Cell stack assembly, and battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

A cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cell stack composed of a plurality of battery cells; a first side beam which is provided at one side of the cell stack, and in which a first surface pressure absorption part capable of absorbing surface pressure is formed; and a second side beam which is provided at the other side of the cell stack, and in which a second surface pressure absorption part capable of absorbing surface pressure is formed.

Description

Cell stack assembly and battery pack including the same and automobile

[0001] The present invention relates to a cell stack assembly, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile.

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, which cannot be recharged, secondary batteries refer to batteries capable of charging and discharging, and are applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by electric power sources.

[0003] Currently, widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium-polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of these unit secondary battery cells, or unit battery cells, is approximately 2.5V to 4.6V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack is formed by connecting multiple battery cells in series.

[0004] In addition, a battery pack may be configured by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel according to the required charge / discharge capacity of the battery pack. Accordingly, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be set in various ways depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] When configuring a battery pack by connecting multiple battery cells in series or parallel, it is common practice to first form a cell stack assembly consisting of at least one battery cell, preferably multiple battery cells, and then use at least one such cell stack assembly and add other components to form the battery pack. Here, a cell stack assembly refers to a component in which multiple battery cells are connected in series or parallel, and a battery pack refers to a component in which multiple cell stack assemblies are connected in series or parallel to increase capacity and output.

[0006] In the structures of recent battery packs, battery cells may swell. This can lead to performance degradation and quality risks due to the difference between the maximum surface pressure of the battery cells and the surface pressure within the frame surrounding them. In particular, the side beams supporting the sides of the cell stack assembly in the battery pack cannot deform, resulting in a structure that cannot reduce surface pressure caused by cell expansion, thus necessitating improvements.

[0007] The present invention aims to improve the stability of battery cells and the performance of battery packs, and extend their lifespan, by improving the structure of side beams that support a cell stack assembly from the side to efficiently absorb and disperse surface pressure generated in battery cells.

[0008] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description of the invention below.

[0009] A cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem comprises: a cell stack comprising a plurality of battery cells; a first side beam provided on one side of the cell stack and configured with a first surface pressure absorbing portion capable of absorbing surface pressure inside; and a second side beam provided on the other side of the cell stack and configured with a second surface pressure absorbing portion capable of absorbing surface pressure inside.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the first surface pressure absorbing part and the second surface pressure absorbing part are formed in a hollow shape.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, the first surface pressure absorber is formed adjacent to the other side of the first side beam facing one side of the cell stack, and the second surface pressure absorber is formed adjacent to the one side of the second side beam facing the other side of the cell stack.

[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, the first side beam and the second side beam are formed to have a shape that aligns with each other.

[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, the first side beam includes a first surface pressure absorption area in which the first surface pressure absorption portion is formed by a distance set toward one surface of the first side beam from the other surface of the first side beam, and when the upper surface of the first side beam is placed on the same plane as the upper surface of the cell stack, the first surface pressure absorption area is extended such that a part of the lower surface of the first side beam is located on the same plane as the lower surface of the cell stack.

[0014] In one aspect of the present invention, the first surface pressure absorbing portion has a shape that extends along the height of the first surface pressure absorbing area.

[0015] In one aspect of the present invention, the second side beam includes a second surface pressure absorption area in which the second surface pressure absorption portion is formed by a distance set from one side of the second side beam toward the other side of the second side beam, and when the lower surface of the second side beam is placed on the same plane as the lower surface of the cell stack, the second surface pressure absorption area is extended such that a part of the upper surface of the second side beam is located on the same plane as the upper surface of the cell stack.

[0016] In one aspect of the present invention, the second surface pressure absorbing portion has a shape that extends along the height of the second surface pressure absorbing area.

