Battery assembly

Abstract

A battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a plurality of battery cells; a battery housing in which the plurality of battery cells are accommodated; an insulating plate including a plurality of through-holes respectively corresponding to the plurality of battery cells and stacked on the plurality of battery cells; a metal plate disposed on the insulating plate and electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells; and a battery management unit which is electrically connected to the metal plate and controls the charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells.

Description

Battery assembly

[0001] Cross-citation with related application(s)

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0096092, filed July 22, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present invention relates to a battery assembly mounted inside a vehicle to supply power.

[0004] A secondary battery (rechargeable battery) is a battery that can be recharged and discharged. Low-capacity secondary batteries are used in small, portable electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops, and camcorders, while large-capacity batteries are widely used as power sources for motors in hybrid and electric vehicles.

[0005] Secondary batteries used in automobiles and other applications include multiple battery cells and a battery management unit (BMU) for controlling the cells. A battery assembly comprising multiple battery cells and a BMU requires metal plates and mounting frames for connecting the BMU and the battery cells. A battery housing housing the multiple battery cells requires installation space for fastening the metal plates and mounting frames for connecting the BMU. Consequently, the overall size and volume of the battery housing increases, leading to problems such as reduced spatial efficiency within the housing.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a battery assembly capable of connecting a battery management unit to a plurality of battery cells without requiring a separate installation space for fastening the battery management unit inside a battery housing.

[0007] A battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells, a battery housing in which the plurality of battery cells are accommodated, an insulating plate including a plurality of through holes respectively corresponding to the plurality of battery cells, the insulating plate being stacked on top of the plurality of battery cells, a metal plate disposed on top of the insulating plate and electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells, and a battery management unit electrically connected to the metal plate and controlling charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells.

[0008] The battery housing may include a plurality of openings into which the plurality of battery cells are each separately inserted, and a fastening guide formed by protruding some of the side surfaces of the battery housing and assisting in fastening the insulating plate.

[0009] The above fastening guide may include a first fastening guide formed by protruding one side of the battery housing and including a plurality of defective portions, and a second fastening guide formed by protruding one side opposite to the one side of the battery housing on which the first fastening guide is formed.

[0010] The above metal plate can be placed in an area on one surface of the insulating plate excluding an area where the plurality of through holes formed in the insulating plate are located.

[0011] The above metal plate can be connected to the plurality of battery cells by wire bonding.

[0012] The battery management unit may include a substrate having a control circuit formed thereon for controlling the plurality of battery cells, a connection portion having a connection circuit formed thereon for connecting the control circuit to the metal plate, and a management unit housing in which the substrate and the connection portion are accommodated.

[0013] The above connecting portion may be composed of a flexible material that bends when subjected to external force.

[0014] The above connecting portion may include at least one protrusion exposed to the outside of the management unit housing.

[0015] The above protrusion may include the connection circuit extending from the inside of the protrusion and connected to the metal plate by wire bonding.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a battery assembly includes a plurality of battery cells, a battery housing in which the plurality of battery cells are accommodated, an insulating plate including a plurality of through holes respectively corresponding to the plurality of battery cells and stacked on top of the plurality of battery cells, and a battery management unit for controlling charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the battery management unit may include a substrate on which a control circuit for controlling charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells is formed, and a connection portion including a plurality of protrusions having a length extending in a direction parallel to one surface of the insulating plate and including a connection circuit for electrically connecting the control circuit to the plurality of battery cells.

[0017] The above connecting portion is made of a flexible material that can be bent by an external force, and can be bent by the external force and connected to the upper portion of the insulating plate.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a battery management unit can be connected to a plurality of battery cells without securing a separate space for fastening the battery management unit inside the battery housing.

[0019] The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 are exploded perspective views of a battery assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figures 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views of a battery housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of an insulating plate and a metal plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a battery management unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the battery management unit of Figure 7.

[0025] Figure 9 is a side view of the battery management unit of Figure 7.

[0026] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of a battery assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] In describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, detailed descriptions of related known technologies will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification. In addition, the attached drawings are provided solely to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical concepts disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0028] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0029] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0030] In this application, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0031] The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings below.

[0032] Figures 1 and 2 are exploded perspective views of a battery assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells (100), a battery housing (200), an insulating plate (300), a plurality of metal plates (400: 400-1, 400-2, 400-3, 400-4), and a battery management unit (500). Although FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate that the battery assembly includes 24 battery cells (100) and 4 metal plates (400), the present invention is not limited thereto. The battery assembly may include one or more battery cells (100) and one or more metal plates (400).

