KR101494151B1 - Battery Module Having Connector Electrically Coupled By Mechanical Coupling Method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module including a novel battery pack connection structure, and more particularly, to a battery module in which two or more battery packs in which a chargeable and dischargeable battery cell is embedded in a pack case are electrically connected, Wherein the battery packs are electrically connected to each other by a connecting member, and a connector that is electrically connected to the connecting end of the connecting member and / or the connecting end of the battery pack by a mechanical fastening method is provided do.
According to the present invention, since each battery pack is easily connected by a connector, the assembling process can be simplified as a whole, the manufacturing process can be greatly improved, the structural stability can be improved, The present invention provides a battery module having a high maintenance property because a process of replacing or repairing a corresponding battery pack when an abnormal operation such as internal short circuit, deterioration, etc. is simple.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a battery module including a connector electrically connected by a mechanical fastening method,

The present invention relates to a battery module including a novel battery pack connection structure, and more particularly, to a battery module in which two or more battery packs in which a chargeable and dischargeable battery cell is embedded in a pack case are electrically connected, Wherein the battery packs are electrically connected to each other by a connecting member, and a connector is electrically connected to the connecting end of the connecting member and / or the connecting end of the battery pack by a mechanical fastening method. will be.

Due to the development of technology and demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries is also rapidly increasing. Among them, lithium secondary batteries, which have high energy density, high operating voltage and excellent storage and life characteristics, It is widely used as an energy source.

The secondary battery may be used in a detachable structure that is free to be inserted or removed depending on the type of external equipment to which the secondary battery is to be used, or may be used as a built-in structure in which the secondary battery is embedded in an external device. For example, devices such as notebooks can insert and leave batteries according to the user's needs, while devices such as some phones, MPEG Audio Layer-3 (MP3) tablet PCs, smart pads, etc., The use of a built-in battery pack may be required.

Small mobile devices may use one battery cell per device, but a battery module that connects two or more battery cells may be used as needed.

Since the mobile device is preferably manufactured with a small size and a weight as much as possible, a mobile device using the battery module can be charged with a high degree of integration, and a prismatic battery, a pouch- It is mainly used as a cell. In particular, a pouch-shaped battery using an aluminum laminate sheet or the like as an exterior member has attracted a great deal of attention recently due to its advantages such as small weight, low manufacturing cost, and easy shape deformation.

In order for the battery module to provide the output and capacity required by a predetermined device or device, a plurality of battery cells must be electrically connected in series and a stable structure against external force must be maintained.

Therefore, when a battery module is constructed using a plurality of battery cells, a large number of members are generally required for mechanical fastening and electrical connection thereof, and the process of assembling such members is very complicated. Furthermore, a space is required for the joining of a plurality of members for mechanical fastening and electrical connection, welding, soldering, and the like, thereby increasing the overall size of the system. This increase in size is undesirable in terms of the space limitations of the device or device in which the battery module is mounted.

Accordingly, there is a high need for a battery module having a structure that is more compact, has excellent structural stability, and simplifies wiring for electrical connection while solving the above problems.

In addition, when forming a battery module using a plurality of battery cells, there is a great need for a battery module capable of further improving assembling workability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-described problems of the prior art and the technical problems required from the past.

Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a battery module having a compact and light weight as a whole by minimizing a welding process and a assembling process by a novel fastening structure for electrically connecting battery packs.

According to an aspect of the present invention,

1. A battery module in which two or more battery packs each having a built-in battery pack capable of being charged and discharged are electrically connected,

The battery packs are electrically connected to each other by a connecting member, and the connector is electrically connected to the connecting end of the connecting member and / or the connecting end of the battery pack by a mechanical fastening method.

Therefore, the battery module according to the present invention is different from the conventional battery module in which the battery packs are electrically connected by welding or soldering, so that the respective battery packs are easily connected and electrically connected by the mechanical fastening connector So that the manufacturing process can be greatly improved by simplifying the assembling process as a whole, and the battery packs can be simply connected and used as needed.

In addition, some of the battery packs included in the battery module have a high maintenance property because the process of replacing or repairing the battery pack in an abnormal operation such as internal short circuit or deterioration is simple.

As defined above, the term battery pack used in the present invention means a structure in which one battery cell or two or more battery cells are embedded in a pack case. Therefore, the shape and type of the pack case are not particularly limited, and it is needless to say that the battery cell may be used as a battery pack when the battery cell has a structure that can be used as a battery pack by itself.

The secondary battery used in the mobile device may be used in a detachable structure that is free to be inserted or removed, or may be used as a built-in structure in which the secondary battery is embedded in the device. For example, devices such as notebooks are structured to allow insertion and removal of battery modules according to user's needs, while devices such as some smart phones, smart pads, tablet PCs, etc., The use of modules is also required. Therefore, the battery module of the present invention can be preferably applied to an embedded battery pack mounted in the above-described device.

