Battery pack including foam pad gasket

Abstract

The invention of the present application relates to a battery pack comprising: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a battery pack main body accommodating the battery cell stack; a battery pack lid added to cover the open upper surface of the battery pack main body; and a foam pad gasket interposed in the connection portion between the battery pack main body and the battery pack lid, wherein through holes for the insertion of bolts are formed at the outer periphery of the battery pack lid. The battery pack can be assembled through a simple process, and the airtightness of the battery pack can be ensured even if the battery pack is repeatedly disassembled and reassembled.

Description

Battery pack including foam pad gasket

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2024-0114197, filed August 26, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 2025-0109336, filed August 7, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack including a foam pad gasket. Specifically, the invention relates to a battery pack including a foam pad gasket that prevents damage to the gasket and ensures airtightness of the battery pack even when the battery pack is repeatedly assembled and disassembled.

[0003]

[0004] Lithium secondary batteries, which charge and discharge through the movement of lithium ions, boast high energy density and high charging voltage. Therefore, lithium secondary batteries are used not only in small battery cells used in mobile devices and small electronic products, but also in medium- to large-sized battery packs used as energy sources in electric vehicles and power storage systems that require high output and voltage.

[0005] The above-mentioned medium-sized or large-sized battery pack may include a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged in series and / or parallel and electrically connected using a bus bar or the like, and it is common to manufacture a battery pack by adding other components for monitoring the status of the battery pack to at least one battery module.

[0006] In order to assemble a battery pack in this way, various attempts are being made to ensure the airtightness of the battery pack during the process of combining the battery pack body and the battery pack lid covering the open upper surface of the battery pack body.

[0007] For example, a non-asbestos gasket may be placed on the upper side of the battery pack body to be joined with the battery pack lead, and the battery pack lead may be positioned on the non-asbestos gasket, and then the battery pack lead and the battery pack body may be joined. However, an additional process of joining the non-asbestos gasket to the upper side of the battery pack body is required, and lifting may occur in the fastening portion for fixing the non-asbestos gasket, so that the airtightness may be destroyed even after the battery pack body and the battery pack lead are joined.

[0008] Alternatively, a method of joining the battery pack body and the battery pack lead by adding sealant to the joint can be used. However, this not only requires an additional process for adding the sealant, but the sealant may be damaged if the battery pack is disassembled. Therefore, the airtightness may be compromised when the battery pack body and the battery pack lead are reassembled.

[0009] In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery case including a base and a cover, wherein a sealing foam pad is interposed between a compression bezel corresponding to a side of the base and the cover to improve the sealing force of the battery case.

[0010] Patent Document 1 only discloses that a foam pad is placed on the joint surface between the compressed bezel and the cover, but fails to present a structure for forming a joint between the compressed bezel and the cover when the foam pad is interposed. Furthermore, in cases like Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the foam pad may be dislodged from its original position during the process of joining the compressed bezel and the cover, which may require precision during the assembly process.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for a technology for a battery pack that can simplify the assembly process of the battery pack while ensuring the airtightness of the battery pack and maintaining the airtightness even during the disassembly and reassembly process of the battery pack.

[0012] (Prior art literature)

[0013] (Patent Document 1) Chinese Utility Model Registration No. 219419206 (July 25, 2023)

[0014]

[0015] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a battery pack including a foam pad gasket that can be assembled through a simple process and maintains airtightness even during the disassembly and reassembly of the battery pack.

[0016]

[0017] To achieve this purpose, a battery pack according to the present invention comprises a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a battery pack body accommodating the battery cell stack, a battery pack lead added to cover an open upper surface of the battery pack body, and a foam pad gasket interposed in a joint portion of the battery pack body and the battery pack lead, and a through hole for inserting a bolt may be formed on the outer periphery of the battery pack lead.

[0018] The above foam pad gasket can be attached to the first surface of the battery pack lead.

[0019] The above foam pad gasket can be attached to the first surface of the battery pack lead by an adhesive.

