KR102386201B1 - Secondary battery module, and secondary battery pack including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a secondary battery module. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a sub-module formed by disposing battery cells on cooling fins; a cooling plate coupled to the sub-modules arranged in plurality; and a side structure having a built-in bus bar, comprising: a terminal part capable of connecting the electrode tabs of the adjacent sub-modules; and a wing terminal portion extending outwardly from one side of the contact terminal portion; it provides a secondary battery module comprising.

Description

A secondary battery module and a secondary battery pack including the same

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a secondary battery module.

Secondary batteries capable of charging and discharging are being actively researched with the development of advanced fields such as digital cameras, cell phones, laptops, and hybrid vehicles. Examples of the secondary battery include a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, and a lithium secondary battery. Among them, the lithium secondary battery has an operating voltage of 3.6V or higher and is used as a power source for portable electronic devices, or is used in a high-output hybrid vehicle by connecting a plurality of them in series. Compared to that, the operating voltage is three times higher and the energy density per unit weight is excellent, so it is being used rapidly.

In general, a secondary battery pack is formed by arranging a plurality of battery modules, and the battery module consists of 12 electrode cells or 24 electrode cells. Therefore, as more energy is required, a large amount of battery modules should be mounted inside the secondary battery pack.

A conventional battery module generally consists of 12 cells or 24 cells, so the number of battery modules to be disposed inside the secondary battery pack is large. is increased Accordingly, as the weight of the secondary battery pack increases, the volume density decreases and the number of manufacturing steps increases.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1355961 (2014. 01. 21)

SUMMARY Embodiments of the present invention provide a secondary battery module capable of reducing accessory parts when a secondary battery module formed in a rectangular shape constitutes a secondary battery pack.

In addition, it is to provide a secondary battery module in which a jig insertion space is provided without a separate accessory part by using the terminal part including the wing terminal part.

In addition, the secondary battery module is divided into an odd number or an even number of electrode cells, so as to provide a secondary battery module capable of reducing the use of a bus bar for connection between lead terminals drawn out from the secondary battery module.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a sub-module formed by disposing battery cells on cooling fins; a cooling plate coupled to the sub-modules arranged in plurality; and a side structure having a built-in bus bar, comprising: a terminal for connecting the electrode tabs of the adjacent sub-modules; and a wing terminal portion extending outwardly from one side of the contact terminal portion; it provides a secondary battery module comprising.

In addition, the wing terminal portion of the terminal portion may be positioned to face the wing terminal portion of the terminal portion adjacent to the terminal portion.

In addition, a jig insertion space may be provided between the oppositely arranged wing terminal parts in the battery cell direction.

In addition, a bus bar coupled to the wing terminal part may be in contact with the outside of the wing terminal part disposed to face each other.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a sub-module formed by disposing battery cells on cooling fins; a cooling plate capable of cooling the sub-modules arranged in plurality and providing structural rigidity along the longitudinal direction; and a side structure coupled to the side surfaces of the plurality of arranged sub-modules and including a bus bar capable of electrically connecting the adjacent sub-modules.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a secondary battery pack including the secondary battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the secondary battery module formed in a rectangular shape can reduce the number of accessories when configuring the secondary battery pack.

In addition, by using the terminal portion including the wing terminal portion, a jig insertion space may be provided without separate accessory parts.

In addition, since the secondary battery module is divided into an odd number or an even number of electrode cells, it is possible to reduce the use of a bus bar for connection between lead terminals drawn out from the secondary battery module.

1 is a view showing a secondary battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a view showing a cooling plate of an interest battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a view showing a terminal for connecting electrode tabs according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a view showing a secondary battery pack including a secondary battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, this is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In the description of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. And, the terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to intentions or customs of users and operators. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the content throughout this specification.

The technical spirit of the present invention is determined by the claims, and the following examples are only one means for efficiently explaining the technical spirit of the present invention to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

The rectangular secondary battery module according to the present invention can pack more battery cells at once, thereby reducing the connection structure and accessory structures required to implement the secondary battery pack. Accordingly, there is an effect that assembly cost can be reduced, and high output can be realized by reducing the volume and weight of the secondary battery pack by reducing the number of accessory parts.

1 is a view showing a secondary battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1A is an exploded view of a secondary battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a secondary battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the secondary battery module 100 according to the present invention may be formed by continuously arranging a plurality of sub-modules 10 .

In the secondary battery module 20 according to the present invention, through the arrangement of the cooling fins, the cooling fin itself serves as an exterior of the secondary battery module 20 at the same time. Accordingly, the number of cover parts and the like of the battery module is reduced.

