RECHARGEABLE BATTERY MODULE

A rechargeable battery module includes: a plurality of unit cells arranged in a first direction; a pair of end plates arranged at opposite end portions in the first direction and supporting the unit cells; a pair of side plates supporting the unit cells at opposite end portions in a second direction crossing the first direction and including a flange portion extended in the second direction; and a side insulation between the unit cells and the side plates, and the side insulation includes a first insulating portion between the flange portion and the unit cells.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0043703, filed on Apr. 3, 2023 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a rechargeable battery module.

2. Description of Related Art

A rechargeable battery is a battery that is repeatedly charged and discharged.

A conventional rechargeable battery module includes a plurality of unit cells arranged in a direction, an end plate disposed at both ends in the direction, a side plate disposed at both ends in another direction, and a side insulation disposed between the unit cells and the side plate to be adhered to the side plate.

However, the conventional rechargeable battery module has a problem in that a portion of the side insulation is separated from the side plate.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a rechargeable battery module including a side insulation that is prevented (prevented or substantially prevented) or suppressed from being spaced apart from a flange portion of a side plate supporting a plurality of unit cells is provided.

According to another aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a rechargeable battery module including a side insulation in which a double structure in which an increase in thickness is minimized or reduced is applied to a flange portion of the side plate supporting a plurality of unit cells to improve insulation reliability between the unit cells and the side plate and to suppress an increase in thickness of an entire module.

According to one or more embodiments, a rechargeable battery module includes: a plurality of unit cells arranged in a first direction; a pair of end plates arranged at opposite end portions in the first direction and supporting the unit cells; a pair of side plates supporting the unit cells at opposite end portions in a second direction crossing the first direction and including a flange portion extended in the second direction; and a side insulation between the unit cells and the side plates, and the side insulation includes a first insulating portion between the flange portion and the unit cells.

The flange portion may cover the unit cells in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction, and the first insulating portion may be arranged between the flange portion and the unit cells in the third direction.

The first insulating portion may include a plurality of first through-holes exposing the flange portion in the third direction.

Each of the first through-holes may correspond to a unit cell of the unit cells.

The first insulating portion may further include a folding portion that is folded from an end portion of the second direction to cover the first through-holes in the third direction.

The folding portion may be arranged between the first through-holes and the unit cells.

The first insulating portion may further include a first tape between the folding portion and the first through-holes.

The first through-holes may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and the first tape may extend in the first direction and may be adhered to the flange portion through the first through-holes.

The first tape may adhere the folding portion and the flange portion through the first through-holes.

A side plate of the pair of side plates may further include a side wall portion extended in the third direction from the flange portion to cover the unit cells in the second direction.

The side wall portion may include a plurality of second through-holes, and the plurality of second through-holes may expose the side insulation.

The side insulation may further include a second insulating portion extended in the third direction from the first insulating portion to be arranged between the unit cells and the side wall portion.

The second insulating portion may include a second tape between the second insulating portion and the side wall portion.

The second tape may adhere an end portion in the third direction of the second insulating portion and the side wall portion.

The rechargeable battery module may further include a top cover connected to the end plates and the side plates to cover the unit cells in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction.

The rechargeable battery module may further include a bus bar arranged between the unit cells and the top cover and connected to terminals of the unit cells.

The rechargeable battery module may further include a controller arranged between the top cover and the bus bar and connected to the bus bar.

According to an aspect of embodiments, a rechargeable battery module includes a side insulation that is suppressed to be spaced apart from a flange portion of a side plate supporting a plurality of unit cells.

In addition, according to an aspect of embodiments, a rechargeable battery module includes a side insulation in which a double structure in which an increase in thickness is minimized or reduced is applied to a flange portion of the side plate supporting a plurality of unit cells to improve insulation reliability between the unit cells and the side plate and to suppress an increase in thickness of an entire module.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are to be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.

