Title of the invention: Battery module including a connector having a shock absorbing structure
Technical field
[One]
Cross-reference with related application(s)
[2]
This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0022718 filed on February 26, 2019, and all contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent application are included as part of this specification.
[3]
The present invention relates to a battery module, and more particularly, to a battery module in which a module connector connected to an external connector is mounted.
Background
[4]
Since secondary batteries are highly applicable according to product groups and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, they are widely applied to electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles driven by electric drive sources, power storage devices, as well as portable devices. 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.
[5]
A battery pack applied to the electric vehicle or the like has a structure in which a plurality of cell assemblies including a plurality of unit cells are connected in series in order to obtain high output. In addition, the unit cell can be repeatedly charged and discharged by an electrochemical reaction between constituent elements including a positive electrode and a negative electrode current collector, a separator, an active material, an electrolyte, and the like.
[6]
Meanwhile, as the need for a large-capacity structure, including use as an energy storage source, is increasing in recent years, there is an increasing demand for a battery pack having a multi-module structure in which a plurality of secondary batteries are assembled in series and/or in parallel. .
[7]
When configuring a battery pack by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series/parallel, first construct a battery module consisting of at least one battery cell, and then construct a battery pack by adding other components using at least one battery module. 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.
[8]
The battery module packages battery cells and various electronic components in a module case, and includes a module connector connected to an external connector for electrical connection with external devices outside the module case. The external connector may be, for example, a connector for electrically connecting a plurality of battery modules.
[9]
The module connector provided in the existing battery module is firmly fixed to the module case, so when the battery module or a battery pack, which is an assembly thereof, is mounted and driven in a vehicle that is easily exposed to vibration or shock, it receives vibration or shock from the outside. In this case, there was a risk of damage due to not withstanding the load.
Detailed description of the invention
Technical challenge
[10]
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery module having a module connector that provides an elastic force capable of absorbing vibration or shock from the outside.
[11]
However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described problems and may be variously expanded within the scope of the technical idea included in the present invention.
Means of solving the task
[12]
The battery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a cell assembly including at least one battery cell, a module case accommodating the cell assembly, and a mounting surface outside the module case, and is electrically It is connected and includes a module connector to be connected to an external connector from the outside of the module case. The module connector may include a body portion connected to a terminal connected to the battery cell, and a fastening portion configured to have elasticity on one side of the body portion facing the mounting surface of the module case.
[13]
The fastening portion of the module connector may be configured to provide an elastic force in a first direction parallel to the mounting surface or a second direction perpendicular to the mounting surface.
[14]
The fastening portion of the module connector may have portions spaced apart from each other with an interval to form an empty space between the main body portion.
[15]
The fastening portion of the module connector may include at least a pair of elastic supports that are convexly bent outward.
[16]
The pair of elastic supports may have an elliptical shape when viewed in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.
[17]
The elliptical shape may have a width in the first direction greater than a width in the second direction.
[18]
A width of the pair of elastic supports spaced apart in the first direction may be equal to or less than the total width of the body portion measured in the first direction.
[19]
The module connector may further include a mounting end that is fastened to the mounting surface, and the pair of elastic supports may extend in a direction away from the main body portion to be connected to the mounting end at an end thereof.
[20]
The mounting end may be mounted on the mounting surface in a sliding insert structure.
[21]
The fastening portion of the module connector may be molded of a resin material.
[22]
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a battery pack including the at least one battery module and a pack case for packaging the at least one battery module may be provided.
[23]
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a device including the at least one battery pack may be provided.
Effects of the Invention
[24]
According to the embodiment, by providing a structure that provides an elastic force to a portion to which the module connector is fastened in the battery module, even if vibration or shock is transmitted from the outside of the device in which the battery module is mounted, it may be absorbed.
[25]
Furthermore, by providing such a vibration or shock absorbing structure to the fastening portion of the module connector, there is an effect of preventing the module connector connection portion from being loosened or damaged.
Brief description of the drawing
[26]
1 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[27]
2 is a perspective view showing a module connector mounted on a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[28]
3 is a plan view of the module connector shown in FIG. 2.
[29]
4 is an enlarged partial perspective view illustrating a state in which a module connector is mounted in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[30]
5 is an enlarged partial front view showing a state in which the module connector is mounted in the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[31]
6 is a perspective view showing a connector mounted on a battery module of a comparative example.
Mode for carrying out the invention
[32]
Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those of ordinary skill in the art may easily implement the present invention. The present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.
[33]
In addition, throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it means that other components may be further included rather than excluding other components unless otherwise stated.
