MX2008005164A - No-welding type battery pack - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a battery pack, which comprises a connecting member including an insulation frame mounted to the upper end of a battery cell and a pair of connection protrusions formed at the upper end surface of the frame, the connection protrusions being in contact with electrode terminals of the battery cell, a protection circuit module (PCM) mounted to the connecting member, the PCM including connection grooves, into which the connection protrusions are inserted such that the PCM can be coupled to the connecting member, and which are connected to a protection circuit, and a cap housing coupled to the connecting member or the battery cell while the PCM is surrounded by the cap housing.

Description

BATTERY PACKAGE OF THE TYPE THAT DOES NOT HAVE WELDING TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a battery pack of the non-welded type, and more particularly, to a battery pack comprising a connecting member that includes a pair of connecting protuberances, a protective circuit module (PCM) which includes connection slots, into which the connection protuberances are inserted, so that the PCM can be coupled to the connection member, and that they are connected to a protection circuit, and a cover housing coupled to the connection member or to the battery cell while the PCM is surrounded by the cover housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As mobile devices are continually developing, and the demand for such mobile devices increases, the demand for secondary batteries as a power source for mobile devices is also increasing. One of the secondary batteries is the secondary lithium battery that has a high energy density, high operating voltage, and excellent storage and shelf life characteristics, which are currently widely used as a source of energy for various electronic products, as well as on various types of mobile devices. However, the secondary lithium battery contains many combustible materials. As a result, there is a possibility of danger that the secondary lithium battery may become hot or explode due to overcharging, over current or any other physical impact. In other words, the secondary lithium battery has little security. Accordingly, a protective circuit module (PCM) is mounted to effectively control the abnormality of the battery, such as an overload, in the secondary lithium battery while the PCM is connected to a secondary battery battery cell. of lithium. The PCM includes a field effect transistor (FET), which serves as a switching element to control the electrical current, a voltage detector and passive elements, such as a resistor and a capacitor. PCM interrupts overcharging, over-discharge, overcurrent, short circuits, and reverse battery voltage to prevent battery explosion or overheating, battery fluid leakage, and degradation of load characteristics and discharge of the battery, and to prevent the reduction of the battery's electrical efficiency and the abnormal physical-chemical behavior of the battery, eliminating in this way the dangerous factors of the battery and increasing the useful life thereof.

Generally the PCM is connected to the battery cell by means of a conductive nickel plate by welding or soldering. Specifically, the nickel plate is fixed to an electrode socket of the PCM by welding or soldering, and then the nickel plate is fixed to the electrode terminals of the battery cell by soldering or soldering. In this way, the PCM is connected to the battery cell, thus manufacturing the battery pack. In this case, many welding or soldering operations are necessary to manufacture the battery pack. However, these welding or welding operations must be carried out with very high precision since the structure of the secondary battery is very small. As a result, the incidence of defective products increases. In addition, the welding or soldering operations are added to the manufacturing process of the product, which increases the manufacturing costs of the same. Consequently, a method is urgently required to assemble the PCM and the battery cell without performing a welding or welding procedure. For this reason, much research has been done so far on the technologies to omit the welding or soldering process. For example, the Korean patent publication without examining No. 2005-81175 discloses a battery pack that includes a PCM assembly, a cap housing for enclosing the PCM assembly, and electrode guides for electrical connection to a PCM block having a plurality of slots, communicating with the PCIVI assembly and the cap housing, so that the electrode guides are exposed to the outside, and mounted in a battery cell. Also, Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-15314 discloses a battery pack wherein a printed circuit board (PCB) including a PCM and a protruding contact is mounted in a battery cell, and then the PCB is fixed to the battery cell by means of a fixing member. The prior techniques mentioned above have the advantages that the welding or welding procedure is omitted when the secondary battery is manufactured, thereby simplifying the assembly procedure, reducing the number of battery components, and therefore, the manufacturing costs of the battery are reduced. However, there is still a great need for a battery pack that can be manufactured in a more economical manner and that has an increased manufacturing efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical problem Therefore the present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems, and other technical problems that still have to be solved.

Specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack wherein the battery pack assembly procedure is simplified, which makes it possible to manufacture the battery pack automatically, which minimizes the deficiencies and changes of the battery pack. Internal resistance of the battery pack due to external impacts, which increases the capacity of the battery and improves the stability of the battery pack.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION In accordance with the present invention, the above objectives and other objectives can be met by providing a battery pack comprising: a) a connection member that includes an isolation frame mounted on the upper end of the battery cell and a pair of connection protuberances formed on the surface of the upper end of the frame, the connecting protuberances are in contact with electrode terminals of the battery cell; b) a protection circuit module (PCM) mounted on the connection member, the PCM includes connection slots, into which the connection protuberances are inserted, so that the PCM can be coupled to the connection member, and that is connected to a protection circuit; and c) a lid housing coupled to the connection member or to the battery cell while the PCM is surrounded by the lid housing.

The battery pack according to the present invention uses the connection member, which has a novel structure that can be easily manufactured, where the manufacturing costs of the battery pack are reduced, the procedure of assembling the battery pack is simplified additionally, and the disadvantages caused by welding or welding are eliminated. In a preferred embodiment, the connection member includes a plate-shaped isolation body, and a pair of connection plates disposed at opposite ends of the plate-shaped body, so that the connection plates come into contact with the terminals. of corresponding electrode of the battery cell, the connection protuberances are formed in the connection plates. After the connecting member is mounted between the battery cell and the PCM, the battery cell and the PCM are electrically isolated from each other by means of the body in the form of an isolation plate, except for specific regions of the connecting member, i.e. , the connection plates, by means of the above-described structure of the connection member. The plate-shaped body and the pair of connecting plates of the connecting member can be constructed in a separate structure. For example, the plate-shaped body may be provided at the opposite ends thereof with grooves, and the connecting plates may be provided on opposite end surfaces thereof with protuberances corresponding to the grooves, wherein the body in shape of plate It integrally couples to the connection plates by means of the coupling of the protuberances within the corresponding grooves. For this purpose, the connection plates are coupled to the plate-shaped body and the PCM by means of the protuberances formed on the upper and lower end surfaces of the connecting plates, and the plate-shaped body and the PCM are provided. in regions where the plate-shaped body and the PCM are attached to the connection plates, with connecting slots, corresponding to the protuberances. The connection member can be mounted to the battery cell in various ways. For example, the connecting member may be coupled to the battery cell using a fixing method in which the connecting member is fixed to the battery cell by double-sided adhesive tape or a bonding agent, a method of fixing in which the connecting member is fixed to the battery cell by welding or welding, or a mechanical coupling method in which additional coupling members are mounted in contact regions of the batt cell and the connecting member, or the contact regions of the battery cell and the connection member are formed in a coupling structure. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting member is provided in the middle part thereof with an endless hole which allows the protruding terminal formed at the upper end of the battery cell to be inserted therethrough. The protruding terminal and the plate connection are in contact with each other through the endless hole, with which the electrical connection is achieved. According to the present invention, the lid housing is a member having a lower structure corresponding approximately to the upper end surface of the battery cell, so that the lid housing is coupled to the battery cell while the PCM mounted on the upper end of the battery cell is mounted in the cover housing. According to the circumstances, the lid housing can be formed integrally with the PCM by means of insert injection molding. This integral structure is described in Korean patent application No. 2003-88528, which has been filed with the name of the applicant of the present application. The description of the aforementioned Korean patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The cover housing is provided with endless holes, through which external terminals of entry and exit of the PCM are exposed, while the PCM is mounted on the lower end surface of the cover housing. The cover housing is made with an insulating material, so that the cover housing is electrically isolated from the outside, except for the external terminals of entry and exit. Also, the cover housing can be mounted to the battery cell in several ways, which are similar to the mounting ways that they were described above, wherein the connecting member is mounted in the battery cell. According to the circumstances, the lid housing can be provided at the lower end thereof with a side extension, which partially covers the battery cell when the lid housing is mounted on the battery cell. Accordingly, when a wrapping film is attached to the outer surface in the battery cell, the wrapping film is also attached to the lateral extension, whereby the lid housing assembly is completed in the battery cell. The battery cell that is used in the present invention is a secondary battery having an electrode assembly, comprising small holes, anodes and spacers, impregnated in an electrolyte in a sealed state. Preferably, the battery cell may be what is known as a rectangular battery having said electrode assembly mounted in a rectangular metal case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a package of battery according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the battery pack shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a perspective view that typically illustrates a series of procedures for assembling a protection circuit module (PCM) to a battery cell of the battery pack shown in Figure 1 in a seamless manner.

