Battery pack having guide unit for preventing disconnection

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack comprising: a plurality of battery modules; a pack housing having an outer frame and grid-shaped partition walls including a first partition wall and a second partition wall so as to form a plurality of accommodation recesses that are provided inside the outer frame to accommodate the battery modules; a BMS system electrically connected to the plurality of battery modules through a connector; and guide units guiding such that the connector is located along the upper side of the first partition wall, wherein the guide units are inserted into and connected to guide holes formed in the upper portion of the first partition wall.

Description

Battery pack equipped with a guide unit for preventing disconnection

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0155585 filed November 05, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack equipped with a guide unit for preventing wire breakage, and more specifically, to a battery pack equipped with a guide unit for preventing wire breakage that can prevent the wire breakage of a connector by connecting a connector received in a connector to a battery module in an organized state.

[0003]

[0004] With the increasing technological development and demand for mobile devices, rechargeable secondary batteries are being used as an energy source for various mobile devices. Secondary batteries are also attracting attention as an energy source for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, which are being presented as alternatives to conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels.

[0005] Secondary batteries are classified according to the shape of the battery case into cylindrical and prismatic batteries, in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a cylindrical or prismatic metal can, and pouch-type batteries, in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch-type case made of aluminum laminate sheets.

[0006] 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 2.0V to 5.0V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells may be connected in series to form a cell module assembly, and cell module assemblies may also be connected in series or parallel to form a battery module according to the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity. It is common practice to manufacture a battery pack by adding additional components using at least one of these battery modules.

[0007] Such battery packs include at least one battery management system (hereinafter referred to as 'BMS') that monitors the status of each battery module included therein and executes control operations corresponding to the monitored status.

[0008] Since each battery module included in a battery pack contains multiple battery cells, there are limitations to monitoring the status of all battery cells in the pack using a single BMS. Accordingly, a method has recently become widely used in which a BMS is installed for each predetermined number of battery modules in a battery pack, and one of these multiple BMSs is set as the master BMS while the remaining BMSs are set as slave BMSs to control the overall status of the battery pack.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to the prior art.

[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery pack is configured such that a plurality of battery modules (2) are accommodated inside a pack housing (1), the battery modules (2) are connected to a slave control unit (3), and the plurality of slave control units (3) are connected to a master control unit (4).

[0011] At this time, each battery module (2) and slave control unit (3), and the slave control unit (3) and master control unit (4) are electrically connected through a connector. However, if the connectors are connected in an unorganized state and housed inside the pack housing (1), a problem occurs where the connectors become disconnected as they move due to impact inside or outside the battery pack.

[0012]

[0013] (Prior Art Literature)

[0014] (Patent Document 1) Korean Published Patent Application No. 10-2018-0025642

[0015]

[0016] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a battery pack equipped with a guide unit for preventing disconnection, wherein the connector is arranged inside the pack housing to prevent disconnection of the connector.

[0017]

[0018] As a technical means for achieving the above-mentioned purpose, a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of battery modules (100); an outer frame (210); and a pack housing (200) including a grid-shaped partition (220) comprising a first partition (221) and a second partition (222) to form a plurality of receiving grooves (230) that accommodate the battery modules (100) provided inside the outer frame (210); a BMS system (300) electrically connected to the plurality of battery modules (100) through a connector (330); and a guide unit (400) that guides the connector (330) to be positioned along the upper side of the first partition (221), wherein the guide unit (400) is inserted and coupled into a guide groove (221a) formed on the upper side of the first partition (221).

[0019] In addition, in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide groove (221a) is characterized by being formed in multiple numbers by being partially recessed downward from the upper surface of the first partition (221).

[0020] In addition, in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide unit (400) is characterized by comprising: a body portion (410) inserted into the guide groove (221a); ​​and a head portion (420) formed on the upper part of the body portion (410) and extending further outward than the circumference of the guide groove (221a).

[0021] In addition, in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the connector (330) is characterized by including a terminal portion (331) that is electrically connected to the BMS system (300) and a wire (332) that carries power or current.

[0022] In addition, in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide unit (400) is positioned so that a part of the body portion (410) and the head portion (420) are exposed from the guide groove (221a), and the wire (332) is wound on the outer surface of the part of the body portion (410) that is exposed.

