Lithium-sulfur battery pack

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lithium-sulfur battery pack. The lithium-sulfur battery pack comprises: a first cell block which is formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells; a second cell block which is formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells and is laid over the first cell block; a lower cover which is positioned under the first cell block, includes protruding sections protruding upward so as to support the first cell block, and guides the flow of fluid along venting paths formed in the spaces between the protrusion sections; and an upper cover which is formed so as to cover the first cell block and the second cell block and is seated on the lower cover.

Description

Lithium-sulfur battery pack

[0001] The present invention relates to a lithium-sulfur battery pack, and specifically, to a lithium-sulfur battery pack having a stacked structure of cell blocks.

[0002]

[0003] Lithium-sulfur batteries refer to batteries that use a sulfur-carbon composite in the positive electrode and lightweight lithium metal in the negative electrode. These lithium-sulfur batteries require pressurization to maintain the shape of the lithium metal during cycle operation. In addition, when lithium-sulfur batteries are manufactured by stacking cell blocks due to the structure of vehicles, aircraft, etc., there is a problem in that the venting path of the cell blocks becomes narrow.

[0004]

[0005] The present invention provides a lithium sulfur battery pack for solving the above-mentioned problems.

[0006]

[0007] The present invention may be implemented in various ways, including a method, an apparatus (system), a computer program stored on a computer-readable medium, or a computer-readable medium on which a computer program is stored.

[0008] A lithium sulfur battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first cell block formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells; a second cell block formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells and stacked on top of the first cell block; a lower cover located at the bottom of the first cell block and including a protruding area protruding upward to support the first cell block, guiding fluid flow along a venting path formed in the space between the protruding areas; and an upper cover formed to surround the first cell block and the second cell block and seated on the lower cover.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the upper cover comprises a first plate formed parallel to the horizontal direction, a second plate connected to the first plate and formed in a shape inclined by a first angle in the horizontal direction, and a third plate connected to the second plate and formed in a shape inclined by a second angle greater than the first angle in the horizontal direction.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, fluid generated at the top of the second cell block moves along the first plate, the second plate, and the third plate to the bottom of the upper cover.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of battery cells included in a first cell block comprises a first set of battery cells connected by lead welding and a second set of battery cells connected by lead welding and connected to one side of the first set of battery cells.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first cell block includes a first pressure plate formed to apply pressure to a plurality of battery cells on a first side and a second pressure plate formed to apply pressure to a plurality of battery cells on a second side located opposite to the first side.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate are combined with a plurality of battery cells by the compression operation of a jig device.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first cell block includes a first busbar frame located on a third side and connected to a first pressure plate and a second pressure plate, and a second busbar frame located on a fourth side opposite to the third side and connected to the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lower cover has an area larger than the lower area of ​​the first cell block.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the area where the protrusion region of the lower cover is formed is the same as the lower area of ​​the first cell block.

[0017] A lithium sulfur battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of cell blocks including a plurality of battery cells, a lower cover located at the bottom of the cell stack and including a protruding region protruding upward to support the cell stack, guiding fluid flow along a venting path formed in the space between the protruding regions, and an upper cover formed to surround the cell stack and seated on the lower cover.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, fluid generated at the top of the cell stack moves along the first plate, the second plate, and the third plate to the bottom of the upper cover.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a cell stack comprises a first cell block formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells and a second cell block formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells and stacking a plurality of battery cells on top of the first cell block.

[0020]

[0021] In various embodiments of the present invention, even when a plurality of cell blocks are stacked, the venting path is prevented from becoming narrow, so that heat generated in the lithium-sulfur battery can be effectively discharged.

[0022] In various embodiments of the present invention, when pressure is applied to a plurality of battery cells using a jig device, the shape of the lithium metal can be maintained during cycle operation, and accordingly, the performance of the battery pack can be effectively improved.

[0023] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains (referred to as "person skilled in the art") from the description in the claims.

[0024]

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings described below, wherein similar reference numerals indicate similar elements, but are not limited thereto.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary structure of a lithium sulfur battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a side view showing an exemplary structure of a lithium sulfur battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a lower cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an example of a cell stack combined with a lower cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing an example of a plurality of battery cells included in a cell block according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 6 is an exemplary drawing showing a pressurized structure of a plurality of battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an exemplary structure of a first cell block according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032]

[0033] Hereinafter, specific details for implementing the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, in the following description, specific descriptions regarding widely known functions or configurations will be omitted if there is a risk of unnecessarily obscuring the essence of the present invention.

