Middle or large-sized battery module

• US 9,337,455 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2007
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• 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: Yang, Heekook, Yoon, Jongmoon, You, Seungjae, Yoon, Junill
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruddock, Ula C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Park, Lisa S
• Application Number:
  US12/224,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20100021802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,359 Days
• Field of Search: 429/159, 429/158, 429/153
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

A middle- or large-sized battery module includes 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. A sensing unit capable of minimizing the weight and size of battery cells is easily mounted 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. The battery module is manufactured by a simple assembly process without using a plurality of members for mechanical coupling and electrical connection.

Claims

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

two or more unit modules each having two or more plate-shaped battery cells, as unit cells, each unit module surrounded by its own high-strength sheathing member made of synthetic resin or metal, each sheathing member having opposite major sides including pluralities of grooves formed therein; 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,

wherein the upper and lower frame members are provided at insides thereof with pluralities of partitions for guiding the vertical mounting operation of the respective unit modules, and

wherein all of the battery cells of the two or more unit modules of the battery module are arranged in series such that electrode terminals of successively adjacent battery cells are coupled to each other, the series of battery cells being bent by twos or more such that the battery cells are stacked, and the stacked battery cells being surrounded by predetermined numbers with the sheathing member, the battery module further comprising;

first and second bus bars each being bent at a side thereof and each being in direct contact with an electrode terminal of only one unit module without bending the respective electrode terminal, 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 upper and lower frame members corresponding to the bus bars is provided at an outside thereof with coupling protrusions corresponding to the coupling holes.

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 upper and lower frame members are open in a lateral direction such that edges of the unit modules are fixed to the upper and lower frame members.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the partitions include (i) grooves formed in the inside of the upper and lower frame members such that edges of the unit modules are inserted into the grooves formed in the inside of the upper and lower frame members, (ii) partition walls for assisting the edges of the unit modules to be stably mounted in the grooves formed in the inside of the upper and lower frame members, or (iii) the grooves formed in the inside of the upper and lower frame members and partition walls.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the assembly-type coupling structure is a structure including a hook formed at one of the upper and lower frame members and a coupling hole formed in the other of the upper and lower frame members such that the coupling hole corresponds to the hook.

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

a sensing unit mounted along one of the frame members for sensing (i) a voltage, (ii) a temperature, or (iii) the voltage and the temperature of the battery cells.

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

a battery management system mounted at a side of the battery module opposite from a side thereof where the bus bars are located for controlling the operation of the battery module.

9. A middle- or large-sized battery system comprising a plurality of the battery module according to claim 1.

10. An electric vehicle comprising the battery system according to claim 9 as a power source.

11. A hybrid electric vehicle comprising the battery system according to claim 9 as a power source.

12. An electric motorcycle comprising the battery system according to claim 9 as a power source.

13. An electric bicycle comprising the battery system according to claim 9 as a power source.

14. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the electrode assembly of each plate-shaped battery cell includes cathodes and anodes stacked in a first direction, and the battery cells are stacked along the first direction.

17. The battery module according to claim 1,

wherein the assembly-type coupling structure of the upper and lower frame members includes two oppositely facing lateral sides spaced apart along the first direction, each lateral side including an opening that is open to the environment exterior to the battery module such that edges of the unit modules are fixed to the upper and lower frame members.

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

two or more unit modules each having two or more plate-shaped battery cells, as unit cells, each unit module surrounded by its own 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,

wherein the upper and lower frame members are provided at insides thereof with pluralities of partitions for guiding the vertical mounting operation of the respective unit modules,

wherein the battery cells are arranged in series such that electrode terminals of successively adjacent battery cells are coupled to each other, the series of battery cells being bent by twos or more such that the battery cells are stacked, and the stacked battery cells being surrounded by predetermined numbers with the sheathing member, the bent connection between electrode terminals of successively adjacent battery cells being the only bent connection between successively adjacent battery cells,

wherein each plate-shaped battery cell is a secondary battery constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly is further mounted in its own battery case different from the high-strength sheathing member, the battery case made of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, the electrode assembly of each plate-shaped battery cell includes cathodes and anodes stacked in a first direction, and the battery cells are stacked along the first direction,

wherein each battery case defines two length edges and two width edges in a plane perpendicular to the first direction of the stacked cathodes and anodes, the length edges being longer than the width edges, and

wherein the electrode terminals of each battery cell include a first electrode terminal protruding outwardly from one of the width edges of the battery case and a second electrode terminal protruding outwardly from the other of the width edges of the battery case.

16. The battery module according to claim 15, 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.