[0023] In addition, in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide unit (400) is characterized by pressing and fixing a part of the wire (332) through the upper surface of the first partition (221) and the head portion (420).

[0024] In addition, in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, female screw threads are formed on the inner surface of the guide groove (221a), and male screw threads are formed on the outer surface of the body part (410) so as to be screw-coupled with the guide groove (221a).

[0025] In addition, in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the head portion (420) is characterized by including an extension portion (421) that extends further outward than the circumference of the guide groove (221a) and is seated on the upper surface of the first partition (221), and a guide hole (422) formed on the upper side of the extension portion (421) to allow the wire (332) to pass through.

[0026] In addition, in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first partition (221) is arranged along a first direction corresponding to the full width direction of a plurality of battery modules (100) accommodated in the receiving groove (230), and the second partition (222) is arranged along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0027] In addition, in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the BMS system (300) is characterized by comprising: a plurality of slave control units (310) provided to be connected to each of the plurality of battery modules (100); and a master control unit (320) connected to the plurality of slave control units (310) and accommodated in one of the plurality of receiving grooves (230).

[0028] In addition, in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the connector (330) is characterized by connecting the battery module (100) and the slave control unit (310) and / or the slave control unit (310) and the master control unit (320).

[0029] In addition, in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, the slave control unit (310) is characterized by being seated on the upper part of the first partition (221).

[0030]

[0031] As described above, a battery pack equipped with a guide unit for preventing disconnection according to the present invention can prevent disconnection of the connector by having a plurality of guide units provided along the partition wall of the pack housing guide the connector to be positioned along the partition wall, thereby arranging the connector along the partition wall and accommodating it inside the pack housing.

[0032]

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to the prior art.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a top view of a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to the present invention viewed from one side.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a first embodiment of a guide unit constituting a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a second embodiment of a guide unit constituting a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0039]

[0040] Embodiments that enable a person skilled in the art to easily implement the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. However, in describing the operating principles of preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0041] In addition, the same reference numerals are used for parts having similar functions and operations throughout the drawings. Throughout the specification, when a part is described as being connected to another part, this includes not only cases where they are directly connected, but also cases where they are indirectly connected with other elements in between. Furthermore, unless specifically stated otherwise, the inclusion of a certain component does not exclude other components but implies that additional components may be included.

[0042]

[0043] Hereinafter, a battery pack equipped with a guide unit for preventing disconnection according to the present invention will be described.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a view taken from the top of a battery pack according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view taken from one side of a battery pack according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a first embodiment of a guide unit constituting a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the battery pack according to the present invention comprises a battery module (100), a pack housing (200), a BMS system (300), and a guide unit (400).

[0046] First, the battery module (100) includes a plurality of battery cells, and the battery cell may be a pouch-type secondary battery including an electrode assembly, an electrode lead, and a battery case.

[0047] The electrode assembly may be composed of, but is not limited to, a jelly-roll type electrode assembly having a structure in which a separator is interposed between a long sheet-type cathode and an anode and then wound; a stack type electrode assembly composed of unit cells having a structure in which rectangular anodes and cathodes are stacked with a separator interposed between them; a stack-folding type electrode assembly in which unit cells are wound by a long separating film; or a lamination-stack type electrode assembly in which unit cells are stacked with a separator interposed between them and attached to one another.

[0048] The positive electrode is composed of a positive current collector and a positive active material coated on the upper and lower surfaces of the positive current collector; the positive active material may be mixed with a conductive material and a binder, and a filler may be further added if necessary.

[0049] The cathode is composed of a cathode current collector and a cathode active material applied to the lower and upper surfaces of the cathode current collector, and a conductive material and a binder may be additionally mixed into the cathode active material and coated onto the cathode current collector.

[0050] The separator prevents a short circuit between the aforementioned cathode and anode and enables only the movement of lithium ions. The material of such a separator is preferably selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, a polyethylene / polypropylene double layer, a polyethylene / polypropylene / polyethylene triple layer, a polypropylene / polyethylene / polypropylene triple layer, and organic fiber filter paper, but is not limited thereto.

[0051] The battery case housing the electrode assembly forms a housing section using a laminate sheet composed of an outer coating layer, a metal layer, and an inner coating layer.

