Battery module manufacturing method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module manufacturing method including the steps of: (S1) accommodating, in a module frame, a cell assembly including a plurality of secondary batteries; (S2) positioning the module frame on a cover frame seated above a folding jig; and (S3) folding the cover frame such that the cover frame surrounds a portion of the outer surface of the module frame through the folding jig, wherein in the step (S2), a first protrusion and a second protrusion provided at both edges of the folding jig are inserted into a first hole and a second hole formed at both edges of the cover frame.

Description

Battery Module Manufacturing Method

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0193070 filed on December 20, 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 method for manufacturing a battery module, and more specifically, to a method for manufacturing a battery module having a cover frame in close contact to prevent flame backflow during thermal runaway of the battery module.

[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] Rechargeable batteries, which serve as an indispensable energy source for various electronic devices in modern society, are seeing increased capacity requirements due to the growing use and complexity of mobile devices and the development of electric vehicles. While multiple battery cells are deployed in small devices to meet user demand, vehicles utilize battery modules that electrically connect multiple battery cells, or battery packs equipped with multiple such modules.

[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a battery module according to the prior art. Referring to FIG. 1, a battery module according to the prior art comprises a module case (1) that accommodates a plurality of battery cells (2), and a cover frame (3) that surrounds the upper surface and both sides of the module case (1).

[0008] If events such as thermal runaway occur inside a battery module, gases or flames may be randomly released to the outside. If the release of such gases or flames is not properly controlled, they may be released toward other battery modules, potentially causing a thermal chain reaction in those modules.

[0009] In the event of such thermal runaway, a cover frame (3) is placed on the outer surface of the module case (1) so that the flame can be properly discharged.

[0010] However, during the process of the cover frame (3) being closely attached to the upper surface and both sides of the module case (1) to wrap around it, a problem occurred in which the cover frame (3) and the module case (1) could not be accurately attached to each other because there was no structure to fix the position of the cover frame (3).

[0011] If the cover frame (3) is not in close contact with the module case (1) in the correct position, there is a problem that the cover frame (3) covers the hole formed in the module case (1), thereby hindering the discharge of gas or flames generated inside the module case (1) during thermal runaway.

[0012]

[0013] (Prior Art Literature)

[0014] (Patent Document 1) Korean Published Patent Application No. 10-2024-0087500

[0015]

[0016] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a method for manufacturing a battery module in which a cover frame does not obstruct a hole in the module frame and adheres closely to a predetermined position on the module frame.

[0017]

[0018] As a technical means for achieving the above-mentioned purpose, a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: (S1) a step of housing a cell assembly (110) including a plurality of secondary batteries (10) in a module frame (120); (S2) a step of positioning the module frame (120) on a cover frame (130) seated on top of a folding jig (200); and (S3) a step of folding the cover frame (130) so that the cover frame (130) wraps around a portion of the outer surface of the module frame (120) through the folding jig (200); wherein, in step (S2), a first projection (221a) and a second projection (222a) provided on both edges of the folding jig (200) are inserted into a first hole (132a) and a second hole (133a) formed on both edges of the cover frame (130).

[0019] In addition, a battery module manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in step (S2), the upper surface of the module frame (120) is positioned so as to face the main part (131) of the cover frame (130).

[0020] In addition, in a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, the cover frame (130) comprises: a main part (131) seated on the upper surface of the module frame (120); a first folding part (132) disposed on one side of the main part (131) and having the first hole (132a) formed on the edge of one side; and a second folding part (133) disposed on the other side of the main part (131) and having the second hole (133a) formed on the edge of the other side.

[0021] In addition, in a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of through holes (121) are formed on the upper surface of the module frame (120) with a certain area cut out, and a plurality of opening / closing holes (131a) are formed on the main part (131) at a position corresponding to the through holes (121) with a certain area cut out.

[0022] In addition, a battery module manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in step (S2), the module frame (120) is seated on the cover frame (130) such that the through hole (121) overlaps with the opening / closing hole (131a).

[0023] In addition, in a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, the folding jig (200) is characterized by comprising: a seating portion (210) on which the main portion (131) is seated; and a support portion (220) including a first support portion (221) located on one side of the seating portion (210) on which the first folding portion (132) is seated, and a second support portion (222) located on the other side of the seating portion (210) on which the second folding portion (133) is seated.

[0024] In addition, in a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first support member (221) includes a first projection (221a) formed by partially protruding upward from the upper surface, and the second support member (222) includes a second projection (222a) formed by partially protruding upward from the upper surface.

