Battery module comprising gelator

Abstract

The present invention provides a structure of a battery module comprising: a battery cell accommodating an electrolyte; a frame accommodating the battery cell; and a gelator that is provided on the bottom surface of the frame and lowers the fluidity of the electrolyte by gelling the electrolyte.

Description

Battery module with gelling agent

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2024-0037431, filed March 18, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module having a gelling agent that gels an electrolyte.

[0003] Secondary batteries, which boast high electrical properties such as high energy density and easy applicability across a wide range of product groups, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric or hybrid vehicles powered by electrical power sources, as well as in power storage devices. These batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency, not only because they can dramatically reduce fossil fuel use, but also because they produce no byproducts from energy use.

[0004] While small mobile devices typically use one or two or three battery cells per device, medium- to large-sized devices, such as automobiles, require high output and large capacity. Therefore, medium- to large-sized battery modules, which electrically connect multiple battery cells, are used.

[0005] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the structure of a battery module. Referring to these drawings, the battery module (M) is configured by placing a plurality of stacked battery cells (2) within a frame (1) made of a metal material. The frame (1) can form a box-shaped housing together with other plates covering the upper side and the front and rear sides of the battery cells (2), as shown in Figure 2. A busbar frame assembly (3) is connected to one side of the battery cells (2) for electrically connecting them.

[0006] Meanwhile, a pouch-type battery cell having the following structure is widely used as the battery cell (2).

[0007] Figure 3 illustrates the structure of a pouch-type battery cell. Referring to this, the pouch-type battery cell (2) is formed by forming a pouch (20) by folding a metal pouch sheet that accommodates an electrode assembly in half and sealing it. Accordingly, the pouch (20) has a sealing portion (202) on three sides except for a folded surface (201) at one end thereof.

[0008] Meanwhile, the sealing portion (202) is sealed by fusion or the like, and this sealing may be weakened due to reasons such as the passage of time or exposure to high heat. This weakening of the sealing causes leakage of the electrolyte filled inside the pouch (20).

[0009] Fig. 4 illustrates a battery cell and busbar frame assembly accommodated in a frame. Referring to this, the battery cell (2) includes an electrode lead (21) that protrudes from outside the pouch (20) and supplies power to the outside, and the electrode lead (21) can be connected to a busbar (31) provided in the busbar frame assembly (3). The electrode lead (21) and the busbar frame assembly (3) can each have a negative or positive polarity.

[0010] In the event of an electrolyte leak as described above, different electrode leads (21) or bus bars (31) may cause a short circuit through the electrolyte. If a short circuit occurs, it may lead to an explosion due to high temperature and gas, so it is necessary to prevent this.

[0011] The present invention was created under the background of the above-described prior art, and its purpose is to provide a structure of a battery module that prevents short circuits.

[0012] The present invention seeks to provide a structure of a battery module that prevents short circuits caused by electrolyte leaking from battery cells.

[0013] Specifically, the present invention seeks to provide a structure of a battery module capable of preventing accumulation or flow of leaked electrolyte.

[0014] In addition, the present invention seeks to provide a structure of a battery module in which the ionic conductivity of a leaked electrolyte can be reduced.

[0015] The technical objectives of the present invention are not limited to the purposes mentioned above. Other objectives and advantages of the present invention not mentioned above can be understood through the following description and will be more clearly understood through the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objectives and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0016] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a structure of a battery module including: a battery cell that accommodates an electrolyte; a frame that accommodates the battery cell; and a gelling agent provided on a bottom surface of the frame to gel the electrolyte and reduce fluidity.

[0017] The battery module according to the present invention, despite its name, can be anything that includes a battery cell and a frame that accommodates the battery cell. For example, in the case of a Cell to Pack structure in which battery cells are accommodated in a pack frame instead of forming a battery module to directly form a battery pack, the pack frame may be the frame according to the present invention, and the battery pack may be the battery module according to the present invention. Or, for example, in the case of a Cell to Chassis structure in which battery cells are directly built into a chassis instead of forming a battery module or a battery pack, the chassis may be the frame according to the present invention, and an assembly including the battery cells and the chassis may be the battery module according to the present invention.