[0052] Since the inner coating layer comes into direct contact with the electrode assembly, it must possess insulation and electrostatic resistance. Additionally, to ensure sealing from the outside, the sealing area where the inner layers are heat-bonded must have excellent thermal bonding strength.

[0053] The material for this inner coating layer may be selected from, but is not limited to, polyolefin resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene acrylic acid, and polybutylene, polyurethane resins, and polyimide resins, which have excellent chemical resistance and good sealing properties; however, polypropylene is most preferable as it has excellent mechanical properties such as tensile strength, stiffness, surface hardness, and impact strength, as well as excellent chemical resistance.

[0054] The metal layer in contact with the inner coating layer serves as a barrier layer that prevents moisture or various gases from penetrating into the battery from the outside, and a lightweight aluminum film with excellent formability can be used as a preferred material for this metal layer.

[0055] In addition, an outer coating layer is provided on the other side of the metal layer, and this outer coating layer may use a heat-resistant polymer with excellent tensile strength, moisture resistance, and air permeability resistance to ensure heat resistance and chemical resistance while protecting the electrode assembly, and may use, for example, nylon or polyethylene terephthalate, but is not limited thereto. A plurality of such battery modules (100) may be provided, and a pack housing (200) may be provided with a plurality of receiving grooves (230) formed therein to accommodate a plurality of the aforementioned battery modules (100).

[0056] The pack housing (200) may be made of a lightweight plastic material having a certain degree of rigidity, and may be provided with a material that protects the components stored inside from external impacts and foreign substances.

[0057] The pack housing (200) may form a plurality of receiving grooves (230) including an outer frame (210) and a partition (220). The outer frame (210) has an empty space formed inside, and a plurality of battery modules (100) and partitions (220) may be stored in this empty space. For example, the outer frame (210) includes an upper case and a lower case, and can be configured in a box shape when the upper case and the lower case are combined.

[0058] The partition wall (220) is provided on the inner side of the outer frame (210) and includes a first partition wall (221) and a second partition wall (222) to form a plurality of receiving grooves (230) for receiving a battery module (100), and the first partition wall (221) and the second partition wall (222) can be arranged in a grid shape.

[0059] The first partition (221) is positioned along a first direction (12 o'clock to 6 o'clock direction in FIG. 3) corresponding to the full width direction of a plurality of battery modules (100) accommodated in a receiving groove (230), and the second partition (222) can be positioned along a second direction (3 o'clock to 9 o'clock direction in FIG. 3) orthogonal to the first direction, that is, a direction corresponding to the full length direction of the battery modules (100).

[0060] For example, the first bulkhead (221) may be positioned at the center of the second direction reference of the outer frame (210), and the second bulkhead (222) may be positioned spaced apart from each other at a distance corresponding to the full width of the battery module (100).

[0061] The spacing between the frame arranged along the first direction forming the outer frame (210) and the first bulkhead (221) corresponds to the overall length of the battery module (100), and the spacing between the frame arranged along the second direction forming the outer frame (210) and the second bulkhead (222) corresponds to the overall width of the battery module (100).

[0062] By arranging the first partition (221) and the second partition (222), the outer frame (210) and the partition (220) can form a plurality of receiving grooves (230) that accommodate the battery module (100). At this time, the size of the receiving groove (230) can be formed to correspond to the size of the battery module (100).

[0063] A plurality of guide grooves (221a) may be formed on the upper part of the first bulkhead (221) by being partially recessed from the upper surface (12 o'clock direction in FIG. 4) to the lower side (6 o'clock direction in FIG. 4). A plurality of guide grooves (221a) may be formed spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the first direction relative to the upper part of the first bulkhead (221).

[0064] A guide unit (400) can be inserted and coupled into this guide groove (221a). For example, the guide groove (221a) may have female screw threads formed on its inner surface to be screw-coupled with the guide unit (400), and a male screw thread may be formed on the outer surface of a part of the guide unit (400).

[0065] The BMS system (300) includes a slave control unit (310) and a master control unit (320) configured to be electrically connected to a plurality of battery modules (100), and may include a connector (330) that electrically connects the plurality of battery modules (100) to the slave control unit (310) or the slave control unit (310) to the master control unit (320).