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, a battery assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in a form in which a plurality of battery cells (100), an insulating plate (300), and a plurality of metal plates (400) are housed inside a battery housing (200), and a battery management unit (500) is installed on one surface of the battery housing (200). At this time, the components housed inside the battery housing (200) may be stacked in the order of a plurality of battery cells (100), an insulating plate (300), and a plurality of metal plates (400). In addition, the plurality of battery cells (100) may be electrically connected to the plurality of metal plates (400), and the plurality of metal plates (400) may be electrically connected to the battery management unit (500).

[0035] A battery cell (100) refers to the smallest unit of a secondary battery composed of an outer material, an electrolyte, a positive electrode material, and a negative electrode material, and can supply power to a device that uses electricity as energy, such as a vehicle. A plurality of battery cells (100) can be connected to each other in series and / or in parallel. In FIG. 2, a plurality of battery cells (100) are illustrated as having a cylindrical shape, but the shape of the battery cells (100) is not limited thereto and can be freely changed as needed.

[0036] Figures 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views of a battery housing (200) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] The battery housing (200) is configured to accommodate a plurality of battery cells (100), an insulating plate (300), and a plurality of metal plates (400), and may include an internal space for accommodating the plurality of battery cells (100), the insulating plate (300), and the plurality of metal plates (400). According to an embodiment, the battery housing (200) may be composed of an insulator. For example, the battery housing (200) may be implemented as a rectangular parallelepiped case with a hollow space provided therein. However, the shape and size of the battery housing (200) are not limited thereto, and may be freely changed as needed.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 3, the battery housing (200) may include a plurality of openings (210) and fastening guides (220: 220-1, 220-2). Although FIG. 3 illustrates the battery housing (200) as including 24 openings (210) and 2 fastening guides (212-1, 212-2), the present invention is not limited thereto. The battery housing (200) may include one or more openings (210) and one or more fastening guides (220).

[0039] A plurality of battery cells (100) can be inserted into the plurality of openings (210) separately. According to an embodiment, the plurality of openings (210) can be implemented in a cylindrical shape. However, the shape and size of the plurality of openings (210) can be determined according to the shapes of the plurality of battery cells (100).

[0040] The fastening guide (220) can assist in fastening the insulating plate (300). For example, the fastening guide (220) can assist in fixing the insulating plate (300) fastened to the upper portion of the battery housing (200). According to an embodiment, the fastening guide (220) can be implemented in a shape in which some of the side surfaces of the battery housing (200) protrude. However, the shape and size of the fastening guide (220) are not limited thereto and can be freely changed as needed.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the fastening guide (220) may include a first fastening guide (212-1) formed by protruding one side of the battery housing (200) as illustrated in FIG. 4 and including a plurality of defects (213: 213-1, 213-2, 213-3, 213-4), and a second fastening guide (212-2) formed by protruding one side opposite to the one side of the battery housing (200) on which the first fastening guide (212-1) is formed. A plurality of protrusions (541) of a connecting portion (540) of a battery management unit (500) described below may be fastened to the plurality of defects (213).

[0042] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are perspective views of an insulating plate (300) and a metal plate (400) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] The insulating plate (300) may be formed of an insulator to prevent direct contact between a plurality of battery cells (100). The insulating plate (300) may include a plurality of through holes (310). The insulating plate (300) may be fastened to the upper portion of a battery housing (200) in which a plurality of battery cells (100) are accommodated. The plurality of through holes (310) may correspond to the plurality of battery cells (100) in a 1:1 ratio when the insulating plate (300) is fastened to the upper portions of the plurality of battery cells (100). By the insulating plate (300) in which the plurality of through holes (310) are formed, the outer materials of the plurality of battery cells (100) are not exposed to the outside of the insulating plate (300), and only the positive or negative electrodes of the plurality of battery cells (100) may be exposed to the outside of the insulating plate (300).

[0044] In FIGS. 5 and 6, the insulating plate (300) is illustrated as having a rectangular thin plate shape. However, the shape and size of the insulating plate (300) are not limited thereto and may be freely changed as needed. For example, the insulating plate (300) may be implemented in various shapes such as a circular plate, a triangular plate, a square plate, etc.

[0045] The metal plate (400) is configured to electrically connect a plurality of battery cells (100) and may be composed of a conductor. The metal plate (400) may be implemented as a metal plate of various shapes. The metal plate (400) may be placed on top of the insulating plate (300). At this time, the metal plate (400) may be placed so as not to cover a plurality of through holes (310) formed in the insulating plate (300). For example, the metal plate (400) may be placed in an area on one surface of the insulating plate (300) excluding an area where a plurality of through holes (310) formed in the insulating plate (300) are located.