[0034] In the attached drawings, identical or corresponding components are assigned the same reference numerals. Additionally, in the description of the following embodiments, the description of identical or corresponding components may be omitted. However, even if a description of a component is omitted, it is not intended that such component is not included in any embodiment.

[0035] The advantages and features of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms, and these embodiments are provided merely to fully inform a person skilled in the art of the scope of the invention.

[0036] The terms used in this specification will be briefly explained, and the disclosed embodiments will be described in detail. The terms used in this specification have been selected to be as widely used as possible, taking into account their functions in the present invention; however, these terms may vary depending on the intent of those skilled in the relevant field, case law, or the emergence of new technologies. Additionally, in specific cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the relevant description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in this invention should be defined not merely by their names, but based on their meanings and the overall content of the present invention.

[0037] In this specification, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly specifies them as singular. Additionally, plural expressions include singular expressions unless the context clearly specifies them as plural. Throughout the specification, when a part is described as including a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0038] In the present invention, terms such as 'comprising', 'comprising', etc. may indicate the presence of features, steps, actions, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the addition of one or more other functions, steps, actions, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0039] In the present invention, where a specific component is described as being 'combined,' 'combined,' 'connected,' 'associated,' or 'reacted' to any other component, the specific component may be directly combined, combined, connected, and / or associated with, or reacted to the other component, but is not limited thereto. For example, one or more intermediate components may exist between the specific component and the other component. Additionally, in the present invention, "and / or" may include each of the one or more listed items or a combination of at least some of the one or more items.

[0040] In the present invention, terms such as 'first', 'second', etc., are used to distinguish a specific component from another component, and the components described above are not limited by these terms. For example, the 'first' component may be used to refer to an element of the same or similar form as the 'second' component.

[0041] In the present invention, 'lithium-sulfur battery' and / or 'lithium-sulfur cell' may refer to a battery using a sulfur-carbon composite for the positive electrode and lightweight lithium metal for the negative electrode. For example, unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, a lithium-sulfur battery can generate electrical energy through the stepwise conversion of sulfur. A lithium-sulfur battery can generate electrical energy by converting sulfur into lithium sulfide, an insoluble substance, through a continuous reduction reaction.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary structure of a lithium-sulfur battery pack (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to one embodiment, the lithium-sulfur battery pack (100) may include a cell stack in which a plurality of cell blocks are stacked, and a lower cover (130) and an upper cover (140) that surround the cell stack. For example, such a lithium-sulfur battery pack (100) may be used in a high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle, etc. Here, the plurality of cell blocks constituting the cell stack may include a first cell block (110) and a second cell block (120).

[0043] According to one embodiment, a lithium sulfur battery pack (100) may include a first cell block (110) formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells, a second cell block (120) formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells and stacking the first cell block (110), a lower cover (130) located at the bottom of the first cell block (110) and including a protruding area that protrudes upward to support the first cell block (110) and guides the flow of fluid along a venting path formed in the space between the protruding areas, and an upper cover (140) formed to surround the first cell block (110) and the second cell block (120) and seated on the lower cover (130).

[0044] According to one embodiment, the lithium sulfur battery pack (100) may include a venting path for effectively discharging fluid, such as heat generated in the cell block. For example, the lower cover (130) of the lithium sulfur battery pack (100) may include a protruding area for guiding fluid generated at the bottom of the second cell block (120). In this case, a cell stack and / or the second cell block (120) may be seated on the protruding area of ​​the lower cover (130), and a venting path may be formed through the space between these protruding areas. Additionally, the upper cover (140) of the lithium sulfur battery pack (100) may include a plate structure for guiding fluid generated at the top of the first cell block (110).

[0045] FIG. 2 is a side view showing an exemplary structure of a lithium sulfur battery pack (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the lithium sulfur battery pack (100) may include a venting path for effectively discharging fluid, such as heat generated in a cell block, and the lower cover (130) and upper cover (140) of the lithium sulfur battery pack (100) may include a plate structure for guiding fluid generated in a cell stack.

[0046] As illustrated, the upper cover (140) may include a first plate (142) formed parallel to the horizontal direction, a second plate (144) connected to the first plate (142) and formed at a first angle in the horizontal direction, and a third plate (146) connected to the second plate (144) and formed at a second angle greater than the first angle in the horizontal direction. In this case, fluid generated at the top of the first cell block (110) may move downward along the first plate (142), the second plate (144), and the third plate (146).