Description of the main reference numbers of drawings 10: battery cell 20: connection member 30: PCM 40: cover housing PREFERRED MODALITY OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the scope of the present invention is not limited by the illustrated embodiment. Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack shown in Figure 1. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the battery pack 100 includes a connecting member (not shown) mounted on the upper end of the battery pack. a battery cell 10, a protection circuit module (PCM) 30 mounted on the connection member, a cover housing 40 coupled to the battery cell 10 while the PCM 30 is mounted on the cover housing 40, and a lower cover 50 mounted on the lower end of the battery cell 10. The connection member 20 is mounted on an upper end surface 17 of the battery cell 10, which constitutes a cathode (or an anode) and is provided in the middle part thereof with a protruding terminal 16, which constitutes the anode (or cathode). The connecting member 20 includes a body in the form of an insulating plate 21, having an endless hole 25 formed in the middle part thereof to allow the terminal on projection 16 to be inserted therethrough, and connecting plates 22 , which are electrically connected to the respective electrode terminals 16 and 17 of the battery cell 10, and are coupled to opposite ends of the plate-shaped body 21. The body in the form of insulation plate 21 can be mounted on the surface upper end 17 of the battery cell 10 in various coupling ways. The mechanical coupling and the electrical connection between the body in the form of insulating plate 21 and PCM 30 is achieved by the connecting plates 22. Specifically, the connecting plates 22 of the connecting member 20 are provided on the upper and lower end surfaces with protuberances 23. The body in the form of plate 21 of the connecting member and the PCM 30 are provided with slots 24 and 34, respectively, which correspond to the protrusions 23. Accordingly, the coupling between the connecting member 20 and the PCM 30 is easily accomplished by the coupling of the protuberances in the corresponding grooves. When the coupling described above is carried out, the parts on one side of the connection plates 22 come into contact with the electrode terminals 16 and 17 of the battery cell 10. Consequently, the connection plates 22 also serve to connect electrically the battery cell 10 and the PCM 30 together. In the lower end surface of the PCM 30, which is in contact with the connection plates 22, a protection circuit is connected, and therefore, the electrical connection is achieved naturally when the connection plates 22 and the PCM 30 enter into contact. contact between them The cover housing 40 includes an open lower end having a structure corresponding to the upper end surface 17 of the battery cell 10., so that the cover housing 40 is coupled to the battery cell 10 via the connection member 20, while the PCM 30 mounted on the battery cell 10 is mounted in the cover housing 40. Also, the housing lid 40 is provided with a plurality of endless hole 45, through which external terminals of PCM input and output are exposed 30. Figure 3 is a plan view of the battery pack of Figure 1. With reference to Figure 3, the battery pack includes the battery cell 10, the connection member 20, which is mounted in the battery cell 10 and which is provided at the opposite ends thereof with the protuberances 23 for the mechanical coupling and the electrical connection, the PCM 30, which has the slots (not shown) corresponding to the protuberances 23, and the cover housing 40, which is coupled to the battery cell 10 while the PCM 30 is mounted in the cover housing 40, as described above with greater detail with reference to figures 1 and 2. At the lower end of the lid housing 40 a lateral extension 48 is formed, which extends towards the battery cell 10, so that the lid housing 40 can be easily coupled. The battery cell 10 partially covers the battery cell when the cover housing 40 is mounted in the battery cell 10. Accordingly, when an envelope film is attached to the outer surface of the cell battery 10, increases the coupling force between the cover housing 40 and the battery cell 10. Figure 4 is a perspective view that typically illustrates a series of procedures for assembling a battery circuit module. protection (PCM) to a battery cell of the battery pack shown in Figure 1, in a seamless manner. Referring to Figure 4, the battery pack 100 is assembled in the following manner. First, a bonding agent is applied at the upper end of the battery cell 10 and / or the lower end of the connecting member 20, and then the battery cell 10 and the connecting member 20 are joined together, with that the connecting member 20 is securely mounted in the battery cell 10. This connection is achieved between the plate-shaped body of the connecting member 20 and the battery cell 10. Next, the PCM 30 is mounted on the connecting member 20 so that the protuberances that are formed at the opposite ends of the connecting member 20, specifically, the protrusions 23 formed in the connecting plates of the connecting member 20, are engaged within the corresponding grooves formed in the PCM 30, whereby the PCM 30 is securely coupled to the connecting member 20. This coupling between the PCM and the connecting member is achieved by engaging the protuberances within the corresponding slots, and p. therefore, the coupling between the PCM and the connection member is achieved in an easy and simple manner. At this point, the protrusions 23 formed in the connecting plates of the connecting member 20 engage within corresponding grooves formed in the plate-shaped body. Depending on the circumstances, a bonding agent may be applied to the interface between the plate-shaped body and the connection plates.

