Patent Description:
As technology development and demand for a mobile device have increased, demand for a secondary battery as an energy source has rapidly increased. Conventionally, a nickel-cadmium battery or a hydrogen ion battery has been used as the secondary battery. However, a lithium secondary battery is recently widely used because charging and discharging is free due to rare memory effect in comparison with a nickel-based secondary battery, a self-discharge rate is very low, and an energy density is high.

The lithium secondary battery mainly uses a lithium oxide and a carbonaceous material as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively. The lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, respectively coated with the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material, are arranged with a separator therebetween, and an outer member, that is a battery case, which seals and receives the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte solution.

The lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween and an electrolyte. Depending on which material is used for the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material, the lithium secondary battery is classified into a lithium ion battery (LIB) and a polymer lithium ion battery (PLIB). Generally, an electrode of the lithium secondary battery is prepared by applying the positive or negative electrode active material to a current collector made of aluminum or copper sheet, mesh, film, foil, or the like and then drying the same.

There is disclosed a technique of converting a connection relationship of a plurality of battery cells into a serial or parallel connection by using a conventional sliding-type serial-to-parallel switch. However, if the sliding-type serial-to-parallel switch is used, the connection of the battery cells is monotonous. Also, in order to switch battery cells connected complexly, it is needed to elongate the switch or the increase the number switches.

Document <CIT> represents a close prior art disclosing a multi-position rotary switch for switching among three power sources of batteries.

The present disclosure is to providing a serial-to-parallel converting apparatus, which may simply convert a plurality of battery cells into various serial or parallel forms, and a battery module including the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus.

Also, the present disclosure is to providing a serial-to-parallel converting apparatus, which may prevent the entire volume from increasing, and a battery module including the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus.

In addition, the present disclosure is to providing a serial-to-parallel converting apparatus, which may prevent wires connected to an input plate or an output plate from being twisted, and a battery module including the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a serial-to-parallel converting apparatus, comprising: an input plate connected to positive electrodes and negative electrodes of a plurality of battery cells, respectively; an output plate spaced apart from the input plate and connected to an external terminal; a rotary plate rotatably interposed between the input plate and the output plate to electrically connect the input plate and the output plate, the rotary plate being configured to convert serial connection and parallel connection of the plurality of battery cells by rotating; and a case configured to accommodate the input plate, the output plate and the rotary plate.

Also, a first protrusion may be formed on the rotary plate to contact the input plate.

In addition, a second protrusion may be formed on the output plate to contact the rotary plate.

Also, the input plate, the rotary plate and the output plate may be stacked on each other, and the input plate may be fixed.

In addition, the output plate may be configured to be movable toward the input plate or away from the input plate.

Also, the output plate may be in contact with the rotary plate to move toward the input plate or away from the input plate together with the rotary plate.

In addition, a fixing protrusion or a fixing groove may be formed at the output plate and the case, respectively, and the fixing protrusion and the fixing groove may be coupled to restrict rotation of the output plate.

Also, the rotary plate may be connected to a rotary shaft configured to be rotatable, and a perforation hole may be formed in the output plate so that the rotary shaft is inserted therein.

In addition, a moving unit configured to move the rotary plate away from the input plate and an elastic member configured to move the rotary plate toward the input plate may be coupled to the rotary shaft, and an elastic member placing portion may be formed at the case so that the elastic member is placed thereon.

Also, the rotary shaft may include a rotating unit configured to rotate the rotary plate, and the rotating unit may include: first teeth provided at the case and having a first inclined portion so that one end thereof is inclined, the first teeth being spaced from each other at a predetermined interval; and second teeth coupled to the rotary shaft and having a second inclined portion formed corresponding to the first inclined portion of the first teeth, the second teeth being spaced from each other at a predetermined interval.

In addition, an insulation region may be formed in at least a portion of the rotary plate.

Also, the insulation region may be formed in a linear shape to pass through a center portion of the rotary plate.

