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Secondary battery module with exposed unit cells and insulation between terminals

  • US 8,039,145 B2
  • Filed: 12/21/2005
  • Issued: 10/18/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A high-output, large-capacity secondary battery module, having a plurality of unit cells electrically connected to each other, for charging and discharging electricity, wherein the battery module comprises:

  • a lower case on which the unit cells are sequentially stacked one on another, the lower case having an upper receiving part formed as part of the lower case;

    an upper case for covering the upper end of the unit cells stacked on the lower case, the upper case having a lower receiving part formed as part of the upper case;

    a first circuit unit for performing the electrical connection between the stacked unit cells, the first circuit unit including a sensing board assembly for sensing the voltage, the current and/or the temperature of the battery;

    a second circuit unit electrically connected to the first circuit unit, the second circuit unit including a main board assembly for controlling the battery module; and

    a third circuit unit electrically connected to the second circuit unit, the third circuit unit also being connected to an external output terminal while preventing overcurrent, overcharge and/or overdischarge,wherein the first circuit unit is mounted at one side surface of the module adjacent to the electrode terminals of the unit cells,the second circuit unit is mounted in the lower receiving part of the lower case, andthe third circuit unit is mounted at the other side surface of the module opposite to the electrode terminals of the unit cells;

    wherein the structure of the battery module is such that the size of the battery module depending upon desired electrical capacity and output are increased or decreased easily;

    wherein the unit cells are exposed between the lower case and the upper case such that heat dissipation can be efficiently accomplished;

    wherein each of the unit cells has plate-shaped electrode terminals, at which are formed connecting through-holes, respectively, andthe upper case and the lower case are fixed to each other by fixing members, which are inserted through the connection through-holes;

    wherein a plate-like insulating member is mounted between the electrode terminals of the neighboring unit cells for accomplishing the electrical insulation between the electrode terminals, the insulating member having protrusions which are fitted in the connection through-holes, anda connecting member is coupled to the insulating member for electrically connecting the electrode terminals of the unit cells coupled to the insulating member in series or in parallel with each other; and

    wherein each of the protrusions has a through-hole whose inner diameter is less than that of connecting through-holes of the electrode terminals,the unit cells are connected with each other by stacking the unit cells while the insulating members are disposed between the unit cells and inserting fixing members through the through-holes of the protrusions; and

    wherein the insulating member is mounted between a cathode terminal and anode terminal of one unit cell and the cathode terminal and anode terminal of an adjacent unit cell.

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