KR20160056073A - Secondary Battery Pack Able to Expand Capacity through Compact Combination Structure and Pack Assembly Having the Same - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a secondary battery pack comprising: a battery cell in which an electrode assembly including an anode, a cathode, and a separator interposed between the anode and the cathode is received in a battery case with an electrolyte; and an external member for covering the outer surface of the battery cell. The external member includes: a first cover for covering the upper surface of the battery cell and a portion of the end of the battery cell; and a second cover for covering the lower surface of the battery cell and the remaining portion of the end of the battery cell. The first cover has two or more complementary coupling units protruding upward in a position facing the upper surface of the battery cell. The second cover has two or more complementary recessed units recessed upward in a position facing the lower surface of the battery cell to have an inner surface shape corresponding to the outer surface shape of the complementary coupling units. Therefore, the secondary battery pack of the present invention can be connected to other secondary battery packs to have various designs and desired capacity.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a secondary battery pack and a secondary battery pack including the secondary battery pack,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a secondary battery pack capable of expanding its capacity with a simple coupling structure and a secondary battery pack assembly including the secondary battery pack.

As information technology (IT) technology has developed remarkably, various portable information and communication devices have been spreading, so that the 21st century is being developed into a ubiquitous society capable of providing high-quality information services regardless of time and place.

As a development base for such a ubiquitous society, a lithium secondary battery occupies an important position. Specifically, the rechargeable lithium secondary battery is widely used as an energy source for wireless mobile devices, and is proposed as a solution for air pollution of existing gasoline vehicles and diesel vehicles using fossil fuels And also as an energy source for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and the like.

As described above, as the devices to which the lithium secondary battery is applied are diversified, the lithium secondary battery has been diversified to provide an appropriate output and capacity for the applied device. In addition, miniaturization is strongly demanded.

The lithium secondary battery is manufactured in consideration of the size and shape of a device using the same as a power source. In recent years, there have been various products in which a lithium secondary battery is used. In order to be applicable to various devices having curved or curved surfaces, Apart from structure, it is manufactured with various designs of geometric structure.

However, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to manufacture a secondary battery satisfying a desired capacity and shape due to the complicated electrical connection method in the course of such design change.

In addition, when a lithium secondary battery is used as a power source for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle requiring a high electrical capacity, when a large number of battery packs are manufactured by electrically connecting many lithium secondary batteries, Since the connection method is required, not only the manufacturing process is complicated but also the manufacturing cost is increased.

Accordingly, there is a high need for a secondary battery capable of forming a desired design through a simple coupling structure and capable of expanding its capacity.

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

The inventors of the present application have conducted intensive research and various experiments and have succeeded in applying an exterior member having a complementary coupling portion and a complementary indentation portion to a secondary battery as described later, , It has been confirmed that various designs and desired capacities can be formed, and the present invention has been accomplished.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein,

A battery cell in which an electrode assembly having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separation membrane between the positive and negative electrodes is housed in a battery case together with an electrolyte; And

An exterior member coupled to surround the outer surface of the battery cell;

Lt; / RTI >

The exterior member includes a first cover surrounding an upper surface of the battery cell and a portion of the end of the battery cell, and a second cover surrounding the bottom surface of the battery cell and the end portion of the battery cell,

Wherein the first cover is provided with at least two complementary engaging portions protruding upward in a position facing the upper surface of the battery cell and the second cover has an inner surface shape corresponding to the outer shape of the complementary engaging portion , Two or more complementary indentations having an upwardly recessed shape are formed at positions facing the lower surface of the battery cell.

That is, the secondary battery pack according to the present invention has a complementary engaging portion and a complementary indentation portion which are mutually engageable with an outer member surrounding the battery cell, and can be easily combined with other secondary batteries.

For example, when the complementary coupling portion of the secondary battery pack is inserted into the complementary indentation of another secondary battery pack, these secondary battery packs may be electrically and / or mechanically coupled to each other.

Alternatively, the secondary battery pack may be electrically and / or mechanically coupled to the secondary battery pack when the complementary engaging portion of the other secondary battery pack is inserted into the complementary recessed portion of the secondary battery pack.

Therefore, the secondary battery pack according to the present invention can be easily combined with other secondary battery packs having the complementary engaging portions and the complementary indent portions, and they can be electrically connected. Therefore, By combining the battery packs, the capacity can be increased.

In addition, the secondary battery pack according to the present invention can be customized to have a desired shape by being coupled with other secondary battery packs having various sizes and shapes.

