KR20090002719A - Method of mechanical connection of secondary battery and connecting member therefore - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for mechanical connection of a secondary battery is provided to prevent the thermal damage and short-circuit possibility of a battery generated in a welding process, to reduce the failure rate and to minimize a terminal connection unit. A method for mechanical connection of a secondary battery comprises the electrical connection of the secondary battery cells by using the predetermined connection elements. The opening(110) for tightening is punched on one or more electrode terminal(100) of the battery cell. The connecting part mechanically combined to the opening for tightening is formed on the connection element.

Description

Mechanical connection method of secondary battery and connecting member therefor {Method of Mechanical Connection of Secondary Battery and Connecting Member therefore}

The present invention relates to a method of making an electrical connection of a secondary battery cell using a connection member, and more particularly, to a method of making an electrical connection of two or more secondary battery cells using a predetermined connection member, a battery cell The fastening opening is perforated in at least one electrode terminal of the connection member, and the connection member is provided with a fastening portion mechanically coupled to the fastening opening, and by coupling the fastening portion of the fastening member to the fastening opening of the battery cell, A method of making an electrical connection of a connection member to a battery cell is provided.

As technology development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing.

The secondary battery may be used in the form of a single battery, or in the form of a battery pack in which a plurality of unit cells are electrically connected, depending on the type of external device used therein. For example, a small device such as a mobile phone can operate for a predetermined period of time with the output and capacity of one battery, while a medium or large size such as a notebook computer, a portable DVD, a small PC, an electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, or the like. Large devices require the use of secondary battery packs due to power and capacity issues.

The secondary battery pack is manufactured by connecting a protection circuit or the like to a core pack in which a plurality of unit cells are arranged in series and / or in parallel. In the case of using a square or pouch type battery as a unit cell, the electrodes may be connected by connecting members such as bus bars after stacking the wide surfaces to face each other. Therefore, in the case of manufacturing a three-dimensional secondary battery pack having a hexahedral structure, a square or pouch type battery is advantageous as a unit cell.

On the other hand, the cylindrical battery generally has a larger capacitance than the square and pouch cells, but due to the external characteristics of the cylindrical battery is not easy to arrange in a laminated structure. However, when the shape of the secondary battery pack has a linear or plate-like structure as a whole, there is a structural advantage over the square or pouch type.

Therefore, in the case of a notebook computer, a portable DVD, a small PC, etc., a secondary battery pack in which a plurality of cylindrical batteries are connected in series or in parallel and in series is used. As the core pack structure used in such a secondary battery pack, for example, a linear structure of 2P (parallel) -3S (serial), a plate structure of 2P-3S, a linear structure of 2P-4S, a plate structure of 2P-4S, Linear structures of 1P-3S and plate-like structures of 1P-3S are used.

A parallel connection structure is achieved by arranging two or more cylindrical cells adjacent in their lateral direction with the electrode terminals oriented in the same direction, and welding them to the connecting member. Such parallel cylindrical cells are also referred to as "banks".

In series connection structure, two or more cylindrical cells are arranged in a lateral direction while two or more cylindrical cells are arranged in a long manner so that electrode terminals of opposite polarities are continuous or the electrode terminals are arranged in opposite directions. Arranged adjacent to each other, the welding is performed by the connecting member.

In the electrical connection of such cylindrical cells, spot welding is generally performed using a thin connecting member (for example, a metal plate) such as a nickel plate.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a state in which a secondary battery pack having a plate-like structure of 2P-3S is completed in an electrical connection work by spot welding. Figure 1 shows the coupling relationship of the secondary battery pack of the plate-like structure of 2P-3S for convenience of understanding as an exploded view.

As in FIG. 1, three cell pairs of cells 20, 21, each connected in parallel, are connected in series through a metal plate 30 to form a core pack 10.

