CN219476836U

CN219476836U - Battery module and battery pack including the same

Info

Publication number: CN219476836U
Application number: CN202190000654.8U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 辛济焕; 金冠佑; 成准烨
Original assignee: LG Energy Solution Ltd
Current assignee: LG Energy Solution Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-13
Filing date: 2021-11-12
Publication date: 2023-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2031-11-12
Also published as: DE212021000285U1; WO2022103186A1; KR20220065586A

Abstract

The battery module according to the present utility model includes: a plurality of cell stacks, each of the plurality of cell stacks including at least one cell; and a single module frame accommodating a plurality of battery cell stacks, wherein each of the plurality of battery cell stacks includes electrode leads protruding from both ends in a length direction of the battery cell stack, the plurality of battery cell stacks being disposed in the module frame such that the length direction of the battery cell stack coincides with the length direction of the module frame, the electrode leads of one of the plurality of battery cell stacks being directly connected with the electrode leads of another adjacent battery cell stack.

Description

Battery module and battery pack including the same

Technical Field

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority and rights of korean patent application No. 10-2020-0152278, filed on 11/13/2020 to korean intellectual property office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present utility model relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, which improve space utilization and minimize components.

Background

Rechargeable batteries are attracting attention as energy sources in a variety of product categories (e.g., mobile devices and electric vehicles). Such rechargeable batteries are a powerful energy source that can replace the use of conventional products employing fossil fuels.

Recently, as the demand for a large-capacity rechargeable battery structure including using rechargeable batteries as energy storage sources increases, the demand for a battery pack having a multi-module structure in which a plurality of rechargeable batteries are battery modules mounted in series/combined in parallel is increasing.

On the other hand, when a battery pack is formed by coupling a plurality of battery cells in series installation/parallel connection, a method of forming a battery pack by forming a battery module including at least one battery cell and adding other constituent elements to the battery using at least one battery module is generally used.

Such a battery module may include a cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, and a module frame accommodating the cell stack.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional battery module. Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a battery pack including the battery module of fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a conventional battery module 100' includes: a cell stack 11 formed by stacking a plurality of cells; a lower frame 21 accommodating the battery cell stack 11; an upper plate 22 covering an upper portion of the cell stack 11; end plates 31 provided at the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 11, respectively; and a bus bar frame 32 disposed between the cell stack 11 and the end plate 31.

The cell stacks 11 are configured such that one cell stack 11 is accommodated in one module frame, i.e., between the lower frame 21 and the upper frame 22. When these components are configured as the battery pack 10', as shown in fig. 2, the battery modules 100' are arranged to form two columns in the battery pack frame 20' (i.e., the lengthwise direction of the battery modules is arranged along the x-axis direction, and in this case, two battery modules are located in one row parallel to the x-axis direction). In this case, as shown in fig. 2, the two end plates and the two bus bar frames are disposed to overlap each other between the two battery modules 100' whose ends in the length direction face each other. Therefore, there is a problem that: redundant and unnecessary components are added, and thus, space utilization is reduced, thereby reducing the energy density of the battery pack.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide a battery module with minimized components and a battery pack comprising the battery module.

However, the problem to be solved by the present utility model is not limited to the above-described one, and can be variously expanded within the scope of the technical idea encompassed by the present utility model.

Technical proposal

A battery module according to an embodiment of the present utility model includes: a plurality of cell stacks, each of the plurality of cell stacks including at least one cell; and a single module frame accommodating a plurality of battery cell stacks, wherein each of the plurality of battery cell stacks includes electrode leads protruding from opposite ends in a length direction of the battery cell stack, the plurality of battery cell stacks are disposed in the module frame so that the length direction of the battery cell stack coincides with the length direction of the module frame, and the electrode leads of one of the plurality of battery cell stacks are directly connected with the electrode leads of another adjacent battery cell stack.

The plurality of battery cell stacks may include a first battery cell stack and a second battery cell stack disposed side by side along a length direction of the battery cell stack so that the respective electrode leads face each other, and an electrode lead protruding toward an end of the first battery cell stack in the first direction and an electrode lead protruding toward an end of the second battery cell stack in the second direction may be directly connected to each other. The first direction and the second direction may be oriented in opposite directions in the length direction of the battery cell stack.

The electrode leads protruding toward the end of the first cell stack in the first direction may be directly connected to the electrode leads protruding toward the end of the second cell stack in the second direction by welding.

