PACKING STRUCTURE FOR LITHIUM ION POLYMER BATTERY
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a packing
structure for a lithium ion polymer battery. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a packing
structure for a lithium ion polymer battery wherein a
battery protection member is fixed to the outer
circumference of a battery casing for housing the
battery so that the battery contained in the battery
casing can be protected from external impact. Further,
the present invention relates to a packing structure for
a lithium ion polymer battery, which reduces the whole
size of a battery so that a device operated by the
battery can be downsized.
Background Art
In general, as shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, a lithium
ion polymer battery 1, also referred to as a "pouch
battery", includes: a main casing body 2 having an inner
space 2a of a predetermined size; a cover 3 coupled
rotatably to the main casing body 2; a predetermined
number of electrode assemblies 4 inserted in the inner
space 2a of the main casing body 2, the electrode
assembly including a cathode plate 4a, an anode plate 4b
and a separator 4c; tabs 5 extending longitudinally and
outwardly from the ends of the cathode plate 4a and the
anode plate 4b of the electrode assemblies 4; and a
cathode terminal 6 and an anode terminal 7 connected to
each tab 5.
Additionally, in the top edge of the inner space
2a of the main casing body 2, an extension portion 2b
extending horizontally and outwardly by a predetermined
width is formed for the purpose of heat fusion. Further,
the central part of each of the cathode terminal 6 and
the anode terminal 7 connected to the tab 5 is coated
with an insulation tape 8 formed of a non-conductive
material. The insulation tape 8 is aimed to prevent a
short circuit between a heat fusion device (not shown)
and electrode terminals 6,7, when the extension portion
2b of the main casing body 2 is fused with an edge
portion 3a of the cover 3 by means of the heat fusion
device.
The above-mentioned pouch type lithium ion polymer
battery according to the prior art may be prepared by
the method as described hereinafter.
First, a predetermined number of electrode
assemblies 4 including the cathode plate 4a, the anode
plate 4b and the separator 4c are inserted into the
inner space 2a of the main casing body 2. Next, a
predetermined amount of electrolyte is injected into the
inner space 2a.
In this state, the tabs 5 of each electrode
assembly 4 are connected to the corresponding electrode
terminals 6,7 coated with the insulation tape 8 at the
central part thereof. Additionally, each electrode
terminal 6,7 and the insulation tape 8 are partially
protruded from the main casing body 2 and the cover 3.
Then, the cover 3 is caused to be in close contact
with the main casing body 2. Next, the extension portion
2b of the main casing body 2 and the edge portion 3a of
the cover 3 are sealed using the heat fusion device so
as to prevent leakage of the electrolyte.
However, such a conventional pouch type lithium
ion polymer battery has problems in that an extension
portion formed at the top edge of a main casing body for
housing a predetermined number of electrode assemblies
so that it can be heat-fused to the corresponding edge
portion of a cover is too large compared to the
effective size of the electrode assembly, and that the
outer circumference of the main casing body coupled to
the cover is wrapped with a separate plastic casing,
thereby increasing the whole size of battery.
Disclosure of the Invention
Therefore, the present invention has been made in
view of the above-mentioned problems. It is an object 6f
the present invention to provide a packing structure for
a lithium ion polymer battery, which protects a battery
from external impact while minimizing an increase in
size of the whole battery.
It is another object of the present invention to
provide a packing structure for a lithium ion polymer
battery, which protects a battery safely when it is
mounted on a charger or any desired devices and thus has
a possibility of overcharge/overdischarge being
generated, by interrupting the connection between the
battery and the charger or devices promptly.
According to an aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a packing structure for a lithium ion
polymer battery, which includes: a battery casing
including a lower multilayer polymer and an upper
multilayer polymer, wherein the lower multilayer polymer
has an inner space of a predetermined size for housing
at least one electrode assembly and an electrolyte and
is provided with an extension portion extending radially
and outwardly from the top edge of each vertical portion
of the lower multilayer polymer, and a part of the upper
multilayer polymer is coupled rotatably to a part of the
extension portion of the lower multilayer polymer and
remaining parts of the upper multilayer polymer are
sealed to remaining parts of the extension portion of
the lower multilayer polymer; and a battery protection
member, which wraps the outer circumference of the
battery casing so that the battery contained in the
battery casing can be protected from external impact,
and is fixed integrally by a part of the sealed
extension portions.
Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings
The foregoing and other objects, features and
advantages of the present invention will become more
apparent from the following detailed description when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view
showing a conventional pouch type battery according to
the prior art;
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the
pouch type battery as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view
showing a battery protection member and a PCB
(protection circuit board) applied to the packing
structure for a lithium ion polymer battery according to
the present invention, as provided separately from each
other;
FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view
showing a battery protection member and a PCB
(protection circuit board) applied to the packing
structure for a lithium ion polymer battery according to
the present invention, as coupled integrally to each
other;
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing how
to fix a battery protection member applied to the
packing structure for a lithium ion polymer battery
according to the present invention to the outer
circumference of a battery casing;
FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the
packing structure for a lithium ion polymer battery as
shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a
cover-shaped battery protection member applied to the
packing structure for a lithium ion polymer battery
according to the present invention; and
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a
"?"-shaped battery protection member applied to the
packing structure for a lithium ion polymer battery
according to the present invention.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
Reference will now be made in detail to the
preferred embodiments of the present invention as shown
in FIGs. 3 to 8.
FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view
showing a battery protection member and a PCB
(protection circuit board) applied to the packing
structure for a lithium ion polymer battery according to
the present invention, as provided separately from each
other. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing
how to fix a battery protection member applied to the
packing structure for a lithium ion polymer battery
according to the present invention to the outer
circumference of a battery casing.
As shown in FIGs. 3 and 5, the packing structure
according to the present invention includes:
a battery casing 11 including a lower multilayer
polymer 9 and an upper multilayer polymer 10, wherein
the lower multilayer polymer 9 has an inner space 9a of
a predetermined size for housing at least one electrode
assembly (not shown) and an electrolyte and is provided
with an extension portion 9b extending radially and
outwardly from the top edge of each vertical portion of
the lower multilayer polymer 9, a part of the upper
multilayer polymer 10 is coupled rotatably to a part of
the extension portion 9b of the lower multilayer polymer
9 and remaining parts of the upper multilayer polymer 10
are sealed to remaining parts of the extension portion
9b of the lower multilayer polymer 9; and
a battery protection member 13, which wraps the
outer circumference of the battery casing 11 so that the
battery contained in the battery casing can be protected
from external impact, and is fixed integrally by a part
of the sealed extension portions 12.
More particularly, the battery protection member
13 may have the shape of a hollow frame 14 corresponding
to the edges of the battery casing 11. Otherwise, it may
have the shape of a cover 15 for tightly wrapping outer
surfaces of the lower multilayer polymer 9 forming one
side of the battery casing 11 (See FIGs. 3, 5 and 7).
Additionally, at least one crossing member (not
shown) facing to the outer surface of the battery casing
11 may be formed on one side of the hollow frame 14 at
predetermined intervals.
In another embodiment, the battery protection
member 13 may have the shape of a " "-shaped battery
protection member 16 which wraps both the top surface
and the bottom surface of the battery casing 11 (See
FIG. 8).
Further, a vertical extension portion 16a for
wrapping the lateral surfaces of the battery casing 11
may be formed at both sides of the " "-shaped battery
protection member 16.
Meanwhile, the battery protection member 13 may be
made of plastics, metals or combinations thereof. Any
materials that can be injected or processed with ease
while maintaining a desired strength may be used in the
battery protection member 13.
Preferably, the front part of the extension
portion 9b facing to both electrode terminals 17, 18
protruded out from the battery casing 11 is fitted with
a PCB (protection circuit board) 19 in such a manner
that the PCB 19 can be coupled detachably with the
battery protection member 13 (See FIG. 5 and FIG. 6) .
The PCB 19 is provided with a battery protection circuit
(not shown) connected to both electrode terminals 17, 18
so as to prevent overcharge or overdischarge of the
battery, and an outlet port 19a for making electric,
connections between both electrode terminals 17, 1,8' Of
the battery and an external device (not shown) through
the battery protection circuit.
Particularly, the PCB 19 may be formed to be
integrated with a part of the battery protection member
13 in a state wherein the PCB 19 is positioned in a
molding space of an injection molding apparatus (See
FIG. 4).
Hereinafter, a process for manufacturing a battery
by using the above-described packing structure for a
lithium ion polymer battery according to the present
invention will be explained with reference to FIGs. 3, 5
and 6 .
First, a predetermined number of electrode
assemblies (not shown) are positioned in the inner space
9a of the lower multilayer polymer 9 forming one side of
the battery casing 11 and a predetermined amount of
electrolyte is injected into the inner space 9a.
Next, the lower multilayer polymer 9 is covered
with the upper multilayer polymer 10 forming the other
side of the battery casing 11. The extension portion 9b
of the lower multilayer polymer 9 and the corresponding
part of the upper multilayer polymer 10 are heat fused
together by means of a heat fusion device (not shown) to
seal them.