[0018] In addition, the structure and shape of the battery cell are not specifically limited. Specifically, the battery cell according to the present invention may have various structures and shapes, such as a pouch shape, a cylindrical shape, a square shape, and a cartridge shape.

[0019] Accordingly, the leaked electrolyte can be prevented from flowing within the frame or collecting at a specific location, thereby causing a short circuit.

[0020] The structure or shape of the above gelling agent is not limited as long as it can gel the electrolyte by mixing with or coming into contact with the electrolyte.

[0021] For example, the gelling agent may include a powder contained in a capsule. Alternatively, the gelling agent may include a gelling powder and a capsule containing the powder. In this case, the capsule may include a water-soluble material, and may be configured to dissolve or melt in the electrolyte, thereby exposing the gelling agent to the electrolyte.

[0022] The ionic conductivity of the electrolyte may decrease as it gels. Accordingly, even if the electrolyte gels at a location where a short circuit may occur, a short circuit can be substantially prevented from occurring.

[0023] The above battery cell may be a pouch-shaped battery cell including a pouch formed by folding a pouch sheet in half and sealing the pouch sheet. In this case, the battery cell may be accommodated in the frame such that the folded surface of the pouch sheet faces downward.

[0024] In this case, since both ends of the folded surface are the locations where leakage is most likely to occur in the battery cell, the gelling agent may be provided at locations corresponding to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the folded surface.

[0025] An electrode lead may be provided at one longitudinal end of the battery cell. At this time, the gelling agent may be provided at least below the electrode lead to prevent the electrode lead from coming into contact with the liquid electrolyte.

[0026] The above battery module may further include a bus bar to which the electrode leads are connected. In this case, the gelling agent may be provided at least below the bus bar to prevent the bus bar from coming into contact with the liquid electrolyte.

[0027] The above busbar may include at least one pair of busbars. In this case, the gelling agent may be provided between the pair of busbars to prevent the pair of busbars from short-circuiting each other.

[0028] The frame may include an inclined surface that directs the electrolyte leaking from the battery cell toward the gelling agent. By providing the inclined surface, the leaking electrolyte can be directed to harden at a predetermined location, and the electrolyte can be fixed at a location where it is unlikely to cause a short circuit.

[0029] An electrode lead may be provided at one end of the longitudinal direction of the battery cell. At this time, the inclined surface may be provided at least below the electrode lead to prevent the electrode lead from coming into contact with the liquid electrolyte.

[0030] The above battery module may further include a bus bar to which the electrode leads are connected. In this case, the inclined surface may be provided at least below the bus bar to prevent the bus bar from coming into contact with the liquid electrolyte.

[0031] The above busbar may include at least one pair of busbars. In this case, the inclined surface may be provided between the pair of busbars to prevent the pair of busbars from short-circuiting each other.

[0032] The present invention also provides a battery pack having the battery module built in and a structure of a vehicle having the same built in.

[0033] The above battery modules may be integrated into a battery pack in multiple units to increase capacity and / or voltage. The battery pack may include a venting device capable of discharging gases and flames emitted when the battery module ignites to the outside. The battery pack may be incorporated into a vehicle as a power source. The vehicle may include an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, and the like.

[0034] In contrast, the battery module itself may constitute a battery pack or a vehicle. For example, the battery module, despite its name, may be a battery pack having a Cell to Pack structure in which the battery cells directly constitute the battery pack, or may be a chassis assembly or a vehicle having a Cell to Chassis structure in which the battery cells are directly built into the chassis to constitute the vehicle.

[0035] The present invention can provide a structure of a battery module that prevents short circuits by gelling electrolyte leaking from a battery cell.

[0036] The present invention can provide a structure of a battery module that prevents short circuit by gelling a leaked electrolyte and fixing it at a predetermined position.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a structure of a battery module is provided in which the risk of short circuit is prevented by inducing a leaked electrolyte to gel by avoiding a location where it may cause an electrical short circuit between neighboring bus bars or electrode leads of different polarities.

[0038] In addition, the present invention can provide a structure of a battery module in which the risk of short circuit is reduced by reducing the ionic conductivity of the leaked electrolyte as it gels.

[0039] In addition, the present invention may have various other effects, which will be described in each embodiment, or the description of effects that can be easily inferred by a person skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0040] Figures 1 and 2 show the structure of a battery module.

