KR20160104927A - Battery Module Having Volage Sensing Part Comprising Anti-Condensation Structure - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a battery module which includes at least two battery cells. To this end, the battery module comprises: the battery cells stacked while electrode terminals are electrically connected to each other; an interconnect board (ICB) mounted to an electrode terminal connection part of the battery cells and involved in electrical connection of the electrode terminals and sensing voltage; and an ICB cover coupled to one side of the battery module so as to protect an external surface of the ICB. A condensation prevention structure to prevent infiltration of moisture into the electrode terminal connection part and an interior of the ICB is included in at least one of the ICB and the ICB cover.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module including a voltage sensing unit having a condensation prevention structure,

The present invention relates to a battery module including a voltage sensing portion of a condensation preventing structure.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] In recent years, rechargeable secondary batteries have been widely used as energy sources for wireless mobile devices. The secondary battery is also attracting attention as a power source for an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), etc., which is proposed as a solution to solve the air pollution of existing gasoline vehicles and diesel vehicles using fossil fuels .

In a small mobile device, one or two or more battery cells are used per device, while a middle- or large-sized battery module such as an automobile is used as a middle- or large-sized battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected due to the necessity of a large-

Since the middle- or large-sized battery module is preferably manufactured in a small size and weight, a prismatic battery, a pouch-shaped battery, and the like, which can be charged with a high degree of integration and have a small weight to capacity ratio, are mainly used as battery cells of a middle- or large-sized battery module. Particularly, a pouch-shaped battery using an aluminum laminate sheet or the like as an exterior member has recently attracted a great deal of attention due to its advantages such as a small weight and a low manufacturing cost.

In addition, since the battery module is a structure in which a plurality of battery cells are combined, when battery cells are overvoltage, overcurrent, and overheat, safety and operation efficiency of the battery module become significant, and means for detecting them are needed. Accordingly, a voltage sensor or the like is connected to the battery cells to check and control the operation state at real time or at regular intervals.

In this connection, it is necessary to allow the detection means to maintain a stable connection state even when a strong shock or vibration is applied as the secondary battery is used as a power source for an automobile or the like due to an expansion of the application range of the secondary battery.

In the conventional battery module, a structure of detecting the voltage of the battery cells using a receptacle method or an ICB (interconnection board) method is used. The receptacle method is a method of inserting a U-shaped terminal into the cell lead portion of the battery cell, which causes intermittent non-measurable state at the time of vibration and impact, and has a limitation in the thickness of the structure inserted into the receptacle .

Also, the ICB method is a method using a PCB (printed circuit board), and is excellent in bonding with a cell lead. However, when the PCB is not completely waterproofed, there is a problem that short circuit occurs due to condensation due to moisture.

Accordingly, there is a great need for a battery module including a voltage sensing structure capable of providing stable sensing with respect to an electrode lead of a battery cell while easily solving the above problems.

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.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cover for protecting a voltage sensing member and a voltage sensing member, which includes an ICB and an ICB cover including a dew condensation preventing structure, thereby rapidly discharging moisture generated by moisture condensation And a battery module structure for preventing penetration into the battery module.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery module including at least two battery cells,

Battery cells in which electrode terminals are stacked in an electrically connected state;

An ICB (Interconnect Board) mounted on the electrode terminal connection portion of the battery cells to perform electrical connection and voltage sensing of the electrode terminals; And

An ICB cover (Interconnect Board Cover) coupled to one side of the battery module to protect the outer surface of the ICB;

And,

And at least one of the ICB and ICB covers includes a dew condensation preventing structure for preventing moisture from penetrating into the ICB and the electrode terminal connection portion.

Therefore, the battery module according to the present invention is a cover for protecting the voltage sensing member and the voltage sensing member, and includes the ICB and the ICB cover including the dew condensation preventing structure, so that the moisture generated by the dew condensation phenomenon Thereby preventing the battery module from penetrating into the battery module.

The battery cell may be a plate-shaped battery cell having a thin thickness and a relatively wide width and a length so as to minimize the overall size of the battery cell when the battery cell is constructed.

A preferable example thereof is a secondary battery having a structure in which an electrode assembly is embedded in a battery case of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, and electrode terminals protrude from both upper and lower ends. More specifically, It may be a structure in which an electrode assembly is built in the case. The secondary battery having such a structure may also be referred to as a pouch-shaped battery cell.

