Battery cell aging device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery cell aging device comprising: a main body having a hollow in which a battery cell is accommodated; a heater positioned on the inner surface or in the interior of the main body to control the temperature of the battery cell; and a sensor being in contact with a part of the battery cell to measure the temperature thereof.

Description

Battery cell aging device

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0118522, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on September 2, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery cell aging device.

[0003] Recently, rechargeable secondary batteries have been widely used as a power source for wireless mobile devices. Furthermore, secondary batteries are also attracting attention as a potential energy source for electric and hybrid electric vehicles, which are being proposed as a solution to air pollution caused by existing gasoline and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels. Consequently, the applications that utilize secondary batteries are diversifying significantly due to their advantages, and it is expected that secondary batteries will be applied to a wider range of fields and products in the future.

[0004] These secondary batteries are classified into lithium-ion batteries, lithium-ion polymer batteries, and lithium polymer batteries depending on the composition of the electrodes and electrolyte. Among them, the use of lithium-ion polymer batteries is increasing due to their low possibility of electrolyte leakage and ease of manufacturing. In general, secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries in which the electrode assembly is housed in a cylindrical or prismatic metal can depending on the shape of the battery case, and pouch-type batteries in which the electrode assembly is housed in a pouch-type case made of aluminum laminate sheet. The electrode assembly housed in the battery case is a power plant capable of charging and discharging, consisting of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator structure interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. It is classified into a jelly-roll type in which a separator is interposed between long sheets of positive and negative electrodes coated with an active material and wound up, and a stack type in which a plurality of positive electrodes and negative electrodes of a predetermined size are sequentially stacked while being interposed between separators.

[0005] In secondary batteries like this, an activation process is generally performed after the electrolyte solution is injected. In the activation process, the battery cell forms an SEI film through initial charging, and then quickly dissolves metal foreign substances through high-temperature aging to prevent low-voltage failures.

[0006] Since the above-described high-temperature aging is typically performed at temperatures above 60°C, the process must be performed in a space where the temperature remains constant. However, conventionally, trays containing multiple battery cells were stacked, and temperature control was performed using a standard thermometer.

[0007] However, in such cases, among the battery cells in the high-temperature aging room, the battery cells in the center of the tray have difficulty in heat circulation compared to the battery cells in the outer part, so the temperature rises excessively. In this case, there was a problem in that the capacity of the battery cells located in the center decreased due to an irreversible reaction.

[0008] In view of the problems of the prior art described above, the present invention aims to provide a battery cell aging device that minimizes temperature deviation between battery cells by controlling the temperature of each battery cell and increases energy efficiency by controlling the temperature of each battery cell.

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention provides a battery aging device including a main body having a hollow interior and a battery cell stored in the hollow interior; a heater positioned on the inner or inner side of the main body to control the temperature of the battery cell; and a sensor that measures the temperature by contacting one surface of the battery cell.

[0010] A battery cell aging device according to an embodiment of the present invention has the effect of minimizing temperature deviation between battery cells by controlling the temperature of each battery cell and increasing energy efficiency by controlling the temperature of each battery cell.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery cell aging device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a battery cell being stored in a hollow space of a main body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 3(a) is a transparency diagram showing a main body according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3(b) is a transparency diagram showing a main body according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4 is a bottom view showing a main body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] [Explanation of symbols]

[0016] 1: Battery cell

[0017] 10: Body

[0018] 11: China

[0019] 20: Heater

[0020] 30: Sensor

[0021] 40: Tray

[0022] 100: Battery cell aging device

[0023] This detailed description of the present invention is intended to fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. Throughout the specification, whenever a part is referred to as "comprising" a certain component or "characterizing" a certain structure or shape, unless specifically stated otherwise, this does not exclude other components or structures or shapes, but rather implies the inclusion of other components, structures, and shapes.

[0024] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. Therefore, specific embodiments are presented and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these embodiments, and it should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0025] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the drawings are intended to illustrate the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the drawings.

[0026]

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a battery cell (1) being stored in a hollow body (11) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing a battery cell aging device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] The battery cell aging device (100) includes a main body (10), a heater (20), and a sensor (30).