The electrode leads protruding toward the end of the first cell stack in the longitudinal direction of the cell stack in the first cell stack may be connected in series with the electrode leads protruding toward the end of the second cell stack in the longitudinal direction of the cell stack in the second cell stack.

The battery module may further include a pair of end plates covering the electrode leads protruding toward the end of the first cell stack in the second direction and the electrode leads protruding toward the end of the second cell stack in the first direction.

The battery module may further include a pair of bus bar frames disposed between the end plates and the first and second cell stacks, respectively.

The module frame may include a lower frame covering the entire side surfaces and the entire lower surface of the plurality of battery cell stacks, and an upper plate covering the entire upper surface of the plurality of battery cell stacks.

The upper plate may include a concave portion that is concave toward the lower frame corresponding to a region between the plurality of battery cell stacks.

A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present utility model includes: at least one battery module as described above; and a battery pack case accommodating the at least one battery module.

In the battery pack case, only one battery module may be provided at one side parallel to the length direction of the battery module.

Advantageous effects

According to the embodiment, by providing a plurality of battery modules directly connected to the electrode leads in one module frame, although including two or more battery cell stacks, it may be provided without adding additional components. Accordingly, in a battery pack including such a battery module, the energy density of the battery pack may be improved by reducing the number of unnecessary parts to reduce the weight and increasing the space utilization.

The effects of the present utility model are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to a conventional art.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a battery pack including the battery module of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion C of fig. 4 when viewed from the front.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a battery pack including the battery module of fig. 3.

Fig. 7 illustrates a portion of a battery cell stack and an upper plate opposite to each other in a battery module according to another embodiment of the present utility model.

Detailed Description

The present utility model will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the utility model are shown. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the described embodiments may be modified in numerous different ways, all of which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the utility model.

The drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

In addition, for better understanding and ease of description, the size and thickness of each of the configurations shown in the drawings are arbitrarily represented, and thus the present utility model is not necessarily limited to the drawings. In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc. are exaggerated for clarity. In addition, in the drawings, the thickness of some layers and regions are exaggerated for better understanding and ease of description.

It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region or substrate is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements present. Furthermore, throughout the specification, the word "on" a target element will be understood to mean above or below the target element, and not necessarily to mean "on" based on a direction opposite to the direction of gravity.

Furthermore, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.

Further, throughout the specification, the expression "on a plane" means that the target portion is viewed from the top, and the expression "on a cross section" means that the cross section formed by vertically cutting the target portion is viewed from the side.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present utility model. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion C of fig. 4 when viewed from the front.

Referring to fig. 3 to 5, a battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present utility model includes: a plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120 in which a plurality of battery cells 111 are stacked; a module frame 200 accommodating the plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120; and a pair of end plates 300 surrounding opposite ends of the module frame 200 accommodating the plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120.

As shown in fig. 4, each of the plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120 includes a plurality of battery cells 111 stacked in one direction, and the plurality of battery cells 111 are stacked in the y-axis direction. The battery cell 111 is preferably a pouch-type battery cell. For example, in the battery cell 111, the two electrode leads 112 are opposite to each other, and thus the battery cell 111 has a structure in which the two electrode leads 112 protrude from opposite ends of the battery cell 111 in the length direction (i.e., an end of the first direction x1 and an end of the second direction x2 in the x-axis direction in fig. 4), respectively. Accordingly, as shown in fig. 4, a plurality of battery cells 111 are stacked in the x-axis direction, and thus the plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120 include electrode leads 112 protruding to both ends in the x-axis direction. The plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120 may be disposed in the module frame 200 in the z-axis direction and cooled by a thermally conductive resin layer (not shown) formed on the bottom of the module frame 200.

The module frame 200 for receiving the battery cell stacks 110 and 120 may include an upper plate 220 and a lower frame 210. The lower frame 210 is formed in a U-shape to accommodate the plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120 arranged in the length direction. The upper plate 220 may be formed in a plate-shaped structure covering the upper parts of the plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120 mounted on the lower frame 210. That is, the lower frame 210 may cover the lower surfaces and both sides of the plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120, and the upper plate 220 may cover the remaining upper surfaces (z-axis direction). The upper plate 220 and the lower frame 210 are integrated by welding or the like in a state in which the respective corners are in contact with each other, thereby forming a structure covering the plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120 in the horizontal and vertical directions. The plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120 may be physically protected by the upper plate 220 and the lower frame 210. For this, the upper plate 220 and the lower frame 210 may include a metal material having a predetermined strength.

