KR20210109180A - Battery pack case with improved electromagnetic wave shielding performance and battery pack including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack case and a battery pack including the same, wherein an electrically conductive member is formed in a gasket to electrically connect members constituting the battery pack case, thereby preventing internal electromagnetic waves from being emitted from a gap between the cases, and mitigating electric shocks from the outside.

Description

A battery pack case with improved electromagnetic wave blocking performance and a battery pack including the same

The present invention relates to a battery pack case having improved electromagnetic wave blocking performance and a battery pack including the same.

Recently, an increase in the price of an energy source due to the depletion of fossil fuels, interest in environmental pollution is increasing, and the demand for an eco-friendly alternative energy source is becoming an indispensable factor for future life. Accordingly, research on various power generation technologies such as nuclear power, solar power, wind power, and tidal power is continuing, and power storage devices for using the generated energy more efficiently are also of great interest.

In particular, as technology development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing. In addition, the range of use is also expanding to the use of power auxiliary power through grid formation, and accordingly, a lot of research on batteries that can meet various needs is being conducted.

On the other hand, in small mobile devices, one or two or three battery cells are used per device, whereas in mid-to-large devices such as automobiles, due to the need for high output and large capacity, a battery comprising a medium or large battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected pack is used.

Such a battery pack must be stably protected against the external environment, and since high output and large capacity must be realized using a large number of batteries, the safety aspect is also important. Typically, in humid conditions and various environments such as the rainy season, moisture and foreign substances easily penetrate into the battery pack, which leads to malfunction of the battery modules and electrical connection devices constituting the battery pack, thereby reducing the safety of the battery pack. can do it

Accordingly, in the case of a general battery pack, the above problem is solved by interposing a gasket at the coupling portion of the case members constituting the battery pack.

1 is a photograph showing a structure in which a gasket is coupled to a battery pack case in a conventional battery pack. Referring to FIG. 1 , a fastening hole for fastening to the battery pack case is formed in the gasket, and the gasket is coupled through bolt fastening to seal the pack case.

Meanwhile, in the battery pack, the battery pack case is generally made of a metal material. However, the battery pack having such a structure is vulnerable to electromagnetic interference transmitted from an external device, and there is a problem that electromagnetic waves may be radiated from the inside through the coupling portion of the gasket.

Therefore, it is necessary to develop a technology capable of solving these problems.

Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2017-0065764

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and by improving the conductivity between the battery pack cases, it is possible to block the emission of electromagnetic waves from the inside and to provide a battery pack capable of effectively dispersing the electromagnetic waves transmitted from external devices. The purpose.

In one example, the battery pack case according to the present invention is formed by combining two or more members, including a gasket interposed in any one or more of the interfaces of the fastening portions of each member, and the gasket has an electrically conductive member is inserted, and tip portions are formed at both ends of the electrically conductive member.

In a specific example, the electrically conductive member is inserted through the gasket, and the tip protrudes in a protrusion shape on a first surface of the gasket and a second surface opposite to the first surface.

In one example, the gasket has a strip shape, and electrically conductive members are arranged at regular intervals along the central portion of the gasket.

In another example, the electrically conductive members are arranged in two rows, and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the gasket.

In another example, the electrically conductive members are arranged in two rows, and arranged in a zigzag form.

In one specific example, fastening holes for fastening each member are formed at regular intervals in the gasket, and the electrically conductive member is positioned between adjacent fastening holes.

In one example, at least two or more of the electrically conductive members are formed between adjacent fastening holes.

In another specific example, a metal bushing is mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole formed in the gasket.

In a specific example, the electrically conductive member has a vertical symmetric structure with respect to the gasket.

In one example, the electrically conductive member has a circular, elliptical, or polygonal cross-section in a horizontal direction parallel to the gasket.

In one example, the tip protrudes from the surface of the gasket by the thickness of the painted surface of the member.

In a specific example, the electrically conductive member has a structure for electrically connecting two members fastened to each other in a state in which the gasket is interposed, as tip ends protruding from both surfaces of the gasket penetrate the painted surface of the member.

In a specific example, the electrically conductive member is formed of one or more or an alloy of two or more selected from the group consisting of iron, aluminum, copper, gold, silver, nickel, titanium, and stainless steel.

In a specific example, the battery pack case according to the present invention further includes a pressure bracket for simultaneously pressing the coupling portion between the respective members from the outside of the battery pack case.

