Battery module comprising insulation plate

Abstract

Provided is a structure of a battery module comprising: a cell laminate in which a plurality of battery cells is stacked in the front-rear direction; a first end plate for supporting the cell laminate from the front side; a second end plate for supporting the cell laminate from the rear side; and a connection member for connecting opposite ends in the widthwise direction of the first end plate and the second end plate in the front-rear direction, wherein an insulating plate is interposed between the cell laminate and the first end plate, and a hook part snap-fitted coupled to the first end plate and a rigidity reinforcing part for reinforcing bending rigidity are provided on the upper end of the insulating plate.

Description

Battery module with insulating plate

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2024-0056347, filed April 26, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a structure of a battery module having an insulating plate coupled to an end plate, with a reduced number of parts and labor, and reinforced structural rigidity.

[0003] Secondary batteries are rechargeable batteries that have high energy density and diverse usability, and are used in portable devices, automobiles, and power storage devices that require power supply.

[0004] Secondary batteries are based on battery cells, which can take on various shapes, including cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-shaped. These cells can be integrated into devices, either individually or in multiples. In particular, electric and hybrid vehicles, which rely on electricity as their power source, require high output and capacity. Therefore, it's common to incorporate battery modules containing multiple integrated battery cells.

[0005] A battery module typically comprises a plurality of battery cells as well as a housing in which they are mounted and secured. For example, a housing structure that secures a plurality of stacked battery cells includes a pair of end plates positioned on either side of the stacking direction of the battery cells, and is widely used.

[0006] These end plates are typically made of metal, such as aluminum, to ensure proper thickness and rigidity. Therefore, if the metal end plates contact the battery cells and are not adequately insulated, there is a risk of short circuits. To prevent this, an insulating plate is inserted between the end plates and the battery cell stack.

[0007] The connection between these insulating plates and end plates is primarily achieved through methods such as welding. However, this welding method has the disadvantages of weak bonding strength and high cost.

[0008] Meanwhile, for the compactness and structural stability of the module, the insulating plate and the end plate must have appropriate rigidity, especially bending rigidity, and it is essential that the connection between them is made at an accurate position without any play.

[0009] 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 in which the bonding between an insulating plate and an end plate is economical and easy.

[0010] The present invention also seeks to provide a structure of a battery module in which an insulating plate and an end plate can be strongly coupled to each other at an accurate position without any play.

[0011] Another technical challenge of the present invention is to provide a structure of a battery module in which each of the end plate and the insulating plate has sufficient rigidity, while also having advantages in assembly and arrangement of parts.

[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 comprises: a cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked front to back; a first end plate supporting the cell stack from the front;

[0014] In a battery module including a second end plate supporting the cell stack from the rear; and a connecting member connecting the widthwise ends of the first end plate and the second end plate front and rear, an insulating plate is interposed between the cell stack and the first end plate, and a hook part that snap-fits with the upper end of the first end plate and a rigid reinforcing part that extends in the front-back direction to reinforce the front-back bending rigidity of the insulating plate are provided on the upper end of the insulating plate.

[0015] Since the first end plate and the second end plate are connected to each other at both ends in the width direction, the pair of end plates and the insulating plate need to have reinforced width direction bending rigidity to prevent bending deformation. In particular, in the case of pouch-type battery cells, it is important to prevent bending deformation of the insulating plate and the end plate as they may experience a swelling phenomenon in which the center bulges out.

[0016] Specifically, it is preferable that the pair of end plates and the insulating plate have a portion extending in the front-back direction in their widthwise cross-sections so that the front-back direction secondary cross-sectional modulus is maximized.

[0017] The above rigid reinforcement member may include a protrusion including a pair of pillar members extending upward on both sides of the width direction of the hook member and a connecting beam connecting the upper ends of the pillar members in the width direction. According to this structure, the snap-fit ​​action of the hook member may not be interfered with by the rigid reinforcement member, and the shape of the hook member may be easily formed by injection molding.