2 shows a schematic diagram of the secondary battery pack 50 in a state where assembly is completed. For convenience of description, the pack case is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the cells 20 and 21 is connected to the protection circuit module 90 through the positive lead 60 and the negative lead 70 and the FPCB 80 connected to the metal plate 30. It is determined. The electrical connection of the protection circuit module 90 to the metal plate 30 is mainly done by soldering.

In general, the secondary battery pack repeatedly performs a lot of charging and discharging during the use process, and lithium secondary batteries having a safety problem under conditions such as external shock, dropping, bed penetration, overcharge, overcurrent, etc. are used as unit cells. In order to solve this safety problem, a safety device such as a protection circuit module is added. The safety device secures the safety of the pack by acquiring information such as a voltage from a corresponding terminal connection portion of the secondary battery pack and performing a predetermined safety process. Therefore, when the connection state of the site is variable, for example, when the resistance value of the terminal connection portion is changed by vibration or the like, due to the inaccuracy of the detection information, the safety device cannot perform the desired process. Therefore, in general, the electrical connection between the battery cell and the protection circuit in the secondary battery pack is made by soldering or the like.

In addition, in order to construct a high-output, high-capacity secondary battery pack, it is necessary to connect a plurality of battery cells in series or in parallel. In order to maintain the performance of the secondary battery pack uniformly, it is stable to minimize the resistance change of the terminal connection region. Coupling is required. The electrical connection between these battery cells is typically made through soldering or welding, preferably spot welding.

However, a welding or soldering process between battery cells has the following problems. Specifically, the welding or soldering process requires the skilled skills and know-how of the operator, and has to continuously manage the parameters for determining the strength of the welding, which leads to complicated production process and increased cost, resulting in increased production efficiency. It acts as a deterrent.

In addition, in the process of directly welding or soldering to the battery cell, a short circuit may occur in the welding part, and electrical or thermal damage may occur between the battery cell and the connecting member, which may threaten the safety of the battery and increase the defective rate of the product. . Furthermore, when some battery cells fail during the manufacturing process or use, there is a problem that all battery cells constituting the battery pack should be discarded.

Therefore, it is possible to replace the connection method through welding, soldering, etc., which threatens the stability of the battery and requires a complicated work process, and at the same time, it is possible to reuse the remaining battery cells in case of failure of some battery cells while ensuring a stable connection structure between the battery cells. There is a high need for a technology that can be used.

Meanwhile, in battery packs using primary batteries, various attempts have been made to the electrical connection structure of the connection method. For example, Korean Patent No. 0413381 discloses a technology for forming conductive coils at both ends of left and right sides of a battery case for electrical connection of a battery, and US Patent No. 525037 describes elasticity at both ends of a battery pack. Disclosed is a technical content of making an electrical connection by installing a metal plate bent to have.

However, the above technologies have a problem in that the connection member must have sufficient elasticity to fix the battery cell and to make stable connection with the electrode terminal. In particular, the technique using the conductive coil has a high electric resistance because the cross-sectional area of the wire constituting the coil is small and the connection length is relatively long, and the increased resistance causes power loss and heat generation, resulting in stable connection of the battery. May inhibit. In addition, the technology using the metal plate bent to have elasticity, due to excessive force or repeated use in the process of inserting the battery cell into the pack case, the metal plate loses its elasticity or is destroyed, the external impact on the battery cell When applied, the phenomenon of detachment or disconnection of the electrical connection may occur.

In addition, the connection member as described above has a limitation in that it is applicable to the secondary battery pack as described above due to the variable connection state at the corresponding site.

Therefore, there is a need for a technology that can replace a connection method through welding and soldering, which threatens the safety of the battery and requires a complicated work process, and at the same time secures a stable connection structure between the battery cells.

The present invention aims to solve the problems of the prior art as described above and the technical problems that have been requested from the past.