In addition, the present invention provides a battery pack including the battery pack case as described above and a vehicle including the same.

The battery pack case and the battery pack including the same according to the present invention can enhance safety by blocking internal electromagnetic waves from being emitted from the gap between the cases and alleviating electric shocks from the outside.

1 is a photograph showing a structure in which a gasket is coupled to a battery pack case in a conventional battery pack.
2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack case according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a portion of a gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of electrically conductive members in a gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a schematic view showing the shape of the electrically conductive member according to the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a coupling structure of a battery pack case according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of electrically conductive members in a gasket according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of electrically conductive members in a gasket according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. Prior to this, the terms or words used in the present specification and claims are not to be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, and the inventor must properly understand the concept of the term in order to best describe his invention. It should be interpreted as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that it can be defined in

In one example, the battery pack case according to the present invention is formed by combining two or more members, including a gasket interposed in any one or more of the interfaces of the fastening portions of each member, and the gasket has an electrically conductive member is inserted, and tip portions are formed at both ends of the electrically conductive member. That is, the electrically conductive member has a shape in which both ends are pointed.

In addition, the conductive member has a structure formed through the gasket, and the tip protrudes in a protrusion shape on the first surface of the gasket and the second surface opposite to the first surface. As will be described later, since the gasket is mainly made of a rubber material, an electrically conductive member having a tip may be formed therethrough. In this case, the first surface and the second surface refer to surfaces on which the gasket is in contact with each member, and the electrically conductive member is inserted in a direction perpendicular to the interface between the gasket and each member constituting the battery pack case.

In the battery pack case according to the present invention, each member fastened in a state in which a gasket generally made of an insulating material is interposed may be electrically connected to each other through an electrically conductive member formed through the gasket. That is, the electrically conductive member serves as a conductor connecting the members constituting the battery pack case. Through this electrical connection, electromagnetic waves emitted from electrical devices such as a protective circuit module included in the battery pack are emitted from the gap between the members constituting the case to prevent signal reception of external electronic devices, or to be emitted from external electronic devices of the battery pack. It is possible to improve the safety of the battery pack by preventing electromagnetic interference (EMI) phenomenon in which the electromagnetic wave or electric shock applied to the battery pack interferes with the operation of electronic components inside the battery pack.

On the other hand, the battery pack case according to the present invention is formed by combining two or more members. For example, when there are two members constituting the battery pack case, each of the members may be configured as a tray in which a battery module is mounted and a pack cover covering the battery module. In this case, the gasket is positioned at the interface between the fastening portion to which the tray and the pack cover are fastened. In addition, since electrically conductive members are formed on both surfaces of the gasket, it is possible to electrically connect the tray and the pack cover. In addition, the members constituting the battery pack case may be configured such as a tray for accommodating the battery module, a pack cover for covering the battery module, and a side cover for covering the side surface of the battery module. In this case, an electrically conductive member may be formed in the gasket interposed between the fastening portion between the tray, the pack cover, and the side cover to electrically connect each member. The number of members constituting the battery pack case can be freely configured by a person skilled in the art according to the conditions of the battery pack to be achieved.

In a specific example, the gasket is strip-shaped. The gasket is interposed at the interface between the fastening parts of each member, and may be a shape in which a plurality of gaskets divided into short units are connected along the fastening part, or may consist of a continuous unit of members corresponding to the shape of the fastening part. have.

In addition, the material of the gasket may be at least one selected from the group consisting of synthetic rubber, natural rubber, silicone and PVC, but is not limited thereto. As long as it is a material that can exhibit Specifically, the synthetic rubber is styrene-butadiene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, ethylene prefillene rubber, polysulfide rubber, silicone rubber, fluoro rubber, urethane rubber, and It may be at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic rubber. Accordingly, the gasket may be compressed or deformed in the direction in which the pressure is applied so as to exert a sealing force by the pressure applied when the members constituting the battery pack case are coupled.

In the battery pack case according to the present invention, the electrically conductive members are inserted through the gasket as described above, and are arranged at regular intervals along the center of the band-shaped gasket. Here, being arranged at regular intervals along the center of the gasket means that the electrically conductive members are arranged at regular intervals along an imaginary center line formed along the center of the band-shaped gasket.