[0020] A groove for accommodating the foam pad gasket is formed on the first surface of the battery pack lead, and the groove is formed along the outer periphery of the battery pack lead, but may be formed in a curved shape around the through hole.

[0021] The above battery pack lead includes a second surface which is an outer surface opposite to the first surface, and a portion of the second surface corresponding to the groove of the first surface may be formed in a flat shape.

[0022] The above battery pack lead includes a second surface which is an outer surface opposite to the first surface, and a portion of the second surface corresponding to the groove of the first surface may be formed in a convex shape.

[0023] The above foam pad gasket may be formed in an uninterrupted continuous form.

[0024] The foam pad gasket can be deformed into a compressed form while the battery pack lead and the battery pack body are connected using bolts.

[0025] The vertical cross-section of the above groove may be polygonal, semicircular, semi-elliptical, elliptical, or circular, elliptical or polygonal with at least a portion thereof removed.

[0026] The above foam pad gasket may be configured such that at least a portion thereof is accommodated in the groove, and the portion of the foam pad gasket accommodated in the groove may be compressed to completely fill the internal space of the groove.

[0027] The horizontal cross-section of the groove parallel to the first and second surfaces may be formed in a form in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove formed on the first surface is the widest and the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove becomes smaller as it goes into the inside of the groove.

[0028] The horizontal cross-section of the groove parallel to the first and second surfaces may be formed in a form in which the cross-sectional area of ​​at least one point inside the groove is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove formed on the first surface.

[0029] The present invention can also be provided in a form in which various means for solving the above problem are combined.

[0030]

[0031] Since the battery pack according to the present invention can add a foam pad gasket without adding a separate process in the process of combining the battery pack body and the battery pack lead, it is possible to assemble the battery pack through a simple process, while ensuring the airtightness of the battery pack.

[0032] Additionally, it is possible to minimize the foam pad gasket from moving out of position when combining the battery pack body and the battery pack lead.

[0033] In addition, it is possible to prevent the airtightness of the battery pack from being damaged during the process of disassembling and reassembling the battery pack.

[0034]

[0035] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0036] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the first side of the battery pack lead in the battery pack of Fig. 1.

[0037] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the second side of the battery pack lead according to the first embodiment.

[0038] Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of Figure 3.

[0039] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the second side of a battery pack lead according to the second embodiment.

[0040] Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of Figure 5.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of a battery pack lead to which a foam pad gasket is attached according to one embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of a battery pack lead to which a foam pad gasket is attached according to another embodiment.

[0043]

[0044] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. When describing the operating principles of the embodiments of the present invention in detail, detailed descriptions of known functions or components will be omitted if they are deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0045] Parts with similar functions and actions are designated by the same drawing reference numerals throughout the drawings. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only direct connections but also indirect connections with other elements intervening. Furthermore, inclusion of a component does not exclude other components unless otherwise specifically stated, but rather implies the inclusion of additional components.

[0046] The description that concretizes or adds to the components may be applied to all inventions unless there is a special limitation, and is not limited to the description of a specific invention.

[0047] Throughout the description and claims of the invention herein, the singular includes the plural unless otherwise stated.

[0048] Throughout the description and claims of the present invention, the term "or" includes "and" unless otherwise stated. Therefore, "comprising A or B" means all three cases of including A, including B, or including A and B.

[0049] The present invention is described in detail with examples according to the drawings.

[0050] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery pack according to the present invention includes a battery pack body (100) having an open upper surface and accommodating a plurality of battery cells therein, a battery pack lid (200) added to cover the upper surface of the battery pack body (100), and a foam pad gasket (300) interposed at a joint where the battery pack body (100) and the battery pack lid (200) are joined.

[0052] At least one battery module can be accommodated inside the battery pack body (100), and the battery module is composed of a plurality of battery cells stacked to form an electrical connection through a bus bar or the like.

[0053] When a plurality of battery modules are accommodated in the battery pack body (100), a side wall or frame may be provided to partition the internal space of the battery pack body, and one or more battery modules may be accommodated in each partitioned internal space of the battery pack body, and may be connected in series and / or in parallel with each other.