[0025] In addition, in a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first protrusion (221a) is formed at a position corresponding to the first hole (132a), and the second protrusion (222a) is formed at a position corresponding to the second hole (133a).

[0026] In addition, in a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first hole (132a) is formed in a slit shape that is partially extended to one side, and the second hole (133a) is formed in a slit shape that is partially extended to the other side.

[0027] In addition, in a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, the slit length of the first hole (132a) is provided to be longer than the height of the first projection (221a), and the slit length of the second hole (133a) is provided to be longer than the height of the second projection (222a).

[0028] In addition, in a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first protrusion (221a) and the second protrusion (222a) are provided with a material having elastic restoring force.

[0029] In addition, a battery module manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in step (S3), the mounting portion (210) is driven downward to fold the cover frame (130).

[0030] In addition, a battery module manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in step (S3), the first support member (221) and the second support member (222) are driven upward to fold the cover frame (130).

[0031]

[0032] As described above, the battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention has the advantage that the cover frame can be closely attached to a predetermined position on the module frame by folding the cover frame while the cover frame is seated on the folding jig such that the protrusions formed on both edges of the folding jig are inserted into the holes formed on both edges of the cover frame.

[0033] In addition, the battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention has the advantage that the cover frame is attached to a predetermined position of the module frame and is attached in an overlapping state with the hole formed in the cover frame without covering the hole formed in the module frame, thereby enabling the discharge of flames and gases during thermal runaway inside the battery module and preventing the spread of flames, etc.

[0034]

[0035] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a battery module according to the prior art.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a battery module according to the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery module manufactured through the battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a cover frame constituting a battery module manufactured through the battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a drawing viewed from one side to explain the mounting step of the battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a top view to illustrate the mounting step of the battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating the folding step of a battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an example of a protrusion and a hole in the folding step of a battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating another example of a protrusion and a hole in the folding step of a battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a modified example of the folding step in the battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention.

[0045]

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048]

[0049] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a battery module according to the present invention will be described.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a battery module according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery module manufactured through the method for manufacturing a battery module according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a cover frame constituting a battery module manufactured through the method for manufacturing a battery module according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a drawing viewed from one side illustrating a mounting step of the method for manufacturing a battery module according to the present invention.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention comprises: (S1) a cell assembly (110) including a plurality of secondary batteries (10) in a module frame (120); (S2) a module frame (120) positioned on a cover frame (130) seated on the upper part of a folding jig (200); and (S3) a cover frame (130) being folded through the folding jig (200) so that the cover frame (130) wraps around a portion of the outer surface of the module frame (120).

[0052] First, in step (S1), the cell assembly (110) may be configured to include a plurality of secondary batteries (10) and a buffer pad (20) stacked in one direction. The secondary battery (10) may be a pouch-type secondary battery comprising an electrode assembly, a battery case housing the electrode assembly, an electrode lead protruding outward from the battery case, and an insulating film located between the battery case and the electrode lead.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] The positive current collector can generally have a thickness of 3 to 500 μm. Such a positive current collector is not particularly limited as long as it has high conductivity without causing chemical changes in the battery, and for example, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, or aluminum or stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. may be used. In addition, the positive current collector may form fine irregularities on its surface to increase the adhesion of the positive active material, and various forms such as films, sheets, foils, nets, porous bodies, foams, and nonwoven fabrics are possible.

[0056] As cathode active materials, layered compounds such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) and lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2), or compounds substituted with one or more transition metals; lithium manganese oxides such as Li1+xMn2-xO4 (where x is 0 to 0.33), LiMnO3, LiMn2O3, and LiMnO2; lithium copper oxide (Li2CuO2); vanadium oxides such as LiV3O8, V2O5, and Cu2V2O7; and compounds with the chemical formula LiNi1-xM x Ni-site type lithium nickel oxide represented by O2 (where M = Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B, or Ga, and x = 0.01 ~ 0.3); chemical formula LiMn2-xM x Examples include lithium manganese complex oxides represented by O2 (where M = Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn or Ta and x = 0.01 to 0.1) or Li2Mn3MO8 (where M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu or Zn); LiMn2O4 in which part of the Li in the chemical formula is substituted with alkaline earth metal ions; disulfide compounds; Fe2(MoO4)3, but are not limited to these.

[0057] 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.

