Battery module and method for manufacturing battery module

Abstract

Disclosed is a battery module characterized by comprising: a battery case made of a metallic material and having a battery cell storage unit formed therein; a plurality of battery cells stored in the battery cell storage unit; and a heater attached to the outer circumferential surface of the battery case. Therefore, even though all of the battery cells can be uniformly heated, there is no risk of carbonization and the like caused by separation of a portion of the heater.

Description

Battery module and battery module manufacturing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module and a method for manufacturing the same, and more specifically, to a battery module and a method for manufacturing the same in which the battery performance is efficiently exhibited even under low-temperature environments.

[0002]

[0003] Unless otherwise indicated in this specification, the contents described in this identification item are not prior art for the claims of this application, and are not recognized as prior art simply because they are described in this identification item.

[0004] Rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and various power source devices are constructed by stacking multiple battery cells, and the performance and lifespan of these battery packs are significantly affected by operating temperature. In particular, when battery packs are exposed to low-temperature environments, problems arise such as a significant decrease in charging efficiency and an increase in charging time. To address this, technology involving the insertion of heating pads or heating elements inside the battery pack to heat the battery cells has been widely used.

[0005] However, heating elements used in existing technologies are structured to be attached primarily to the inner bottom surface of the battery pack, which limits their ability to uniformly raise the temperature of the entire pack. This structure causes a temperature difference between the battery cells located on the outer edge of the pack and those in the center, resulting in uneven charge distribution and shortened cell lifespan. Furthermore, because the heating element is applied only to a limited area, the heating time for the entire battery pack is prolonged, and there was a tendency for the temperature rise to be uneven at specific locations within individual cells.

[0006] In existing technologies, various methods utilizing heating films, heating pads, and sheet heaters have been proposed to partially address these issues; however, these have been insufficient to fundamentally resolve temperature variations within the battery pack. In particular, a new design is required to maintain a more uniform temperature distribution between the battery cell stacks that constitute the battery pack.

[0007] To resolve these problems, Patent Document 1 (Korean Patent No. 10-2418265) was proposed. However, in the case of Patent Document 1, although the heating member is arranged to surround three sides of the battery cell stack and heats the entire battery cell stack, there is still a problem in that only one side of the battery cell stack located in the center is heated.

[0008] In addition, when a heating element is attached to the lower surface where the battery cells are stacked, and the height of the lower surface between the battery cells does not exactly match, a gap may occur between the heating element and the battery cells, and this part may overheat and cause carbonization, etc.

[0009]

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention are devised to solve the above-mentioned problems and aim to provide a battery module capable of preventing carbonization caused by the lifting of the heater and uniformly heating all battery cells, as well as a method for manufacturing the same.

[0011]

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention provides a battery module characterized by comprising: a battery case formed of a metallic material and having a battery cell storage portion formed therein; a plurality of battery cells stored in the battery cell storage portion; and a heater attached to the outer surface of the battery case, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0013] It is preferable that the heater attachment surface of the battery case to which the heater is attached be formed as a flat plane.

[0014] The battery case comprises: a case body having both ends open and forming the side of the battery module; and end cases coupled to both ends of the case body; wherein the case body effectively comprises a spacer formed to maintain the spacing of a plurality of battery cells housed inside.

[0015] It is preferable to further include a thermally conductive adhesive filled in the space between the plurality of battery cells.

[0016] It is effective for the battery case above to have an adhesive injection port formed through it, through which the thermally conductive adhesive in a liquid state can be injected.

[0017] It is preferable that the outer surface of the battery case to which the heater is attached further includes a heater mounting projection protruding to guide the outer side of the heater.

[0018] Meanwhile, in another category of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a battery module is provided, characterized by comprising: a step of inserting a plurality of battery cells into a case body; a step of coupling an end case to a case body; a step of attaching a heater to an outer surface of a battery case; and a step of injecting a liquid thermally conductive adhesive through an adhesive injection port.

[0019]

[0020] According to the means for solving the problem of the present invention as described above, various effects including the following can be expected. However, the present invention is not required to exhibit all of the following effects to be valid.

[0021] In the battery module of the embodiment of the present invention, even though the heater is attached to only one side of the battery case, the battery case is formed of a metallic material with high thermal conductivity, so all battery cells can be heated uniformly.

[0022] In addition, since there is no step difference on the heater mounting surface where the heater is attached, there is no concern about carbonization or other issues caused by a part of the heater lifting up.

[0023] In addition, since the thermally conductive adhesive is filled between multiple battery cells, there is an advantage that heat can be transferred uniformly to all sides of all battery cells.

[0024] In addition, thermally conductive adhesive has the advantage of fixing the position of the cell even against vibrations transmitted from the vehicle.

[0025]

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 with the case body and battery cell separated.

[0028] FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4 are perspective views illustrating the step of attaching a heater to FIG. 2.

[0029]

[0030] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 with the case body and battery cell separated, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are perspective views illustrating the step of attaching a heater to FIG. 2.

[0032] As illustrated in these drawings, a battery module of one embodiment of the present invention comprises a battery case (100) formed of a metallic material and having a battery cell storage portion (115) formed inside, a plurality of battery cells (200) stored in the battery cell storage portion (115), and a heater (300) attached to the outer surface of the battery case (100).

[0033] The battery case (100) comprises a case body (110) that forms the side of the battery module and has both ends open, and end cases (120, 130) that are coupled to both ends of the case body (110).

