[One]Cross-Citation with Related Application(s)
[2]This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0043334 dated April 12, 2019, and all contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent application are incorporated as a part of this specification.
[3]
The present invention relates to a battery module and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, to a battery module having improved assembly easiness and a manufacturing method thereof.
background
[4]
Since the secondary battery is easy to apply according to product groups and has electrical characteristics such as high energy density, it is commonly applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles driven by an electric drive source, power storage devices, and the like. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency in that not only the primary advantage of being able to dramatically reduce the use of fossil fuels but also the fact that no by-products are generated from the use of energy.
[5]
The battery pack applied to the electric vehicle has a structure in which a plurality of cell assemblies including a plurality of unit cells are connected in series to obtain high output. In addition, the unit cell can be repeatedly charged and discharged by an electrochemical reaction between components, including positive and negative current collectors, separators, active materials, electrolytes, and the like.
[6]
On the other hand, as the need for a large-capacity structure, including its use as an energy storage source, increases in recent years, the demand for a battery pack having a multi-module structure in which a plurality of secondary batteries are connected in series and/or in parallel is increasing. .
[7]
When configuring a battery pack by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series/parallel, a battery module including at least one battery cell is first configured, and other components are added using the at least one battery module to configure the battery pack. How to do it is common The number of battery modules included in the battery pack or the number of battery cells included in the battery module may be variously set according to a required output voltage or charge/discharge capacity. The battery module set in this way includes a plurality of battery cells stacked together and a bus bar frame on which a bus bar electrically connecting electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells is mounted.
[8]
In this case, the bus bar frame is configured to be assembled with a cover plate that covers the upper surfaces of the battery cells. However, in the conventional configuration having a hinge structure formed by combining a U-shaped hook-shaped structure and a bar-shaped structure with each other, the assembly of the bus bar frame and the cover plate may be separated during the process or during the movement of the module. Problems such as tearing of the flexible printed circuit board formed over the bus bar frame and the cover plate may occur, and the need for a structure capable of preventing these problems is emerging.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
technical challenge
[9]
An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of preventing damage to a device due to separation of a bus bar frame and a cover plate, and capable of easily assembling the bus bar frame and the cover plate.
[10]
However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above problems and may be variously expanded within the scope of the technical idea included in the present invention.
means of solving the problem
[11]
A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention covers a cell assembly including at least one battery cell, a cover plate covering one surface of the cell assembly, and another surface adjacent to one surface of the cell assembly, and the cover and a bus bar frame rotatably coupled to a plate, wherein the cover plate and the bus bar frame are coupled by at least one coupling part, and the coupling part protrudes from one corner of the bus bar frame and the one corner and a pair of accommodating parts including a fixing part formed in a rod shape parallel to and protruding from the cover plate, and including a groove part into which both ends of the fixing part are respectively inserted, and the fixing part goes toward the both ends. and an inclined surface formed to reduce the width of the fixing part.
[12]
The inclined surface may be formed to face the groove portion.
[13]
The pair of accommodating parts may include an accommodating inclined surface formed on at least a portion of inner surfaces of the pair of accommodating parts so that a distance between the pair of accommodating parts increases in a direction toward the upper surface of the cover plate.
[14]
A gap exists between the fixing part and the bus bar frame, so that the fixing part may include a locking surface formed on the opposite side of the inclined surface.
[15]
When the fixing part and the receiving part are coupled, the inclined surface may be inserted into the groove along the receiving inclined surface until the engaging surface contacts the groove.
[16]
When the fixing part is inserted, the gap between the pair of accommodating parts is widened by the insertion of the inclined surface, and the gap between the pair of accommodating parts is restored to the interval before insertion by the fixing part being in contact with the engaging surface. can be
[17]
The bus bar frame may further include a separation preventing wall facing an outer surface of the accommodating part opposite to the groove part in a state in which the fixing part and the accommodating part are coupled.
[18]
The coupling portion further includes a locking projection protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the pair of accommodating parts, and the bus bar frame further includes a locking protrusion formed at the one corner, and the bus bar frame by coupling the locking protrusion and the locking protrusion. movement may be restricted.
[19]
The fixing part may be integrally formed with the bus bar frame, and the pair of accommodating parts may be integrally formed with the cover plate.
[20]
A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention may include the above-described at least one battery module and a pack case for packaging the at least one battery module.
[21]
A device according to another embodiment of the present invention may include the above-described at least one battery pack.
Effects of the Invention
[22]
According to the embodiment, it is possible to prevent damage to the flexible printed circuit board or the like due to separation of the busbar frame and the cover plate, and also it is possible to easily assemble the busbar frame and the cover plate.
