WO2014003357A1 - Secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas - Google Patents

Secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014003357A1
WO2014003357A1 PCT/KR2013/005436 KR2013005436W WO2014003357A1 WO 2014003357 A1 WO2014003357 A1 WO 2014003357A1 KR 2013005436 W KR2013005436 W KR 2013005436W WO 2014003357 A1 WO2014003357 A1 WO 2014003357A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
battery cells
gas
connection mold
electrode tabs
case
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2013/005436
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Tae Il Kim
Kwan Yong Kim
Original Assignee
Sk Innovation Co.,Ltd.
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sk Innovation Co.,Ltd. filed Critical Sk Innovation Co.,Ltd.
Publication of WO2014003357A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014003357A1/en

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/30—Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/10—Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings
    • H01M50/147—Lids or covers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/10—Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings
    • H01M50/172—Arrangements of electric connectors penetrating the casing
    • H01M50/174—Arrangements of electric connectors penetrating the casing adapted for the shape of the cells
    • H01M50/178—Arrangements of electric connectors penetrating the casing adapted for the shape of the cells for pouch or flexible bag cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
    • H01M50/204—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
    • H01M50/207—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells characterised by their shape
    • H01M50/211—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells characterised by their shape adapted for pouch cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
    • H01M50/271—Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/30—Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
    • H01M50/35—Gas exhaust passages comprising elongated, tortuous or labyrinth-shaped exhaust passages
    • H01M50/367—Internal gas exhaust passages forming part of the battery cover or case; Double cover vent systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
    • H01M50/543—Terminals
    • H01M50/547—Terminals characterised by the disposition of the terminals on the cells
    • H01M50/55—Terminals characterised by the disposition of the terminals on the cells on the same side of the cell
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
    • H01M50/543—Terminals
    • H01M50/552—Terminals characterised by their shape
    • H01M50/553—Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells
    • H01M50/557—Plate-shaped terminals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
    • H01M50/543—Terminals
    • H01M50/564—Terminals characterised by their manufacturing process
    • H01M50/566—Terminals characterised by their manufacturing process by welding, soldering or brazing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
    • H01M50/569—Constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a secondary battery module capable of coupling battery cells to each other to be configured as a module, and more specifically, to a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas, capable of gathering gas generated from battery cells due to a swelling phenomenon, in a space between battery cells and between electrode tabs and discharging the gas to a predetermined external path.
  • a secondary battery is capable of being charged and discharged and can be applied to various fields such as a digital camera, a cellular phone, a notebook and a hybrid car, unlike a primary battery, and research thereof has been actively conducted.
  • the secondary battery may include a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, and a lithium secondary battery.
  • a great variety of studies for a lithium secondary battery having high energy density and discharge voltage have been conducted and the lithium secondary battery has been commercialized and widely used.
  • the lithium secondary battery is capable of being manufactured so as to have various shapes.
  • Examples of the lithium secondary battery include a cylindrical type secondary battery and a prismatic type lithium secondary battery.
  • a lithium polymer battery which has been recently in the spotlight is manufactured in a pouched type having flexibility, and thus the shape thereof may be relatively varied.
  • the pouch type lithium polymer battery (hereinafter, referred to as a “pouch type cell”) is easily bent or curved, a compact case is coupled to the outside of thereof to reinforce a low rigidity of the pouch type cell.
  • a plurality of pouch type cells are stacked to be configured as a battery module or a battery pack.
  • the pouch type cell since the pouch type cell does not have a good mechanical rigidity of the pouch at the time of sealing an electrode body, in order to manufacture the battery module having a stable structure, the pouch type cells should be mounted in a pack case such as a cartridge, or the like, to manufacture a battery module, and electrode tabs of the plurality of pouch type cells should be electrically connected to each other in series or in parallel, and thus a size of the battery module is increased, and a structure thereof is complicated. Then, in the case of the pouch type cell, flammable noxious gas is generated in a pouch due to a swelling phenomenon caused by overcharge or overdischarge. When a battery module is manufactured using the plurality of the pouch type cells, it is difficult to discharge gas due to a complicated structure.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery module capable of coupling battery cells to each other to be configured as a module, and more specifically, a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas, capable of gathering gas generated from battery cells, due to swelling phenomenon, in a space between battery cells and between electrode tabs and discharging the gas to a predetermined external path.
  • a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas includes: two battery cells having electrode tabs formed at one side thereof and stacked in parallel with each other; a case having the battery cells received therein and closed at an opposite side to one side at which the electrode tabs of the battery cells are positioned; a connection mold inserted between facing electrode tabs and between facing pouches of the two battery cells, having a plurality of terminals formed at one side thereof and connected to the electrode tabs, and including a gas gathering part vertically penetrating therethrough; and an upper cap being coupled to an upper side of the connection mold, coupled to the case so as to enclose the outside of the facing pouches at a side at which the electrode tabs of the two battery cells are formed, and including a gas discharging part that is in communication with the gas gathering part, wherein gas generated from the battery cells is discharged between the facing battery cells at the side at which the electrode tabs of the battery cells are formed, gathered by the gas gathering part, and discharged to the outside of thereof through the gas
  • the pouches at the side at which the electrode tabs are formed are closely adhered to each other by the connection mold and the case.
  • connection mold may include a gas gathering part having an opened lower portion and a hollow inner portion and having a gas discharging tube formed at an upper portion thereof, and the upper cap may include an insertion hole into which the gas discharging tube is inserted and exposed to the outside.
  • a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas includes: two battery cells having electrode tabs formed at one side thereof and stacked in parallel with each other; a case having opened both sides and the battery cells received therein; a lower cap coupled to the opened one side of the case and coupled to an opposite side to one side at which the electrode tabs are positioned; a first connection mold inserted between the facing pouches of the two battery cells and including a gas channel vertically penetrating therethrough; a second connection mold coupled to the other side of the first connection mold, having a plurality of terminals formed at one side thereof and connected to the electrode tabs, and including a gas gathering part that is in communication with the gas channel; and an upper cap coupled to an upper side of the second connection mold, coupled to the case so as to cover the outside of the facing pouches at a side at which the electrode tabs of the two battery cells are formed, including a gas discharging part that is in communication with the gas gathering part; wherein gas generated from the battery cells is discharged
  • the first connection mold may include a gas discharging groove formed at the center of both surfaces thereof, wherein the gas discharging groove is in communication with the gas gathering part of the second connection mold.
  • the module may further include a cell frame interposed between the two battery cells and the electrode body of the battery cells installed therein, wherein the cell frame includes an upper frame, a pair of side frames, and a lower frame, and the cell frame includes an opened portion formed at an inner side thereof, such that the electrode body of the battery cells is installed threin, the upper frame being formed integrally with the first connection mold and including a gas channel vertically penetrating therethrough.
  • the secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas according to the present invention which is configured in a module by coupling battery cells may gather gas generated from battery cells due to swelling phenomenon in spaces between battery cells and between electrode tabs and discharge the gas to a predetermined external path, thereby making it possible to have a compact structure and rapidly discharge the gas.
  • FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are an exploded perspective view and an assembled perspective view showing a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively;
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B and 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views taken along lines AA’, BB’, CC’, and DD’ of FIG. 3, respectively;
  • FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 7A and 7B and 8A and 8B are an exploded perspective view and an assembled perspective view showing a first connection mold and a second connection mold according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively;
  • FIGS. 9A and 9B and 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing each cross section of the assembled secondary battery module of FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing wing of the assembled secondary battery module of FIG. 6;
  • FIGS. 12 and 13 are an exploded perspective view and an assembled perspective view showing a combination structure of a battery cell and a cell frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively;
  • FIG. 14 shows an exploded perspective view showing a combination structure of the upper cap and second connection mold according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a combination state of a lower cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • 100a first battery cell 100b: second battery cell
  • electrode body 120 electrode tab
  • cell frame 201 open part
  • 500a first connection mold 500b: second connection mold
  • terminal 511 cathode terminal
  • fixing groove 531 fixing wing
  • gas discharging part 651 insertion hole
  • FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are an exploded perspective view and an assembly perspective view showing a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B and 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views taken along lines AA’, BB’, CC’, and DD’ of FIG. 3, respectively.
  • the secondary battery module 1000 for easily gathering and discharging gas includes: two battery cells 100 having electrode tabs 120 formed at one side thereof and stacked in parallel with each other; a case 300 having the battery cells 100 received therein and closed at an opposite side to one side at which the electrode tabs 120 of the battery cells 100 are positioned; a connection mold 500 inserted between facing electrode tabs 120 and between facing pouches 130 of the two battery cells 100, having a plurality of terminals 510 formed at one side thereof and connected to the electrode tabs 120, and including a gas gathering part 580 vertically penetrating therethrough; and an upper cap 600 coupled to an upper side of the connection mold 500, coupled to the case 300 so as to enclose the outside of the facing pouches 130 at a side at which the electrode tabs 120 of the two battery cells 100 are formed, and including a gas discharging part 650 that is in communication with the gas gathering part 580.
  • gas generated from the battery cells 100 is discharged between the facing battery cells 100 at the side
  • the battery cell 100 includes the electrode tab 120 at one side of an electrode body 110 as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the electrode body 110 includes a cathode, an anode, electrolyte, and a separating plate that separates the cathode and the anode, in which charge and discharge are performed.
  • the electrode tab 120 transmits a current generated from the electrode body 110 at the time of discharging or a current introduced from the outside at the time of charging.
  • the battery cell 100 may be a pouch type cell sealed so as to be surrounded with pouch 130 or a pouch type cell of which an external member is coupled to an outer side, and the electrode body 110 sealed by the pouch 130 may protrude to only one side surface or both side surfaces, of the pouch 130.
  • the two battery cells 100 are stacked in parallel with each other such that the electrode tabs 120 face each other, and in the case in which the electrode body 110 protrudes to one surface of the pouch 130, the battery cells are stacked such that protruding surfaces of the electrode body 110 are in contact with each other.
  • the battery cells are stacked such that the pouches 130 of the two battery cells 100 are positioned toward an outside thereof in a width direction.
  • the battery cells 100 are stacked such that the electrode tabs 120 of the two battery cells 100 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, without being in contact with each other.
  • the case 300 includes opened both sides, and the stacked two battery cells 100 are inserted into the case 300 to be received therein.
  • the case 300 may be formed of a metal plate having a thin thickness of 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, a central portion on both surfaces in a width direction may be recessed to an inner side of the case 300, or a plurality of grooves recessed to the inner side may be formed to allow the two battery cells 100 received in the case 300 to be closely adhered to each other.
  • An inner portion of the lower cap 400 may be hollow and an upper portion thereof may be opened, and the lower cap 400 is coupled to the opened portion of the case 300 at an opposite side to one side at which the electrode tabs 120 of the battery cells 100 are positioned in a state in which the two battery cells 100 are inserted into the case 300. That is, the lower cap 400 is formed in a cap type, and the opened lower portion of the case 300 is inserted into a hollowed inner portion of the lower cap 400 and fixed thereto, and thus the lower portion of the case 300 is closed.
  • the electrode tabs 120 may be easily connected with each other by a welding process, in the case in which the battery cells 100 are coupled to the lower cap 400 while being received in the case 300 and the electrode tabs 120 protrude to the outside of the upper side of the case 300. Therefore, it is preferable that the case 300 be formed to be slightly shorter than the battery cell 100.
  • connection mold 500 is inserted between the facing electrode tabs 120 and between the facing pouches 130 of the two battery cells 100.
  • the plurality of terminals 510 formed at one side of the connection mold 500 is connected to the electrode tabs 120.
  • the connection mold 500 includes the gas gathering part 580 vertically penetrating therethrough as shown in FIG. 4B and is configured such that gas generated between the battery cells 100 is gathered by the gas gathering part 580. Then, the terminals 510 may be electrically connected to the electrode tabs 120 by the welding process while the connection mold 500 is inserted between the facing electrode tabs 120 and between the facing pouches 130 of two battery cells 100.
  • connection mold 500 since the connection mold 500 is inserted between the facing electrode tabs 120 and between the facing pouches 130 of the two battery cells 100 to support the inner side thereof, the electrode tabs 120 are pressed in a width direction of the connection mold 500 from the side surface thereof to thereby be easily welded to the terminals 510, and the terminals 510 connected to the electrode tab 120 are fixed to the connection mold 500.
  • the connection mold includes a gas gathering part 580 and is configured to discharge gas generated from the battery cell 100 to the outside.
  • a hot-melt, an adhesive, or the like may be applied between the pouches 130 of the two battery cells 100 and the connection mold 500 may be inserted therebetween and fixed to the battery cell.
  • an upper cap 600 is coupled to the upper side of the inserted connection mold, the inner portion thereof is hollow, and the lower portion thereof is opened, thereby being insertedly coupled to the outer side of the case 300. Then, the upper cap 600 may be coupled to the case 300 so as to enclose the outside of the facing pouches 130 at one side at which the electrode tabs 120 of the two battery cells 100 are formed, and include a gas discharging part 650 that is in communication with a gas gathering part 580.
  • Gas generated from the battery cells 100 is discharged between facing battery cells 100 at one side at which the electrode tabs 120 thereof are formed, gathered by the gas gathering part 580, and then discharged to the outside through the gas discharging part 650.
  • the upper cap 600 may include a cut part 610 such that the terminals 510 of the connection mold 500 are exposed to the outside, in which the upper cap 600 is coupled to the connection mold 500 and then the terminals 510 may be connected to external circuits. Also, it is preferable to close around the cut part 610 such that gas is not discharged to the outside through the cut part 610.
  • the secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas according to the present invention which is configured in a module by coupling battery cells may gather gas generated from battery cells due to swelling phenomenon in spaces between battery cells and between electrode tabs and discharge the gas to a predetermined external path, thereby making it possible to have a compact structure and rapidly discharge the gas.
