KR102205309B1 - Battery Pack Comprising Terminal Block - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention consists of a structure in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and arranged, and two or more battery modules electrically connected to each other by a positive electrode wire and a negative electrode wire; And a base plate mounted on an upper surface in a state in which the battery modules are arranged, wherein at least one battery module among the battery modules includes a stacking arrangement direction of battery cells with respect to the remaining battery modules. The battery modules are arranged differently on the base plate, and the battery modules having different battery cell stacking arrangement directions, and the wires to which the battery modules adjacent thereto are connected, each end of the wires are coupled to electrically connect the battery modules. It provides a battery pack, characterized in that the terminal block (terminal block) is located.

Description

Battery Pack Comprising Terminal Block {Battery Pack Comprising Terminal Block}

The present invention relates to a battery pack including a terminal block.

In recent years, as technology development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for rechargeable secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing, and accordingly, many studies on secondary batteries that can meet various demands have been conducted. In addition, the secondary battery is an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that is proposed as a solution to the air pollution of conventional gasoline vehicles and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels. It is also attracting attention as a power source such as (Plug-In HEV).

Accordingly, electric vehicles (EV) that can be operated with only batteries, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that use batteries and existing engines together have been developed, and some are commercially available. Secondary batteries as power sources such as EVs and HEVs are mainly nickel hydride metal (Ni-MH) secondary batteries, but in recent years, studies using lithium secondary batteries with high energy density, high discharge voltage and output stability have been actively conducted. And are in the stage of commercialization.

When such a secondary battery is used in a device or device that requires a large capacity, such as a power source or a power storage device of an automobile, the secondary battery is used in the form of medium- to large-sized battery modules or battery packs having a structure in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged. do.

More specifically, the battery module has a structure in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and arranged, and the battery pack is configured by being electrically connected while the battery modules are arranged in a certain structure.

In this case, each of the battery modules has a structure electrically connected to each other using a positive wire and a negative wire.

However, such a mid- to large-sized battery pack is inevitably exposed to continuous vibration or shock due to various operating environments of devices such as a vehicle to which the battery pack is applied, and accordingly, the battery module constituting the battery pack The applied vibration or shock is transmitted to the adjacent battery module through the wire connection structure, so that it may affect other battery modules, thereby reducing the structural stability of the battery module constituting the battery pack, or further There is a problem that may reduce safety, such as causing abnormalities in the operation of the battery pack.

Moreover, such a battery pack has a high degree of integration of battery cells and battery modules so that it can be configured in a more compact structure, and the wire connection structure is very complex, so it is not easy to configure the battery pack. Accordingly, the battery The cost and time required to manufacture the pack may increase.

In addition, when an abnormality occurs in the battery module, battery cells, or the wire connection structure constituting the battery pack, there is a problem in that replacement or repair thereof is not easy due to such a complicated wire connection structure.

In particular, this problem may become more serious when at least one battery module constituting the battery pack is arranged so that the stacking arrangement directions of the battery cells are different.

Therefore, there is a high need for a technology that can fundamentally solve this problem.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art and technical problems that have been requested from the past.

After repeated in-depth research and various experiments, the inventors of the present application, as described later, in order to electrically connect battery modules with different stacking arrangement directions of battery cells and adjacent battery modules, each end of the wires By configuring to include a terminal block, since the wires connecting the battery modules are formed in a discontinuous connection structure, it is possible to more easily form an electrical connection to the battery modules having different stacking arrangement directions of the battery cells. , Vibration or shock applied to one battery module is transmitted to a battery module adjacent thereto, thereby minimizing the problem of deteriorating the overall safety of the battery pack, and despite the compact structure of the battery pack, the battery pack Since the replacement or repair process of the battery modules constituting the can be performed more easily, time and cost required for the process can be saved, and the ends of the wires can be maintained fixed to the terminal block. , It was confirmed that interference to the remaining components in the battery pack can be minimized, and the usability of the internal space of the battery pack can be increased, and the present invention has been completed.

The battery pack according to the present invention for achieving this purpose,

Two or more battery modules composed of a structure in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and arranged, and electrically connected to each other by a positive electrode wire and a negative electrode wire; And

A base plate mounted on an upper surface with the battery modules arranged;

Contains,

At least one battery module among the battery modules is arranged on the base plate so that the stacking arrangement direction of the battery cells is different from the remaining battery modules,

A structure in which a terminal block to which ends of the wires are coupled to each other to electrically connect the battery modules is positioned between the battery modules having different battery cell stacking arrangement directions and the wires to which the adjacent battery modules are connected. I can.

