Manufacturing method of battery module

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery manufacturing method for manufacturing a battery module, the battery module comprising: a frame having a bottom plate provided with a first hole; a battery cell accommodated in the frame; and a resin applied and cured between the battery cell and the bottom plate, wherein the battery manufacturing method is characterized by comprising a step of attaching a resin tape, a step of injecting the resin, and a step of removing the resin tape, the resin tape having a reinforcing portion having stronger toughness than the remaining portion.

Description

Battery module manufacturing method

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2024-0044194, dated April 1, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a structure of a resin tape that prevents breakage of the resin tape for removing residual resin after resin injection in a method for manufacturing a battery module, and a method for manufacturing a battery.

[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, front, and rear sides of the battery cells (2), as shown in Figure 2.

[0006] A resin (4) is provided between the bottom plate of the frame (1) and the bottom surface of the battery cell (2). The resin (4) is applied on the bottom plate, and when the battery cell (2) is placed, the resin hardens to adhesively fix the battery cell (2) and the frame (1). The resin (4) is made of a material having high thermal conductivity, and can conduct heat generated in the battery cell (2) during charging and discharging to the frame (1) to dissipate the heat.

[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates the bottom surface of the frame of the battery module of Fig. 1. Referring to this, the frame (1) may be provided with a plurality of first holes (10) for filling by injecting the resin (4). Some of the plurality of first holes (10) may be provided for the purpose of checking whether the resin (4) is completely filled.

[0008] Fig. 4 shows a state in which a resin tape is attached to the frame of Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of a battery module after resin is injected. Referring to these drawings, a resin tape (3) can be used to remove the overflowing residual resin after the resin (4) is injected through the first hole (10). The resin tape (3) has a second hole (300) corresponding to the first hole (10), and can receive the residual resin overflowing through the first hole (10), and as the resin tape (3) is removed, the residual resin can also be removed.

[0009] Fig. 6 illustrates the resin tape of Fig. 5 being torn during removal. Referring to this, the resin tape (3) is likely to be torn during the removal process. This is especially true when the resin (4) hardens and forms sharp edges. In this case, removing the remaining resin and the pieces of the resin tape (3) caught between the remaining resin and the frame (1) is very cumbersome.

[0010] The present invention was conceived against the background of the prior art described above, and its purpose is to provide a resin tape structure that is not easily torn. Specifically, the present invention seeks to provide an economical resin tape structure that is resistant to tearing by the sharp edges of cured residual resin.

[0011] Through this, another technical task of the present invention is to provide a battery manufacturing method in which resin injection and residual resin removal can be smoothly performed.

[0012] 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.

[0013] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a battery manufacturing method for manufacturing a battery module, comprising: a frame having a bottom plate in which a first hole is provided; a battery cell accommodated in the frame; and a resin applied and cured between the battery cell and the bottom plate; the method sequentially comprising: a tape attaching step of attaching a resin tape in which a second hole is provided at a position corresponding to the first hole on a bottom plate surface of the frame in which the battery cell is accommodated; a resin injection step of injecting the uncured resin through the first hole and the second hole in a state in which the surface of the bottom plate faces upward; and a tape removing step of removing the resin tape from the bottom plate; wherein the resin tape has a first reinforcing portion extending in a first direction, and the first reinforcing portion has stronger first direction toughness than the remainder of the resin tape.

[0014] The first hole and the second hole may be provided in a plurality of pieces arranged in the first direction. At this time, since the extension direction of the first reinforcing portion and the arrangement direction of the first hole and the second hole are parallel, the first reinforcing portion may be spaced apart from the first hole and the second hole by a predetermined distance or less.

[0015] In the above tape removal step, the resin tape may be detached starting from one end in the first direction and finally detached from the other end in the first direction. That is, the resin tape may be detached along the first direction. At this time, since the resin tape has high first direction toughness due to the first reinforcing portion, it is not easily torn during the detachment process.

[0016] The above first reinforcing member may be provided in multiple pieces arranged in the second direction.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first reinforcing portion may be provided as a pair juxtaposed on both sides of the second hole in the second direction.

[0018] In this case, in the resin injection step, the resin may be injected until it overflows from the second hole and covers at least a portion of the pair of first reinforcing parts.

[0019] Accordingly, when removing the resin tape, the first reinforcing member can exert a force to lift the overflowed resin. Accordingly, the residual resin can be easily removed, and tearing of the resin tape can be prevented.

[0020] According to the first modified example, the first reinforcing member may be provided on one side of the second hole in the second direction. In this case, it is more economical than providing the first reinforcing members as a pair.

[0021] In this case, the resin injection step can be performed in a state where the surface of the base plate is inclined toward one side of the second direction, and at this time, the resin can be injected until it overflows from the second hole and covers at least a portion of the first reinforcing portion.