After this, the lid housing 40 engages the upper end of the battery cell 10, so that the outer surface of the PCM 30 is covered by the lid housing 40, so that the battery pack 100 is formed. Depending on the circumstances, a wrapping film (not shown) may be attached to the outer surface of the battery cell 10. The procedures for assembling the battery pack 100 are not limited to the assembly procedures described above. For example, the procedures for assembling the battery pack 100 can be carried out in a condition in which the PCM 30 has previously been coupled to the connecting member 20 or the lid housing 40. Algh a preferred embodiment of The present invention for illustrative purposes, e skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions can be made, wit departing from the scope and spirit of the invention described in the appended claims.

APPLICATION IN THE INDUSTRY As is evident from the above description the battery pack of the non-welded type according to the present invention has the effect of simplifying the assembly procedure of the battery pack, which enables the automatic manufacture of the battery pack, minimizing defects and changes in the internal resistance of the battery pack due to external impacts, increases the capacity of the battery, and improves the stability of the battery pack.

Claims (9)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A battery pack comprising: a) a connection member including an isolation frame mounted on the upper end of a battery cell and a pair of connection protrusions formed on the upper end surface of the frame, the connecting protuberances they come into contact with electrode terminals of the battery cell; b) a protective circuit module (PCM) mounted on the connecting member, the PCM includes connecting slots into which the connecting protuberances are inserted, so that the PCM can be attached to the connecting member and connected to a protection circuit; and c) a lid housing coupled to the connection member or to the battery cell while the PCM is surrounded by the lid housing.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, further characterized in that the connection member is coupled to the battery cell using a fixing method in which the connection member is fixed to the battery cell by a tape double-sided adhesive or a bonding agent, a fixing method in which the connecting member is fixed to the battery cell by welding or welding, or a mechanical coupling method in which additional coupling members are mounted on the contact regions of the battery cell and the member of connection, or contact regions of the battery cell and the connecting member are formed in a coupling structure.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, further characterized in that the connection member includes: a body in the form of an insulation plate; and a pair of connecting plates disposed at opposite ends of the plate-shaped body, so that the connecting plates come into contact with the corresponding electrode terminals of the battery cell, the connecting protuberances are formed on the plates of the battery cell. Connection.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, further characterized in that the connection member is provided in the middle thereof with an endless hole to allow the protruding terminal of the battery cell to be inserted through the battery. same.

5. The battery pack according to claim 3, further characterized in that the plate-shaped body is provided at opposite ends thereof with grooves, and the connecting plates are provided on the opposite end surfaces thereof with protuberances. corresponding to the slots, whereby the plate-shaped body is integrally coupled to the connecting plates by means of the coupling of the protrusions within the corresponding grooves.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, further characterized in that the plates are coupled to the plate-shaped body and to the PCM by means of the protuberances formed on the surfaces upper and lower ends of the connection plates, and the plate-shaped body and the PCM are provided in regions where the plate-shaped body and the PCM are attached to the connection plates, with the connection slots, which they correspond with the protuberances.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1, further characterized in that the PCM is integrally formed with the cover housing by means of insert injection molding.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1, further characterized in that the cover housing is coupled to the battery cell by adhesion, welding, welding, or mechanical coupling, while the PCM is mounted in the cover housing .

9. The battery pack according to claim 1, further characterized in that the lid housing is provided at the lower end of the miso with a lateral extension, which partially covers the battery cell when the lid housing is mounted on the battery cell, and, when a wrapping film is attached on the outer surface of the battery cell, the wrapping film also joins the lateral extension, thereby attaining the mounting of the cover housing in the cell of the battery cell. battery.