Title of invention: battery module
Technical field
[One]
This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 2018-0142758 filed on November 19, 2018, and all contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent application are included as part of this specification.
[2]
The present invention relates to a battery module.
Background
[3]
Recently, as the demand for portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, smart phones, and tablet computers increases, research on high-performance secondary batteries capable of repetitive charging and discharging has been actively conducted.
[4]
In addition, secondary batteries are widely used not only for small devices such as portable electronic devices, but also for medium and large devices such as automobiles, robots, and satellites. In particular, as interest in fossil fuel depletion and environmental pollution increases, research on hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles is being actively conducted. The most essential component in such a hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle is a battery pack that supplies power to a motor.
[5]
In the case of a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, since driving power can be obtained from a battery pack, it has the advantage of being superior in fuel economy and not emitting or reducing pollutants compared to a vehicle using only an internal combustion engine. A battery pack used in a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle includes a battery module including a plurality of battery cells, and as the plurality of battery cells are connected in series and/or parallel to each other, the capacity and output of the battery module are increased.
[6]
Since a plurality of battery cells are closely provided inside the battery module, it is necessary to ensure safety against external impact. When a physical shock is applied to a battery cell due to various causes such as a fall of the battery module, the battery cell may be damaged and the electrolyte inside the battery cell may leak to the outside. In addition, as a plurality of battery cells are damaged by a physical shock, an external short circuit may occur between the plurality of battery cells, resulting in ignition or explosion of the battery module.
[7]
Accordingly, even when an impact is applied to the battery module, a configuration capable of preventing an external short circuit between a plurality of battery cells is required.
Detailed description of the invention
Technical challenge
[8]
The present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module configured to prevent an external short circuit between a plurality of battery cells even when a physical shock is applied to the battery module. .
Means of solving the task
[9]
A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object comprises: a battery cell assembly comprising a plurality of battery cells stacked; An end plate disposed adjacent to one end of the battery cell assembly; And a buffer member interposed between one end of the battery cell assembly and the end plate, and the buffer member may be a woven or nonwoven fabric made of a plurality of fibers.
[10]
The fiber may be an aramid-based electrical insulating fiber.
[11]
The buffer member may have a protrusion protruding toward between the plurality of battery cells.
[12]
The protrusion may be formed to gradually decrease in width toward between the plurality of battery cells.
[13]
The protrusion may have a tip end having an acute angle toward between the plurality of battery cells.
[14]
A protrusion protruding toward between a plurality of battery cells may be provided on a surface of the end plate facing the buffer member.
[15]
The protrusion may be formed to gradually decrease in width toward between the plurality of battery cells.
[16]
The battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a frame accommodating to surround the battery cell assembly, and the end plate may be fixed to the frame.
Brief description of the drawing
[17]
1 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[18]
2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[19]
3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[20]
4 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[21]
5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Mode for carrying out the invention
[22]
Hereinafter, a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[23]
1 and 2, the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell assembly 100 in which a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked, and a battery cell assembly 100 The frame 200 accommodated so as to surround it, the end plate 300 disposed adjacent to both ends of the battery cell assembly 100, and the buffer interposed between the both ends of the battery cell assembly 100 and the end plate 300 It may include a member 400.
[24]
For example, the battery cell 110 may be a pouch type battery cell. In this case, the battery cell 110 may include an electrode assembly and a pouch for accommodating the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly may be configured by assembling a plurality of electrode plates (anode plate, negative electrode plate) and a plurality of separators. Each electrode plate of the electrode assembly is provided with an electrode tab, and a plurality of electrode tabs may be connected to the electrode lead 111. The electrode lead 111 is exposed to the outside from the pouch, and the exposed portion of the electrode lead 111 may function as an electrode terminal of the battery cell 110.
[25]
The electrode lead 111 may include an anode lead and a cathode lead. The electrode leads 111 of the plurality of battery cells 110 may be connected in parallel or in series with each other through welding. Accordingly, the plurality of battery cells 110 may be electrically connected to each other.
[26]
For example, a plurality of positive leads may protrude toward the front of the battery cell assembly 100, and the plurality of negative leads may protrude toward the rear of the battery cell assembly 100. In this case, there is no interference between the positive lead and the negative lead. As another example, the positive lead and the negative lead may protrude forward or rearward of the battery cell assembly 100 together.
[27]
The frame 200 accommodates a plurality of battery cells 110 in an internal space. The frame 200 serves to protect the outer edges of the plurality of battery cells 110 from the outside. The frame 200 is configured to support the plurality of battery cells 110 so as not to flow. Since openings are formed on both sides of the frame 200, both ends of the battery cell assembly 100 may be exposed to the outside through the opening of the frame 200.
[28]
The end plate 300 may be coupled to the frame 200 by various methods such as bolting, welding, and riveting. The end plate 300 may be coupled to the frame 200 to close the opening of the frame 200. The end plate 300 supports both ends of the battery cell assembly 100 and may serve to prevent a change in the appearance of the battery module due to expansion of the battery cell assembly 100. The end plate 300 may be made of a high rigidity metal.