In addition, the rotary plate may have a simultaneous connection region to which a positive electrode of one cell and a negative electrode of another cell are simultaneously connected by the rotation of the rotary plate.

Meanwhile, in another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a battery module, comprising: the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus described above; a plurality of battery cells connected to the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus; and a battery management unit (BMU) electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells through the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus to control the battery cells.

Also, the rotary plate may have a simultaneous connection region to which a positive electrode of one cell and a negative electrode of another cell are simultaneously connected by the rotation of the rotary plate, and the battery management unit may be connected to the simultaneous connection region.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of battery cells may be simply converted into various serial or parallel forms by using the input plate, the rotary plate and the output plate.

Also, since more complex serial-to-parallel conversion is available just by increasing the number of divided regions of the rotary plate as required while maintaining the entire area of the rotary plate, it is possible to prevent the entire volume from increasing.

In addition, since the input plate and the output plate are configured not to rotate, it is possible to prevent wires connected to the input plate or the output plate from being twisted.

The term, 'combine' or 'connect' as used herein, may refer not only to a case where one member and another member are directly combined or directly connected but also a case where one member is indirectly combined with another member via a connecting member or is indirectly connected.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing a battery module including a serial-to-parallel converting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing an input plate, an output plate and a case, employed at the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a serial-to-parallel converting apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an input plate <NUM>, an output plate <NUM>, a rotary plate <NUM>, and a case <NUM>.

The input plate <NUM> is connected to positive electrodes and negative electrodes of a plurality of battery cells <NUM>, respectively. For example, the input plate <NUM> may have eight divided areas (see <FIG> and <FIG>), and positive electrodes and negative electrode of four battery cells 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d are connected to the eight divided areas, respectively. That is, the input plate <NUM> having a circular shape is divided into eight equal areas, and the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes of four battery cells 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d are connected to the eight divided areas of the input plate <NUM>, respectively. Here, it is just an example that four battery cells <NUM> are provided and the input plate <NUM> is divided into eight equal areas, and the number of battery cells <NUM> and the number of divided areas of the input plate <NUM> may be varied. In addition, if necessary, the divided areas of the input plate <NUM> may not be identical but be different from each other. However, for convenience of explanation, the following explanation will be based on the case where the input plate <NUM> is divided into eight equal areas and four battery cells <NUM> are provided.

The input plate <NUM> may be connected to the negative electrode and the positive electrode of the battery cell <NUM> in various ways, for example through a wire <NUM> made of conductive material (see <FIG>). However, the connection method is not limited to the wire <NUM>.

The input plate <NUM> is accommodated in the case <NUM> and may be fixed to the case <NUM> in various ways. For example, a fixing groove (not shown) may be formed in the case <NUM> and a fixing protrusion (not shown) may be formed on the input plate <NUM> so that the fixing groove (not shown) of the case <NUM> and the fixing protrusion (not shown) of the input plate <NUM> are coupled to fix the input plate <NUM> to the case <NUM>. Alternatively, referring to <FIG>, a fixing protrusion <NUM> may be formed on the case <NUM> and a fixing groove <NUM> may be formed in the input plate <NUM> so that the fixing protrusion <NUM> of the case <NUM> and the fixing groove <NUM> of the input plate <NUM> are coupled to fix the input plate <NUM> to the case <NUM>. As explained later, the rotary plate <NUM> may move linearly or rotate toward the input plate <NUM> or away from the input plate <NUM>. In addition, even though the output plate <NUM> is not rotatable, the output plate <NUM> may be in contact with the rotary plate <NUM> to move linearly toward the input plate <NUM> or away from the input plate <NUM> together with the rotary plate <NUM>. However, the input plate <NUM> is completely fixed to the case <NUM> and thus is not able to move linearly or rotate.

