Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a tray for a secondary battery having an improved fixing force of the secondary battery, and a tray assembly comprising the same.

In general, secondary batteries refer to chargeable and dischargeable, unlike primary batteries that are not chargeable. The secondary batteries are being widely used for mobile phones, notebook computers, and camcorders, electric vehicles, and the like.

Such a secondary battery is classified into a can type secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is built in a metal can and a pouch type secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is built in a pouch. The pouch type secondary battery comprises an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a pouch accommodating the electrode assembly and the electrolyte. Also, the electrode assembly has a structure in which a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of separators are alternately stacked.

The secondary battery uses a tray for storage and packaging, and the tray has an accommodation groove for accommodating one or more secondary batteries. The accommodation groove comprises a bottom surface on which the secondary battery is disposed, and a sidewall surface supporting a side portion of the secondary battery.

However, the tray has a problem in that the secondary battery moves due to movement thereof or an external impact, and thus, a sealing part of the secondary battery collides with the sidewall surface of the tray, thereby causing damage of the secondary battery.

The document <CIT> provides an example of all-solid battery which reduces interface resistance on an interface between a solid and a solid by pressing an all-solid battery cell in a lamination direction. The all-solid battery comprises: first and second electrodes; at least one battery cell disposed therebetween and containing a solid electrolyte; and an exterior body including first and second tabular members which hold the battery cell therebetween, and a sidewall connected to each of the tabular members. The sidewall is configured to be elongated/contracted in a direction toward the first tabular member or the second tabular member. The tray disclosed in this document is according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The document <CIT> provides an example of battery module. The battery module according to one embodiment includes a stack of battery cells, and a fitting portion provided with at least one of a concave portion or a convex portion formed on a stack surface of each of the battery cells of the stack. The battery module further includes: a first frame which is fitted with one side surface of the stack and constrains the battery cells in a stacking direction; a second frame which is fitted with another side surface of the stack and constrains the battery cells in the stacking direction; and press members located at respective ends of the stack and connected to the first frame and the second frame. The press members are configured to generate an urging force for pressing electrode members of the battery cells from outside the battery cells.

The present invention is invented to solve the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tray for a secondary battery, in which the tray is improved to more firmly fix the secondary battery accommodated in the tray to prevent a sealing part of the secondary battery from colliding with a side surface of the tray, thereby preventing the secondary battery from being damaged, and a tray assembly comprising the same.

A tray for a secondary battery and a tray assembly for a secondary battery containing said tray is provided in the appended claims.

A tray for a secondary battery, which is loaded in multiple stages, according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises: an accommodation part having a bottom surface, on which the secondary battery is disposed, and a side surface provided along an edge of the bottom surface to accommodate the secondary battery; and a pressing part configured to press a side portion of the secondary battery while descending to the bottom surface and moving to the secondary battery due to a load of the tray loaded on an upper end to fix the secondary battery.

The accommodation part is provided with an opening groove in the side surface, and the opening groove is formed to be opened from a boundary line between the bottom surface and the side surface to an upper end of the side surface, and the pressing part may be provided in the opening groove and have a lower end connected to the boundary line between the bottom surface and the side surface and an upper end protruding above an upper end of the side surface.

The pressing part may comprise: a foldable surface connected to be foldable in a direction of the secondary battery at the boundary line between the bottom surface and the side surface; and a pressing surface having a lower end connected to an upper end of the foldable surface and an upper end protruding above the upper end of the side surface to descend to the bottom surface by pressing of the tray loaded on the upper end and move to the secondary battery by folding of the foldable surface.

The pressing part may further comprise a pushing surface provided on the upper end of the pressing surface and having an area greater than that of the pressing surface <NUM> to support the tray loaded on the upper end.

The foldable surface, the pressing surface, and the pushing surface may be integrally formed.

The accommodation part and the pressing part may be integrally formed.

A folding groove for inducing the folding may be formed in a connection portion between the bottom surface and the foldable surface or a connection portion between the foldable surface and the pressing surface.