[34]
1 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[35]
Referring to FIG. 1, the battery module 10 according to the present embodiment includes a module connector 130 mounted on the outside of a module case 150 accommodating a cell assembly 100 therein. The battery cells constituting the cell assembly 100 may be provided as a pouch-type secondary battery, and may be stacked and arranged in a plurality in the cell assembly 100. The plurality of battery cells may be electrically connected to each other, and each of the battery cells may include an electrode assembly, a battery case accommodating the same, and an electrode lead protruding out of the battery case and electrically connected to the electrode assembly.
[36]
The battery module 10 may include various electronic components, and for example, may include an internal circuit board (ICB) or a battery management system (BMS). Electronic components such as the ICB and BMS board may be electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells.
[37]
The module case 150 forms the exterior of the battery module 10 and is provided with a bus bar on at least one side or both sides of the cell assembly 100 located in the direction in which the electrode leads of the cell assembly 100 accommodated therein extend. The assembly may be coupled, and the insulating frame 160 may be coupled to the outside thereof. The bus bar assembly may include a bus bar frame disposed to cover the cell assembly 100 and a bus bar fixed to the bus bar frame. The busbar frame is made of an insulator and includes a lead slot through which electrode leads of the cell assembly 100 can pass, and the busbar can electrically connect the electrode leads of the cell assembly 100.
[38]
The module connector 130 may be coupled to a busbar assembly, in particular a busbar frame. A mounting surface may be formed on the busbar frame, and the module connector 130 may be seated and coupled to the mounting surface. In this case, a sliding groove may be formed on one side and a sliding protrusion may be formed on the other side so that the module connector 130 and the mounting surface have a fastening structure that slides and is inserted into each other.
[39]
On the other hand, the battery module 10 may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) configured to sense battery cells inside the module case 150, and the flexible printed circuit board has a terminal connected to its terminal part. And, the terminal is exposed to the outside of the module case 150 to be connected to the module connector 130. Accordingly, the module connector 130 may be electrically connected to the cell assembly 100 through the flexible printed circuit board.
[40]
2 is a perspective view illustrating a connector mounted on a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the connector shown in FIG. 2.
[41]
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the module connector 130 of the present embodiment includes a body part 131 connected to a terminal and a fastening part 135 used for mounting outside the module case 150. The terminal is electrically connected to the battery cells through a flexible printed circuit board, and the flexible printed circuit board may be connected to the terminal through a terminal portion. Accordingly, the module connector 130 may transmit electrical and thermal data of each battery cell to a measurement and controller such as a BMS.
[42]
The fastening part 135 of the module connector 130 is configured to have elasticity on one side of the body part 131 that faces the mounting surface of the module case 150 to absorb shock or vibration. In this case, the fastening part 135 may be configured to provide an elastic force in a first direction parallel to the mounting surface (x-axis direction) or a second direction perpendicular to the mounting surface (y-axis direction). Accordingly, the module connector 130 may be designed to provide an elastic force in the x-axis direction or the y-axis direction according to an environmental condition in which the module connector 130 is mounted, and the elastic force may be provided in both the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. By providing the elastic force in this way, even if a load in the x-axis direction or the y-axis direction is applied, the fastening part 135 absorbs it, thereby preventing the connection portion of the module connector 130 from loosening or being damaged.
[43]
In order to provide an elastic force in the x-axis direction or the y-axis direction to the module connector 130, as shown in FIG. 3, the fastening part 135 forms an empty space E between the main body part 131 and the body part 131. Can be spaced apart at intervals. At this time, the fastening part 135 may include a pair of elastic supports 135a and 135b that are convex outwardly on both sides, and the elastic supports 135a and 135b extend in a direction away from the main body 131 so that the main body part ( It is connected to the mounting end (135c) at the portion opposite to the 131. The mounting end 135c may have a rail groove and an accommodation space so as to be slidably coupled to the mounting surface, as shown in FIG. 2.
[44]
On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, a pair of elastic support (135a, 135b) is convexly bent outward in opposite directions at both edges and extends from one surface of the body portion 131, which is the mounting end (135c) ) To form a closed curve. When viewed in a third direction (z-axis direction) perpendicular to the x-axis direction and y-axis direction, the elliptical shape has a substantially elliptical shape, wherein the width in the x-axis direction is larger than the width in the y-axis direction. Can be formed.
[45]
In addition, a width of the pair of elastic supports 135a and 135b spaced apart in the x-axis direction may be equal to or smaller than the width of the body part 131. In other words, when in a normal state, the maximum width of the pair of elastic supports 135a and 135b measured in the x-axis direction may be less than or equal to the total width of the body part 131 measured in the same direction. Accordingly, even if a load in the x-axis direction or the y-axis direction is applied to the module connector 130, the elastic supports 135a, 135b of the fastening part 135 protrude out of the area set by the edge of the body part 131 It can prevent interference with surrounding components.