The sub-module 10 may include a battery cell 11 and a cooling fin (not shown). The sub-module 10 may be formed by disposing the battery cells 11 on both sides or one side of the cooling fin.

The cooling fins may be formed in various shapes, such as an I-shape, a T-shape, and a U-shape. For example, the cooling fin is formed in a structure shape having a longitudinal length having an I-shaped cross-section, and the battery cell 11 is located on both sides of the longitudinal direction (both sides of the I-shaped cross-section) so that the sub-module ( 10) can be achieved. These sub-modules 10 may be continuously arranged in the lateral direction to form one secondary battery module 10 . Accordingly, the cooling fins may serve as a cooling structure and at the same time serve as a case for the battery cell 11 . In addition to this, an adhesive pad (not shown) may be disposed to couple the battery cell 11 and the cooling fins. An adhesive pad may be disposed between the battery cell 11 and the cooling fin to attach the battery cell 11 and the cooling fin.

Referring to FIG. 1A , in the secondary battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a larger number of electrode cells are packed at once. In general, a 12-cell or 24-cell unit module constitutes one secondary battery pack, but the secondary battery module 100 according to the present invention may include more battery cells 11 than 12 or 24 cells.

For example, if the conventional secondary battery pack was configured by connecting four 12-cell modules, the secondary battery module 100 according to the present invention packs the same amount of 48 cells into one module to form a secondary battery pack. can be implemented When a plurality of electrode cells 11 are packed at once, when the secondary battery module 100 is mounted on the secondary battery pack, structural parts and electrical connection parts for module fixing such as partitions and interfaces disposed between modules are reduced. can be As the number of parts is reduced, the volume and weight of the secondary battery pack can be reduced, so that a secondary battery pack having high energy density can be implemented.

The secondary battery module 100 may include a cooling plate 20 , a lower panel 31 , and a side structure 32 .

The cooling plate 20 may be combined with a plurality of arranged sub-modules 10 constituting the secondary battery module 100 . For example, the cooling plate 20 may be disposed under the plurality of sub-modules 10 to supply cold air to the modules. In addition, structural rigidity in the longitudinal direction may be imparted to the secondary battery module 100 in the longitudinal direction.

1A and 1B , the side structure 32 may be disposed to provide structural rigidity in the longitudinal direction of the sub-modules 10 arranged in plurality.

In addition, when the length of the secondary battery module increases, a metal reinforcement panel may be added to prevent sagging in the longitudinal direction.

In the shape of the secondary battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of sub-modules 10 are arranged, and a side structure 32 including a bus bar 40 may be coupled to both sides. . After the plurality of sub-modules 10 and the cooling plate 20 are coupled, the side structures 32 may be coupled to both sides. A bus bar 40 may be built in the side structure 32 disposed on both sides. Specifically, in a state in which the plurality of sub-modules 10 are arranged, the terminal part 41 is disposed and the bus bar 40 is disposed to connect the electrode tabs 12 of the adjacent battery cells 11, In this case, the side structure 32 coupled to the plurality of sub-modules 10 may have a bus bar 40 embedded therein. Accordingly, the bus bar 40 may be disposed on the terminal part 41 while the side structure 32 is coupled (a detailed description of the bus bar 40 and the terminal part 41 will be described later in FIG. 3 ).

In addition, when additional structural rigidity is required, a reinforcing panel made of metal may be disposed outside the side structure 32 . Accordingly, even if the secondary battery module 100 includes a plurality of sub-modules 10 , bending by weight may be prevented and structural rigidity may be obtained.

2 illustrates the cooling plate 20 of the secondary battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the cooling plate 20 may be disposed below the secondary battery module 100 .

The cooling plate 20 has an inlet 21a through which the cooling water is introduced and an outlet 21b through which the cooling water circulated through the cooling channel flows out, and the cooling plate 20 has an upper portion 21 and a lower portion ( 22), it can be manufactured by the vertical bonding or extrusion method.

The cooling plate 20 may be connected to a cooling fin at the bottom of the battery module 100 . For example, they may be connected by a bolting structure (not shown). A plurality of fasteners 23 may be formed in the cooling plate 20 in the longitudinal direction. Some of the plurality of fasteners 23 may be fastened to the cooling fin, and the remaining fasteners 23 may be fastened to the lower case 60 of the secondary battery pack.

