MIDDLE OR LARGE-SIZED BATTERY MODULE

• US 20100021802A1
• Filed: 02/28/2007
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Energy Solution Limited (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Chem Limited (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Yoon, Junill, Yang, Heekook, Yoon, Jongmoon, You, Seungjae
• Granted Patent: US 9,337,455 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/91
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/124 having a layered structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/211 adapted for pouch cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/244 Secondary casings; Racks; Suspension devices; Carrying devices; Holders characterised by their mounting method
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/262 with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/516 by welding, soldering or brazing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/557 Plate-shaped terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/569 Constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals battery terminal connectors with integrated measuring arrangements G01R31/364
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery module including two or more unit modules each having one or more plate-shaped battery cells, as unit cells, surrounded by a high-strength sheathing member made of synthetic resin or metal, and separable upper and lower frame members coupled with each other in an assembly-type coupling structure such that the unit modules are vertically mounted in the upper and lower frame members. The present invention has the effect of easily mounting a sensing unit that is capable of minimizing the weight and size of battery cells while effectively reinforcing the low mechanical strength of the battery cells and sensing the operation state of the battery cells to a middle- or large-sized battery module. In addition, the present invention has the effect of manufacturing the battery module by a simple assembly process without using a plurality of members for mechanical coupling and electrical connection, thereby decreasing the manufacturing costs of the battery module, and effectively preventing the battery module from being short-circuited or damaged during the manufacture or the operation of the battery module. Furthermore, the present invention has the effect of manufacturing a middle- or large-sized battery system having desired output and capacity using the battery module as a unit body.

Claims

1. A middle- or large-sized battery module comprising:

two or more unit modules each having one or more plate-shaped battery cells, as unit cells, surrounded by a high-strength sheathing member made of synthetic resin or metal; and

separable upper and lower frame members coupled with each other in an assembly-type coupling structure such that the unit modules are vertically mounted in the upper and lower frame members.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each plate-shaped battery cell is a secondary battery constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly is mounted in a battery case made of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, and electrode terminals protrude from upper and lower ends of the battery case.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein each battery cell is a pouch-shaped battery cell constructed in a structure in which the electrode assembly is mounted in a pouch-shaped battery case made of an aluminum laminate sheet.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the unit modules are manufactured by coupling electrode terminals of the battery cells to each other while arranging the battery cells in series in the longitudinal direction such that the electrode terminals of the battery cells are successively adjacent to each other, bending the battery cells by twos or more such that the battery cells are stacked while being in tight contact with each other, and surrounding the stacked battery cells by predetermined numbers with the sheathing members.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower frame members are open in the lateral direction such that the edges of the unit modules are fixed to the upper and lower frame members.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower frame members are provided at the insides thereof with pluralities of partitions for guiding the vertical mounting operation of the respective unit modules.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the partitions include grooves formed in the inside of the upper and lower frame member such that the edges of the unit modules are inserted into the grooves and/or partition walls for assisting the edges of the unit modules to be stably mounted in the grooves.

8. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the assembly-type coupling structure is a structure including a hook formed at one of the frame members and a coupling hole formed in the other frame member such that the coupling hole corresponds to the hook.

9. The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising:

a sensing unit mounted along one of the frame members for sensing the voltage and/or temperature of the battery cells.

10. The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising:

bus bars coupled to electrode terminals of the outermost unit modules for electrically connecting the electrode terminals to external circuits or electrode terminals of neighboring battery modules, wherein

the bus bars are provided with coupling holes, and one of the frame members corresponding to the bus bars is provided at the outside thereof with coupling protrusions corresponding to the coupling holes.

11. The battery module according to claim 10, further comprising:

a battery management system (BMS) mounted at the opposite side (the rear of the battery module) to the side where the input and output terminal bus bars are located for controlling the operation of the battery module.

12. A middle- or large-sized battery system having high output and large capacity, the battery system being constructed by connecting a plurality of battery modules according to claim 1.

13. The battery system according to claim 12, wherein the battery system is used as a power source for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, electric motorcycles, or electric bicycles.