Patent Publication Number: US-2015064543-A1

Title: Battery module

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0102081, filed on Aug. 28, 2013, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and entitled: “Battery Module,” is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments relate to a battery module. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A high-power battery module using a non-aqueous electrolyte with high energy density has recently been developed. The high-power battery module may be configured as a large-capacity battery module manufactured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series so as to be used in driving motors of devices requiring high power, e.g., electric vehicles and the like. Further, a battery pack may be configured by electrically connecting such a plurality of battery modules to one another. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments are directed to a battery module. 
     The embodiments may be realized by providing a battery module including a plurality of battery cells aligned in one direction, each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells including a terminal portion on one surface thereof; and a housing on outer surfaces of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the housing includes a bending portion on at least one surface thereof, the bending portion protruding toward one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. 
     The bending portion may have elasticity. 
     The bending portion may have a through-region in a portion thereof that contacts the battery cell. 
     The bending portion may have a recessed portion in a portion thereof that contacts the battery cell. 
     The bending portion may face another surface of one of the battery cells, the other surface being opposite to the one surface that has the terminal thereon. 
     The housing may further include a pair of end plates that respectively contact outermost battery cells of the plurality of battery cells; and an accommodating portion coupled with the pair of end plates, the accommodating portion surrounding another surface of one of the battery cells, the other surface being opposite to the one surface, and side surfaces that connect between the one surface and the other surface of the one battery cell. 
     The bending portion may be in the accommodating portion. 
     The housing may further include a top plate that covers the one surface of the one battery cell. 
     The plurality of battery cells may be pressed to the top plate by elastic force from the bending portion. 
     The bending portion may face a side surface of a battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. 
     The bending portion may be elastically biased toward the plurality of battery cells. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features will be apparent to those of skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the battery module shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a sectional view of the battery module shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a sectional view of a battery module according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a sectional view of a battery module according to still another embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to still another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art. 
     In the drawing figures, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     In addition, when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or be indirectly on the another element with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween. Also, when an element is referred to as being “connected to” another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or be indirectly connected to the other element with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a battery module  100   a  according to an embodiment.  FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the battery module  100   a  shown in  FIG. 1 . Hereinafter, the battery module  100   a  according to this embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the battery module  100   a  may include a plurality of battery cells  110  (aligned in one direction) and a housing  120   a  on outer surfaces of the plurality of battery cells  110 . A bending portion  124   a  (protruding toward a battery cell  110  of the plurality of battery cells  110 ) may be formed on at least one surface of the housing  120   a.    
     The battery cell  110  may be a member that generates energy. The plurality of battery cells  110  may be aligned in one direction. 
     Each battery cell  110  may include a battery case (having one open side), and an electrode assembly and an electrolyte (which are accommodated in the battery case). For example, the electrode assembly and the electrolyte may generate energy through an electrochemical reaction therebetween. The battery case may be hermetically sealed at one surface  111  (e.g., top surface) of the battery cell  110  by, e.g., a cap assembly. In addition, a terminal portion  114 , e.g., positive and negative electrode terminals  115  and  116  having different polarities, may protrude from the one surface  111  of the battery cell  110 . A vent portion  117  (acting as a passage through which gas generated in the battery cell  110  is exhausted to the outside of the battery cell  110 ) may be further formed as a safety device of the battery cell  110  in the one surface  111  of the battery cell  110 . The terminal portions  114  of adjacent battery cells  110  among the plurality of battery cells  110  may be electrically connected through a bus-bar  118 . The bus-bar  118  may be fixed to the terminal portion  114  by a fixing means or fixer  119  such as a nut. The battery cell  110  may include the one surface  111  (from which the terminal portion  114  protrudes), another surface  112  (e.g., a top surface that is opposite to the one surface  111 ), and side surfaces  113  (connecting between the one surface  111  and the other surface  112 ). 
     The housing  120   a  may be a member that is disposed on outer surfaces of the plurality of battery cells  110  to fix an alignment state of the plurality of battery cells  110 . The bending portion  124   a  (protruding toward the battery cell  110 ) may be formed on at least one surface of the housing  120   a.    