[0029] The main body (10) is configured to accommodate, fix, and support battery cells, and is provided with a hollow space (11) in which the battery cells are accommodated. Specifically, the main body (10) may be provided in a columnar shape. For example, the main body (10) may be provided in a cylindrical columnar shape or a polygonal columnar shape. In addition, the hollow space (11) may be provided along the longitudinal direction of the main body (10). The hollow space (11) may be provided in the same shape as the shape of the battery cells, and preferably, may be provided in a cylindrical shape.

[0030] The main body (10) can prevent the temperature of the hollow body (11) from being discharged to the outside and prevent external current from flowing to the battery cell. Therefore, the main body (10) can include a non-conductive material. Specifically, the main body (10) can conduct heat without conducting at least one of electricity, vibration, and shock.

[0031] If the main body (10) has electrical conductivity, a short circuit may occur in the secondary battery (1) due to external current, and if the main body (10) has vibration and impact conductivity, a problem may occur in which the secondary battery (1) is damaged by vibration and impact.

[0032] The heater (20) can increase the temperature of the battery cell by applying heat to the battery cell to age the battery cell at high temperatures. The heater (20) can be located on the inner surface of the main body (10) and apply heat to the battery cell.

[0033] The heater (20) may include an electric resistance heater. An electric resistance heater is a heater that converts electric current into heat. In addition, the heater (20) may be a wire type having a diameter.

[0034] The heater (20) may be provided so as to protrude from the inner surface of the main body (10). For example, a part of the heater (20) may be bonded to the inner surface of the main body (10) and protrude by the diameter of the heater (20).

[0035] Alternatively, the heater (20) may be provided exposed on the inner surface of the main body (10). For example, a groove having the same shape as the heater (20) and a depth equal to the diameter of the heater (20) may be formed on the inner surface of the main body (10), and the heater (20) may be accommodated in the groove and exposed in the direction of the hollow (11). In other words, the heater (20) may not protrude from the inner surface of the main body (10) toward the center of the main body (10), and the exposed surface of the heater (20) may be positioned on the same line as the inner surface of the main body (10).

[0036] Alternatively, the heater (20) may be positioned inside the main body (10). For example, the heater (20) may be surrounded by the main body (10) without protruding or being exposed to the hollow portion (11). In this case, the heater (20) may be positioned adjacent to the hollow portion (11) to efficiently conduct heat to the secondary battery (1). The thickness between the heater (20) and the outer surface of the main body (10) may be thinner than the thickness of the main body (10) between the heater (20) and the hollow portion (11).

[0037] The maximum width of the hollow body (11) of the main body according to the present invention may be equal to or greater than the maximum width of the battery cell. In this case, the maximum width refers to the distance between the opposite ends of the plane perpendicular to the axis of the battery cell (1) and the main body (10). Accordingly, when the battery cell (1) is provided in a cylindrical shape, the maximum width of the battery cell may be the diameter of the battery cell.

[0038] For example, when the heater (20) is exposed on the inner surface of the main body (10) and the maximum width of the hollow (11) is the same as the maximum width of the battery cell, the side of the battery cell and the heater (20) come into contact, so that the heater (20) can directly supply heat to the battery cell.

[0039] Alternatively, if the heater (20) is exposed on the inner surface of the main body (10) and the maximum width of the hollow (11) is larger than the maximum width of the battery cell, the side of the battery cell and the heater (20) are spaced apart from each other so that the battery cell can be indirectly heated by the heat emitted from the heater (20).

[0040] When the heater (20) protrudes from the inner surface of the main body (10) toward the hollow (11), the maximum width of the hollow (11) may be larger than the maximum width of the battery cell. For example, when the maximum width of the hollow (11) is Rh, the maximum width of the battery cell is Rc, and the diameter of the heater (20) is r, Rh ≥ Rc + 2r may be satisfied.

[0041] FIG. 3(a) is a transparency diagram showing a main body (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3(b) is a transparency diagram showing a main body (10) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Referring to Fig. 3(a), the heater (20) is not particularly limited as long as it has a form that heats the entire side of the battery cell, but preferably, it can be provided in a spiral shape.

[0043] That is, the heater (20) is provided in a spiral shape along the inner surface of the main body (10) so as to wrap around the entire side of the battery cell.