Brief description of the drawing
[23]
1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[24]
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part II of FIG. 1 .
[25]
3 is a view showing the separation of the fixing part of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[26]
4 is a view showing the separation of the receiving part of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[27]
5A and 5B are views illustrating an assembly process of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[28]
6 is a view showing a simplified assembly state of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[29]
7 is a view showing a state in which the coupling part is viewed from the side in the assembled state of the battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Modes for carrying out the invention
[30]
Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily carry out the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in several different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.
[31]
In addition, throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, this means that other components may be further included, rather than excluding other components, unless otherwise stated.
[32]
In addition, throughout the specification, when referring to "planar", it means when the target part is viewed from above, and "in cross-section" means when viewed from the side when a cross-section of the target part is vertically cut.
[33]
1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[34]
Referring to FIG. 1 , the battery module 10 is coupled to the cell assembly 100 , the cover plate 300 covering the upper surface of the cell assembly 100 , and the cover plate 300 , and includes at least one side of the cell assembly 100 . and a busbar frame 200 that covers it. In addition, the cell assembly 100 and the cover plate 300 may be accommodated in a module case (not shown), and the bus bar frame 200 may be configured to cover the opening of the module case.
[35]
The cell assembly 100 is composed of a plurality of battery cells, and may be provided as, for example, a pouch-type secondary battery. A plurality of battery cells are stacked in the cell assembly 100 and may be electrically connected to each other. Each of the battery cells may include an electrode assembly, a battery case accommodating the electrode assembly, and an electrode lead 105 protruding out of the battery case and electrically connected to the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly may include a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator, and since an electrode assembly having a known structure may be adopted, a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.
[36]
The bus bar frame 200 is disposed to cover the cell assembly 100 , and the bus bar 130 may be fixed to the bus bar frame 200 . The bus bar frame 200 is made of an insulator and includes a lead slot through which the electrode leads 105 drawn out from the cell assembly 100 can pass, and the bus bar 130 includes the electrode leads 105 of the cell assembly 100 . ) can be electrically connected.
[37]
Various other electrical components may be attached to the bus bar frame 200 . As an example, an internal circuit board (ICB) and a battery management system (BMS) may be provided, and electronic components such as the ICB and the BMS board may be electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells.
[38]
The cover plate 300 is positioned above the cell assembly 100 , and the bus bar frame 200 may be rotatably coupled from both sides thereof. At this time, the bus bar 130 is mounted on the bus bar frame 200 , and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) 145 may be disposed on the upper end along the longitudinal direction of the cover plate 300 . .
[39]
Since the flexible printed circuit board 145 is electrically connected to the bus bar 130, it is possible to sense overvoltage and overcurrent of the battery cell through this, and a connector 160 is connected to one end of the connector 160 to perform voltage sensing and temperature sensing. A signal may be transmitted/received to a controller provided outside the battery module 10 .
[40]
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part II of FIG. 1 , FIG. 3 is a view showing the fixing part 420 of the battery module separated according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is one of the present invention It is a view showing the separation of the receiving part 430 of the battery module according to the embodiment.
[41]
1 to 4 , the cover plate 300 and the bus bar frame 200 may be coupled by at least one coupling part 400 as shown in part II.
[42]
Specifically, the coupling part 400 includes a fixing part 420 protruding from one corner of the bus bar frame 200 and formed in a bar shape parallel to one corner of the bus bar frame 200 . In addition, the coupling part 400 includes a pair of receiving parts 430 protruding from the cover plate 300 and including a groove part 432 . That is, by inserting both ends of the fixing part 420 into the groove part 432 of the receiving part 430 , respectively, the coupling part 400 to which the bus bar frame 200 and the cover plate 300 are coupled is formed. .
[43]
The fixing part 420 protrudes from one corner of the bus bar frame 200 and is formed in a rod shape parallel to the one edge. and a formed inclined surface 422 . The inclined surface 422 is formed to face the groove portion 432 of the receiving portion 430 . In addition, as shown in FIG. 3 , a locking surface 424 opposite to the bus bar frame 200 is included on the opposite side of the inclined surface 422 . That is, there is a gap d between the bus bar frame 200 and the portion where the inclined surface 422 of the fixing part 420 is formed, so that in the assembled state of the cover plate 300 and the bus bar frame 200 to be described later, the gap d exists. A portion of the receiving portion 430 is positioned in the gap portion so that the engaging surface 424 is coupled to contact the groove portion 432 of the receiving portion 430 . Since the fixing part 420 is integrally formed to protrude from the bus bar frame 200 , the central portion between the portions where the both sides of the inclined surfaces 422 are located is connected to the bus bar frame 200 , and the inclined surfaces 422 are formed. The portion is spaced apart from the bus bar frame 200 at a distance d as described above. In addition, the bus bar frame 200 includes the separation preventing walls 220 facing the inclined surfaces 422 on both sides, thereby preventing the coupling of the bus bar frame 200 and the cover plate 300 from being separated once more. As it becomes possible, the specific configuration will be described in the description of the assembly process and assembly state to be described later.