That is, an object of the present invention is a method for stably and electrically connecting two or more secondary battery cells without performing soldering, welding, etc., by drilling a fastening opening in at least one electrode terminal of the battery cell for the fastening Providing a method of making an electrical connection of a connection member to a battery cell by coupling a connecting member having a fastening part mechanically coupled to the opening to a fastening opening of an electrode terminal, and providing a secondary battery cell and a connection member for the same. will be.

A method of making an electrical connection of a connection member to a battery cell according to the present invention is a method of making an electrical connection of two or more secondary battery cells using a predetermined connection member, which is fastened to at least one electrode terminal of the battery cell. The opening for the connection is perforated, the connecting member is provided with a fastening portion mechanically coupled to the fastening opening, and by coupling the fastening portion of the fastening member to the fastening opening of the battery cell, the electrical connection of the connection member to the battery cell is achieved. It consists of making a connection.

The electrical connection method of the connection member to the battery cell according to the present invention does not require a soldering and welding process for the electrical connection of the battery cell electrode terminals, to maintain a stable connection structure only by coupling the connection member and the battery cell electrode terminal Therefore, it is possible to prevent the possibility of short circuit of the battery which may occur during soldering, welding process, etc., so that the resistance change of the connection part does not deviate from the confidence level even by external impact, etc., and at the same time facilitates the battery pack assembly process, the battery cell electrode terminal It can provide a stable bond between them.

In addition, when a defect occurs during the assembly or use of the battery pack, the battery cell can be easily separated, so that all the battery cells constituting the battery pack have to be discarded due to the failure of some battery cells or connection members. I can eliminate it.

Further, since the fastening opening for mounting the connection member to the electrode terminal of the battery cell is perforated, the application structure or shape of the connection member can be more diversified, and there is an advantage that the structure can be made simpler.

In one preferred embodiment, the coupling of the fastening portion to the fastening opening may be a method of forming an elastic fastening by pressing the fastening member to the battery cell in a state where the fastening portion is positioned on the fastening opening. The elastic fastening method not only makes it easy to fasten the battery cell and the coupling member by a simple operation, but also makes it possible to easily separate the battery cell and the coupling member with a small force.

In another preferred embodiment, the coupling of the fastening portion to the fastening opening may be a method of forming an elastic fastening by rotating the fastening connecting member in a state in which the fastening portion is inserted onto the fastening opening.

In this manner, the shape of the fastening part may be configured differently from the part of the fastening opening into which the fastening part is inserted for fastening and the shape of the remaining parts except for this part. For example, the size of the insertion portion in the fastening opening is the same as or larger than the fastening portion (or the end portion of the fastening portion to be inserted), and the size of the remaining portion is such that the fastening portion (or the insertion can be prevented from being detached in the rotated state. End portion of the fastening portion). The fastening portion and the fastening opening of the structure as described above are fastened while elastically contacting a small portion when the fastening portion is inserted into the fastening opening and rotates.

After inserting the fastening member of the fastening member into the fastening opening of the battery cell, the angle for rotating for fastening is preferably 45 to 150 degrees. If the angle for rotating for fastening is greater than 150 degrees, fastening with the battery cell. Since the angle of moving the fastening member is increased to join or detach the member, the fastening and dismounting process may be relatively inconvenient or may be deformed by the application of excessive force in the fastening process, and the angle to rotate for fastening is 45 degrees or less. When small, there is a problem in that the coupling due to the elastic fastening of the battery cell and the fastening member may be weakened and released even by a small impact or shaking.

The present invention also provides a secondary battery cell in which at least one or more fastening openings are formed in which a positive electrode terminal, a negative electrode terminal, or a member (connection member) for electrical connection can be coupled to a central portion of these electrode terminals by a mechanical fastening method. To provide.

As described above, the secondary battery cell according to the present invention may further diversify the application form of the connection member based on a mechanical fastening method that does not require soldering or welding, and the structure of the connection member itself may be simplified. It can be made, and can maintain a stable coupling force between the connecting member and the battery cell electrode terminals.