[0046] The metal plate (400) can be electrically connected to the electrodes (positive electrodes, negative electrodes) of a plurality of battery cells (100). At this time, the electrodes of the plurality of battery cells (100) are exposed to the outside of the insulating plate (300) through a plurality of through holes (310) formed in the insulating plate (300). According to an embodiment, the metal plate (400) can be electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells (100) through a wire bonding method. The wire bonding method refers to a method of electrically connecting chips, electrodes, plates, etc. using metal wires (fine wires) such as gold, copper, and aluminum.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the metal plate (400) may be implemented in multiple pieces. In this case, a plurality of battery cells (100) electrically connected to a single metal plate (400) may form a single battery module. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, six battery cells (100) may be electrically connected to a single metal plate (400) to form a single battery module.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a plurality of metal plates (400-1 to 400-4) may be arranged on the upper portion of the insulating plate (300). Each of the plurality of metal plates (400-1 to 400-4) may be arranged so as not to cover a plurality of through holes (310) formed in the insulating plate (300). For example, the plurality of metal plates (400-1 to 400-4) may be implemented in an 'L' shape as illustrated in FIG. 5, and may be arranged to pass through the side surfaces of six through holes (310) formed in a zigzag pattern in the insulating plate (300). As another example, the plurality of metal plates (400-1 to 400-4) may be implemented in an 'I' shape as illustrated in FIG. 6, and may be arranged in the center of six through holes (310) formed in a zigzag pattern in the insulating plate (300). However, the shape and size of the metal plate (400) are not limited thereto and may be freely changed as needed.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a battery management unit (500) according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the battery management unit (500) of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a side view of the battery management unit (500) of FIG. 7.

[0050] The battery management unit (500) is configured to control charging and discharging of a plurality of battery cells (100). The battery management unit (500) is electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells (100) through a metal plate (400) and can measure the temperature, resistance, voltage, etc. of the plurality of battery cells (100) and diagnose and analyze the status of the plurality of battery cells (100). The battery management unit (500) can control charging and discharging, cell balancing, etc. of the plurality of battery cells (100) based on the analysis results of the status of the plurality of battery cells (100).

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the battery management unit (500) may include a management unit housing (510), a mounting frame (520), a substrate (530: 530-1, 530-2), and a connection portion (540). Although FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate that the battery management unit (500) includes two substrates (530-1, 530-2), the present invention is not limited thereto. The battery management unit (500) may include one or more substrates (530).

[0052] The management unit housing (510) is configured to accommodate a mounting frame (520), a substrate (530), and a connection portion (540), and may be formed of an insulator. The management unit housing (510) may accommodate the mounting frame (520), the substrate (530), and the connection portion (540) by sequentially stacking them. According to an embodiment, the management unit housing (510) may include a first management unit housing (511) and a second management unit housing (512). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the mounting frame (520), the substrate (530), and the connection portion (540) may be accommodated between the first management unit housing (511) and the second management unit housing (512). Although the management unit housing (510) is illustrated as a rectangular plate shape in FIG. 8, the shape and size of the management unit housing (510) are not limited thereto, and may be freely changed as needed.

[0053] The fixing frame (520) is configured to fix the substrate (530) and may be formed of an insulator. The fixing frame (520) may have a structure in which the substrate (530) can be fastened thereto. In FIG. 8, the fixing frame (520) is illustrated as a rectangular frame with two square holes formed therein, but the shape or size of the fixing frame (520) is not limited thereto and may be determined depending on the number or shape of the substrate (530).

[0054] A control circuit (531: 531-1, 531-2) for controlling a plurality of battery cells (100) may be formed on the substrate (530). The substrate (530) may be formed of an insulating plate. In FIG. 8, the substrate (530) is illustrated as having a square plate shape, but the shape or size of the substrate (530) is not limited thereto and may be freely changed as needed.

[0055] The connecting portion (540) is a configuration for electrically connecting the control circuit (531) formed on the substrate (530) and the metal plate (400), and may be implemented as an insulator. A connecting circuit (542: 542-1, 542-2, 542-3, 542-4) may be formed on the connecting portion (540). Here, the connecting circuit (542) refers to an electrical circuit that electrically connects the control circuit (531) formed on the substrate (530) and the metal plate (400). One end of the connecting circuit (542) may be connected to a specific point within the control circuit (531), and the other end of the connecting circuit (542) may be connected to the metal plate (400).