More specifically, when the battery modules are all arranged in the same direction in which the battery cells are stacked, the wires electrically connecting the battery modules connect the electrode terminals of the battery modules located in the same direction, so a simpler connection Through the structure, it is possible to electrically connect the battery modules.

However, among the battery modules, the battery modules that are arranged so that the stacking arrangement direction of the battery cells are different from each other inevitably make the adjacent battery module and the electrode terminal portion different, thus complicating the connection structure of these wires, This may reduce the space utilization inside the battery pack, or may act as a factor that may reduce safety due to interference with other components of the battery pack.

Accordingly, the battery pack according to the present invention is configured to include terminal blocks to which ends of wires are respectively coupled to electrically connect battery modules having different stacking arrangement directions of battery cells and battery modules adjacent thereto, Since the wires connecting the battery modules are formed in a discontinuous connection structure, it is possible to more easily form an electrical connection to the battery modules in which the stacking arrangement direction of the battery cells is different, and vibration or shock applied to one battery module , By being transferred to a battery module adjacent thereto, the problem of lowering the overall safety of the battery pack can be minimized, and despite the compact structure of the battery pack, replacement or repair process of the battery modules constituting the battery pack Since it can be performed more easily, it is possible to save the time and cost required for the process, and at the same time, the ends of the wires can be kept fixed to the terminal block, thereby preventing interference with the remaining components in the battery pack. It can minimize and increase the utilization of the space inside the battery pack.

In one specific example, the battery modules each include a pair of end plates of a structure surrounding the outer surface of the battery cells arranged at the outermost;

The terminal block may have a structure fixed to an end plate of the battery module or a battery module adjacent to the battery module having a different battery cell stacking arrangement direction.

That is, the terminal block is fixed to an end plate capable of exerting a predetermined strength to protect the battery module, thereby maintaining a more stable fixed state, and being located at the outermost side of the battery module, the wire When electrically connected to an adjacent battery module through, the connection structure may be more easily formed.

In this case, the terminal block may have a structure that is coupled and fixed to the end plate of the battery module in a detachable structure.

Accordingly, when the terminal block is repaired or inspected, it may be more easily replaced or the repair or inspection may be performed more easily in a state separated from the end plate.

Meanwhile, the terminal block,

An insulating base part for fixing the terminal block to the end plate of the battery module while supporting the positive wires and the negative wires; And

A conductive connecting part formed on the base part and electrically connecting the battery modules by coupling ends of the positive wires and the negative wires;

It may be a structure including.

In other words, the terminal block may stably fix and support the wires by forming a conductive connection part to which ends of the wires are coupled to the insulating base part while the insulating base part is fixed to the end plate of the battery module. have.

In this case, the insulating base portion may have a structure including a mounting groove in which the conductive connection portion is mounted.

Therefore, since the conductive connection part can maintain a state that does not protrude onto the insulating base part, the battery pack can be formed in a more compact structure, or the utility of the internal space of the battery pack can be increased, and the battery pack can be configured. Interference with other components can be eliminated or minimized, and at the same time, since the conductive connection portion is surrounded by a mounting groove formed in the insulating base portion, a more stable fixed state can be maintained with respect to the insulating base portion. have.

In addition, the insulating base portion is made of an insulating polymer resin;

The conductive connection portion may have a structure made of a conductive metal.

Therefore, each of the wires is electrically connected by the conductive connection unit, and at the same time, it is possible to maintain an electrical insulation state with respect to the end plate of the battery module to which the insulating base is fixed, thereby preventing internal short circuits and the resulting safety deterioration. have.

In one specific example, the insulating base portion includes a first base portion having an anode conductive connection portion to which ends of the anode wires are respectively coupled, and a second base portion having a cathode conductive connection portion to which ends of the cathode wires are respectively coupled. It may be a structure made of parts.

In other words, the insulating base portion is separated into a first base portion and a second base portion in which an anode conductive connection portion and a cathode conductive connection portion are respectively formed, thereby preventing an internal short circuit due to contact with each other, or In the case of replacement or repair of the terminal block connecting the terminals, since it is not necessary to separate both ends of the anode wires and the ends of the cathode wires, replacement or repair of the terminal block may be performed more easily.

However, the structure of the terminal block is not limited thereto, and the conductive connection portion includes an anode connection portion to which ends of anode wires are respectively coupled, and a cathode connection portion to which ends of cathode wires are respectively coupled;

It goes without saying that the insulating base portion may have a structure consisting of a single member in which the positive connection portion and the negative connection portion are spaced apart from each other.