[0058] The negative electrode current collector is generally made with a thickness of 3 to 500 μm. Such a negative electrode current collector is not particularly limited as long as it has high conductivity without causing chemical changes in the battery, and for example, copper, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, copper or stainless steel surface treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc., and aluminum-cadmium alloy may be used. In addition, similar to the positive electrode current collector, fine irregularities may be formed on the surface to strengthen the bonding strength of the negative electrode active material, and it may be used in various forms such as film, sheet, foil, net, porous body, foam, nonwoven fabric, etc.

[0059] The separator prevents a short circuit between the aforementioned cathode and anode and enables only the movement of lithium ions; an insulating thin film having high ion permeability and mechanical strength is used. The pore diameter of the separator is generally 0.01 to 10 μm, and the thickness is generally 5 to 300 μm. The material of such a separator is preferably selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene / polypropylene double layer, polyethylene / polypropylene / polyethylene triple layer, polypropylene / polyethylene / polypropylene triple layer, and organic fiber filter paper, but is not limited thereto.

[0060] Meanwhile, the cathode current collector and the anode current collector are composed of a portion coated with a slurry mixed with an active material and a non-coated portion not coated with the slurry. Electrode tabs are formed by cutting the non-coated portion or by connecting a separate conductive member to the non-coated portion using ultrasonic welding, and these electrode tabs are assembled to form a tab bundle.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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 formed by the thermal bonding of the inner layers must have excellent thermal bonding strength.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] In addition, a pair of electrode leads, consisting of a positive lead and a negative lead, are generally connected to the aforementioned electrode tab bundle, more specifically the positive tab bundle and the negative tab bundle by means such as welding, and then protrude to the outside of the pouch case.

[0067] Although only a secondary battery (10) with a structure in which electrode leads protrude in both directions on one side and the other side is described and illustrated in the drawings, as another embodiment of the present invention, a unidirectional pouch-type secondary battery in which electrode leads protrude together in one direction can also be used.

[0068] Additionally, the buffer pad (20) is located on one or more of the sides of the multiple stacked secondary batteries (10), and may be interposed between the secondary batteries (10) if necessary. This buffer pad (20) is made of a material whose volume changes easily according to external pressure, and may be, for example, a sponge or non-woven fabric.

[0069] A cell assembly (110) comprising such a secondary battery (10) and a buffer pad (20) is housed in a module frame (120), and the module frame (120) may be provided as a metal frame or a plastic frame with both sides open. More specifically, the module frame (120) may be provided in a form where both directions in which the electrode leads of the cell assembly (110) protrude are open.

[0070] Additionally, the module frame (120) is shown as a monoframe in the form of a metal plate with an integrated top surface, bottom surface, and both sides, but a form in which an upper cover is attached to a U-shaped frame with an open top, or a form in which a U-shaped frame and an inverted U-shaped frame are combined with each other, are all possible.

[0071] A plurality of through holes (121) can be formed on the upper surface of the module frame (120) by cutting out a certain area. A plurality of through holes (121) can be formed on the upper surface of the module frame (120) along the front-rear direction (Z-axis direction) and the left-right direction (X-axis direction).

[0072] The through hole (121) can be provided to penetrate the module frame (120) from the inside and outside so that the internal space and the external space of the module frame (120) are connected, so that when venting gas is generated from the secondary battery (10) housed inside the module frame (120), it can be discharged to the outside. This through hole (121) can prevent the internal pressure of the module frame (120) from rising due to the venting gas and causing an explosion.

[0073] (S2) Prior to step (S2), a step may be performed in which end plates (140) are placed on the open sides of the module frame (120) to seal the interior of the module frame (120). At this time, the end plates (140) can protect the stored multiple secondary batteries (10) from the outside by closing the sides of the module frame (120).

[0074] The module frame (120) and the end plate (140) can be provided with various materials such as metal or plastic, and more specifically, with aluminum.

[0075] FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating the seating step of the battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating the folding step of the battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an example of a protrusion and a hole in the folding step of the battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 8 together, in step (S2), the cover frame (130) can be placed on the upper part of the folding jig (200) so as to be folded toward the module frame (120) and bonded.

[0077] First, the cover frame (130) may be configured to include a main part (131), a first folding part (132), and a second folding part (133) to wrap around the upper surface and both sides of the module frame (120). At this time, the main part (131) may be seated on the upper surface of the module frame (120), and the first folding part (132) and the second folding part (133) may be provided to be seated on both sides of the module frame (120), respectively.

