Title of the invention: Battery module and battery pack including such battery module
Technical field
[One]
The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including such a battery module.
[2]
This application is a priority claim application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0113243 filed on September 20, 2018, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated herein by reference.
Background
[3]
Rechargeable batteries with high ease of application and high energy density according to product group are not only portable devices, but also electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid vehicles (HEVs) driven by an electric drive source. It is universally applied. Such a secondary battery is attracting attention as a new energy source for eco-friendly and energy efficiency enhancement in that it does not generate by-products from the use of energy as well as the primary advantage that it can dramatically reduce the use of fossil fuels.
[4]
Currently widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydride batteries, and nickel zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell, that is, a unit battery cell, is about 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. In addition, a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel according to the charge/discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Accordingly, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack may be variously set according to a required output voltage or charge/discharge capacity.
[5]
Meanwhile, 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 at least one battery module. It is common to construct a battery pack.
[6]
In the case of a conventional battery module or battery pack, as the use time elapses, the battery cells expand and the internal pressing force gradually increases, and accordingly, there is a problem that damage to the cover frame structure or battery cells accommodating the battery cells occurs .
[7]
Therefore, there is a need for a method for providing a battery module capable of preventing damage to a cover frame or battery cells when the battery cells are expanded, and a battery pack including the battery module.
Detailed description of the invention
Technical challenge
[8]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of preventing damage to a cover frame during expansion of battery cells, and a battery pack including the battery module.
[9]
In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of preventing damage to battery cells during expansion of the battery cells, and a battery pack including the battery module.
Means of solving the task
[10]
In order to solve the above object, the present invention provides a battery module, comprising: a battery cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells stacked together; A pair of end plates provided on both sides of the battery cell assembly; And a cover frame that is coupled to the pair of end plates to cover the battery cell assembly, and is deformed along the expansion direction of the plurality of battery cells when the plurality of battery cells are expanded. Provides.
[11]
The expansion directions of the plurality of battery cells are in both directions of the battery cell assembly, and the cover frame may be provided with elastic deformation portions that elastically deform in both directions of the battery cell assembly when the plurality of battery cells are expanded. have.
[12]
The elastic deformable portions may be formed to have a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction of the battery cell assembly, and may be provided in plural to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance along both directions of the battery cell assembly.
[13]
The plurality of elastic deformation portions may protrude convexly to the outside of the cover frame, and may be formed to be concave inside the cover frame.
[14]
When the plurality of battery cells are expanded, the plurality of elastic deformable portions may be elastically deformed and flatten along both sides of the cover frame.
[15]
The elastic deformable part may be provided in a groove shape having a predetermined size, and may be provided in plural to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the length direction of the battery cell assembly.
[16]
The plurality of elastic deformation portions may include a center groove formed in the center of the cover frame; A front edge groove disposed spaced apart from the center groove and provided at a front edge of the cover frame; A plurality of front grooves disposed between the front edge groove and the center groove, spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the front-rear direction of the cover frame, and convexly formed toward the front of the cover frame; A plurality of rear grooves disposed to face each other with the plurality of front grooves and the center groove interposed therebetween and formed to be convex toward the rear of the cover frame; And a rear edge groove disposed spaced apart from the plurality of rear grooves and provided at a rear edge of the cover frame.
[17]
The center groove, the front edge groove, the plurality of front grooves, the plurality of rear grooves, and the rear edge groove may be elastically deformed when the plurality of battery cells are expanded and become flat along both directions of the cover frame. have.
[18]
The center groove may be formed to be convex along the front and rear directions of the cover frame.
[19]
In addition, the present invention provides a battery pack, comprising: at least one battery module according to the above-described embodiments; And a pack case for packaging the at least one battery module.
Effects of the Invention
[20]
According to various embodiments as described above, a battery module capable of preventing damage to a cover frame when the battery cells are expanded, and a battery pack including the battery module may be provided.
[21]
In addition, according to various embodiments as described above, a battery module capable of preventing damage to the battery cells when the battery cells are expanded and a battery pack including the battery module may be provided.
Brief description of the drawing
[22]
The following drawings appended to the present specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention together with the detailed description of the present invention, which will be described later. It is limited to and should not be interpreted.
[23]
1 is a view for explaining a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[24]
2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery module of FIG. 1.
[25]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a deformation of a cover frame when battery cells of the battery module of FIG. 1 are expanded.
[26]
4 is a view for explaining a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[27]
5 is a diagram illustrating a cover frame of the battery module of FIG. 4.
[28]
6 is a view for explaining deformation of a cover frame when battery cells of the battery module of FIG. 4 are expanded.
[29]
7 is a view for explaining a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[30]
8 is a view for explaining a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Mode for carrying out the invention
[31]
The present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described herein are illustratively shown to aid understanding of the invention, and it should be understood that the present invention may be implemented with various modifications different from the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to aid understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, but dimensions of some components may be shown exaggeratedly.