In general, a cylindrical secondary battery cell has a plurality of openings ('gas outlets') for discharging the internal high pressure gas generated in an abnormal operating state of the battery in the protruding positive electrode terminal. The gas outlet is radially formed at a predetermined distance from the central axis so as not to increase the internal resistance during electrical connection of the secondary battery. On the other hand, since the fastening opening according to the present invention is formed at the center of the electrode terminal, it is different from the conventional gas discharge.

Therefore, in one preferred embodiment, the battery cell according to the present invention includes a protruding positive electrode terminal, a plurality of gas outlets are formed in the circumferential direction of the protrusion of the positive electrode terminal, the fastening opening is formed in the center portion It can be a structure.

The protruding positive terminal is easy to form a fastening opening that can be combined with the connection member, and generally can be easily applied to a cylindrical battery in which the protruding positive terminal is formed. In addition, the plurality of gas outlets formed in the circumferential direction with the fastening opening at the center portion as the center effectively discharges the high pressure gas inside the battery as described above, thereby ensuring the safety of the battery cell.

However, since the fastening opening is coupled to the predetermined connection member in a mechanical fastening manner, the fastening opening is not completely closed by the connection member, and thus the fastening opening may serve as a gas outlet. In such a structure, a separate gas outlet may not be formed on the protrusion of the anode terminal, and such a structure should also be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

The fastening opening may have various structures or shapes. In one preferred embodiment, two slits may be formed in the center portion of the outer circumferential surface of the battery cell electrode terminal while forming a cross-shaped structure with long sides and short sides.

Therefore, the battery cells can be easily fastened to each other by using a connection member including a fastening portion having a shape corresponding to the long side shape. The fastening portion of the connection member is inserted into the long side of the fastening opening, and thus the short side of the fastening opening. By rotating to a position that is in equilibrium with the elastic fastening, it is possible to achieve a fastening of the battery cell and the connection member in a simple and easy manner, and to achieve an electrical connection.

On the other hand, when the width of the slit is too large, the size of the fastening opening becomes excessively large compared to the size of the electrode terminal, and the fastening portion of the connecting member and the fastening opening are elastically fastened to each other to provide a firm binding force. This is undesirable because it can be difficult to provide a structure that can be provided. On the contrary, when the width of the slit is too small, it may not be easy to insert or detach the fastening part. Therefore, the width of the slit is preferably 5 to 50% based on the radius of the outer peripheral surface of the battery cell electrode terminal.

In addition, the length of the long side slit and the length of the short side slit is a long side slit is inserted into the fastening portion of the connecting member is rotated to a position in equilibrium with the short side slit, thereby providing a solid binding force by the elastic fastening of the battery cell and the connecting member. It shall be adjusted so that the fastening part of the connecting member is formed to an appropriate length so that it can be easily inserted or removed. Accordingly, the length of the long side slit is 10 to 50% based on the diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the battery cell electrode terminal, and the length of the short side slit is preferably 5 to 30% in a range smaller than that of the long side slit.

In another preferred embodiment, the fastening opening may have a structure in which two arc-shaped slits form a symmetrical structure with respect to the electrode terminal center axis.

The two arc-shaped slits, which form a symmetrical structure, are horizontally bent in the longitudinal direction of the slit and inserted and rotated in the vertical section of the coupling member having a substantially "B" shape so as to be horizontal in the "B" shape. By making the bent portion elastically fastened with the bottom surface of the electrode terminal is not made of a slit, it is possible to provide a stable coupling force of the battery cell and the connection member.