Meanwhile, the wires include a core portion made of a metal material having a plate-shaped structure having a length relatively longer than the width and an insulating covering portion surrounding the outer surface of the core portion;

Ends of the wires may have a structure in which the core portion faces and is coupled to the conductive connection portion while the core portion is exposed.

Accordingly, the wires can maintain an insulated state from other constituent elements constituting the battery pack, and at the same time, ends of the wires in the exposed state of the core portion are coupled to the core portion facing the conductive connection portion. Each battery module may be electrically connected through a conductive connection part.

In addition, since the core part has a plate-shaped structure, it is possible to increase the contact area with respect to the coupling part with the conductive connection part, thereby preventing an increase in resistance at the coupling part, resulting in a decrease in output characteristics and an increase in temperature. You can effectively prevent such problems.

In this case, the ends of the wires may have a structure in which the exposed core portion faces and is coupled to the conductive connection portion while being spaced apart from each other.

More specifically, an end of a positive wire connected to one battery module and an end of a positive wire connected to a battery module adjacent thereto may be electrically connected by facing the conductive connection part of the terminal block to be electrically connected, but the ends of the positive wires are It is not in direct contact and may have a structure that is spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

Therefore, when heat is generated at the coupling part of the ends of the wires and the conductive connection part, even if the length or shape of the core part of the metallic material is deformed due to the heat, the spaced apart space will cancel the deformation of the length or shape of the core part. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively prevent a problem in that the ends of the wires are separated from the conductive connection part of the terminal block or the contact area of the core part to the conductive connection part is reduced by the stress applied to each of the core parts.

Here, the distance between the ends of the wires may be 1% to 10% with respect to the length of the core portion of one end of the wire that faces the conductive connection and is coupled.

If the distance between the ends of the wires is too short outside the above range, the spaced distance is not sufficient, so that deformation of the length or shape of the core portion due to heat cannot be canceled. Conversely, the wire If the distance between the ends of the terminals is too large outside the above range, the contact area in which the core portion faces the conductive connection of the terminal block and is coupled to decrease to cause performance degradation, or the size of the terminal block is too large to cause a battery pack. It can reduce the space utilization inside.

In one specific example, end portions of the wires and portions of a terminal block corresponding thereto may have a structure in which fastening holes having a through structure communicating with each other are formed so that fasteners coupled with a screw structure are inserted.

That is, the ends of the wires are coupled by inserting fasteners that are screwed into fastening holes of a through structure communicating with the terminal block, thereby maintaining a more stable bonding state, and the ends of the wires to the terminal block Since it is easy to assemble and disassemble, replacement or repair of these components can be performed more easily.

In addition, the wires may have a structure positioned in close contact with the outer surface of the battery module.

Therefore, in the battery pack, the wires connecting each battery module can be more easily arranged to improve the usability of the internal space, and the connection state of the wires to each battery module can be easily grasped or confirmed. , It is possible to effectively save time required for replacement or repair of these.

Meanwhile, the battery modules having different battery cell stacking arrangement directions may have a structure arranged at the outermost side of the base plate.

In general, a mid- to large-sized battery pack is mounted in a limited space of a device such as a vehicle, and accordingly, battery modules constituting the mid- to large-sized battery pack may be arranged in various forms corresponding to the mounting space of the device.

In particular, when such a change in the arrangement structure is inevitable, the battery modules further simplify the arrangement structure in the battery pack, and thus increase the space utilization. It can be arranged to be different.

Accordingly, the battery pack according to the present invention can exhibit a more excellent effect when the battery modules having different battery cell stacking arrangement directions are arranged on the base plate and on the outermost side.

In addition, the battery modules having different battery cell stacking arrangement directions have a structure in which battery cells are stacked and arranged parallel to the base plate;

The remaining battery modules may have a structure in which battery cells are stacked and arranged in a vertical state on a base plate.

Therefore, except for the battery modules in which the battery cell stacking arrangement direction is different, the remaining battery modules may have electrode terminal portions located on the same virtual surface. Accordingly, wires for electrically connecting the battery modules are more The battery module may be configured in a simple structure, and the battery cell stacking arrangement direction is different, while the wires are in close contact with the outer surface of the battery module and the base plate, and may be electrically connected to a battery module adjacent thereto.

Since the remaining configurations of the battery pack excluding the above configurations and structures are known in the art, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted herein.