[0017] Meanwhile, the present invention comprises, as a battery pack, one or more cell stack assemblies according to the above-described embodiment; and a pack case providing a space for the cell stack assemblies to be arranged, wherein when a plurality of the cell stack assemblies are provided, one cell stack assembly and another cell stack assembly are arranged in series, a first side beam of one cell stack assembly and a second side beam of another cell stack assembly are connected in alignment, wherein the first side beam includes a first surface pressure absorbing portion that absorbs surface pressure, and the second side beam includes a second surface pressure absorbing portion that absorbs surface pressure.

[0018] In one aspect of the present invention, the first surface pressure absorbing part and the second surface pressure absorbing part are formed in a hollow shape.

[0019] In one aspect of the present invention, the first surface pressure absorber is formed adjacent to the other side of the first side beam facing one side of the cell stack assembly, and the second surface pressure absorber is formed adjacent to the one side of the second side beam facing the other side of the cell stack assembly.

[0020] In one aspect of the present invention, when the cell stack expands, the other side of the first side beam is configured to bend and deform toward the first side beam.

[0021] In one aspect of the present invention, when the cell stack expands, one side of the second side beam is configured to bend and deform toward the other side of the second side beam.

[0022] Meanwhile, the present invention comprises the aforementioned battery pack as an automobile.

[0023] According to the present invention, surface pressure generated by volume expansion of a battery cell can be effectively absorbed and dispersed through a first side beam and a second side beam configured with a hollow surface pressure absorbing portion.

[0024] According to the present invention, physical damage to the battery cell can be minimized and the lifespan of the battery cell extended by preventing surface pressure from being concentrated on a specific area.

[0025] According to the present invention, the first side beam and the second side beam can be flexibly deformed in response to the expansion of the battery cell due to the hollow surface pressure absorbing part, thereby improving the performance and durability of the battery pack.

[0026] However, the effects obtainable through the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned technical effects will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description of the invention below.

[0027] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention provided below; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3 are a perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a structure in which a plurality of cell stack assemblies are combined.

[0030] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating changes caused by swelling of the battery cell.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a perspective view for illustrating a battery pack including the cell stack assembly of FIG. 1 of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a perspective view for illustrating a vehicle equipped with the battery pack of FIG. 5 of the present invention.

[0033] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely 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, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Accordingly, in some embodiments, well-known process steps, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques are not specifically described to avoid the present invention being interpreted ambiguously. Throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like components.

[0034] In drawings, thicknesses may be enlarged to clearly represent multiple layers and regions. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals are used for similar parts. When a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "above" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately above" another part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part is described as being "immediately above" another part, it may mean that there is no other part in between. Furthermore, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "below" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately below" another part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part is described as being "immediately below" another part, it may mean that there is no other part in between.

[0035]

[0036] A cell stack assembly (1000) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cell stack (100), a first side beam (200), and a second side beam (300).

[0037] The cell stack (100) consists of a plurality of battery cells (110) with electrode leads (not shown) protruding from both sides. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of battery cells (110) can be stacked side by side in the left-right direction while standing upright in the up-down direction. The battery cells (110) may be secondary batteries, for example, pouch-type battery cells.

[0038] The first side beam (200) is provided on one side of the cell stack (100). The first side beam (200) is provided on one side of the left or right direction where a plurality of battery cells (110) are stacked. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, it is provided on one side in the right direction relative to the cell stack (100).

[0039] The first side beam (200) is provided to protect one side of the cell stack (100) and includes a first surface pressure absorbing part (210) capable of absorbing surface pressure inside. The first side beam (200) has the first surface pressure absorbing part (210) absorb the surface pressure that increases as swelling occurs in the battery cell (110) of the cell stack (100).

[0040] The second side beam (300) is provided on the other side of the cell stack (100). The second side beam (300) is provided on the other side among the left and right directions in which a plurality of battery cells (110) are stacked. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, it is provided on the other side in the left direction relative to the cell stack (100).

[0041] The second side beam (300) is provided to protect the other side of the cell stack (100) and, like the first side beam (200), includes a second surface pressure absorbing part (310) capable of absorbing surface pressure inside. The second side beam (300) has the second surface pressure absorbing part (310) absorb the surface pressure that increases as swelling occurs in the battery cell (110) of the cell stack (100).