[0054] Additionally, a battery pack can be assembled including components such as sensors for monitoring the temperature and voltage of multiple battery cells and management for preventing malfunction.

[0055] The battery pack lead (200) is a component that covers the upper surface of the battery pack body in which the battery cells are accommodated, and a through hole (220) for bolt insertion is formed along the outer periphery (210) of the battery pack lead (200). Therefore, the battery pack lead (200) can be stably connected to the upper portion of the battery pack body (100) using the bolt inserted into the through hole (220).

[0056] In general, to prevent harmful substances from entering the battery pack and to prevent flames or high-temperature gases generated inside the battery pack from spreading to the outside of the battery pack, a gasket is interposed between the battery pack body and the battery pack lead to ensure airtightness.

[0057] The present invention applies a foam pad gasket that does not undergo shape deformation or damage even when the battery pack is repeatedly opened and closed.

[0058] The foam pad gasket (300) can be manufactured to have a specific shape, is elastically deformable, and can block the movement of gases and liquids. The foam pad gasket (300) is not particularly limited in material as long as it can perform the above-described function, but may include, for example, one or more selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer, and nitrile butadiene rubber.

[0059] When the battery pack lead (200) and the battery pack body (100) are completely connected using bolts, the fastening force due to the bolts can be strongly applied to the foam pad gasket (300), and the foam pad gasket (300) can be deformed into a compressed form.

[0060] FIG. 2 is a first side perspective view of a battery pack lead in the battery pack of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a second side perspective view of a battery pack lead according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of FIG. 3.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the battery pack lead (200) includes a first surface (201) in a direction coupled to the battery pack body, and a second surface (202) which is an outer surface opposite to the first surface (201), and a foam pad gasket (300) is attached to the first surface (201) of the battery pack lead (200).

[0062] A groove (230) for accommodating a foam pad gasket (300) is formed on the outer periphery (210) of the first surface (201) of the battery pack lead (200), and an adhesive (250) can be applied to the inside of the groove (230). Accordingly, the foam pad gasket (300) can be attached to the first surface (201) of the battery pack lead (200) by the adhesive (250), and at least a portion of the foam pad gasket (300) can be inserted into the groove (230).

[0063] Alternatively, an adhesive may be added to the outer surface of the foam pad gasket (300) to be attached to the battery pack lead (200), or an adhesive tape in the form of the adhesive being coated on the substrate may be added, and the foam pad gasket (300) to which the adhesive or the adhesive tape is added may be inserted and attached into a groove (230) formed on the first surface (201).

[0064] The above adhesive may be, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of epoxy resin, urethane resin, rubber resin, vinyl chloride resin, and silicone resin.

[0065] In addition, so that the home pad gasket (300) can be stably attached even in a high temperature environment, the adhesive may include a polymer having high heat resistance, such as polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyaryl sulfone, polyimide, or an inorganic material including ceramic, phosphorus, boron, silica, or the like.

[0066] In one specific embodiment, since a through hole (220) for bolt insertion is formed in the outer periphery (210) of the battery pack lead (200), the foam pad gasket (300) must be positioned so as not to block the through hole (220). Accordingly, a groove (230) for accommodating the foam pad gasket (300) is formed along the outer periphery (210) of the battery pack lead (200), but is formed in a curved shape around the through hole (220).

[0067] Meanwhile, the home pad gasket (300) is interposed on the surface where the battery pack body (100) and the battery pack lead (200) are joined, and functions as a means to secure the airtightness of the battery pack. Since it is formed in an uninterrupted continuous form along the outer periphery of the battery pack body (100) and the battery pack lead (200), it can completely block the inflow and outflow of gas and liquid.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 3, the battery pack lead (200) includes a second surface (202) which is an outer surface opposite to the first surface (201), and the outer periphery (210) corresponding to the groove (230) of the first surface (201) on the second surface (202) is formed in a flat shape.