[0034] As described above, the case body (110) is formed from a metallic material, preferably aluminum or the like with high thermal conductivity, and is formed in the shape of a square pipe. In addition, a spacer (114) is formed inside to maintain the spacing between a plurality of battery cells (200) housed inside. That is, a plurality of spacers (114) are formed so that each battery cell (200) can be slid and inserted into the space between the spacers (114).

[0035] The heater attachment surface (111) of the battery case (100) to which the heater (300) is attached is formed as a flat plane so that the heater (300) can be attached without lifting.

[0036] Additionally, an adhesive injection port (113) capable of injecting the thermally conductive adhesive in a liquid state is formed through the battery case (100). That is, a plurality of adhesive injection ports (113) are formed through the surface of the case body (110) where the spacer (114) is formed. In this way, by forming the adhesive injection port (113) on the surface where the spacer (114) is formed, the thermally conductive adhesive can be injected without missing between the battery cells (200).

[0037] The thermal conductive adhesive filled in the space between the plurality of battery cells (200) is commonly referred to as TCA (Thermal Conductive Adhesive), and refers to an adhesive used to effectively transfer heat in electronic products and various fields. The thermal conductive adhesive is a material in which a filler such as aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, carbon nanotubes, silver / copper microparticles, which are thermal conductive materials, is mixed with a thermosetting resin.

[0038] The thermally conductive adhesive transforms into a solid after being injected in a liquid state. The thermally conductive adhesive has the advantage of not only ensuring that heat is evenly transferred to all sides of all cells, but also of fixing the position of the cells (200) even against vibrations transmitted from the vehicle.

[0039] On the outer surface of the battery case (100) to which the heater (300) is attached, a heater mounting ledge (112) protruding to guide the outer side of the heater (300) is formed. In this way, by forming the heater mounting ledge (112), the heater (300) can be fixed in an accurate position when the heater (300) is attached.

[0040] The heater (300) is a device in which a heating circuit is formed on an FPCB, etc., and since this is already known, a detailed description is omitted.

[0041] The end cases (120, 130) include components necessary for charging, discharging, or controlling the battery cell (200).

[0042] The manufacturing method of the aforementioned battery module is described below.

[0043] A method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the step of inserting a plurality of battery cells (200) into the case body (110) (Fig. 2), the step of coupling the end cases (120, 130) to the case body (110) (Fig. 1), the step of attaching the heater (300) to the outer surface of the battery case (100) (Fig. 3), and the step of injecting the thermally conductive adhesive in a liquid state through the adhesive injection port (113).

[0044] The step of inserting the battery cells (200) (Fig. 2) involves inserting each battery cell (200) into the space between the spacers (114).

[0045] The step of attaching the heater (Fig. 3) involves attaching the heater (300) to the heater attachment surface (111) using double-sided tape or the like. At this time, the heater attachment surface (111) is formed flat so that no gap occurs between the heater (300) and the heater attachment surface (111).

[0046] The step of injecting the thermal conductive adhesive involves injecting the thermal conductive adhesive through a plurality of adhesive injection ports (113) so that the thermal conductive adhesive is sufficiently filled without any space between the battery cells (200).

[0047] As described above, in the battery module of the embodiment of the present invention, even though the heater is attached to only one side of the battery case, the battery case is formed of a metallic material with high thermal conductivity, so all battery cells can be heated uniformly.

[0048] In addition, since there are no steps or boundaries on the heater attachment surface, there is no concern about carbonization caused by a part of the heater lifting up.

[0049] In addition, since the thermally conductive adhesive is filled between multiple battery cells, there is an advantage that heat can be transferred uniformly to all sides of all battery cells.

[0050] In addition, thermally conductive adhesive has the advantage of fixing the position of the cell even against vibrations transmitted from the vehicle.

[0051] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described illustratively above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments and can be appropriately modified within the scope described in the claims.

Claims

1. A battery case (100) formed of a metallic material and having a battery cell storage section (115) formed inside; A plurality of battery cells (200) stored in the battery cell storage unit (115); and A heater (300) attached to the outer surface of the battery case (100); A battery module characterized by including 2. In Paragraph 1, A battery module characterized in that the heater attachment surface (111) to which the heater (300) of the battery case (100) is attached is formed as a flat plane.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above battery case (100) is, A case body (110) forming the side of the battery module and having both ends open; and End cases (120, 130) coupled to both ends of the case body (110); Includes, The above case body (110) is, A spacer (114) formed to maintain the spacing of a plurality of battery cells (200) housed inside; A battery module characterized by including 4. In Paragraph 3, A thermally conductive adhesive filled in the space between the plurality of battery cells (200); A battery module characterized by further including 5. In Paragraph 4, A battery module characterized by having an adhesive injection port (113) formed through the battery case (100) to allow the injection of the thermally conductive adhesive in a liquid state.

6. In Paragraph 1, On the outer surface of the battery case (100) to which the heater (300) is attached, a heater mounting projection (112) protruding to guide the outer side of the heater (300); A battery module characterized by further including 7. In a method for manufacturing a battery module according to claim 5, A step of inserting a plurality of battery cells (200) into the case body (110); A step of joining the above end cases (120, 130) to the case body (110); A step of attaching the heater (300) to the outer surface of the battery case (100); and A step of injecting the thermally conductive adhesive in a liquid state through the adhesive injection port (113); A method for manufacturing a battery module characterized by including

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