In one specific example, the electrode terminal of the battery cell includes: a first electrode terminal portion protruding from one end of the battery cell;

A second electrode terminal portion electrically connected to the first electrode terminal portion and extending to an upper surface of the battery cell along an outer surface of the battery cell; And

A third electrode terminal portion electrically connected to the first electrode terminal portion and extending to the lower surface of the battery cell along an outer surface of the battery cell;

. ≪ / RTI >

Such a structure allows the secondary battery pack to be electrically connected to other secondary battery packs and devices in the direction of one end, the upper surface and the lower surface through the electrode terminal portions formed at one end, upper surface, and lower surface of the battery cell. That is, the secondary battery pack has a multi-directional connection structure that is not a unidirectional connection structure.

Here, the upper surface and the lower surface may be the upper surface of the lamination layer and the lower surface of the lamination layer on the basis of the direction in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are laminated in the electrode assembly included in the battery cell.

The first electrode terminal portion includes a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead protruding from one side end of the battery cell and the second electrode terminal portion is welded or soldered to the upper surface of the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of the first electrode terminal portion, And the third electrode terminal portion may have a structure in which the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of the first electrode terminal portion are coupled to each other by welding or soldering.

That is, the second electrode terminal portion is connected to the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of the first electrode terminal portion, and may be a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead, respectively, located on the upper surface of the battery cell. Similarly, the third electrode terminal portion may have a structure connected to the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of the first electrode terminal portion, and may be a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead, respectively, located on the lower surface of the battery cell.

The first electrode terminal portion may be connected to a protective circuit board (PCB). Specifically, the protection circuit includes a connector electrically connected to the external input / output terminal and the external input / output terminal, and may be embedded in an electrically insulating case. The protection circuit incorporated in the case may be mounted on one end of the battery case while being electrically connected to the first electrode terminal portion of the battery cell.

Here, the battery case may be a battery case of a laminate sheet including a metal layer and a resin layer.

The second electrode terminal portion may further include a protruding terminal protruded upward from a top surface of the battery cell at a position corresponding to the complementary coupling portion so as to be inserted into the inner surface of the complementary coupling portion. Also, among the complementary coupling portions, the complementary coupling portion into which the projection terminal of the second electrode terminal portion is inserted may have a structure in which the projecting upper end surface thereof is opened so that a part of the projection terminal is exposed.

Alternatively, the third electrode terminal portion may extend parallel to the lower surface of the battery cell, one surface of the third electrode terminal portion may be in close contact with the lower surface of the battery cell, And at least two of the complementary indentations may have a structure in which the indentation upper surface of the third electrode terminal portion is opened so that a part of the third electrode terminal portion is exposed.

Therefore, when the complementary engaging portion protruding from the second electrode terminal portion is inserted into the complementary indent portion in which a part of the third electrode terminal portion is exposed in the other rechargeable battery pack, the protruding terminal and the third electrode terminal portion are contacted And the second electrode terminal portion and the third electrode terminal portion may be electrically connected.

The protruding terminal may project through the open top face of the complementary engaging portion at a height of 10% to 30% of the height of the complementary engaging portion. If the protruding terminal protrudes below the above range, the protruding terminal exposed through the complementary indent may not sufficiently contact the third electrode terminal portion, which is not preferable. If the protruding terminal protrudes beyond the above range, An excessive pressure is applied to the contact end portion of the projecting terminal when the electrode terminal portion is brought into contact with the electrode terminal portion, so that the end portion of the projecting terminal may be deformed or broken.

In one specific example, the first cover and the second cover may be made of an electrically insulating polymer resin.

The polymer resin may be, for example, at least one selected from polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate or ABS resin (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin), but is not limited thereto.

Wherein the first cover and the second cover of the exterior member include mutually corresponding fastening protrusions and fastening grooves, and when the first cover and the second cover are pressed while being in contact with each other, 2 cover may be a structure in which the fastening protrusion and the fastening groove are resiliently engaged and engaged with each other.

In one specific example, the secondary battery pack may be formed into a polygonal shape or a circular shape in plan view.

Meanwhile, the type of the battery cell constituting the battery pack according to the present invention is not particularly limited, but specific examples thereof include a lithium ion battery having advantages such as high energy density, discharge voltage, and output stability, a lithium ion polymer battery And the like.

Generally, a lithium secondary battery is composed of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a lithium salt.

The positive electrode is prepared, for example, by coating a mixture of a positive electrode active material, a conductive material and a binder on a positive electrode current collector, and then drying the mixture. Optionally, a filler may be further added to the mixture.