[0069] In this case, the foam pad gasket (300) can be stably bonded and positioned inside the groove (230) by an adhesive (250), and the outer periphery (210) of the second surface (202) of the battery pack lead (200) can be a flat surface without steps.

[0070] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the second side of a battery pack lead according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of Fig. 5.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the battery pack lead according to the second embodiment is different from the battery pack lead according to the first embodiment in that a protrusion (240) is formed on the outer periphery (210) of the battery pack lead (200).

[0072] Specifically, a groove (230) for accommodating a foam pad gasket (300) is formed on the outer periphery (210) of the first surface (201) of the battery pack lead (200), and an adhesive (250) can be added to the groove (230), so that a part of the foam pad gasket (300) can be accommodated in the groove (230) and adhered to the inside of the groove (230) by the adhesive (250).

[0073] In the battery pack lead (200) according to the second embodiment, a groove (230) is formed on the first surface (201), and a protrusion (240) is formed on the second surface (202) in a convex shape corresponding to the groove (230). Therefore, the thickness of the battery pack lead (200) can be configured so as not to become thin even in the portion where the groove (230) is formed. In addition, since the depth of the groove (230) can be deeper compared to the battery pack lead according to the first embodiment, the foam pad gasket (300) can be received and fixed more stably.

[0074] In addition, the description of the battery pack lead according to the second embodiment can be applied in the same manner as the description of the battery pack according to the first embodiment.

[0075] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of a battery pack lead to which a foam pad gasket is attached according to one embodiment.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 7, the foam pad gasket (300) shown in (a) and (b) is attached to the groove of the battery pack lead (200) via an adhesive (250). (a) The foam pad gasket (300) has a vertical cross-section in the shape of a diamond, and (b) the foam pad gasket has a vertical cross-section in the shape of a rectangle.

[0077] In (a), the vertical cross-section of the groove (230) formed in the battery pack lead (200) has a triangular shape, and in (b), the vertical cross-section of the groove (230) formed in the battery pack lead (200) has a square shape. In addition, the vertical cross-section of the groove (230) illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6 has a semicircular or semi-elliptical shape. In addition, the vertical cross-section of the groove (230) may be an elliptical shape or a circle with at least a portion removed, an elliptical shape or a polygon with at least a portion removed, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0078] The foam pad gasket (300) has at least a portion of the side that is bonded to the battery pack lead (200) accommodated in the groove (230). In order to increase the bonding strength between the foam pad gasket (300) and the groove (230), the portion of the foam pad gasket (300) accommodated in the groove (230) may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the groove (230). Alternatively, the foam pad gasket (300) may be configured to be larger than the groove (230), and the foam pad gasket (300) may be compressed and deformed while being inserted into the groove (230) to completely fill the internal space of the groove (230).

[0079] In addition, although the battery pack lead (200) illustrated in FIG. 7 is illustrated with a second surface (202) having a convex shape, the groove (230) and foam pad gasket (300) illustrated in FIG. 7 can also be applied to a battery pack lead (200) having a second surface (202) having a flat shape as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0080] When the first surface (201) and the second surface (202) of the battery pack lead (200) illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7 are parallel to each other, the cross-section of the groove (230) parallel to the first surface (201) and the second surface (202) can be regarded as the horizontal cross-section of the groove. The cross-sectional area of ​​the horizontal cross-section of the groove can be constant even if the thickness direction position of the battery pack lead (200) changes, as in FIG. 7 (b), or can change depending on the thickness direction position of the battery pack lead (200), as in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7 (a). In the groove (230) illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove (230) formed on the first surface (201) is the widest, and as it goes into the groove, the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove becomes smaller or has a constant shape.

[0081] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of a battery pack lead to which a foam pad gasket is attached according to another embodiment.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 8, when the first surface (201) and the second surface (202) of the battery pack lead (200) are parallel to each other, the horizontal cross-section of the groove (230) parallel to the first surface (201) and the second surface (202) is formed in a form in which the cross-sectional area of ​​at least one point inside the groove (230) is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove (230) formed on the first surface (201).