[0018] A hook portion may be provided at the lower end of the insulating plate to which the lower end of the first end plate is fitted. When the insulating plate and the first end plate are joined, the lower end of the first end plate may first be hung on the hook portion, and then the upper end of the first end plate may be snap-fitted with the hook portion, thereby facilitating the joining.

[0019] The above-mentioned catch portion can extend forward and backward from the lower end of the insulating plate to reinforce the forward and backward bending rigidity of the insulating plate. Since the catch portion also serves to reinforce the rigidity of the insulating plate, the bending rigidity of both the upper and lower ends of the insulating plate can be reinforced.

[0020] The thickness of the hook portion may be smaller than the thickness of the stiffening member. Since the snap-fit ​​joint utilizes the elastic deformation and restoration of the hook portion, if the thickness of the hook portion is too thick, excessive force may be required for the joint. However, if the thickness of the stiffening member is reduced accordingly, the flexural rigidity of the insulating plate may not be secured.

[0021] At least a portion of the above rigid reinforcement may be provided between the one-third point and the two-third point of the insulating plate along the width direction. When a bending load is applied to the insulating plate from both ends in the width direction, the area that receives the greatest load is the center portion in the width direction, so it is preferable that this portion be particularly reinforced.

[0022] The above hook portion and the above protrusion portion may extend in the width direction. Accordingly, the bonding force of the snap-fit ​​joint between the insulating plate and the first end plate and the length of the joint portion may be increased.

[0023] A rib for reinforcing rigidity may be provided on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the above insulating plate. The rib may be provided in a shape that protrudes and extends in at least one of the front and rear directions.

[0024] A rib for reinforcing rigidity may be provided on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the first end plate. The rib may be provided in a shape that protrudes and / or is sunken in at least one of the front and rear directions.

[0025] When ribs are provided on both the above insulating plate and the first end plate, it is preferable that the ribs are provided to interlock at corresponding positions to minimize play.

[0026] It is preferable that the rib is formed so as to avoid a portion in contact with the hook portion. In addition, when the catch portion is provided at the lower end of the insulating plate, it is preferable that the rib is formed so as to avoid a portion in contact with the catch portion.

[0027] A beam reinforcement member protruding rearward may be provided at the upper end of the above-described protrusion. The beam reinforcement member can reinforce the bending rigidity of the connecting beam portion, thereby maximizing the rigidity reinforcement function of the rigidity reinforcement member, and can also help prevent cable detachment, which will be described later.

[0028] The upper portion of the above insulating plate may be provided with a cable fixing portion that protrudes upwardly from the rear compared to the above protrusion. A cable may be inserted between the protrusion and the above cable fixing portion. The cable may extend in the width direction within the battery module for electrical connection within the battery module. By inserting the cable into the upper portion of the above insulating plate, the arrangement and insulation of the cable is facilitated, and the cable may be fixed without a separate means.

[0029] The above protrusions and the cable fixing portions may be alternately and repeatedly arranged along the width direction. Accordingly, the cable may be zigzag-fitted to the cable fixing portions, allowing for easy and stable installation.

[0030] At least one of the upper and lower ends of the first end plate may be provided with a protrusion that protrudes upward or downward. At this time, an interference portion that interferes with the protrusion portion on both sides in the width direction of the protrusion portion may be provided on at least one of the upper and lower ends of the insulating plate. The protrusion portion and the interference portion interfere with each other in the width direction and can regulate the joining position of the insulating plate and the first end plate.

[0031] The above interference portion may be provided in the above rigid reinforcement portion. Specifically, the interference portion may be provided in a slot shape in the above rigid reinforcement portion extending in the front-rear direction.

[0032] The first end plate may be provided with a hole, and the insulating plate may be provided with an insertion protrusion that protrudes forward and is inserted into the hole to regulate the joining position of the insulating plate and the first end plate. Since the hole and the insertion protrusion are provided at positions corresponding to each other, the insulating plate and the first end plate can also be precisely joined at positions corresponding to each other.

[0033] The insertion protrusions may be provided at multiple different locations. In particular, to prevent relative rotation between the insulating plate and the first end plate, it is preferable that two or more insertion protrusions be provided. In this case, the holes may also be provided in multiple numbers corresponding to the insertion protrusions.