[46]
The fastening part 135 of the module connector 130 as described above may be manufactured by molding a resin into a material. The elastic supports 135a and 135b and the mounting end 135c constituting the fastening part 135 may be integrally formed through mold molding, and the fastening part 135 may be integrally formed with the body part 131. have.
[47]
4 is a partial perspective view showing an enlarged view of a state in which the module connector is mounted in the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a state in which the module connector is mounted in the battery module according to an embodiment It is an enlarged partial front view.
[48]
Referring to Figure 4, the module connector 130 is a mounting surface provided on the bus bar assembly is aligned so that the main body portion 131 faces outward and the fastening portion 135 faces toward the module case 150 containing the cell assembly. It can be slidingly coupled to 142. Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the fastening part 135 of the module connector 130 having the empty space E formed in contact with the module case 150 is coupled to each other. Therefore, the fastening part 135 of the module connector 130 is a vibration or shock applied in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the insulating frame 160 (y-axis direction), or parallel to the main surface of the insulating frame 160 (Or it can absorb vibration or shock applied in a direction perpendicular to the battery module seating surface (x-axis direction).
[49]
In another embodiment of the present invention, a structure in which the elastic support of the fastening portion 135 constituting the module connector 130 is formed in a plurality of pairs may be applied. That is, a plurality of elastic supports are provided on each of the left and right sides, and these elastic supports are convex outwardly and bent to each other to form an elastic structure.
[50]
In another embodiment of the present invention, while the elastic supports of the fastening portions 135 constituting the module connector 130 are formed on both sides as a pair or a plurality of pairs, the elastic supports on both sides convexly face each other. It can be bent while looking to form an elastic structure.
[51]
6 is a perspective view illustrating a module connector mounted on a battery module according to a comparative example.
[52]
The module connector 30 shown in FIG. 6 includes a fastening portion 34 extending from one side of the body portion 32 to which a terminal electrically connected to the battery cell is connected. The fastening part 34 is composed of a plurality of pins so as to be firmly fixed to a mounting surface provided outside the module case, and since such a plurality of pins are fixed in a cluster, it is difficult to provide an elastic force. Therefore, unlike the fastening part of the module connector according to the present embodiment, if it is affected by external vibrations or shocks, the fastening part 34 may be damaged or irreversibly deformed because such vibrations or shocks cannot be absorbed.
[53]
Meanwhile, in the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the battery modules may be packaged in a pack case to form a battery pack.
[54]
The battery module described above and a battery pack including the same may be applied to various devices. Such a device may be applied to a vehicle such as an electric bicycle, an electric vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various devices capable of using a battery module and a battery pack including the same. It belongs to the scope of the invention.
[55]
Although the 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 defined in the following claims are also present. It belongs to the scope of rights of
[56]
Explanation of the sign
[57]
10: battery module 100: cell assembly
[58]
130: module connector 131: main body
[59]
135: fastening parts 135a, 135b: elastic support
[60]
135c: mounting end 142: mounting surface
[61]
150: module case 160: insulation frame
[62]
Claims
[Claim 1]
A cell assembly including at least one battery cell; A module case accommodating the cell assembly; And a module connector mounted on a mounting surface outside the module case, electrically connected to the cell assembly, and connected to an external connector outside the module case, wherein the module connector includes a terminal connected to the battery cell A main body to be connected; A battery module comprising a fastening portion configured to have elasticity on one side of the body portion facing the mounting surface of the module case.
[Claim 2]
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the fastening portion of the module connector is configured to provide an elastic force in a first direction parallel to the mounting surface or a second direction perpendicular to the mounting surface.
[Claim 3]
The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the fastening portion of the module connector has portions spaced apart from each other at an interval to form an empty space between the main body portion.
[Claim 4]
The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the fastening portion of the module connector includes at least a pair of elastic supports that are convexly bent outward.
[Claim 5]
The battery module according to claim 4, wherein the pair of elastic supports form an elliptical shape when viewed in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.
[Claim 6]
The battery module according to claim 5, wherein the elliptical shape has a width in the first direction larger than a width in the second direction.
[Claim 7]
The battery module of claim 4, wherein a width of the pair of elastic supports spaced apart in the first direction is equal to or smaller than the total width of the body part measured in the first direction.
[Claim 8]
The battery module of claim 4, wherein the module connector further includes a mounting end fastened to the mounting surface, and the pair of elastic supports extend in a direction away from the main body and are connected to the mounting end at an end thereof.
[Claim 9]
The battery module according to claim 8, wherein the mounting end is mounted on the mounting surface in a sliding insert structure.
[Claim 10]
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the fastening portion of the module connector is molded with a resin material.
[Claim 11]
At least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 10; And a pack case for packaging the at least one battery module.
[Claim 12]
A device comprising at least one battery pack according to claim 11.