KR102657580B1 - Battery module having a transformable serial-parallel connection structure and Method for assembling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery assembly, and more specifically, to a battery module having a series-parallel connection structure in which the series-parallel structure within the module can be changed in various ways with minimal change, and a method of assembling the same.
According to the present invention, the series-parallel structure within the battery module can be changed in various ways with minimal changes by configuring the unit battery cell as a one-cell assembly and fixing the series-parallel connection structure with bolts.

Description

Battery module having a transformable serial-parallel connection structure and Method for assembling the same}

The present invention relates to a battery assembly, and more specifically, to a battery module having a series-parallel connection structure in which the series-parallel structure within the module can be changed in various ways with minimal change, and a method of assembling the same.

Recently, high-energy battery packs are being developed as batteries increase in capacity. Accordingly, battery cells are organized in parallel to increase capacity. However, when the series component is increased, only the voltage component increases, making it impossible to use the existing charging and charging infrastructure.

In addition, as the commonization of cells is promoted, battery packs of the same size but with the internal connection structure changed to 1P (Parallel), 2P, 3P, and 4P are being released. In this case, the battery cells are composed of 1P2S (Serial), 2P1S, 3P2S, 2P1Sx2, etc. In this case, if the series-parallel connection structure inside the module is changed when developing an existing battery module, specifications for manufacturing a new battery module must be developed.

Accordingly, there was a problem of excessive investment costs due to the need to change and manufacture assembly facilities. To elaborate, previously developed battery modules were constructed by connecting battery cells by welding. A drawing showing this is shown in Figure 1. Referring to FIG. 1, the battery cell (-) lead 120 and the battery cell (+) lead 130 are connected to the bus bar 140 by welding. In other words, it has a connection structure through welding between the battery cell lead and the bus bar.

However, in the case of this welding method, there are quality problems such as difficulty in configuring equipment due to welding conditions and difficulty in inspection when welding parallel sections. To elaborate, since it has a connection structure by welding between the battery cell leads and the bus bar, for example, when changing the structure from 2 cells in parallel to 3 cells in parallel, the structural changes were excessive, so development was developed in the direction of new manufacturing.

Additionally, even if the component configuration is the same, if the parallel structure is changed, there is a problem of having to build new equipment to implement the process/welding structure.

1. Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2005-0121908 2. Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2005-0106540

The present invention has been proposed to solve the problems caused by the above background technology, and its purpose is to provide a battery module that can variously change the series-parallel structure within the module with minimal changes and a method of assembling the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and a method of assembling the same that can secure the insulation distance between terminals and/or safety during compression even if the current/voltage increases due to an increase in the number of module stacks.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module that can respond to various changes in bus bar thickness/width/path according to increased energy specifications and a method of assembling the same.

The present invention can provide a battery module in which the series-parallel structure within the module can be changed in various ways with minimal change in order to achieve the problems presented above.

The battery module is,

first end plate 301;

A plurality of unit battery cells 310 arranged in a stacked manner inside the first end plate 301 and each having a cell lead coupling portion 330 formed at both ends;

A bus bar that connects the first block 610 and the second block 620, which are combined with the cell lead coupling part 330 and can be modified in block units to connect the plurality of unit batteries 310 in series and parallel. Connection 320; and

It may be characterized by including a second end plate 302 assembled with a first end plate 301 and a fixing member 303 to be in close contact with the outermost surface of the plurality of unit batteries 310.

Additionally, the plurality of unit batteries 310 include one battery cell 212; and a battery package 211 packaging the battery cell 212.

Additionally, the first block 610 and the second block 620 may be characterized in that several of the plurality of unit batteries 310 are connected in parallel.

Additionally, the first block 610 and the second block 620 may be arranged rotated by 180 degrees so that they have different electrodes.

In addition, the bus bar connection portion 320 may be characterized in that fastening portions 421 for being coupled to the cell lid coupling portion 330 are formed in a bracket shape at both ends.

In addition, the fastening part 421 and the cell lid coupling part 330 may be fastened by a bolting method.

Additionally, the battery cell 212 may be a pouch-type battery cell.

Additionally, the bus bar connection portion 320 may have various widths.

On the other hand, another embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of disposing the first end plate 301; stacking and arranging a plurality of unit battery cells 310 each having cell lead coupling portions 330 formed at both ends inside the first end plate 301; Placing a second end plate 302 on the outermost surface of the plurality of unit batteries 310; assembling the first end plate 301 and the second end plate 302 with a fixing member 303 so as to be in close contact with the outermost surface; And a bus bar connection part 320 is connected to the cell lead coupling part so that the first block 610 and the second block 620, which are formed in block units, can be modified to connect the plurality of unit batteries 310 in series and parallel. A method of assembling a battery module having a deformable series-parallel connection structure can be provided, comprising the step of combining with (330).