[0041] Figure 3 shows the structure of a pouch-type battery cell.

[0042] Figure 4 shows a battery cell and busbar frame assembly housed in a frame.

[0043] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the structure of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 7 shows the structure of a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 8 illustrates a frame according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 9 shows a battery cell accommodated in a frame according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 11 illustrates a battery cell and busbar frame assembly accommodated in a frame according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a battery pack and a vehicle, respectively, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1: Frame

[0051] 11: First slope

[0052] 12: Second slope

[0053] 2: Battery cell

[0054] 20: Pouch

[0055] 201: Folded surface

[0056] 202: Sealing section

[0057] 21: Electrode lead

[0058] 3: Busbar frame assembly

[0059] 30: Busbar frame

[0060] 31: Bus bar

[0061] 4: Gelling agent

[0062] M: Battery module

[0063] P: Battery pack

[0064] V: Car

[0065] The above-described objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the technical idea of ​​the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of known technologies related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0066] Although the terms "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, a "first" component may also be a "second" component.

[0067] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0068] Hereinafter, the phrase "any configuration is placed on (or below)" a component or "on (or below)" a component may mean that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of said component, and that other configurations may be interposed between said component and any configuration placed on (or below) said component.

[0069] Additionally, when it is described that a component is "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly connected or connected to one another, but that other components may also be "interposed" between the components, or that each component may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" through another component.

[0070] As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "consisting of" or "comprising" should not necessarily be construed to include all of the components or steps described in the specification, and should be construed to mean that some of the components or steps may not be included, or that additional components or steps may be included.

[0071] Throughout the specification, when we refer to "A and / or B", this means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise stated, and when we refer to "C to D", this means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise stated.

[0072] Although the following examples exemplify a case where a battery cell constitutes a battery module, a battery module constitutes a battery pack, and a battery pack constitutes a vehicle, the battery module according to the present invention may, alternatively, refer to any structure comprising a battery cell and a frame that accommodates the battery cell. For example, in a Cell to Pack structure in which a battery cell is directly accommodated in a pack frame to constitute a battery pack, the battery pack may correspond to the battery module of the present invention, and in a Cell to Chassis structure in which a battery cell is directly accommodated in a chassis, an assembly of the chassis and the battery cell, or the vehicle itself, may correspond to the battery module of the present invention.

[0073] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0074] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the structure of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these drawings, a battery module (M) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery cell (2), a frame (1) that accommodates the battery cell (2), and a busbar frame assembly (3) connected to one side of the battery cell (2).

[0075] The above battery cell (2) may be a pouch-type battery cell in which multiple cells are stacked, but is not limited thereto.

[0076] The above frame (1) may have a shape that is open at the top, front, and / or rear, and may form a housing in which the battery cell (2) is accommodated together with other plate members. However, the shape of the frame (1) is not particularly limited.

[0077] The above frame (1) may include a metal material.

[0078] The above busbar frame assembly (3) can be connected to one side of the battery cell (2).

[0079] Figure 7 illustrates the structure of a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the battery cell (2) is a pouch-type battery cell and may include a pouch (20) that accommodates an electrode assembly.

[0080] The above pouch (20) can be sealed by having the pouch sheet accommodate the electrode assembly and being folded in half, and sealing the sealing portions (202) on three sides except the folded side (201).

[0081] The battery cell (2) may include an electrode lead (21) extending from the electrode assembly and protruding outside the pouch (20). The electrode lead (21) may connect the electrode assembly to the outside and may have a positive or negative polarity, respectively.

[0082] An electrolyte can be filled inside the pouch (20).

[0083] Meanwhile, the electrolyte may leak out of the pouch (20) for various reasons. At this time, the leakage of the electrolyte mainly occurs along the area where the sealing portion (202) is provided as the sealing of the sealing portion (202) is weakened.

[0084] Fig. 8 illustrates a frame according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring again to Fig. 6, a battery module (M) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a gelling agent (4) provided on the bottom surface of the frame (1) to gel the electrolyte leaking from the battery cell (2).

[0085] As the above gelling agent (4) gels the leaking electrolyte, the electrolyte can be prevented from flowing freely within the frame (1) or from pooling at a specific location, thereby causing a short circuit.