[0078] In the main part (131), a plurality of opening / closing holes (131a) may be formed by cutting a certain area at positions corresponding to the through holes (121) formed on the upper surface of the module frame (120). At this time, the opening / closing holes (131a) may be formed in a shape corresponding to the through holes (121). For example, if the through holes (121) are formed in an elliptical shape, the opening / closing holes (131a) may also be formed in a similar size and shape.

[0079] The opening / closing hole (131a) may be a hole configuration including an opening / closing member configured to open / close the through hole (121) according to the internal pressure of the module frame (120). For example, the opening / closing hole (131a) may remain closed in a normal state where the internal pressure of the module frame (120) is below a certain level, thereby blocking external foreign substances, such as moisture or dust, from entering the interior of the module frame (120) through the through hole (121).

[0080] Additionally, when the internal pressure of the module frame (120) increases above a certain level, a part of the opening / closing member of the opening / closing hole (131a) is opened, allowing gas or flames present inside the module frame (120) to be discharged to the outside. At this time, the opening / closing hole (131a) of the battery module (100) located near the battery module (100) containing the secondary battery (10) in which thermal runaway has occurred can be kept closed to prevent venting gas or flames discharged due to thermal runaway from entering the interior.

[0081] This opening / closing member may be configured to form a cut line in the sheet constituting the cover frame (130), and as another example, it may be formed as a plug or a door to open / close the opening / closing hole (131a). Since the opening / closing member may be provided in a form known to a person skilled in the art, a more detailed description is omitted.

[0082] In step (S2), the module frame (120) can be seated on the cover frame (130) so that the opening / closing hole (131a) overlaps with the through hole (121). At this time, the module frame (120) can be seated so that the upper surface having the through hole (121) formed faces the main part (131) of the cover frame (130).

[0083] The first folding part (132) is provided on one side of the main part (131) (11 o'clock direction in Fig. 4) and can be provided so as to be folded from the main part (131) and seated on one side of the module frame (120) through step (S3).

[0084] A first hole (132a) is formed on one edge of the first folding part (132), and the first hole (132a) may be formed in a slit shape that extends more than a predetermined amount to one side.

[0085] Additionally, the second folding part (133) is provided on the other side of the main part (131) (at the 5 o'clock direction in Fig. 4), and can be provided so as to be folded from the main part (131) and seated on the other side of the module frame (120) through step (S3).

[0086] A second hole (133a) is formed on the other edge of the second folding part (133), and the second hole (133a) may be formed in a slit shape that extends beyond a predetermined amount toward the other side.

[0087] A more detailed description of these first hole (132a) and second hole (133a) will be provided later.

[0088] Meanwhile, the folding jig (200) provided to fold the aforementioned cover frame (130) may be configured to include a seating portion (210), a support portion (220), and a driving portion (not shown).

[0089] The mounting portion (210) may be provided so that the main portion (131) is mounted thereon. In step (S2), the main portion (131) is mounted on the upper surface of the mounting portion (210), and the module frame (120) may be mounted thereon.

[0090] The width of the seating portion (210) may be configured to have a length corresponding to the width of the main portion (131). By setting the width, when the cover frame (130) is folded in step (S3), a height difference occurs between the upper surface of the seating portion (210) and the upper surface of the support portion (220), so that the first folding portion (132) and the second folding portion (133) can be folded along the boundary line between the main portion (131) and the first folding portion (132) and the boundary line between the main portion (131) and the second folding portion (133).

[0091] The support member (220) may include a first support member (221) located on one side of the seating member (210) (1 o'clock direction in Fig. 5) and a second support member (222) located on the other side of the seating member (210) (7 o'clock direction in Fig. 5). A first folding member (132) of the cover frame (130) may be seated on the upper part of the first support member (221) (12 o'clock direction in Fig. 5), and a second folding member (133) of the cover frame (130) may be seated on the upper part of the second support member (222).

[0092] A first projection (221a) may be formed on the first support member (221) that partially protrudes upward from the upper surface (12 o'clock direction in FIG. 5). At this time, the first projection (221a) is formed at a position corresponding to the first hole (132a) formed in the first folding member (132), so that when the first folding member (132) is seated on the upper part of the first support member (221) in step (S2), the first projection (221a) can be inserted into the first hole (132a).