The present invention also provides a connecting member for electrically connecting the battery cells arranged in the longitudinal direction by a mechanical contact method,

(a) an outer circumferential surface connecting portion contacting the lower battery cell electrode terminal with a predetermined width at a portion near the outer circumferential surface thereof, corresponding to the outer surface shape of the battery cell electrode terminal positioned below;

(b) an upward protrusion connected to a tapered structure upward in a central axis direction with respect to the outer circumferential surface connection portion to provide a resilient grounding force to the lower battery cell;

(c) a fastening portion formed on the upward protrusion and elastically coupled to the fastening opening of the battery cell; And

(d) a plurality of auxiliary connections which are continuous in a downward and / or upward taper structure to the inner circumferential surface connection portion;

It comprises a terminal connection for serial connection of the battery cells arranged in the longitudinal direction, consisting of,

A connection member including a terminal for circuit connection is provided on one side of the terminal connection part.

The connection member according to the present invention forms a stable connection structure for electrical connection only by coupling the connection member to the battery cell electrode terminal, so that the resistance change of the connection portion does not deviate from the reliability level even by an external impact, etc. It is easy to assemble the process, it can provide a stable bonding force between the battery cell electrode terminals. In addition, when a failure occurs during the assembly or use of the battery pack, the battery cells can be easily separated, so that all the battery cells constituting the battery pack due to the failure of some of the battery cells or the connection member has to be discarded. I can eliminate it.

In one preferred example, the connection member is connected to each other so that two or more terminal connections are interconnected so as to simultaneously achieve serial connection of the battery cells arranged in the longitudinal direction and parallel connection of the battery cells arranged in the lateral direction. It can be formed in a structure that can be applied to not only the series-connected battery pack, but also the battery pack that is connected at the same time in series and parallel connection.

The fastening part may be preferably formed to be bent in an upwardly protruding shape so that the fastening part is easily inserted into the fastening opening of the battery cell to make an electrical connection.

In another preferred embodiment, the upward protrusions are continuous from the upper inner side and the lower inner side of the outer circumferential connection portion, and are connected in a structure tapered upward in the central axis direction with respect to the outer circumferential surface connection portion, and formed on the electrode terminal surface of the battery cell. It is easy to be inserted into a predetermined portion, and the outer peripheral surface connection portion can be elastically contacted with the lower battery cell.

Preferably, the fastening part extends upwardly, and is symmetrical, so that the fastening part may be more elasticly coupled to the fastening opening of the battery cell.

The connecting member according to the present invention can be manufactured integrally by, for example, pressing and deforming one conductive plate. That is, one conductive plate is punched and rolled to suit the shape of the connection member, and the outer peripheral surface contact portion contacting the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell, an upward protrusion providing elastic grounding force to the lower battery cell, and the upper battery cell electrode terminal. A fastening portion that is elastically coupled to a predetermined portion of, and the auxiliary connecting portions that are continuous in a tapered structure downward and / or inward to the outer peripheral surface connection portion can be manufactured in an easy and simple manner.

The connection member according to the present invention can be particularly preferably used for the electrical connection of the cylindrical battery cells, in this case, the outer peripheral surface connection portion and the upward protrusion of the connection member as a whole concentric structure, the shape of the electrode terminal surface of the cylindrical battery cell Corresponding to, it is possible to maximize the contact surface between each other.

In general, a cylindrical battery cell has a positive electrode terminal protruding from one end thereof, and the battery case is configured to form a negative electrode terminal in an insulated state. In the present specification, the concentric circle structure as a whole means that each of the portions is formed to have an approximately concentric shape in the outward direction from the central axis of the connecting member.

For example, the size of the concentric circles corresponding to the inner diameter or the outer diameter of the fastening portion, the upward protrusion and the outer surface connection portion may be formed in an outer direction from the central axis of the connecting member.

Preferably, the contact width of the outer circumferential surface connecting portion with respect to the battery cell is 5 to 30% based on the radius of the terminal connecting portion. When the contact width of the outer circumferential surface connection portion is less than 5%, the resistance of the contact portion increases due to the narrow contact area, and the electrical connection of the battery cell can be easily disconnected as the electrode terminal deviates from its position due to an external impact. . On the contrary, when the width of the outer peripheral surface connection portion exceeds 30%, it is not preferable because the size of the remaining portions such as the upward protrusion becomes small, so that it is difficult to exert a predetermined elastic force and the protrusion fastening portion is not easily coupled to the corresponding portion of the battery cell.

