KR100570779B1 - Secondary battery and secondary battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is to configure a large capacity battery module by connecting a plurality of individual batteries, so as to reduce the time and effort required for the connection and replacement work by simplifying the connection structure of the individual cells, a plurality of unit cells and each unit In the secondary battery module comprising a connector for electrically connecting the battery, the connector provides a secondary battery module rotatably installed in contact with one terminal of the one end of the unit battery.

Unit battery, connector, rotation, terminal, head, nut

Description

Secondary battery and a secondary battery module comprising the connector with rotatable connectors {SECONDARY BATTERY AND SECONDARY BATTERY MODULE}

1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a rechargeable battery according to the related art.

2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a secondary battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operating state of a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 5 according to the present invention.

7 is a side view illustrating a battery module assembled state of a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a secondary battery, and more particularly, to a secondary battery having improved connection structure between unit cells in a high output large capacity battery, and a secondary battery module comprising the same.

Recently, a high output secondary battery using a non-aqueous electrolyte having a high energy density has been developed, and a large capacity secondary battery is formed by connecting a plurality of high output secondary batteries in series to be used in a device requiring a large power, such as an electric vehicle. Done.

As described above, one secondary battery (hereinafter, referred to as a unit battery for convenience of description throughout) is usually connected in series or in parallel to form a high output secondary battery (hereinafter, referred to as a battery module for convenience of description throughout). Each unit cell includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are disposed between separators, a case having a space in which the electrode assembly is embedded, a cap assembly coupled to the case and sealing it, and protruding outside the cap assembly. And positive and negative terminals electrically connected to the positive and negative current collectors provided in the electrode assembly.

1, the positive electrode terminal 114 and the negative electrode terminal protruding from the cap assembly 113 of each unit cell 111 to form the battery module 100 by connecting each unit cell in series as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the unit cells 111 is arranged so that the 115 alternates with the positive electrode terminal 114 and the negative electrode terminal 115 of the neighboring unit cell 111, and the threaded positive electrode 114 and the negative electrode terminal 115 are arranged. It is designed to connect and install the connector 116 through the nut (117, 118).

That is, each of the terminals 114 and 115 has a male screw shape, and a nut 117 is first fastened to each terminal, and the positive terminal 114 of one unit cell 111 and the next unit cell (1) are mounted on the nut 117. The connector 116 for electrically connecting the negative electrode terminal 115 of the 111 is fitted and the nut 118 is fastened again on the connector 116 to secure the connector 116.

However, the above-described conventional battery module structure in the configuration of a single battery module by connecting several to several dozen individual unit cells, four nuts per one unit cell to connect the connector to each terminal, so There is a problem that the work is difficult and time-consuming.

In addition, maintenance of the individual battery requires a lot of manpower and time, because a large number of nuts must be loosened and re-fastened in order to replace them.

In addition, the contact area between each terminal and the connector is small, there is a problem that the electrical conductivity is lowered, there is a problem that the nut holding the connector is loosened when the vibration occurs to lose the function of the battery.

In particular, in the case of a large-capacity secondary battery using a motor including a HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) or an EV (electric vehicle), the number of unit cells reaches several dozen, thereby increasing the aforementioned problem.

Therefore, the present invention is to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to configure a large capacity battery module by connecting a plurality of individual cells, simplifying the connection structure of the individual cells is required for the connection and replacement work It is to provide a secondary battery and a secondary battery module that can reduce the time and effort.

In addition, it is another object of the present invention to provide a secondary battery and a secondary battery module which can increase electrical conductivity by maximizing a contact area with a terminal when a unit cell is connected.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention, in the configuration of the battery module by electrically connecting the unit battery and the unit battery in the connector that connects the terminals between the unit cells is installed in the terminal of the unit cell in advance rotatable Shall be.

To this end, the secondary battery of the present invention is a battery module including a connector that is electrically connected between a plurality of unit cells and the terminals of the unit cell, the connector is a structure in which one end is rotatably installed in the terminal of the unit battery have.

Accordingly, in electrically connecting neighboring unit cells through the connector, since the connector is already installed at the terminal of one unit battery, the installation can be completed by connecting only the other end of the connector to the terminal of the neighboring unit battery. Will be.

The connector is a plate structure made of an electrically conductive material, and the hole is formed in accordance with the interval between the terminals of the neighboring unit cells to be fitted to the cathode terminal or the cathode terminal of the neighboring unit cell and the positive terminal or the negative terminal of one unit cell It has a structure formed at each end.