As described above, the battery pack according to the present invention includes a terminal block to which ends of wires are respectively coupled to electrically connect battery modules having different stacking arrangement directions of battery cells and battery modules adjacent thereto. By configuring so that, since the wires connecting the battery modules are formed in a discontinuous connection structure, it is possible to more easily form an electrical connection to the battery modules having different stacking arrangement directions of the battery cells, and applied to one battery module. As vibration or shock is transmitted to the battery module adjacent thereto, the problem of lowering the overall safety of the battery pack can be minimized, and despite the compact structure of the battery pack, replacement of the battery modules constituting the battery pack, Alternatively, the repair process can be performed more easily, so that time and cost for the process can be saved, and at the same time, the ends of the wires can be kept fixed to the terminal block, so the remaining components in the battery pack There is an effect of minimizing interference to and increasing the usability of the space inside the battery pack.

1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the structure of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a connection structure of wires to the terminal block of FIG. 1;
3 and 4 are schematic diagrams schematically showing a terminal block structure of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings according to an embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the structure of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the battery pack 100 has a structure in which battery modules 111 and 112 are arranged on the upper surface of the base plate 120.

Each of the battery modules 111 and 112 has a structure in which a plurality of battery cells 101 and 102 are stacked and arranged, and an end plate 103 is positioned at the outermost side.

The first battery module 111 located on the outermost side of the battery pack 100 is located in a state in which the battery cells 101 are parallel to the base plate 120, and is stacked and arranged from the top surface of the base plate 120 to the top. Has been.

The second battery module 112 located adjacent to the first battery module 111 is located in a state in which the battery cell 102 is perpendicular to the base plate 120, and the battery cell 101 of the first battery module 111 ) Are arranged in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction.

The terminal block 140 is fixed to the end plate 103 of the second battery module 112 adjacent to the first battery module 111.

The terminal block 140 includes a positive wire 151 and a negative wire 152 connected to the first battery module 111, and a positive wire 153 and a negative wire 154 connected to the second battery module 112, respectively. As a result, it is electrically connected.

The wires 151, 152, 153, and 154 are located in close contact with the outer surfaces of the first battery module 111 and the second battery module 112, respectively.

At the end of the base plate 120 on which the first battery module 111 is located, an outer circumferential wall 121 protrudes perpendicular to the base plate 120.

At the corners of the base plate 120 and the outer wall 121, a plurality of pack fixing fasteners 122 into which pack fixing fasteners for fixing the battery pack 100 to the device are inserted and coupled to a predetermined distance It has been constantly perforated.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a connection structure of wires to the terminal block of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the terminal block 140 includes an insulating base portion 141 and conductive connection portions 142a and 142b.

The insulating base 141 is made of an insulating polymer resin, and is composed of a single member that fixes the terminal block 140 to the end plate of the battery module to support the coupling structure of the wires 151, 152, 153, 154. have.

The conductive connection portions 142a and 142b are composed of an anode connecting portion 142a to which ends of the anode wires 151 and 153 are coupled and a cathode connecting portion 142b to which ends of the cathode wires 152 and 154 are coupled.

The positive connection part 142a and the negative connection part 142b are located on the insulating base part 141 in a state spaced apart from each other with a predetermined distance D1.

The wires 151, 152, 153, 154 include a core portion 150a made of a metal material having a plate-shaped structure having a relatively long length compared to the width, and an insulating covering portion 150b surrounding the outer surface of the core portion 150a. And, the ends of the wires 151, 152, 153, and 154 have a structure in which the core portion 150a is exposed to the outside.

The exposed core portion 150a is coupled to face the conductive connection portion 142a, and the core portion 150a and the portion of the terminal block 140 corresponding thereto are in communication with each other so that fasteners coupled with a screw structure are inserted. The fastening hole 150c of the through structure is formed.

The ends of the anode wires 151 and 153 and the cathode wires 152 and 154 are on the conductive connection portions 142a and 142b at a predetermined distance D2 so as to offset the deformation of the length and shape due to heat. Each end is spaced apart.

3 and 4 are schematic diagrams schematically showing a terminal block structure of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIG. 3, mounting grooves 341a in which conductive connection portions 342a and 342b consisting of an anode connection portion 342a and a cathode connection portion 342b are respectively mounted on the upper surface of the insulating base portion 341 of the terminal block 340. , 341b) is formed in a recessed structure.

The depths of the mounting grooves 341a and 341b have the same structure as the thickness of the positive connection part 342a and the negative connection part 342b, respectively.