[0044] Alternatively, referring to FIG. 3(b), the heater (20) may be provided in a straight shape. That is, since the wire-type heater (20) is provided in a straight shape, the heater (20) may be provided in a columnar shape and may have a length and a diameter (or width). The heater (20) is positioned inside the main body (10), and the length of the heater (20) may be positioned along the length of the main body (10). The length of the heater (20) may be equal to the length of the main body (10), or may be smaller than the length of the main body (10).

[0045] A plurality of single-line heaters (20) may be provided. The plurality of heaters (20) may be positioned spaced apart along the inner circumference of the main body (10).

[0046] By positioning the heater (20) along the length of the battery cell on the side of the battery cell, the entire battery cell can be heated to the same or similar temperature, thereby reducing the problem of temperature deviation. This reduces the risk of defective products due to the aging process.

[0047] Here, the side of the battery cell means a surface that is placed in the axial direction of the battery cell and connects the two opposing sides.

[0048] For example, a battery cell may be formed in a columnar shape, have at least one open side, and include a case having a space formed therein for storing an electrode assembly and an electrolyte, and a cap assembly coupled to the opened side. In this case, the battery cell may have one side to which the cap assembly is coupled and another side facing the one side, and may include a side surface connecting the one side and the other side.

[0049] The sensor (30) measures the temperature of the battery cell and can measure the temperature of the battery cell by coming into contact with a portion of the battery cell. Preferably, the sensor (30) can come into contact with at least one of the two opposing sides of the battery cell, and more preferably, it can come into contact with the other side other than the side where the cap assembly is positioned.

[0050] In one embodiment, the sensor (30) may protrude from the edge of the lower surface of the main body (10) in the direction in which the hollow (11) is formed. The sensor (30) may include a measuring portion that contacts the battery cell and measures the temperature of the battery cell, and a connecting portion that protrudes and extends from a portion of the measuring portion and supplies power.

[0051] The measuring unit is positioned in the hollow (11) and can be in contact with the other surface of the battery cell. The connecting unit can extend from the measuring unit to the edge of the main body (10) and be connected to a power source. In addition, the connecting unit can be fixed to the lower surface of the main body (10).

[0052] The battery cell aging device (100) according to the present invention may further include a control unit (not shown). The control unit may control the temperature of the heater (20) and control a cooling unit described below.

[0053] The control unit can set an aging temperature and control the heater (20) according to the set temperature. For example, if the aging temperature is set to 60°C in the control unit, the power supply to the heater (20) can be controlled so that the temperature of the heater (20) can be maintained at 60°C.

[0054] In detail, the heater (20) raises the temperature of the battery cell to 60°C, and when the heater (20) is operated, the sensor (30) can measure the temperature of the battery cell. The sensor (30) transmits the temperature data of the battery cell to the control unit, and the control unit cuts off the power supplied to the heater (20) when the temperature of the battery cell exceeds 60°C.

[0055] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery cell aging device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] The battery cell aging device (100) according to the present invention may further include a tray (40). The tray (40) may be provided with a plurality of grooves (not shown) in which the main body (10) can be received. The battery cell aging device (100) can age a plurality of battery cells at one time by the tray (40). In addition, since the battery cells are individually inserted into the hollow portion (11) of the main body and the main body (10) includes a heater (20), the plurality of battery cells can be heated to the same temperature at all positions of the tray (40), thereby minimizing the temperature deviation of the battery cells depending on the position of the tray (40).

[0057] In addition, the tray (40) according to the present invention can be provided in the same form as the production tray used in battery cell production. Therefore, when battery cell production is completed, a gripper capable of moving multiple battery cells at once can grasp the multiple battery cells and move them to the tray (40) as is, thereby saving time in moving the battery cells.

[0058] The tray (40) can be made of insulating material, so that the internal temperature of the main body (10) can be prevented from being radiated to the outside, resulting in energy loss.

[0059] The tray (40) and the main body (10) may be made of the same material or different materials, and preferably, the tray (40) and the main body (10) may be made of the same material that does not conduct electricity or heat, so that the battery cell aging device (100) according to the present invention may have a double insulation structure. Accordingly, the heat emitted from each heater (20) can be prevented from heating up other adjacent battery cells.