3 illustrates a structure in which the electrode tab 12 of the battery cell 11 is connected according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the battery cell 11 may include an electrode tab 12 . The electrode tab 11 may include a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab. The electrode tabs 12 may be connected in series or parallel connection. The electrode tabs 12 may be connected through the bus bar 40 .

A terminal part 41 for connecting the electrode tabs 12 to the bus bar 40 may be provided. The terminal part 41 may connect the electrode tabs 12 of the adjacent sub-modules 10 .

The terminal part 41 is a U-shaped contact terminal part 41a that can be in contact with a pair of electrode tabs 12 (positive electrode and negative electrode) drawn out from the battery cell 11, respectively, and one side of the contact terminal part 41a. It may include a wing terminal portion 41b extending to. The wing terminal portions 41b may extend outward (eg, in a direction in which the battery cells 11 are arranged) from one side of the contact terminal portions 41a respectively in contact with the pair of electrode tabs 12 . However, extending from one side to the outside means that the terminal contact portions 41a extend in the direction (outside) of the other adjacent terminal portions 41 rather than in the direction (inside) of the pair of electrode tabs 12 that are in contact with each other. there is.

The terminal parts 41 disposed in the adjacent battery cells 11 among the plurality of battery cells 11 may be connected by a bus bar 40 . Specifically, the wing terminal portions 41b of the adjacent battery cells 11 may be formed to face each other in the longitudinal direction. The wing terminal part 41b of the terminal part 41 may be positioned to face the wing terminal part 41b of the terminal part (eg, 41-2) adjacent to the terminal part (eg, 41-1) (41-1). and 41-2, although not shown in the drawing, 41-1 and 41-2 refer to adjacent terminal units). The bus bar 40 included in the side structure 32 may contact the wing terminal portions 41b disposed to face each other, so that the adjacent battery cells 11 may be electrically connected to each other.

In addition, as the cooling fins serve as the exterior of the battery cells 11 , the protective structures are removed and the gap between the battery cells 11 is narrowed. At this time, the terminal part 41 including the wing terminal part 41b is disposed to connect the bus bar 40 in a state where the distance between the battery cells 11 is narrowed, and a jig insertion space A is provided. can be

Specifically, a jig insertion space A for welding may be provided between the inside of the battery cell 11 direction of the wing terminal parts 41b disposed to face each other. Therefore, the jig is inserted into the jig insertion part (A) for welding without a separate component configuration for welding, and when welding is completed, the jig can be separated.

4 is a view illustrating that the secondary battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a secondary battery pack.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the rectangular secondary battery module 100 according to the present invention may be arranged in the lower case 60 of the secondary battery pack. One or more secondary battery modules 100 may be arranged inside the lower case 60 . For example, four secondary battery modules 100 including 48 battery cells 11 according to the present invention may be arranged to constitute one secondary battery pack.

The lower case 60 may include a cross member 61 . A cross member 61 may be disposed on the bottom surface of the lower case 60 to have a structure corresponding to the size and shape of the secondary battery module 100 . When the secondary battery module 100 is mounted on the cross member 61 , the side structure 32 disposed on the secondary battery module 100 may serve as an additional cross member 61 . Since the side structure 32 serves as the cross member 61 , it is possible to prevent distortion of the plurality of secondary battery modules 100 disposed in the secondary battery pack by dispersing the load of the force.

Also, a relay 62 and a battery management system 63 may be mounted on one side of the secondary battery pack.

Additionally, each secondary battery module arranged in the secondary battery pack may be divided into two. The secondary battery module may include a first secondary battery module and a second secondary battery module. The plurality of battery cells of the first secondary battery module and the second secondary battery module may be connected in series or parallel connection. When each battery cell is connected in series, the electrode tab 12 of the electrode cell 11 may be formed and connected in a 'L' shape, and when connected in parallel, each electrode tab through the bus bar 40 (12) can be connected.

Furthermore, a safety plug (MSD or Safety Plug) may be inserted into the secondary battery pack between draw terminals from which half of the total voltage of the secondary battery pack is drawn for safety in the secondary battery separation process. Since the safety plug is located at the rear of the secondary battery pack, the same number of modules may be disposed on the left and right sides of the secondary battery pack. As described above, the secondary battery module according to the present embodiment may be divided into two secondary battery modules by providing a lead-out terminal in the middle portion of the secondary battery module for arranging the secondary battery module.