The input plate <NUM>, the rotary plate <NUM> and the output plate <NUM> may be stacked on each other. For example, referring to <FIG>, the input plate <NUM> is disposed at a left side based on <FIG>, the output plate <NUM> is disposed at a right side based on <FIG>, and the rotary plate <NUM> is disposed between the input plate <NUM> and the output plate <NUM> in contact to be electrically connected with each other. As explained later, when converting the serial connection or the parallel connection of the battery cells <NUM>, the rotary plate <NUM> moves away from the input plate <NUM> and rotates to contact the input plate <NUM> again. This will be explained later.

The output plate <NUM> is spaced apart from the input plate <NUM>. Here, the voltage of the battery cell <NUM> is outputted through the input plate <NUM>, the rotary plate <NUM> and the output plate <NUM> electrically connected to the battery cell <NUM>, and the output voltage may be is connected outputted to an external terminal <NUM> of various electronic devices, electronic equipment, or vehicles and supplied to the various electronic devices, electronic equipment, or vehicles.

The output plate <NUM> may be connected to the external terminal <NUM> in various ways, for example via a wire <NUM> made of conductive material (see <FIG>). However, the connection method is not limited to the wire <NUM>.

The output plate <NUM> is accommodated in the case <NUM> and may be fixed to the case <NUM> in various ways. For example, a fixing groove (not shown) may formed in the case <NUM> and a fixing protrusion (not shown) is formed on the output plate <NUM> so that the fixing groove (not shown) of the case <NUM> and the fixing protrusion (not shown) of the output plate <NUM> are coupled to fix the output plate <NUM> to the case <NUM>. Alternatively, referring to <FIG>, a fixing protrusion <NUM> may be formed on the case <NUM> and a fixing groove <NUM> is formed in the output plate <NUM> so that the fixing protrusion <NUM> of the case <NUM> and the fixing groove <NUM> of the output plate <NUM> are coupled to fix the output plate <NUM> to the case <NUM>. In this way, the output plate <NUM> is fixed to the case <NUM> and restricted not to rotate in the rotation direction of the rotary plate <NUM>. However, the output plate <NUM> may move linearly along the fixing protrusion <NUM> due to the fixing groove <NUM>. That is, referring to <FIG>, the output plate <NUM> may move linearly in a lateral direction based on <FIG>, namely in an arrow direction N or an arrow direction F, but is not able to rotate. Since both the input plate <NUM> and the output plate <NUM> are fixed to the case <NUM> not to rotate, the wire <NUM> connecting the input plate <NUM> and the battery cell <NUM> and the wire <NUM> connecting the output plate <NUM> and the external terminal <NUM> are not twisted, thereby stabilizing the electrical connection between the input plate <NUM> and the battery cell <NUM> and the electrical connection between the output plate <NUM> and the external terminal <NUM>. That is, for example, if the input plate <NUM> is configured to rotate, the plurality of wires <NUM> connecting the input plate <NUM> and the battery cell <NUM> may be twisted with each other to make the electrical connection unstable. Also, if the number of rotations of the input plate <NUM> increases, the input plate <NUM> may not rotate further due to the tension of the twisted wires <NUM>. In addition, this problem also occurs when the output plate <NUM> is configured to rotate. However, in the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the input plate <NUM> and the output plate <NUM> are configured not to rotate, and only the rotary plate <NUM> rotates between the input plate <NUM> and the output plate <NUM>, thereby solving the above problems, namely various problems caused by twisting of the wires <NUM> and <NUM> connected to the input plate <NUM> or the output plate <NUM>.

A second protrusion <NUM> may be formed on the output plate <NUM> to contact the rotary plate <NUM>. That is, since the output plate <NUM> and the rotary plate <NUM> are electrically connected through the second protrusion <NUM>, the second protrusion <NUM> functions as a contact point. The second protrusion <NUM> may have provided in various numbers and various shapes, and the second protrusion <NUM> may be integrally formed with the output plate <NUM> or be coupled to the output plate <NUM> by welding or the like.