The height of the fastening part is preferably formed in the size of 30 to 70% based on the overall height of the connection member. If the height of the protruding fastening portion is less than 30%, the size of the protruding portion is small, so that it is not easy to couple to a predetermined portion of the battery cell electrode terminal. This is undesirable because it increases the size of the battery pack.

As mentioned above, the auxiliary connection parts which are continuous in the downward or upward taper structure are formed inside the outer circumferential connection part to further reinforce the elastic force of the connection member, and the electrode terminal is momentarily applied when the external force such as vibration or bending is applied to the battery pack. Short circuit can be prevented.

The auxiliary connecting portion continued in the upward taper structure is a structure in which its end is inclined in the direction of the central axis at a height higher than that of the outer peripheral surface connecting portion. The auxiliary connecting portions extending upward to a height higher than the outer circumferential surface connecting portion may elastically support the upward protrusion in a state in which the connecting member is in contact with the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell, and also may be connected to the electrode terminal of the upper battery cell. This prevents the occurrence of a short circuit due to an unstable connection state when the external force is applied as described above. Moreover, when the auxiliary connection part of the upward taper structure is two or more, the above effects can be provided more stably.

On the contrary, it is a matter of course that the end connection of the tapered continuous connection is inclined in the direction of the center axis to a lower height than the outer circumferential connection in order to obtain the aforementioned effect.

In this case, the connection portion of the up tapered structure among the auxiliary connecting portions may be in contact with the electrode terminal of the upper battery cell (a), and the connection portion of the downward taper structure may be in contact with the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell (b).

Since the method for making the electrical connection, the secondary battery cell and the connection member according to the present invention do not require a welding or soldering process for the electrical connection of the battery cell electrode terminals, there is a possibility of thermal damage and short circuit of the battery that may occur during the welding process. It can prevent and greatly reduce the defective rate, the stable coupling structure between the electrode terminals of the battery cell can minimize the resistance change of the terminal connection portion, it is possible to significantly improve the production efficiency.

In addition, even if a defective battery cell occurs, it is easy to be detached and detached by a mechanical contact method, so that it is possible to select and reuse a battery cell in which the defect does not occur, and to use a material having excellent electrical conductivity compared to the spot welding method. Can improve pack performance.

In addition, even when an external force such as a drop or vibration is applied to the battery pack, the battery cell is protected from the external force by the connection member of the present invention having elasticity.

Hereinafter, the content of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an electrode terminal having a fastening opening according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an electrode terminal having a fastening opening according to another embodiment of the present invention. Is schematically illustrated.

Referring to these drawings, the electrode terminals 100 and 101 according to the present invention have a gas outlet 120 formed on the protrusion in the circumferential direction, and a member for electrical connection to the central portion of the electrode terminal is a mechanical fastening method. Fastening openings 110 and 111 that can be coupled to each other are formed. However, as described above, when the fastening opening 120 also serves as a gas discharge opening, the gas outlet 120 does not need to be formed separately.

The fastening openings 110 and 111 are formed of, for example, a cross-shaped structure (see the electrode terminal structure of 100), a structure in which two arc-shaped slits form a symmetrical structure (see electrode terminal structure of 101), and the like. have. Accordingly, according to the structure or shape of the fastening openings 110 and 111 of the electrode terminal, the member for the electrical connection and the fastening portion thereof may be formed in various structures.

Specifically, a fastening portion having a shape corresponding to the long side shape of the fastening opening 110 is inserted into the electrode terminal having the fastening opening 110 having a cross-shaped structure, and rotated at an angle of 90 degrees, thereby elastically fastening with the electrode terminal 100. Will be achieved.