The secondary battery module may be divided into a first secondary battery module and a second secondary battery module. Since the two separated secondary battery modules are each configured to be serially connected to an odd number of battery cells, the positive and negative electrodes of the finally drawn out terminals of the two secondary battery modules may be positioned in a diagonal direction to each other. In the secondary battery modules adjacent to each other, the separated first secondary battery module and the second secondary battery module may be formed at different positions. For example, when the first secondary battery module is disposed on the upper side and the second secondary battery module is on the lower side in the secondary battery module of the first row, the second secondary battery module on the upper side and the second secondary battery module on the lower side in the secondary battery module of the adjacent second row One secondary battery module may be disposed. The first secondary battery module and the second secondary battery module may be disposed adjacent to each other, so that the lead-out terminal of the positive electrode and the lead-out terminal of the negative electrode drawn from each of the first secondary battery module and the second secondary battery module may face each other.

Therefore, when the final lead-out terminals facing each other are connected to each other, a serial connection is made between the secondary battery modules, and an electrical connection path by an external bus bar can be minimized.

Although representative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that various modifications are possible within the limits without departing from the scope of the present invention with respect to the above-described embodiments. . Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims described below as well as the claims and equivalents.

100: secondary battery module
10: submodule
11: battery cell
12: electrode tab
20: cooling plate
21: upper cooling plate
22: lower cooling plate
21a: inlet
21b: outlet
32: side structure
40: bus bar
41: terminal part
41a: contact terminal part
42b: wing terminal part
60: lower case
61: cross member
62: relay
63: battery management system
A: Jig insertion space

Claims (11)

a plurality of sub-modules having a plurality of battery cells;
a cooling plate on which one side of the plurality of sub-modules is seated;
a side structure having at least one bus bar and disposed on side surfaces of the plurality of submodules, the side structure coupled to the side surfaces of the plurality of submodules such that the at least one busbar electrically connects adjacent submodules;
a plurality of terminal portions electrically connecting adjacent electrode tabs in the adjacent sub-module;
The at least one bus bar,
Electrically connecting adjacent terminal parts among the plurality of terminal parts,
A pair of side structures is provided,
A secondary battery module coupled to one side and the other side of the plurality of sub-modules, respectively.
delete The method of claim 1,
The at least one bus bar,
A secondary battery module embedded in the side structure. The method of claim 1,
The terminal part,
a contact terminal connecting the adjacent electrode tabs;
A secondary battery module comprising a; a wing terminal part extending from the contact terminal part, the wing terminal part extending from another contact terminal part adjacent to the contact terminal part, and a wing terminal part electrically connected by the at least one bus bar. 5. The method of claim 4,
The wing terminal portion of the terminal portion,
A secondary battery module positioned to face the wing terminal portion of the terminal portion adjacent to the terminal portion. 6. The method of claim 5,
A secondary battery module in which a jig insertion space is provided between the wing terminal part and the oppositely arranged wing terminal part in the direction of the battery cell. a plurality of sub-modules having a plurality of battery cells;
a cooling plate on which one side of the plurality of sub-modules is seated;
a side structure having at least one bus bar and disposed on side surfaces of the plurality of submodules, the side structure coupled to the side surfaces of the plurality of submodules such that the at least one busbar electrically connects adjacent submodules;
a plurality of terminal portions electrically connecting adjacent electrode tabs in the adjacent sub-module;
The at least one bus bar,
Electrically connecting adjacent terminal parts among the plurality of terminal parts,
The plurality of sub-modules are arranged in one direction,
The cooling plate provides structural rigidity along the one direction from the lower side of the plurality of sub-modules to cool the plurality of sub-modules;
The side structure,
A secondary battery module providing structural rigidity along the one direction from the side surfaces of the plurality of sub-modules. A plurality of secondary battery modules according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7,
The secondary battery pack further comprising; a lower case in which the plurality of secondary battery modules are seated. 9. The method of claim 8,
The cooling plate,
Including; a plurality of fasteners formed along a direction parallel to the side structure;
The secondary battery module,
A secondary battery pack coupled to the lower case through the plurality of fasteners. 9. The method of claim 8,
The lower case is
A secondary battery pack comprising a; a cross member supporting the plurality of secondary battery modules, the cross member being arranged in parallel with the side structure. 11. The method of claim 10,
The plurality of secondary battery modules include first and second secondary battery modules disposed adjacently,
The plurality of battery cells of the first and second secondary battery modules,
An odd number of battery cells connected in series with each other,
The positive electrode of the battery cell on the outermost side of the first secondary battery module or the negative electrode of the battery cell on the other side of the outermost side,
A secondary battery pack connected to the negative electrode of the battery cell on the outermost side of the second secondary battery module or the positive electrode of the battery cell on the other side of the outermost side.

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