     The housing  120   a  may include, e.g., at least one end plate  121 , an accommodating portion  122   a,  and a top plate  123 . The at least one end plate  121  may include a pair of end plates  121  that respectively contact wide surfaces of outermost battery cells  110  among the plurality of battery cells  110 . For example, the end plates  121  may be formed of an SUS plate or plastic. The accommodating portion  122   a  may surround the other surface  112  (opposite to the one surface  111 ) of the battery cell  110  and the side surfaces  113  of the battery cell  110  so as to accommodate the plurality of battery cells  110 . In addition, a plurality of openings may be formed in the accommodating portion  122   a,  and accordingly, it is possible to facilitate heat dissipation and to decrease the weight of the accommodating portion  122   a.  The accommodating portion  122   a  and the end plates  121  may be coupled to each other. In coupling the accommodating portion  122   a  and the end plates  121 , the accommodating portion  122   a  and one surface of the end plates  121  may form an opened box shape to accommodate the battery cells  110 . In this case, the coupling between the end plates  121  and the accommodating portion  122   a  may be implemented through, e.g., snap-fit coupling, bolt-screw coupling, welding, or the like. 
     The top plate  123  may cover the one surface  111  of the battery cell  110 . The top plate  123  may be coupled to the end plates  121  and/or the accommodating portion  122   a . Therefore, if the top plate  123  is coupled to the end plates  121  and/or the accommodating portion  122   a,  the housing  120   a  may surround all surfaces of the plurality of battery cells  100 , e.g., the one surface  111 , the other surface  112 , and the side surfaces  113  of each battery cell  110  of the plurality of battery cells  110 . First and second openings  129   a  and  129   b  may be formed in the top plate  123 . The terminal  114  of the battery cell  110  may be inserted into the top plate  123  through the first opening  129   a  to be exposed to the outside of the top plate  123 , and the vent portion  117  may be exposed to the outside of the top plate  123  through the second opening  129   b.  The bus-bar  118  may be placed at an upper portion of the top plate  123  to electrically connect between the terminals  114  exposed to the outside of the top plate  123  through the first openings  129   a.    
       FIG. 3  illustrates a sectional view of the battery module  100   a  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Hereinafter, the bending portion  124   a  of the battery module  100   a  according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bending portion  124   a  may be formed in the housing  120   a.  The bending portion  124   a  may protrude toward one battery cell  110  of the plurality of battery cells  110 . For example, the bending portion  124   a  may be formed in the accommodating portion  122   a.  In this embodiment, the bending portion  124   a  may protrude to face and contact the other surface  112  (e.g., bottom surface) of the battery cell  110 . In an implementation, a number of bending portions  124   a  may be the same as a number of the battery cells  110  in the battery module to correspond to the respective battery cells  110 . For example, each battery cell  110  of the plurality of battery cells  110  may correspond with one bending portion  124   a.  The bending portion  124   a  may have an area that approximately similar to that of or about the same as an area of the other surface  112  of the battery cell  110 . 
     The bending portion  124   a  may have elasticity, e.g., may be elastically biased in a direction, such as in a direction toward the plurality of battery cells  110 . Accordingly, the other surface  112  (e.g., bottom surface) of the battery cell  110  may be elastically supported by the bending portion  124   a.  Thus, when the top plate  123  is placed on the one surface  111  of the battery cell  110 , the one surface  111  of the battery cell  110  may be adhered closely to or pressed into the top plate  123  by the elasticity or elastic bias of the bending portion  124   a.  Accordingly, the one surface  111  and/or the other surface  112  of each battery cell  110  in the battery module  100   a  may be adhered closely to or pressed by the bending portion  124   a  to help prevent the movement of the battery cell  110 , thereby decreasing the possibility that the battery cell  110  will be damaged by an impact or the like. The bending portion  124   a  may have the elasticity or may be elastically biased, and the bending portion  124   a  may absorb an external impact or the like. Accordingly, it is possible to help minimize the impact applied to the battery cell  110 . For example, even if the sizes of the battery cells  110  were to be different, each bending portion  124   a  may have the elasticity or may be elastically biased toward the battery cells  110 , so that a degree of protruding of the bending portion  124   a  may be controlled or affected according to the size of the battery cell  110 . Hence, surfaces, e.g., the one surface  111  and/or the other surface  112 , of each battery cell  110  may be stably supported. Thus, it is possible to use the housing  120   a,  regardless of the sizes (e.g., and variations thereof) of the plurality of battery cells  110  in the battery module  100   a.    