[0086] The structure or shape of the above gelling agent (4) is not limited as long as it can gel the electrolyte by mixing with or coming into contact with the electrolyte.

[0087] For example, the gelling agent (4) may include a powder accommodated in a capsule. Alternatively, the gelling agent (4) may include a gelling powder and a capsule accommodated therein. In this case, the capsule may include a water-soluble material, and may be configured to dissolve or melt in the electrolyte, thereby exposing the gelling agent (4) to the electrolyte.

[0088] The above gelling agent (4) is preferably provided at a location where the electrolyte is most likely to leak, so as to gel the electrolyte as quickly as possible. For example, since the two ends of the folded surface (201) are the locations where leakage is most likely to occur in the battery cell (2), the gelling agent (4) may be provided at locations corresponding to the two ends in the longitudinal direction of the folded surface (201).

[0089] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gelling agent (4) comprises a plurality of spaced apart gelling agents, thereby allowing the leaked electrolyte to be divided into multiple lumps and gelled. Accordingly, the risk of short circuits through the gelled electrolyte can be further reduced.

[0090] The ionic conductivity of the electrolyte may decrease as it gels. Accordingly, even if the electrolyte gels at a location where a short circuit may occur, a short circuit can be substantially prevented from occurring.

[0091] The above frame (1) may include an inclined surface (11, 12) that guides the electrolyte leaking from the battery cell (2) to flow toward the gelling agent (4). The inclined surface (11, 12) may be formed so as to guide the electrolyte to a location away from the electrode lead (21) or the bus bar (31).

[0092] According to one embodiment of the present invention, as the inclined surface (11, 12) is provided, the leaking electrolyte can be induced to harden at a predetermined location, and the electrolyte can be fixed at a location where it is difficult to cause a short circuit.

[0093] The above-mentioned inclined surfaces (11, 12) may be provided in multiple numbers. At this time, the multiple inclined surfaces (11, 12) may be provided so that the electrolyte can flow in multiple different locations and then harden into multiple separate lumps.

[0094] Fig. 9 illustrates a battery cell accommodated in a frame according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 10 illustrates a cross-section of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these, the gelling agent (4) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be provided at a position avoiding the direct downward direction of the electrode lead (21), and the inclined surface may include a first inclined surface (11) provided at least below the electrode lead (21) to induce the electrolyte to flow toward the gelling agent (4).

[0095] Specifically, the gelling agent (4) may be provided spaced forward compared to the electrode lead (21), and the first inclined surface (11) may be provided in a forward-slanted shape directly below the electrode lead (21) to induce the electrolyte to flow toward the gelling agent (4).

[0096] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrolyte can be fixed by flowing to a location far from the electrode lead (21) and hardening, and the possibility of contact between the electrode lead (21) and the electrolyte itself is reduced, so that a short circuit can be prevented.

[0097] According to one variation, the gelling agent (4) may be provided at least below the electrode lead (21) so as to gel the electrolyte approaching the electrode lead (21).

[0098] Fig. 11 illustrates a battery cell and busbar frame assembly accommodated in a frame according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the busbar frame assembly (3) may include a busbar (31) to which the electrode leads (21) are connected and a busbar frame (30) on which the busbar (31) is mounted. The busbar (31) may connect the electrode leads (21) having the same or different polarities in parallel and / or in series.

[0099] The above-mentioned slope may include a second slope (12) that is inclined on one or both sides in the width direction.

[0100] The above gelling agent (4) can be provided at a position that avoids the downward direction of the bus bar (31), and the second inclined surface (12) can be provided at least below the bus bar (31) to induce the electrolyte to flow toward the gelling agent (4).

[0101] The above bus bar (31) may include at least one pair of bus bars. At this time, the gelling agent (4) may be provided at a position avoiding between the pair of bus bars (31), and the second inclined surface (12) may be provided at least between the pair of bus bars (31) to induce the electrolyte to flow toward the gelling agent (4).

[0102] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bus bars (31) may be provided in a plurality arranged in the width direction, and the gelling agent (4) may be provided at a position avoiding the lower side of the bus bars (31) and between any pair of adjacent bus bars (31). At this time, the second inclined surface (12) may be provided in a shape inclined to the outside on both sides in the width direction between the lower side of the bus bars (31) and the pair of bus bars (31), so as to induce the electrolyte to flow toward the gelling agent (4).