[0093] Additionally, a second projection (222a) may be formed on the second support member (222) that partially protrudes upward from the upper surface (12 o'clock direction in Fig. 5). At this time, the second projection (222a) is formed at a position corresponding to the second hole (133a) formed in the second folding member (133), so that when the second folding member (133) is seated on the upper part of the second support member (222) in step (S2), the second projection (222a) can be inserted into the second hole (133a).

[0094] In other words, in step (S2), the first projection (221a) and the second projection (222a), each provided on both edges of the folding jig (200), are inserted into the first hole (132a) and the second hole (133a), respectively formed on both edges of the cover frame (130), so as to temporarily fix the positions of the first folding part (132) and the second folding part (133).

[0095] By means of these protrusions (221a, 222a) and holes (132a, 133a), the cover frame (130) is temporarily fixed to the folding jig (200), and when the cover frame (130) is folded and pressed against the module frame (120), the phenomenon of the cover frame (130) being mismatched with the outer surface of the module frame (120) can be prevented.

[0096] The first projection (221a) is positioned at the other end of the first hole (132a) which is partially extended to one side and the second projection (222a) is positioned at one end of the second hole (133a) which is partially extended to the other side and thus prevents the cover frame (130) from shaking in the horizontal direction (1 o'clock to 7 o'clock direction in Fig. 5) while the cover frame (130) is seated on the folding jig (200) by the first hole (132a) and the second hole (133a) which are formed in a slit shape.

[0097] Also, referring to FIG. 8, the first projection (221a) and the second projection (222a) may each be provided with a height smaller than the slit length of the first hole (132a) and the second hole (133a). In other words, the slit length of the first hole (132a) may be provided with a length longer than the height of the first projection (221a), and the slit length of the second hole (133a) may be provided with a length longer than the height of the second projection (222a).

[0098] Due to the relationship between the slit length of the first hole (132a) and the height of the first projection (221a), when the first folding part (132) is folded so as to be bent toward one side of the module frame (120) in step (S3), the area where the first hole (132a) is not formed comes into contact with the first projection (221a), thereby preventing the first folding part (132) from being damaged by the first projection (221a) or the folding from being interrupted by the height of the first projection (221a).

[0099] In addition, it goes without saying that the above effect can be obtained through the relationship between the slit length of the second hole (133a) and the height of the second projection (222a).

[0100] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating another example of a protrusion and a hole in the folding step of a battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, another example of the first protrusion (221a) and the second protrusion (222a) is described. The first protrusion (221a) and the second protrusion (222a) may be provided with a material having elastic restoring force. In this case, the first protrusion (221a) and the second protrusion (222a) may be provided with a material having elastic restoring force such as rubber, silicone, a spring, etc.

[0101] By providing the first protrusion (221a) with a material having elastic restoring force, when the first folding part (132) is folded toward the module frame (120) in step (S3), the area where the first hole (132a) is not formed comes into contact with the first protrusion (221a) when the first hole (132a) deviates from the first protrusion (221a) in a curved manner, so that the first protrusion (221a) is bent along the first folding part (132) and the first hole (132a) deviates from the first protrusion (221a).

[0102] Additionally, since the second protrusion (222a) is provided with a material having elastic restoring force, when the second folding part (133) is folded toward the module frame (120) in step (S3), the area where the second hole (133a) is not formed comes into contact with the second protrusion (222a) when the second hole (133a) deviates from the second protrusion (222a) in a curved manner, the second protrusion (222a) is bent along the second folding part (133) and the second hole (133a) can be separated from the second protrusion (222a).

[0103] Accordingly, the first folding part (132) and the second folding part (133) can be prevented from being damaged by the first protrusion (221a) and the second protrusion (222a), or from being interrupted by the height of the first protrusion (221a) and the second protrusion (222a).

[0104]

[0105] Referring again to FIG. 7, in step (S3), the folding jig (200) can fold the cover frame (130) by driving the seating portion (210) downward through a driving unit (not shown). The driving unit (not shown) can be connected to the seating portion (210) so that the seating portion (210) is driven upward or downward.

[0106] For example, the driving unit (not shown) drives the seating unit (210) downward in step (S3) to create a height difference between the upper surface of the seating unit (210) and the upper surface of the support unit (220), thereby causing the cover frame (130) to fold through the height difference, and after step (S3), drives the seating unit (210) upward again so that the heights of the upper surface of the seating unit (210) and the upper surface of the support unit (220) correspond to each other.

[0107]

[0108] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a modified example of the folding step in the battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 10, in step (S3), the folding jig (200) can fold the cover frame (130) by driving the support member (220) upward through a driving unit (not shown). The driving unit (not shown) is connected to the first support member (221) and the second support member (222), respectively, so that the first support member (221) and the second support member (222) can be driven upward or downward.

