Sensing block and battery module assembly having same

Abstract

Disclosed are a sensing block and a battery module assembly having same. The sensing block may include a frame, a circuit board, and a discharge channel. The frame may be formed to correspond to the plurality of battery cells. The circuit board is mounted on the frame, and may be formed to be connected to an external device to monitor the states of the battery cells. The discharge channel may include a discharge channel formed to allow moisture to be discharged from a space between the frame and the circuit board.

Description

Sensing block and battery module assembly including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensing block used for monitoring the status of a battery cell and a battery module assembly having the same.

[0002]

[0003] Secondary batteries are widely used as a power source for mobile devices. They are also attracting attention as a power source for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

[0004] The basic unit of a secondary battery is the battery cell. While small mobile devices use one or two battery cells, medium- to large-sized devices like automobiles use battery pack assemblies. A battery pack assembly electrically connects multiple battery module assemblies to achieve high output and large capacity. A battery module assembly connects multiple battery cells.

[0005] If some of the battery cells in a battery module assembly experience overvoltage, overcurrent, or overheating, the safety and operational efficiency of the entire battery module assembly, and even the entire battery pack assembly, become seriously compromised. To monitor such issues, each battery module assembly incorporates electrical components such as circuit boards.

[0006]

[0007] According to the inventor's understanding, moisture can form in battery pack assemblies due to condensation in the operating environment. This moisture can affect the circuit board and short-circuit electrical circuits. In such a case, monitoring of the battery cells becomes impossible.

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide a sensing block and a battery module assembly including the same, which can minimize the possibility of damage to an electrical circuit used for monitoring due to moisture.

[0009] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0010]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention for realizing the above-described task, a sensing block for a battery module assembly may include a frame formed to correspond to a plurality of battery cells; a circuit board mounted on the frame and formed to be connected to an external device for monitoring the status of the battery cells; and a drain channel formed to allow moisture to drain from a space between the frame and the circuit board.

[0012] Here, the exhaust channel may include a portion having a shape removed from one of the frame and the circuit board.

[0013] Here, the discharge channel may include a through-hole formed to penetrate the circuit board.

[0014] Here, the penetration portion may be open to the outside through an end of the circuit board.

[0015] Here, the penetration portions may be arranged in multiple numbers along one direction of the circuit board.

[0016] Here, the frame includes a wall surface facing the main surface of the circuit board and a bottom surface connected to the wall surface, and the bottom surface may be formed to be inclined so as to move away from the discharge channel as it moves away from the wall surface.

[0017] Here, the frame may include a wall surface facing the main surface of the circuit board and a bottom surface connected to the wall surface, and the discharge channel may include a through portion formed in the bottom surface.

[0018] Here, the penetration portion may be open to the outside through an end of the bottom surface.

[0019] Here, one of the frame and the circuit board may include a spacer that separates the circuit board from the frame.

[0020] Here, the spacer may include a support protrusion formed to protrude from the frame and support the circuit board.

[0021] Here, a bus bar may be further included to electrically connect the electrode leads of the battery cell and the circuit board.

[0022] Here, the upper part of the circuit board is positioned above the upper part of the bus bar, and the exhaust channel can be positioned misaligned with the bus bar along a direction intersecting the direction in which the bus bar extends.

[0023] Here, each of the bus bars and the discharge channels is provided in plurality, and each of the plurality of discharge channels can be positioned between an adjacent pair of the plurality of bus bars.

[0024] Here, the exhaust channel may further include a ventilation portion that allows air to flow into the space.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery module assembly includes a battery cell assembly having a cartridge and a battery cell mounted on the cartridge; and a sensing block coupled to the battery cell assembly, wherein the sensing block may include a frame formed to correspond to the battery cell assembly; a circuit board mounted on the frame and formed to be connected to an external device for monitoring the status of the battery cell; and a drain channel formed to allow moisture to drain from a space between the frame and the circuit board.

[0026] Here, the exhaust channel may include a portion having a shape removed from one of the frame and the circuit board.

[0027] Here, the discharge channel may include a through-hole formed to penetrate the circuit board.

[0028] Here, the penetration portion may be open to the outside through an end of the circuit board.

[0029] Here, one of the frame and the circuit board may include a spacer that separates the circuit board from the frame.