[0034] The present invention can provide a structure of a battery module in which an insulating plate and an end plate have a snap-fit ​​structure and can be simply and firmly combined.

[0035] The present invention also provides a structure of a battery module having excellent structural stability and increased energy density, by guiding an insulating plate and an end plate to be joined to each other at an accurate position without any play.

[0036] Another advantage of the present invention is that it can provide a structure of a battery module in which the bending rigidity of each of the insulating plate and the end plate is sufficiently secured and the arrangement of auxiliary parts such as cables is easy.

[0037] In addition to the effects described above, specific effects of the present invention are described below while explaining specific details for carrying out the invention.

[0038] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figures 3 and 4 respectively show before and after an insulating plate according to one embodiment of the present invention is bonded to a first end plate.

[0040] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a cable being installed in an assembly of an insulating plate and a first end plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1: Cell stack 10: Battery cell 2: First end plate 24: Rib

[0043] 25: Protrusion 26: Hole 3: Second end plate 4: Connecting member

[0044] 5: Insulating plate 50: Hook part 51: Rigid reinforcement part 510: Protrusion part

[0045] 511: Column part 12: Connecting beam 513: Beam reinforcement part 52: Hook part 53: Cable fixing part 54: Rib 55: Interference part 56: Insertion projection 6: Cable

[0046] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0047] 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.

[0048] The attached drawings are only intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, the components may be expressed in an exaggerated size or thickness for convenience of understanding, etc., but the scope of protection of the present invention should not be construed as being limited due to this.

[0049] 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" in the specification 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.

[0050] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0051] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "in contact with" another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or in contact with that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "in contact with" another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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 will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0054] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these drawings, a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a cell stack (1) in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked front to back, a pair of end plates (2, 3) arranged at the front and rear of the cell stack (1), a connecting member (4) that connects and fixes the pair of end plates (2, 3) to each other, and a pair of insulating plates (5) interposed between the cell stack (1) and the pair of end plates (2, 3).

[0055] The above battery cell (10) may be a pouch-type battery cell, but is not limited thereto.

[0056] The above pair of insulating plates (5) can be coupled to the end plates (2, 3). This coupling structure will be described later.

[0057] The pair of end plates (2, 3) above can be connected at both widthwise ends by the connecting member (4). Accordingly, the end plates () can receive tension in the front-back direction at both widthwise ends. In addition, since the battery cell (10) can experience a swelling phenomenon in which its central portion swells back and forth, a widthwise bending load can be applied to the end plates (2, 3) and the insulating plate coupled thereto.

[0058] Figures 3 and 4 respectively illustrate before and after an insulating plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is coupled to a first end plate. Referring to these drawings, a hook portion (50) that snap-fits with the upper portion of the first end plate (2) and a rigid reinforcement portion (51) extending in the front-rear direction may be provided on the upper portion of the insulating plate (5). Due to the hook portion (50), the insulating plate (5) and the first end plate (2) can be easily coupled to each other, and the rigid reinforcement portion (51) can increase the widthwise secondary cross-sectional modulus of the insulating plate (5), thereby preventing widthwise bending deformation of the insulating plate (5).

[0059] It is preferable that the thickness of the above hook portion (50) be smaller than the thickness of the above rigid reinforcement portion (51). Since the above hook portion (50) performs a snap-fit ​​function through elastic deformation and restoration, if the thickness is too thick, excessively large force is required for the connection between the above insulating plate (5) and the above first end plate (2).

[0060] It is preferable that the above hook portion (50) be sufficiently extended in the width direction to increase the bonding strength and bonding stability between the insulating plate (5) and the first end plate (2).

[0061] At least a portion of the above rigid reinforcement member (51) may be provided between the one-third point and the two-third point of the insulating plate (5) along the width direction. Since the central portion of the insulating plate (5) in the width direction is where the greatest bending load and deformation are applied, it is preferable that the rigid reinforcement member (51) be provided at least in the central portion of the insulating plate (5) in the width direction to resist this.