The cathode active material may be a layered compound such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO ₂ ), lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO ₂ ), or a compound substituted with one or more transition metals; Lithium manganese oxides such as Li _{1 + x} Mn _{2 -x} O ₄ (where x is 0 to 0.33), LiMnO ₃ , LiMn ₂ O ₃ , LiMnO ₂ and the like; Lithium copper oxide (Li ₂ CuO ₂ ); Vanadium oxides such as LiV ₃ O ₈ , LiFe ₃ O ₄ , V ₂ O ₅ and Cu ₂ V ₂ O ₇ ; A Ni-site type lithium nickel oxide expressed by the formula LiNi _1-x M _x O ₂ (where M = Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B or Ga and x = 0.01 to 0.3); Formula _{LiMn 2-x M x O 2} ( where, M = Co, Ni, Fe , Cr, and Zn, or Ta, x = 0.01 ~ 0.1 Im) or Li ₂ Mn ₃ MO ₈ (where, M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn); LiMn ₂ O _{4 in} which a part of Li in the formula is substituted with an alkaline earth metal ion; Disulfide compounds; Fe ₂ (MoO ₄ ) ₃ , and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to these.

The conductive material is usually added in an amount of 1 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture including the cathode active material. Such a conductive material is not particularly limited as long as it has electrical conductivity without causing chemical changes in the battery, for example, graphite such as natural graphite or artificial graphite; Carbon black such as carbon black, acetylene black, ketjen black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, and summer black; Conductive fibers such as carbon fiber and metal fiber; Metal powders such as carbon fluoride, aluminum, and nickel powder; Conductive whiskey such as zinc oxide and potassium titanate; Conductive metal oxides such as titanium oxide; Conductive materials such as polyphenylene derivatives and the like can be used.

The binder is a component which assists in bonding of the active material and the conductive material and bonding to the current collector, and is usually added in an amount of 1 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture containing the cathode active material. Examples of such binders include polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), starch, hydroxypropylcellulose, regenerated cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene , Polypropylene, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM), sulfonated EPDM, styrene butylene rubber, fluorine rubber, various copolymers and the like.

The filler is optionally used as a component for suppressing the expansion of the anode, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a fibrous material without causing a chemical change in the battery. Examples of the filler include olefin polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene; Fibrous materials such as glass fibers and carbon fibers are used.

The negative electrode is manufactured by applying and drying a negative electrode active material on a negative electrode collector, and if necessary, the above-described components may be selectively included.

Examples of the negative electrode active material include carbon such as non-graphitized carbon and graphite carbon; _{Li x Fe 2 O 3 (0≤x≤1} ), Li x WO 2 (0≤x≤1), Sn x Me 1-x Me 'y O z (Me: Mn, Fe, Pb, Ge; Me' : Metal complex oxides such as Al, B, P, Si, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 elements of the periodic table, Halogen, 0 < x < Lithium metal; Lithium alloy; Silicon-based alloys; Tin alloy; _{SnO, SnO 2, PbO, PbO} 2, Pb 2 O 3, Pb 3 O 4, Sb 2 O 3, Sb 2 O 4, Sb 2 O 5, GeO, GeO 2, Bi 2 O 3, Bi 2 O 4, and Bi ₂ O ₅ ; Conductive polymers such as polyacetylene; Li-Co-Ni-based materials and the like can be used.

The separation membrane and the separation film are interposed between the anode and the cathode, and an insulating thin film having high ion permeability and mechanical strength is used. The pore diameter of the separator is generally 0.01 to 10 mu m, and the thickness is generally 5 to 130 mu m. Such separation membranes include, for example, olefinic polymers such as polypropylene, which are chemically resistant and hydrophobic; A sheet or nonwoven fabric made of glass fiber, polyethylene or the like is used. When a solid electrolyte such as a polymer is used as an electrolyte, the solid electrolyte may also serve as a separation membrane.

Further, in one specific example, in order to improve the safety of the battery, the separation membrane and / or the separation film may be an organic / inorganic composite porous SRS (Safety-Reinforcing Separators) separation membrane.

The SRS separator is manufactured by using inorganic particles and a binder polymer on the polyolefin-based separator substrate as an active layer component. In addition to the pore structure contained in the separator substrate itself, the SRS separator is formed by interstitial volume between inorganic particles And has a uniform pore structure.

The use of such an organic / inorganic composite porous separator has an advantage in that the increase in cell thickness due to swelling during formation can be suppressed as compared with the case where a conventional separator is used, When a gelable polymer is used when liquid electrolyte is impregnated, it can also be used as an electrolyte.

In addition, the organic / inorganic composite porous separator can exhibit excellent adhesion characteristics by controlling the contents of the inorganic particles and the binder polymer in the separator, so that the cell assembly process can be easily performed.

The inorganic particles are not particularly limited as long as they are electrochemically stable. That is, the inorganic particles usable in the present invention are not particularly limited as long as the oxidation and / or reduction reaction does not occur in the operating voltage range of the applied battery (for example, 0 to 5 V based on Li / Li +). Particularly, when inorganic particles having an ion-transporting ability are used, the ion conductivity in the electrochemical device can be increased and the performance can be improved. Therefore, it is preferable that the ionic conductivity is as high as possible. In addition, when the inorganic particles have a high density, it is difficult to disperse the particles at the time of coating, and there is a problem of an increase in weight during the production of the battery. In the case of an inorganic substance having a high dielectric constant, dissociation of an electrolyte salt, for example, a lithium salt, in the liquid electrolyte also contributes to increase ionic conductivity of the electrolyte.

The nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing a lithium salt is composed of a polar organic electrolyte and a lithium salt. As the electrolytic solution, a non-aqueous liquid electrolytic solution, an organic solid electrolyte, an inorganic solid electrolyte and the like are used.

Examples of the nonaqueous liquid electrolytic solution include N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, gamma -Butyrolactone, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, tetrahydroxyfuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, dimethylsulfoxide, 1,3-dioxolane, formamide, dimethylformamide, dioxolane , Acetonitrile, nitromethane, methyl formate, methyl acetate, triester phosphate, trimethoxymethane, dioxolane derivatives, sulfolane, methylsulfolane, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, propylene carbonate Nonionic organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran derivatives, ethers, methyl pyrophosphate, ethyl propionate and the like can be used.

Examples of the organic solid electrolyte include a polymer electrolyte such as a polyethylene derivative, a polyethylene oxide derivative, a polypropylene oxide derivative, a phosphate ester polymer, an agitation lysine, a polyester sulfide, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinylidene fluoride, Polymers containing ionic dissociation groups, and the like can be used.

Examples of the inorganic solid electrolyte include Li ₃ N, LiI, Li ₅ NI ₂ , Li ₃ N-LiI-LiOH, LiSiO ₄ , LiSiO ₄ -LiI-LiOH, Li ₂ SiS ₃ , Li ₄ SiO ₄ , Nitrides, halides and sulfates of Li such as Li ₄ SiO ₄ -LiI-LiOH and Li ₃ PO ₄ -Li ₂ S-SiS ₂ can be used.

The lithium salt is a material that is readily soluble in the non-aqueous electrolyte, for example, LiCl, LiBr, LiI, LiClO 4, LiBF 4, LiB 10 Cl 10, LiPF 6, LiCF 3 SO 3, LiCF 3 CO 2, LiAsF _{6, LiSbF 6, LiAlCl 4,} CH 3 SO 3 Li, CF 3 SO 3 Li, (CF 3 SO 2) 2 NLi, chloroborane lithium, lower aliphatic carboxylic acid lithium, lithium tetraphenyl borate and imide have.

For the purpose of improving the charge-discharge characteristics and the flame retardancy, the non-aqueous liquid electrolyte may contain, for example, pyridine, triethylphosphite, triethanolamine, cyclic ether, ethylenediamine, glyme, N, N-substituted imidazolidine, ethylene glycol dialkyl ether, ammonium salt, pyrrole, 2-methoxyethanol, aluminum trichloride and the like are added It is possible. In some cases, a halogen-containing solvent such as carbon tetrachloride or ethylene trifluoride may be further added to impart nonflammability, or a carbon dioxide gas may be further added to improve high-temperature storage characteristics.

The present invention also provides a secondary battery pack assembly including the secondary battery pack.

Specifically, the secondary battery pack assembly is a secondary battery pack assembly including n secondary battery packs, wherein the complementary coupling portion in which the protruded terminals of the second positive electrode terminal portion is exposed at the upper end of the first secondary battery pack, The complementary engaging portion in which the projecting terminal of the second negative terminal portion is exposed at the upper end of the first secondary battery pack is inserted into the complementary engaging portion in which the third positive terminal portion of the battery pack is exposed, And a coupling structure in which the first secondary battery pack and the second secondary battery pack are mechanically coupled to each other and electrically connected in parallel to each other, the first secondary battery pack and the second secondary battery pack being inserted into the complementary-

And the second secondary battery pack and the second secondary battery pack are connected to each other by a coupling structure of the first secondary battery pack and the second secondary battery pack from the second secondary battery pack to the nth secondary battery pack when n is 3 or more.

That is, the secondary battery pack assembly has a structure in which the secondary battery packs are stacked from the lower end to the upper end through a coupling structure in which the complementary coupling portions and the complementary coupling portions formed in the secondary battery packs are mutually coupled, Mechanical fastening can be achieved. In addition, the n secondary battery packs constituting the secondary battery pack assembly may have different shapes and sizes, and the secondary battery packs may be coupled in a desired shape to form a secondary structure having a geometric structure, The battery pack assembly can be configured.

Meanwhile, the n-th secondary battery pack may have a structure in which a complementary coupling portion is not formed in the first cover. The n < th > secondary battery pack is positioned at the uppermost end of the secondary battery pack assembly. When the secondary battery pack assembly is mounted on the device, the unnecessary space waste is minimized, The protruding terminal protruding through the portion is prevented from coming into contact with the conductive material and being short-circuited.