[0030] Here, the exhaust channel may further include a ventilation portion formed in one of the frame and the circuit board to allow air to flow into the space.

[0031]

[0032] According to the sensing block and battery module assembly including the same according to the present invention configured as described above, moisture generated in the space between the frame and the circuit board mounted thereon is discharged from the space above through the discharge channel, so the possibility of damage to the electrical circuit of the circuit board due to moisture can be minimized.

[0033] Due to this, the circuit board operates stably, and monitoring of the battery cells can be performed stably.

[0034]

[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combined battery module assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module assembly of Figure 1.

[0037] Figure 3 is an assembled perspective view of the front side sensing block of Figure 2.

[0038] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the sensing block of Figure 3.

[0039] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sensing block of Figure 3.

[0040] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the base of the circuit board of Figure 3.

[0041] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a sensing block according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0042]

[0043] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0044] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various forms and with various modifications. However, these embodiments are provided to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included within the technical spirit and scope of the present invention, as well as substitutions or additions of the components of one embodiment with those of another embodiment.

[0045] The attached drawings are merely intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and should not be construed as limiting the technical ideas disclosed in this specification, but should be understood to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, the components may be expressed in exaggerated sizes or thicknesses for ease of understanding, but the scope of protection of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereby.

[0046] The terminology used in this specification is only used to describe specific implementations or examples and is not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the specification, terms such as "comprises" and "consists of" are intended to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification. In other words, it should be understood that terms such as "comprises" and "consists of" do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0047] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0048] When a component is referred to as being "connected / connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected / connected to that other component, or that there may be other components in between. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected / connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0049] When a component is referred to as being "above" or "below" another component, it should be understood that it is not only positioned directly above that other component, but that there may also be other components present in between.

[0050] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0051] The battery module assembly in the embodiment may generally have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Accordingly, among the outer surfaces of the battery module assembly, the upper side in the drawing is referred to as the upper surface, and the lower side is referred to as the lower surface. The surface visible from the front of the battery module assembly is referred to as the front surface, and the surface visible from the rear is referred to as the rear surface. The remaining two side surfaces are referred to as the left side located to the left of the front surface, and the right side located to the right of the front surface. The direction connecting the front surface and the rear surface may be referred to as the length direction, and the direction connecting the upper surface and the lower surface may be referred to as the height direction. The direction connecting the left surface and the right surface may be referred to as the width direction. The length direction, the width direction, and the height direction may have a perpendicular relationship to each other.

[0052] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combined battery module assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module assembly of FIG. 1.

[0053] Referring to these drawings, the battery module assembly (100) may have a battery cell assembly (200) and a sensing block (300, 300a).

[0054] The battery cell assembly (200) is formed by assembling two battery cells (250) into one cartridge (210). The cartridge (210) may generally have a plate shape. The main surface of the battery cell (250) is arranged to face the main surface of the cartridge (210). Electrode leads (251) are formed to protrude from both ends along the longitudinal direction (L) of the battery cell (250). The battery cell (250) is exemplified as having a pouch shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0055] The sensing block (300, 300') is a component used to monitor the status of the battery cell (250). The status may be the voltage, temperature, etc. of the battery cell (250). In response to the two electrode leads (251) of the battery cell (250), the sensing blocks (300, 300a) may be respectively fastened to the front and rear sides of the battery cell assembly (200). Since the main configurations of the front-side sensing block (300) and the rear-side sensing block (300a) are generally the same, the following description will be based on the front-side sensing block (300).

[0056] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sensing block (300) may have a frame (310), a bus bar (330), a circuit board (350), and a protective cover (370).

[0057] The frame (310) may be in the form of a plate corresponding to a plurality of battery cell assemblies (200). The size of the frame (310) along the width direction (W) and height direction (H) may be determined corresponding to the plurality of battery cell assemblies (200). The frame (310) may be injection-molded with an insulating resin.

[0058] The bus bar (330) is a conductor for electrical connection. The bus bar (330) may be a metal strip extending generally along the height direction (H). A plurality of bus bars (330) may be provided corresponding to a plurality of battery cells (250). The bus bar (330) is electrically connected to the electrode leads (251) of the battery cells (250). The bus bar (100) may be mounted to the frame (310), for example, by a heat-welding method.