The output plate <NUM> may be configured to move toward the input plate <NUM>, namely in a direction N of <FIG>, and away from the input plate <NUM>, namely in a direction F of <FIG>. At this time, the second protrusion <NUM> of the output plate <NUM> may contact the rotary plate <NUM> to move together with the rotary plate <NUM> toward the input plate <NUM> or away from the input plate <NUM>. As explained later, if the rotary plate <NUM> moves away from the input plate <NUM>, the second protrusion <NUM> and the output plate <NUM>, which are in contact with the rotary plate <NUM>, also move away from the input plate <NUM> together with the rotary plate <NUM>. In addition, if an elastic restoring force of the elastic member <NUM> is applied, the output plate <NUM> and the rotary plate <NUM> may move toward the input plate <NUM>. At this time, since the rotary plate <NUM> is able to rotate by the rotating unit <NUM> and the output plate <NUM> is not able to rotate as described above, the rotary plate <NUM> rotates while contacting the second protrusion <NUM>. Here, in order to reduce the contact friction between the rotary plate <NUM> and the second protrusion <NUM>, a curved surface having a rounded shape may be formed at an end of the second protrusion <NUM>, which is in contact with the rotary plate <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotary plate <NUM> may be rotatably disposed between the input plate <NUM> and the output plate <NUM> to be electrically connected to the input plate <NUM> and the output plate <NUM>. In addition, the rotary plate <NUM> may be rotated to convert a serial connection and a parallel connection of the plurality of battery cells <NUM>. Here, a first protrusion <NUM> capable of contacting the input plate <NUM> may be formed on the rotary plate <NUM>. That is, since the rotary plate <NUM> and the input plate <NUM> are electrically connected through the first protrusion <NUM>, the first protrusion <NUM> functions as a contact point. The first protrusion <NUM> may have various numbers and various shapes, and may be integrally formed with the rotary plate <NUM> or be coupled to the rotary plate <NUM> by welding or the like.

The rotary plate <NUM> may be configured to move toward the input plate <NUM>, namely in the direction N of <FIG>, or away from the input plate <NUM>, namely in the direction F of <FIG>. For example, referring to <FIG>, the rotary plate <NUM> may be connected to a rotatable rotary shaft <NUM>, which is configured to be rotatable, and the rotary plate <NUM> is also rotated by the rotation of the rotary shaft <NUM>. At this time, a perforation hole <NUM> (see <FIG>) may be formed in the output plate <NUM> so that the rotary shaft <NUM> is inserted therein. The rotary shaft <NUM> may be rotated in various ways. For example, a power source such as a motor may be coupled to the rotary shaft <NUM> to rotate the rotary shaft <NUM>. Alternatively, the rotary shaft <NUM> may include a rotating unit <NUM> capable of rotating the rotary plate <NUM>.