The present invention also provides a secondary battery pack assembly in which secondary battery packs are combined in a structure different from the above structure.

Specifically, the secondary battery pack assembly is a secondary battery pack assembly including n secondary battery packs,

The complementary engaging portion in which the protruding terminal of the second positive electrode terminal portion is exposed at the upper end of the first secondary battery pack is inserted into the complementary indentation portion in which the third positive terminal portion of the second secondary battery pack is exposed, The complementary engaging portion in which the protruding terminal of the second negative terminal portion is exposed at the upper end of the second rechargeable battery pack is inserted into the complementary indentation portion in which the third negative terminal portion of the second rechargeable battery pack is exposed, A coupling structure mechanically coupled to each other and making electrical connection in parallel,

When n is 3 or more, the first secondary battery pack and the second secondary battery pack are coupled to each other from the third secondary battery pack to the nth secondary battery pack, and are coupled with other complementary coupling portions of the first secondary battery pack .

This structure has a structure in which n secondary battery packs are mounted side by side on the top of the first secondary battery pack through a coupling structure in which the complementary coupling portion and the complementary coupling portion formed in the secondary battery packs are mutually coupled. Electrical connection and mechanical fastening can be achieved.

The n-th secondary battery pack may have a structure in which a complementary coupling portion is not formed in the first cover.

The present invention also provides a device including the secondary battery pack as a power source.

Such a device may be, for example, any one selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, an electronic dictionary, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a wearable electronic device, an automobile, a hybrid electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, But is not limited thereto.

Since the devices are well known in the art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

As described above, the secondary battery pack according to the present invention can be easily coupled to other secondary battery packs having the complementary engaging portion and the complementary indenting portion, and they can be electrically connected. Therefore, The capacity of the secondary battery pack can be increased by coupling another secondary battery pack to the pack. In addition, the secondary battery pack can be combined with other secondary battery packs having various sizes and shapes, and can be customized into a geometry or a specific structure that is difficult to manufacture directly.

1 is a schematic view of a battery cell included in a secondary battery pack according to the present invention;
2 is a side schematic view of the battery cell shown in Fig. 1;
3 is a schematic view of an exterior member included in the secondary battery pack according to the present invention;
4 is a side schematic view of a secondary battery pack according to the present invention;
5 is a side schematic view of a secondary battery pack assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a schematic view of a secondary battery pack assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 1 schematically shows a battery cell included in a secondary battery pack according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 schematically shows a side surface of the battery cell shown in FIG.

Referring to these drawings, the battery cell 10 includes an electrode assembly 11 in which one or more electrode plates (not shown) coated with an electrode active material are stacked, an electrode assembly 11 A first electrode terminal portion 20 protruding through an outer peripheral end portion of the battery case 12; a first electrode terminal portion 20 protruding through an outer peripheral end portion of the battery case 12; The second electrode terminal portion 30 extending to the upper surface of the battery cell 10 along the outer surface of the battery case 12 and the bottom surface of the first electrode terminal portion 20 welded to the upper surface of the battery case 10 by welding. And a third electrode terminal portion 40 extending along the outer surface of the battery case 12 of the battery cell 10 to the lower surface of the battery cell 10. [

The first electrode terminal portion 20 is welded to the positive electrode tabs 17 extending from the positive electrode plate of the electrode assembly 11 and the positive electrode lead 24 extending outwardly through the outer peripheral end of the battery case 12, And anode electrode tabs 17 extending from a negative electrode plate (not shown) of the electrode assembly 11 and extending outward alongside the positive electrode lead 24 through the outer peripheral end of the battery case 12 And a negative electrode lead 22.

The second electrode terminal portion 30 is welded on the upper surface of the positive electrode lead 24 of the first electrode terminal portion 20 and is formed in a planar manner at a position coinciding with the positive electrode lead 24 of the first electrode terminal portion 20, The positive electrode lead 34 and the first electrode terminal portion 20 welded on the upper surface of the negative electrode lead 22 of the first electrode terminal portion 20 in a state of being closely contacted with the upper surface of the battery cell 10, And a negative electrode lead 32 extending in a state of being in tight contact with the upper surface of the battery cell 10 at a position corresponding to the negative electrode lead 24 of the battery cell 10.

Similarly, the third electrode terminal portion 40 is welded to the lower surface of the positive electrode lead 24 of the first electrode terminal portion 20, and the third electrode terminal portion 40 coincides with the positive electrode lead 24 of the first electrode terminal portion 20 The positive electrode lead 44 and the negative electrode lead 22 of the first electrode terminal portion 20 are welded to the lower surface of the battery cell 10 in a state of being closely contacted with the lower surface of the battery cell 10, And a negative electrode lead (not shown) extending in close contact with the lower surface of the battery cell 10 at a position corresponding to the negative electrode lead 24 of the terminal portion.