[0059] The circuit board (350) may be configured to be connected to an external device for monitoring the above-described status. The external device may be a BMS (Battery Management System). The circuit board (350) may be electrically connected to the battery cell (250) via a bus bar (330). The BMS may be connected to the battery cell (250) via the bus bar (330) and the circuit board (350) to measure the voltage value of the battery cell (250). To measure the temperature of the battery cell (250), a temperature sensor (not shown) may be connected to the circuit board (350). The temperature value measured by the temperature sensor is transmitted to the BMS via the circuit board (350). In an alternative embodiment, a circuit capable of measuring the voltage value may be implemented on the circuit board (350), or a component for measuring voltage may be mounted thereon.

[0060] The circuit board (350) may also be mounted on the frame (310). If the bus bar (330) is mounted on the lower area of ​​the frame (310), the circuit board (350) may be mounted on the upper area of ​​the frame (310). The bus bar (330) and the circuit board (350) generally occupy independent areas on the frame (310), but may partially overlap.

[0061] The protective cover (370) is configured to cover the bus bar (330) and the circuit board (350) to protect them from the outside. The protective cover (370) may have a body portion (371) corresponding to the main surface of the frame (310). An opening (375) may be formed in the body portion (371). A cable (not shown) connecting the circuit board (350) and an external device may extend through the opening (375).

[0062] Referring additionally to FIGS. 3 and 4, the sensing block (300) will be examined in more detail. FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of the front-side sensing block of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the sensing block of FIG. 3.

[0063] Referring to the drawings, the frame (310) may have wall surfaces (311, 313) and side surfaces (317). The wall surfaces (311, 313) may be divided into one wall surface (311) and another wall surface (313) by a bottom surface (315). The wall surfaces (311, 313) are connected to the bottom surface (315). If one wall surface (311) corresponds to the upper region, the other wall surface (313) corresponds to the lower region. A support protrusion (312) may be formed to protrude from the wall surface (311). A slot (314) extending along the height direction (H) may be formed in the other wall surface (313). An electrode lead (251, see FIG. 3 above) of a battery cell (250) may pass through the slot (314). The floor surface (315) can be arranged to follow a direction intersecting with the wall surfaces (311, 313).

[0064] The busbar (330) can be divided into a high-voltage busbar (331) and a low-voltage busbar (335). The busbars (331 and 335) can be connected to the electrode leads (251) of the battery cells (250), for example, by welding. The busbars (331 and 335) are electrically connected to the battery cells (250) for detection of the voltage value. The high-voltage busbar (331) is connected to the voltage draw bolt (341), and further serves to draw out power stored in the battery cells (250) to the outside.

[0065] High-voltage busbars (331) are arranged on each of the two sides (317) of the frame (310). In contrast, low-voltage busbars (335) are arranged in groups of five on the walls (311, 313) of the frame (310), specifically, on the walls (313). This embodiment exemplifies a case where six battery cell assemblies (200) are stacked and twelve electrode leads (251) are connected in series. Accordingly, ten electrode leads (251) correspond to five low-voltage busbars (335), and two electrode leads (251) correspond to two high-voltage busbars (331). In this correspondence, two electrode leads (251) are connected to one low-voltage busbar (335), whereas one electrode lead (251) is connected to one high-voltage busbar (331). For reference, the rear side sensing block (300a) does not have a high voltage busbar (331) and is composed only of a low voltage busbar (335).

[0066] The circuit board (350) may be mounted on the wall surface (311). Specifically, the base (351) of the circuit board (350) may be supported by a support protrusion (312). The support protrusion (312) may allow the circuit board (350) to be fixed to the wall surface (311) while being spaced apart from the wall surface (311). The support protrusion (312) may be heat-sealed to the circuit board (350). The upper end of the circuit board (350) may be positioned above the upper end of the bus bar (330), specifically, the low-voltage bus bar (335). The lower end of the circuit board (350) may be positioned close to the floor surface (315) or may be supported by the floor surface (315). The support protrusion (312) may be referred to as a spacer as it separates the circuit board (350) from the wall (311). In an alternative embodiment, the spacer may be a portion of the base (351) that protrudes toward the wall (311).