In one preferred example, the battery pack may include a plate-shaped battery cell. 2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a built-in battery module has a structure in which electrode terminals of two or more battery packs are welded or soldered to each other to be electrically connected. In order to effectively arrange the plurality of battery packs in order to form the battery module in a compact size, the battery pack may include a plate-shaped battery cell. That is, since the external shape of the battery pack including the plate-shaped battery cells also has a substantially plate-like structure, a plurality of battery packs having such a structure are stacked to manufacture a battery module of a compact size, It can also be made compact.

The battery cell that can be used in the battery pack of the present invention can be of various types and preferably includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a laminate sheet including a metal layer and a resin layer, Type secondary battery which is sealed in a battery case of a small thickness and a low weight.

The connection member is a flexible member capable of electrically connecting between the battery packs, but is not particularly limited, but may be an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) or an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit). Therefore, compared with the conventional battery module in which the battery pack is connected using the plate-type connecting member, the battery pack can be stably electrically connected to the battery pack in a stable manner by preventing connection failure and malfunction due to vibration or external impact.

As described above, the connector electrically connected by the mechanical fastening method may be located at the connection end of the connection member, the connection end of the battery pack, or the connection end of the connection member and the connection of the battery pack Respectively.

In one example, the connector may be formed at the connection end of the battery pack connected to the connection member.

In another example, the connector may be formed in a connecting end of a connecting member connected to the battery pack. In this case, the connector may be a structure formed at one or both connection ends of the connection member. Specifically, the connecting member may have a structure in which a connector is formed on one side thereof, or a structure in which a connector is formed on both sides of the connecting member. When the connector is a structure formed only on one side of the connecting member, the opposite side end thereof may not be formed with a connector, but may be connected to the connecting end of the battery pack or the device to which the battery module is mounted by welding or soldering.

The structure of the connector is not particularly limited, but may be a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) connector, as long as the connection member can be simply inserted and fixed and electrically and mechanically connected. The ZIF connector is located at the connection end of the battery pack and is electrically and mechanically connected to the connection end of the battery pack.

In one preferred embodiment, the ZIF connector has a plate-like structure, a first terminal having a first terminal connection part formed on one side thereof, and a second terminal connection part connected to the first terminal connection part on the opposite side thereof; And a second case which is formed in a plate-like structure and is hinged to the first case to seal the first terminal connection portion in a state where the terminals introduced into the first terminal connection portion are connected to each other .

Specifically, the first terminal connection portion may have a structure in which one end portion is located on the first case and the other end portion is extended on the second case. Also, the first terminal connection portion may be bent in such a manner as to surround the introduced terminals with each other.

Preferably, both side ends of the first case are upwardly bent, and the upward bent portions are formed with fastening holes or fastening grooves. At both side ends of the second case, fastening holes or fastening holes corresponding to the fastening holes or fastening holes are formed, Or a fastener may be formed.

That is, since the first and second cases including the electrode terminal connecting portion are formed in a hinged structure, the conventional welding process and the insulating parts can be greatly simplified.

The present invention also provides a mobile device including the battery module as a power source. Therefore, compared to the conventional battery module manufacturing process, the welding process is reduced, and the battery module with improved structural stability is mounted, thereby providing a more compact structure and a mobile device with improved life span. Preferable examples of such a mobile device include, but are not limited to, a mobile phone, a PDA, a digital camera, a portable navigator, and a portable game machine.

However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described mobile device including the battery module of the present invention as a power source. In addition, the battery module is not limited to a mobile device such as an electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a plug- Devices.

As described above, the battery module according to the present invention has a structure in which each battery pack is easily connected by a connector as compared with a conventional battery module in which battery packs are electrically connected by welding or soldering, The manufacturing process can be greatly improved by simplifying the assembly process as a whole, and the structural stability can be improved.

In addition, a part of the battery packs included in the battery module can be easily replaced or repaired during an abnormal operation such as internal short-circuiting, deterioration, and the like.

1 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a schematic view of a structure in which a battery module and a device body are connected to each other according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a schematic view illustrating a structure in which a battery pack is connected in the battery module structure of FIGS. 1 and 2;
Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing a structure in which the connection member and the connector of Figs. 1 to 2 are connected; Fig.
5 to 7 are schematic views illustrating a structure in which a connection terminal of a battery pack and a connector are connected to each other according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited by the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the battery module 100 has a structure in which battery packs 110 including a plate-shaped battery cell are electrically connected to each other by respective connecting members 120. The connector 130 is located on the connection terminal 113 on one side of the battery pack 112 and is electrically connected to the connection terminal 113. The connection members 120 are connected to the connector 130 located in each of the battery packs 112, 114 and 116. The external input / output terminal 140 is connected to the connection member 126 in the outermost battery pack 116, And is connected to a device (not shown) using the battery module 100.

The connection members 120 are formed of a flexible flat cable (FFC) or a flexible printed circuit (FPC), and have flexibility and bending properties. Therefore, the battery pack 110 maintains a stable connection structure between the battery packs 110 even in the case of vibration or external impact.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a structure in which a battery module and a device body are connected to each other according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the battery module includes battery packs 110 including a plate-shaped battery cell electrically connected to each other by respective connecting members 120, and one battery pack 116 is connected to a device body (not shown) 200 and the connecting member 126. [0041] A connector 132 is formed on one side of the device body 200 so that the connection member 126 is simply connected.

