Battery module

• US 9,203,065 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2010
• Issued: 12/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Inventors: Lee, Hyun-Ye, Kim, Myung-Chul
• Primary Examiner(s): Crepeau, Jonathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Buchanan, Jacob
• Application Number:
  US12/948,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20120040226A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,840 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0481 Compression means other than compression means for stacks of electrodes and separators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/647 Prismatic or flat cells, e.g. pouch cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6557 arranged between the cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/264 for cells or batteries, e.g. straps, tie rods or peripheral frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/291 characterised by their shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/30 Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A battery module includes a plurality of batteries stacked together; a plate between adjacent ones of the batteries, the plate comprising a plate body; and a connecting tab extending from an edge of the plate body; and a first connection member extending along the batteries, wherein the first connection member has a coupling portion through which the connecting tab extends.

Claims

1. A battery module comprising:

a plurality of batteries stacked together, wherein each of the batteries has a vent configured to be opened to discharge gas;

a plate between adjacent ones of the batteries, the plate comprising;

a plate body;

a connecting tab extending from an edge of the plate body; and

a first connection member extending along the batteries, wherein the first connection member has a coupling portion through which the connecting tab extends and a plurality of exhaust holes generally corresponding to a respective vent of one of the batteries;

a pair of end plates each connected to the first connection member, wherein one end plate of the pair of end plates is on each end of the batteries that are stacked together; and

a second connection member extending along the batteries, wherein the second connection member is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first connection member; and

wherein the second connection member has a plurality of openings configured to allow a coolant to pass therethrough.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the second connection member is coupled to the pair of end plates.

3. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the plate further comprises a support tab extending from an edge of the plate body, wherein the support tab extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the plate body.

4. The battery module of claim 3, wherein the support tab contacts an edge of one of the batteries that is adjacent to the plate.

5. The battery module of claim 4, wherein the support tab and the second connection member contact each other.

6. The battery module of claim 5, wherein the second connection member includes a reinforcement portion that contacts each of the batteries.

7. The battery module of claim 6, wherein the reinforcement portion is arc-shaped.

8. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the plate further comprises a support tab that protrudes through an opening in the second connection member.

9. The battery module of claim 8, wherein the plate further comprises a fixing tab that extends from an edge of the plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the plate body.

10. The battery module of claim 9, wherein the fixing tab comprises a plurality of fixing tabs that extend from a plurality of edges of the plate.

11. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the connecting tab has a notch contacting the first connection member.

12. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the plate is coupled to a respective one of the batteries by a thermally conductive adhesive.

13. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the coupling portion is an opening.

14. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the plate body has a protrusion thereon to space the plate from one of the batteries.

15. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the first connection member comprises a reinforcement portion.