BATTERY ASSEMBLY

A battery assembly includes a battery module stack in which at least one battery module is stacked and formed, a cover portion coupled to a side of the battery module stack, and a substrate portion coupled to an external surface of the cover portion, wherein the cover portion includes a cover member coupled to the battery module stack, and a protrusion member protruding in an outward direction from the cover member and in contact with an internal surface of the substrate portion, the substrate portion includes an overlapping region which is a region overlapping the protrusion member when viewed in the outward direction, a through-hole passing through the overlapping region in the outward direction is formed in the overlapping region, and a pad region having electrically conductive properties is formed in a region surrounding the through-hole in the substrate portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0131744, filed on Oct. 13, 2022, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

Field of the Present Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a battery assembly.

Description of Related Art

Because accidents such as battery ignition due to overcharging or sudden impact of a battery may lead to major accidents, in general, a battery pack in which a battery module is assembled is provided with components for safe operation of the batter pack.

Examples of the components for safe operation may include a latch relay for preventing overcharging of the battery, a thermal management device for managing heat inside the battery pack, and the like. These components may be controlled through a substrate portion coupled to the battery pack.

FIG.1is a view illustrating a battery assembly according to the related art.FIG.2is a view illustrating a side of the substrate part in the battery assembly according to the related art. As illustrated inFIG.2, generally, as a surface mounted technology (SMT)-type bus bar terminal block2is applied to the substrate part1, a ring terminal wire or the like connected to a latch relay bus bar and a thermal manager is connected to the substrate part1. As illustrated inFIG.2, the bus bar terminal block2protruding outward corresponds to a method for promoting workability in a process by making it easier to fasten the bus bar, the ring terminal wire, or the like to the substrate part1during the process.

However, generally, because the bus bar terminal block2protruding outward is provided, a shape is relatively likely to change due to an impact or the like.

Furthermore, generally, because a separate bus bar terminal block2may be applied, the separate bus bar terminal block2causes an increase in the price of raw materials and serves as factors causing cost increase.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to providing a battery assembly including reinforced structural stability.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery assembly in which the production cost may be reduced.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery assembly including a battery module stack in which at least one battery module is stacked and formed, a cover portion coupled to a side of the battery module stack, and a substrate portion coupled to an external surface of the cover portion, wherein the cover portion includes a cover member coupled to the battery module stack, and a protrusion member protruding in an outward direction from the cover member and in contact with an internal surface of the substrate portion, the substrate portion includes an overlapping region which is a region overlapping the protrusion member when viewed in the outward direction, a through-hole passing through the overlapping region in the outward direction is formed in the overlapping region, and a pad region having electrically conductive properties is formed in a region surrounding the through-hole in the substrate portion.

In another aspect, the battery assembly may further include a substrate cover portion coupled to an external side of the substrate portion, and a latch relay coupled to an external side of the substrate cover portion.

In yet another aspect, the battery assembly may further include a latch relay input bus bar electrically connected to the latch relay, wherein the overlapping region may include a first overlapping region to be connected to the latch relay, a first through-hole passing through the first overlapping region in the outward direction may be formed in the first overlapping region, and a first pad region in contact with the latch relay input bus bar may be formed in a region surrounding the first through-hole in the substrate portion.

In yet another aspect, a first connection hole communicating with the first through-hole may be formed in a portion overlapping the first overlapping region in the latch relay input bus bar, when viewed in the outward direction, a first opening communicating with the first through-hole and opened in the outward direction may be formed in a first protrusion member overlapping the first overlapping region in the protrusion member, and the battery assembly may further include a first fastening member passing through the first connection hole and the first through-hole and inserted into the first opening to fasten the latch relay input bus bar, the substrate portion, and the cover portion to each other.

In yet another aspect, a first groove passing through a portion overlapping the first pad region in the substrate cover portion in the outward direction and exposing the first pad region in the outward direction may be formed in the substrate cover portion, when viewed in the outward direction thereof.

In yet another aspect, the battery assembly may further include a ground portion that grounds the substrate portion, wherein the overlapping region may include a second overlapping region to be electrically connected to the ground portion, a second through-hole passing through the second overlapping region in the outward direction may be formed in the second overlapping region, and a second pad region in contact with the ground portion may be formed in a region surrounding the second through-hole in the substrate portion.

In yet another aspect, a second connection hole communicating with the second through-hole may be formed in a portion overlapping the second overlapping region in the ground portion when viewed in the outward direction, a second opening communicating with the second through-hole and opened in the outward direction may be formed in a second protrusion member overlapping the second overlapping region in the protrusion member, and the battery assembly may further include a second fastening member passing through the second connection hole and the second through-hole and inserted into the second opening to fasten the ground portion, the substrate portion, and the cover portion to each other.