[0022] Accordingly, when removing the resin tape, the first reinforcing member can exert a force to lift the overflowed resin. Accordingly, the residual resin can be easily removed, and tearing of the resin tape can be prevented.

[0023] According to a second modified example, the resin tape may further include a second reinforcing portion extending along the second direction and having a stronger second direction toughness than the remaining portion of the resin tape.

[0024] The above resin tape may be configured to include a first tape having an adhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface, and a second tape attached to the non-adhesive surface of the first tape to form the first reinforcing portion and the second reinforcing portion, and having stronger toughness than the first tape.

[0025] In the above tape removal step, the resin tape may be detached starting from one end in the second direction and finally detached from the other end in the second direction. That is, the resin tape may be detached along the second direction. At this time, since the resin tape has high second direction toughness due to the second reinforcing portion, it is not easily torn during the detachment process.

[0026] The above second reinforcing member may be provided in multiple pieces arranged in the first direction.

[0027] For example, the second reinforcing member may be provided as a pair juxtaposed on both sides of the first direction of the second hole.

[0028] In this case, in the resin injection step, the resin may be injected until it overflows from the second hole and covers at least a portion of the pair of second reinforcing parts.

[0029] Accordingly, when removing the resin tape, the second reinforcing member can exert a force to lift the overflowing resin. Accordingly, the residual resin can be easily removed, and tearing of the resin tape can be prevented.

[0030] Alternatively, the second reinforcing member may be provided on one side of the second hole in the first direction. In this case, it is more economical than providing the second reinforcing members as a pair.

[0031] In this case, the resin injection step can be performed in a state where the surface of the base plate is inclined toward one side of the first direction, and at this time, the resin can be injected until it overflows from the second hole and covers at least a portion of the second reinforcing portion.

[0032] Accordingly, when removing the resin tape, the second reinforcing member can exert a force to lift the overflowing resin. Accordingly, the residual resin can be easily removed, and tearing of the resin tape can be prevented.

[0033] The present invention can provide an economical resin tape structure that is not easily torn by adding a strong reinforcing member.

[0034] The present invention can also provide a battery manufacturing method capable of effectively removing residual resin.

[0035] 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.

[0036] Figures 1 and 2 show the structure of a battery module.

[0037] Figure 3 shows the bottom surface of the frame of the battery module of Figure 1.

[0038] Figure 4 shows a resin tape attached to the frame of Figure 3.

[0039] Figure 5 shows a cross-section of a battery module after resin injection.

[0040] Figure 6 shows the resin tape of Figure 5 being torn during removal.

[0041] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 9 shows the bottom surface of a frame according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 10 illustrates a battery manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 11 shows a resin tape attached to a frame according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 12 shows the main part of Figure 11.

[0046] Figure 13 shows the state after resin is injected in Figure 11.

[0047] Figure 14 shows the main part of Figure 13.

[0048] Figure 15 shows a resin tape being removed according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Fig. 16 shows a battery module and resin tape according to a first modified example of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 17 shows the appearance of the battery module of Figure 16 with resin injected.

[0051] Fig. 18 shows a battery module and resin tape according to a second modified example of the present invention.

[0052] [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1: Frame

[0054] 10: Hole 1

[0055] 2: Battery cell

[0056] 3: Resin tape

[0057] 30: Tape 1

[0058] 300: Hole 2

[0059] 31: First reinforcement (second tape)

[0060] 32: Second reinforcement (second tape)

[0061] 4: Resin

[0062] M: Battery module

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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 through D", this means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise stated.

[0070] For convenience, throughout this specification, the first direction may be understood as the width direction or the short-side direction, and the second direction may be understood as the length direction or the long-side direction. However, this is merely for convenience of explanation and understanding, and in a strict sense, the first and second directions should be interpreted as one horizontal direction and another horizontal direction intersecting therewith.

[0071] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0072] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate 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 resin (4) provided between the frame (1) and the battery cell (2).

[0073] The above battery cell (2) may be a pouch-type battery cell in which multiple cells are stacked, but is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient as long as it has a predetermined bottom surface that can be connected to the resin (4).

[0074] 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.

[0075] The above frame (1) may include a metal material.

[0076] The resin (4) can adhesively fix the battery cell (2) and the frame (1) by being injected between the frame (1) and the battery cell (2) and then cured. At this time, the resin (4) includes a material with high thermal conductivity, so that it can conduct heat generated from the battery cell (2) to the frame (1) and dissipate heat. That is, the resin (4) can mechanically and thermally connect the battery cell (2) and the frame (1) to each other.