In addition, the one end of the connector is installed with the terminal through the hole, and the upper end of the terminal fitted into the hole of the connector prevents the detachment of the connector and is further provided with a head making surface contact with the connector.

Therefore, the connector is inserted into the terminal to be in contact with the head unit and the unit cell and can be rotated with respect to the terminal itself.

In addition, the other end of the connector is preferably fixed to the terminal of the neighboring unit cell via a nut.

In addition, the hole formed in the connector is preferably made of the same cross-sectional shape of the terminal cross-sectional shape.

Here, an insulating member for insulating two members may be further provided between the connector and the unit cell.

Preferably, the connector is coupled in close contact between the head portion and the insulating member installed on the upper end of the terminal.

On the other hand, the rotation range of the connector is preferably rotated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the unit cell in the state placed in the longitudinal direction of the unit cell, according to the present invention is a limiting means for limiting the rotation position of the connector It may further include.

The limiting means includes a protrusion protrudingly installed on the unit cell, and a groove formed in the connector at a position corresponding to the protrusion and seated on the protrusion.

Accordingly, when the connector is rotated, the projection is seated in the groove formed in the connector by the elastic force of the connector so that the connector can be stopped at the required position.

Here, the protrusion height of the protrusion is preferably higher than the height from the unit cell to the connector so that the connector can be elastically bent by the protrusion.

In addition, the formation position of the projection is a position corresponding to the groove formed in the connector in the state that the connector is placed in the longitudinal direction of the unit cell, and the groove of the connector when the connector is rotated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the unit battery It is preferable to form each in the corresponding position.

The unit cell may include an electrode assembly having a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate interposed therebetween, a case having a space portion in which the electrode assembly is embedded, a cap assembly coupled to the case and sealing it, and the positive and negative electrode plates. And a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal which are electrically connected to the whole and protrude outside the cap assembly.

The battery module has a structure in which the unit cells are connected in series so that the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are alternately arranged between neighboring unit cells.

Here, the secondary battery may be used as an energy source for driving a motor of the device in a device that operates by using a motor such as a HEV (hybrid vehicle), an EV (electric vehicle), a wireless cleaner, an electric bicycle, an electric scooter, and the like. have

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery module configuration of a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Looking at the structure of each unit cell 11 constituting the large-capacity battery module 10 with reference to the drawings described above, the electrode assembly 18 and the electrode assembly 18 in which the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate with the separator plate interposed therebetween, ) Is provided with a case 12 having a space portion therein, a cap assembly 13 coupled to the case 12 to seal it, and is electrically connected to a current collector of the positive and negative electrode plates and to the outside of the cap assembly 13. Protruding positive and negative terminals 14 and 15 are included.

The case 12 is made of a conductive metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy or nickel plated steel, and the shape is made of a cube or other shape having a cube having an inner space in which the electrode assembly is located.

In the present embodiment, each of the unit cells 11 has a structure in which two terminals (the positive electrode terminal 14 and the negative electrode terminal 15) protrude from the cap assembly 13 while keeping a gap therebetween.

Each unit cell 11 having the above-described structure is placed in a state in which the terminals 14 and 15 face upwards to form a large capacity battery module 10, and an upper portion of the cap assembly 13 of one side unit cell 11. The positive electrode terminal 14 and the negative electrode terminal 15 protruding from each other are alternately arranged alternately with the positive electrode terminal 14 and the negative electrode terminal 15 of the neighboring unit cell 11.

Accordingly, the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are repeated on both sides of the center of the unit cell 11 to form terminal strings arranged at regular intervals. In this case, the terminal string may be understood as a line in which terminals crossing polarity are arranged in a line.

In the battery module having the above structure, the secondary battery is a connector for electrically connecting the positive electrode terminal 14 and the negative electrode terminal 15 between neighboring unit cells 11 in order to connect the unit cells 11 in series. 20 is mounted.

According to the present embodiment, the connector 20 is rotatably installed in a state where one end thereof is in contact with one terminal 14 of the unit cell 11, and the other end thereof has terminals 15 of neighboring unit cells 11. The hole 21 is formed to be fitted into the structure and is fixed to the medium through the nut 22 fastened to the terminal 15.

That is, the connector 20 connecting the two unit cells 11 is rotatably coupled to the unit cell 11 on one side, so that the connector 20 is rotated toward the terminal of the neighboring unit cell 11 when necessary. The connection work only needs to be performed with the neighboring unit cells 11.