According to the present invention, the series-parallel structure within the battery module can be changed in various ways with minimal changes by configuring the unit battery cell as a one-cell assembly and fixing the series-parallel connection structure with bolts.

In addition, another effect of the present invention is the specification that secures the separation distance between connecting bus bars by applying a two-way battery cell, so that even if the current and/or voltage increases due to an increase in the number of battery module stacks, the insulation distance between terminals and/or safety during compression is maintained. The point is that it can be secured.

In addition, another effect of the present invention is that the bus bar thickness/width/path can be varied in response to increased energy specifications, so there is an advantage in that various package configurations are possible.

Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of generally connecting battery cells by welding.
Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a connection configuration of a unit battery configured using a connection bus bar according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the battery module 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the bus bar connection portion 320 shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the unit battery 310 shown in FIG. 2.
Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram of configuring three unit batteries in parallel to form one block according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a side perspective view of the battery module 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention can make various changes and have various embodiments, and specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

When describing each drawing, similar reference numerals are used for similar components. Terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may be referred to as a first component without departing from the scope of the present invention. The term “and/or” includes any of a plurality of related stated items or a combination of a plurality of related stated items.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains.

Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related technology, and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless explicitly defined in the present application. It shouldn't be.

Hereinafter, a battery module having a deformable series-parallel connection structure and an assembly method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a connection configuration of a unit battery 210 configured using a connection bus bar according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the unit battery 210 consists of one battery cell 212 and a battery package 211 packaging the battery cell 212. Of course, the battery package 211 includes a housing (not shown) in which the battery cell 212 is seated, a front cover and a rear cover (not shown) assembled on the front and back of the housing (not shown).

The battery cell 212 may be designed as a cylindrical cell, prismatic cell, pouch-type cell, etc. Pouch-type cells include a flexible cover made of a thin film, and the electrical components of the battery cell are disposed within the cover.

In order to achieve optimal use of space within a single battery cell, pouch-type cells are especially used. The pouch-type cells also feature low weight along with high capacity. In general, pouch-type cells may contain an electrolytic solution, such as a lithium secondary battery or nickel-hydrogen battery.

Additionally, the battery cell can be a high-voltage battery for electric vehicles, such as a nickel metal battery, lithium-ion battery, or lithium polymer battery.

In general, a high-voltage battery is a battery used as a power source for electric vehicles and has a high voltage of 100V or more. However, it is not limited to this, and low-voltage batteries are also possible.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 2 , the unit batteries 210 can be created in various parallel configurations using the connection points 201 . To elaborate, the two-cell parallel configuration 220 connects the same electrodes of two unit batteries 210 through two connection points 201 at both ends. The three-cell parallel configuration 230 connects the same electrodes of three unit batteries 210 to three connection points 201 at both ends. The four-cell parallel configuration 230 connects the same electrodes of four unit batteries 210 to four connection points 201 at both ends. Here, the connection point 201 may be a bolting point using a bolting method. Of course, in addition to the bolting method, a connector method, etc. may be used.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the battery module 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3 and its partially enlarged view, the battery module 300 includes a first end plate 301, which is stacked and arranged inside the first end plate 301, and has cell lid coupling portions 330 at both ends. A first end plate ( 301) and a second end plate 302 assembled with a fixing member 303.

In detail, looking at the assembly order, the first end plate 301 is placed. Thereafter, a plurality of unit battery cells 310 each having cell lead coupling portions 330 formed at both ends are stacked and arranged inside the first end plate 301.

Thereafter, the second end plate 302 is placed on the outermost surface of the right unit battery 310, and the first end plate 301 and the second end plate 302 are attached to the fixing member (302) in close contact with the outermost surface. 303) and assemble. Of course, for this purpose, through holes (not shown) are formed on the surface of the package and end plates 301 and 302 of the unit battery 310. There may be a plurality of fixing members 303, and they may be formed at each corner.

Afterwards, the bus bar connection part 320 is coupled to the cell lead coupling part 330 so that an appropriate number of unit batteries 310 are connected in series and parallel.