Also, in this specification, it is to be understood that when a component is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another component, it may be connected or coupled directly to the other component or connected or coupled to the other component with one or more other components intervening or interposed therebetween.

Singular forms are to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It is to be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a “second” element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a “first” element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments of the inventive concept. The terms of a singular form may include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In addition, terms such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like are used to describe the relationship of the configurations shown in the drawings. However, the terms are used as a relative concept and are described with reference to the direction indicated in the drawings, and are not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the inventive concept pertains. It is also to be understood that terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art, and are expressly defined herein unless they are interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense.

Herein, a rechargeable battery module according to an embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.1toFIG.4.

FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of a rechargeable battery module according to an embodiment; andFIG.2illustrates an exploded perspective view of a rechargeable battery module according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, a rechargeable battery module according to an embodiment includes a plurality of unit cells100, a pair of end plates200, a pair of side plates300, a pair of side insulations400, a top cover500, a bus bar600, and a controller700.

The plurality of unit cells100are disposed in a first direction (e.g., an X direction) to be electrically connected to each other. Each of the plurality of unit cells100may include any of various known rechargeable batteries that may be repeatedly charged and discharged. For example, each of the plurality of unit cells100may include a lithium ion battery, but is not limited thereto, and may include a lithium polymer battery and the like.

Here, the first direction (X), a second direction (e.g., a Y direction), and a third direction (e.g., a Z direction) refer to directions that cross each other, and the directions that cross each other may mean directions that are perpendicular to each other, but are not limited thereto. For example, second direction (Y) may cross the first direction (X), and the third direction (Z) may cross the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y).

Each of the plurality of unit cells100includes a terminal110. The terminal110of each of the plurality of unit cells100is disposed at a long side of the unit cell100, and the plurality of terminals110of the plurality of unit cells100are electrically connected to each other by the bus bar600. The terminal110may have any of various known terminal structures.

The end plates200are disposed at both, or opposite, ends in the first direction (X), and support the plurality of unit cells100. The end plates200are provided as a pair and are disposed at both ends in the first direction (X) to support an outermost unit cell100among the plurality of unit cells100. In an embodiment, the end plate200includes a metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum, but is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, an insulating material is disposed between the end plate200and the plurality of unit cells100, and the end plate200is insulated from the plurality of unit cells100.

The side plates300support the plurality of unit cells100at both, or opposite, ends in the second direction (Y) crossing the first direction (X). The pair of side plates300may be connected to the pair of end plates200at both ends of the second direction (Y) to be spaced apart from the plurality of unit cells100at intervals (e.g., predetermined intervals), but are not limited thereto. The side plates300are connected to the pair of end plates200to accommodate and support the plurality of unit cells100. The bus bar600and the controller700are disposed above the plurality of unit cells100accommodated in an inner space defined by the pair of end plates200and the pair of side plates300connected to each other, and the top cover500connected to the pair of end plates200and the pair of side plates300is disposed on the controller700. In an embodiment, the side plate300includes a metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum, but is not limited thereto.

FIG.3illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III ofFIG.1.FIG.3illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion in which the side plate300and the side insulation400are disposed in the rechargeable battery module.

Referring toFIG.3andFIG.2, a side plate300of the pair of side plates300includes a flange portion310and a side wall portion320.

The flange portion310is bent or curved and extended in the second direction (Y) from the side wall portion320to support the plurality of unit cells100in the third direction (Z). The flange portion310covers some, or a portion of, the plurality of unit cells100in the third direction (Z). The flange portion310extends along the first direction (X) to support the plurality of unit cells100disposed along the first direction (X).

The side wall portion320is bent or curved and extends from the flange portion310in the third direction (Z) to cover the plurality of unit cells100in the second direction (Y). The side wall portion320is spaced apart from the plurality of unit cells100at a distance (e.g., a predetermined distance). The side wall portion320includes a plurality of second through-holes321, and the plurality of second through-holes321exposes the side insulation400disposed between the plurality of unit cells100and the side plate300.

