Battery cartridge for novel structure and open type battery module containing the same

• US 20070072066A1
• Filed: 12/21/2005
• Published: 03/29/2007
• 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: Yoon, Junill, Ro, Jong-yul, Jung, Do, Namgoong, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,879,480 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/99
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0565 Polymeric materials, e.g. gel-type or solid-type
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• 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 10/6563 with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6566 Means within the gas flow to guide the flow around one or more cells, e.g. manifolds, baffles or other barriers H01M10/6565 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/211 adapted for pouch cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/284 with incorporated circuit boards, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/291 characterised by their shape
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery cartridge includes a pair of outer frame members for receiving unit cells and an inner frame member disposed between the outer frame members. The unit cells are mounted between the outer and inner frame members. The inner frame member has a plurality of through-holes, which communicate with the outside while the unit cells are mounted between the outer and inner frame members. An opened type battery module includes such a battery cartridge. The battery cartridge and the battery module have a high structural integration and mechanical strength. Consequently, the present invention has the effect of minimizing the size of a battery system, stably mounting unit cells having low mechanical strength, and effectively removing heat from the unit cells.

Claims

1. A battery cartridge comprising:

a pair of outer frame members (a, b) for receiving unit cells; and

an inner frame member (c) disposed between the outer frame members (a, b), wherein

one of the unit cells is mounted between the first outer frame member (a) and the inner frame member (c),

the other unit cell is mounted between the second outer frame member (b) and the inner frame member (c), and

the inner frame member (c) has a plurality of through-holes, which communicate with the outside while the unit cells are mounted between the outer and inner frame members.

2. The battery cartridge as set forth in claim 1, wherein the through-holes are external air passageways formed through the inner frame member (c).

3. The battery cartridge as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the inner frame member (c) is provided at the upper end and/or the lower end thereof with grooves, and

the through-holes are external air passageways formed by the grooves while the inner frame member (c) is coupled to the outer frame members (a, b).

4. The battery cartridge as set forth in claim 1, wherein the outer frame members (a, b) and/or the inner frame member (c) include one or more supporting bars, which traverse hollow parts defined in the outer frame members (a, b) and/or the inner frame member (c) for more stably supporting the unit cells.

5. The battery cartridge as set forth in claim 1, wherein the outer frame members (a, b) are provided at the outer surfaces thereof with pluralities of grooves, which form air passageways when the outer frame members (a, b) are connected with outer frame members of the neighboring battery cartridges in a stacked fashion.

6. The battery cartridge as set forth in claim 1, wherein the outer frame members (a, b) and/or the inner frame member (c) have depressions corresponding to the thickness of electrode leads of the unit cells such that the electrode leads of the unit cells are exposed at the coupling area of the outer frame members (a, b) and the inner frame member (c) while the inner frame member (c) is coupled to the outer frame members (a, b).

7. The battery cartridge as set forth in claim 1, wherein the unit cells are pouch-shaped lithium-ion polymer cells.

8. A battery module comprising:

a cartridge assembly including two or more battery cartridges as set forth in claim 1;

a box-shaped case having an opened front part and an inner space for inserting and mounting the cartridge assembly, the case being provided at least one of the upper end, the lower end, the left side, the right side, and the rear part thereof with a plurality of slits; and

a front plate attached to the opened front part of the case.

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

a battery management system (BMS) including a circuit for maintaining potential difference between the unit cells at an appropriate level and preventing overcharging and/or overdischarging of the unit cells, and/or

a printed circuit board (PCB) including a circuit for measuring the voltage and the temperature of the unit cells.

10. The battery module as set forth in claim 8, wherein the BMS is mounted at the side surface of the case, and the PCB is mounted at the rear surface of the front plate.

11. A high-output, large-capacity battery system manufactured by electrically connecting a plurality of battery modules as set forth in claim 8.

12. The battery system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the battery system is used for hybrid vehicles.