In addition, by variously adjusting the arrangement of the electrically conductive members in the gasket, the electrical conductivity between the members constituting the battery pack case can be improved. For example, as described above, the electrically conductive members may be arranged in a line along the central portion of the gasket, or the electrically conductive members may be arranged in two rows based on the central portion. When arranging the electrically conductive members in two rows, each row may be configured in two rows so that each row is symmetrical with respect to the center of the gasket, and may be arranged in a zigzag form by arranging each row alternately.

Fastening holes for fastening each member are formed in the gasket at regular intervals. Similarly, each member constituting the battery pack case is also provided with through holes communicating with the fastening hole formed in the gasket, so that fastening members such as bolts and nuts can be fastened to the member and the gasket. The electrically conductive members may be positioned between adjacent fastening holes, and may be arranged at regular intervals in a region formed between adjacent fastening holes. In addition, the electrically conductive member may be formed between all the fastening holes, and may be formed only in some of the plurality of regions formed between the fastening holes.

In addition, at least two or more electrically conductive members are inserted between the adjacent fastening holes. When a plurality of conductive members are disposed in this way, an electrical contact area between each member constituting the battery pack case increases, thereby more effectively blocking electromagnetic interference.

In addition, a metal bushing is mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole formed in the gasket. The metal bushing not only serves to minimize wear of the inner circumferential surface of the fastener hole of the gasket, but also serves to prevent excessive deformation or compression of the gasket due to pressure applied when the battery pack case is coupled.

Such a metal bushing has a ring shape, an outer circumferential surface corresponding to the inner circumferential shape of the fastening hole, a hole for bolting is formed in the center, and a thread for bolting is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the metal bushing. An adhesive may be used to couple this metal bushing to a gasket made of a different material, and since threads are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole and the outer circumferential surface of the metal bushing, the metal bushing may be coupled to the gasket through screw coupling. . In addition, the metal bushing may be formed in a structure that partially surrounds the upper and lower surfaces of the gasket in order to be stably mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole of the gasket.

On the other hand, the electrically conductive member formed in the gasket is integrally formed for electrical connection between the members constituting the battery pack case. In this case, the electrically conductive member penetrates the gasket and, as will be described later, tip ends are formed at both ends to penetrate the painted surface formed on the member, and may have a vertical symmetrical structure with respect to the gasket. For example, cone-shaped tips are formed on the upper and lower portions of the cylindrical body, the cylindrical body is inserted into the gasket, and the cone-shaped tip protrudes to the outside of the gasket. Also, the bottom surfaces of the two cones may be in contact with each other.

The electrically conductive member is also not particularly limited in the cross section of the electrically conductive member, but may have a circular or polygonal cross-section in a horizontal direction parallel to the gasket in order to improve penetrating force to the gasket and to be stably fixed after penetrating the gasket. In addition, the horizontal cross section of the electrically conductive member may have an elliptical shape, and in this case, the ratio of the lengths of the major axis to the minor axis may be 2:1 to 10:1, and specifically 2:1 to 5:1.

In addition, the electrically conductive member is a metal material having conductivity for electrical connection between the case members, specifically selected from the group consisting of iron, aluminum, copper, gold, silver, nickel, titanium, stainless steel, or alloys thereof. It may be one kind of metal. More specifically, the electrically conductive member may be a copper or aluminum material having good conductivity.

As described above, the battery pack case according to the present invention may be formed by combining several members. In this case, the gasket may be fastened to only a part of the fastening portion of each member. In this case, a portion where a gasket is not used among the coupling portions of each member may be fastened through general screw fastening or welding.

On the other hand, in order for the electrically conductive member to perform electrical connection, the surface of the member of the battery pack case and the tip of the conductive member must be in contact. Accordingly, in the battery pack case according to the present invention, the thickness of the gasket is smaller than the length of the electrically conductive member, and the electrically conductive member inserted into the gasket protrudes from the surface of the gasket by the thickness of the painted surface formed on the member.

As a result, in the electrically conductive member, the tip portions formed on both surfaces of the gasket penetrate the painted surface of the member, thereby electrically connecting the two members coupled to each other with the gasket interposed therebetween. Accordingly, since the resistance value between each member connected by the electrically conductive member is reduced, the mutual electrical conductivity is increased to effectively disperse and emit electromagnetic waves generated from an external electronic device or an internal protective circuit module.

In addition, the battery pack case according to the present invention further includes a pressure bracket for simultaneously pressing the coupling portion between the respective members from the outside of the battery pack case, it is possible to more effectively seal the gap formed between each member of the case.