[0042] The first side beam (200) and the second side beam (300) are formed to have shapes that match each other. As shown in the drawing, the first side beam (200) is formed in the shape of 'ㄱ', and the second side beam (300) is formed in the shape of 'ㄴ'.

[0043] Accordingly, when a plurality of cell stack assemblies (1000) are arranged continuously along the left and right directions, the first side beam (200) of one cell stack assembly (1000) and the second side beam (300) of an adjacent cell stack assembly (100) are aligned.

[0044] Each of the first surface pressure absorbing part (210) and the second surface pressure absorbing part (310) is formed in a hollow shape. Referring to the drawing, each of the first surface pressure absorbing part (210) and the second surface pressure absorbing part (310) is formed in a hollow shape with a rectangular cross-section.

[0045] The first surface pressure absorbing portion (210) is formed adjacent to the other side of the first side beam (200) facing one side of the cell stack (100). Accordingly, when the cell stack (100) expands, the other side of the first side beam (200) is deformed by bending due to surface pressure when the battery cell (110) of the cell stack (100) expands, and the first surface pressure absorbing portion (210) absorbs the surface pressure.

[0046] The first side beam (200) includes a first surface pressure absorption area (211). The first surface pressure absorption area (211) includes an area extending from the other side (202) of the first side beam (200) toward one side (201) by a set distance.

[0047] The first side beam (200) is positioned so that its upper surface (203) is located on the same plane as the upper surface of the cell stack (100). The first surface pressure absorption area (211) is formed by extending a portion of the lower surface (204) of the first side beam (200) so that it is located on the same plane as the lower surface of the cell stack (100). Accordingly, the first surface pressure absorption portion (210) has a shape that extends along the height of the first surface pressure absorption area (211). Accordingly, the first side beam (200) is formed in an L-shape as described above.

[0048] The second surface pressure absorbing portion (310) is formed adjacent to one side of the second side beam (300) facing the other side of the cell stack (100). Thus, when the cell stack (100) expands, one side of the second side beam (300) is bent and deformed by surface pressure when the battery cell (110) of the cell stack (100) expands, and the second surface pressure absorbing portion (310) absorbs the surface pressure.

[0049] The second side beam (300) includes a second surface pressure absorption area (311). The second surface pressure absorption area (311) includes an area extending from one side (301) of the second side beam (300) toward the other side (302) by a set distance.

[0050] The second side beam (300) is positioned so that its lower surface (304) is located on the same plane as the lower surface of the cell stack (100). The second surface pressure absorption area (311) is formed by extending a portion of the upper surface (303) of the second side beam (300) so that it is located on the same plane as the upper surface of the cell stack (100). Accordingly, the second surface pressure absorption portion (310) has a shape that extends along the height of the second surface pressure absorption area (311). Accordingly, the second side beam (300) is formed in an 'L' shape as described above.

[0051]

[0052] FIG. 2 shows the structure when cell stack assemblies (1000) are provided continuously, and FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the connected portion when cell stack assemblies are provided continuously.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a first side beam (200) of one cell stack assembly (1000) provided on the left and a second side beam (300) of another cell stack assembly (1000) provided continuously on the right are aligned with each other so that the cell stack assembly (1000) is provided continuously.

[0054] Specifically, one side (201) of the first side beam (200) is in contact with the other side (302a) of the second surface pressure absorption area (311) of the second side beam (300), the lower surface (204) of the first side beam (200) is in contact with the upper surface (303) of the second side beam (300), and the one side (201a) of the first surface pressure absorption area (211) of the first side beam (200) is in contact with the other side (302) of the second side beam (300), thereby aligning the first side beam (200) and the second side beam (300) with each other.

[0055] In this way, a plurality of cell stack assemblies (1000) can be continuously provided while the first side beam (200) and the second side beam (300) are aligned to form a battery pack (1).