[0060] When the tray (40) and the main body (10) are made of different materials, for example, the main body (10) may be made of a material that does not conduct electricity but conducts heat, and the tray (40) may be made of a heat-blocking material. In this case, the tray (40) can prevent each main body (10) from being heated by a heater (20) included in an adjacent main body (10).

[0061] The main body (10) is separable from the tray (40). Therefore, the main body (10) inserted into the tray (40) can be replaced individually. In the event of a breakdown in the heater (20) and sensor (30), rather than replacing the entire tray (40), only the main body (10) combined with the broken heater (20) and sensor (30) can be separated from the tray (40) and replaced, thereby achieving economical results.

[0062] A battery cell aging device (100) according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a cooling unit (not shown). The cooling unit discharges heat inside the hollow body (11) of the main body to the outside. For example, when the temperature of the battery cell exceeds the aging temperature, the control unit may control the temperature of the battery cell so that the temperature does not increase any further by cutting off the power supply to the heater (20). However, in the battery cell aging device (100), the temperature inside the hollow body (11) may not decrease due to the insulation of the main body (10) and the tray (40), but may be maintained, or the temperature of the battery cell may increase after the power supply is cut off due to the accumulated heat.

[0063] Accordingly, the cooling unit can prevent the temperature of the battery cell from rising by discharging the heat of the hollow body (11) to the outside, and reduce the temperature of the battery cell and the internal temperature of the hollow body (11) in a short period of time.

[0064] The cooling unit is not particularly limited to a structure that reduces the temperature of the battery cell and the cavity (11), but may be a fan or a structure through which cooling water flows.

[0065] In one embodiment, the cooling unit may be provided in the form of a tube with cooling water flowing therein. In addition, the cooling unit may be positioned on the inner surface of the main body (10) and may be provided in the same form as the heater (20). For example, if the cooling unit and the heater (20) are provided in a spiral shape, the cooling unit may be positioned alternately with the heater (20) in the longitudinal direction of the main body (10) on the inner surface of the main body (10).

[0066] Alternatively, if the cooling unit and the heater (20) are provided in a straight line, the cooling unit may be positioned alternately with the heater (20) in the circumferential direction of the main body (10) on the inner surface of the main body (10).

[0067] Alternatively, the cooling unit may be provided in a wave shape, and in this case, the cooling unit and the heater (20) may be alternately positioned in the circumferential direction of the main body (10) on the inner surface of the main body (10).

[0068] In another embodiment, the cooling unit may be provided in the form of a fan. The cooling unit may be provided in the form of a fan positioned in the middle of a body having an area equal to the area of ​​one side of the tray (40). The cooling unit may be positioned on the lower surface of the tray (40).

[0069] Alternatively, the cooling unit may further include protrusions at the four corners of the body and may be positioned on the upper surface of the tray (40), such that the cooling unit may be positioned spaced apart from the tray (40) by the height of the protrusions.

[0070]

[0071] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. A body having a hollow space in which battery cells are stored; A heater located inside or inside the main body to control the temperature of the battery cell; and A battery cell aging device comprising a sensor that measures temperature by contacting a portion of the battery cell.

2. A battery cell aging device according to claim 1, further comprising a tray having a plurality of grooves in which the main body is stored.

3. A battery cell aging device according to claim 2, wherein the tray includes an insulating material.

4. A battery cell aging device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is made of a non-conductive material.

5. A battery cell aging device according to claim 1, wherein the maximum width of the battery cell is smaller than the maximum width of the hollow portion of the main body.

6. A battery cell aging device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is in contact with at least one of the facing surfaces and the opposite surfaces of the battery cell.

7. A battery cell aging device according to claim 1, wherein the heater is provided in a spiral shape on the inner surface of the main body.

8. A battery cell aging device according to claim 1, wherein the heater is provided in a linear shape in the length direction of the main body on the inner surface of the main body, and a plurality of heaters are provided along the circumference of the inner surface of the main body.

9. A battery cell aging device according to claim 1, wherein the heater is an electric resistance heater.

10. A battery cell aging device according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling unit that cools the battery cell or discharges heat from the hollow interior of the main body to the outside.

Images