CN118633196A

CN118633196A - Battery Module

Info

Publication number: CN118633196A
Application number: CN202380019216.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 赵成殷; 朴成奎
Original assignee: LG Energy Solution Ltd
Current assignee: LG Energy Solution Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-23
Filing date: 2023-08-16
Publication date: 2024-09-10

Abstract

A battery module is disclosed. The battery module according to the embodiment of the invention may include: a housing including a base plate and a sidewall protruding upward from the base plate, and providing an inner space; a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the case and arranged along the side walls; an FPCB disposed between any one of the plurality of battery cells and the sidewall and having a surface opposite to the sidewall; and a temperature sensor provided at a surface of the FPCB.

Description

Battery module

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a battery module.

The present application claims priority from korean patent application No.10-2022-0183528, filed on day 2022, 12 and 23, and korean patent application No. 10-2023-007754, filed on day 2023, 6 and 16, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

With the rapid increase in demand for portable electronic products such as laptop computers, video cameras, mobile phones, etc., and the wide use of robots, electric vehicles, etc., many studies are being conducted on high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged.

Commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, and the like, among which lithium secondary batteries have little or no memory effect, and thus they are more focused than nickel-based secondary batteries because of their advantages: the charging can be performed as long as it is convenient, the self-discharge rate is low, and the energy density is high.

Generally, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into cylindrical secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is included in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is included in a pouch of an aluminum laminate sheet, according to the shape of an exterior package.

When there are a plurality of battery cells, it is important to monitor the temperature of the battery cells. This is to achieve proper control based on the monitored temperature to prevent overheating of the plurality of battery cells. Therefore, a structure for improving the temperature measurement accuracy of a plurality of battery cells is required.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The present disclosure is designed to solve the above problems and other problems.

The present disclosure is directed to a battery module including a structure for improving assemblability of a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) including a temperature sensor.

The present disclosure is also directed to providing a battery module including a structure for bringing a temperature sensor into close contact with a battery cell while preventing damage to the temperature sensor.

Technical proposal

In order to achieve the above object, a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a housing including a base plate and a sidewall protruding upward from the base plate, and providing an inner space; a plurality of battery cells housed in the case and arranged along the side walls; a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) disposed between any one of the plurality of battery cells and the sidewall, and having a surface facing the sidewall; and a temperature sensor disposed on the surface of the FPCB.

In addition, the battery module may further include a gasket having a compression characteristic and located between the FPCB and the sidewall.

Further, the plurality of battery cells may have a cylindrical shape extending in a vertical direction, and a portion of the sidewall facing the FPCB may have a curved surface along a side of the battery cells facing the FPCB.

Further, the pad may be attached to the surface of the FPCB.

In addition, the pad may be made of polyurethane.

Further, the sidewall includes a recess in which at least a portion of the liner is received.

Further, the pad may include a receiving portion in which the temperature sensor is received.

Further, the pad may include a portion whose cross section decreases as it goes downward.

Further, the battery module may further include a main FPCB extending along the sidewall, and the FPCB may extend from the main FPCB and be bent.

In order to achieve the above object, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery module according to the present disclosure.

In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery module according to the present disclosure.

Advantageous effects

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery module including a structure for improving assemblability of a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) including a temperature sensor may be provided.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery module including a structure for closely contacting a temperature sensor with a battery cell while preventing damage to the temperature sensor may be provided.

The present disclosure may have many other effects, and these effects will be described in each embodiment, or the corresponding descriptions will be omitted for effects that can be easily expected by those skilled in the art.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description below, serve to provide further understanding of technical aspects of the present disclosure, and thus the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a view of the battery module of fig. 1 as seen from a different direction.

Fig. 3 is a partially exploded view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an FPCB of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line C-C' of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the FPCB of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion D in fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line B-B' of fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion E in fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line A-A' of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it is to be understood that the terms or words used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to technical aspects of the present disclosure on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriately for the best explanation.

Thus, the embodiments described herein and the illustrations shown in the drawings are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure that describe technical aspects of the present disclosure, and are not intended to be limiting, so it should be understood that various other equivalent substitutions and modifications may be made thereto at the time of filing the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 illustrates a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the battery module of fig. 1 as viewed from a different direction. Fig. 3 is a partially exploded view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) 300 of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an FPCB 300 of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line C-C' of fig. 5. Referring to fig. 1 to 6, a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a case 100, a plurality of battery cells 200, an FPCB 300, and a temperature sensor 500.