The plate-shaped battery cell may have a structure in which a positive terminal and a negative terminal are protruded, and the positive terminal and the negative terminal protrude from one end of the battery cell.

The electrode terminals of the battery cells may be connected in series or in parallel. Specifically, the battery cells may be directly connected to each other and electrically connected to adjacent battery cells in a stacked state. At this time, the electrode terminals of the adjacent battery cells may be connected to each other in a state where they are folded, Structure.

The voltage sensing part may be connected to the electrode terminal connection part by various methods. For example, the ICB may include a metal strip at a position corresponding to the electrode terminal connection portion, and the electrode terminals may be directly connected to each other while being bent so as to closely contact with the metal strip. However, the present invention is not limited thereto .

The ICB may be formed of a metal strip, for example, a copper strip having a good conductivity, so that the ICB may have a mechanical strength of a predetermined level or higher and provide stable connection of the ICB to the electrode terminal connection portion.

The electrode terminal connection portion is a portion where the electrode terminals protruding from the battery cells are connected in series or in parallel. The electrode terminal connection portion may be a structure in which a part of the electrode terminals are connected to each other by welding or the like, have.

Also, the ICB and ICB covers may be mounted from the upper end of the battery cells toward the electrode terminal connection portion.

The ICB may include a printed circuit board for voltage sensing and may include a plurality of connection tool tools for inserting electrode terminals at positions corresponding to the electrode terminals and electrically connecting to the printed circuit board .

As described above, at least one of the ICB and ICB covers includes a dew condensation preventing structure for preventing moisture from penetrating the ICB inside and the electrode terminal connecting portion. In one specific example, the dew condensation preventing The structure may be a condensation inducing slot structure formed at one or both ends of the ICB.

Specifically, it is preferable that the condensation induction slot has a structure in which moisture is extended to a sufficient length to be discharged to the lower end of the battery module. For example, the condensation inducing slot may have a structure extending from 30% to 90% Slot, and more specifically, a slot of a structure extending to a length corresponding to the long axis length of the electrode terminal connected to the ICB.

In addition, when the condensation induction slot is located at the end of the uppermost end of the upper end of the ICB at which the connection terminal is not located, the condensation induction slot is filled with moisture or moisture generated at the outermost end where the condensation induction slot is located So that moisture can be prevented from penetrating into the electrode terminal connecting portion and the inside.

In another specific example, the dew condensation prevention structure included in the ICB cover can be an extended cover formed at the outermost end of the ICB cover, for example, the extension cover completely covers the top of the ICB, So that it is possible to provide a structure in which water is prevented from penetrating into the electrode terminal connection portion and moisture is discharged through a bent structure outside the cover.

The battery cell is not particularly limited as long as it is a rechargeable secondary battery. For example, a lithium ion battery cell or a lithium polymer battery cell that provides a high output relative to weight can be used.

For reference, a lithium secondary battery is composed of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution 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 is 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 300 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.

The non-aqueous 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 battery pack including the battery module, wherein the battery pack has a structure in which a battery module assembly having a structure in which two or more battery modules are closely arranged is mounted on an upper surface of a tray assembly ≪ / RTI >

The present invention also provides a device comprising one or more of the battery packs, wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of a power tool, an electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and a power storage device It can be one.

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

As described above, the battery module according to the present invention is a cover for protecting the voltage sensing member and the voltage sensing member, and includes the ICB and the ICB cover including the dew condensation preventive structure, so that the moisture generated by the dew condensation It is possible to prevent the battery module from penetrating into the battery module quickly.

1 is a schematic view schematically showing the structure of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the ICB of Fig. 1;
3 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the ICB cover of Fig.

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic view schematically showing a structure of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a battery module 100 is formed by closely arranging two or more battery cells 110, and is formed in a hexahedral shape as a whole.

The cover members 121 and 122 are coupled to the front and rear surfaces of the battery module 100 so as to cover the battery cells 110 of the outermost unit modules 110 exposed to the outside, It is possible to prevent damage or contamination of the outermost battery cell 110 from contamination such as impact or foreign matter.

An ICB 130 is mounted on the upper surface of the battery module 100 from the upper end of the battery cell 110 in the direction of an electrode terminal connection portion (not shown), and the ICB 130 is covered with an ICB cover 131 .