     As described above, in an implementation, the bending portion  124   a  may be formed in the accommodating portion  122   a  to face the other (e.g., bottom) surface  112  of the battery cell  110 . In an implementation, the bending portion  124   a  may be formed in the top plate  123  to face the one (e.g., top) surface  111  of the battery cell  110 . In this case, all surfaces, e.g., the one (e.g., top) surface  111  and the other (e.g., bottom) surface  112 , of the battery cell  110  may be elastically supported by the bending portion  124   a,  so that the battery module  100  may be less influenced by an external impact. Further, it is possible to more effectively minimize mechanical tolerance. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a sectional view of a battery module  100   b  according to another embodiment. Hereinafter, the battery module  100   b  according to this embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . Components identical or corresponding to those of the aforementioned embodiment are designated by like reference numerals, and repeated detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted to avoid redundancy. 
     The battery module  100   b  according to the present embodiment may include a plurality of battery cells  110  and a housing  120   b.  Each bending portion  124   b  formed in the housing  120   b,  e.g., in an accommodating portion  122   b,  may have a through-region  125 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the through-region  125  may be formed in a region of the bending portion  124   b  that contacts the battery cell  110 . For example, the bending portion  124   b  may include a first bending portion  126  at one side thereof and a second bending portion  127  at another side thereof, based on or about the through-region  125 . An end of each of the first and second bending portions  126  and  127  may be a free end, and the elasticity of the bending portion  124   b  may be increased, as compared with that in the aforementioned embodiment. Accordingly, the bending portion  124   b  may effectively support the other (e.g., bottom) surface  112  of the battery cell  110 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a sectional view of a battery module  100   c  according to still another embodiment. Hereinafter, the battery module  100   c  according to this embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . Here, components that are identical or corresponding to those of the aforementioned embodiment are designated by like reference numerals, and repeated detailed descriptions may be omitted to avoid redundancy. 
     The battery module  100   c  according to the present embodiment may include a plurality of battery cells  110  and a housing  120   c.  Each bending portion  124   c  in an accommodating portion  122   c  of the housing  120   c  may have a recessed region  128 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the recessed region  128  may be formed in a region of the bending portion  124   c  that contacts the battery cell  110 . Therefore, a shape of the bending portion  124   c  may be entirely or doubly protruded, and a central region of the bending portion  124   c  may have a concave shape. The recessed region  128  may be provided in the bending portion  124   c,  and the elasticity of the bending portion  124   c  may be increased. For example, a contact area between the bending portion  124   c  and the battery cell  110  may be doubled. Accordingly, the battery cells  110  may be effectively supported by the elasticity of the bending portion  124   c.    
       FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a battery module  100   d  according to still another embodiment. Hereinafter, the battery module  100   d  according to this embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 . Here, components that are identical or corresponding to those of the aforementioned embodiment are designated by like reference numerals, and repeated detailed descriptions may be omitted to avoid redundancy. 
     The battery module  100   d  according to the embodiment may include a plurality of battery cells  110 , and a housing  120   d  that includes a pair of end plates  121 , an accommodating portion  122   d,  and a top plate  123 . Each bending portion  124   d  may protrude to face a side surface  113  of one of the battery cells  110 . The protruding portion  124   d  may respectively protrude from inner surfaces of the accommodating portion  122   d  to face side surfaces  113  of one of the battery cells  110 . Accordingly, the side surfaces  113  of the battery cell  110  may be elastically supported. Thus, even if the battery module is subjected to an impact in a lateral direction, it is possible to stably drive the battery module  100   d.    
     As noted above, in an implementation, the bending portion  124   d  may be formed in the accommodating portion  122   d.  In an implementation, the bending portion  124   d  may be formed in at least one of the end plates  121 . In this case, only wide surfaces of the outermost battery cells  110  may be elastically supported or pressed by the bending portion  124   d.    
     By way of summation and review, as a number of devices employing the battery module increases, improving the productivity of the battery module has been considered. As an external appearance of the devices is diversified, a shape of the battery module may be varied. However, safety of the battery module should be basically secured. Therefore, the structure of a battery module capable of satisfying all the requirements have been considered in various fields. 
     A bus-bar may be used as a member that connects a plurality of battery cells. If a height difference exists between battery cells, close adhesion or coupling between electrode terminals of the battery cells may not be precisely made. 
     The embodiments may provide a battery module in which battery cells are firmly supported, e.g., fixed in position to not be moved, thereby improving the safety of the battery module. 
     According to an embodiment, a battery cell may be elastically supported by forming the bending portion that protrudes toward the battery cell on at least one surface of a housing, so that it is possible to help prevent the movement of the battery cell, thereby improving the safety of the battery module. 
     Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. In some instances, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art as of the filing of the present application, features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment may be used singly or in combination with features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with other embodiments unless otherwise specifically indicated. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.