Secondary battery module

• US 20060177733A1
• Filed: 12/21/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Energy Solution Limited (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Chem Limited (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Ha, Jin Woong, Lee, HanHo, Kim, Jeeho
• Granted Patent: US 8,039,145 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/159
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0413 Large-sized flat cells or batteries for motive or stationary systems with plate-like electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0445 Multimode batteries, e.g. containing auxiliary cells or electrodes switchable in parallel or series connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/10 Temperature sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/211 adapted for pouch cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/227 Organic material
• 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 50/296 characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/519 comprising printed circuit boards [PCB]
• 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 50/569 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: H01M 50/583 in response to current, e.g. fuses
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/588 outside the batteries, e.g. incorrect connections of terminals or busbars
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/593 Spacers; Insulating plates
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a high-output, large-capacity secondary battery module, having a plurality of unit cells electrically connected to each other, for charging and discharging electricity. A plurality of unit cells are stacked one on another and mounted on a plate, preferably, between an upper case and a lower case, which are separated from each other, circuit units are continuously mounted at the side surfaces of the module for sensing the voltage, the current, and the temperature of the battery, controlling the battery, and interrupting electricity when overcurrent is generated, whereby the secondary battery module is constructed in a compact structure, design of the battery module is easily changed depending upon electrical capacity and output, and components of the battery module are stably mounted.

Claims

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 plate, on which the plurality of unit cells, which are chargeable and dischargeable secondary cells, are stacked one on another; and

circuit units for controlling the operation of the battery.

2. The battery module as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the case is constructed in a separated structure in which the upper and lower parts of the stacked unit cells are covered by separated cases, respectively, and

the upper and/or lower case is provided with a receiving part having a size corresponding to that of each of the unit cells such that the unit cells can be easily mounted in the receiving part.

3. The battery module as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

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

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;

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.

4. The battery module as set forth in claim 1, wherein the secondary cells are pouch-shaped cells.

5. The battery module as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

double-sided adhesive members disposed between the unit cells.

6. The battery module as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:

a plate-shaped, high-strength safety member disposed between the uppermost one of the stacked unit cells and the upper case such that the safety member is arranged in parallel with the electrode plate of the uppermost unit cell.

7. The battery module as set forth in claim 1, wherein

each of the unit cells has plate-shaped electrode terminals, at which are formed connecting though-holes, respectively, and

the upper case and the lower case are fixed to each other by fixing members, which are inserted through the connection through-holes.

8. The battery module as set forth in claim 7, further comprising:

an insulating member 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 though-holes; and

a connecting member 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.

9. The battery module as set forth in claim 8, wherein

each of the protrusions has a through-hole whose inner diameter is less than that of connecting though-holes of the electrode terminals, and

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.

10. The battery module as set forth in claim 3, wherein the first circuit unit includes:

connecting members for connecting the unit cells in parallel or in series with each other; and

the sensing board assembly for receiving voltage and current signals from the respective unit cells and sensing the temperature of the battery.

11. The battery module as set forth in claim 10, further comprising:

a safety member connected between the connecting members for interrupting current when overcurrent or overheating occurs.

12. The battery module as set forth in claim 3, 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, and

the third circuit unit is mounted at the other side surface of the module opposite to the electrode terminals of the unit cells.

13. The battery module as set forth in claim 3, wherein the third circuit unit includes:

switching elements for controlling overcurrent while the battery module is charged and discharged.

14. The battery module as set forth in claim 13, wherein the third circuit unit comprises a switching board, which includes:

switching elements for controlling charge and discharge of the battery module; and

a heat sink structure connected to the switching elements.

15. The battery module as set forth in claim 14, wherein the switching elements are field effect transistor (FET) elements.

16. The battery module as set forth in claim 1, wherein the battery module is used as a power source for electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, electric vehicles, or hybrid electric vehicles.