Of course, this assembly process is performed through mechanical automation, and since this assembly process is already widely known, further description will be omitted for a clear understanding of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the bus bar connection portion 320 shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4, the bus bar connection portion 320 may have a body 420 and fastening portions 421 for coupling to the cell lid coupling portion 330 formed in a bracket shape at both ends. The fastening part 421 and the cell lid coupling part 330 are fastened through bolts 411 and 412. The parts connected through these bolts 411 and 412 become high voltage (-) or high voltage (+) 401. That is, the upper part becomes high voltage (-), and the lower part becomes high voltage (+). Of course, in the case of the portion not connected by the bus bar connection portion 320, the upper portion becomes the cell electrode (+) 320 and the lower portion becomes the cell electrode (-).

In Figure 4, three unit batteries 310 are illustrated as one block, and the widths of the body 420 of the bus bar connection part 320 are varied to form two unit batteries 310 into one block, or 4 You can make one block of dogs, or you can make four or more dogs into one block. In other words, various combinations are possible by changing the bus bar connection part 320 by configuring the width of the bus bar connection part 320 in a different shape. Of course, the stacked unit batteries 310 are also changed accordingly. For example, when four unit batteries 310 are made into one block, four unit batteries 310 are placed with the same electrode and the other four unit batteries are placed with the same electrode different from the previous four unit batteries. , these arrangements must be done alternately.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the unit battery 310 shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 5, the (-) terminal is placed at the right end of the unit battery 310, and the (+) terminal is placed at the left end.

Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram of configuring three unit batteries in parallel to form one block according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 6, three unit batteries are connected in parallel to form several blocks. Accordingly, all three unit batteries in the first block 610 have the same (+) electrode, and all three unit batteries in the second block 620 have the same (-) electrode.

That is, the unit batteries of the second block 620 are rotated by 180 degrees and arranged so that the second block 620 has different electrodes from the first block 610 . These arrangements are made alternately to form one battery module.

Figure 7 is a side perspective view of the battery module 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the left side of the battery module 300 is shown, and similarly, the right side is also configured in the same way.

210, 310: unit battery
301: first end plate 302: second end plate
303: fixing member
320: Busbar connection part
330: Cellid coupling part
411: bolt
420: body
421: fastening part
610: first block 620: second block

Claims (9)

first end plate 301;
A plurality of unit battery cells 310 arranged in a stacked manner inside the first end plate 301 and each having a cell lead coupling portion 330 formed at both ends;
A bus bar that connects the first block 610 and the second block 620, which are combined with the cell lead coupling part 330 and can be modified in block units to connect the plurality of unit batteries 310 in series and parallel. Connection 320; and
It includes a second end plate 302 assembled with a first end plate 301 and a fixing member 303 in close contact with the outermost surface of the plurality of unit batteries 310,
The bus bar connection part 320 has fastening parts 421 formed in a bracket shape at both ends to be coupled to the cell lid coupling part 330,
A battery module having a deformable series-parallel connection structure, wherein the fastening part 421 and the cell lead coupling part 330 are fastened by a bolting method.
According to claim 1,
The plurality of unit batteries 310 include one battery cell 212; and a battery package 211 packaging the battery cells 212. A battery module having a deformable series-parallel connection structure.
According to claim 1,
A battery module having a deformable series-parallel connection structure, wherein the first block 610 and the second block 620 connect several of the plurality of unit batteries 310 in parallel.
According to claim 1,
A battery module having a deformable series-parallel connection structure, wherein the first block 610 and the second block 620 are arranged in a state rotated by 180 degrees so as to have different electrodes.
delete delete According to claim 2,
A battery module having a deformable series-parallel connection structure, wherein the battery cell 212 is a pouch-type battery cell.
According to claim 1,
A battery module having a deformable series-parallel connection structure, wherein the bus bar connection portion 320 has various widths.
Placing a first end plate (301);
stacking and arranging a plurality of unit battery cells 310 each having cell lead coupling portions 330 formed at both ends inside the first end plate 301;
Placing a second end plate 302 on the outermost surface of the plurality of unit batteries 310;
assembling the first end plate 301 and the second end plate 302 with a fixing member 303 so as to be in close contact with the outermost surface; and
The bus bar connection part 320 is connected to the cell lead coupling part ( 330) and combining with;
The bus bar connection part 320 has fastening parts 421 formed in a bracket shape at both ends to be coupled to the cell lid coupling part 330,
The assembly method of a battery module having a deformable series-parallel connection structure, characterized in that the fastening portion 421 and the cell lid coupling portion 330 are fastened by a bolting method.

Images