[0047] Additionally, the lower cover (130) includes a protruding area that protrudes upward, and fluid generated at the bottom of the second cell block (120) can move along a venting path formed in the space between the protruding areas. In this case, the fluid guided or induced by the upper cover (140) and the lower cover (130) can be discharged to the outside of the lithium sulfur battery pack (100) through a discharge structure formed in the upper cover (140).

[0048] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a lower cover (130) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an example of a cell stack being coupled to a lower cover (130) according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the lower cover (130) may include a protruding area (132) that protrudes upward to support a cell block and / or a cell stack in a portion of the area. As illustrated, the protruding area (132) may include a plurality of protrusions having any arrangement such as a maze structure, but is not limited to the structure of the illustrated example. That is, the plurality of protrusions forming the protruding area (132) may have different numbers and arrangements.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the terminal protrusion of the protrusion region (132) may include a plurality of holes for coupling with the cell stack and / or cell block. The lower cover (130) has an area larger than the lower area of ​​the cell stack and / or the first cell block (110) and the second cell block (120), and the area where the protrusion region (132) of the lower cover (130) is formed may be formed to be the same as the lower area of ​​the cell stack and / or the first cell block (110) and the second cell block (120).

[0050] That is, fluid generated at the top of the first cell block (110) can be guided or directed through a venting path formed by the upper cover, and fluid generated at the bottom of the second cell block (120) can be guided or directed through a venting path formed by the lower cover (130). With such a structure, even when multiple cell blocks are stacked, the venting path is prevented from becoming narrow, so that heat generated in the lithium-sulfur battery can be effectively discharged.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing an example of a plurality of battery cells included in a cell block according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the cell block may include a plurality of battery cells. In the illustrated example, (a) image shows a first set of battery cells (510) in which each battery cell is stacked, and (b) image may show the first set of battery cells (510) and a second set of battery cells (520) connected.

[0052] According to one embodiment, each battery cell may be connected by lead welding. For example, the lead may refer to the electrode tabs of the battery, and the lead welding may include resistance welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, TIG (tungsten inert gas welding), etc. In this way, a certain number of battery cells may be connected and stacked by lead welding to create a first set of battery cells (510) and a second set of battery cells (520). Additionally, the first set of battery cells (510) and the second set of battery cells (520) created in this manner may be connected to create a basic cell structure for forming a cell block.

[0053] FIG. 6 is an exemplary drawing showing a pressure structure of a plurality of battery cells (600) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a pressure plate may be attached to a plurality of battery cells (600) formed by connecting a first set of battery cells (510 in FIG. 5) and a second set of battery cells (520 in FIG. 5).

[0054] According to one embodiment, a plurality of battery cells (600) may be connected to a first pressure plate (610) formed to apply pressure to the plurality of battery cells (600) from a first side and a second pressure plate (620) formed to apply pressure to the plurality of battery cells (600) from a second side located opposite to the first side. In this case, the first pressure plate (610) and the second pressure plate (620) may be combined with the plurality of battery cells (600) by a compression operation of a jig device (630) and may be made of a lightweight composite material or aluminum.

[0055] Here, the jig device (630) may refer to a device that applies pressure to a cell block to maintain the shape of the lithium metal, and may be fastened until the cell block is mounted to the pack. In this way, when pressure is applied to a plurality of battery cells (600) using the jig device (630), the shape of the lithium metal can be maintained during cycle operation, and accordingly, the performance of the battery pack can be effectively improved.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an exemplary structure of a first cell block (110) according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to one embodiment, the first cell block (110) (and / or second cell block) may be formed by assembling a plurality of busbar frames and end covers (710) on a plurality of battery cells to which a pressure plate is fastened by a jig device. For example, the plurality of busbar frames and end covers (710) may be assembled with the jig device fastened.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the first cell block (110) may include a first busbar frame located on a third side, connected to a first pressure plate and a second pressure plate, and a second busbar frame located on a fourth side opposite to the third side, connected to the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate. In this way, a resin and a heater (720) may be assembled to the first cell block (110) combined with the busbar frame and the end cover.

[0058] Various embodiments of the present invention, including specific structural and functional details, are exemplary. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above and may be implemented in various other forms. Furthermore, the terms used in the present invention are intended to describe some embodiments and are not to be interpreted as limiting the embodiments. For example, singular words and the above may be interpreted to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0059] In this invention, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which such concepts belong. Furthermore, commonly used terms, such as those defined in advance, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described in relation to some embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as understood by a person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Furthermore, such modifications and changes should be considered to fall within the scope of the claims appended to this specification.