<FIG> are diagrams for illustrating a process in which a rotary shaft is rotated by a rotating unit, employed at the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the rotating unit <NUM> may include first teeth <NUM> and second teeth <NUM>. The first teeth <NUM> may be provided at the case <NUM> and may have a first inclined portion <NUM> so one end of the first teeth <NUM> is inclined. Here, the first teeth <NUM> are spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals. The predetermined intervals of the first teeth <NUM> are preferably equal to each other, without being limited thereto. The second teeth <NUM> may be coupled to the rotary shaft <NUM> and have a second inclined portion <NUM> corresponding to the first inclined portion <NUM> of the first teeth <NUM>. The second teeth <NUM> are spaced apart from each other by predetermined intervals. The predetermined intervals of the second teeth <NUM> are preferably equal to each other, similar to the predetermined intervals of the first teeth <NUM>, without being limited thereto. Now, the process in which the rotary shaft <NUM> rotates by the first teeth <NUM> and second teeth <NUM> of the rotating unit <NUM> will be described. Referring to <FIG>, any one of the second teeth <NUM> marked by B is located at a right of any one of the first teeth <NUM> marked by A, based on <FIG>. In addition, in <FIG>, if the rotary shaft <NUM> is moved away from the input plate <NUM>, for example, by a solenoid, namely in a direction X of <FIG>, the first tooth <NUM> marked by A and the second tooth <NUM> marked by B are located as shown in <FIG>. However, the means for moving the rotary shaft <NUM> is not necessarily limited to the solenoid, and the rotary shaft <NUM> may be moved away from the input plate <NUM> by various power sources such as a step motor. In addition, if the first tooth <NUM> marked by A and the second tooth <NUM> marked by B are located as shown in <FIG>, the solenoid stops operating and the rotary shaft <NUM> moves toward the input plate <NUM>, namely in a direction Y of <FIG>, due to, for example, the elastic restoring force of the elastic member <NUM>. At this time, as the second inclined portion <NUM> of the second tooth <NUM> marked by B moves in in the direction Y along the first inclined portion <NUM> of the first tooth <NUM> marked by A, the rotary shaft <NUM> rotates in an arrow direction K of <FIG>, and thus, as shown in <FIG>, the second tooth <NUM> marked by B is located at a left side of the first tooth <NUM> marked by A, based on <FIG>. In this way, the rotary shaft <NUM> may be rotated by a predetermined angle, and the rotary plate <NUM> coupled to the rotary shaft <NUM> may also be rotated. That is, the rotary plate <NUM> moves away from the input plate <NUM> and rotates in a state where the first protrusion <NUM> is separated from the input plate <NUM>, namely in a state where the rotary plate <NUM> and the input plate <NUM> are not in contact with each other. The rotary plate <NUM> may be rotated by a motor or the like, or may be rotated by the rotating unit <NUM> described above. If the rotary plate <NUM> is configured to rotate by a motor or the like, the rotary plate <NUM> may be configured to rotate in a state of being spaced apart from the input plate <NUM>. Also, if the rotary plate <NUM> is completely rotated, the rotary plate <NUM> may move toward the input plate <NUM> to contact the input plate <NUM>. In addition, if the rotary plate <NUM> is configured to rotate by the rotating unit <NUM>, namely by the first teeth <NUM> and the second teeth <NUM>, the rotary plate <NUM> may be configured to move away from the input plate <NUM> and then rotate together with moving toward the input plate <NUM>.

The rotary plate <NUM> may be moved away from the input plate <NUM>, for example in the direction F of <FIG>, or toward the input plate <NUM>, for example in the direction N of <FIG>. In order to move the rotary plate <NUM>, a moving unit <NUM> and an elastic member <NUM> for moving the rotary shaft <NUM> coupled to the rotary plate <NUM> may be provided. The moving unit <NUM> is coupled to the rotary shaft <NUM> to move the rotary plate <NUM> away from the input plate <NUM>. The moving unit <NUM> may include, for example, a solenoid, or may include various power sources such as a motor without being limited thereto. The elastic member <NUM> is coupled to the rotary shaft <NUM> to move the rotary plate <NUM> toward the input plate <NUM>. For this purpose, the case <NUM> may have an elastic member placing portion <NUM> formed so that the elastic member <NUM> is placed thereon. Referring to <FIG>, if the rotary shaft <NUM> is moved in the direction F by the moving unit <NUM>, not only the rotary plate <NUM> coupled to the rotary shaft <NUM> but also the output plate <NUM> in contact with the rotary plate <NUM> move together in the direction F. Here, the elastic member <NUM> is contracted by the output plate <NUM>. In addition, if the operation of the moving unit <NUM> is stopped, the output plate <NUM> moves in the direction N due to the elastic restoring force of the elastic member <NUM>, and the rotary plate <NUM> in contact with the output plate <NUM> also moves in the direction N. In addition, as described above, the rotary plate <NUM> rotates by a predetermined angle by the rotating unit <NUM> while moving in the direction N. Here, the elastic member <NUM> includes various materials with elasticity and may be, for example, a coil spring.