[0083] That is, since the groove (230) of the battery pack lead (200) illustrated in FIG. 8 is formed so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove (230) at the entrance (231) of the groove into which the foam pad gasket (300) is inserted is smaller than the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the interior of the groove (230), the home pad gasket (300) inserted into the groove (230) can be stably fixed by being anchored to the entrance (231) of the groove in an elastically deformed state.

[0084] Although FIG. 8 illustrates a form in which an adhesive (250) is applied to the inside of a groove (230), the groove (230) may be configured in a form in which the adhesive (250) is not applied to the inside of the groove (230). In addition, FIG. 8 illustrates a form in which the second surface is flat, it goes without saying that a form similar to the groove (230) of FIG. 8 may be applied even in cases in which a convex protrusion is formed on the second surface (202) as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0085] In this way, since the foam pad gasket (300) of the present invention is stably adhered to the groove (230) of the battery pack lid (200), the foam pad gasket (300) can be stably fixed without coming out of the groove (230) during the process of bolting to combine the battery pack body (100) and the battery pack lid (200), so that the battery pack assembly process can be carried out easily and quickly.

[0086]

[0087] Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention pertains will be able to perform various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above contents.

[0088] (Explanation of symbols)

[0089] 100: Battery pack body

[0090] 200: Battery pack lead

[0091] 201: Page 1

[0092] 202: Page 2

[0093] 210: Outer periphery

[0094] 220: Penetration

[0095] 230: Home

[0096] 231: Home entrance

[0097] 240: Protrusion

[0098] 250: Adhesive

[0099] 300: Foam pad gasket

Claims

1. A battery cell stack in which multiple battery cells are stacked; A battery pack body that accommodates the above battery cell stack; A battery pack lid added to cover the open upper surface of the battery pack body; and A foam pad gasket interposed between the battery pack body and the battery pack lead; Including, A battery pack having a through hole for inserting a bolt formed on the outer periphery of the battery pack lead.

2. In paragraph 1, A battery pack in which the above foam pad gasket is attached to the first surface of the battery pack lead.

3. In paragraph 2, A battery pack in which the above foam pad gasket is attached to the first surface of the battery pack lead by an adhesive.

4. In paragraph 2, A groove is formed on the first surface of the battery pack lead to accommodate the foam pad gasket, A battery pack in which the above-mentioned home is formed along the outer periphery of the above-mentioned battery pack lead, but is formed in a curved shape around the above-mentioned through hole.

5. In paragraph 4, The above battery pack lead includes a second surface which is an outer surface opposite to the first surface, A battery pack in which the portion corresponding to the groove of the first surface on the second surface is formed in a flat shape.

6. In paragraph 4, The above battery pack lead includes a second surface which is an outer surface opposite to the first surface, A battery pack in which the portion corresponding to the groove of the first surface on the second surface is formed in a convex shape.

7. In paragraph 1, The above foam pad gasket is a battery pack formed in a continuous, unbroken form.

8. In paragraph 1, A battery pack in which the foam pad gasket is deformed into a compressed form while the battery pack lead and the battery pack body are connected using bolts.

9. In paragraph 5, A battery pack in which the vertical cross-section of the above home is polygonal, semicircular, semi-elliptical, elliptical, or circular, elliptical or polygonal with at least a portion thereof removed.

10. In paragraph 9, The above foam pad gasket is at least partially received in the above groove, A battery pack in which the portion accommodated in the groove of the above foam pad gasket is compressed to completely fill the internal space of the groove.

11. In paragraph 10, The horizontal cross section of the groove parallel to the first and second surfaces is A battery pack having a shape in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove formed on the first surface is the widest and the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove becomes smaller as it goes deeper into the groove.

12. In paragraph 10, The horizontal cross section of the groove parallel to the first and second surfaces is A battery pack formed in a shape in which the cross-sectional area of ​​at least one point inside the above groove is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove formed on the first surface.

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