Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a middle-or large-sized battery module comprising a plurality of stacked unit cells, each unit module including two or more plate-shaped battery cells electrically connected with each other, each battery cell having electrode terminals formed at opposite sides thereof. The battery module is manufactured by connecting electrode terminals of a pair of unit modules by welding, mounting a sensing unit, including a sensing member, to the welding part and bending the welding part such that the unit modules are stacked, and repeatedly performing the above processes until all the unit cells are stacked.
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:
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 is a power switching module for a battery module assembly constructed in a structure in which a plurality of rectangular battery modules, each having a plurality of battery cells or unit modules connected in series to each other, are stacked in the width direction (the longitudinal direction) and the height direction (the transverse direction) by at least twos such that the rectangular battery modules generally constitute a hexahedral structure (hexahedral stack), outer edges of the hexahedral stack are fixed by a frame member, and input and output terminals of the rectangular battery modules are oriented such that the input and output terminals of the rectangular battery modules are directed toward one surface (a) of the hexahedral stack, wherein the power switching module comprises an insulative substrate mounted to the surface (a) of the hexahedral stack in a coupling fashion, elements mounted on the insulative substrate for controlling voltage and current during the charge and discharge of the rectangular battery modules, and connection members mounted on the insulative substrate for interconnecting the control elements.
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 middle- or large-sized battery module including 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. The present invention has the effect of easily mounting a sensing unit that is capable of minimizing the weight and size of battery cells 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. In addition, the present invention has the effect of manufacturing the battery module by a simple assembly process without using a plurality of members for mechanical coupling and electrical connection, thereby decreasing the manufacturing costs of the battery module, and effectively preventing the battery module from being short-circuited or damaged during the manufacture or the operation of the battery module. Furthermore, the present invention has the effect of manufacturing a middle- or large-sized battery system having desired output and capacity using the battery module as a unit body.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a battery module including at least one battery cell constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure is mounted in a battery case such that electrode leads of the electrode assembly protrude outside, wherein, when external impacts are directly or indirectly applied to the battery cell, with the result that the electrode leads move toward the electrode assembly of the battery cell, the external impacts are absorbed by the deformation of the electrode leads or the deformation of predetermined regions ('electrode lead facing parts') of the module in direct contact with or adjacent to the electrode leads, whereby the occurrence of a short circuit due to the contact between the electrode assembly and the electrode leads is prevented.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery pack comprising a battery module including a plurality of unit modules horizontally stacked while each unit module is vertically erected on one side, the battery module being mounted in a sealed space of a housing member, wherein the housing member is provided at the upper or lower end of one side thereof with a coolant inlet port and at the lower or upper end of the opposite side thereof with a coolant outlet port, the battery module is mounted in the housing member such that the upper or lower end surface of the battery module is tilted toward the coolant inlet port by a predetermined angle, whereby a coolant introduced through the coolant inlet port in parallel with the battery module passes perpendicularly through the unit modules and is then discharged to the opposite side, and gaps (vertical flow channels) defined between the unit modules at the tilted upper or lower end surface of the battery module are arranged in parallel with the direction in which the coolant is introduced, whereby the cooling efficiency and the cooling uniformity of the battery pack are improved while the battery pack has a compact structure.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a heat exchange system for battery packs, which controls the temperature of a medium- or large-sized battery pack including a plurality of unit cells such that the battery pack can be operated under the optimum operating conditions. The heat exchange system includes an air inlet port and an air outlet port formed at one side of a housing surrounding the outer surface of the battery pack so as to form a predetermined flow channel, through which air flows, a driving fan mounted in the flow channel for driving the air to flow through the flow channel, and a Peltier element mounted at the air inlet port for controlling the temperature of air introduced into the air inlet port. In the heat exchange system according to the present invention, the thermoelectric element is mounted inside the air inlet port, through which air for cooling the battery pack is introduced into the heat exchange system. Consequently, the present invention has the effect of easily controlling the optimum operating temperature of the battery pack, reducing influences caused by external conditions, and decreasing noise and vibration.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a battery cartridge-connecting system for battery modules, comprising: bus bars, each of which includes a plate-shaped bar body, coupling parts, and electrical connection parts; a base plate, to which the bus bars are easily mounted; and a printed circuit board (PCB), which is easily coupled to the bus bars and is mounted to the base plate in a compact structure. The present invention also provides a battery module and a medium- or large-sized battery system including the battery cartridge-connecting system. According to the present invention, the battery cartridge-connecting system easily accomplishes the electrical connection and the mechanical coupling in the compact-structured battery module or battery system. In addition, the battery cartridge-connection system has excellent electrical characteristics, such as electric resistance at the connected parts, after the electrical connection is completed, and excellent mechanical strength to external impacts or vibrations after the mechanical coupling is completed. Furthermore, the battery cartridge-connecting system prevents a risk of an engineer or a user being exposed to the electrical short circuits when the battery module or the battery system is manufactured or when the battery module or the battery system is repaired.