An elastic part having elastic restoring force is further provided at a connection portion between the bottom surface and the foldable surface or a connection portion between the foldable surface and the pressing surface, and the elastic part may allow each of the foldable surface and the pressing surface to return to its original position when the tray loaded on the upper end is removed.

A tray for a secondary battery, which is loaded in multiple stages, comprises: an accommodation part having a bottom surface, on which the secondary battery is disposed, and a side surface provided along an edge of the bottom surface to accommodate the secondary battery; and a pressing part provided on the side surface and having a structure that protrudes to the secondary battery to press a side portion of the secondary battery accommodated in the accommodation part, thereby fixing the secondary battery.

The pressing part may have an inverted triangular cross-sectional shape in which a thickness of the pressing part gradually increases in a direction of the secondary battery from a lower end to an upper end of the side surface connected to the bottom surface.

A tray assembly for a secondary battery according to the present invention comprises: a tray for a secondary battery; and an accommodation box configured to accommodate the tray for the secondary battery.

The tray for the secondary battery according to the present invention may comprise the accommodation part accommodating the secondary battery and the pressing part pressing the side portion of the secondary battery while descending by the pressing of the tray or the cover plate, which is loaded on the upper end, and simultaneously, moving to the direction of the secondary battery to more firmly fix the secondary battery accommodated in the tray, and thus prevent the secondary battery and the tray from colliding with each other by the movement or the external impact, thereby preventing the secondary battery from being damaged.

That is, the tray for the secondary battery according to the present invention may easily accommodate the secondary battery in the tray when there is no tray disposed on the upper end, and may firmly fix the secondary battery accommodated in the tray when the tray is disposed on the upper end. As a result, the convenience and efficiency of use may be significantly improved. Particularly, the sealing part provided on the side surface of the secondary battery may be pressed to prevent the corresponding portion from being spread, and the full-width standard of the product (e.g., the secondary battery) may be uniformly maintained. Therefore, the defects may be prevented from occurring in the subsequent process (e.g., the assembly process). In addition, since the trays are stacked together, the trays may be stored in the same method as the existing method.

In addition, in the tray for the secondary battery according to the present invention, the pressing part may comprise the foldable surface and the pressing surface. Thus, when the tray is loaded on the upper end, the foldable surface of the pressing part may be folded to allow the pressing surface to ascend or move in the lateral direction of the secondary battery, thereby more firmly fixing the secondary battery accommodated in the tray.

In addition, in the tray for the secondary battery according to the present invention, the pressing part may be provided in the opening groove formed in the accommodation part to prevent the sidewall of the tray from increasing in thickness. Particularly, the pressing part may vertically move along the opening groove to improve the operability of the pressing part.

In addition, in the tray for the secondary battery according to the present invention, the pressing part may further comprise the pushing surface to improve the strength of the pressing part, thereby preventing the pressing part from being folded or buckled by the tray loaded on the upper end.

In addition, in the tray for the secondary battery according to the present invention, the accommodation part the pressing part may be integrally formed to significantly improve the efficiency and reduce the manufacturing cost.

In addition, in the tray for the secondary battery according to the present invention, the pressing part may have the folding groove for inducing the folding at the connection portion between the bottom surface and the foldable surface or the connection portion between the foldable surface and the pressing surface to induce the stable folding of the foldable surface when the tray is loaded on the upper end. That is, even if the pressing of the tray loaded on the upper end is low, the foldable surface may be stably folded, and thus, the side portion of the secondary battery may be stably pressed through the pressing surface.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in such a manner that the technical idea of the present invention may easily be carried out by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. In the drawings, anything unnecessary for describing the present invention will be omitted for clarity, and also like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

A tray <NUM> for a secondary battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention accommodates secondary batteries and is disposed in multiple stages, and in particular, has a structure that is capable of improving fixing force of the secondary battery due to pressing of an pressing object, which is disposed on an upper end.

Here, the pressing object may be another tray or cover plate disposed on the upper end of the tray.