The present invention provides a battery pack including the aforementioned battery pack case. Specifically, the battery pack according to the present invention includes a battery pack case; and a plurality of battery modules accommodated in the battery pack case.

The battery module includes a plurality of secondary batteries, a battery module case accommodating them, and electrical equipment mounted around the module. In particular, the battery cell may be a pouch-type battery cell, and has a structure including an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a pouch case. The configuration of such a battery cell is obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and thus a more detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, various secondary batteries known at the time of filing of the present invention may be employed in the battery pack according to the present invention. In addition, the electrical equipment includes a battery management system (BMS) for monitoring and controlling the operation of the battery module, a battery disconnection unit (BDU) for controlling the electrical connection of the battery module, and between the battery module and the BMS. It is located and includes a fuse that provides an overcurrent blocking function.

In the case of the battery pack case, two or more members are coupled as described above to include a gasket interposed in any one or more of the fastening portions of each member, and the first surface of the gasket and the opposite side of the first surface Electrically conductive members each having tip ends formed on the second surface, which is a plane, are formed to electrically connect the members.

In addition, the present invention provides a device including a battery pack, for example, the device may be a car.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to drawings and the like. However, since the configuration described in the drawings described in this specification is only one embodiment of the present invention and does not represent all the technical spirit of the present invention, various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of the present application are provided. It should be understood that there may be

(First embodiment)

2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack case according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of a gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of electrically conductive members in a gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 to 4 , the battery pack case 100 according to the present invention is formed by coupling two or more members 111 and 112 to each other. It includes a gasket 120 interposed in one or more, and an electrically conductive member 130 is inserted into the gasket 120 . The electrically conductive member 130 has a structure in which tip portions are formed at both ends. Accordingly, the tip portion protrudes in a protrusion shape on the first surface of the gasket and the second surface opposite to the first surface. Meanwhile, in FIG. 2 , the number of members constituting the battery pack case is shown to be two. In this case, one member is a tray having an accommodating part for accommodating the battery module, and the other member is a pack cover covering the battery module.

On the other hand, the gasket 120 has a band shape and may be formed of a material having elasticity, such as rubber, and is interposed at the interface between the fastening portions of the members 111 and 112 constituting the battery pack case 100 to provide a battery pack. When the members 111 and 112 constituting the case are coupled, they are compressed and deformed by the pressure in the thickness direction of the gasket 120 to exert a necessary sealing force. Fastening holes 121 for inserting bolts are formed in the gasket 120 at regular intervals, and the electrically conductive member 130 having a tip is inserted between the adjacent fastening holes 121 . In addition, the electrically conductive members 130 are arranged at regular intervals along the central portion of the gasket 120 . Although it is illustrated that three electrically conductive members 130 are formed between the fastening holes 121 in FIG. 4 , there is no particular limitation on the number of electrically conductive members. In addition, a metal bushing 122 is mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole of the gasket.

(Second embodiment)

5 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of an electrically conductive member according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a coupling structure of a battery pack case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 , in the battery pack case according to the present invention, tip portions 131 are formed at both ends of the electrically conductive member 130 to penetrate the gasket 120 , and are vertically symmetrical with respect to the gasket. is the structure Specifically, in Fig. 5(a), cone-shaped tips are formed on the upper and lower portions of the cylindrical body, the cylindrical body is inserted into the gasket, and the cone-shaped tip protrudes to the outside of the gasket. . In addition, (b) of FIG. 5 shows a shape in which the bottom surfaces of the two cones are in contact with each other. Accordingly, the cross-section of the electrically conductive member becomes circular. Although only the shape of the electrically conductive member having a circular cross section is shown in FIG. 5 , it is also possible to make the cross section of the conductive member an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the members 111 and 112 constituting the battery pack case face each other and are coupled with the gasket 120 interposed therebetween. A fastening hole 121 is formed in the gasket 120 , and a through hole for bolting is formed at a point corresponding to the position of the fastening hole in each member. The bolt 140 is coupled through the through hole formed in each member 111 and 112 and the fastener hole of the gasket, and the nut 150 is coupled to the opposite surface to which the bolt 140 is coupled to couple the member and the gasket. do. A metal bushing 122 is mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole of the gasket. The metal bushing 122 has a shape that partially surrounds the upper and lower surfaces of the gasket 122 in order to be stably mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole 121 of the gasket 120 .