Further, the battery casing 11 is turned upside
down and the battery protection member 13 is fixed to
the outer circumference of the battery casing 11. Then,
both lateral parts of the sealed extension portion 12
formed between the upper multilayer polymer 10 and the
lower multilayer polymer 9 are folded and attached to
the corresponding lateral surfaces of the battery
protection member 13.
In this state, both the cathode terminal 17 and
the anode terminal 18, connected to the battery
contained in the battery casing 11, protrude out from
the front part of the extension portidm 9b of the
battery casing 11.
Next, the PCB 19 provided with a battery
protection circuit (not shown) and the outlet port 19a
is aligned with the front part of the extension portion
9b of the lower multilayer polymer 9 in the battery
casing 11. Finally, the battery protection circuit of
the PCB 19 is connected to each of the electrode
terminals 17, 18 and then the PCB 19 is attached to the
adjacent counterpart.
Industrial Applicability
As can be seen from the foregoing, according to
the present invention, it is possible to protect a
battery safely from external impacts while minimizing an
increase in size of the whole battery.
Further, it is possible to protect a battery
safely when it is mounted on a charger or any desired
devices and thus has a possibility of overcharge/
overdischarge being generated, by interrupting the
connection between the battery and the charger or
devices promptly.
WE CLASH :
1. A packing structure for a lithium ion polymer
battery, which comprises:
a battery casing having a lower multilayer polymer
and an upper multilayer polymer, wherein the lower
multilayer polymer has an inner space for housing at
least one electrode assembly and an electrolyte and is
provided with an extension portion extending radially
and outwardly from a top edge of each vertical portion
of the lower multilayer polymer, a part of the upper
multilayer polymer is coupled rotatably to a part of the
extension portion of the lower multilayer polymer and
remaining parts of the upper multilayer polymer are
sealed to remaining parts of the extension portion of
the lower multilayer polymer; and
a battery protection member, which wraps outer
circumference of the battery casing so that the battery
contained in the battery casing can be protected from
external impact, and is fixed integrally by a part of
the sealed extension portions.
2. The packing structure for a lithium ion polymer
battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery
protection member is a hollow frame facing to edges of
the battery casing.
3. The packing structure for a lithium ion polymer
battery as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one
crossing member facing to an outer surface of the
battery casing is formed on one side of the hollow frame
at predetermined intervals.
4. The packing structure for a lithium ion polymer
battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery
protection member is a cover for tightly wrapping outer
surfaces of the lower multilayer polymer forming one
side of the battery casing.
5. The packing structure for a lithium ion polymer
battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery
protection member is a " "-shaped battery protection
member which wraps both top surface and bottom surface
of the battery casing.
6. The packing structure for a lithium ion polymer
battery as claimed in claim 5, wherein a vertical
extension portion for wrapping lateral surfaces of the
battery casing is formed at both sides of the " "-shaped
battery protection member.
7. The packing structure for a lithium ion polymer
battery as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
a front part of the extension portion facing to both
electrode terminals protruded out from the battery
casing is fitted with a PCB (protection circuit board)
in such a manner that the PCB can be coupled detachably
with the battery protection member, the PCB being
provided with a battery protection circuit connected to
both electrode terminals so as to prevent overcharge or
overdischarge of the battery and an outlet port for
making electric connections between both electrode
terminals of the battery and an external device through
the battery protection circuit.
8. The packing structure for a lithium ion polymer
battery as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 4,
wherein the battery protection member is integrally
formed with a PCB (protection circuit board) , the PCB
being provided with a battery protection circuit
connected to both electrode terminals so as to prevent
overcharge or overdischarge of the battery and an outlet
port for making electric connections between both
electrode terminals of the battery and an external
device through the battery protection circuit.

Disclosed is a packing structure for a lithium ion
polymer battery, which comprises: a battery casing (11)
having a lower multilayer polymer (9) and an upper
multilayer polymer (10), wherein the lower multilayer
polymer has an inner space (9a) of a predetermined size
for housing at least one electrode assembly and an
electrolyte and is provided with an extension portion
(9b) extending radially and outwardly from a top edge of
each vertical portion of the lower multilayer polymer
(9), a part of the upper multilayer polymer (10) is
coupled rotatably to a part of the extension portion
(9b) of the lower multilayer polymer (9) and remaining
parts of the upper multilayer polymer (10) are sealed to
remaining parts of the extension portion (9b) of the
lower multilayer polymer (9); and a battery protection
member, which wraps the outer circumference of the
battery casing so that the battery contained in the
battery casing (11) can be protected from external
impact, and is fixed integrally by a part of the sealed
extension portions. The packing structure can protect a
battery from external impact while minimizing an
increase in size of the whole battery.