The case 100 may have an inner space. The housing 100 may include a base plate 110, side walls 120, a front wall 130, and a rear wall 140. The substrate 110 may be a rectangular-shaped plate. The sidewall 120 may protrude from the substrate 110 in the +z axis direction or in an upward direction. The front wall 130 may protrude from the substrate 110 in the +z axis direction or in an upward direction. The rear wall 140 may protrude from the substrate 110 in the +z axis direction or in an upward direction. The front wall 130, the rear wall 140, and the side walls 120 may be integrally formed with or connected to each other. The housing 100 may further include a top plate. The top plate may cover the inner space. The top panel may be integrally formed with the front wall 130, the rear wall 140, and the side walls 120, or the top panel may be connected or coupled to the front wall 130, the rear wall 140, and the side walls 120.

A plurality of battery cells 200 may be received in the case 100. The plurality of battery cells 200 may refer to secondary batteries. The plurality of battery cells 200 may be cylindrical battery cells 200. Alternatively, each of the plurality of battery cells 200 may have a cylindrical shape. The plurality of battery cells 200 may be arranged in a column. In addition, the plurality of battery cells 200 may be arranged in the length direction of the side wall 120, the front wall 130, or the rear wall 140.

There may be an FPCB 320 between any one of the plurality of battery cells 200 and the sidewall 120. In this case, the FPCB may be referred to as a sub FPCB 320. The sub FPCB 320 may have a surface facing the sidewall 120. The other surface of the sub FPCB 320 may face the side of the battery cell 200. The sub FPCBs 320 may include a plurality of sub FPCBs 320.

The temperature sensor 500 may be disposed on one surface of the sub FPCB 320. The sub FPCB 320 may include a plurality of sub FPCBs 320, and the temperature sensor 500 may be disposed at each sub FPCB. For example, the sub FPCB 320 may include two sub FPCBs 320, and the temperature sensor 500 may be disposed at each of the two sub FPCBs 320.

According to the above-described configuration of the present disclosure, since the temperature sensor 500 is disposed at the sub-FPCB 320, the temperature sensor 500 may be in close contact with the side 201 of the battery cell 200. The side 201 of the battery cell 200 has a curved surface, and the temperature sensor 500 is disposed at the sub-FPCB 320, so that the temperature sensor 500 can be easily brought into close contact with the curved surface.

Referring to fig. 1 to 6, a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a heat sink 600. The heat sink 600 may be in the shape of a rectangular plate. The heat sink 600 may be in contact with the lower surface of the substrate 110 or fixed, fastened or coupled to the upper surface of the substrate 110. Alternatively, the heat sink 600 may serve as the substrate 110. The heat sink 600 may have an inlet port 610 and an outlet port 620. The cooling medium (cm) may enter the inlet port 610, pass through a flow path inside the heat sink 600 and exit the outlet port 620. In this case, in order to stably control the battery module, it is necessary to measure the highest temperature among the plurality of battery cells 200. The plurality of temperature sensors 500 may be disposed at expected positions where the highest temperatures will occur among the plurality of battery cells 200. Since the temperature of the cooling medium (cm) passing through the heat sink 600 continuously varies while the cooling medium (cm) moves along the flow path, a temperature difference may occur between the plurality of battery cells 200.

Referring to fig. 1 to 6, the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a main FPCB 310 extending along the sidewall 120, and the sub FPCBs 320 may extend from the main FPCB 320 and be bent. The main FPCB 310 and the sub FPCB 320 may be collectively referred to as the FPCB 300. The main FPCB 310 and the sub FPCB 320 may be integrally formed with each other. The FPCB 300 may further include a connection portion 330 physically and electrically connecting the main FPCB 310 to the sub FPCB 320.

According to the above-described configuration of the present disclosure, since the temperature sensor 500 is disposed at the sub-FPCBs 320, the FPCBs 320 may be easily bent and assembled or fastened to the battery module. Therefore, the assemblability and productivity of the battery module can be improved.

Referring to fig. 1 to 6, the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a gasket 400 having compression characteristics between the sub-FPCB 320 and the sidewall 120. The gasket 400 may be made of a material that has the ability to be compressed under an applied pressure and to return to its original shape after being compressed. The pad 400 may be fixed and compressed between the sub FPCB 320 and the sidewall 120. The pad 400 may guide the sub FPCB 320 to form a curved surface. The gasket 400 may bend the sub-FPCBs 320 to bring the sub-FPCBs 320 into close contact with the curved surface of the side 201 of the battery cell 200.

According to the above-described configuration of the present disclosure, the temperature sensor 500 may be brought into surface contact or close contact with the curved surface of the side 201 of the unit. Therefore, the accuracy of the temperature sensor 500 and the accuracy in the control of the battery module can be improved.