Therefore, in the electrical connection between the positive electrode terminal 14 and the negative electrode terminal 15 of the two unit cells 11 it is possible to reduce the effort required to fasten the nut 22 by using the nut 22 only once. .

In addition, between the connector 20 and the cap assembly 13 of the unit cell 11, an insulating member 30 fitted to the terminals 14 and 15 of the unit cell 11 is interposed to connect the connector 20 and the unit. The cap assembly 13 of the battery 11 is insulated.

Since the insulating member 30 is inserted between the connector 20 and the cap assembly, it is possible to reliably prevent the energization that may occur in the gap between the connector 20 and the cap assembly 13.

Looking at the rotation structure of the connector 20 in more detail, the connector 20 is a plate structure made of an electrically conductive material, both ends of the hole 21 is formed so that the terminals (14, 15) can be fitted do. Here, the hole 21 is preferably formed to have the same cross-sectional structure of the terminal.

The connector 20 may be integrally installed when the unit cell 11 is manufactured. The connector 20 may be connected to one terminal 14 of the terminals protruding from the cap assembly 13 to the unit cell 11. The head portion 16 having a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the terminal 14 and the hole 21 so as to insert the hole 21 and the connector 20 does not fall out of the terminal 14 at the upper end of the terminal 14. ), The connector 20 is fitted to the terminal 14 so as to be in close contact with the head 16 and the insulating member 30.

Therefore, the connector 20 is rotatable with respect to the terminal 14 while being in close contact with the head 16 to achieve a state in close contact with the head 16.

Here, the degree of close contact between the connector 20 and the head 16 is not particularly limited, but as the two members come into close contact with each other, the conductivity increases, so that the connector 20 may be sufficiently close to the terminal 14 as far as possible. do.

In the present embodiment, the head portion 16 is formed in a structure that is processed separately from the terminal 14 and screwed to the terminal 14, which is just one example, the head portion 16 is necessarily in its structure It is not limited.

On the other hand, the secondary battery further includes a limiting means to limit the rotational position of the connector 20 rotatably installed in the terminal 14 in the longitudinal direction of the unit cell 11 and the direction perpendicular to the unit cell.

3 and 4 and 5, the limiting means are well illustrated. Referring to the above drawings, the limiting means are protrusions 40 installed on the cap assembly 13 of the unit cell 11. And a groove 41 formed in the connector 20 at a position corresponding to the protrusion 40 and on which the protrusion 40 is seated. The protrusion 40 may have a groove 41 formed in the connector 20 in a state in which the connector 20 is placed in the longitudinal direction of the unit cell 11 (I; a state indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 3). The groove 41 of the connector 20 and the corresponding position and the connector 20 in a state in which the connector 20 is rotated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the unit cell 11 (II; It is formed at each corresponding position.

Accordingly, when the connector 20 is rotated from the I state to the II state (or from the II state to the I state), the connector 20 is connected to the connector 20 while the connector 20 passes through any one of the protrusions 40. When the protrusion 40 is heard and proceeds, and the connector 20 reaches the protrusion 40 forming position and the groove 41 formed in the connector 20 coincides with the protrusion 40, the connector 20 is connected. The projection 40 is seated in the groove 41 formed in the connector 20 while returning to its original position by its elastic force, and the connector 20 can be stopped at the required position.

As mentioned herein, the position at which the protrusion 40 is formed is when the connector 20 is placed in the longitudinal direction of the unit cell 11 (I) and in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the unit cell 11 ( Since the position of the groove 41 of II), the connector 20 can be rotated at an angle of 90 degrees (refer to the arrow directions in FIGS. 3 and 5) if necessary to protrude from the top of the unit cell 11.

Here, the protrusion height of the protrusion 40 is formed to be sufficiently higher than the distance from the upper surface of the cap assembly 13 of the unit cell 11 to the connector 20 so that the connector 20 passes through the protrusion 40. By the projection 40, the connector 20 can be elastically bent.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5, in which a connector 20 is inserted into the terminal 14 to be in close contact between the insulating member 30 and the head portion 16, and a groove 41 formed in the connector 20 has a cap assembly. The connector 20 is seated on the projection 40 formed on the well shows the state that is placed in the longitudinal direction of the unit cell (11).

On the other hand, the process of connecting each unit cell 11 in series through the connector 20 as follows.

FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which the connector 20 is installed in the unit cell 11. According to the above drawings, each unit cell 11 is arranged at a predetermined interval, and each unit cell is arranged. Numeral 11 is arranged such that the positive electrode terminal 14 and the negative electrode terminal 15 provided in the unit cell are crossed with each other.

