KR20240098832A - Electrolyte supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrolyte supply device, and specifically, to supply electrolyte that can inject electrolyte into a battery cell from the outside, recover the electrolyte supplied to the battery cell, and improve the lifespan of the battery cell by additionally supplying electrolyte from the outside. It's about devices.
The electrolyte supply device for supplying electrolyte to a battery cell according to the present invention includes a pump for supplying electrolyte to the battery cell, an electrolyte storage unit for supplying electrolyte to the pump, a first tube connecting the electrolyte storage unit and the pump, and the pump and battery cell. It includes a second tube connecting the pump, and the pump may include a suction part that sucks the electrolyte from the first tube and a discharge part that discharges the electrolyte to the second tube.

Description

Electrolyte supply device {ELECTROLYTE SUPPLY APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to an electrolyte supply device, and specifically, to supply electrolyte that can inject electrolyte into a battery cell from the outside, recover the electrolyte supplied to the battery cell, and improve the lifespan of the battery cell by additionally supplying electrolyte from the outside. It's about devices.

In general, a battery is a device that stores electrical energy internally and supplies electricity to mechanical devices in aircraft, automobiles, and ships without a separate means of power generation, and is designed to store and discharge electricity through internal chemical reactions.

In general, lithium secondary batteries use metal oxides such as LiCoO2 as the positive electrode active material and carbon materials as the negative electrode active material, and a polyolefin-based porous separator is interposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, and is impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte solution containing a lithium salt such as LiPF6. It is manufactured by

During charging, lithium ions from the positive electrode active material are released and inserted into the carbon layer of the negative electrode, and during discharging, lithium ions from the carbon layer are released and inserted into the positive electrode active material. The non-aqueous electrolyte solution moves lithium ions between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. It acts as a whip.

However, the electrolyte is continuously consumed by side reactions at the cathode and oxidation at the anode during operation of the secondary battery. Accordingly, if the content of the electrolyte is too low, not only the desired electrochemical performance cannot be achieved, but also the secondary battery There are problems such as rapid decrease in battery life, rapid decrease in capacity due to lack of electrolyte, and increase in thickness.

In order to solve the above conventional problems, the present invention provides an electrolyte solution that can inject an electrolyte from the outside into a battery cell, recover the electrolyte supplied to the battery cell, and improve the lifespan of the battery cell by additionally supplying an electrolyte from the outside. The purpose is to provide a device.

An electrolyte supply device for supplying electrolyte to a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a pump for supplying electrolyte to the battery cell, an electrolyte storage unit for supplying electrolyte to the pump, and a device connecting the electrolyte storage unit and the pump. 1 tube and a second tube connecting the pump and the battery cell, and the pump may include a suction part that sucks the electrolyte from the first tube and a discharge part that discharges the electrolyte to the second tube. .

It may further include a recovery container for recovering the electrolyte discharged from the battery cell.

It may further include a third tube connecting the battery cell and the recovery container.

The battery cell includes a first cell connected to the pump and a second cell connected to the first cell and the recovery container, the first cell is connected to the pump through the second tube, and the first cell is connected to the pump through the second tube. 2 Cell may be connected to the recovery container through the third tube.

The second tube may include a first valve coupled to prevent the electrolyte from flowing back.

The third tube may include a second valve coupled to prevent the electrolyte from flowing back.

It may further include a second' tube connecting the first cell and the second cell.

The electrolyte storage unit may include a supply unit that receives the electrolyte solution from the outside.

The recovery container may include a filter that filters the recovered electrolyte.

A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electrolyte supply device.

A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electrolyte supply device.

Through embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to inject electrolyte into a battery cell from the outside and recover the electrolyte supplied to the battery cell, and to improve the lifespan of the battery cell by additionally supplying electrolyte from the outside.

1 is a top plan view showing the electrolyte supply device according to Example 1 of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view showing the top of the pump of the electrolyte supply device according to Example 1 of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a plan view showing the top of the electrolyte supply device further including a second cell in Example 1 of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a plan view showing the electrolyte supply device of Example 2 further including the first and second valves in Example 1 shown in Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a plan view showing the electrolyte supply device of Example 2, which further includes a second cell, first and second valves in Example 1 shown in Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a top plan view showing the electrolyte supply device according to Example 3 of the present invention.