[0062] Meanwhile, since the hook portion (50) and the rigid reinforcement portion (51) must be provided simultaneously on the upper portion of the insulating plate (5), the reinforcement of the bending rigidity due to the rigid reinforcement portion (51) may be insufficient. Accordingly, the rigid reinforcement portion (51) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a protrusion portion (510) that protrudes upward from the position where the hook portion (50) is provided. Accordingly, the rigid reinforcement portion (51) may also be provided at the position where the hook portion (50) is provided.

[0063] The above protrusion (510) may include a pair of pillar parts (511) extending upwardly on both sides in the width direction of the hook part (50), and a connecting beam (512) connecting the upper ends of the pillar parts (511) in the width direction. According to this structure, the snap fit action of the hook part (50) may not be interfered with by the rigid reinforcement part (51), and it is easy to injection-mold the shape of the hook part (50).

[0064] A catch (52) may be provided at the lower end of the insulating plate (5) to which the lower end of the first end plate (2) is fitted. When the insulating plate (5) and the first end plate (2) are joined, the lower end of the first end plate (2) is first hung on the catch (52) and then the upper end of the first end plate (2) is snap-fit ​​joined with the hook (50), thereby making the joining easier.

[0065] The above-mentioned catch (52) extends forward and backward from the lower end of the insulating plate (5) to reinforce the forward and backward bending rigidity of the insulating plate (5). As the catch (52) also serves to reinforce the rigidity of the insulating plate (5), the bending rigidity of both the upper and lower ends of the insulating plate (5) can be reinforced.

[0066] A rib (54) for reinforcing rigidity may be provided on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the insulating plate (5). The rib (54) may be provided in a shape that protrudes and extends in at least one of the front and rear directions.

[0067] A rib (24) for reinforcing rigidity may be provided on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the first end plate (2). The rib (24) may be provided in a shape that protrudes and / or is sunken in at least one of the front and rear directions.

[0068] When ribs (24, 54) are provided on both the insulating plate (5) and the first end plate (2), it is preferable that the ribs (24, 54) be provided to interlock at corresponding positions to minimize play.

[0069] It is preferable that the ribs (24, 54) are formed so as to avoid the area in contact with the hook portion (50). In addition, when the catch portion (52) is provided at the lower end of the insulating plate (5), it is preferable that the ribs (24, 54) are formed so as to avoid the area in contact with the catch portion (52).

[0070] In the above snap-fit ​​joint structure, since the insulating plate (5) and the first end plate (2) only exchange a joint force in the front-back direction, there is a possibility that they may be joined at positions that are misaligned with each other in the left-right and height directions. If the insulating plate (5) and the first end plate (2) are not joined at the correct position, structural stability and insulation may be reduced, and a play may occur, which may reduce energy density. Therefore, a means for joining them at the correct position is required.

[0071] At least one of the upper and lower ends of the first end plate (2) may be provided with a protrusion (25) that protrudes upward or downward. At this time, an interference portion (55) that interferes with the protrusion (25) on both sides in the width direction of the protrusion (25) may be provided on at least one of the upper and lower ends of the insulating plate (5). The protrusion (25) and the interference portion (55) interfere with each other in the width direction and can regulate the joining position of the insulating plate (5) and the first end plate (2).

[0072] The above interference portion (55) may be provided in the above rigid reinforcement portion (51). Specifically, the above interference portion (55) may be provided in a slot shape in the above rigid reinforcement portion (51) extending in the front-rear direction.

[0073] A hole (26) may be provided in the first end plate (2), and an insertion protrusion (56) may be provided in the insulating plate (5) so as to protrude forward and be inserted into the hole (26) to regulate the joining position of the insulating plate (5) and the first end plate (2). As the hole (26) and the insertion protrusion (56) are provided at positions corresponding to each other, the insulating plate (5) and the first end plate (2) can also be precisely joined at positions corresponding to each other.