[0103] According to one variation, the gelling agent (4) may be provided at least below the bus bar (31) so as to be able to gel the electrolyte approaching the bus bar (31). Alternatively, the bus bar (31) may include at least one pair of bus bars, and the gelling agent (4) may be provided between at least one pair of bus bars (31) so as to be able to gel the electrolyte flowing between the pair of bus bars (31).

[0104] In short, a battery module according to one aspect of the present invention may include the inclined surface that guides leaked electrolyte to flow toward the gelling agent provided away from a location where a short circuit is likely to occur. In this case, the electrolyte may be fixed at a location where it cannot come into contact with the electrode lead (21) or the bus bar (31), thereby preventing a short circuit from occurring.

[0105] In addition, a battery module according to another aspect of the present invention may be configured to fix a leaked electrolyte by gelation at a location where a short circuit is likely to occur. In this case, the electrolyte may not contact the electrode lead (21) and / or the bus bar (31), may not contact two or more of the electrode leads (21) and / or the bus bar (31) at the same time, or may not cause a short circuit even if it contacts the electrode lead (21) and / or the bus bar (31), by changing into a gel state with low ionic conductivity.

[0106] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a battery pack and a vehicle, respectively, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these drawings, a plurality of battery modules (M) may be integrated to form a battery pack (P) in order to increase the capacity and / or voltage. The battery pack (P) may include a venting device capable of discharging gases and flames emitted when the battery module (M) ignites to the outside. The battery pack (P) may be built into a vehicle (V) as a power source. The vehicle (V) may include an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, etc.

[0107] It should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention will be determined by the claims that follow, rather than by the detailed description set forth above. Furthermore, the meaning and scope of the claims that follow, as well as all possible modifications and variations derived from their equivalent concepts, should be construed as encompassing the scope of the present invention.

[0108] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings exemplified above, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Furthermore, even if the operational effects according to the configuration of the present invention have not been explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects predictable by the corresponding configuration should also be acknowledged.

Claims

1. A battery cell that contains an electrolyte; a frame accommodating the battery cell; and A battery module provided on the bottom surface of the above frame and including a gelling agent that gels the electrolyte to reduce fluidity.

2. In claim 1, A battery module, wherein the gelling agent comprises a powder contained in a capsule.

3. In claim 2, The above capsule is a battery module containing a water-soluble material.

4. In claim 1, A battery module in which the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte decreases as the gelation occurs.

5. In claim 1, The above battery cell includes a pouch formed by folding a pouch sheet in half and sealing it, The above battery cell is accommodated in the frame so that the folded surface of the pouch sheet faces downward, A battery module wherein the above gelling agent is provided at positions corresponding to both longitudinal ends of the folded surface.

6. In claim 1, An electrode lead is provided at one end of the longitudinal direction of the above battery cell, A battery module wherein the gelling agent is provided at least below the electrode lead.

7. In claim 6, Additionally comprising a bus bar to which the electrode leads are connected; A battery module wherein the gelling agent is provided at least below the bus bar.

8. In claim 1, At one end of the longitudinal direction of the above battery cell, an electrode lead and a bus bar to which the electrode lead is connected are provided, The above busbar comprises at least one pair of busbars, A battery module wherein the gelling agent is provided between the pair of bus bars.

9. In claim 1, A battery module, wherein the frame includes an inclined surface that induces the electrolyte leaking from the battery cell to flow toward the gelling agent.

10. In claim 9, An electrode lead is provided at one end of the longitudinal direction of the above battery cell, A battery module wherein the above-mentioned inclined surface is provided at least below the electrode lead.

11. In claim 10, Additionally comprising a bus bar to which the electrode leads are connected; A battery module wherein the above-mentioned inclined surface is provided at least below the above-mentioned bus bar.

12. In claim 1, At one end of the longitudinal direction of the above battery cell, an electrode lead and a bus bar to which the electrode lead is connected are provided, The above busbar comprises at least one pair of busbars, A battery module wherein the above-mentioned inclined surface is provided between the pair of bus bars.

13. A battery pack having the battery modules of claims 1 to 12 built in.

14. A vehicle having a built-in battery pack of claim 13.

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