In addition, in the fastening opening 111 of the structure in which the two arc-shaped slits form a symmetrical structure, they are horizontally bent in the longitudinal direction of the slit and inserted into a fastening part having a substantially "B" shape in a vertical cross section, and then rotated in the bending direction. As a result, elastic fastening is achieved with the electrode terminal.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a plan view thereof.

Referring to these drawings, the connection member 200 according to the present invention is composed of two terminal connection parts (200A, 200B) are connected to each other, including a circuit connection terminal portion 250 for connecting to an external circuit have.

Each terminal connection portion 200A has a predetermined width w and an outer circumferential connection portion 210 which is electrically connected to an electrode terminal of a lower battery cell (not shown), and a central axis of the terminal connection portion with respect to the outer circumferential surface connection portion 210. Consisting portion 230 formed on the upward protrusion 220 of the tapered upward structure in the (280) direction, the auxiliary connection parts 240, 242 continuous in the upward or downward tapered structure to the inside of the outer peripheral surface connection portion 210 have.

The contact width w that contacts the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell in the outer peripheral surface connection portion 210 is approximately 10% based on the radius W of the terminal connection portion, and corresponds to the outer surface of the battery cell electrode terminal positioned below. It consists of concentric shapes.

The fastening part 230 has a structure in which its end is bent outward, and when inserted into the fastening opening 110 of the electrode terminal 100 as shown in FIG. Is connected.

In addition, four auxiliary connecting parts 240 are inclined upwardly from the outer circumferential connecting part 210 to a predetermined height in the outer circumferential surface connecting part 210, and the other four auxiliary connecting parts 242 are downward from the outer circumferential surface connecting part 210. It is tapered to a predetermined depth. The ends of the auxiliary connectors 240 are bent downward with respect to the upward taper direction of the auxiliary connector, and the ends of the other auxiliary connectors 242 are bent upward with respect to the downward taper direction of the auxiliary connector. Therefore, in the process of mounting the connection member 200 to the positive or negative terminal of the lower battery cell (not shown), the auxiliary connecting portion 240, 242 is elastically pressed while the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell or the upper battery cell Will be connected to

Although the auxiliary connectors 240 and 242 exhibit somewhat low modulus of elasticity, the four parts are independently connected to the electrode terminals of the lower battery cell, thereby preventing a short circuit of the battery cell from external factors such as vibration. It keeps electrical connections between cells.

In addition, as shown in Figure 6, the outer circumferential surface connecting portion 210 of the terminal connecting portion has a concentric shape, thereby improving the contact area and the mutual adhesion between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical battery cell electrode terminals.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a connection member according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view thereof.

The connection member 201 of FIGS. 7 and 8 has an outer circumferential connection portion 210, an upward protrusion 220, and a fastening portion 230, except that the connection member 201 includes one terminal connection portion as compared to FIGS. 5 and 6. , 232), auxiliary connectors 240 and 242, terminal 250 for circuit connection, and the like are substantially the same as in FIGS. 5 and 6, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

Although described with reference to the drawings according to an embodiment of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to perform various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above contents.

1 is an exploded view showing a coupling manner of batteries electrically connected by a metal plate which is a conventional connecting member;

2 is a schematic view of a battery pack with a metal plate and a protection circuit connected;

3 is a perspective view of an electrode terminal having a fastening opening according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a perspective view of an electrode terminal having a fastening opening according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view thereof;

7 is a perspective view of a connecting member according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view thereof.