  • the cathode terminal 511 and anode terminal 512 may be formed at a side of the length direction of the connection mold 500, a voltage sensing terminal 513 may be formed at the other side.
  • the cathode terminal 511 may be bent from the upper surface to one side surface of the connection mold 500
  • the anode terminal 512 may be bent from the upper surface to the other side surface of the connection mold 500
  • the voltage sensing terminal 513 may be bent from the upper surface to both side surfaces of the connection mold 500.
  • the terminals 510 formed on the upper surface of the connection mold 500 are bent such that the terminal 510 and the electrode tab 120 are coupled to each other by the welding process while they are overlapped with each other, and thus the terminal may be extended to the side surface of the connection mold 500 in the width direction.
  • the two battery cells 100 are stacked so as to face the cathode tab 120a and the anode tab 120b to each other.
  • the cathode terminal 511 may be connected to the cathode tab 120a of the first battery cell 100a
  • the anode terminal 512 may be connected to the anode tab 120b of the second battery cell 100b
  • the voltage sensing terminal 513 may be connected to the anode tab 120b of the first battery cell 100a and the cathode tab 120a of the second battery cell 100b.
  • the electrode tabs 120 of the battery cells 100 having different polarities are stacked so as to face each other.
  • the cathode tab 120a of the first battery cell 100a is coupled to the anode tab 120b of the second battery cell 100b by the voltage sensing terminal 513 so as to be connected to each other.
  • the other anode tab 120b of the first battery cell 100a is coupled to the anode terminal 512 and the cathode tab 120a of the second battery cell 100b is coupled to the cathode terminal 511 so as to be connected to each other.
  • the cathode terminal 511 and anode terminal 512 are formed at one side in the length direction, and the voltage sensing terminal 513 is formed at the other side in the length direction.
  • the two battery cells 100 may be stacked such that the cathode tabs 120a face each other and the anode tabs 120b face each other, the cathode terminal 511 may be connected to the cathode tabs 120a of the battery cells 100, and the anode terminal 512 may be connected to the anode tabs 120b of the battery cells 100, and thus the two battery cells 100 may be connected to each other in parallel.
  • the two battery cells 100 are formed such that the pouches 130 at one side at which the electrode tabs 120 are formed may be closely adhered to each other by the connection mold 500 and the case 300.
  • both sides of the pouch 130 at one side at which the electrode tabs 120 are formed that is, the upper side of the battery cell 100 may be closely adhered to each other by the connection mold 500 and the case 300, and thus gas generated from the battery cell 100 may be prevented from leaking to the pouch 130 at one side at which the electrode tabs 120 are formed. Therefore, gas may be gathered between the battery cells 100 by the gas gathering part 580.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 show the pouches 130 and case 300 which are spaced apart from each other, but the pouches 130 may be closely adhered to each other by the case 300, and also closely adhered to each other by the upper cap 600 coupled to the outside of the case 300.
  • connection mold 500 may include a gas gathering part 580 of which the lower portion is opened, the inner side is hollow, and the upper portion includes a gas discharging tube 581, and the upper cap 600 may include an insertion hole 651 into which the gas discharging tube 581 is inserted and exposed to the outside.
  • a gas gathering part 580 is formed in the connection mold 500.
  • the gas discharging tube 581 is formed at the upper side so as to be in communication with the gas gathering part 580, and is inserted into the insertion hole 651 of the upper cap 600, thereby discharging gas to the outside.
  • the secondary battery module 1000 for easily gathering and discharging gas includes two battery cells 100 having electrode tabs 120 formed at one side thereof and stacked in parallel with each other; a case 300 having opened both sides and the battery cells 100 received therein; a lower cap 400 coupled to the opened one side of the case 300 and coupled to an opposite side to one side at which the electrode tabs 120 are positioned; a first connection mold 500a inserted between facing pouches 130 of the two battery cells 100 and including a gas channel 590 vertically penetrating therethrough; a second connection mold 500b coupled to the other side of the first connection mold 500a, having a plurality of terminals 510 formed at one side thereof and connected to the electrode tabs 120, and including a gas gathering part 580 that is in communication with the gas channel 590; and an upper cap 600 coupled to the upper side of the second connection mold 500b, coupled to the case 300 so as to enclose the outside of the facing pouches 130 at a side at which the electrode tabs 120 of the two battery
  • gas generated from the battery cells 100 is discharged between the facing battery cells 100 at the one side at which the electrode tabs 120 thereof are formed, gathered by the gas gathering part 580 through the gas channel 590, and discharged to the outside thereof through the gas discharging part 650.
  • connection mold 500 is configured of the first connection mold 500a and the second connection mold 500b, wherein the first connection mold 500a is inserted between the facing pouches 130 of the two battery cells 100, an upper side of the first connection mold 500a is provided with the second connection mold 500b, and an upper side of the second connection mold 500b is provided with the plurality of terminals 510, and thus the terminals 510 are connected to the electrode tabs 120.
  • the second connection mold 500b since the first connection mold 500a includes a gas channel 590 vertically penetrating therethrough, the second connection mold 500b includes a gas gathering part 580 that is in communication with the gas channel 590, gas generated from battery cells 100 is discharged between the battery cells 100, gathered by the gas gathering part 580 through the gas channel 590, and discharged to the outside through the gas discharging part 650.
  • the first connection mold 500a includes a gas discharging groove 591 formed at the center of both side surfaces thereof.
  • the gas discharging groove 591 may be in communication with the gas gathering part 580 of the second connection mold 500b.
  • the center portion of both sides of the first connection mold 500a in the width direction includes a gas discharging groove 591 and gas may be discharged between the pouches 130 of the electrode tabs 120 of the battery cells 100 in the length direction.
  • the first connection mold 500a may include a hollow part 520 at both sides thereof in the length direction so as to have an opened upper surface, each of the side surfaces of the hollow part 520 may be provided with a coupling hole 521, and both sides of a lower surface of the second connection mold 500b may include a hook 540 inserted into the hollow part 520 of the first connection mold 500a and coupled to the coupling hole 521. Therefore, after the first connection mold 500a is inserted between the facing electrode tabs 120 of the battery cells 100 and fixed to the battery cell, the second connection mold 500b may be press-fitted from the upper side of the first connection mold, thereby making it possible to be easily coupled to each other.
  • connection mold 500 is easily fixed between the battery cells 100 as compared to the former case in which the connection mold 500 is formed integrally with each other.
  • the adhesive, or the like may be applied between the battery cells 100 having the connection mold 500 inserted thereinto, the first connection mold 500a is then inserted into the battery cells and fixed thereto, and the second connection mold 500b is easily coupled to the upper side of the first connection mold, thereby improving an assembling property.
  • guides 541 protrude at both sides in the length direction of the second connection mold 500b in which the hook 540 is formed therein, and the hook 540 is inserted into the hollow part 520 of the first connection mold 500a, thereby being easily coupled to the coupling hole 521.