An insulation region <NUM> may be formed in at least a portion of the rotary plate <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). Here, the insulation region <NUM> may have a linear shape to pass through a center portion of the rotary plate <NUM>. Due to the insulation region <NUM>, it is possible to prevent a short even though the rotary plate <NUM> rotates in contact with the output plate <NUM> and contacts the input plate <NUM>. However, the shape and position of the insulation region <NUM> may vary as needed.

The rotary plate <NUM> may include a simultaneous connection region <NUM> to which a positive electrode of one cell and a negative electrode of another cell are simultaneously connected by rotation of the rotary plate <NUM> (see <FIG>). For example, a region I', which is one of the simultaneous connection regions <NUM> in <FIG>, is connected to a positive electrode of a first battery cell 20a and a negative electrode of a second battery cell 20b, and a region III', which is another simultaneous connection region <NUM>, is connected to a negative electrode of a third battery cell 20c and a positive electrode of a fourth battery cell 20d. A battery management unit (BMU) <NUM> may be connected to the simultaneous connection region <NUM>. This will be explained later.

The case <NUM> accommodates the input plate <NUM>, the output plate <NUM> and the rotary plate <NUM>. The case <NUM> may have a fixing groove (not shown) or the fixing protrusion <NUM> formed to fix the input plate <NUM>, and may also have a fixing groove (not shown) or the fixing protrusion <NUM> formed to fix the output plate <NUM>. In addition, the case <NUM> may have a driving groove <NUM> (see <FIG>) formed so that the rotary plate <NUM> may be rotated and moved. That is, the rotary plate <NUM> may rotate inside the driving groove <NUM> formed in the case <NUM> and also move in the direction N and the direction F of <FIG>.

Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the input plate <NUM>, the rotary plate <NUM> and the output plate <NUM> may be stacked in order in the case <NUM>. Here, the input plate <NUM>, the output plate <NUM> and the rotary plate <NUM> may have a circular shape. The input plate <NUM> is fixed to the case <NUM>. In addition, the rotary plate <NUM> may be moved away from the input plate <NUM> or moved to contact the input plate <NUM>, and may be rotated in a state of being spaced apart from the input plate <NUM>. In addition, the output plate <NUM> is coupled to the case <NUM> not to rotate, but the output plate <NUM> may be in contact with the rotary plate <NUM> to be moved away from the input plate <NUM> or toward the input plate <NUM> together with the rotary plate <NUM>. If the rotary plate <NUM> rotates in a state of being spaced apart from the input plate <NUM> and then contacts the input plate <NUM>, the electrical connection state of the plurality of battery cells <NUM> is converted. The conversion of the electrical connection state of the plurality of battery cells <NUM> will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> are diagrams schematically showing the input plate, the rotary plate and the output plate for serial or parallel connection according to an example of the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a diagram showing that battery cells are connected in serial or in parallel by <FIG>, <FIG> are diagrams schematically showing the input plate, the rotary plate and the output plate for serial or parallel connection according to another example of the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a diagram showing that battery cells are connected in serial or in parallel by <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the input plate <NUM>, the rotary plate <NUM> and and the output plate <NUM> are shown on a single plane.