In yet another aspect, the battery assembly may further include a thermal manager which is electrically connected to the battery module and manages heat of the battery module, wherein the overlapping region may include a third overlapping region to be connected to a positive electrode terminal of the thermal manager, and a fourth overlapping region to be connected to a negative electrode terminal of the terminal manager, a third through-hole passing through the third overlapping region in the outward direction may be formed in the third overlapping region, a fourth through-hole passing through the fourth overlapping region in the outward direction may be formed in the fourth overlapping region, a third pad region may be formed in a region surrounding the third through-hole of the substrate portion, and a fourth pad region may be formed in a region surrounding the fourth through-hole of the substrate portion.

In yet another aspect, the battery assembly may further include a substrate cover portion coupled to an external side of the substrate portion, wherein the substrate cover portion may include a second groove that passes through a portion overlapping the third pad region in the substrate cover portion in the outward direction and exposes the third pad region in the outward direction, when viewed in the outward direction, and a third groove that passes through a portion overlapping the fourth pad region in the substrate cover portion in the outward direction and exposes the fourth pad region in the outward direction, when viewed in the outward direction thereof.

In yet another aspect, a shape connecting edge portions of the pad regions may be a quadrangle when the pad regions are viewed in the outward direction thereof.

In yet another aspect, the plurality of pad regions may be formed and the plurality of protrusion members may be formed, and Lengths of the plurality of protrusion members in the outward direction may correspond to each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. When components in the drawings are designated by reference numerals, the same components have the same reference numerals as far as possible even though the components are illustrated in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a detailed description of the related known configuration or function will be omitted when it is determined that the detailed description interferes with the understanding of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.3is a view exemplarily illustrating a battery assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.4is a view exemplarily illustrating a side of a substrate portion of the battery assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.5is an exploded perspective view exemplarily illustrating a cover portion, the substrate portion, a substrate cover portion, and a latch relay of the battery assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.6is a view exemplarily illustrating the battery assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a state in which a fastening member is removed fromFIG.3.

The battery assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a battery module stack, a cover portion20, and a substrate portion30. At least one battery module10may be stacked and formed in the battery module stack. The battery module10may be surrounded by a flame retardant material.

The cover portion20may be coupled to one side of the battery module stack. The substrate portion30may be coupled to an external surface of the cover portion20. Here, an outward direction D may be a direction from the battery module stack to the cover portion20.

Components for preventing accidents of the battery module stack may be electrically connected to the substrate portion30. A connector for receiving an external electrical signal may be coupled to the substrate portion30. The substrate portion30may be treated using a solder mask.

The cover portion20may include a cover member21and a protrusion member22. The cover member21may be coupled to the battery module stack. The protrusion member22may protrude from the cover member21toward the outward direction D and may be in contact with the substrate portion30.

The substrate portion30may include an overlapping region. The overlapping region may be a region overlapping the protrusion member22when viewed in the outward direction D. A through-hole31passing through the overlapping region in the outward direction D may be formed in the overlapping region.

A pad region32may be formed in a region of surrounding the through-hole31in the substrate portion30. The pad region32may have an electrically conductive property. The pad region32may be electrically connected to a bus bar or a ring terminal wire. The pad region32may be a region of the substrate portion30, which is not covered with a solder mask. As an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when the pad region32is viewed in the outward direction D, a shape connecting edge portions of the pad region32may be a quadrangular shape.

The plurality of pad regions32may be formed, and the plurality of protrusion members22may be formed. In the instant case, lengths of the plurality of protrusion members22in the outward direction D may correspond to each other. Some protrusion members22among the protrusion members22may be fastened to the substrate portion30to serve to fix the substrate portion30to the cover portion20.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, because the substrate portion30and the components may be connected through the pad region32of the substrate portion30without a terminal block structure protruding outward, structural stability may be reinforced. Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, because the components may be directly connected to the substrate portion30through direct contact without a separate terminal block, production costs may be reduced as compared to a case in which the separate terminal block is manufactured.

The battery assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a substrate cover portion40and a latch relay50. The substrate cover portion40may be coupled to an external side of the substrate portion30. The substrate cover portion40may prevent the substrate portion30from being exposed in the outward direction D. The latch relay50may be coupled to an external side of the substrate cover portion40. The latch relay50is configured to block a circuit to protect a battery system when various failures occur in the battery.

The battery assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a latch relay input bus bar51electrically connected to the latch relay50. Furthermore, the battery assembly may further include a latch relay output bus bar52electrically connected to the latch relay50. The latch relay output bus bar52may be connected to the battery module assembly.