[0056]

[0057] Figure 4 shows the appearance when swelling of the battery cell occurs in the cell stack assembly.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 4, the battery cells (110) of the cell stack assembly (1000) may undergo swelling. When each battery cell (110) swells, the battery cells (110) undergo deformation. As shown in FIG. 4, the battery cells (110) undergo deformation into a convex shape, and the first side beam (200) and the second side beam (300) located at the left edge and right edge are deformed by the battery cells (110) deformed by the swelling.

[0059] Depending on the deformation of the battery cell (110), the other side (202) of the first side beam (200) bends and deforms toward the first surface pressure absorbing part (210). The first surface pressure absorbing part (210) is formed in a hollow shape so as to accommodate this deformation when the other side (202) of the first side beam (200) bends toward the first surface pressure absorbing part (210).

[0060] Through this, the surface pressure generated in the battery cell (110) is effectively dispersed into the first surface pressure absorption part (210), thereby improving the stability of the battery cell (110).

[0061] Additionally, depending on the deformation of the battery cell (110), one side (301) of the second side beam (300) is bent and deformed toward the second surface pressure absorbing part (310). The second surface pressure absorbing part (310) is formed in a hollow shape so that it can accommodate this deformation when one side (301) of the second side beam (300) is bent toward the second surface pressure absorbing part (310).

[0062] Through this, the surface pressure generated in the battery cell (110) is effectively dispersed into the second surface pressure absorption part (310), thereby improving the stability of the battery cell (110).

[0063]

[0064] Figure 5 shows the appearance of the battery pack (1).

[0065] The battery pack (1) according to FIG. 5 includes a cell stack assembly (1000) and a pack case (2000) as described above. The battery pack (1) is provided with a plurality of cell stack assemblies (1000). The cell stack assemblies (1000) may be provided by being continuously stacked in the left-right direction and / or the up-down direction, similar to the battery cells (110).

[0066] One cell stack assembly (1000) and another cell stack assembly (1000) adjacent to it are connected such that the second side beam (300) provided in one cell stack assembly (1000) and the first side beam (200) provided in the other cell stack assembly (1000) are aligned.

[0067] A plurality of cell stack assemblies (1000) in which the first side beam (200) and the second side beam (300) are connected in alignment are provided inside a pack case (2000). The pack case (2000) provides a space in which the plurality of cell stack assemblies (1000) are arranged. The pack case (2000) includes a base plate (not shown), left and right side walls (2100, 2200), and front and rear side walls (2300, 2400). By this configuration, the pack case (2000) supports the lower and side portions of the plurality of cell stack assemblies (1000) and protects the cell stack assemblies (1000).

[0068] The pack case (2000) includes, but is not limited to, a base plate (not shown), left and right side walls (2100, 2200) and front and rear side walls (2300, 2400) as basic components. As shown in FIG. 5, when a plurality of battery packs (1) are provided, one of the left and right side walls (2100, 2200) may be omitted or one of the front and rear side walls (2300, 2400) may be omitted.

[0069] When multiple battery packs (1) are provided, they may be arranged continuously in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. 5, or continuously arranged along the left-right direction, depending on the specifications of the product to which the battery packs (1) are applied. That is, the direction in which the battery packs (1) are continuously arranged is not limited and can be changed in various ways.

[0070]

[0071] Figure 6 shows a car (10) equipped with a battery pack (1).

[0072] The automobile (10) according to the present invention may include the battery pack (1) according to the present invention described above, as shown in FIG. 6. Here, the automobile (10) may include a specific automobile that uses electricity as a driving source, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0073] In addition, the automobile according to the present invention may further include various other components included in the automobile, such as a vehicle body or a motor, in addition to the battery pack according to the present invention.

[0074]

[0075] Meanwhile, although terms indicating direction such as up and down have been used in this specification, these terms are used merely for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that they may vary depending on the location of the object or the position of the observer.