[0074] The above insertion protrusions (56) may be provided at multiple different locations. In particular, in order to prevent relative rotation between the insulating plate (5) and the first end plate (2), it is preferable that two or more insertion protrusions (56) be provided. At this time, the holes (26) may also be provided in multiple numbers corresponding to the insertion protrusions (56).

[0075] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a cable being installed in an assembly of an insulating plate and a first end plate according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these drawings, a cable (6) for wiring may be mounted on the upper portion of the insulating plate (5). The cable (6) may serve to electrically connect various sensors, etc., within the battery module. Since the cable (6) is fitted on the upper portion of the insulating plate (5), no separate component is required for mounting the cable (6), and the stability and insulation of the cable (6) can be secured.

[0076] A cable fixing portion (53) protruding upward from the rear compared to the protrusion (510) may be provided at the upper end of the insulating plate (5). At this time, the cable (6) may be inserted between the protrusion (510) and the cable fixing portion.

[0077] At this time, the protrusion (510) and the cable fixing portion (53) are alternately and repeatedly arranged along the width direction, so that the cable (6) can be zigzag-fitted to the upper portion of the insulating plate (5).

[0078] A beam reinforcement member (513) protruding rearward may be provided at the upper end of the above-mentioned protrusion (510). The beam reinforcement member (513) can reinforce the bending rigidity of the connecting beam (512) portion, thereby maximizing the rigidity reinforcement function of the rigidity reinforcement member (51), and can also help prevent the cable (6) from coming off.

[0079] 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 cell stack in which multiple battery cells are stacked front to back; A first end plate supporting the cell stack from the front; A second end plate supporting the cell stack from the rear; and In a battery module including a connecting member connecting the widthwise ends of the first end plate and the second end plate back and forth, An insulating plate is interposed between the cell stack and the first end plate, The upper part of the insulating plate is provided with a hook part that snap-fits with the upper part of the first end plate, and a rigid reinforcement part that extends in the front-back direction to reinforce the front-back bending rigidity of the insulating plate. A battery module comprising a protrusion, wherein the above-mentioned rigid reinforcement part includes a pair of pillar parts extending upward on both sides in the width direction of the hook part and a connecting beam connecting the upper ends of the pillar parts in the width direction.

2. In claim 1, A battery module, wherein a catch is provided at the lower end of the insulating plate to which the lower end of the first end plate is fitted.

3. In claim 2, A battery module in which the above-mentioned catch extends forward and backward from the lower end of the above-mentioned insulating plate to reinforce the forward and backward bending rigidity of the above-mentioned insulating plate.

4. In claim 1, A battery module wherein the thickness of the above hook portion is smaller than the thickness of the above rigid reinforcement portion.

5. In claim 1, A battery module, wherein at least a portion of the above rigid reinforcement is provided between the one-third point and the two-third point of the insulating plate along the width direction.

6. In claim 1, A battery module wherein the hook portion and the protrusion portion extend along the width direction.

7. In claim 1, A battery module in which a rib for reinforcing rigidity is provided on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the insulating plate.

8. In claim 1, A battery module in which a beam reinforcement member protruding rearward is provided at the upper end of the above protrusion.

9. In claim 8, The upper part of the above insulating plate is provided with a cable fixing part that protrudes upward from the rear compared to the above protrusion, A battery module in which a cable is inserted between the protrusion and the cable fixing portion.

10. In claim 9, A battery module in which the above protrusions and the above cable fixing portions are alternately and repeatedly arranged along the width direction.

11. In claim 1, At least one of the upper and lower ends of the first end plate is provided with a protrusion that protrudes upward or downward, A battery module, wherein at least one of the upper and lower ends of the insulating plate is provided with an interference portion that interferes with the protrusion on both sides in the width direction of the protrusion.

12. In claim 11, A battery module in which the above interference part is provided in the above rigid reinforcement part.

13. In claim 1, A hole is provided in the above first end plate, A battery module, wherein the insulating plate is provided with an insertion protrusion that protrudes forward and is inserted into the hole to regulate the joining position of the insulating plate and the first end plate.

14. In claim 13, A battery module in which the above insertion protrusions are provided at multiple different locations.

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