Between each of the pair of side plates300including the side wall portion320and the flange portion310and the plurality of unit cells100, a side insulation400of the pair of side insulations400as an insulating member is disposed.

The side insulations400are respectively disposed between the plurality of unit cells100and the pair of side plates300. The side insulation400is disposed as an insulating member between the plurality of unit cells100and the side plate300.

The side insulation400includes a first insulating portion410and a second insulating portion420.

The first insulating portion410is disposed between the flange portion310of the side plate300and the plurality of unit cells100. The first insulating portion410is disposed between the flange portion310and the plurality of unit cells100in the third direction (Z). The first insulating portion410extends in the first direction (X) along an extending direction of the flange portion310of the side plate300. In an embodiment, the first insulating portion410has a double structure in which an increase in thickness in the third direction (Z) is minimized or reduced, thereby improving insulation reliability between the plurality of unit cells100and the side plate300.

In an embodiment, the first insulating portion410includes a plurality of first through-holes411, a folding portion412, and a first tape413.

The first through-holes411are disposed to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction (X), which is an extension direction of the first insulating portion410. The plurality of first through-holes411exposes the flange portion310in the third direction (Z). In an embodiment, each of the plurality of first through-holes411is disposed to correspond to a unit cell100of the plurality of unit cells100, and each of the plurality of first through-holes411overlaps a unit cell100of the plurality of unit cells100in the third direction (Z).

The folding portion412is folded from an end portion of the first insulating portion410in the second direction (Y) to cover the first through-holes411in the third direction (Z). The folding portion412contacts the plurality of unit cells100. The folding portion412is disposed between the plurality of first through-holes411and the plurality of unit cells100. The folding portion412is adhered to the flange portion310of the side plate300by the first tape413penetrating the plurality of first through-holes411.

The first tape413is disposed between the folding portion412and the plurality of first through-holes411. The first tape413may be a double-sided adhesive tape that adheres between the flange portion310and the folding portion412. The first tape413extends in the first direction (X), and is adhered to the flange portion310via the plurality of first through-holes411that are spaced apart from each other in the first direction (X). In an embodiment, the first tape413directly adheres between the folding portion412and the flange portion310through the plurality of first through-holes411.

The second insulating portion420is curved or bent and extended from the first insulating portion410in the third direction (Z). The second insulating portion420is disposed between the plurality of unit cells100and the side wall portion320of the side plate300to insulate the plurality of unit cells100and the side wall portion320of the side plate300. In an embodiment, the second insulating portion420may be exposed through the second through-holes321of the side wall portion320of the side plate300, but is not limited thereto.

The second insulating portion420includes a second tape421disposed between the second insulating portion420and the side wall portion320.

The second tape421is disposed between the second insulating portion420and the side wall portion320. The second tape421may be a double-sided adhesive tape that adheres between the second insulating portion420and the side wall portion320. In an embodiment, the second tape421extends from an end portion of the second insulating portion420in the third direction (Z) in the first direction (X). In an embodiment, the second tape421directly adheres the end of the second insulating portion420in the third direction (Z) and the side wall portion320.

As described above, the side insulation400includes the first insulating portion410disposed between the plurality of unit cells100and the flange portion310, such that a short circuit between the flange portion310of the side plate300supporting the plurality of unit cells100and the unit cells100is prevented or substantially prevented.

In addition, the folding portion412of the first insulating portion410of the side insulation400is adhered to the flange portion310of the side plate300by the first tape413penetrating the plurality of first through holes411, such that separation of the first insulating portion410of the side insulation400from the flange portion310of the side plate300supporting the plurality of unit cells100is suppressed.