Hereinafter, based on the attached drawings, the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily practice it. However, the present invention may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts that are not relevant to the description are omitted, and identical or similar components are given the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

In addition, terms or words used in this specification and patent claims should not be construed as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, and the inventor must appropriately define the concept of the term in order to explain the invention in the best way. It must be interpreted with meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that it can be done.

Example 1

Hereinafter, the electrolyte supply device according to Example 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Figure 1 is a plan view showing the plan of the electrolyte supply device according to Example 1 of the present invention, Figure 2 is a plan view showing the plan of the pump of the electrolyte supply device according to Example 1 of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a plan view showing the top of the electrolyte supply device further including a second cell in Example 1 of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the electrolyte supply device 1 may include a pump 11, an electrolyte storage unit 12, a first tube 14, and a second tube 15. The electrolyte supply device 1 can supply electrolyte to the battery cell 2. The electrolyte supply device 1 may further include a third tube 17. The electrolyte supply device 1 can improve the lifespan of the battery cell 2 by supplying the electrolyte delivered from the outside to the battery cell 2. The electrolyte supply device 1 may further include a recovery container 13.

The pump 11 can supply electrolyte to the battery cell 2. The pump 11 may include a suction part 111 and a discharge part 112. The pump 11 receives electrolyte from the electrolyte storage unit 12 and supplies the electrolyte to the battery cell 2. At this time, the pump 11 can supply the electrolyte at a constant rate. The pump 11 can suck the electrolyte from the suction part 111 and discharge the electrolyte to the discharge part 112.

The electrolyte storage unit 12 may supply electrolyte to the pump 11. The electrolyte storage unit 12 may include a supply unit 121. The electrolyte storage unit 12 can receive electrolyte from the outside through the supply unit 121. A gasket or the like may be coupled between the electrolyte storage unit 12 and the supply unit 121 to prevent electrolyte leakage. The lifespan of the battery cell 2 can be improved by injecting the necessary electrolyte into the electrolyte storage unit 12. The shape of the electrolyte storage unit 12 may be circular or polygonal. The size of the electrolyte storage unit 12 may be formed differently depending on the number and size of the connected battery cells 2.

The first tube 14 may connect the electrolyte storage unit 12 and the pump 11. One end of the first tube 14 may be connected to the suction part 111 of the pump 11. The other end of the first tube 14 may be connected to the electrolyte storage unit 12.

The second tube 15 may connect the pump 11 and the battery cell 2. One end of the second tube 15 may be connected to the discharge portion 112 of the pump 11. The other end of the second tube 15 is connected to the battery cell 2 so that electrolyte can be injected into the battery cell 2.

The third tube 17 may connect the battery cell 2 and the recovery container 13. One end of the third tube 17 may be connected to the battery cell 2. The other end of the third tube 17 may be connected to the recovery container 13.

The first tube 14, the second tube 15, and the third tube 17 may be made of a material that can withstand the pressure of the pump. The first tube 14, the second tube 15, and the third tube 17 may be formed in a circular shape, but are not limited thereto, and may be formed in a polygonal shape depending on the type and internal shape of the battery cell 2. .

The suction unit 111 can suction the electrolyte solution from the first tube 14. The electrolyte is sucked in through the suction portion 111, and a gasket, etc. to prevent leakage may be attached to the connection portion between the suction portion 111 and the first tube 14.

The discharge unit 112 may discharge the electrolyte solution to the second tube 15. The electrolyte is discharged to the battery cell 2 through the discharge portion 112, and a gasket, etc. to prevent leakage may be attached to the connection portion between the discharge portion 112 and the second tube 15.

The recovery container 13 may include a filter (not shown). The recovery container 13 may include a discharge portion 132. A filter (not shown) may filter the electrolyte recovered from the battery cell 2. The electrolyte solution that has passed through the battery cell 2 from the electrolyte storage unit 12 through the pump 11 can be recovered in the recovery container 13. Since the electrolyte that has passed through the battery cell 2 cannot be put back into the battery cell 2, it can be recovered in the recovery container 13 and discharged to the outside. At this time, in order to recycle and reuse the electrolyte solution recovered in the recovery container 13, a filter (not shown) can be installed in the recovery container 13 to first filter the electrolyte solution. Even if the electrolyte is first filtered, it cannot be immediately re-injected into the battery cell (2), and additional filtering of the electrolyte is required after discharging it to the outside. The recovery container 13 can discharge the recovered electrolyte to the outside through the discharge part 132. A gasket, etc. may be coupled between the recovery container 13 and the discharge unit 132 to prevent leakage.