The overlapping region may include a first overlapping region to be connected to the latch relay50. A first through-hole31apassing through the first overlapping region in the outward direction D may be formed in the first overlapping region. Furthermore, a first pad region32ain contact with the latch relay input bus bar51may be formed in a region surrounding the first through-hole31ain the substrate portion30.

When viewed in the outward direction D, a first connection hole53communicating with the first through-hole31amay be formed in a portion overlapping the first overlapping region in the latch relay input bus bar51. Furthermore, a first opening23acommunicating with the first through-hole31aand opened in the outward direction D may be formed in a first protrusion member22awhich is the protrusion member22overlapping the first overlapping region in the protrusion members22.

In the instant case, the battery assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first fastening member71. The first fastening member71may pass through the first connection hole53and the first through-hole31aand may be inserted into the first opening23ato fasten the latch relay input bus bar51, the substrate portion30, and the cover portion20to each other. As an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first fastening member71may be a bolt. In the instant case, the first protrusion member22ain which the first opening23ais formed is configured as a kind of nut. To the present end, a screw thread may be formed inside the first protrusion member22a.

Meanwhile, a first groove41may be formed in the substrate cover portion40. When viewed in the outward direction D, the first groove41may pass through a portion overlapping the first pad region32ain the substrate cover portion40in the outward direction D. The first pad region32amay be exposed in the outward direction D through the first groove41and in contact with the latch relay input bus bar51.

The battery assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a ground portion60for grounding the substrate portion30.

The overlapping region may include a second overlapping region to be electrically connected to the ground portion60. A second through-hole31bpassing through the second overlapping region in the outward direction D may be formed in the second overlapping region, and a second pad region32bin contact with the ground portion60may be formed in a region surrounding the second through-hole31bin the substrate portion30.

When viewed in the outward direction D, a second connection hole61communicating with the second through-hole31bmay be formed in a portion overlapping the second overlapping region in the ground portion60. Furthermore, a second opening23bcommunicating with the second through-hole31band opened in the outward direction D may be formed in a second protrusion member22bwhich is the protrusion member22overlapping the second overlapping region in the protrusion members22.

In the instant case, the battery assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a second fastening member72. The second fastening member72may pass through the second connection hole61and the second through-hole31band may be inserted into the second opening23bto fasten the ground portion60, the substrate portion30, and the cover portion20to each other. The second fastening member72may be a bolt. In the instant case, the second protrusion member22bin which the second opening23bis formed is configured as a kind of nut. To the present end, a screw thread may be formed inside the second protrusion member22b.

The battery assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a thermal manager (TM) which is electrically connected to the battery module10and manages heat of the battery module10. In the instant case, the overlapping region may include a third overlapping region and a fourth overlapping region.

The third overlapping region may be a region to be connected to a positive electrode terminal of the thermal manager (TM). A third through-hole31cpassing through the third overlapping region in the outward direction D may be formed in the third overlapping region. A third pad region32cmay be formed in a region surrounding the third through-hole31cof the substrate portion30. The third pad region32cmay be a region to be in contact with the ring terminal wire connected to the thermal manager (TM).

Furthermore, a third opening23ccommunicating with the third through-hole31cand opened in the outward direction D may be formed in a third protrusion member22cwhich is the protrusion member22overlapping the third overlapping region in the protrusion members22.

The fourth overlapping region may be a region to be connected to a negative electrode terminal of the thermal manager (TM). A fourth through-hole31dpassing through the fourth overlapping region in the outward direction D may be formed in the fourth overlapping region. A fourth pad region32dmay be formed in a region surrounding the fourth through-hole31dof the substrate portion30. The fourth pad region32dmay be a region to be in contact with the ring terminal wire connected to the thermal manager (TM).

Furthermore, a fourth opening23dcommunicating with the fourth through-hole31dand opened in the outward direction D may be formed in a fourth protrusion member22dwhich is the protrusion member22overlapping the fourth overlapping region in the protrusion members22.

A second groove42and a third groove43may be formed in the substrate cover portion40. When viewed in the outward direction D, the second groove42may pass through a portion overlapping the third overlapping region in the substrate cover portion40in the outward direction D. The third pad region32cmay be exposed in the outward direction D through the second groove42.

When viewed in the outward direction D, the third groove43may pass through a portion overlapping the fourth pad region32din the substrate cover portion40in the outward direction D. The fourth pad region32dmay be exposed in the outward direction D through the third groove43.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, because components may be connected to a substrate portion without a terminal block structure protruding outward, structural stability may be reinforced.

Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, because the components may be directly connected to the substrate portion through direct contact without a separate terminal block, production costs may be reduced.