The present invention will be described as one embodiment that the tray is disposed on the upper end.

That is, as illustrated in <FIG>, the tray <NUM> for the secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises an accommodation part <NUM> accommodating a secondary battery <NUM> and a pressing part <NUM> pressing the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part <NUM>.

The accommodation part <NUM> has a box shape with an opened upper portion and comprises a bottom surface <NUM>, on which the secondary battery <NUM> is disposed, and a side surface <NUM> provided along an edge of the bottom surface <NUM> to accommodate the secondary battery <NUM>.

The accommodation part <NUM> has an opening groove <NUM> formed in the side surface <NUM>, and the opening groove <NUM> is formed to be opened from a boundary line between the bottom surface <NUM> and the side surface <NUM> to an upper end of the side surface <NUM>.

The pressing part <NUM> is provided in the opening groove <NUM>. Here, the pressing part <NUM> has a lower end connected to the boundary line between the bottom surface <NUM> and the side surface <NUM> and an upper end formed to protrude above the upper end of the side surface <NUM>. Thus, an increase in thickness of the tray <NUM> may be minimized.

Particularly, the pressing part <NUM> may press a side portion of the secondary battery <NUM> while descending to the bottom surface <NUM> and moving to the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part <NUM> due to pressing of the tray <NUM> loaded on the upper end. Thus, the pressing part <NUM> may fix the secondary battery without movement of the secondary battery <NUM>.

That is, the pressing part <NUM> comprises a foldable surface <NUM> and a pressing surface <NUM>.

The foldable surface <NUM> is connected to the boundary line between the bottom surface <NUM> and the side surface <NUM> and is provided to be foldable in a lateral direction of the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part <NUM>.

The pressing surface <NUM> has a lower end connected to an upper end of the foldable surface <NUM> and an upper end protrudes above the upper end of the side surface <NUM>. Thus, the pressing surface <NUM> descends to the bottom surface <NUM> by the pressing of the tray <NUM> loaded on the upper end and simultaneously moves to the secondary battery <NUM> by folding of the foldable surface <NUM>.

When the trays <NUM> for the secondary battery, in which the secondary batteries <NUM> are accommodated, respectively, are loaded in multiple stages, the pressing surface of the pressing part <NUM> having the above-described structure descends to the bottom surface <NUM> of the accommodation part <NUM> while the pressing surface of the tray <NUM> for the secondary battery, which is loaded on the lower end, is pressed by the tray <NUM> for the secondary battery, which is loaded on the upper end. Here, the foldable surface <NUM> is folded to the secondary battery <NUM> by the pressing surface <NUM>, and as a result, the pressing surface <NUM> descends and simultaneously moves to the secondary battery <NUM>. Thus, the pressing surface <NUM> may press the side portion of the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part <NUM> and may fix the secondary battery <NUM>.

When the tray <NUM> for the secondary battery, which is loaded on the upper end, is removed, the foldable surface <NUM> of the tray <NUM> loaded on the lower end may return to its original position, and the pressing surface <NUM> may return to its original position by the foldable surface <NUM>. Thus, the fixing force for the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part <NUM> may be released.

The pressing part <NUM> further comprises a pushing surface <NUM> provided on an upper end of the pressing surface <NUM> and having an area greater than that of the pressing surface <NUM> when viewed from a top surface of the tray to support the tray <NUM> loaded on the upper end. That is, the pushing surface <NUM> may improve strength of the pressing part <NUM> to prevent the pressing surface <NUM> from being folded or buckled, thereby stably supporting the tray.

A length of the pressing surface <NUM> protruding from the accommodation part <NUM> is equal to or less than a height of the foldable surface <NUM> (a vertical length of the foldable surface when viewed in <FIG>).

The accommodation part <NUM> and the pressing part <NUM> are integrally formed, and the foldable surface <NUM>, the pressing surface <NUM>, and the pushing surface <NUM> are integrally formed. Thus, the tray may be manufactured more easily.