Claims (20)

A method of making an electrical connection between two or more secondary battery cells by using a predetermined connection member, wherein at least one electrode terminal of the battery cell is perforated with a fastening opening, and the connecting member is mechanically coupled to the fastening opening. And a fastening portion formed therein, wherein the fastening portion of the fastening member is coupled to the fastening opening of the battery cell, thereby making electrical connection of the connection member to the battery cell. The method of claim 1, wherein the fastening of the fastening member to the fastening opening is achieved by pressing the fastening member to the battery cell in a state in which the fastening portion is positioned on the fastening opening, thereby achieving elastic fastening. How to. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fastening of the fastening portion to the fastening opening is achieved in such a way as to achieve an elastic fastening by rotating the fastening member with the fastening portion inserted in the fastening opening. The method of claim 3, wherein the fastening part of the fastening member is inserted into the fastening opening of the battery cell and then rotated for fastening is 45 to 150 degrees. A secondary battery cell, characterized in that one or two or more fastening openings are formed in a positive terminal, a negative electrode terminal, or a central portion of these electrode terminals, in which a member (connection member) for electrical connection can be coupled in a mechanical fastening manner. The method of claim 5, wherein the battery cell includes a protruding positive electrode terminal, a plurality of gas outlets are formed in the circumferential direction of the protrusion of the positive electrode terminal, characterized in that the fastening opening is formed in the central portion Secondary battery cell. The secondary battery cell of claim 5, wherein the fastening opening has a cross-shaped structure in which two slits form a long side and a short side in a plane at a central portion of an outer circumferential surface of the battery cell electrode terminal. The method of claim 7, wherein the width of the slit secondary battery cell, characterized in that the size of 5 to 50% based on the radius of the outer peripheral surface of the battery cell electrode terminal. The length of the long side slit is 10 to 50% based on the diameter of the outer surface of the battery cell electrode terminal, the length of the short side slit is 5 to 30% in the range smaller than the long side slit. Secondary battery cell. The secondary battery cell of claim 5, wherein the fastening opening has two arc-shaped slits formed in a symmetrical structure with respect to the electrode terminal center axis. As a connecting member for electrically connecting the battery cells arranged in the longitudinal direction by a mechanical contact method, (a) an outer circumferential surface connecting portion contacting the lower battery cell electrode terminal with a predetermined width at a portion near the outer circumferential surface thereof, corresponding to the outer surface shape of the battery cell electrode terminal positioned below; (b) an upward protrusion connected to a tapered structure upward in a central axis direction with respect to the outer circumferential surface connection portion to provide a resilient grounding force to the lower battery cell; (c) a fastening portion formed on the upward protrusion and elastically coupled to the fastening opening of the battery cell; And (d) a plurality of auxiliary connections which are continuous in a downward and / or upward taper structure to the inner circumferential surface connection portion; It comprises a terminal connection for serial connection of the battery cells arranged in the longitudinal direction, consisting of, And a terminal portion for circuit connection on one side of the terminal connecting portion. 12. The connection according to claim 11, wherein two or more terminal connections are interconnected to simultaneously achieve serial connection of the battery cells arranged in the longitudinal direction and parallel connection of the battery cells arranged in the lateral direction. absence. 12. The connecting member according to claim 11, wherein the fastening portion is bent in a form in which its end portion protrudes upward. 12. The connecting member according to claim 11, wherein the upwardly protruding portions are respectively continuous from the upper inner side and the lower inner side of the outer circumferential surface connecting portion. 12. The connecting member according to claim 11, wherein the fastening portion extends upwardly and protrudes symmetrically. 12. The connecting member according to claim 11, wherein the connecting member is integrally manufactured by pressing and deforming one conductive plate. 12. The connecting member according to claim 11, wherein the battery cell is a cylindrical battery cell, and the outer circumferential surface connecting portion and the upwardly projecting portion form a concentric circular structure as a whole. 12. The connecting member according to claim 11, wherein the contact width of the outer circumferential surface connecting portion to the battery cell is 5 to 30% in size based on the radius of the terminal connecting portion. 12. The connecting member according to claim 11, wherein the fastening portion has a height of 30 to 70% based on the total height of the connecting member. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the connection portion of the upper tapered structure of the auxiliary connection portion is in contact with the electrode terminal of the upper battery cell (a), the connection portion of the downward taper structure is in contact with the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell (b) Connecting member.

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