[32]
1 is a view for explaining a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery module of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a deformation of a cover frame when the battery cells of the battery module of FIG. 1 are expanded. It is a diagram for explaining
[33]
1 to 3, the battery module 10 may include a battery cell assembly 100, an end plate 200, and a cover frame 300.
[34]
The battery cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 110. The plurality of battery cells 110 are secondary batteries, and may be provided as pouch-type secondary batteries. The plurality of battery cells 110 may be stacked and electrically connected to each other.
[35]
The end plates 200 may be provided in a pair, and the battery cell assembly 100 may be provided on both sides. The pair of end plates 200 may support both sides of the battery cell assembly 100.
[36]
The cover frame 300 may be coupled to the pair of end plates 200 to cover the battery cell assembly 100. The cover frame 300 may cover at least the upper and lower sides of the pair of end plates 200.
[37]
When the plurality of battery cells 110 are expanded, the cover frame 300 may be deformed along the expansion direction of the plurality of battery cells 110. Here, the expansion direction of the plurality of battery cells 110 may be a direction toward both sides of the battery cell assembly 100, that is, a direction toward the pair of end plates 200.
[38]
The cover frame 300 may be provided with an elastic deformation part 350 for such elastic deformation.
[39]
The elastic deformation part 350 is elastically deformed in both directions of the battery cell assembly 100 when the plurality of battery cells 110 are expanded, and the cover frame is elastically deformed in both directions of the battery cell assembly 100. (300) can be elongated.
[40]
The elastic deformable part 350 is formed to have a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction of the battery cell assembly 100, that is, the front-rear direction of the battery module 10, and is provided in plural to provide the battery cell assembly 100. ) May be spaced apart a predetermined distance along both directions.
[41]
Each of the plurality of elastic deformable portions 350 may be convexly protruded to the outside of the cover frame 300 and formed to be concave inside the cover frame 300.
[42]
The plurality of elastic deformation parts 350 may be elastically deformed when the plurality of battery cells 110 are expanded, and may be flattened along both directions of the cover frame 300. When the plurality of battery cells 110 are expanded through the elastic deformation, the plurality of elastic deformation parts 350 extend the cover frame 300 to a predetermined length in the expansion direction, and the cover frame ( 300) can be induced.
[43]
Accordingly, in this embodiment, when the plurality of battery cells 110 are expanded through the elastic deformation unit 350, the internal pressing force of the battery module 10 can be effectively prevented from increasing to a predetermined size or more. I can.
[44]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the plurality of battery cells 110 are expanded through the elastic deformation unit 350, an increase in the pressing force of the battery module 10 or more than a predetermined size is prevented, so that the battery cells 110 ) Or the risk of damage to the cover frame 300 may be significantly reduced.
[45]
4 is a view for explaining a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a cover frame of the battery module of FIG. It is a diagram for explaining the deformation of the cover frame during expansion.
[46]
Since the battery module 20 according to the present embodiment is similar to the battery module 10 of the previous embodiment, redundant descriptions are omitted for the same or similar configuration as in the previous embodiment, and differences from the previous embodiment. It will be explained mainly.
[47]
4 to 6, the battery module 20 may include a battery cell assembly 100, an end plate 200, and a cover frame 400.
[48]
Since the battery cell assembly 100 and the end plate 200 are substantially the same as or similar to those of the previous embodiment, redundant descriptions will be omitted below.
[49]
The cover frame 400 may include an elastic deformation part 450.
[50]
The elastic deformable parts 450 may be provided in a groove shape having a predetermined size, and may be provided in plural to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the length direction of the battery cell assembly 110.
[51]
The elastic deformation part 450 may include a center groove 451, a front edge groove 453, a front groove 455, a rear groove 457 and a rear edge groove 459.
[52]
The center groove 451 may be formed in the center of the cover frame 400. The center groove 451 may be formed to be convex along the front and rear directions of the cover frame 400.
[53]
The front edge groove 453 may be spaced apart from the center groove 451 in front of the cover frame 400. The front edge groove 453 may be provided on the front edge of the cover frame 400.
[54]
The front groove 455 is provided in plural, is disposed between the front edge groove 453 and the center groove 451, and is spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the front and rear direction of the cover frame 400, and the It may be formed to be convex toward the front of the cover frame 400.
[55]
The rear groove 457 is provided in plural, is disposed opposite to each other with the plurality of front grooves 455 and the center groove 451 interposed therebetween, and is formed to be convex toward the rear of the cover frame 400. I can.
[56]
The rear edge groove 459 may be spaced apart from the plurality of rear grooves 457. The rear edge groove 459 may be provided on the rear edge of the cover frame 400.