Meanwhile, since each member constituting the battery pack case is coated with an insulating paint or the like, a painted surface 113 made of the paint is formed on the surface of the member. At this time, the electrically conductive member 130 inserted into the gasket has its tip protruding from the surface of the gasket 120 in a protrusion shape as much as the thickness of the painted surface 113 , and the members 111 and 112 and the gasket 120 . When fastening the gasket 120, the tip of the electrically conductive member 130 formed on the gasket 120 penetrates the painted surface 113 of the member and comes into contact with the surface of the member, so that the two members coupled to each other in a state in which the gasket is interposed electrically connected.

(Third embodiment)

7 is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of electrically conductive members in a gasket according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the gasket 220 has a band shape, and the gasket 220 has fastening holes 221 for inserting bolts at regular intervals, and a metal bushing 222 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole 221 . this is fitted Also, an electrically conductive member 230 having a tip is formed between the adjacent fastening holes 221 . In addition, the electrically conductive members 230 are arranged at regular intervals along the central portion of the gasket 220 . At this time, the electrically conductive members 230 are arranged in two rows, and are arranged symmetrically along the center of the gasket 220 .

(Fourth embodiment)

8 is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of electrically conductive members in a gasket according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the gasket 320 has a band shape, and the gasket 320 has fastening holes 321 for inserting bolts at regular intervals, and the inner peripheral surface of the fastening hole 321 has a metal bushing 322 . this is fitted Also, an electrically conductive member 330 having a tip is formed between the adjacent fastening holes 321 . In addition, the electrically conductive members 330 are arranged at regular intervals along the central portion of the gasket 320 . At this time, the electrically conductive members 330 are arranged in two rows, and are alternately arranged along the center of the gasket 320 to form a zigzag shape.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical spirit of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Accordingly, the drawings disclosed in the present invention are for explanation rather than limiting the technical spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these drawings. The protection scope of the present invention should be construed by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Meanwhile, although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used in this specification, these terms are only for convenience of explanation, and may vary depending on the location of the object or the position of the observer. It is self-evident that it can

100: battery pack case
111, 112: absent
113: painted surface
120, 220, 320: Gasket:
121, 221, 321: fasteners
122, 222, 322: metal bushings
130, 230, 330: an electrically conductive member:
131: tip
140: volt
150: nut

Claims (15)

formed by combining two or more members,
It includes a gasket interposed in any one or more of the interface of the fastening portion of each member,
An electrically conductive member is inserted into the gasket,
A battery pack case in which tip portions are formed at both ends of the electrically conductive member.
According to claim 1,
The electrically conductive member is inserted through the gasket,
A battery pack case in which the tip protrudes in the shape of a protrusion on the first surface of the gasket and the second surface, which is a surface opposite to the first surface.
The method of claim 1,
The gasket has a band shape, and the electrically conductive members are arranged at regular intervals along the central portion of the gasket.
4. The method of claim 3,
The electrically conductive members are arranged in two rows, the battery pack case being arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the gasket.
4. The method of claim 3,
The electrically conductive members are arranged in two rows, the battery pack case is arranged in a zigzag form.
According to claim 1,
Fastening holes for fastening each member are formed in the gasket at regular intervals,
The electrically conductive member is a battery pack case located between adjacent fastening holes.
7. The method of claim 6,
The battery pack case has a structure in which at least two electrically conductive members are inserted between adjacent fastening holes.
7. The method of claim 6,
A battery pack case having a metal bushing mounted on an inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole formed in the gasket.
According to claim 1,
The electrically conductive member is a battery pack case having a vertical symmetric structure with respect to the gasket.
According to claim 1,
The electrically conductive member,
A battery pack case with a circular, oval, or polygonal cross section in the horizontal direction parallel to the gasket.
According to claim 1,
The electrically conductive member is a battery pack case formed of one or more or two or more alloys selected from the group consisting of iron, aluminum, copper, gold, silver, nickel, titanium and stainless steel.
3. The method of claim 2,
The tip portion of the battery pack case protrudes from the surface of the gasket by the thickness of the painted surface of the member.
13. The method of claim 12,
The electrically conductive member is a battery pack case having a structure in which the tip protruding from both sides of the gasket passes through the painted surface of the member, thereby electrically connecting two members coupled to each other in a state in which the gasket is interposed.
According to claim 1,
The battery pack case further comprising a pressure bracket for simultaneously pressing the coupling portion between each member from the outside of the battery pack case.
A battery pack comprising the battery pack case according to claim 1 .

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