The battery cell 2 may further include a first cell 21 and a second cell 22. The electrolyte supply device 1 may be applied to a plurality of battery cells 2. Previously, the case where there was a single battery cell 2 was described.

The first cell 21 may be connected to the pump 11. The first cell 21 may be connected to the pump 11 through the second tube 15. An electrolyte solution is injected into the first cell 21 so that lithium ions can move smoothly between the positive and negative electrodes in the first cell 21. At this time, the electrolyte may be consumed due to side reactions.

The second cell 22 may be connected to the first cell 21 and the recovery container 13. The second cell 22 may be connected to the recovery container 13 through a third tube 17.

The electrolyte supply device 1 may further include a second' tube 16 connecting the first cell 21 and the second cell 22. A second' tube 16 may be included to inject the electrolyte remaining after passing through the first cell 21 into the second cell 22. One end of the 2nd' tube 16 may be connected to the first cell 21, and the other end of the 2nd' tube 16 may be connected to the second cell 22. The 'second' tube 16 may be equipped with a gasket or the like at the connection portion of the first cell 21 and the second cell 22 to prevent leakage.

The first tube 14, the second tube 15, the 2' tube 16, and the third tube 17 may be formed integrally with the battery cell 2. In this case, the gasket to prevent electrolyte leakage does not need to be combined.

In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the electrolyte supply device 1 includes a pump 11, an electrolyte storage unit 12, and a recovery container 13, and can continuously supply electrolyte to the battery cell 2, The used electrolyte may be recovered through the recovery container 13 and discharged to the outside as is, or may be discharged to the outside after being filtered through a filter (not shown) of the recovery container 13.

In the battery cell 2, lithium ions can move smoothly between the anode and cathode through the electrolyte. However, when the battery cell 2 is used for a long period of time, the electrolyte is consumed due to a side reaction, and as the electrolyte is depleted, the movement of lithium ions in the battery cell 2 becomes impossible. At this time, problems arise such as a decrease in capacity and an increase in thickness due to a lack of electrolyte. In Example 1 of the present invention, as described above, the above problem can be solved by continuously supplying the electrolyte.

Example 2

Hereinafter, the electrolyte supply device according to Example 2 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Figure 4 is a plan view showing the electrolyte supply device of Example 2 further including the first and second valves in Example 1 shown in Figure 1, and Figure 5 is a plan view showing the electrolyte supply device in Example 1 shown in Figure 3. This is a plan view showing the electrolyte supply device of Example 2, which further includes a second cell, first and second valves.

Embodiment 2 of the present invention may be different from Embodiment 1 in that the electrolyte supply device 1 includes a first valve 151 and a second valve 171. Contents in common with Example 1 will be omitted as much as possible and Example 2 will be described focusing on the differences.

In the electrolyte supply device 1, the second tube 15 may include a first valve 151. The first valve 151 may be coupled to the second tube 15 to prevent the electrolyte from flowing back in the second tube 15. The first valve 151 can prevent the electrolyte from flowing back into the pump 11 through the second tube 15 when the electrolyte no longer needs to be supplied.

The third tube 17 may include a second valve 171. The second valve 171 may be coupled to the third tube 17 to prevent the electrolyte from flowing back in the third tube 17. The second valve 171 can prevent the electrolyte from flowing back into the battery cell 2 through the second valve 171 from the recovery container 13 when it is supplied to and discharged from the recovery container 13.

In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, as in Embodiment 1, the electrolyte supply device 1 includes a pump 11, an electrolyte storage unit 12, and a recovery container 13 to continuously supply electrolyte to the battery cell 2. It can be supplied, and the used electrolyte can be recovered through the recovery container 13 and discharged to the outside as is, or it can be discharged to the outside after being filtered through a filter (not shown) of the recovery container 13.

In Example 2, the inclusion of the first valve 151 and the second valve 171 has the effect of allowing the electrolyte to flow more smoothly in the battery cell 2. When a large amount of electrolyte is injected, the electrolyte may backflow into the pump 11 due to a larger amount of electrolyte than the battery cell 2 requires, or the electrolyte that has already been used and recovered may be injected back into the battery cell 2. As possible problems may arise, Example 2 has the effect of improving these problems.