[57]
The center groove 451, the front edge groove 453, the plurality of front grooves 455, the plurality of rear grooves 457 and the rear edge groove 459 are formed of the plurality of battery cells 110 When inflated, the cover frame 400 may be flattened along both sides of the cover frame 400 while being elastically deformed.
[58]
Accordingly, when the plurality of battery cells 110 are expanded, the elastic deformation part 450 extends the cover frame 400 to a predetermined length in the expansion direction, thereby preventing deformation of the cover frame 400. You can induce it.
[59]
As such, the elastic deformable part 450 may be provided with a plurality of strap structures having a curved groove shape, which is not the same shape as the previous embodiment, but capable of elastically extending the cover frame 400.
[60]
7 is a view for explaining a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 8 is a view for explaining a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[61]
7 and 8, the battery pack 1 includes at least one battery module 10 according to the previous embodiment and a pack case 50 for packaging the at least one battery module 10. I can.
[62]
Of course, the battery pack 1 may include the at least one battery module 20 of the previous embodiment, and may include all of the battery modules 10 and 20 of the previous embodiments. to be.
[63]
The battery pack 1 may be provided in the vehicle V as a fuel source for the vehicle V. For example, the battery pack 1 may be provided in the vehicle V in an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, and other ways in which the battery pack 1 can be used as a fuel source.
[64]
In addition, it goes without saying that the battery pack 1 may be provided in other devices, devices, and facilities, such as an energy storage system using a secondary battery, in addition to the vehicle V.
[65]
As such, the battery pack 1 and the apparatus, apparatus and equipment including the battery pack 1 such as the vehicle V according to the present embodiment include the battery modules 10 and 20 described above. , It is possible to implement a battery pack 1 having all of the advantages due to the above-described battery modules 10 and 20, and a device, apparatus, and equipment such as a vehicle V including the battery pack 1.
[66]
According to various embodiments as described above, the battery modules 10 and 20 capable of preventing damage to the cover frames 300 and 400 when the battery cells 110 are expanded, and the battery module 10, The battery pack 1 including 20) and the vehicle V including the battery pack 1 may be provided.
[67]
In addition, according to various embodiments as described above, the battery modules 10 and 20 capable of preventing damage to the battery cells 110 when the battery cells 110 are expanded, the battery module 10, The battery pack 1 including 20) and the vehicle V including the battery pack 1 may be provided.
[68]
In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and is generally used in the technical field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. Of course, various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present invention.
Claims
[Claim 1]
A battery module, comprising: a battery cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells stacked on each other; A pair of end plates provided on both sides of the battery cell assembly; And a cover frame that is coupled to the pair of end plates to cover the battery cell assembly, and is deformed along the expansion direction of the plurality of battery cells when the plurality of battery cells are expanded. .
[Claim 2]
The method of claim 1, wherein the expansion directions of the plurality of battery cells are in both directions of the battery cell assembly, and the cover frame is elastically deformed in both directions of the battery cell assembly when the plurality of battery cells are expanded. Battery module, characterized in that the elastic deformation portion is provided.
[Claim 3]
The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the elastic deformable part is formed to have a predetermined length along a length direction of the battery cell assembly, and is provided in plural to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance along both directions of the battery cell assembly. .
[Claim 4]
The battery module of claim 3, wherein the plurality of elastic deformation portions are convexly protruded outward of the cover frame, and are formed concave in the cover frame.
[Claim 5]
The battery module of claim 4, wherein the plurality of elastic deformable parts are elastically deformed when the plurality of battery cells are expanded, and are flattened along both directions of the cover frame.
[Claim 6]
The battery module of claim 2, wherein the elastic deformable part is provided in a groove shape having a predetermined size, and is provided in plural, and is spaced apart by a predetermined distance along a length direction of the battery cell assembly.
[Claim 7]
According to claim 6, The plurality of elastic deformation parts, Center groove formed in the center of the cover frame; A front edge groove disposed spaced apart from the center groove and provided at a front edge of the cover frame; A plurality of front grooves disposed between the front edge groove and the center groove, spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the front-rear direction of the cover frame, and convexly formed toward the front of the cover frame; A plurality of rear grooves disposed to face each other with the plurality of front grooves and the center groove interposed therebetween and formed to be convex toward the rear of the cover frame; And a rear edge groove disposed spaced apart from the plurality of rear grooves and provided at a rear edge of the cover frame.
[Claim 8]
The method of claim 7, wherein the center groove, the front edge groove, the plurality of front grooves, the plurality of rear grooves, and the rear edge groove are elastically deformed when the plurality of battery cells are expanded, and both sides of the cover frame A battery module, characterized in that it is flattened along the direction.
[Claim 9]
The battery module of claim 7, wherein the center groove is formed to be convex along a front-rear direction of the cover frame.
[Claim 10]
At least one battery module according to claim 1; And a pack case for packaging the at least one battery module.