[0077] Fig. 9 illustrates a bottom surface of a frame according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the frame (1) may include a first hole (10) into which the resin (4) can be injected. A battery module (M) according to one embodiment of the present invention can be manufactured by, after the battery cell (2) is accommodated in the frame (1), the resin (4) is filled and cured between the frame (1) and the battery cell (2) through the first hole (10) while the bottom surface of the frame (1) faces upward.

[0078] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the battery module (M) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0079] Fig. 10 illustrates a battery manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the battery manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention may sequentially include a step (S1) of arranging the frame (1) containing the battery cell (2) so that its bottom surface faces upward; a tape attaching step (S2) of attaching a resin tape (3) having a second hole provided at a position corresponding to the first hole (10) to the bottom plate surface of the frame (1); a resin injection step (S3) of injecting the uncured resin (4) through the first hole (10) and the second hole; and a tape removing step (S4) of removing the resin tape (3) from the bottom plate.

[0080] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the resin tape (3) is removed after the injection of the resin (4) is completed, thereby removing the residual resin that has been injected into the first hole (10) and the second hole and overflowed.

[0081] Fig. 11 shows a state in which a resin tape is attached to a frame according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 12 shows a main part of Fig. 11. Referring to these drawings, the resin tape (3) may have a second hole (300) corresponding to the first hole (10).

[0082] The above resin tape (3) may be provided with a first reinforcing portion (31) extending along a first direction and having stronger first direction toughness than the remaining portion. For example, the resin tape (3) may be provided with a first tape (30) having an adhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface, and a second tape (31) attached to the non-adhesive surface of the first tape (30) to form the first reinforcing portion (31) and having stronger toughness than the first tape (30).

[0083] The first hole (10) and the second hole (300) may be provided in a plurality arranged in the first direction. At this time, since the extension direction of the first reinforcing member (31) and the arrangement direction of the first hole (10) and the second hole (300) are parallel, the first reinforcing member (31) may be spaced apart from the first hole (10) and the second hole (300) by a predetermined distance or less.

[0084] The above first reinforcing member (31) may be provided in multiple pieces arranged in the second direction.

[0085] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first reinforcing portion (31) may be provided as a pair juxtaposed on both sides of the second direction of the second hole (300).

[0086] Fig. 13 shows the state after resin is injected in Fig. 11, and Fig. 14 shows a main part of Fig. 13. Referring to these drawings, in the resin injection step (S3) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the resin (4) can be injected until it overflows from the second hole (300) and covers at least a portion of the pair of first reinforcing parts (31).

[0087] Fig. 15 illustrates a state in which a resin tape is removed according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, in the tape removal step (S4), the resin tape (3) may be detached starting from one end in the first direction and finally detached from the other end in the first direction. That is, the resin tape (3) may be detached along the first direction. At this time, since the resin tape (3) has high first direction toughness by having the first reinforcing portion (31), it is not easily torn during the detachment process.

[0088] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the resin (4) tape is removed as the resin (4) overflows to cover at least a portion of the first reinforcing member (31), the first reinforcing member (31) can exert a force to lift the overflowed resin. Accordingly, the remaining resin can be easily removed, and tearing of the resin (4) tape can be prevented.

[0089] Figure 16 illustrates a battery module and resin tape according to a first modified example of the present invention. Referring to this, in one modified example, the first reinforcing member (31) may be provided on one side of the second hole (300) in the second direction. In this case, it is more economical than providing the first reinforcing members (31) in pairs.

[0090] Fig. 17 illustrates a state in which resin is injected into the battery module of Fig. 16. Referring to this, the resin injection step (S3) according to the first modified example may be performed in a state in which the surface of the base plate is inclined toward one side of the second direction. At this time, the resin (4) may be injected until it overflows from the second hole (300) and covers at least a portion of the first reinforcing portion (31).

[0091] Accordingly, when removing the resin tape (3), the first reinforcing member (31) can exert a force to lift the overflowing resin. Accordingly, the remaining resin can be easily removed, and tearing of the resin tape can be prevented.

[0092] Fig. 18 illustrates a battery module and resin tape according to a second modified example of the present invention. Referring to this, the resin tape (3) according to the second modified example may additionally include a second reinforcing portion (32) extending along a second direction and having stronger second direction toughness than the remaining portion of the resin tape (3).

[0093] The above resin tape (3) may be configured to include a first tape (30) having an adhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface, and a second tape (32) attached to the non-adhesive surface of the first tape (30) to form the first reinforcing portion (31) and the second reinforcing portion (32), and having stronger toughness than the first tape (30).

[0094] In the above tape removal step (S4), the resin tape (3) may be detached from one end in the second direction and finally detached from the other end in the second direction. That is, the resin tape (3) may be detached along the second direction. At this time, since the resin tape (3) has high second direction toughness by having the second reinforcing portion (32), it is not easily torn during the detachment process.