In addition, the folding portion412of the first insulating portion410of the side insulation400in direct contact with the plurality of unit cells100is adhered to the flange portion310of the side plate300by the first tape413passing through each of the plurality of first through holes411corresponding to a unit cell100of the plurality of unit cells100, such that, in an embodiment, since the first insulating portion410has a double structure in which a thickness increase in the third direction (Z) is minimized or reduced, insulation reliability between the plurality of unit cells100and the side plate300is improved, and an increase in the thickness of the entire rechargeable battery module due to the double structure is suppressed.

The aforementioned side insulation400may be adhered to the side plate300to form a rechargeable battery module.

FIG.4illustrates adhering of a side insulation of a rechargeable battery module to a side plate according to an embodiment. In (A) ofFIG.4, a front surface of the side insulation400facing the plurality of unit cells, and a rear surface of the side insulation400facing the side plate are illustrated.

As an example of adhering the side insulation to the side plate, referring to (A) ofFIG.4, the first tape413is in a state of being adhered to the folding portion412, and the folding portion412is folded into the first insulating portion410along a folding line FL1disposed between the plurality of first through-holes411and the folding portion412. In this case, the first tape413is exposed by the plurality of first through-holes411.

Referring to (B) and (C) ofFIG.4, the first insulating portion410is folded along a second folding line FL2disposed between the first insulating portion410and the second insulating portion420to be curved or bent and extended from the second insulating portion420.

Referring to (D) and (E) ofFIG.4, the first tape413exposed by the plurality of first through-holes411of the first insulating portion410passes through the plurality of first through-holes411to be adhered to the flange portion310of the side plate300, and the second tape421of the second insulating portion420is adhered to the side wall portion320of the side plate300such that the side insulation400is adhered to the side plate300.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, the top cover500is connected to the end plates200and the side plates300to cover the unit cells100in the third direction (Z) crossing the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y). The top cover500may have any of various known structures.

The bus bar600is disposed between the unit cells100and the top cover500. The bus bar600is connected to the terminals110of the unit cells100. In an embodiment, the bus bar600has an assembly form, but is not limited thereto, and may have various known structures.

The controller700is disposed between the top cover500and the bus bar600. The controller700is connected to the bus bar600, and may control the plurality of unit cells100or monitor a state of the unit cells100. The controller700may include any of various known rechargeable battery control elements.

As described above, in the rechargeable battery module according to one or more embodiments, the side insulation400includes the first insulating portion410disposed between the plurality of unit cells100and the flange portion310, such that a short circuit between the flange portion310of the side plate300supporting the plurality of unit cells100and the unit cells100is prevented or substantially prevented.

In addition, in the rechargeable battery module according to one or more embodiments, the folding portion412of the first insulating portion410of the side insulation400is adhered to the flange portion310of the side plate300by the first tape413penetrating the plurality of first through holes411, such that separation of the first insulating portion410of the side insulation400from the flange portion310of the side plate300supporting the plurality of unit cells100is suppressed.

In addition, in the rechargeable battery module according to one or more embodiments, the folding portion412of the first insulating portion410of the side insulation400in direct contact with the plurality of unit cells100is adhered to the flange portion310of the side plate300by the first tape413passing through each of the plurality of first through holes411corresponding to unit cells of the plurality of unit cells100, such that, since the first insulating portion410has a double structure in which the thickness increase is minimized or reduced in the third direction (Z), insulation reliability between the plurality of unit cells100and the side plate300is improved, and an increase in the thickness of the entire rechargeable battery module due to the double structure is suppressed.

For example, according to one or more embodiments, the rechargeable battery module including the side insulation400in which the separation of the first insulating portion410from the flange portion310of the side plate300supporting the plurality of unit cells100is suppressed is provided.

Further, according to one or more embodiments, a rechargeable battery module including the side insulation400in which the first insulating portion410with a double structure in which the increase in thickness is minimized or reduced in the flange portion310of the side plate300supporting the plurality of unit cells100is applied to improve the insulation reliability between the unit cells100and the side plate300and to suppress an increase in thickness of the entire module, is provided.

While some embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein in connection with what are presently considered to be practical embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.