Further, although not specifically shown, the module frame 200 according to the modification may be a single frame in which an upper surface, a lower surface, and both sides are integrated in a metal plate form. That is, the single frame is not a structure in which the lower frame 210 and the upper plate 220 are combined with each other, but may have a structure in which an upper surface, a lower surface, and both sides are integrated by extrusion molding.

On the other hand, the plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120 are arranged such that the length direction (x-axis direction) of the plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120 in the module frame 200 coincides with the length direction (x-axis direction) of the module frame 200. In this case, the plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120 are disposed such that the electrode leads 112 face the adjacent battery cell stacks, and therefore, the electrode leads 112 are in direct contact with each other. The plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120 are disposed so as not to overlap each other in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the module frame 200.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of cell stacks 110 and 120 may include a first cell stack 110 and a second cell stack 120. However, the present utility model is not limited thereto, but may be configured to include a large number of battery cell stacks.

The first and second battery cell stacks 110 and 120 are disposed side by side in the length direction (x-axis direction) of the battery module 100, that is, in the length direction of the battery cell stacks 110 and 120 and the module frame 200, so that the respective electrode leads 112 are disposed to face each other. More specifically, the electrode leads 112 protruding in the first direction x1 of the x-axis in the first cell stack 110 are disposed to face the electrode leads 112 protruding in the second direction x2 of the x-axis in the second cell stack 120, and in this case, the electrode leads 112 facing each other are directly connected such that the first cell stack 110 and the second cell stack 120 can be electrically connected. Here, as shown in fig. 4, the first direction x1 and the second direction x2 of the x-axis are directions toward opposite sides in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction).

That is, the electrode lead 112 protruding in the first direction x1 of the x-axis in the first cell stack 110 and the electrode lead 112 protruding in the second direction x2 of the x-axis in the second cell stack 120 are directly connected to each other to achieve electrical connection. Thus, no additional electrical connection arrangements need be added between the two. Further, as described above with reference to fig. 2, when a divided battery module is included, two end plates and two bus bar frames should be further included between the first and second battery cell stacks 110 and 120, and in the present embodiment, since the electrode leads 112 facing each other are directly connected, the above-described components may be omitted.

In this case, the electrode lead 112 protruding in the first direction x1 of the x-axis in the first cell stack 110 and the electrode lead 112 protruding in the second direction x2 of the x-axis in the second cell stack 120 are joined by welding to form a welding line W. Thus, a series electrical connection can be established by such soldering. That is, as shown in fig. 5, the positive electrode lead of the first cell stack 110 and the negative electrode lead of the second cell stack 120 are connected to each other by welding to form a welding line W, and thus, electrical connection of the first cell stack 110 and the second cell stack 120 can be established.

On the other hand, the open sides of the module frame 200, in which the first and second cell stacks 110 and 120 are received, include a pair of end plates 300, respectively, surrounding one end. Specifically, it may include a pair of end plates 300 respectively surrounding a portion provided with the electrode leads 112 protruding toward the end of the second direction x2 of the first cell stack 110 and a portion provided with the electrode leads 112 protruding toward the end of the first direction x1 of the second cell stack 120. Such an end plate 300 may physically protect the cell stacks 110 and 120 and other electronic facilities from external impacts.

Further, a pair of bus bar frames 310 respectively disposed between each end plate 300 and the first and second cell stacks 110 and 120 may be further included. The bus bar frame 310 may be used to guide the connection between the first and second battery cell stacks 110 and 120 and external devices. Specifically, a bus bar (not shown) may be mounted on the bus bar frame 310, and the electrode leads 112 of the battery cell 111 may pass through slits formed in the bus bar frame 310 and then be bent to be coupled with the bus bar. Thus, the battery cells 111 forming each of the first and second battery cell stacks 110 and 120 may be connected in series or in parallel.

In particular, in the embodiment of the present utility model, since the bus bar frame 310 is formed only on one end portion in each of the first and second battery cell stacks 110 and 120 and the opposite end portions face each other such that the electrode leads 112 are directly connected, the first and second battery cell stacks 110 and 120 are connected in series without the bus bar frame 310, two additional bus bar frames 310 may be omitted. Further, as described above, since the end plate 300 is also coupled to only one end of each of the first and second cell stacks 110 and 120, two additional end plates may be omitted as compared to the conventional configuration shown in fig. 1 and 2.

Meanwhile, although not specifically shown, an insulating cover for electrical insulation may be formed between the bus bar frame 310 and the end plate 300.