A folding groove <NUM> for inducing the folding is formed in a connection portion between the bottom surface <NUM> and the foldable surface <NUM> or a connection portion between the foldable surface <NUM> and the pressing surface <NUM>. Thus, the foldable surface <NUM> is induced to be folded to the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part <NUM> through the folding groove <NUM>.

A cover plate <NUM> that is a pressing object may be disposed on the top surface of the tray <NUM> for the secondary battery loaded at the uppermost end among the trays <NUM> for the secondary battery loaded in the multiple stages, and the cover plate <NUM> may allow the pressing part <NUM> of the tray <NUM> for the secondary battery <NUM>, which is loaded at the uppermost end, to descend by the pressing thereof and simultaneously to move to the secondary battery to fix the accommodated secondary battery <NUM>.

Therefore, the tray <NUM> for the secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention may comprise the pressing part to press and fix the secondary battery accommodated in the accommodation part, thereby preventing the secondary battery from being damaged by movement of the secondary battery or an external impact.

Hereinafter, a state of use of the tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, a plurality of trays <NUM> for secondary batteries, in which the accommodation part <NUM> and the pressing part <NUM> are formed, are prepared, and then the secondary batteries <NUM> are accommodated in the plurality of trays <NUM>, respectively. Here, each of the secondary batteries <NUM> is accommodated in the tray <NUM> in a state in which a sealing part is folded.

Then, the plurality of trays <NUM> are loaded in a vertical direction. Thus, the pressing part <NUM> of the tray <NUM> loaded on a lower side may be pressed by pressing of the tray <NUM> loaded on an upper side to press and fix the side portion of the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the tray <NUM>.

That is, the pushing surface <NUM> of the pressing part <NUM> provided in the tray <NUM> loaded at the lower side may be pressed by the pressing of the tray <NUM> loaded at the upper side, and thus, the pressing surface <NUM> may descend by the pushing surface <NUM>. Here, the foldable surface <NUM> may be folded to the secondary battery <NUM> by the pressing surface <NUM>, and thus, the pressing surface <NUM> may descend and simultaneously move to the secondary battery <NUM>. As a result, the pressing surface <NUM> may press the side portion of the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part <NUM> to fix the secondary battery <NUM>.

Thereafter, when the trays <NUM> loaded in the vertical direction are individually separated from each other, the pressing part <NUM> of the tray <NUM> may return to its original position while the pressing of the tray <NUM> is removed, and as a result, the secondary battery <NUM> may be easily unloaded while removing the pressing force for the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part <NUM>.

Hereinafter, in descriptions of another embodiment of the present invention, constituents having the same function as the above-mentioned embodiment have been given the same reference numeral in the drawings, and thus duplicated description will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a tray assembly <NUM> according to a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a tray <NUM> for a secondary battery, which accommodates a secondary battery <NUM>, and an accommodation box <NUM> accommodating the tray <NUM> for the secondary battery.

The tray <NUM> for the secondary battery comprises an accommodation part <NUM> accommodating the secondary battery <NUM> and a pressing part <NUM> pressing and fixing the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part <NUM>.

The tray <NUM> for the secondary battery has the same configuration and function as the tray for the secondary battery according to the foregoing first embodiment, and thus, duplicated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The accommodation box <NUM> has an accommodation space for accommodating the vertically loaded trays <NUM> for the secondary batteries.

Therefore, the tray assembly <NUM> according to the second embodiment of the present invention may stably accommodate the plurality of trays, and in particular, may improve fixing force for the secondary batteries accommodated in the plurality of trays to prevent the secondary batteries from being damaged due to movement or an external impact.

As illustrated in <FIG>, trays <NUM> for secondary batteries according to a third embodiment of the present invention are coupled to be connected to each other in horizontal and vertical directions to improve convenience and efficiency of use.

That is, the trays <NUM> for the secondary batteries according to the third embodiment of the present invention may be coupled to be connected to each other in a <IMG> (field) shape.

The trays corresponding to each other may be coupled to each other through grooves and protrusions or an adhesive layer (i.e., adhesive or adhesive tape).