[0076] Although the present invention has been described above by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0077]

[0078] < Explanation of Symbols >

[0079] 1: Battery pack

[0080] 10: Cars

[0081] 1000: Cell stack assembly

[0082] 100: Cell Stack

[0083] 110: Battery cell

[0084] 200: 1st side beam

[0085] 210: First surface pressure absorption part

[0086] 211: First surface pressure absorption zone

[0087] 300: 2nd Side Beam

[0088] 310: Second surface pressure absorption part

[0089] 311: Second surface pressure absorption zone

[0090] 2000: Pack case

[0091] 2100: Left side wall

[0092] 2200: Right side wall

[0093] 2300: Front side wall

[0094] 2400: Rear side wall

[0095] The present invention can be used to improve the stability and performance of a battery cell and extend its lifespan by efficiently absorbing and dispersing surface pressure generated in the battery cell.

Claims

1. A cell stack consisting of multiple battery cells; A first side beam provided on one side of the cell stack and configured with a first surface pressure absorbing part capable of absorbing surface pressure inside; and A cell stack assembly comprising a second side beam provided on the other side of the cell stack and configured with a second surface pressure absorbing part capable of absorbing surface pressure inside.

2. In Paragraph 1, The cell stack assembly formed in a hollow shape by the first surface pressure absorbing part and the second surface pressure absorbing part.

3. In Paragraph 2, The first surface pressure absorbing portion is formed adjacent to the first side beam surface facing one side of the cell stack, and The second surface pressure absorbing portion is a cell stack assembly formed adjacent to one side of the second side beam facing the other side of the cell stack.

4. In Paragraph 1, A cell stack assembly formed such that the first side beam and the second side beam have a shape that matches each other.

5. In Paragraph 3, The first side beam above is, It includes a first surface pressure absorption region in which the first surface pressure absorption portion is formed by a distance set toward one surface of the first side beam from the other surface of the first side beam, and When the upper surface of the first side beam is positioned on the same plane as the upper surface of the cell stack, the first surface pressure absorption area is, A cell stack assembly in which a portion of the lower surface of the first side beam is extended and formed to be located on the same plane as the lower surface of the cell stack.

6. In Paragraph 5, The first surface pressure absorbing portion is a cell stack assembly having a shape that extends along the height of the first surface pressure absorbing area.

7. In Paragraph 3, The above second side beam is, It includes a second surface pressure absorption region in which the second surface pressure absorption portion is formed by a distance set from one side of the second side beam toward the other side of the second side beam, and When the lower surface of the second side beam is placed on the same plane as the lower surface of the cell stack, the second surface absorption region is, A cell stack assembly formed such that a portion of the upper surface of the second side beam is extended and located on the same plane as the upper surface of the cell stack.

8. In Paragraph 7, The second surface pressure absorbing portion is a cell stack assembly having a shape that extends along the height of the second surface pressure absorbing area.

9. One or more cell stack assemblies of claim 1; and It includes a pack case that provides a space for the cell stack assembly to be placed, When a plurality of the above cell stack assemblies are provided, When one cell stack assembly and another cell stack assembly are arranged in series, the first side beam of one cell stack assembly and the second side beam of the other cell stack assembly are connected in alignment, and The above-mentioned first side beam includes a first surface pressure absorbing part that absorbs surface pressure, and A battery pack in which each of the above-mentioned second side beams includes a second surface pressure absorbing part that absorbs surface pressure.

10. In Paragraph 9, A battery pack in which the first surface pressure absorbing part and the second surface pressure absorbing part are formed in a hollow shape.

11. In Paragraph 10, The first surface pressure absorbing portion is formed adjacent to the first side beam surface facing one side of the cell stack assembly, and The above second surface pressure absorbing portion is a battery pack formed adjacent to one side of the second side beam facing the other side of the cell stack assembly.

12. In Paragraph 11, A battery pack configured such that, upon expansion of the cell stack, the other side of the first side beam bends and deforms toward one side of the first side beam.

13. In Paragraph 11, A battery pack configured such that, upon expansion of the cell stack, one side of the second side beam bends and deforms toward the other side of the second side beam.

14. An automobile comprising the battery pack described in Clause 9.

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