Referring to fig. 6, the battery pack 10 according to the present embodiment includes at least one battery module 100 (preferably, more than two battery modules 100) and a battery pack case 20 accommodating the at least one battery module 100. In this case, in the battery pack case 20, one battery module 100 is provided at only one side parallel to the length direction (x-axis direction). Therefore, as shown in fig. 6, the battery modules 100 are arranged to form only one column. With the above configuration, although the same number of cell stacks as in the conventional art are included, additional components, such as bus bar frames and end plates in the portions facing the cell stacks in the battery module 100 including the same number of cell stacks, can be omitted, and thus, a battery pack having smaller volume and volume can be formed. In other words, while the total weight of the battery pack 10 is reduced, the occupied space can be reduced, and thus the energy density of the battery pack can be improved. In addition, since the number of self-parts can be reduced, the manufacturing cost can also be reduced.

According to the present embodiment, by providing more than two battery cell stacks 110 and 120 in which the electrode leads 112 are directly connected with one module frame 200, required components (e.g., end plates and bus bar frames) can be minimized. Therefore, by reducing the weight and volume of the battery module 100 and the battery pack 10, it is possible to improve energy density and reduce manufacturing costs.

Since this embodiment has the same configuration as the embodiment described above, only the components having differences will be described below.

Referring to fig. 7, the upper plate 220 may include a recess portion 221 recessed toward the lower frame 210 and corresponding to a region between the plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120. Accordingly, the locations of the battery module 100 where the plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120 are disposed may be partitioned, and the plurality of battery cell stacks 110 and 120 may be fixed by the recess parts 221, and therefore, the stability of the battery module 100 may be further improved.

All the matters described in the embodiments of fig. 3 to 6 can be applied to the present embodiment except for the components having the above differences.

The battery module and the battery pack including the same as described above may be applied to various devices. The devices may be applied to vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, etc., but the present utility model is not limited thereto, but may be applied to various devices that may use a battery module, which is also within the scope of the present utility model.

While the utility model has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical embodiments, it is to be understood that the utility model is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[ description of reference numerals ]

10: battery pack

100: battery module

111: battery cell

112: electrode lead

110: first cell stack

120: second cell stack

200: module frame

210: lower frame

220: upper plate

300: end plate

310: bus bar frame

Claims

1. A battery module, the battery module comprising:

a plurality of cell stacks, each of the plurality of cell stacks comprising at least one cell; and

a single module frame accommodating the plurality of battery cell stacks,

wherein each of the plurality of battery cell stacks includes electrode leads protruding from opposite ends in a length direction of the battery cell stack,

the plurality of cell stacks are disposed in the module frame such that the lengthwise direction of the cell stacks coincides with the lengthwise direction of the module frame, and

the electrode leads of one of the plurality of cell stacks are directly connected with the electrode leads of another adjacent cell stack.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cell stacks includes a first cell stack and a second cell stack, the first cell stack and the second cell stack being disposed side by side along the length direction of the cell stacks such that the respective electrode leads face each other,

an electrode lead protruding toward an end of the longitudinal direction of the battery cell stack in the first battery cell stack and an electrode lead protruding toward an end of the longitudinal direction of the battery cell stack in the second battery cell stack are directly connected to each other, and

the first direction and the second direction are oriented in opposite directions in the length direction of the cell stack.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the electrode leads protruding toward the end of the first direction of the first cell stack are directly connected to the electrode leads protruding toward the end of the second direction of the second cell stack by welding.

4. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein an electrode lead in the first cell stack protruding toward an end of the first direction of the length direction of the cell stack is connected in series with an electrode lead in the second cell stack protruding toward an end of the second direction of the length direction of the cell stack.

5. The battery module of claim 2, further comprising a pair of end plates covering electrode leads protruding toward ends of the first cell stack in the second direction and electrode leads protruding toward ends of the second cell stack in the first direction.

6. The battery module of claim 5, further comprising a pair of bus bar frames disposed between the end plate and the first cell stack and the end plate and the second cell stack, respectively.

7. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the module frame includes a lower frame covering the entire side surfaces and the entire lower surface of the plurality of cell stacks, and an upper plate covering the entire upper surface of the plurality of cell stacks.

8. The battery module of claim 7, wherein the upper plate includes a recessed portion recessed toward the lower frame corresponding to a region between the plurality of battery cell stacks.

9. A battery pack, the battery pack comprising:

at least one battery module of claim 1; and

a battery pack case accommodating the at least one battery module.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein only one battery module is provided in the battery pack case on one side parallel to the length direction of the battery modules.