[0067] The base (351) may have a shape of a roughly square plate. A fuse (353) and a connector (355) may be mounted on the main surface of the base (351). The fuse (353) and the connector (355) may be placed in an electrical connection between the bus bar (330) and the external device. The fuse (353) protects one of the battery cell (250) and the BMS from excessive current input from the other. The connector (355) is connected to a cable for connecting the BMS and the sensing block (300). A receiving groove (357) may be formed in the base (351), and an end (337) of a low-voltage bus bar (335) may be inserted and soldered into the receiving groove (357). The high-voltage bus bar (331) may also be soldered to the base (351) similarly to the low-voltage bus bar (335).

[0068] A drain channel (390) that allows moisture discharge may be formed on the circuit board (350). The drain channel (390) will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sensing block of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base of the circuit board of FIG. 3.

[0069] Referring to these drawings, moisture may be generated in the space (S) between the base (351) and the wall (311) due to condensation, etc. The moisture may affect the soldering portion between the end (337) of the low-voltage bus bar (335) and the base (351), etc. In order to eliminate the adverse effects of the moisture, the discharge channel (390) allows the moisture to be discharged outside the space (S).

[0070] The discharge channel (390) may be implemented in a shape in which a portion of the base (351) is removed to discharge the moisture. Specifically, a penetration portion (391) is formed in the base (351) that penetrates the base (351) along the longitudinal direction (L). In the present embodiment, the penetration portion (391) has a shape of a hole that is open to the outside through the lower end of the base (351). In an alternative embodiment, the penetration portion (391) may have a shape of a closed hole rather than an open hole. In that case, the penetration portion (391) may be formed in an area spaced apart from the lower end of the base (351). In another alternative embodiment, the discharge channel (390) may not penetrate the base (351) along the longitudinal direction (L), but may have a shape in which only a portion of the entire section along the longitudinal direction (L) of the base (351) is recessed.

[0071] Since the penetration portion (391) has a shape that is open to the outside through the lower part of the base (351), the bottom surface (315) faces the penetration portion (391). The moisture can flow from the wall surface (311) to the bottom surface (315) and then flow out of the space (S) through the penetration portion (391). The bottom surface (315) can be formed to be inclined so that it moves away from the discharge channel (390) as it moves away from the wall surface (311). The inclined bottom surface (315) promotes the discharge of the moisture.

[0072] The penetration portions (391) may be arranged in multiple directions, for example, along the width direction (W). The penetration portions (391) may be positioned offset from the low-voltage bus bars (335) along the arrangement direction of the low-voltage bus bars (335), for example, along the width direction (W). Specifically, one penetration portion (391) may be arranged between a pair of adjacent low-voltage bus bars (335). This structure minimizes the impact of the moisture on the low-voltage bus bars (335) when it flows down to the lower region through the penetration portions (391).

[0073] A communication portion (395) may be additionally formed on the base (351). Unlike the penetration portion (391) described above, the communication portion (395) may be formed on the upper portion of the base (351). Air may be introduced into the space (S) through the communication portion (395), and the introduction of air may promote the discharge of moisture through the penetration portion (391).

[0074] A sensing block (300') of a different form than the above will be described with additional reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a sensing block according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] Referring to this drawing, the sensing block (300') is substantially the same as the sensing block (300) according to the previous embodiment, so only the frame (310'), the circuit board (350'), and the exhaust channel (390') are shown.

[0076] Unlike the previous embodiment, the discharge channel (390') may be formed on the bottom surface (315') of the frame (310'). Specifically, the discharge channel (390') may include a penetration portion (391') in which a portion of the bottom surface (315') is removed. When the penetration portion (391') is formed, the bottom surface (315') may be formed horizontally without a slope. The bottom surface (315') may be formed to be inclined {along the width direction (W)} toward the penetration portion (391'), so that moisture on the bottom surface (315') may easily gather in the penetration portion (391'). In addition, the bottom of the penetration portion (391') itself may be inclined downward as it gets farther from the wall surface (311) to promote moisture discharge.

[0077] The penetration portion (391') may be a hole open to the outside through an end of the bottom surface (315'). The penetration portion (391') may also be located between a pair of adjacent low-voltage bus bars (335, see FIG. 3).

