts, respectively.

5. In paragraph 1, Each of the first and second grip members, An assembly device comprising a gripper having a pair of fingers operable to move closer to or further away from said one end or the other end of said flexible flat cable, respectively.

6. In paragraph 5, Each of the first and second grip members, An assembly device that is formed by protruding within an inner space formed at an end of the above-mentioned transfer member.

7. In paragraph 5, An assembly device, wherein the above pair of fingers are configured in an L shape.

8. In paragraph 5, An assembly device, wherein the grippers include pneumatic grippers or vacuum suction grippers.

9. In paragraph 1, The above transfer member is an assembly device including a robot arm.

10. In paragraph 1, The above battery cell unit, A battery cell stack in which one or more battery cells are stacked; A first busbar frame coupled to the battery cell stack and arranged on a first side of the battery cell unit facing the first direction; A second busbar frame coupled to the battery cell stack and arranged on the second side of the battery cell unit facing a second direction opposite to the first direction; and A lead cover frame is included so as to at least partially cover the first bus bar frame on the first side of the battery cell unit, The above transfer member and the plurality of grip members, An assembly device, wherein said one end of said flexible flat cable is connected to a first integrated circuit mounted on said first busbar frame, and said other end of said flexible flat cable is connected to a second integrated circuit mounted on said lead cover frame.

11. In Article 10, An assembly device, wherein the second integrated circuit includes a CMC (Cell Management Controller).

12. In paragraph 10, The first point where the first integrated circuit is connected to the first end of the flexible flat cable and the second point where the second integrated circuit is connected to the other end of the flexible flat cable are An assembly device, wherein the first direction distance and the vertical direction height from the center of the battery cell unit are each different.

13. In paragraph 12, An assembly device, wherein the lead cover frame includes slits at positions corresponding to the first point and the second point.

14. In paragraph 10, An assembly device, wherein information related to a potential sensed by the first integrated circuit is transmitted to the second integrated circuit through the flexible flat cable based on the connection of the flexible flat cable by the assembly device.

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