Process for preparation of secondary battery module

• US 7,964,302 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2005
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• 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, Kim, Jeeho, Lee, HanHo
• Primary Examiner(s): Yuan; Dah-Wei D
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAN, KWANG S
• Application Number:
  US11/317,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20060162149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,006 Days
• Field of Search: 429/152
• US Class Current: 429/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/00 Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/211 adapted for pouch cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/42 Grouping of primary cells into batteries H01M6/40 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/5011 for several cells simultaneously or successively
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a process for preparation of a secondary battery module. The process includes forming coupling through-holes having specific shapes at plate-shaped electrode terminals of a plurality of unit cells, stacking the unit cells one on another, and inserting coupling members through the coupling through-holes to couple the unit cells with each other. Consequently, the secure coupling and the electrical connection between the unit cells is accomplished without using additional members, such as cartridges, and therefore, a compact battery module having high coupling force is prepared.

Claims

1. A process for preparation of a secondary battery module, comprising the steps of:

forming coupling through-holes in plate-shaped electrode terminals of a plurality of unit cells, in which a cathode terminal and an anode terminal comprising the plate-shaped electrode terminals are formed at an upper end of the unit cells;

stacking the unit cells one on another; and

inserting coupling members through the coupling through-holes to couple the unit cells with each other, wherein

each of the coupling through-holes is located within a critical imaginary area defined by a width corresponding to 80% of the width of the corresponding electrode terminal and a height corresponding to 80% of the height of the corresponding electrode terminal, and

the separation distance between the outermost boundary line of each of the through-holes and at least one of the outer edges of each of the electrode terminals is 3 mm or more,

wherein the battery module includes

an insulating member mounted between the electrode terminals of the neighboring unit cells for maintaining electrical insulation between the electrode terminals, the insulating member having coupling protrusions, which are fitted in the through-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,

wherein the coupling protrusions are also provided with through-holes having an inner diameter less than that of the through-holes of the electrode terminals;

the unit cells are stacked on one another while the insulating member is disposed between the neighboring unit cells, and the coupling members are inserted through the through-holes of the coupling protrusions, whereby the unit cells are coupled with each other; and

two double-sided adhesive tapes, which couple neighboring unit cells, are attached to an upper surface of a cell case of the unit cells, are spaced apart from each other, and the stacked unit cells are spaced apart from each other by a thickness of the double-sided adhesive tapes, whereby a stacked structure of the unit cells is stably maintained.

2. The process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the unit cells are lithium secondary cells.

3. The process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the unit cells are pouch-shaped cells.

4. The process as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the through-hole has an area less than 60% of that of the corresponding electrode terminal.

5. The process as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the through-hole has an area less than 40% of that of the corresponding electrode terminal.

6. The process as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the through-holes is formed in the shape of a circle or an oval, the outermost boundary surface of which is closed.

7. A high-output, large-capacity secondary battery module prepared by coupling a plurality of unit cells with each other and electrically connecting the plurality of unit cells to each other using the process as set forth in claim 1.

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

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

the plurality of unit cells, which are chargeable and dischargeable secondary cells;

a rectangular lower case having a lower receiving part, to which a main board assembly is attached, and an upper receiving part, on which the unit cells are sequentially stacked one on another;

a rectangular upper case having a lower receiving part for covering the upper end of the unit cells stacked on the lower 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 the temperature of the battery, the first circuit unit being mounted at one side surface of the battery module adjacent to the electrode terminals of the unit cells;

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, the second circuit unit being mounted in the lower receiving part of the lower case; 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, the third circuit unit being mounted at the other side surface of the module such that the third circuit unit is opposite to the first circuit unit.