[0095] The above second reinforcing member (32) may be provided in multiple pieces arranged in the first direction.

[0096] For example, the second reinforcing member (32) may be provided as a pair placed side by side on both sides of the first direction of the second hole (300).

[0097] In this case, in the resin injection step (S3), the resin (4) can be injected until it overflows from the second hole (300) and covers at least a portion of the pair of second reinforcing parts (32).

[0098] Accordingly, when removing the resin tape (3), the second reinforcing member (32) can exert a force to lift the overflowing resin. Accordingly, the remaining resin can be easily removed, and tearing of the resin tape (3) can be prevented.

[0099] Alternatively, the second reinforcing member (32) may be provided on one side of the second hole (300) in the first direction. In this case, it is more economical than providing the second reinforcing members (32) as a pair.

[0100] In this case, the resin injection step (S3) can be performed in a state where the surface of the base plate is inclined toward one side of the first direction, and at this time, the resin (4) can be injected until it overflows from the second hole (300) and covers at least a portion of the second reinforcing portion (32).

[0101] Accordingly, when removing the resin tape (3), the second reinforcing member (32) can exert a force to lift the overflowing resin. Accordingly, the remaining resin can be easily removed, and tearing of the resin tape (3) can be prevented.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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 frame having a floor plate in which a first hole is provided; a battery cell accommodated in the frame; and A battery manufacturing method for manufacturing a battery module, comprising: a resin that is applied and hardened between the battery cell and the base plate; A tape attachment step of attaching a resin tape having a second hole provided at a position corresponding to the first hole on the bottom plate surface of the frame in which the battery cell is accommodated; A resin injection step of injecting the uncured resin through the first hole and the second hole while the surface of the base plate faces upward; and A tape removal step for removing the resin tape from the base plate is sequentially included; The above resin tape has a first reinforcing portion extending along the first direction, A battery manufacturing method, wherein the first reinforcing portion has stronger first direction toughness than the remaining portion of the resin tape.

2. In claim 1, A battery manufacturing method, wherein the first hole and the second hole are provided in a plurality arranged in the first direction.

3. In claim 1, A method for manufacturing a battery, wherein the resin tape comprises a first tape having an adhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface, and a second tape attached to the non-adhesive surface of the first tape to form the first reinforcing portion and having stronger toughness than the first tape.

4. In claim 1, A battery manufacturing method, wherein, in the tape removal step, the resin tape starts to be detached from one end in the first direction and is finally detached from the other end in the first direction.

5. In claim 1, A battery manufacturing method, wherein the first reinforcing member is provided in a plurality of pieces arranged in the second direction.

6. In claim 5, A battery manufacturing method, wherein the first reinforcing member is provided as a pair juxtaposed on both sides of the second hole in the second direction.

7. In claim 6, A battery manufacturing method, wherein, in the resin injection step, the resin is injected until it overflows from the second hole and covers at least a portion of the pair of first reinforcing parts.

8. In claim 1, A battery manufacturing method, wherein the first reinforcing member is provided on one side of the second hole in the second direction.

9. In claim 8, The above resin injection step is performed in a state where the surface of the base plate is inclined toward one side of the second direction, A battery manufacturing method, wherein, in the resin injection step, the resin is injected until it overflows from the second hole and covers at least a portion of the first reinforcing portion.

10. In claim 1, The above resin tape additionally has a second reinforcing portion extending along the second direction, A battery manufacturing method, wherein the second reinforcing portion has stronger second direction toughness than the remaining portion of the resin tape.

11. In claim 10, A method for manufacturing a battery, wherein the resin tape comprises a first tape having an adhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface, and a second tape attached to the non-adhesive surface of the first tape to form the first reinforcing portion and the second reinforcing portion, and having stronger toughness than the first tape.

12. In claim 10, A battery manufacturing method, wherein, in the tape removal step, the resin tape starts to be detached from one end in the second direction and is finally detached from the other end in the second direction.

13. In claim 10, A battery manufacturing method, wherein the second reinforcing member is provided in a plurality of pieces arranged in the first direction.

14. In claim 13, A battery manufacturing method, wherein the second reinforcing member is provided as a pair juxtaposed on both sides of the first direction of the second hole.

15. In claim 14, A battery manufacturing method, wherein, in the resin injection step, the resin is injected until it overflows from the second hole and covers at least a portion of the pair of second reinforcing parts.

16. In claim 10, A battery manufacturing method, wherein the second reinforcing member is provided on one side of the second hole in the first direction.

17. In claim 16, The above resin injection step is performed in a state where the surface of the base plate is inclined toward one side of the first direction, A battery manufacturing method, wherein, in the resin injection step, the resin is injected until it overflows from the second hole and covers at least a portion of the second reinforcing portion.

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