[44]
The accommodating part 430 protrudes in a direction parallel to one surface of the cover plate 300 , and is provided as a pair to be coupled to both ends of the fixing part 420 , respectively. A groove portion 432 into which both ends of the fixing portion 420 are respectively inserted is formed in each of the pair of receiving portions 430 . That is, the groove portion 432 is formed on the surface of the pair of protruding receiving portions 430 facing each other. The groove portion 432 may be in the form of a hole as shown in FIG. 4 , but if the depth at which both ends of the fixing portion 420 can be stably inserted, it may be in the form of a groove rather than a hole, and is not particularly limited. .
[45]
The inner surface of the receiving portion 430 on which the groove portion 432 is formed includes a receiving inclined surface 434 . That is, the accommodating inclined surface 434 is to be formed on at least a portion of the inner surface of the pair of accommodating parts 430 so that the distance between the pair of accommodating parts 430 increases in the direction toward the upper surface of the cover plate 300 . can As a result, as described later, it is possible to prevent separation of the fixing part 420 after insertion while facilitating the insertion of the fixing part 420 . In addition, the receiving portion 430 includes an outer surface 436 on the opposite side of the surface on which the groove portion 432 is formed. As will be described later, the outer surface 436 includes the cover plate 300 and the bus bar frame 200 . In the coupled state of the bus bar frame 200 is opposite to the separation preventing wall (220).
[46]
Hereinafter, an assembly process and assembly state of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with further reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6 along with FIGS. 1 to 4 .
[47]
5A and 5B are views illustrating an assembly process of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a view showing a simplified assembling state of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[48]
As shown in FIG. 5A , the bus bar frame 200 is coupled to the cover plate 300 at an angle positioned above the final coupling state. At this time, the bus bar frame 200 may be assembled at an angle of about 105 degrees compared to the final coupled state, for example. In this state, the fixing part 420 and the receiving part 430 have a groove 432 along the inclined surface 422 of the fixing part 420 and the receiving inclined surface 434 of the receiving part 430 as shown in FIG. 5B . ) is inserted into That is, it is inserted along the arrow A of FIG. 5A.
[49]
In this process, since the inclined surface 422 of the fixing part 420 is configured so that its width is widened along the insertion direction, the pair of accommodating parts 430 are slightly spread along the arrow B of the fixing part 420 . An end portion may be seated in the groove portion 432 . That is, the receiving part 430 integrally protruding from the cover plate 300, which is an injection product, is also formed of an injection product, so it is possible to slightly open it on both sides by an insertion force, and both ends along the inclined surface 422 are grooved 432 . ), the insertion is completed by the locking surface 424 of the fixing part 420 comes into contact with the groove part 432 . When the insertion is completed, the interval between the pair of receiving units 430 is restored to the initial interval before insertion. After the insertion is completed, the fixing part 420 is rotated about the axis to obtain a final coupling state in which the bus bar frame 200 and the cover plate 300 form an angle of about 90 degrees.
[50]
Accordingly, in the state in which the cover plate 300 and the bus bar frame 200 are assembled, as shown in FIG. 6 , the separation of the fixing part 420 can be double prevented. That is, when the fixing part 420 is inserted into the groove part 432, the bus bar frame 200 is inserted along the inclined surface 422 and the receiving inclined surface 434 at an angle positioned above the final combined state, At the time of insertion, the gap between the receiving portions 430 may be naturally widened, but after insertion, the receiving inclined surface 434 is not formed at the angle of the use range, so that the interval between the receiving portions 430 is larger than at the time of insertion. Departure is possible only when there is a gap, so it is practically impossible to escape. In addition, even if the interval between the receiving portion 430 is wider than this, as shown in FIG. 6 , the outer surface 436 of the receiving portion 430 and the opposite separation preventing wall 220 are constant. Since the gap between the accommodating parts 430 is prevented from being widened beyond the range, the separation of the fixing part 420 can be prevented once more.
[51]
Therefore, according to this embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the fixing part 420 and the receiving part 430 from being separated from the coupling part 400 to which the cover plate 300 and the bus bar frame 200 are coupled. , it is possible to prevent damage to the flexible printed circuit board 145 due to separation of the bus bar frame 200 and the cover plate 300 or difficulties in handling.