[0066] The slave control unit (310) is electrically connected to the battery module (100) and may be provided in multiple units to be connected to each of the multiple battery modules (100). The slave control unit (310) may be provided to sense the voltage, temperature, etc. of the battery module (100) and to provide data.

[0067] Such a slave control unit (310) may be positioned against the first partition (221). More specifically, a groove (not shown) or a hole (not shown) is formed in the first partition (221) that is recessed downward from the upper surface so that the slave control unit (310) may be seated thereon, and the slave control unit (310) may be positioned by being seated in the groove or hole formed in the first partition (221).

[0068] Additionally, the master control unit (320) is connected to a plurality of slave control units (310) and can be accommodated in any one of the plurality of receiving grooves (230) formed in the pack housing (200). The master control unit (320) can be configured to receive data information of the battery module (100) through the plurality of slave control units (310) and to manage the overall functions of the battery pack.

[0069] The connector (330) is configured to include a terminal portion (331) that is electrically connected to a slave control unit (310), a master control unit (320), or a battery module (100), and a wire (332) that carries power or current. The connector (330) is a wired connection structure that electrically connects the slave control unit (310), the master control unit (320), or the battery module (100).

[0070] A terminal portion (331) is provided to be inserted into a part of any one of the battery module (100), slave control portion (310), and master control portion (320) and electrically connected, and such terminal portions (331) may be provided in a pair. A wire (332) can electrically connect a pair of terminal portions (331).

[0071] For example, the connector (330) can electrically connect the battery module (100) and the slave control unit (310) by connecting one of the pair of terminals (331) to the battery module (100) and the other terminal (331) to the slave control unit (310). Additionally, as another example, the connector (330) can connect one of the pair of terminals (331) to the slave control unit (310) and the other terminal (331) to the master control unit (320) to connect the slave control unit (310) and the master control unit (320).

[0072] The BMS system (300) is a technology obvious to ordinary technicians in the field, so a more detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0073] Meanwhile, the guide unit (400) can guide the wire (332) of the connector (330) to be positioned along the upper side of the first partition (221). The guide unit (400) includes a body portion (410) and a head portion (420), wherein the body portion (410) is inserted into the guide groove (221a) of the first partition (221), and the head portion (420) is provided to be seated on the first partition (221).

[0074] The body portion (410) has male screw threads formed on its outer surface so that it can be inserted and connected to the guide groove (221a), and can be screw-coupled to the guide groove (221a) on which female screw threads are formed. The body portion (410) may be positioned so that it is partially inserted into the guide groove (221a), while the remaining portion is not inserted and is exposed from the guide groove (221a). At this time, a wire (332) may be wound along the outer surface of the body portion (410) on the remaining portion of the body portion (410) (the area exposed from the guide groove (221a).

[0075] A guide unit (400) including such a body portion (410) is provided in a plurality of guide grooves (221a) formed along a first direction with respect to a first partition (221), and a wire (332) can be wound with respect to the body portion (410) of the guide unit (400) and guided along the upper side of the first partition (221).

[0076] Additionally, a head portion (420) is formed on the upper part of the body portion (410), and the head portion (420) may be formed to extend further outward than the body portion (410). In other words, the head portion (420) is formed to extend further outward than the circumference of the guide groove (221a), so that when the body portion (410) is inserted into the guide groove (221a), the head portion (420) can be seated on the upper surface of the first partition (221). The head portion (420) may be positioned so as not to be inserted into the guide groove (221a) but to be exposed from the guide groove (221a).

[0077] As a part of the body portion (410) is inserted into the guide groove (221a), the head portion (420) can press and fix a part of the wire (332) wound on the outer surface of the body portion (410) together with the upper surface of the first partition (221). Accordingly, the wire (332) can be press and fixed from the guide unit (400), thereby preventing it from being separated or detached from the first partition (221).

[0078]

[0079] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a second embodiment of a guide unit constituting a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0080] The battery pack according to the second embodiment differs only in the guide unit (400) according to the first embodiment, and the rest of the configuration is the same as the first embodiment. The guide unit (400) according to the second embodiment includes a body portion (410) and a head portion (420) in the same way as the guide unit according to the first embodiment, wherein the head portion (420) may be provided to include an extension portion (421) and a guide hole (422).

[0081] The extension portion (421) extends further outward than the circumference of the guide groove (221a) and is seated on the upper surface of the first partition (221), and the guide hole (422) can be formed so that a wire (332) passes through the upper side of the extension portion (421) (at the 12 o'clock direction in FIG. 6).