  • the first connection mold 500a may include fixing grooves 530 at both sides thereof, and the pouch 130 of the two battery cells 100 may be inserted into the fixing groove 530. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 and 11, the fixing groove 530 may be formed by a fixing wing 531 so as to protrude to the outside from the upper end of both sides in the length direction of both side surfaces of the first connection mold 500a in the width direction.
  • the pouch 130 which is an edge portion of an upper side of the battery cell 100, is inserted into the fixing groove 530.
  • the first connection mold 500a is caught by the pouch 130 of the battery cells 100 due to the fixing groove 530, and therefore a depth by which the first connection mold 500a is inserted into the lower side of the battery cell may be accurately determined, and it is easy to horizontally maintain the battery cells 100 and the first connection mold 500a.
  • the second connection mold 500b coupled to the upper side of the first connection mold 500a is horizontally maintained, and therefore a position at which the terminals 510 formed in the second connection mold 500b and the electrode tabs 120 are coupled to each other may be accurately determined.
  • the electrode body 110 may be spaced apart from the lower surface of first connection mold 500a of the battery cells 100, and gas generated from the battery cells 100 may easily flow to the gas gathering part 580.
  • the secondary battery module includes a cell frame 200 interposed between the two battery cells 100 and the electrode body 110 of the battery cells 100 installed therein.
  • the cell frame 200 includes upper frame 210, a pair of side frames 220 and a lower frame 230.
  • the cell frame 200 includes an open part 201 formed at an inner side thereof, such that the electrode body 110 of the battery cells 100 are installed therein, the upper frame 210 may be formed integrally with the first connection mold 500a and includes a gas channel 590 vertically penetrating therethrough.
  • the two battery cells 100 includes the cell frame 200 interposed therebetween and are stacked so as to be closely adhered to each other. Then, since the cell frame 200 includes an upper frame 210, and a pair of side frames 220 and a lower frame 230, the open part 201 where the inner side is hollow is formed. Then, the open part 201 may be installed such that the electrode bodies 110 of the battery cells 100 are brought into contact to each other.
  • the pouch 130 may be coupled to the cell frame 200 so as to be closely adhered to each other. Both sides of the pouch of the battery cells 100 are bent and may be coupled so as to be inserted to a catching groove 221 formed in the side frame 220.
  • the upper frame 210 may be formed integrally with the first connection mold 500a so as to be coupled to each other, and the first connection mold 500a may be coupled to the side frame 220 instead of the upper frame 210.
  • the battery cells 100 are firmly fixed by the cell frame 200 and case 300. Also, gas generated from the battery cells 100 may be gathered by the gas gathering part 580 of the second connection mold 500b along the gas channel 590, and discharged to the outside through the gas discharging tube 581.
  • the battery cells may be formed in a compact structure and thus the electrode tabs are easily connected electrically, and formed in a structure capable of easily gathering and discharging gas. Therefore, it is easy to be assembled as a module.
  • the second connection mold 500b may include a pair of guide plates 550 at the center of both side surfaces thereof in the width direction, and thus the first connection mold 500a and the pouch 130 of the two battery cells 100 may be inserted between the guide plates 550.
  • the electrode tabs 120 are closely adhered to the side surface of the terminal 510.
  • the second connection mold 500b may include an insertion groove 560 and a through-hole 561 formed at both sides thereof in the length direction, the insertion groove having a nut 570 inserted thereinto, and the upper cap 600 may have a fixing hole 620 formed at both sides thereof in the length direction to be coupled to the nut 570 by a bolt 571 at the outer side of the upper cap 600, the fixing hole corresponding to the through-hole 561.
  • the second connection mold 500b may be formed of a plastic resin
  • the nut 570 made of a metal material is inserted into the insertion groove 560, fixed thereto, is covered by the upper cap 600, and then coupled to each other. Then, the bolt 571 is used to pass through the fixing hole 620 and the through-hole 561 at the outer side of the upper cap 600 so as to be fastened to the nut 570, and thus the upper cap 600 may be firmly fixed to the second connection mold 500b.
  • connection molds 500, 500a, and 500b and the upper cap 600 may be formed of a plastic material for electrical insulation, and the lower cap 400 may be formed of various materials such as plastic or a metal material.
  • the inner side of the lower cap 400 may be coated with a molten resin such as a hot melt, an adhesive agent, and the like, in order to fix the battery cells 100 to the case 300, and as shown in FIG. 15, after the lower cap 400 is coupled to the lower side of the case 300, an injection inlet 410 may be formed in order to inject the molten resin, the adhesive agent, and the like.
  • a molten resin such as a hot melt, an adhesive agent, and the like
  • both side surfaces of the upper cap 600 in the width direction is provided with a protrusion 630 and a groove 640, and when a battery pack is configured by stacking a plurality of secondary battery modules, a position to be coupled to each other may be accurately determined.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)
  • Gas Exhaust Devices For Batteries (AREA)

Abstract

Provided is a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas capable of gathering gas generated from battery cells, due to swelling phenomenon, in spaces between battery cells and between electrode tabs, and discharging the gas to a predetermined external path, by receiving two battery cells in a case and closing the case, forming a connection mold having a gas gathering part formed at the portion at which the electrode body of the battery cells is formed, coupling the case to an upper cap so as to enclose the connection mold and the outside of a pouch including the electrode body of battery cells.

Description

SECONDARY BATTERY MODULE FOR EASILY GATHERING AND DISCHARGING GAS
The present invention relates to a secondary battery module capable of coupling battery cells to each other to be configured as a module, and more specifically, to a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas, capable of gathering gas generated from battery cells due to a swelling phenomenon, in a space between battery cells and between electrode tabs and discharging the gas to a predetermined external path.
Generally, a secondary battery is capable of being charged and discharged and can be applied to various fields such as a digital camera, a cellular phone, a notebook and a hybrid car, unlike a primary battery, and research thereof has been actively conducted. Examples of the secondary battery may include a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, and a lithium secondary battery. In addition, among the secondary batteries, a great variety of studies for a lithium secondary battery having high energy density and discharge voltage have been conducted and the lithium secondary battery has been commercialized and widely used.
In addition, the lithium secondary battery is capable of being manufactured so as to have various shapes. Examples of the lithium secondary battery include a cylindrical type secondary battery and a prismatic type lithium secondary battery. A lithium polymer battery which has been recently in the spotlight is manufactured in a pouched type having flexibility, and thus the shape thereof may be relatively varied.
Since the pouch type lithium polymer battery (hereinafter, referred to as a “pouch type cell”) is easily bent or curved, a compact case is coupled to the outside of thereof to reinforce a low rigidity of the pouch type cell. In addition, due to a need for high output and large capacitance, a plurality of pouch type cells are stacked to be configured as a battery module or a battery pack.
As described above, since the pouch type cell does not have a good mechanical rigidity of the pouch at the time of sealing an electrode body, in order to manufacture the battery module having a stable structure, the pouch type cells should be mounted in a pack case such as a cartridge, or the like, to manufacture a battery module, and electrode tabs of the plurality of pouch type cells should be electrically connected to each other in series or in parallel, and thus a size of the battery module is increased, and a structure thereof is complicated. Then, in the case of the pouch type cell, flammable noxious gas is generated in a pouch due to a swelling phenomenon caused by overcharge or overdischarge. When a battery module is manufactured using the plurality of the pouch type cells, it is difficult to discharge gas due to a complicated structure.
