BATTERY MODULES HAVING INTERCONNECT MEMBERS WITH VIBRATION DAMPENING PORTIONS

• US 20130029204A1
• Filed: 07/28/2011
• Published: 01/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Energy Solution Limited (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Chem Limited (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Khakhalev, Alex, Isayev, Igor
• Granted Patent: US 9,496,544 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/158
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/211 adapted for pouch cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/503 characterised by the shape of the interconnectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/507 comprising an arrangement of two or more busbars within a container structure, e.g. busbar modules
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/516 by welding, soldering or brazing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/55 on the same side of the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/557 Plate-shaped terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/579 in response to shock
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Battery modules having interconnect members are provided. An interconnect member includes a first plate portion having a first thickness. The interconnect member further includes a second plate portion having a second thickness equal to the first thickness. The second plate portion extends generally parallel to the first plate portion. The interconnect member further includes a first vibration dampening portion coupled to the first and second plate portions. The first vibration dampening portion has a third thickness greater than the first thickness, such that vibrations induced on the first plate portion are attenuated when a portion of the vibrations pass through the first vibration dampening portion to the second plate portion.

Claims

1. An interconnect member for a battery module, comprising:

a first plate portion having a first thickness;

a second plate portion having a second thickness equal to the first thickness, the second plate portion extending generally parallel to the first plate portion; and

a first vibration dampening portion coupled to the first and second plate portions, the first vibration dampening portion having a third thickness greater than the first thickness, such that vibrations induced on the first plate portion are attenuated when a portion of the vibrations pass through the first vibration dampening portion to the second plate portion.

2. The interconnect member of claim 1, wherein first vibration dampening portion is constructed of third and fourth plate portions, the fourth plate portion being bent such that a surface of the fourth plate portion contacts a surface of the third plate portion.

3. The interconnect member of claim 1, further comprising:

a third plate portion having a fourth thickness equal to the first thickness, the third plate portion extending generally parallel to the second plate portion; and

a second vibration dampening portion coupled to the second and third plate portions, the second vibration dampening portion having a fifth thickness greater than the second thickness, such that vibrations induced on the second plate portion are attenuated when a portion of the vibrations pass through the second vibration dampening portion to the third plate portion.

4. The interconnect member of claim 1, wherein the first and second vibration dampening portions are connected at opposite ends of the second plate portion, and the second vibration dampening portion being parallel to the first vibration dampening portion.

5. The interconnect member of claim 1, wherein the third thickness is at least twice as thick as the first thickness.

6. The interconnect member of claim 1, wherein the first plate portion, the second plate portion, and the first vibration dampening portion are each constructed of an electrically conductive material.

7. A battery module, comprising:

a first battery cell having at least a first terminal;

a second battery cell having at least a second terminal;

an interconnect member having;

a first plate portion having a first thickness and being welded to the first terminal;

a second plate portion having a second thickness equal to the first thickness and being welded to the second terminal, the second plate portion extending generally parallel to the first plate portion; and

a first vibration dampening portion coupled to the first and second plate portions, the first vibration dampening portion having a third thickness greater than the first thickness, such that vibrations induced on the first plate portion are attenuated when a portion of the vibrations pass through the first vibration dampening portion to the second plate portion.

8. An interconnect member for a battery module, comprising:

a first plate portion having a first thickness;

a second plate portion having a second thickness equal to the first thickness, the second plate portion extending generally parallel to the first plate portion;

a third plate portion having a third thickness equal to the first thickness, the third plate portion extending generally parallel to the second plate portion; and

first and second first vibration dampening portions disposed generally perpendicular to the first, second, and third plate portions, the first vibration dampening portion coupled to the first plate portion and the second vibration dampening portion, the second vibration dampening portion coupled to the second plate portion and the third plate portion, the second vibration dampening portion having a fourth thickness greater than the first thickness, such that vibrations induced on the first plate portion are attenuated when a portion of the vibrations pass through the first vibration dampening portion and the second vibration dampening portion to the second plate portion.

9. The interconnect member of claim 8, wherein the fourth thickness is at least four times as thick as the first thickness.

10. A battery module, comprising:

a first battery cell having at least a first terminal;

a second battery cell having at least a second terminal;

a third battery cell having at least a third terminal;

an interconnect member having;

a first plate portion having a first thickness that is welded to the first terminal;

a second plate portion having a second thickness equal to the first thickness that is welded to the second terminal, the second plate portion extending generally parallel to the first plate portion;

a third plate portion having a third thickness equal to the first thickness that is welded to the third terminal, the third plate portion extending generally parallel to the second plate portion; and

first and second first vibration dampening portions disposed generally perpendicular to the first, second, and third plate portions, the first vibration dampening portion coupled to the first plate portion and the second vibration dampening portion, the second vibration dampening portion coupled to the second plate portion and the third plate portion, the second vibration dampening portion having a fourth thickness greater than the first thickness, such that vibrations induced on the first plate portion are attenuated when a portion of the vibrations pass through the first vibration dampening portion and the second vibration dampening portion to the second plate portion.