Therefore, when the positive connection part 342a and the negative connection part 342b are respectively mounted in the mounting grooves 341a and 341b, they do not protrude to the upper surface of the insulating base part 341, and accordingly, the size of the terminal block 340 is increased. By minimizing it, it is possible to increase the utilization of the space inside the battery pack.

Fastening holes 341c having a through structure communicating with each other so that fasteners coupled with a screw structure are inserted in portions corresponding to each other of the positive connection part 342a and the negative connection part 342b, and the insulating base part 341, 341d, 342c, 342d) are formed respectively.

Structures other than the above structure are the same as those of the terminal block of FIG. 2, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, the insulating base portions 441 and 441 ′ of the terminal block 440 include a first base portion 441 and a second base portion.

Mounting grooves 441a and 441b are formed on the top surfaces of the first base part 441 and the second base part 441 ′, respectively, and the ends of the anode wires are coupled to each other in the mounting grooves 441a and 441b. The connection part 442a and the negative electrode conductive connection part 442b to which the ends of the negative wires are respectively coupled are mounted.

Therefore, if one of the positive wires or the negative wires needs to be replaced or repaired, each can be separated individually, so that inspection and repair of the battery pack can be performed more easily without interference with the remaining wires. have.

Structures other than the above structure are the same as those of the terminal block of FIG. 3, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Although it has been described with reference to the drawings according to an embodiment of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the field to which the present invention belongs will be able to perform various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above contents.

Claims (15)

Two or more battery modules composed of a structure in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and arranged, and electrically connected to each other by a positive electrode wire and a negative electrode wire; And
Includes; a base plate mounted on an upper surface in a state in which the battery modules are arranged,
Among the battery modules, a first battery module is disposed in a state parallel to the base plate,
Among the battery modules, a second battery module is disposed in a state perpendicular to the base plate,
The first battery module and the second battery module each include a pair of end plates having a structure surrounding the outer surface of the battery cells arranged at the outermost,
A battery pack, characterized in that a terminal block to which ends of wires are coupled to each other to electrically connect the first battery module and the second battery module to each other is fixed to one of the end plates. delete The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the terminal block is coupled and fixed to the end plate of the battery module in a detachable structure. The method of claim 1, wherein the terminal block,
An insulating base part for fixing the terminal block to the end plate of the battery module while supporting the positive wires and the negative wires; And
A conductive connecting part formed on the base part and electrically connecting the battery modules by coupling ends of the positive wires and the negative wires;
A battery pack comprising a. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the insulating base portion includes a mounting groove in which the conductive connection portion is mounted. The method of claim 4,
The insulating base portion is made of an insulating polymer resin;
The battery pack, characterized in that the conductive connection part is made of a conductive metal. The method of claim 4, wherein the insulating base portion comprises: a first base portion having an anode conductive connection portion to which an end portion of the anode wires are coupled, and a second base portion having a cathode conductive connection portion to which an end portion of the cathode wires are respectively coupled. A battery pack, characterized in that consisting of a part. The method of claim 4,
The conductive connection portion includes an anode connection portion to which ends of anode wires are respectively coupled, and a cathode connection portion to which ends of cathode wires are respectively coupled;
The insulating base portion is a battery pack, characterized in that consisting of a single member in which the positive connection part and the negative connection part are spaced apart from each other. The method of claim 4,
The wires include a core portion made of a metal material having a plate-shaped structure having a relatively long length compared to the width and an insulating covering portion surrounding the outer surface of the core portion;
The battery pack, wherein the ends of the wires are coupled to the core portion facing the conductive connection portion while the core portion is exposed. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the ends of the wires are separated from each other, and the exposed core portion faces the conductive connection portion and is coupled. The battery pack as claimed in claim 10, wherein the distance between the ends of the wires is 1% to 10% of the length of the core portion of the end of the wire facing the conductive connection. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein each of the end portions of the wires and portions of the terminal block corresponding thereto are formed with fastening holes having a through structure communicating with each other so that fasteners coupled with a screw structure are inserted. . The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the wires are located in close contact with the outer surface of the battery module. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the battery modules having different battery cell stacking arrangement directions are arranged on the outermost side of the base plate. The method of claim 1,
The battery modules having different battery cell stacking arrangement directions have a structure in which battery cells are stacked and arranged parallel to the base plate;
The remaining battery modules are battery packs, characterized in that the battery cells are stacked and arranged vertically on the base plate.

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