As the related art document associated with the above-description, “Battery Vent and Method of Assembly” which is US Patent No. 6641949 has been disclosed.
[Related Art Document]
[Patent Document]
US 6641949 B2 (November 4, 2003)
An object of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery module capable of coupling battery cells to each other to be configured as a module, and more specifically, a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas, capable of gathering gas generated from battery cells, due to swelling phenomenon, in a space between battery cells and between electrode tabs and discharging the gas to a predetermined external path.
In one general aspect, a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas includes: two battery cells having electrode tabs formed at one side thereof and stacked in parallel with each other; a case having the battery cells received therein and closed at an opposite side to one side at which the electrode tabs of the battery cells are positioned; a connection mold inserted between facing electrode tabs and between facing pouches of the two battery cells, having a plurality of terminals formed at one side thereof and connected to the electrode tabs, and including a gas gathering part vertically penetrating therethrough; and an upper cap being coupled to an upper side of the connection mold, coupled to the case so as to enclose the outside of the facing pouches at a side at which the electrode tabs of the two battery cells are formed, and including a gas discharging part that is in communication with the gas gathering part, wherein gas generated from the battery cells is discharged between the facing battery cells at the side at which the electrode tabs of the battery cells are formed, gathered by the gas gathering part, and discharged to the outside of thereof through the gas discharging part.
Further, in the two battery cells, the pouches at the side at which the electrode tabs are formed are closely adhered to each other by the connection mold and the case.
Further, the connection mold may include a gas gathering part having an opened lower portion and a hollow inner portion and having a gas discharging tube formed at an upper portion thereof, and the upper cap may include an insertion hole into which the gas discharging tube is inserted and exposed to the outside.
In addition, in another general aspect, a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas includes: two battery cells having electrode tabs formed at one side thereof and stacked in parallel with each other; a case having opened both sides and the battery cells received therein; a lower cap coupled to the opened one side of the case and coupled to an opposite side to one side at which the electrode tabs are positioned; a first connection mold inserted between the facing pouches of the two battery cells and including a gas channel vertically penetrating therethrough; a second connection mold coupled to the other side of the first connection mold, having a plurality of terminals formed at one side thereof and connected to the electrode tabs, and including a gas gathering part that is in communication with the gas channel; and an upper cap coupled to an upper side of the second connection mold, coupled to the case so as to cover the outside of the facing pouches at a side at which the electrode tabs of the two battery cells are formed, including a gas discharging part that is in communication with the gas gathering part; wherein gas generated from the battery cells is discharged between the facing battery cells at the side at which the electrode tabs thereof are formed, gathered by the gas gathering part through the gas channel, and discharged to the outside thereof through the gas discharging part.
Further, the first connection mold may include a gas discharging groove formed at the center of both surfaces thereof, wherein the gas discharging groove is in communication with the gas gathering part of the second connection mold.
Further, the module may further include a cell frame interposed between the two battery cells and the electrode body of the battery cells installed therein, wherein the cell frame includes an upper frame, a pair of side frames, and a lower frame, and the cell frame includes an opened portion formed at an inner side thereof, such that the electrode body of the battery cells is installed threin, the upper frame being formed integrally with the first connection mold and including a gas channel vertically penetrating therethrough.
The secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas according to the present invention which is configured in a module by coupling battery cells may gather gas generated from battery cells due to swelling phenomenon in spaces between battery cells and between electrode tabs and discharge the gas to a predetermined external path, thereby making it possible to have a compact structure and rapidly discharge the gas.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 2 and 3 are an exploded perspective view and an assembled perspective view showing a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively;
FIGS. 4A and 4B and 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views taken along lines AA’, BB’, CC’, and DD’ of FIG. 3, respectively;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 7A and 7B and 8A and 8B are an exploded perspective view and an assembled perspective view showing a first connection mold and a second connection mold according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively;
FIGS. 9A and 9B and 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing each cross section of the assembled secondary battery module of FIG. 6;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing wing of the assembled secondary battery module of FIG. 6;
FIGS. 12 and 13 are an exploded perspective view and an assembled perspective view showing a combination structure of a battery cell and a cell frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively;
FIG. 14 shows an exploded perspective view showing a combination structure of the upper cap and second connection mold according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a combination state of a lower cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Detailed Description of Main Elements]
1000: secondary battery module
100: battery cell
100a: first battery cell 100b: second battery cell
110: electrode body 120: electrode tab
120a: cathode tab 120b: anode tab
130: pouch
200: cell frame 201: open part
210: upper frame
220: side frame 221: catching groove
230: lower frame
300: case
400: lower cap 410: injection inlet
500: connection mold
500a: first connection mold 500b: second connection mold
510: terminal 511: cathode terminal
512: anode terminal 513: voltage sensing terminal
520: hollow part 521: coupling hole
530: fixing groove 531: fixing wing
540: hook 541: guide
550: guide plate 560: insertion groove
561: through-hole
570: nut 571: bolt
580: gas gathering part 581: gas discharging tube
590: gas channel 591: gas discharging groove
600: upper cap
610: cut part 620: fixing hole
630: protrusion 640: groove
650: gas discharging part 651: insertion hole
Hereinafter, a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 2 and 3 are an exploded perspective view and an assembly perspective view showing a secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively; FIGS. 4A and 4B and 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views taken along lines AA’, BB’, CC’, and DD’ of FIG. 3, respectively.
As shown described above, the secondary battery module 1000 for easily gathering and discharging gas according to the present invention includes: two battery cells 100 having electrode tabs 120 formed at one side thereof and stacked in parallel with each other; a case 300 having the battery cells 100 received therein and closed at an opposite side to one side at which the electrode tabs 120 of the battery cells 100 are positioned; a connection mold 500 inserted between facing electrode tabs 120 and between facing pouches 130 of the two battery cells 100, having a plurality of terminals 510 formed at one side thereof and connected to the electrode tabs 120, and including a gas gathering part 580 vertically penetrating therethrough; and an upper cap 600 coupled to an upper side of the connection mold 500, coupled to the case 300 so as to enclose the outside of the facing pouches 130 at a side at which the electrode tabs 120 of the two battery cells 100 are formed, and including a gas discharging part 650 that is in communication with the gas gathering part 580. Herein, gas generated from the battery cells 100 is discharged between the facing battery cells 100 at the side at which the electrode tabs 120 of the battery cells are formed, gathered by the gas gathering part 580, and discharged to the outside through the gas discharging part 650.
First, the battery cell 100 includes the electrode tab 120 at one side of an electrode body 110 as shown in FIG. 1. The electrode body 110 includes a cathode, an anode, electrolyte, and a separating plate that separates the cathode and the anode, in which charge and discharge are performed. The electrode tab 120 transmits a current generated from the electrode body 110 at the time of discharging or a current introduced from the outside at the time of charging. In addition, the battery cell 100 may be a pouch type cell sealed so as to be surrounded with pouch 130 or a pouch type cell of which an external member is coupled to an outer side, and the electrode body 110 sealed by the pouch 130 may protrude to only one side surface or both side surfaces, of the pouch 130.
Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the two battery cells 100 are stacked in parallel with each other such that the electrode tabs 120 face each other, and in the case in which the electrode body 110 protrudes to one surface of the pouch 130, the battery cells are stacked such that protruding surfaces of the electrode body 110 are in contact with each other. Thus, the battery cells are stacked such that the pouches 130 of the two battery cells 100 are positioned toward an outside thereof in a width direction. In other words, the battery cells 100 are stacked such that the electrode tabs 120 of the two battery cells 100 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, without being in contact with each other.
Referring to FIG. 3, the case 300 includes opened both sides, and the stacked two battery cells 100 are inserted into the case 300 to be received therein. The case 300 may be formed of a metal plate having a thin thickness of 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, a central portion on both surfaces in a width direction may be recessed to an inner side of the case 300, or a plurality of grooves recessed to the inner side may be formed to allow the two battery cells 100 received in the case 300 to be closely adhered to each other.
An inner portion of the lower cap 400 may be hollow and an upper portion thereof may be opened, and the lower cap 400 is coupled to the opened portion of the case 300 at an opposite side to one side at which the electrode tabs 120 of the battery cells 100 are positioned in a state in which the two battery cells 100 are inserted into the case 300. That is, the lower cap 400 is formed in a cap type, and the opened lower portion of the case 300 is inserted into a hollowed inner portion of the lower cap 400 and fixed thereto, and thus the lower portion of the case 300 is closed. Here, the electrode tabs 120 may be easily connected with each other by a welding process, in the case in which the battery cells 100 are coupled to the lower cap 400 while being received in the case 300 and the electrode tabs 120 protrude to the outside of the upper side of the case 300. Therefore, it is preferable that the case 300 be formed to be slightly shorter than the battery cell 100.
Here, the connection mold 500 is inserted between the facing electrode tabs 120 and between the facing pouches 130 of the two battery cells 100. The plurality of terminals 510 formed at one side of the connection mold 500 is connected to the electrode tabs 120. In addition, the connection mold 500 includes the gas gathering part 580 vertically penetrating therethrough as shown in FIG. 4B and is configured such that gas generated between the battery cells 100 is gathered by the gas gathering part 580. Then, the terminals 510 may be electrically connected to the electrode tabs 120 by the welding process while the connection mold 500 is inserted between the facing electrode tabs 120 and between the facing pouches 130 of two battery cells 100. In other words, since the connection mold 500 is inserted between the facing electrode tabs 120 and between the facing pouches 130 of the two battery cells 100 to support the inner side thereof, the electrode tabs 120 are pressed in a width direction of the connection mold 500 from the side surface thereof to thereby be easily welded to the terminals 510, and the terminals 510 connected to the electrode tab 120 are fixed to the connection mold 500. The connection mold includes a gas gathering part 580 and is configured to discharge gas generated from the battery cell 100 to the outside. In addition, before the connection mold 500 is inserted, a hot-melt, an adhesive, or the like, may be applied between the pouches 130 of the two battery cells 100 and the connection mold 500 may be inserted therebetween and fixed to the battery cell.
In addition, after the connection mold 500 is insertedly coupled therebetween, an upper cap 600 is coupled to the upper side of the inserted connection mold, the inner portion thereof is hollow, and the lower portion thereof is opened, thereby being insertedly coupled to the outer side of the case 300. Then, the upper cap 600 may be coupled to the case 300 so as to enclose the outside of the facing pouches 130 at one side at which the electrode tabs 120 of the two battery cells 100 are formed, and include a gas discharging part 650 that is in communication with a gas gathering part 580.
Gas generated from the battery cells 100 is discharged between facing battery cells 100 at one side at which the electrode tabs 120 thereof are formed, gathered by the gas gathering part 580, and then discharged to the outside through the gas discharging part 650.
Then, the upper cap 600 may include a cut part 610 such that the terminals 510 of the connection mold 500 are exposed to the outside, in which the upper cap 600 is coupled to the connection mold 500 and then the terminals 510 may be connected to external circuits. Also, it is preferable to close around the cut part 610 such that gas is not discharged to the outside through the cut part 610.
The secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas according to the present invention which is configured in a module by coupling battery cells may gather gas generated from battery cells due to swelling phenomenon in spaces between battery cells and between electrode tabs and discharge the gas to a predetermined external path, thereby making it possible to have a compact structure and rapidly discharge the gas.
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, in the terminals 510, the cathode terminal 511 and anode terminal 512 may be formed at a side of the length direction of the connection mold 500, a voltage sensing terminal 513 may be formed at the other side. Here, the cathode terminal 511 may be bent from the upper surface to one side surface of the connection mold 500, the anode terminal 512 may be bent from the upper surface to the other side surface of the connection mold 500, and the voltage sensing terminal 513 may be bent from the upper surface to both side surfaces of the connection mold 500. Thus, when the two battery cells 100 are connected to each other in series, the terminals 510 may be easily coupled to the electrode tabs 120 by the welding process. In other words, the terminals 510 formed on the upper surface of the connection mold 500 are bent such that the terminal 510 and the electrode tab 120 are coupled to each other by the welding process while they are overlapped with each other, and thus the terminal may be extended to the side surface of the connection mold 500 in the width direction.
Furthermore, the two battery cells 100 are stacked so as to face the cathode tab 120a and the anode tab 120b to each other. The cathode terminal 511 may be connected to the cathode tab 120a of the first battery cell 100a, the anode terminal 512 may be connected to the anode tab 120b of the second battery cell 100b, and the voltage sensing terminal 513 may be connected to the anode tab 120b of the first battery cell 100a and the cathode tab 120a of the second battery cell 100b. As described above, in order to connect the two battery cells 100 in series, the electrode tabs 120 of the battery cells 100 having different polarities are stacked so as to face each other. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4A, the cathode tab 120a of the first battery cell 100a is coupled to the anode tab 120b of the second battery cell 100b by the voltage sensing terminal 513 so as to be connected to each other. As shown in FIG. 5, the other anode tab 120b of the first battery cell 100a is coupled to the anode terminal 512 and the cathode tab 120a of the second battery cell 100b is coupled to the cathode terminal 511 so as to be connected to each other. Here, since the electrode tabs 120 of the two battery cells 100 having different polarities are stacked so as to face each other, it is preferable that the cathode terminal 511 and anode terminal 512 are formed at one side in the length direction, and the voltage sensing terminal 513 is formed at the other side in the length direction.
Further, the two battery cells 100 may be stacked such that the cathode tabs 120a face each other and the anode tabs 120b face each other, the cathode terminal 511 may be connected to the cathode tabs 120a of the battery cells 100, and the anode terminal 512 may be connected to the anode tabs 120b of the battery cells 100, and thus the two battery cells 100 may be connected to each other in parallel.