[29]
The buffer member 400 serves to partially absorb the deformation of the end plate 300 when the end plate 300 is deformed due to a physical impact applied to the battery module. In addition, when the end plate 300 is deformed, the buffer member 400 penetrates between the plurality of battery cells 110 and serves to insulate the plurality of battery cells 110 from each other. Accordingly, even if the end plate 300 is deformed due to a physical impact applied to the battery module, it is possible to prevent an external short circuit from occurring between the plurality of battery cells 110.
[30]
The buffer member 400 may be a woven or nonwoven fabric made of a plurality of fibers. Accordingly, when the end plate 300 is deformed, a plurality of fibers of the buffer member 400 may penetrate between the plurality of battery cells 110. Since the buffer member 400 is composed of a plurality of fibers, the buffer member 400 may have a predetermined flexibility. Accordingly, it is possible to easily penetrate between the plurality of battery cells 110.
[31]
Here, it is preferable that the fiber constituting the buffer member 400 is an aramid-based electrical insulating fiber (a bulletproof material). As the fibers constituting the buffer member 400 are made of electrically insulating fibers, when the end plate 300 is deformed, a plurality of fibers of the buffer member 400 penetrate between the plurality of battery cells 110, The battery cells 110 may be insulated from each other. In addition, an external short circuit between the plurality of battery cells 110 and an external conductor may be prevented. In addition, since the fibers constituting the buffer member 400 are made of aramid fibers, deformation of the plurality of battery cells 110 can be minimized.
[32]
According to the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a buffer member 400 made of a plurality of fibers is inserted between the battery cell assembly 100 and the end plate 300. Therefore, when the end plate 300 is deformed due to an external force applied to the end plate 300 due to a drop of the battery module, etc., a plurality of fibers forming the buffer member 400 penetrates between the plurality of battery cells 110 . Accordingly, even when the end plate 300 is deformed by an external shock, an external short circuit between the plurality of battery cells 110 and an external short between the battery cell 110 and the peripheral conductor can be prevented, and a plurality of batteries It is possible to minimize the deformation of the cell 110.
[33]
Hereinafter, a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the first embodiment of the present invention, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[34]
As shown in FIG. 3, in the battery module according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the buffer member 400 may include a protrusion 410 protruding toward between the plurality of battery cells 110. The protrusion 410 may have a wedge shape whose width gradually decreases toward between the plurality of battery cells 110. The protrusion 410 may have a sharp tip having an acute angle.
[35]
According to the battery module according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the buffer member 400 includes a protrusion 410 that protrudes toward between the plurality of battery cells 110. Therefore, when the end plate 300 is deformed by an external force, the wedge-shaped protrusion 410 of the buffer member 400 penetrates between the plurality of battery cells 110 and a plurality of fibers forming the buffer member 400 May more easily penetrate between the plurality of battery cells 110.
[36]
Hereinafter, a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the first and second embodiments of the present invention, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[37]
4 and 5, in the battery module according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the end plate 300 facing the buffer member 400 faces between the plurality of battery cells 110. A protruding protrusion 310 may be provided. The protrusion 310 may have a wedge shape whose width gradually decreases toward between the plurality of battery cells 110.
[38]
According to the battery module according to the third embodiment of the present invention, a protrusion 310 protruding toward between the plurality of battery cells 110 is provided on the surface of the end plate 300 facing the buffer member 400. Accordingly, when the end plate 300 is deformed by an external force, the buffer member 400 may more easily penetrate between the plurality of battery cells 110 while being pressed by the protrusion 310.
[39]
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been exemplarily described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and may be appropriately changed within the scope described in the claims.
[40]
(Explanation of code)
[41]
100: battery cell assembly
[42]
110: battery cell
[43]
200: frame
[44]
300: end plate
[45]
310: protrusion
[46]
400: cushioning member
[47]
410: protrusion
Industrial availability
[48]
According to the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, a buffer member made of a plurality of fibers is inserted between the battery cell assembly and the end plate. Therefore, when the end plate is deformed due to an external force being applied to the end plate due to a fall of the battery module or the like, a plurality of fibers constituting the buffer member penetrates between the plurality of battery cells. Accordingly, even when the end plate is deformed by an external impact, an external short circuit between a plurality of battery cells and an external short circuit between a battery cell and a peripheral conductor can be prevented, and deformation of the plurality of battery cells can be minimized.
Claims
[Claim 1]
A battery cell assembly in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; An end plate disposed adjacent to one end of the battery cell assembly; And a buffer member interposed between one end of the battery cell assembly and the end plate, wherein the buffer member is a fabric or nonwoven fabric made of a plurality of fibers.
[Claim 2]
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the fiber is an aramid-based electrical insulating fiber.
[Claim 3]
The battery module of claim 1, wherein the buffer member has a protrusion protruding toward between the plurality of battery cells.
[Claim 4]
The battery module according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion is formed to gradually decrease in width toward between the plurality of battery cells.
[Claim 5]
The battery module according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion has a tip end having an acute angle toward between the plurality of battery cells.
[Claim 6]
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion protruding toward between the plurality of battery cells is provided on a surface of the end plate facing the buffer member.
[Claim 7]
The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the protrusion is formed to gradually decrease in width toward between the plurality of battery cells.
[Claim 8]
The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising a frame accommodating to surround the battery cell assembly, wherein the end plate is fixed to the frame.
[Claim 9]
A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 8.