Referring to <FIG>, the input plate <NUM> may have eight divided areas, and positive electrodes and negative electrodes of four battery cells 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d are connected to each of eight divided areas. In addition, the rotary plate <NUM> is connected to the negative electrode of the first battery cell 20a and the negative electrode of the second battery cell 20b in the region I, which corresponds to the region I of <FIG>. Also, the rotary plate <NUM> is connected to the negative electrode of the third battery cell 20c and the negative electrode of the fourth battery cell 20d in the region II, which corresponds to the region II of <FIG>. In addition, the rotary plate <NUM> is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell 20a and the positive electrode of the second battery cell 20b in the region III, which corresponds to the region III of <FIG>. Also, the rotary plate <NUM> is connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell 20c and the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell 20d in the region IV, which corresponds to the region IV of <FIG>. Meanwhile, the output plate <NUM> does not rotate, but the connection state of the output of the output plate <NUM> is changed by rotation of the rotary plate <NUM>. That is, a negative electrode of the external terminal <NUM> is connected to the region X of the output plate <NUM>, and a positive electrode of the external terminal <NUM> is connected to the region Y of the output plate <NUM>. This corresponds to X and Y of <FIG>. If the rotary plate <NUM> rotates to be positioned as in <FIG>, the four battery cells 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d are connected in parallel as in <FIG>.

In addition, the case where the rotary plate <NUM> rotates to be positioned as in <FIG> will be described. In <FIG>, the input plate <NUM>, the rotary plate <NUM> and the output plate <NUM> are shown on a single plane, similar to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the input plate <NUM> may have eight divided areas, identical to <FIG>, and positive electrodes and negative electrodes of four battery cells 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d are connected to each of the eight divided areas. In addition, the rotary plate <NUM> is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell 20a and the negative electrode of the second battery cell 20b in the region I', which corresponds to the region I' of <FIG>. In <FIG>, the region I' of the rotary plate <NUM> is connected to the VM of the output plate <NUM> and corresponds to the simultaneous connection region <NUM>. Also, the battery management unit <NUM> is connected to the region I' through the output plate <NUM>. In addition, the rotary plate <NUM> is connected to the negative electrode of the first battery cell 20a and the negative electrode of the fourth battery cell 20d in the region II', which corresponds to the region II' of <FIG>. Also, the rotary plate <NUM> is connected to the negative electrode of the third battery cell 20c and the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell 20d in the region III', which corresponds to the region III' of <FIG>. In <FIG>, the region III' of the rotary plate <NUM> is connected to the VM of the output plate <NUM> and corresponds to the simultaneous connection region <NUM>. Also, the battery management unit <NUM> is connected to the region III' through the output plate <NUM>. In addition, the rotary plate <NUM> is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell 20b and the positive electrode of the third battery cell 20c in the region IV', which corresponds to the region IV' of <FIG>. Meanwhile, the output plate <NUM> does not rotate, but the connection state of the output of the output plate <NUM> is changed by rotation of the rotary plate <NUM>. In the connection of <FIG> and <FIG>, the polarity of the rotary plate <NUM> and the polarity of the output plate <NUM> are the same. If the rotary plate <NUM> rotates to be located at the same position as <FIG>, as in <FIG>, the first battery cell 20a and the second battery cell 20b are connected in series, the third battery cell 20c and the fourth battery cell 20d are also connected in series, and the first battery cell 20a and the second battery cell 20b connected in series and the third battery cell 20c and the fourth battery cell 20d connected in series are connected in parallel. In this manner, the serial and parallel connection of the battery cell <NUM> may be converted in various ways by the rotation of the rotary plate <NUM>. Here, even though the input plate <NUM> has eight divided areas and is connected to four battery cells 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, the serial-to-parallel connection may be converted more variously by changing the number of divided areas of the input plate <NUM> and the number of the battery cells <NUM>. Meanwhile, since both the input plate <NUM> and the output plate <NUM> are not able to rotate, the wire <NUM> connecting the input plate <NUM> and the battery cell <NUM> and the wire <NUM> connecting the output plate <NUM> and the external terminal <NUM> maintain their initial positions, thereby preventing the wires <NUM>, <NUM> from being twisted.

Hereinafter, a battery module <NUM> including the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to <FIG>, the battery module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a serial-to-parallel converting apparatus <NUM>, a plurality of battery cells <NUM>, and a battery management unit <NUM>.

The serial-to-parallel converting apparatus <NUM> is described above.

