Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a medium- or large-sized battery module having a plurality of battery cells (unit cells), wherein the battery module is constructed in a structure in which detection units for detecting physical operation state of the battery cells are mounted to the respective battery cells, the detection units are connected to a control unit of the battery module while the detection units are connected in series with each other, and signals (detected signals) detected from the respective battery cells are transmitted to the control unit while the detected signals are included in signals detected from the entire battery cells. The detection units are mounted to the respective battery cells, and therefore, the accuracy of information on the physical operation state of the battery cells is improved, and the circuit for transmitting the detected signals to the control unit is simple although the number of the detection units is large. Consequently, it is possible to construct a battery module having a simple structure. In addition, the volume change measurement sensors formed in a specific shape are used for a battery module using lithium secondary batteries as unit cells, and therefore, it is possible to accomplish the simple structure of the battery module with reduced costs and to secure the safety of the battery module with high accuracy.
Abstract:
In a cooling system for cooling a battery pack mounted in a vehicle, the battery pack is mounted at an inner lower end of the vehicle constructed in a corrugated structure including alternating valleys and peaks. Battery modules of the battery pack are arranged such that unit cells of each battery module are mounted vertically on the corrugated lower end of the vehicle. The cooling system includes a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port formed at a lower-end member of a housing surrounding an outer surface of the battery pack. The coolant inlet port and the coolant outlet port are formed using a structure of the vehicle.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are a stacking type electrode assembly constructed in a cathode/separator anode structure, wherein the electrode assembly is provided at a predetermined region thereof with at least one through-hole, and a pair of holding members (a male coupling member and a female coupling member) constructed in a male-female coupling type structure is inserted through the through-hole inside a battery case, an outer surface of the female coupling member being brought into tight contact with the through-hole when the male coupling member is inserted into the female coupling member while the female coupling member having an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the through-hole is inserted through the through-hole, and a secondary battery including the same. The electrode assembly according to the present invention has the effect of restraining the cathodes and the anodes from being moved separately from the separators, when an external force is applied to the electrode assembly, thereby preventing the occurrence of internal short circuits, and eventually, improving the safety of a secondary battery including the electrode assembly. Furthermore, the electrode assembly according to the present invention has the effect of restraining the movement of the electrodes due to repetitive contraction and expansion of the electrode assembly during the charge and discharge of the secondary battery.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a battery management system for controlling the operation of a middle- or large-sized battery pack, the battery management system comprising: a battery management system printed circuit board (BMS PCB) comprising a circuit and elements for controlling the operation of the battery pack; a connector attached to one side of the BMS PCB; a housing including a housing body for receiving the BMS PCB while partially exposing the connector and a cover for covering the housing body, the cover is coupled to the housing body while the cover is disposed on the housing body; and a waterproofing member interposed between the housing body and the cover, constituting the housing, such that the waterproofing member is in tight contact with the interface between the housing body and the cover, the waterproofing member being constructed in a structure to be coupled at coupling regions of the housing body and the cover. The battery management system according to the present invention is constructed in a structure in which moisture is prevented from permeation into the housing of the battery management system in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment. Consequently, the present invention has the effect of preventing the damage to and the corrosion of the BMS PCB, and therefore, improving the reliability of the battery pack and increasing the service life of the battery pack.