Referring to fig. 1 to 6, a gasket 400 of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be attached to one surface of the sub-FPCB 320. The temperature sensor 500 may be disposed on one surface of the sub FPCB 320, and the pad 400 may be attached thereto. In this case, the gasket 400 may be configured to maintain about 50% compressibility to prevent damage to the temperature sensor 500. In addition, the pressure applied by the gasket 400 to the temperature sensor 500 may be lower than the limit pressure at which the temperature sensor 500 operates normally.

According to the above-described configuration of the present disclosure, the temperature sensor 500 can be brought into close contact with the curved surface of the side 201 of the unit without being damaged by the pressure of the gasket 400.

Referring to fig. 1 to 6, a gasket 400 of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be made of polyurethane.

Referring to fig. 1 to 6, a gasket 400 of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a receiving part 410, and a temperature sensor 500 is received in the receiving part 410.

According to the above-described configuration of the present disclosure, since the temperature sensor 500 is received in the receiving portion 410, the temperature sensor 500 may not be subjected to pressure from the gasket 400 when the gasket 400 is compressed. Therefore, the function of the temperature sensor 500 can be stably maintained.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the FPCB 300 of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 7, a gasket 400 of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a portion having a cross section that decreases as it goes toward the-Z axis direction or downward direction. Alternatively, the pad may include a downwardly sloped portion.

According to the above configuration of the present disclosure, the FPCB 300 may be easily assembled or coupled. The FPCB 300 may be assembled or fixed by inserting or interposing it between the side wall 120 and the battery cell 200. Accordingly, since the portion of the gasket 400 where insertion begins has a small cross section, the FPCB 300 may be easily inserted or interposed between the side wall 120 and the battery cell 200.

Referring to fig. 1 to 6, a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of bus bars 700. Each of the plurality of bus bars 700 may be electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 200. Further, the main FPCB 310 may have a plurality of terminals 340 arranged in a length direction. The plurality of terminals 340 may be electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars 700, respectively.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion D in fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line B-B' of fig. 2. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion E in fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line A-A' of fig. 1. Referring to fig. 8 to 11, the plurality of battery cells 200 of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may have a cylindrical shape extending in a vertical direction, and the portion of the sidewall 120 facing the sub-FPCB 320 may have a curved surface along the side 201 of the battery cell 200 facing the sub-FPCB 320.

The sidewall 120 may have a curved surface 121, the curved surface 121 having a curvature similar to or substantially equal to the side 201 of the cylindrical battery cell 200.

According to the above-described configuration of the present disclosure, the side walls 120 may bend or guide the sub-FPCBs 320 such that the sub-FPCBs 320 are brought into surface contact or close contact with the side 201 of the cylindrical battery cell 200.

Referring to fig. 8 to 11, the side wall 120 of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a groove in which at least a portion of the gasket 400 is received. The grooves may be formed in the vertical direction or the Z-axis direction. At least a portion of the gasket 400 may be compressed and received in the groove.

According to the above-described configuration of the present disclosure, when the gasket 400 is received in the groove, the pressure applied to the temperature sensor 500 by the gasket 400 can be relieved. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the temperature sensor 500 and improve safety in control of the battery module.

A battery pack according to the present disclosure may include a battery module according to the present disclosure. Further, in addition to the battery module according to the present disclosure, the battery pack according to the present disclosure may include various other components, for example, components of the battery pack known at the time of filing the present disclosure, such as a Battery Management System (BMS) or a bus bar, a battery pack case 100, a relay, a current sensor, and the like.

A vehicle according to the present disclosure may include a battery module according to the present disclosure. The battery module according to the present disclosure may be used in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle. Further, the vehicle according to the present disclosure may include any other components included in the vehicle, such as a vehicle body, a motor, a control device such as an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and the like, in addition to the battery module.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising:

a housing, the housing comprising a base plate and a side wall protruding upward from the base plate, and the housing providing an internal space;

a plurality of battery cells, the battery cells being received in the housing and arranged along the side wall;

a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) disposed between any one of the plurality of battery cells and the side wall and having a surface facing the side wall; and

A temperature sensor is disposed on the surface of the FPCB.

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

A gasket has compression characteristics and is located between the FPCB and the side wall.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells have a cylindrical shape extending in a vertical direction, and

Wherein, a portion of the side wall facing the FPCB has a curved surface along a side surface of the battery unit facing the FPCB.

The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the gasket is attached to the surface of the FPCB.

The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the gasket is made of polyurethane.

6 . The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the side wall comprises a groove in which at least a portion of the gasket is received.

7 . The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the gasket includes a receiving portion in which the temperature sensor is received.

8 . The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the gasket includes a portion whose cross section gradually decreases as it goes downward.

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

a main FPCB, the main FPCB extending along the side wall,

Wherein, the FPCB extends from the main FPCB and is bent.

10 . A battery pack comprising the battery module according to claim 1 .

11 . A vehicle comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9.