The ICB 130 and the ICB cover 131 include a condensation preventing structure (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Concretely, at one end of the ICB 130, The outermost end of the ICB cover 131 includes an extension cover structure 150 that is folded along the outermost shape of the ICB 130 as a dew condensation preventive structure.

2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ICB shown in Fig.

Referring to FIG. 2, the ICB 130 includes a printed circuit board 160 for voltage sensing. The ICB 130 includes a plurality of ICs 130 for inserting electrode terminals at positions corresponding to the electrode terminals, And includes connecting cloth tools 170.

The electrode terminal includes a condensation induction slot 140 having a length corresponding to the long axis length of the electrode terminal connected to the ICB 130 at an end of the uppermost end of the upper end of the ICB 130 where the connection portion is not located. When condensation due to moisture occurs in the battery module due to the condensation induction slot 140, moisture or moisture is discharged to the outermost end portion where the condensation induction slot 140 is located.

3 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ICB cover of Fig.

3, the ICB cover 131 has a structure to cover the ICB 130 on one side of the battery module 100 in order to protect the outer surface of the ICB 130. More specifically, (131) includes an extension cover structure (150) that completely folds the upper end of the ICB (130) and is bent downward according to the outermost shape of the ICB (130).

The extension cover structure 150 completely surrounds the outer shape of the ICB 130 and extends in the lower direction to induce moisture generated in the battery module due to moisture to move outward according to the shape of the extension cover structure 150 Lt; / RTI >

Therefore, such a condensation preventing structure can provide an effect of rapidly discharging moisture generated by condensation caused by moisture to the outside, and preventing the problems caused by penetration into the electrode terminal connection portion or the battery module.

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 (19)

A battery module comprising at least two battery cells,
Battery cells in which electrode terminals are stacked in an electrically connected state;
An ICB (Interconnect Board) mounted on the electrode terminal connection portion of the battery cells to perform electrical connection and voltage sensing of the electrode terminals; And
An ICB cover (Interconnect Board Cover) coupled to one side of the battery module to protect the outer surface of the ICB;
And,
Wherein at least one of the ICB and ICB covers includes a condensation preventing structure for preventing moisture from penetrating into the ICB and the electrode terminal connection portion. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the battery cell is a plate-shaped battery cell. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the battery cell is a pouch-shaped battery cell having an electrode assembly embedded in a case of a laminate sheet including a metal layer and a resin layer. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the plate-shaped battery cell has a structure in which a positive terminal and a negative terminal protrude from one end. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the electrode terminals of the battery cells are connected in series or in parallel. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein the electrode terminals are directly connected to the electrode terminals of the adjacent battery cells in a folded state to form an electrical connection. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the ICB includes a metal strip at a position corresponding to the electrode terminal connection portion, and the electrode terminals are directly connected to each other in a bent state so as to be closely contacted with the metal strip. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the electrode terminal is protruded in an upper direction of the stacked battery cells. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the ICB and ICB covers are mounted from the upper ends of the battery cells toward the electrode terminal connection portions. The ICB according to claim 1, wherein the ICB includes a printed circuit board for voltage sensing, and includes a plurality of connection tool tools for inserting electrode terminals at positions corresponding to electrode terminals to electrically connect to a printed circuit board And the battery module. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the dew condensation preventing structure included in the ICB is a dew condensation inducing slot formed at one or both ends of the ICB. 12. The battery module of claim 11, wherein the condensation inducing slot is a slot having a length of 30% to 90% of the length of the ICB end. 13. The battery module according to claim 12, wherein the condensation inducing slot is a slot extending in a length corresponding to a major axis length of the electrode terminal connected to the ICB. The battery module of claim 11, wherein the position of the condensation induction slot is an end of the uppermost end of the ICB where the electrode terminal is not located. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the dew condensation preventing structure included in the ICB cover is an extended cover formed at the outermost end of the ICB cover. 16. The battery module according to claim 15, wherein the extension cover completely folds the ICB upper end and is bent downward according to the outermost shape of the ICB. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein a battery module assembly having a structure in which two or more battery modules are closely arranged is mounted on an upper surface of a tray assembly . A device comprising at least one battery pack according to claim 17. 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the device is any one selected from the group consisting of a power tool, an electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and a power storage device.

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