Claims

1. As a lithium-sulfur battery pack, A first cell block formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells; A second cell block formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells, stacked on top of the first cell block; A lower cover located at the bottom of the first cell block and including a protruding region protruding upward to support the first cell block, guiding the flow of fluid along a venting path formed in the space between the protruding regions; and An upper cover formed to surround the first cell block and the second cell block and seated on the lower cover; A lithium-sulfur battery pack including 2. In Paragraph 1, The upper cover above is, A first plate formed parallel in the horizontal direction; A second plate connected to the first plate and formed in a shape inclined by a first angle in the horizontal direction; and A third plate connected to the second plate and formed in a shape inclined by a second angle greater than the first angle in the horizontal direction; A lithium-sulfur battery pack including 3. In Paragraph 2, A lithium sulfur battery pack in which fluid generated above the second cell block moves along the first plate, the second plate and the third plate to the lower part of the upper cover.

4. In Paragraph 1, A plurality of battery cells included in the first cell block above are, A first set of battery cells connected by lead welding; and A second set of battery cells connected by lead welding and connected to one side of the first set of battery cells; A lithium-sulfur battery pack including 5. In Paragraph 1, The above first cell block is, A first pressure plate formed to apply pressure to the plurality of battery cells in the first aspect; and A second pressure plate formed to apply pressure to the plurality of battery cells on a second side located opposite to the first side; A lithium-sulfur battery pack including 6. In Paragraph 5, The first pressure plate and the second pressure plate are, A lithium sulfur battery pack combined with a plurality of battery cells by the compression action of a jig device.

7. In Paragraph 5, The above first cell block is, A first busbar frame connected to the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate and located on the third side; and A second busbar frame connected to the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate, and located on a fourth side opposite to the third side; A lithium-sulfur battery pack including 8. In Paragraph 1, The above lower cover is, A lithium sulfur battery pack having an area larger than the lower area of ​​the first cell block.

9. In Paragraph 1, A lithium sulfur battery pack in which the area where the protrusion region of the lower cover is formed is the same as the lower area of ​​the first cell block.

10. As a lithium-sulfur battery pack, A cell stack formed by stacking multiple cell blocks, each containing multiple battery cells; A lower cover located at the bottom of the cell stack and including a protruding region protruding upward to support the cell stack, guiding fluid flow along a venting path formed in the space between the protruding regions; and An upper cover formed to surround the cell stack and seated on the lower cover; A lithium-sulfur battery pack including 11. In Paragraph 10, The upper cover above is, A first plate formed parallel in the horizontal direction; A second plate connected to the first plate and formed in a shape inclined by a first angle in the horizontal direction; and A third plate connected to the second plate and formed in a shape inclined by a second angle greater than the first angle in the horizontal direction; A lithium-sulfur battery pack including 12. In Paragraph 11, A lithium sulfur battery pack in which fluid generated at the top of the cell stack moves along the first plate, the second plate and the third plate to the bottom of the upper cover.

13. In Paragraph 10, The above cell stack is, A first cell block formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells; and A second cell block formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells, stacked on top of the first cell block; A lithium-sulfur battery pack including 14. In Paragraph 13, A plurality of battery cells included in the first cell block above are, A first set of battery cells connected by lead welding; and A second set of battery cells connected by lead welding and connected to one side of the first set of battery cells; A lithium-sulfur battery pack including 15. In Paragraph 13, The above first cell block is, A first pressure plate formed to apply pressure to the plurality of battery cells in the first aspect; and A second pressure plate formed to apply pressure to the plurality of battery cells on a second side located opposite to the first side; A lithium-sulfur battery pack including 16. In Paragraph 15, The first pressure plate and the second pressure plate are, A lithium sulfur battery pack combined with a plurality of battery cells by the compression action of a jig device.

17. In Paragraph 15, The above first cell block is, A first busbar frame connected to the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate and located on the third side; and A second busbar frame connected to the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate, and located on a fourth side opposite to the third side; A lithium-sulfur battery pack including 18. In Paragraph 10, The above lower cover is, A lithium sulfur battery pack having an area larger than the lower area of ​​the cell stack.

19. In Paragraph 10, A lithium sulfur battery pack in which the area where the protrusion region of the lower cover is formed is the same as the lower area of ​​the cell stack.

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