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a tray <NUM> for a secondary battery according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises an accommodation part <NUM> and a pressing part <NUM>. Here, the accommodation part <NUM> comprises a bottom surface <NUM> and a side surface <NUM>, and the pressing part <NUM> comprises a foldable surface <NUM> and a pressing surface <NUM>.

Here, an elastic part <NUM> having elastic restoring force may be provided at a connection portion between the bottom surface <NUM> and the foldable surface <NUM> or a connection portion between the foldable surface <NUM> and the pressing surface <NUM>. Thus, the elastic part may allow each of the foldable surface <NUM> and the pressing surface <NUM> to quickly return to its original position when the tray <NUM> for the secondary battery, which is loaded on an upper end, is removed.

Therefore, the tray <NUM> for the secondary battery according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention may comprise the elastic part <NUM> to quickly release pressing force of the tray <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a tray <NUM> for a secondary battery according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention comprises an accommodation part <NUM> accommodating a secondary battery <NUM> and a pressing part <NUM> pressing and fixing the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part <NUM>.

The accommodation part <NUM> comprises a bottom surface <NUM>, on which the secondary battery <NUM> is disposed, and a side surface <NUM> provided along an edge of the bottom surface <NUM> to accommodate the secondary battery <NUM>.

The pressing part <NUM> is provided in an opening groove of the side surface <NUM> and has a structure that protrudes to the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part <NUM> to press a side surface of the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part <NUM>, thereby fix the secondary battery <NUM>.

Here, the pressing part <NUM> and the side surface <NUM> are integrally formed.

Therefore, in the tray <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the secondary battery <NUM> may be stably fixed by pressing the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part <NUM> through the pressing part <NUM>, and thus, the secondary battery <NUM> may be prevented from being damaged.

In the tray <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the pressing part <NUM> has an inverted triangular cross-sectional shape in which a thickness of the pressing part <NUM> gradually increases in a direction of the secondary battery from a lower end to an upper end of the side surface <NUM>, to which the bottom surface <NUM> is connected. That is, the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the tray <NUM> may be prevented from being pulled out through the pressing part <NUM> having the inverted triangular cross-section, and simultaneously, the side portion of the secondary battery <NUM> may be pressed to fix the secondary battery <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a tray <NUM> for a secondary battery according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention may comprise a pressing part <NUM> on an entire side surface <NUM> of an accommodation part <NUM>.

That is, four side surfaces of the accommodation part <NUM> are connected to accommodate the secondary battery, and the pressing part <NUM> is provided on the four side surfaces <NUM>, respectively, to press the entire side surface of the secondary battery <NUM>. Thus, the entire side surface of the secondary battery <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part <NUM> may be pressed, and as a result, the secondary battery <NUM> may be more firmly fixed.

In the tray according to the present invention, a full-width length of the accommodation part and a full-width length of the pressing part may be differently applied according to specifications of the secondary battery. Thus, it is possible to sufficiently secure a free space between the secondary battery accommodated in the tray and the pressing part, that is, it is possible to secure a sufficient area for operations of hands, tools, and machines, so that the secondary battery is easily accommodated into or separated from the tray.

Claim 1:
A tray (<NUM>) for a secondary battery, which is loaded in multiple stages, the tray comprising:
an accommodation part (<NUM>) having a bottom surface (<NUM>), on which the secondary battery is disposed, and a side surface (<NUM>) provided along an edge of the bottom surface to accommodate the secondary battery; and
a pressing part (<NUM>) configured to press a side portion of the secondary battery while descending to the bottom surface, and to move the secondary battery due to a load of the tray loaded on an upper end to fix the secondary battery, characterized in that the accommodation part is provided with an opening groove (<NUM>) in the side surface, and the opening groove is formed to be opened from a boundary line between the bottom surface and the side surface to an upper end of the side surface, and
the pressing part is provided in the opening groove and has a lower end connected to the boundary line between the bottom surface and the side surface and an upper end protruding above an upper end of the side surface.