The protruded anode terminal 110 protruding upward from the upper surface of the battery cell is formed in the cathode lead 34 of the second electrode terminal portion 30. The protruded anode terminal 110 protruded upward from the upper surface of the battery cell is formed in the cathode lead 32, A protruding negative electrode terminal (not shown) protruding upward is formed from the upper surface of the cell in parallel with the protruding positive electrode terminal 110.

FIG. 3 schematically shows an exterior member included in the secondary battery pack according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3 together with FIGS. 1 and 2, the exterior member 50 includes a first cover 120 surrounding an upper surface of the battery cell 10 and a portion of an end of the battery cell 10, And a second cover 130 surrounding the bottom of the battery cell 10 and the end portion of the battery cell 10.

On the upper surface of the first cover 120, a plurality of complementary engaging portions 122a and 122b protruding upward are formed at regular intervals in a regular arrangement at a position facing the upper surface of the battery cell 10. [

The lower surface of the second cover 130 is provided with a plurality of complementary structures of upwardly recessed structure in the lower direction of the battery cell 10 so as to have an inner surface shape corresponding to the outer shape of the complementary engaging portions 122a, Shaped indentations 132a, 132b and 132c are formed in a regular arrangement.

The complementary engaging portions 122a, 122b and 122c of the first cover 120 are formed at positions corresponding to the positive electrode protruding terminals 110 formed in the positive electrode lead 34 of the second electrode terminal portion 30 Shaped coupling portion 122b is open at the top. Similarly, of the complementary coupling portions 122a and 122b, a complementary coupling portion 122c (not shown) formed at a position corresponding to the positive electrode projection terminal (not shown) formed in the negative electrode lead 32 of the second electrode terminal portion 30, ) Is open at the top. Accordingly, when the positive electrode protruding terminal 110 and the negative electrode protruding terminal are respectively inserted into the complementary engaging portions 122b and 122c having the opened upper ends, these protruding terminals protrude outward through the open top of the complementary engaging portions .

The complementary indentations 122b and 122c formed at the positions corresponding to the complementary engaging portions 122b and 122c having the upper ends opened in the first cover 120 among the complementary indentations 122a, 122b, and 122c of the second cover 120, The portions 122b and 122c are open at the top of the indentation. Therefore, when the second cover is in close contact with the lower surface of the battery cell, the positive electrode lead 44 and the negative electrode lead (not shown) of the third electrode terminal portion are electrically connected to the positive electrode lead 44 and the negative electrode lead ) May be exposed.

On the other hand, the side surfaces of the first cover 120 and the second cover 130 corresponding to the fastening recesses 123 of the first cover 120 are provided with fastening protrusions 123 134 are formed. Accordingly, when the first cover 120 and the second cover 130 are pressed in contact with each other, the first cover 120 and the second cover 130, the fastening protrusion 134, The engaging grooves 123 can be resiliently engaged and engaged with each other.

4 is a side schematic view of a secondary battery pack according to the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the secondary battery pack includes a battery cell 10, a protection circuit module 150 including a protection circuit, and an exterior member 50.

The protection circuit module 150 is electrically coupled to the positive electrode lead 24 and the negative electrode lead 22 of the first electrode terminal portion 20 and the sheath member 50 is fixed to the battery cell 10 The tightening groove 123 and the fastening protrusion 134 are engaged and fastened to the second cover 130 closely attached to the lower surface of the battery cell 10 so as to be in close contact with the upper surface of the battery cell 10, 50).

The anode protruding terminal 110 of the second electrode terminal portion 30 protrudes outward through the complementary engaging portion 122b of the first cover 120. Although not shown, The protruding terminal protrudes outward through the complementary connection 122c of the first cover 120. [

The positive electrode lead 44 of the third electrode terminal portion 40 is exposed to the outside through the complementary indentation portion 132b in which the indentation upper end face of the complementary indentation portions of the first cover 120 is opened, The negative electrode lead of the third electrode terminal portion 40 is exposed to the outside through the complementary indentation portion 132b in which the indentation upper end face of the complementary indentation portions of the second cover 130 is opened.

FIG. 5 schematically shows a side view of a secondary battery pack assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 together with FIGS. 1 to 4, the secondary battery pack assembly includes the first secondary battery pack 100, the second secondary battery pack 100a, and the third secondary battery pack 100b shown in FIG. .