In addition, the two battery cells 100 are formed such that the pouches 130 at one side at which the electrode tabs 120 are formed may be closely adhered to each other by the connection mold 500 and the case 300. In other words, both sides of the pouch 130 at one side at which the electrode tabs 120 are formed, that is, the upper side of the battery cell 100 may be closely adhered to each other by the connection mold 500 and the case 300, and thus gas generated from the battery cell 100 may be prevented from leaking to the pouch 130 at one side at which the electrode tabs 120 are formed. Therefore, gas may be gathered between the battery cells 100 by the gas gathering part 580. Then, FIGS. 4 and 5 show the pouches 130 and case 300 which are spaced apart from each other, but the pouches 130 may be closely adhered to each other by the case 300, and also closely adhered to each other by the upper cap 600 coupled to the outside of the case 300.
Further, the connection mold 500 may include a gas gathering part 580 of which the lower portion is opened, the inner side is hollow, and the upper portion includes a gas discharging tube 581, and the upper cap 600 may include an insertion hole 651 into which the gas discharging tube 581 is inserted and exposed to the outside. While the pouches 130 of the battery cells 100 are closely adhered to each other from the inside and outside by the connection mold 500 and case 300, a gas gathering part 580 is formed in the connection mold 500. The gas discharging tube 581 is formed at the upper side so as to be in communication with the gas gathering part 580, and is inserted into the insertion hole 651 of the upper cap 600, thereby discharging gas to the outside.
In addition, the secondary battery module 1000 for easily gathering and discharging gas according to an embodiment of the present invention includes two battery cells 100 having electrode tabs 120 formed at one side thereof and stacked in parallel with each other; a case 300 having opened both sides and the battery cells 100 received therein; a lower cap 400 coupled to the opened one side of the case 300 and coupled to an opposite side to one side at which the electrode tabs 120 are positioned; a first connection mold 500a inserted between facing pouches 130 of the two battery cells 100 and including a gas channel 590 vertically penetrating therethrough; a second connection mold 500b coupled to the other side of the first connection mold 500a, having a plurality of terminals 510 formed at one side thereof and connected to the electrode tabs 120, and including a gas gathering part 580 that is in communication with the gas channel 590; and an upper cap 600 coupled to the upper side of the second connection mold 500b, coupled to the case 300 so as to enclose the outside of the facing pouches 130 at a side at which the electrode tabs 120 of the two battery cells 100 are formed, and including a gas discharging part 650 that is in communication with the gas gathering part 580. Herein, gas generated from the battery cells 100 is discharged between the facing battery cells 100 at the one side at which the electrode tabs 120 thereof are formed, gathered by the gas gathering part 580 through the gas channel 590, and discharged to the outside thereof through the gas discharging part 650.
In other words, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the connection mold 500 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured of the first connection mold 500a and the second connection mold 500b, wherein the first connection mold 500a is inserted between the facing pouches 130 of the two battery cells 100, an upper side of the first connection mold 500a is provided with the second connection mold 500b, and an upper side of the second connection mold 500b is provided with the plurality of terminals 510, and thus the terminals 510 are connected to the electrode tabs 120. Then, since the first connection mold 500a includes a gas channel 590 vertically penetrating therethrough, the second connection mold 500b includes a gas gathering part 580 that is in communication with the gas channel 590, gas generated from battery cells 100 is discharged between the battery cells 100, gathered by the gas gathering part 580 through the gas channel 590, and discharged to the outside through the gas discharging part 650.
Then, the first connection mold 500a includes a gas discharging groove 591 formed at the center of both side surfaces thereof. The gas discharging groove 591 may be in communication with the gas gathering part 580 of the second connection mold 500b. In other words, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the center portion of both sides of the first connection mold 500a in the width direction includes a gas discharging groove 591 and gas may be discharged between the pouches 130 of the electrode tabs 120 of the battery cells 100 in the length direction.
Further, the first connection mold 500a may include a hollow part 520 at both sides thereof in the length direction so as to have an opened upper surface, each of the side surfaces of the hollow part 520 may be provided with a coupling hole 521, and both sides of a lower surface of the second connection mold 500b may include a hook 540 inserted into the hollow part 520 of the first connection mold 500a and coupled to the coupling hole 521. Therefore, after the first connection mold 500a is inserted between the facing electrode tabs 120 of the battery cells 100 and fixed to the battery cell, the second connection mold 500b may be press-fitted from the upper side of the first connection mold, thereby making it possible to be easily coupled to each other.
In the above-described case, the connection mold 500 is easily fixed between the battery cells 100 as compared to the former case in which the connection mold 500 is formed integrally with each other. After the hot-melt, the adhesive, or the like, may be applied between the battery cells 100 having the connection mold 500 inserted thereinto, the first connection mold 500a is then inserted into the battery cells and fixed thereto, and the second connection mold 500b is easily coupled to the upper side of the first connection mold, thereby improving an assembling property.
Here, guides 541 protrude at both sides in the length direction of the second connection mold 500b in which the hook 540 is formed therein, and the hook 540 is inserted into the hollow part 520 of the first connection mold 500a, thereby being easily coupled to the coupling hole 521.
In addition, the first connection mold 500a may include fixing grooves 530 at both sides thereof, and the pouch 130 of the two battery cells 100 may be inserted into the fixing groove 530. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 and 11, the fixing groove 530 may be formed by a fixing wing 531 so as to protrude to the outside from the upper end of both sides in the length direction of both side surfaces of the first connection mold 500a in the width direction. Thus, when the first connection mold 500a is inserted between the battery cells 100, the pouch 130, which is an edge portion of an upper side of the battery cell 100, is inserted into the fixing groove 530. Accordingly, the first connection mold 500a is caught by the pouch 130 of the battery cells 100 due to the fixing groove 530, and therefore a depth by which the first connection mold 500a is inserted into the lower side of the battery cell may be accurately determined, and it is easy to horizontally maintain the battery cells 100 and the first connection mold 500a. In addition, the second connection mold 500b coupled to the upper side of the first connection mold 500a is horizontally maintained, and therefore a position at which the terminals 510 formed in the second connection mold 500b and the electrode tabs 120 are coupled to each other may be accurately determined. Further, the electrode body 110 may be spaced apart from the lower surface of first connection mold 500a of the battery cells 100, and gas generated from the battery cells 100 may easily flow to the gas gathering part 580.
Further, the secondary battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cell frame 200 interposed between the two battery cells 100 and the electrode body 110 of the battery cells 100 installed therein. Herein, the cell frame 200 includes upper frame 210, a pair of side frames 220 and a lower frame 230. The cell frame 200 includes an open part 201 formed at an inner side thereof, such that the electrode body 110 of the battery cells 100 are installed therein, the upper frame 210 may be formed integrally with the first connection mold 500a and includes a gas channel 590 vertically penetrating therethrough.