[0110] For example, in step (S3), the driving unit (not shown) drives the first support unit (221) and the second support unit (222) upward to create a height difference between the upper surface of the seating unit (210) and the upper surface of the support unit (220), thereby causing the cover frame (130) to fold through the height difference, and after step (S3), drives the support unit (220) downward again so that the heights of the upper surface of the seating unit (210) and the upper surface of the support unit (220) correspond to each other.

[0111] Additionally, a driving unit (not shown) may be provided for each of the seating portion (210) and the support portion (220), and in step (S3), the driving unit (not shown) drives the seating portion (210) downward and drives the support portion (220) upward to create a height difference between the seating portion (210) and the support portion (220), thereby allowing the cover frame (130) to be folded.

[0112]

[0113] 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.

[0114] (Explanation of symbols)

[0115] 10: Secondary battery

[0116] 20: Cushioning pad

[0117] 100: Battery module

[0118] 110: Cell Assembly

[0119] 120: Module frame 121: Through hole

[0120] 130: Cover Frame

[0121] 131: Main section 131a: Opening / closing hall

[0122] 132: 1st folding section 132a: 1st hole

[0123] 133: 2nd folding section 133a: 2nd hole

[0124] 140: End plate

[0125] 200: Folding Jig

[0126] 210: Settlement

[0127] 220: Jijibu

[0128] 221: First support member 221a: First projection

[0129] 222: Second support part 222a: Second projection

Claims

1. (S1) A step of housing a cell assembly including a plurality of secondary batteries in a module frame; (S2) A step of positioning the module frame on a cover frame seated on the upper part of a folding jig; and (S3) A step of folding the cover frame through the folding jig so that the cover frame wraps around a portion of the outer surface of the module frame; wherein A method for manufacturing a battery module, characterized in that, in step (S2) above, a first projection and a second projection provided on both edges of the folding jig are inserted into a first hole and a second hole formed on both edges of the cover frame.

2. In Paragraph 1, A method for manufacturing a battery module, characterized in that, in the above step (S2), the upper surface of the module frame is seated so as to face the main part of the cover frame.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above cover frame is, The main part seated on the upper surface of the module frame; A first folding part disposed on one side of the main part above, with the first hole formed on one side edge; and A method for manufacturing a battery module characterized by including a second folding part disposed on the other side of the main part and having the second hole formed on the edge of the other side.

4. In Paragraph 3, A plurality of through holes are formed on the upper surface of the above module frame with a certain area cut out, and A method for manufacturing a battery module characterized by forming a plurality of opening and closing holes with a certain area cut out at a position corresponding to the through hole in the main part.

5. In Paragraph 4, A battery module manufacturing method characterized by, in the above step (S2), seating the module frame on the cover frame such that the through hole overlaps with the opening / closing hole.

6. In Paragraph 3, The above folding jig is, A seating portion on which the above main portion is seated; and A method for manufacturing a battery module, characterized by comprising: a first support member located on one side of the above-mentioned seating portion and on which the first folding portion is seated; and a second support member located on the other side of the above-mentioned seating portion and on which the second folding portion is seated.

7. In Paragraph 6, The first support member includes a first projection formed by partially protruding upward from the upper surface, and A method for manufacturing a battery module, characterized in that the second support member includes a second projection formed by partially protruding upward from the upper surface.

8. In Paragraph 7, The first projection is formed at a position corresponding to the first hole, and A method for manufacturing a battery module characterized in that the second protrusion is formed at a position corresponding to the second hole.

9. In Paragraph 8, The first hole is formed in a slit shape that is partially extended to one side, and A method for manufacturing a battery module characterized in that the second hole is formed in a slit shape that is partially extended to the other side.

10. In Paragraph 9, The slit length of the first hole is provided to have a length longer than the height of the first projection, and A method for manufacturing a battery module characterized in that the slit length of the second hole is provided to have a length longer than the height of the second projection.

11. In Paragraph 7, A method for manufacturing a battery module characterized in that the first and second protrusions are provided with a material having elastic restoring force.

12. In Paragraph 6, A method for manufacturing a battery module characterized by driving the seating portion downward to fold the cover frame in the above step (S3).

13. In Paragraph 6, A method for manufacturing a battery module characterized by driving the first support member and the second support member upward in the above step (S3) to fold the cover frame.

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