The first rechargeable battery pack 100 is configured such that the complementary engaging portions 122a, 122b and 122c formed on the first cover 120 are formed in the second cover of the second rechargeable battery pack 100a, And they are physically coupled. The outer shape of the complementary engaging portions 122a, 122b and 122c is the same as the inner shape of the complementary engaging portions 132a, 132b and 132c, but the size of the complementary engaging portions 122a, 122b and 122c, For example, the diameter or length of the ends may be approximately 2% to 10% longer than the complementary indentations 132a, 132b, 132c. That is, when the complementary engaging portions 122a, 122b, and 122c and the complementary engaging portions 132a, 132b, and 132c are viewed from above, the areas of the complementary engaging portions 122a, (132a, 132b, 132c). When an external force is applied in order to insert the complementary engaging portions 122a, 122b and 122c having larger sizes into the complementary indentations 132a, 132b and 132c, the complementary engaging portions 122a, 122b, The complementary engaging portions 122a, 122b and 122c of a large size are inserted into the complementary indentations 132a, 132b and 132c by the elastic forces of the complementary indentations 132a, 132b and 132c, And can be fixed while being in close contact with the inner surfaces of the indentations 132a, 132b, and 132c. The first cover 120 and the second cover 130 may be made of a polymer resin having some elasticity.

The complementary engaging portion 122b in which the positive electrode protruding terminal 110 of the second electrode terminal portion 30 is exposed at the upper end of the first secondary battery pack 100 is connected to the third end of the second secondary battery pack 100a, The cathode lead portion of the second electrode terminal portion 30 is exposed from the upper end of the first secondary battery pack 100 and is inserted into the complementary indentation portion where the positive electrode lead of the electrode terminal portion 40a is exposed to be electrically connected, The complementary coupling portion is inserted into and electrically connected to the complementary indentation portion in which the negative electrode lead of the third electrode terminal portion of the second secondary battery pack 100a is exposed so that the first secondary battery pack 100a, The battery packs 100a are mechanically coupled to each other and electrically connected in parallel.

Likewise, the complementary engaging portion in which the positive electrode protruding terminal 110a of the second electrode terminal portion is exposed at the upper end of the second secondary battery pack 100a is connected to the positive electrode lead 40b of the third electrode terminal portion of the third secondary battery pack 100b And the complementary engaging portion in which the negative electrode protruding terminal of the second electrode terminal portion is exposed at the upper end of the second secondary battery pack 100a is inserted into the complementary engaging portion of the third secondary battery pack 100a The second secondary battery pack 100a and the third secondary battery pack 100b are mechanically coupled to each other so that the second secondary battery pack 100a and the third secondary battery pack 100b are electrically connected to each other. And are electrically connected in parallel.

As a result, the first secondary battery pack 100, the second secondary battery pack 100a, and the third secondary battery pack 100b are electrically connected in parallel to each other, and the secondary battery pack assembly 200, .

This structure can be easily combined with the first secondary battery pack 100, the second secondary battery pack 100a, and the third secondary battery pack 100b, each having a capacity of 1000 mAh, for example, , The secondary battery pack can be used with a capacity of 1000 mAh or 2000 mAh by expanding the capacity to 2000 mAh or 3000 mAh or by separating it. Therefore, the user can easily use the secondary battery pack assembly 200 with a desired capacity by combining the secondary battery packs.

On the other hand, the first cover 120b of the third secondary battery pack 100a is not provided with a complementary engaging portion on its upper surface, but may have a flat surface. This is to prevent an unnecessary space from being generated by the complementary engaging portion when the secondary battery pack assembly 200 is mounted on the device. If necessary, the first cover 120b of the third secondary battery pack 100b And the first cover having the complementary coupling portion formed thereon may be mounted so that another secondary battery pack can be coupled to the upper end of the third secondary battery pack 100b.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a secondary battery pack assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the secondary battery pack assembly 500 includes a first secondary battery pack 300 and a secondary battery pack 400 having a "B" shape.

Shaped secondary battery packs 400 are coupled to each other in parallel on the upper surface of the first secondary battery pack 300 by different complementary members.

As shown in FIG. 6, the secondary battery packs 300 and 400 and the secondary battery pack assembly 500 according to the present invention can be manufactured by combining the secondary battery packs of various shapes through the complementary coupling portion and the complementary- It is possible to realize a secondary battery pack assembly having a difficult shape.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (22)