[0082] Accordingly, the wire (332) can be guided along the upper side of the first partition (221) by passing through the guide hole (422) of the guide unit (400) which is inserted into a plurality of guide grooves (221a) formed along the first partition (221).

[0083] At this time, the wire (332) may pass through the guide hole (422) of the guide unit (400) inserted into the guide groove (221a) and be positioned along the upper side of the first partition (221), but as another example, the guide unit (400) may be inserted into the guide groove (221a) and positioned along the upper side of the first partition (221) while passing through the guide hole (422) of the guide unit (400).

[0084] However, when the wire (332) is provided in a state where it passes through the guide hole (422) of the guide unit (400), the body part (410) is formed to have a polygonal cross-section to prevent the wire (332) from twisting, and the guide groove (221a) is formed in a corresponding shape so that the body part (410) can be inserted into the guide groove (221a). At this time, it is preferable that the body part (410) be provided with a size that fits into the guide groove (221a).

[0085]

[0086] As specific parts of the present invention have been described in detail above, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that such specific descriptions are merely preferred embodiments and do not limit the scope of the invention, and that various changes and modifications are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention, and that such variations and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0087] (Explanation of symbols)

[0088] 100: Battery module

[0089] 200: Pack Housing

[0090] 210: Outer frame

[0091] 220: Bulkhead

[0092] 221: First bulkhead 221a: Guide groove

[0093] 222: Second bulkhead

[0094] 230: Accommodation Home

[0095] 300: BMS System

[0096] 310: Slave Control Unit

[0097] 320: Master control unit

[0098] 330: Connector

[0099] 331: Terminal section 332: Wire

[0100] 400: Guide Unit

[0101] 410: Body

[0102] 420: Head section

[0103] 421: Extension part 422: Guide hole

Claims

1. Multiple battery modules; A pack housing comprising an outer frame, and a grid-shaped partition including a first partition and a second partition provided on the inner side of the outer frame to form a plurality of receiving grooves for accommodating the battery module; A BMS system electrically connected to the plurality of battery modules through a connector; and A guide unit that guides the connector to be positioned along the upper side of the first bulkhead; comprising, A battery pack characterized in that the guide unit is inserted and coupled into a guide groove formed on the upper part of the first partition.

2. In Paragraph 1, A battery pack characterized in that the guide grooves are formed in multiple numbers by being partially recessed downward from the upper surface of the first partition.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above guide unit is, A body part inserted into the above guide groove; and A battery pack characterized by including a head portion formed on the upper part of the body portion and extending further outward than the circumference of the guide groove.

4. In Paragraph 3, A battery pack characterized by the connector comprising a terminal portion electrically connected to the BMS system and a wire for transporting power or current.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above guide unit is positioned so that a part of the body portion and the head portion are exposed from the guide groove, and A battery pack characterized in that the above-mentioned wire is wound on the outer surface of a portion of the body part that is exposed.

6. In Paragraph 5, A battery pack characterized by the above guide unit pressing and fixing a portion of the wire through the upper surface of the first bulkhead and the head portion.

7. In Paragraph 4, Female screw threads are formed on the inner surface of the above guide groove, and A battery pack characterized by having male screw threads formed on the outer surface of the body portion and screw-coupled with the guide groove.

8. In Paragraph 4, A battery pack characterized by including an extension portion that extends further outward than the circumference of the guide groove and is seated on the upper surface of the first partition, and a guide hole formed on the upper side of the extension portion to allow the wire to pass through.

9. In Paragraph 2, The first partition wall is arranged along a first direction corresponding to the full width direction of a plurality of battery modules accommodated in the receiving groove, and A battery pack characterized in that the second partition is arranged along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

10. In Paragraph 9, The above BMS system is, A plurality of slave control units provided to be connected to each of the plurality of battery modules; and A battery pack characterized by including a master control unit connected to the plurality of slave control units and accommodated in one of the plurality of receiving grooves.

11. In Paragraph 10, A battery pack characterized by the above connector connecting the battery module and the slave control unit and / or the slave control unit and the master control unit.

12. In Paragraph 10, A battery pack characterized in that the slave control unit is positioned against the first partition.

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