The battery cell <NUM> may have various types such as cylindrical type, rectangular type and pouch type. In this embodiment, a plurality of battery cells <NUM> are provided, and the plurality of battery cells <NUM> are connected to the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus <NUM>. In addition, each battery cell <NUM> may include an electrode lead. The electrode lead provided at the battery cell <NUM> is a kind of terminal that is exposed to the outside and connected to an external device, and may be made of a conductive material. The electrode lead may include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead. The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be disposed at opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell <NUM>, or the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be positioned at the same side in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell <NUM>. The electrode lead of the battery cell <NUM> may be connected to the input plate <NUM> through the wire <NUM>. The battery cell <NUM> may be configured so that a plurality of unit cells, in each of which a positive electrode plate, a separator and a negative electrode plate are arranged in order, or a plurality of bi-cells, in each of which a positive electrode plate, a separator, a negative electrode plate, a separator, a positive electrode plate, a separator and a negative electrode plate are arranged in order, are stacked suitable for a battery capacity.

The battery management unit <NUM> is electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells <NUM> via the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus <NUM> to control the battery cells <NUM>. For example, the battery management unit <NUM> may include a protection circuit that controls the operation of the battery cells <NUM>. Alternatively, the battery management unit <NUM> may be connected to the battery cells <NUM> to control charging or discharging of the battery cells <NUM> and sense temperature or the like of the battery cells <NUM>. Here, the serial-to-parallel converting apparatus <NUM> to which the battery management unit <NUM> is connected includes a rotary plate <NUM>. The rotary plate <NUM> may have a simultaneous connection region <NUM> to which a positive electrode of one cell and a negative electrode of another cell are simultaneously connected by the rotation of the rotary plate <NUM>. The battery management unit <NUM> may be connected to the simultaneous connection region <NUM>. Namely, the battery management unit <NUM> may be connected to the simultaneous connection region <NUM> to control temperature or the like of the battery cells <NUM>, control charging or discharging of the battery cells <NUM>, or control the protection circuit that protects the battery cells <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A serial-to-parallel converting apparatus (<NUM>), comprising:
an input plate (<NUM>) connected to positive electrodes and negative electrodes of a plurality of battery cells (<NUM>), respectively, wherein the input plate (<NUM>) has circular shape and is divided into equal areas;
an output plate (<NUM>) spaced apart from the input plate (<NUM>) and connected to an external terminal (<NUM>);
a rotary plate (<NUM>) rotatably interposed between the input plate (<NUM>) and the output plate (<NUM>) to electrically connect the input plate (<NUM>) and the output plate (<NUM>), the rotary plate (<NUM>) being configured to convert serial connection and parallel connection of the plurality of battery cells (<NUM>) by rotating; and
a case (<NUM>) configured to accommodate the input plate (<NUM>), the output plate (<NUM>) and the rotary plate (<NUM>) ; wherein the input plate (<NUM>), the rotary plate (<NUM>) and the output plate (<NUM>) are stacked on each other, and the input plate (<NUM>) is completely fixed to the case and not able to move linearly or rotate;
wherein the output plate (<NUM>) is configured to be movable toward the input plate (<NUM>) or away from the input plate (<NUM>);
wherein the output plate (<NUM>) is in contact with the rotary plate (<NUM>) to move toward the input plate (<NUM>) or away from the input plate (<NUM>) together with the rotary plate (<NUM>);
wherein a fixing protrusion (<NUM>) or a fixing groove (<NUM>) is formed at the output plate (<NUM>) and the case (<NUM>) , respectively, and the fixing protrusion (<NUM>) and the fixing groove (<NUM>) are coupled to restrict rotation of the output plate (<NUM>);
wherein an insulation region (<NUM>) is formed in at least a portion of the rotary plate (<NUM>);
wherein the rotary plate (<NUM>) has a simultaneous connection region to which a positive electrode of one cell and a negative electrode of another cell are simultaneously connected by the rotation of the rotary plate (<NUM>).