Abstract:
A middle- or large-sized battery module includes two or more unit modules each having one or more plate-shaped battery cells, as unit cells, surrounded by a high-strength sheathing member made of synthetic resin or metal, and separable upper and lower frame members coupled with each other in an assembly-type coupling structure such that the unit modules are vertically mounted in the upper and lower frame members. A sensing unit capable of minimizing the weight and size of battery cells is easily mounted while effectively reinforcing the low mechanical strength of the battery cells and sensing the operation state of the battery cells to a middle- or large-sized battery module. The battery module is manufactured by a simple assembly process without using a plurality of members for mechanical coupling and electrical connection.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a secondary battery constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly having a cathode/separator/anode arrangement is mounted in a battery case made of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, electrode tabs of the electrode assembly are coupled to corresponding electrode leads, and the electrode assembly is sealed in the battery case while electrode leads are exposed to the outside of the battery case, wherein a protective film is attached to coupling regions between the electrode tabs and the electrode leads for sealing the coupling regions between the electrode tabs and the electrode leads. The secondary battery according to the present invention is constructed in a structure in which the coupling regions are sealed by the protective film, unlike a conventional secondary battery constructed in a structure in which the coupling regions between the electrode tabs and the electrode leads are exposed in the battery case. As a result, the electrode leads are protected from external impacts, such as falling of the battery. Consequently, no internal short circuit occurs, and therefore, the safety of the battery is increased.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are a secondary battery including an electrode assembly for charging and discharging mounted in a sheathing member including a metal layer and a resin layer, wherein the secondary battery further includes a secondary battery having a molding part of a predetermined thickness at least partially formed at the outside of a sheathing member, preferably, at a sealing region of the sheathing member, and a medium- or large-sized battery pack including the same. The molding part is formed at the outside of the sheathing member of the secondary battery. Consequently, the secondary battery according to the present invention has high mechanical strength, and therefore, it is possible to construct a battery pack without using addition members, such as cartridges. When the molding part is formed at the sealing region, which is weak, the molding part increases the mechanical strength and the sealing force of the secondary battery. Consequently, a battery pack including the secondary batteries as unit cells can be manufactured generally in a compact structure and with relatively small weight, and the assembly process of the battery pack is greatly simplified. The battery pack according to the present invention has high structural stability. Consequently, the battery pack can be preferably used as a power source for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, electric motorcycles, and electric bicycles.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery by performing insert injection molding with respect to a portion of a battery cell while the battery cell is located in a mold, wherein the apparatus comprises a pair of upper and lower molds, at which are formed shapes corresponding to the battery cell, the upper and lower molds are provided at the inside surfaces thereof with elastic members, and the elastic members are constructed in a structure in which the elastic members support a cell body of the battery cell and isolate a non-molding region from a molding region while the battery cell is mounted in the upper and lower molds. The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention has the effect of preventing a battery case from being damaged due to the contact between the battery case and the mold when the mold is brought into tight contact with the cell body of the battery cell during insert injection molding to form a molding member at a specific region of the secondary battery, and effectively preventing a material for insert injection molding, which is injected into the molding region, from being injected into the non-molding region.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a battery module constructed in a structure in which unit modules are horizontally stacked while the unit modules are vertically erected, wherein the battery module includes a base plate on which the unit modules are horizontally stacked while the unit modules are vertically erected, a pair of side plates fixed to the base plate at lower ends thereof such that the side plates are brought into tight contact with outer surfaces of the outermost unit modules, and a housing fixed to the base plate in a structure to surround the unit modules, the housing being provided at the inside thereof with supporting parts for supporting upper ends of the side plates, respectively.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are a stacking type electrode assembly constructed in a cathode/separator/anode structure, wherein the electrode assembly is provided at a predetermined region thereof with at least one through-hole, and a pair of holding members (a male coupling member and a female coupling member) constructed in a male-female coupling type structure is inserted through the through-hole inside a battery case, an outer surface of the female coupling member being brought into tight contact with the through-hole when the male coupling member is inserted into the female coupling member while the female coupling member having an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the through-hole is inserted through the through-hole, and a secondary battery including the same. The electrode assembly according to the present invention has the effect of restraining the cathodes and the anodes from being moved separately from the separators, when an external force is applied to the electrode assembly, thereby preventing the occurrence of internal short circuits, and eventually, improving the safety of a secondary battery including the electrode assembly. Furthermore, the electrode assembly according to the present invention has the effect of restraining the movement of the electrodes due to repetitive contraction and expansion of the electrode assembly during the charge and discharge of the secondary battery.