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the two battery cells 100 includes the cell frame 200 interposed therebetween and are stacked so as to be closely adhered to each other. Then, since the cell frame 200 includes an upper frame 210, and a pair of side frames 220 and a lower frame 230, the open part 201 where the inner side is hollow is formed. Then, the open part 201 may be installed such that the electrode bodies 110 of the battery cells 100 are brought into contact to each other. The pouch 130 may be coupled to the cell frame 200 so as to be closely adhered to each other. Both sides of the pouch of the battery cells 100 are bent and may be coupled so as to be inserted to a catching groove 221 formed in the side frame 220. Further, the upper frame 210 may be formed integrally with the first connection mold 500a so as to be coupled to each other, and the first connection mold 500a may be coupled to the side frame 220 instead of the upper frame 210.
Therefore, the battery cells 100 are firmly fixed by the cell frame 200 and case 300. Also, gas generated from the battery cells 100 may be gathered by the gas gathering part 580 of the second connection mold 500b along the gas channel 590, and discharged to the outside through the gas discharging tube 581. Thus, the battery cells may be formed in a compact structure and thus the electrode tabs are easily connected electrically, and formed in a structure capable of easily gathering and discharging gas. Therefore, it is easy to be assembled as a module.
Further, the second connection mold 500b may include a pair of guide plates 550 at the center of both side surfaces thereof in the width direction, and thus the first connection mold 500a and the pouch 130 of the two battery cells 100 may be inserted between the guide plates 550. In other words, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9B, when the second connection mold 500b is inserted between the facing electrode tabs 120 of the battery cells 100, since the pouch 130 of the battery cells 100 is inserted to the inner side of the pair of guide plates 550, the electrode tabs 120 are closely adhered to the side surface of the terminal 510.
In addition, the second connection mold 500b may include an insertion groove 560 and a through-hole 561 formed at both sides thereof in the length direction, the insertion groove having a nut 570 inserted thereinto, and the upper cap 600 may have a fixing hole 620 formed at both sides thereof in the length direction to be coupled to the nut 570 by a bolt 571 at the outer side of the upper cap 600, the fixing hole corresponding to the through-hole 561.
In other words, as shown in FIG. 14, since the second connection mold 500b may be formed of a plastic resin, the nut 570 made of a metal material is inserted into the insertion groove 560, fixed thereto, is covered by the upper cap 600, and then coupled to each other. Then, the bolt 571 is used to pass through the fixing hole 620 and the through-hole 561 at the outer side of the upper cap 600 so as to be fastened to the nut 570, and thus the upper cap 600 may be firmly fixed to the second connection mold 500b.
In addition, it is preferable that the connection molds 500, 500a, and 500b and the upper cap 600 may be formed of a plastic material for electrical insulation, and the lower cap 400 may be formed of various materials such as plastic or a metal material.
In addition, the inner side of the lower cap 400 may be coated with a molten resin such as a hot melt, an adhesive agent, and the like, in order to fix the battery cells 100 to the case 300, and as shown in FIG. 15, after the lower cap 400 is coupled to the lower side of the case 300, an injection inlet 410 may be formed in order to inject the molten resin, the adhesive agent, and the like.
In addition, both side surfaces of the upper cap 600 in the width direction is provided with a protrusion 630 and a groove 640, and when a battery pack is configured by stacking a plurality of secondary battery modules, a position to be coupled to each other may be accurately determined.
The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments but may be variously applied. In addition, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the appended claims of the present invention.

Claims (6)

  1. A secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas, comprising:
    two battery cells having electrode tabs formed at one side thereof and stacked in parallel with each other;
    a case having the battery cells received therein and closed at an opposite side to one side at which the electrode tabs of the battery cells are positioned;
    a connection mold inserted between facing electrode tabs and between facing pouches of the two battery cells, having a plurality of terminals formed at one side thereof and connected to the electrode tabs, and including a gas gathering part vertically penetrating therethrough; and
    an upper cap coupled to an upper side of the connection mold, coupled to the case so as to enclose the outside of the facing pouches at a side at which the electrode tabs of the two battery cells are formed, and including a gas discharging part that is in communication with the gas gathering part,
    wherein gas generated from the battery cells is discharged between the facing battery cells at the side at which the electrode tabs of the battery cells are formed, gathered by the gas gathering part, and discharged to the outside through the gas discharging part.
  2. The secondary battery module of claim 1, wherein in the two battery cells, the pouches at the side at which the electrode tabs are formed are closely adhered to each other by the connection mold and the case.
  3. The secondary battery module of claim 1, wherein the connection mold includes a gas discharging tube having an opened lower portion and a hollow inner portion and having a gas discharging tube formed at an upper portion of the connection mold, and the upper cap includes an insertion hole into which the gas discharging tube is inserted and exposed to the outside.
  4. A secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas, comprising:
    two battery cells having electrode tabs formed at one side of the battery cells and stacked in parallel with each other;
    a case having opened both sides and the battery cells received therein;
    a lower cap coupled to the opened one side of the case and coupled to an opposite side to one side at which the electrode tabs are positioned;
    a first connection mold inserted between the facing pouches of the two battery cells and including a gas channel vertically penetrating therethrough;
    a second connection mold coupled to the other side of the first connection mold, having a plurality of terminals formed at one side thereof and connected to the electrode tabs, and including a gas gathering part that is in communication with the gas channel; and
    an upper cap coupled to an upper side of the second connection mold, and coupled to the case so as to enclose the outside of the facing pouches at a side at which the electrode tabs of the two battery cells are formed and including a gas discharging part that is in communication with the gas gathering part,
    wherein gas generated from the battery cells is discharged between the facing battery cells at one side at which the electrode tabs of the battery cells are formed, gathered by the gas gathering part through the gas channel, and discharged to the outside thereof through the gas discharging part.
  5. The secondary battery module of claim 4, wherein the first connection mold includes a gas discharging groove formed at the center of both side surfaces thereof, the gas discharging groove being in communication with the gas gathering part of the second connection mold.
  6. The secondary battery module of claim 4, further comprising a cell frame interposed between the two battery cells and having the electrode body of battery cells installed therein,
    wherein the cell frame includes an upper frame, a pair of side frames, and a lower frame and includes an opened portion formed at an inner side thereof, such that the electrode body of the battery cells is installed therein, the upper frame being formed integrally with the first connection mold, and including a gas channel vertically penetrating therethrough.
PCT/KR2013/005436 2012-06-28 2013-06-20 Secondary battery module for easily gathering and discharging gas WO2014003357A1 (en)

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KR1020120069588A KR101908583B1 (en) 2012-06-28 2012-06-28 Secondary battery module available for easy gathering and discharging of gas
KR10-2012-0069588 2012-06-28

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KR102096983B1 (en) 2017-09-08 2020-04-03 주식회사 엘지화학 Battery module with a structure to break a connector using venting gas
KR102361569B1 (en) 2018-04-23 2022-02-10 주식회사 엘지에너지솔루션 Pouch Type Secondary Battery With Gas Venting Means
KR20220044058A (en) * 2020-09-29 2022-04-06 에스케이온 주식회사 Battery Cell, Battery Module and Battery Pack Having the Same

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KR20140002120A (en) 2014-01-08

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