[0056] The connecting portion (540) may include a plurality of protrusions (541: 541-1, 541-2, 541-3, 541-4). In FIGS. 7 and 8, the connecting portion (540) is illustrated as including four protrusions (541-1, 541-2, 541-3, 541-4), but the present invention is not limited thereto. The connecting portion (540) may include one or more protrusions (541).

[0057] The protrusion (541) may be exposed to the outside of the management unit housing (510). The protrusion (541) may include the other end of a connection circuit (542) connected to the metal plate (400). The protrusion (541) may be formed of a flexible material that is bent by an external force. As the protrusion (541) is bent by an external force, it may be fastened to the battery housing (200) or the defective portion (213). In a state where the protrusion (541) is fastened to the battery housing (200) or the defective portion (213), the other end of the connection circuit (542) included in the protrusion (541) may be electrically connected to the metal plate (400) through a wire bonding method.

[0058] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of a battery assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Regarding the battery assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention, descriptions of common parts with the battery assembly according to the first embodiment described above will be omitted, and only differences will be described.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 10, a battery assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells (100), a battery housing (200), an insulating plate (300), and a battery management unit (500).

[0061] The connecting portion (540) of the battery management unit (500) according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of protrusions (541). The protrusions (541) may be formed of a flexible material that is bent by an external force. The protrusions (541) may be fastened to the battery housing (200) and the insulating plate (300) as they are bent by the external force. The protrusions (541) may have a length that extends in a direction parallel to one surface of the insulating plate (300). At this time, the length of the protrusions (541) may be determined as a length that does not protrude out of the battery housing (200) when the protrusions (541) are fastened to the upper portion of the insulating plate (300). The protrusions (541) may be electrically connected to a plurality of battery cells (100). According to an embodiment, the protrusions (541) may be connected to the plurality of battery cells (100) by a wire bonding method.

[0062] That is, the battery assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the metal plate (400) configuration is omitted compared to the battery assembly according to the first embodiment described above, as the protrusion (541) of the connection portion (540) of the battery management unit (500) is formed to extend along one side of the insulating plate (300), so that the plurality of battery cells (100) and the protrusion (541) are directly connected.

[0063] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Multiple battery cells; A battery housing in which the plurality of battery cells are stored; An insulating plate including a plurality of through holes each corresponding to the plurality of battery cells and laminated on top of the plurality of battery cells; A metal plate disposed on top of the insulating plate and electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells; and A battery management unit electrically connected to the metal plate and controlling charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells, Battery assembly.

2. In paragraph 1, The above battery housing, a plurality of openings into which the plurality of battery cells are each separately inserted; and Some of the sides of the battery housing are formed to protrude, and include a fastening guide that assists in fastening the insulating plate. Battery assembly.

3. In paragraph 2, The above-mentioned conclusion guide is, A first fastening guide formed by protruding one side of the battery housing and including a plurality of defective portions; and Including a second fastening guide formed by protruding one side opposite to one side of the battery housing on which the first fastening guide is formed. Battery assembly.

4. In paragraph 1, The above metal plate, On one side of the insulating plate, it is placed in an area excluding an area where the plurality of through holes formed in the insulating plate are located. Battery assembly.

5. In paragraph 1, The above metal plate, Connected to the above plurality of battery cells by wire bonding, Battery assembly.

6. In paragraph 1, The above battery management unit, A substrate having a control circuit formed thereon for controlling the plurality of battery cells; A connecting portion having a connecting circuit formed therein for connecting the above control circuit to the above metal plate; and Including a management unit housing in which the substrate and the connecting portion are stored, Battery assembly.

7. In paragraph 6, The above connection part is, Composed of a ductile material that bends when subjected to external force, Battery assembly.

8. In paragraph 6, The above connection part is, comprising at least one protrusion exposed to the outside of the management unit housing; Battery assembly.

9. In paragraph 8, The above protrusion is, Including the connecting circuit extending from the inside of the protrusion and connected to the metal plate by wire bonding, Battery assembly.

10. Multiple battery cells; A battery housing in which the plurality of battery cells are stored; An insulating plate including a plurality of through holes corresponding to each of the plurality of battery cells and stacked on top of the plurality of battery cells; and It includes a battery management unit that controls charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells, The above battery management unit, A substrate having a control circuit formed thereon for controlling charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells; and A connecting portion including a plurality of protrusions having a length extending in a direction parallel to one surface of the insulating plate, and including a connecting circuit for electrically connecting the control circuit to the plurality of battery cells, Battery assembly.

11. In paragraph 10, The above connection part is, It is composed of a ductile material that is bent by an external force, and is bent by the external force and fastened to the upper part of the insulating plate. Battery assembly.

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