Example 3

Hereinafter, the electrolyte supply device according to Example 3 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6.

Figure 6 is a plan view showing the top of the electrolyte supply device according to Example 3 of the present invention.

Embodiment 3 of the present invention may differ from Embodiment 1 in that the electrolyte supply device 1 can be applied to a battery module (not shown) and a battery pack (not shown). Contents in common with Example 1 will be omitted as much as possible and Example 3 will be described focusing on the differences.

In Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the electrolyte supply device 1 may be applied to a battery module (not shown) and a battery pack (not shown) including a plurality of battery cells 2.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell 2 includes a first cell 21, a second cell 22, a third cell 23, a fourth cell 24, and a fifth cell 25. there is. It includes a plurality of battery cells 2 and includes a first cell 21 and a second cell 22, a second cell 22 and a third cell 23, a third cell 23 and a fourth cell ( 24), and the fourth cell 24 and the fifth cell 25 may each be connected by a second' tube 16. In FIG. 6, the battery cell 2 is shown as including five battery cells 2, but this is an example, and the battery module (not shown) and the battery pack (not shown) are the battery cells (2) shown in the drawing. ) may include more battery cells 2, and all of the battery cells 2 may be connected by the second' tube 16 to receive electrolyte solution. As the number of connected battery cells 2 increases, a pump 11 with better performance may be required. Additionally, since a large amount of electrolyte must be injected at once, an electrolyte storage unit 12 with a larger capacity may be required.

In Example 3 of the present invention, as in Examples 1 and 2, the electrolyte supply device 1 includes a pump 11, an electrolyte storage unit 12, and a recovery container 13, and the battery cell 2 The electrolyte can be continuously supplied, and the used electrolyte can be recovered through the recovery container 13 and discharged to the outside as is, or discharged to the outside after being filtered through a filter (not shown) of the recovery container 13. , there is an effect of preventing backflow of electrolyte by including the first valve 151 and the second valve 171.

In recent years, rather than using the battery cells 2 individually, the battery cells 2 are stacked to form a battery module (not shown), or a plurality of battery modules (not shown) are stacked to form a battery pack (not shown). There are many cases where it is done. Using Example 3 of the present invention has the effect of improving the lifespan of a battery module (not shown) or a battery pack (not shown).

Although the present invention has been described above with limited examples and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the technical idea of the present invention and the following description will be provided by those skilled in the art in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Various implementations are possible within the scope of equivalency of the patent claims.

1: Electrolyte supply device
11: pump
111: suction part
112: discharge part
12: Electrolyte storage unit
121: Supply Department
13: Recovery container
131: filter
132: Discharge unit
14: first tube
15: second tube
151: first valve
16: 2nd' tube
171: second valve
17: Third tube
2: Battery cell
21: first cell
22: second cell

Claims (11)

In the electrolyte supply device for supplying electrolyte to battery cells,
a pump supplying electrolyte to the battery cell;
An electrolyte storage unit that supplies electrolyte to the pump;
A first tube connecting the electrolyte storage unit and the pump; and
Includes a second tube connecting the pump and the battery cell,
The pump is,
a suction unit that suctions electrolyte from the first tube; and
An electrolyte supply device including a discharge unit that discharges the electrolyte into the second tube. According to paragraph 1,
An electrolyte supply device further comprising a recovery container for recovering the electrolyte discharged from the battery cell. According to paragraph 2,
Electrolyte supply device further comprising a third tube connecting the battery cell and the recovery container. According to paragraph 3,
The battery cell is,
A first cell connected to the pump; and
It includes a second cell connected to the first cell and the recovery container,
The first cell is connected to the pump through the second tube,
The second cell is an electrolyte supply device connected to the recovery container through the third tube. According to paragraph 4,
The second tube is an electrolyte supply device including a first valve coupled to prevent the electrolyte from flowing back. According to clause 5,
The third tube is an electrolyte supply device including a second valve coupled to prevent the electrolyte from flowing back. According to clause 6,
An electrolyte supply device further comprising a second' tube connecting the first cell and the second cell. In clause 7,
The electrolyte storage unit is an electrolyte supply device including a supply unit that receives the electrolyte from the outside. According to clause 8,
The recovery container is an electrolyte supply device including a filter for filtering the recovered electrolyte. A battery module comprising the electrolyte supply device according to claim 1. A battery pack including the electrolyte supply device according to claim 1.

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