[0078] The circuit board (350') may not have the through-hole (391, see FIG. 6) of the previous embodiment formed, but the connecting portion (395) may still remain. In an alternative embodiment, both the through-holes (391 and 391') may be formed. In that case, the size of each of the through-holes (391 and 391') may be smaller than when only one of them is formed. In another alternative embodiment, the connecting portion (395) may also be formed on the bottom surface (315') of the frame (310') rather than on the circuit board (350'), or on both the circuit board (350') and the bottom surface (315').

[0079]

[0080] The present invention has industrial applicability in the field of manufacturing battery module assemblies.

Claims

1. A frame formed to correspond to multiple battery cells; A circuit board mounted on the frame and formed to be connected to an external device for monitoring the status of the battery cell; and A sensing block for a battery module assembly, comprising a drain channel formed to allow moisture to drain from a space between the frame and the circuit board.

2. In paragraph 1, The above discharge channel is, A sensing block for a battery module assembly, comprising a portion having a shape removed from one of the frame and the circuit board.

3. In paragraph 1, The above discharge channel is, A sensing block for a battery module assembly, comprising a penetration portion formed to penetrate the circuit board.

4. In paragraph 3, The above penetration part is, A sensing block for a battery module assembly, which is open to the outside through an end of the circuit board.

5. In paragraph 3, The above penetration part is, A sensing block for a battery module assembly, which is arranged in multiple directions along the circuit board.

6. In paragraph 1, The above frame is, It includes a wall surface facing the main surface of the circuit board and a bottom surface connected to the wall surface, The above floor surface is, A sensing block for a battery module assembly, which is formed to be inclined so as to be further from the discharge channel as it moves away from the wall surface.

7. In paragraph 1, The above frame is, It includes a wall surface facing the main surface of the circuit board and a bottom surface connected to the wall surface, The above discharge channel is, A sensing block for a battery module assembly, comprising a penetration formed on the bottom surface.

8. In paragraph 7, The above penetration part is, A sensing block for a battery module assembly, which is open to the outside through an end portion of the above-mentioned bottom surface.

9. In paragraph 1, One of the above frame and the above circuit board, A sensing block for a battery module assembly, comprising a spacer that separates the circuit board from the frame.

10. In paragraph 9, The above spacer, A sensing block for a battery module assembly, comprising a support protrusion formed protruding from the frame and supporting the circuit board.

11. In paragraph 1, A sensing block for a battery module assembly, further comprising a bus bar electrically connecting the electrode leads of the battery cell and the circuit board.

12. In paragraph 11, The upper part of the above circuit board is, Located above the top of the above bus bar, The above discharge channel is, A sensing block for a battery module assembly, positioned misaligned with the bus bar along a direction intersecting the direction in which the bus bar extends.

13. In paragraph 12, Each of the above busbar and the above discharge channel, Equipped with multiple, Each of the above plurality of discharge channels, A sensing block for a battery module assembly, positioned between adjacent pairs of the above plurality of bus bars.

14. In paragraph 1, The above discharge channel is, A sensing block for a battery module assembly, further comprising a ventilation portion that allows air to flow into the space.

15. A battery cell assembly comprising a cartridge and a battery cell mounted on the cartridge; and A sensing block coupled to the above battery cell assembly is included, The above sensing block, A frame formed to correspond to the above battery cell assembly; A circuit board mounted on the frame and formed to be connected to an external device for monitoring the status of the battery cell; and A battery module assembly comprising a drain channel formed to allow moisture to drain from the space between the frame and the circuit board.

16. In paragraph 15, The above discharge channel is, A battery module assembly comprising a portion having a shape removed from one of the frame and the circuit board.

17. In paragraph 15, The above discharge channel is, A battery module assembly comprising a penetration portion formed to penetrate the circuit board.

18. In paragraph 17, The above penetration part is, A battery module assembly which is open to the outside through an end of the circuit board.

19. In paragraph 15, One of the above frame and the above circuit board, A battery module assembly comprising a spacer that separates the circuit board from the frame.

20. In paragraph 15, The above discharge channel is, A battery module assembly further comprising a ventilation portion formed on one of the frame and the circuit board to allow air to flow into the space.

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