A battery cell in which an electrode assembly having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separation membrane between the positive and negative electrodes is housed in a battery case together with an electrolyte; And
An exterior member coupled to surround the outer surface of the battery cell;
Lt; / RTI >
The exterior member includes a first cover for covering an upper surface of the battery cell and a portion of the end of the battery cell, and a second cover for covering a bottom surface of the battery cell and an end portion of the battery cell,
Wherein the first cover is provided with at least two complementary engaging portions protruding upward in a position facing the upper surface of the battery cell and the second cover has an inner surface shape corresponding to the outer shape of the complementary engaging portion , Wherein two or more complementary indentations of an upwardly bent structure are formed at positions facing the lower surface of the battery cell. The secondary battery pack according to claim 1, wherein when the complementary coupling portion of the secondary battery pack is inserted into the complementary indentation of another secondary battery pack, the secondary battery packs are electrically and / or mechanically coupled to each other Secondary battery pack. The secondary battery pack according to claim 1, wherein when the complementary engaging portion of another secondary battery pack is inserted into the complementary engaging portion of the secondary battery pack, the secondary battery packs are electrically and / or mechanically coupled to each other Secondary battery pack. The battery cell of claim 1, wherein the electrode terminal of the battery cell comprises: a first electrode terminal portion protruding from one end of the battery cell;
A second electrode terminal portion electrically connected to the first electrode terminal portion and extending to an upper surface of the battery cell along an outer surface of the battery cell; And
A third electrode terminal portion electrically connected to the first electrode terminal portion and extending to the lower surface of the battery cell along an outer surface of the battery cell;
And the second battery pack. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the second electrode terminal portion includes a protruding terminal bent in a structure protruding upward from the upper surface of the battery cell at a position corresponding to the complementary coupling portion so as to be inserted into the inner surface of the complementary coupling portion Further comprising a second battery pack. [Claim 6] The method according to claim 5, wherein the complementary engaging portion in which the protruding terminal of the second electrode terminal portion is inserted among the complementary engaging portions is opened so that a part of the protruding terminal portion is exposed, Secondary battery pack. The secondary battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the protruding terminal protrudes through the open top surface of the complementary coupling portion at a height of 10% to 30% of the height of the complementary coupling portion. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the third electrode terminal portion extends parallel to the lower surface of the battery cell, one surface of the third electrode terminal portion is in close contact with the lower surface of the battery cell, And is in close contact with the upper surface. The rechargeable battery pack according to claim 8, wherein at least two of the complementary indentations are open at its top surface so that a portion of the third electrode terminal portion can be exposed. The secondary battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first cover and the second cover are made of an electrically insulating polymer resin. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the first electrode terminal portion includes a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead protruding from one side end of the battery cell, and the second electrode terminal portion is formed on the top surface of the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of the first electrode terminal portion. And the third electrode terminal portion is joined to the lower surface of the positive electrode lead and the lower surface of the negative electrode lead of the first electrode terminal portion by welding or soldering, respectively. The secondary battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the first electrode terminal portion is connected to a protection circuit board (PCB). The secondary battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the battery case is a battery case of a laminate sheet including a metal layer and a resin layer. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cover and the second cover of the exterior member include mutually corresponding fastening projections and fastening grooves, and when the first cover and the second cover are pressed in contact with each other And the first cover and the second cover are engaged with each other by resiliently engaging the fastening protrusion and the fastening groove. The secondary battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the secondary battery pack has a polygonal shape or a circular shape in plan view. Wherein the battery cell is a lithium secondary battery. 16. A secondary battery pack assembly comprising n secondary battery packs according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
The complementary engaging portion in which the protruding terminal of the second positive electrode terminal portion is exposed at the upper end of the first secondary battery pack is inserted into the complementary indentation portion in which the third positive terminal portion of the second secondary battery pack is exposed, The complementary engaging portion in which the protruding terminal of the second negative terminal portion is exposed at the upper end of the second rechargeable battery pack is inserted into the complementary indentation portion in which the third negative terminal portion of the second rechargeable battery pack is exposed, A coupling structure mechanically coupled to each other and making electrical connection in parallel,
Wherein the first secondary battery pack and the second secondary battery pack are coupled to each other from the second secondary battery pack to the nth secondary battery pack when n is 3 or more. The secondary battery pack assembly of claim 17, wherein the n-th secondary battery pack has no complementary coupling portion formed in the first cover. A secondary battery pack assembly comprising n secondary battery packs according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
The complementary engaging portion in which the protruding terminal of the second positive electrode terminal portion is exposed at the upper end of the first secondary battery pack is inserted into the complementary indentation portion in which the third positive terminal portion of the second secondary battery pack is exposed, The complementary engaging portion in which the protruding terminal of the second negative terminal portion is exposed at the upper end of the second rechargeable battery pack is inserted into the complementary indentation portion in which the third negative terminal portion of the second rechargeable battery pack is exposed, A coupling structure mechanically coupled to each other and making electrical connection in parallel,
When n is 3 or more, the first secondary battery pack and the second secondary battery pack are coupled to each other from the third secondary battery pack to the nth secondary battery pack, and are coupled with other complementary coupling portions of the first secondary battery pack The secondary battery pack assembly comprising: 20. The secondary battery pack assembly according to claim 19, wherein the n-th secondary battery pack has no complementary coupling portion formed in the first cover. A device according to claim 1, comprising a secondary battery pack as a power source. 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the device is any one selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, an electronic dictionary, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a wearable electronic device, an automobile, a hybrid electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, A device characterized by.

Images