1 and 2, the battery packs 120 are arranged in the width direction and connected by the connection terminals 120 for convenience of description. However, Not only the structure in which the packs 110 are disposed in the width direction, but also a structure in which the battery packs 110 are stacked. The structure in which these battery packs are arranged is not particularly limited and depends on the structure of the battery module accommodation space of the device.

3 is a schematic view showing a structure in which a battery pack is connected in the battery module structure of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a structure in which the connection member and the connector of FIGS. 1 and 2 are connected have.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 together with FIGS. 1 and 2, the connecting ends 113 and 115 of the respective battery packs 112 and 114 are electrically connected to the connectors 130, Is located at one side where the connecting ends 113 and 115 of the battery packs 112 and 114 are located. A connection member 122 is connected to the connector 130 located in each of the battery packs 112 and 114 to establish an electrical connection between the battery packs 112 and 114.

On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4, a structure in which the connector 130 is formed on both sides of the connecting member 120 in advance and the connector 130 is connected to the connecting terminal of each battery pack may also be used. The connector 130 may be formed on only one side of the connecting member 120 and the connector 130 'connected to the other side of the connecting member may be formed on the adjacent battery pack or device body.

5 to 7 schematically show a structure in which a connection terminal of a battery pack and a connector are connected to each other according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, the battery pack 110 includes a plate-shaped battery cell 117, and a ZIF connector (not shown) is attached to an electrode terminal 118 of a battery pack connected to the battery cell 117 130 are connected to each other.

The battery cell 117 is a plate-shaped battery cell in which electrode terminals made of a plate-shaped conductive member are formed on the top, and includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrode assembly having a separation membrane structure interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode includes a metal layer and a resin layer And is sealed in a battery case of a laminate sheet.

The ZIF connector 130 includes a first case 132 and a second case 138, each of which has a plate-like structure.

The first case 132 is provided with electrode terminal connecting portions 133 and 144 for connecting to the electrode terminals 118 of the battery cells on opposite sides of one surface.

The second case 138 has a first case 132 and a hinge 132 for sealing the electrode terminal connection portions 133 and 134 in a state where the electrode terminal 118 of the battery cell 117 is connected to the electrode terminal connection portions 133 and 134 Structure.

Specifically, the electrode terminal connection portions 133 and 134 are positioned such that one end portion thereof is located on the first case 132 and the other end portion is located on the second case 138. The electrode terminal connection portions 133 and 134 And the electrode terminals 118 of the battery cells are folded to each other.

Both ends of the first case 132 are upwardly bent and fastening holes 136 are formed in the upwardly bent portions 135. At both ends of the second case 138, A corresponding engaging groove 139 is formed.

Therefore, the electrode terminals 210 and 220 and the electrode terminal connection portions 133 and 134 of the battery cell can be electrically and mechanically coupled to each other by assembling the first case 132 and the second case 138, .

On the other hand, the connector 130 is mounted on the upper case extension part 119 of the battery cell so that the opposite surface of the first case 132 on which the electrode terminal connection parts 133 and 134 are located is exposed to the outside.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims (14)

1. A battery module in which two or more battery packs each having a built-in battery pack capable of being charged and discharged are electrically connected,
Wherein the battery packs are electrically connected by a connecting member,
And a connector electrically connected to the connection end of the connection member and / or the connection end of the battery pack by a mechanical fastening method, wherein the connector is a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) connector,
A first case having a first terminal connecting portion formed on one side thereof and a second terminal connecting portion connected to the first terminal connecting portion on an opposite side thereof; And
A second case having a plate-like structure and hinged to the first case to seal the first terminal connection part in a state where terminals introduced into the first terminal connection part are connected;
The battery module comprising: The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the battery pack includes a plate-shaped battery cell. The battery cell according to claim 2, wherein the battery cell is a secondary battery in which an electrode assembly having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separation membrane structure interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode is sealed in a battery case of a laminate sheet including a metal layer and a resin layer . The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the connection member is made of a flexible flat cable (FFC) or a flexible printed circuit (FPC). The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the connector is formed at a connection end of a battery pack connected to a connection member. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the connector is formed at a connecting end of a connecting member connected to the battery pack. 7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the connector is formed at one or both connection ends of the connection member. delete delete The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal connection portion includes one end portion positioned on the first case and the other end portion extending on the second case. 11. The battery module according to claim 10, wherein the first terminal connecting portion is bent in a structure that wraps the introduced terminals. [2] The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the first case are upwardly bent, and the upward bent portions are formed with fastening holes or fastening grooves, and at both side ends of the second case, Wherein a fastening groove or a fastening hole is formed in the battery module. A mobile device comprising the battery module according to claim 1 as a power source. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the mobile device is a smart phone, a smart pad, a tablet PC, a netbook, or a notebook computer.

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