In this state, the connector 20 is inserted into and electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 14 of one unit cell 11 and the negative electrode terminal 15 of the unit cell 11 placed next, and electrically connected to the next unit cell 11. The positive electrode terminal 14 located in the other terminal column is connected to the negative electrode terminal 15 and the connector 20 of the unit cell 11, which is placed next, so that the entire unit cell 11 is connected in series.

As shown in FIG. 7, the connector 20 is already fixed to the negative electrode terminal (or the positive electrode terminal) of the unit cell 11 in a rotatable state, and thus the hole 21 formed at the free end of the connector is formed. Insert the positive terminal (or negative terminal) of the neighboring unit cell through and fasten the nut 22 to the terminal 15 protruding through the hole 21 of the connector 20 to connect the terminal of the unit cell It becomes possible.

Of course, the insulating member 30 may be inserted into the terminal to install the insulating member 30 between the connector 20 and the cap assembly of the neighboring unit cell.

Here, when the connector 20 is rotated in a direction perpendicular to the unit cell for the assembly of the connector 20, the connector 20 is elastically bent by the protrusion 40 formed in the cap assembly, and the connector 20 is When rotated at a right angle with respect to the unit cell 11, the groove 41 formed in the connector 20 and the position of the projection 40 coincide with each other while the projection 40 is inserted into the groove 41 and the connector 20 is The rotation is stopped by returning to its original position by its elastic force.

Therefore, the operator inserts the connector 22 into the terminal of the neighboring unit cell through the hole 21 formed at the free end of the connector 20 protruding at a right angle to the unit cell as described above, and mediates the nut 22. It will be easy to assemble.

In this way, when connecting the unit cell 11 in series with the connector 20, since the connector 20 is already connected to the terminal of one side unit battery, when the nut 22 is fastened only to the terminals of neighboring unit cells, the connector 20 ) Can be installed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the nut fastening work for assembling the connector 20.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims and the detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. Naturally, it belongs to

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the connector can be easily fastened to the battery and can be easily separated during repair to replace the desired unit battery.

In addition, as the connection between the unit cells is made through one component, the installation is easy and the amount of work can be reduced, and the cost increase through the reduction of the components is obtained.

In addition, it is possible to minimize the loosening of the connector by the vibration generated when the motor is driven.

In addition, by connecting the connector and the terminal by welding, it is possible to maximize the performance of the battery by increasing the conductivity between the terminal and the connector.

In addition, since the connector can be protruded to the outside of the unit cell only when necessary, even when the connector is installed in the unit cell, interference by the connector can be minimized.

Claims (12)

In the secondary battery module comprising a plurality of unit cells and a connector for electrically connecting each unit cell, The connector has a secondary battery module rotatably installed at one end thereof in contact with one terminal of the unit battery. The secondary battery module of claim 1, wherein an insulating member is interposed between the connector and the cap assembly of the unit battery provided with the terminal. The secondary battery module of claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector is rotatably fitted to the one terminal through a hole formed at one end of the connector, and is installed in close contact with a head formed at the end of the terminal. The secondary battery module of claim 3, wherein the connector is formed with a hole to allow a terminal to be fitted at a free end thereof, and is fixed to a terminal of a neighboring unit cell by a nut. The secondary battery module of claim 3, further comprising limiting means for limiting the rotational position of the connector. The secondary battery module of claim 5, wherein the limiting means includes a protrusion protruding from the unit cell and a groove formed in the connector at a position corresponding to the protrusion. The secondary battery module of claim 6, wherein the protrusion height of the protrusion is greater than a distance between the unit cell and the connector. According to claim 6 or 7, wherein the projection is rotated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the unit cell and the position corresponding to the groove formed in the connector with the connector placed in the longitudinal direction of the unit cell. When the secondary battery module is formed in a position corresponding to the groove of the connector, respectively. The secondary battery module of claim 1, wherein the secondary battery is for driving a motor. A case having a space in which the electrode assembly is built; A cap assembly coupled to the case to seal the cap and having a terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly; And Conductive connector installed rotatably on the terminal Secondary battery comprising a. The rechargeable battery of claim 10, wherein the connector is fixedly installed on the cap assembly by a head part inserted into the hole at one end of the terminal and screwed to a thread formed at the tip of the terminal. The secondary battery of claim 11, wherein the head portion has a cross-sectional area larger than that of the terminal and the hole.

Images