[52]
7 is a view showing a state in which the coupling part is viewed from the side in the assembled state of the battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[53]
7, in another embodiment of the present invention, the outer peripheral surface 438 of the pair of receiving portions 430 further includes a locking protrusion 439 protruding from the outer peripheral surface 438, and also a bus bar The frame 200 further includes a locking protrusion 240 formed at one corner. The locking protrusion 439 and the locking protrusion 240 are configured to be coupled to each other in a state in which the assembly is completed in FIG. 5A , that is, in a state where the cover plate 300 and the bus bar frame 200 form an angle of about 90 degrees.
[54]
According to this, as shown in the drawing for explaining the assembly process in FIG. 5A , the bus bar frame 200 and the cover plate are coupled to the cover plate 300 at an angle located on the upper part and then rotated, the bus bar frame 200 and the cover plate. When the angle 300 is about 90 degrees, the stability of the assembly can be maintained because the rotation is restricted, and the rotation is stopped at the correct position even if the operator's skill level is low when assembling the cover plate 300 and the bus bar frame 200 . Precise assembly is possible. In particular, when the bus bar frame 200 rotates at a right angle or more, it may interfere with the inner cell assembly 100 and cause damage to the cell assembly 100. The combination of the formed locking protrusion 439 and the locking protrusion 240 formed on the bus bar frame 200 prevents the bus bar frame 200 from rotating at a right angle or more, thereby preventing damage to the cell assembly 100 . can be prevented
[55]
Meanwhile, one or more battery modules according to an embodiment of the present invention may be packaged in a pack case to form a battery pack.
[56]
The above-described battery module and battery pack including the same may be applied to various devices. Such a device may be applied to transportation means such as an electric bicycle, an electric vehicle, and a hybrid vehicle, but the present invention is not limited thereto and is applicable to various devices that can use a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and this It belongs to the scope of the invention.
[57]
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention as defined in the following claims are also provided. is within the scope of the
[58]
Explanation of symbols
[59]
10: battery module 100: cell assembly
[60]
105: electrode lead 130: bus bar
[61]
200: busbar frame 300: cover plate
[62]
400: coupling part 420: fixing part
[63]
430: receiving unit

WE CLAIMS

A cell assembly including at least one battery cell, a cover plate that covers one surface of the cell assembly, and a bus bar frame that covers one surface of the cell assembly and the other surface adjacent to it, and is rotatably coupled to the cover plate. wherein the cover plate and the bus bar frame are coupled by at least one coupling part, and the coupling part includes a fixing part protruding from one edge of the bus bar frame and formed in a rod shape parallel to the one edge, and the It is formed to protrude from the cover plate and includes a pair of accommodating portions including groove portions into which both ends of the fixing portion are respectively inserted, and the fixing portion includes an inclined surface formed such that the width of the fixing portion decreases toward the both ends. battery module.
[Claim 2]
The battery module of claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is formed to face the groove portion.
[Claim 3]
The method of claim 1, wherein the pair of accommodating parts includes an accommodating inclined surface formed on at least a portion of an inner surface of the pair of accommodating parts so that a distance between the pair of accommodating parts increases in a direction toward the upper surface of the cover plate. battery module.
[Claim 4]
The battery module of claim 3 , wherein there is a gap between the fixing part and the bus bar frame, and the fixing part includes a locking surface formed on the opposite side of the inclined surface.
[Claim 5]
The battery module of claim 4 , wherein when the fixing part and the receiving part are coupled, the inclined surface is inserted into the groove along the receiving inclined surface until the engaging surface comes into contact with the groove part.
[Claim 6]
The method of claim 5, wherein when the fixing portion is inserted, the gap between the pair of accommodating parts is widened by the insertion of the inclined surface, and the gap between the pair of accommodating parts is inserted by the fixing part being in contact with the engaging surface. A battery module that is restored to the interval before it.
[Claim 7]
[4] The battery module of claim 3, wherein the bus bar frame further includes a separation preventing wall facing the outer surface of the accommodating part opposite to the groove part in a state in which the fixing part and the accommodating part are coupled.
[Claim 8]
According to claim 1, wherein the coupling portion further comprises a locking projection protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the pair of receiving portions, the bus bar frame further comprises a locking projection formed in the one corner, to the coupling of the locking projection and the locking projection A battery module in which rotation of the bus bar frame is restricted by the
[Claim 9]
The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the fixing part is integrally formed with the bus bar frame, and the pair of accommodating parts is integrally formed with the cover plate.
[Claim 10]
At least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and a pack case for packaging the at least one battery module.
[Claim 11]
A device comprising at least one battery pack according to claim 10 .