The present application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0001517, filed on Jan. 4, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
One or more embodiments relate to a battery pack.
Secondary batteries refer to batteries that can be charged and discharged a plurality of times so as to be used repeatedly. Secondary batteries are used as energy sources for mobile devices, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric bicycles, uninterruptible power supplies, etc. Depending on the type of an external device they are applied to, the secondary batteries may be used in the form of a single battery or in the form of a pack in which multiple battery cells are connected and grouped into one unit or module.
The information disclosed in this Background of the disclosure is only to facilitate understanding of the background of the disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art.
One or more embodiments include a battery pack including a support configured to prevent a substrate from being damaged.
One or more embodiments include a battery pack including a support spaced apart from a protection element on a surface of a substrate.
Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments of the present disclosure.
According to one or more embodiments, a battery pack includes a battery cell and a pouch accommodating the battery cell. The pouch includes a terrace along a portion of the pouch in which an electrode of the battery cell extends out of the pouch in a first direction. The pouch also includes a substrate including a protection element on a first surface of the substrate. The protection element is configured to control charging and discharging of the battery cell. A second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface of the substrate is opposite to a module seating surface of the terrace.
The substrate, the molding portion, and the support may form a protection circuit module.
The module seating surface may extend in a second direction crossing the first direction on the pouch.
The substrate may extend in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction.
The support may extend in the third direction.
The battery pack may include two or more supports.
The two or more supports may be spaced apart from each other on the first surface of the substrate in the first direction.
The support may not contact the protection element on the first surface of the substrate.
The support may include a through-hole structure accommodating the protection element.
The support may include a metal material.
The terrace, the substrate, and the molding portion may overlap in the second direction.
The substrate may be on the terrace and the molding portion may be on the substrate in the second direction.
The molding portion may include a thermally conductive material configured to discharge heat emitted from the substrate to an outside of the protection circuit module.
The substrate may further include a connection tab on the second surface and electrically connected to the electrode of the battery cell.
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the present embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of the present description. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms and words used in the present specification and claims described above should not be construed as being limited to ordinary or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of the present disclosure based on the principle that the present inventors may appropriately define the concept of the terms to describe their invention in the best way. Therefore, it should be understood that the configurations shown in the drawings and embodiments described in this specification are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present disclosure, such that there may be various equivalents and variations that replace them at the time of filing the present application. If used herein, “comprise, include” and/or “comprising, including” specify mentioned shapes, numbers, steps, operations, members, components, and/or presence of these groups, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more different shapes, numbers, operations, members, components, and/or groups. When embodiments of the present disclosure are described, “can” or “may” may include “one or more embodiments of the present disclosure”.
To help understanding of the present disclosure, the accompanying drawings are not shown according to the actual scale, but the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated. The same reference numeral may be given to the same component in different embodiments.
The statement that two comparison targets are ‘the same’ as each other may mean that they are ‘substantially the same’ as each other. Thus, a case where they are ‘substantially the same’ as each other may include a case where they have a deviation regarded as a low level, e.g., a deviation of 5% or less. If a uniform parameter is uniform in a predetermined area, it may mean that it is uniform from an average point of view.
Although 1st, 2nd, etc., may be used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components, and unless specifically stated to the contrary, a first component may be a second component.
Throughout the specification, unless specially stated to the contrary, each component may be singular or plural.
If a component is arranged on “a top portion (or a bottom portion)” of another component or “on (or under)” the other component, it may mean not only a case where the component is arranged adjacent to a top surface (or a bottom surface) of the other component, but also a case where another component may be interposed between the other component and the component arranged on (or under) the other component.
If a component is described as being “connected”, “coupled”, or “connected” to another component, it should be understood that the components are directly connected or connectable to each other, but another component may be “interposed” between the components, or the components may be may be “connected”, “coupled”, or “connected” to each other through another component. If a portion is electrically coupled to another portion, this may include not only a case where they are directly connected to each other, but also a case where they are connected with another element therebetween.
Throughout the specification, “A and/or B” may mean A, B, or A and B unless specially stated otherwise. That is, “and/or” may include all or any combination of a plurality of items listed. “C to D” may mean at least C but not more than D, unless specially stated otherwise.
Hereinafter, a battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The battery pack 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a pouch 30 configured to accommodate the battery cell 20. The pouch 30 may accommodate the battery cell 20. The battery cell 20 may be accommodated inside the pouch 30. The pouch 30 may cover the battery cell 20. The pouch 30 may expose at least a portion of each of the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22. At least a portion of each of the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 may be exposed to outside of the pouch 30. The portions of first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 exposed to the outside of the pouch 30 may be electrically connected to the protection circuit module 40 described later with reference to
Referring to
The pouch 30 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include the terrace 31 formed thereon. The pouch 30 may include the terrace 31 formed in the first direction (z-axis direction) in which the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 of the battery cell 20 are drawn out. The terrace 31 may be a portion in which the protection circuit module 40 described below with reference to
The terrace 31 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a module seating surface 311 provided in a direction facing a front surface of the pouch 30. The module seating surface 311 may be a surface of the terrace 31 arranged in the direction facing the front surface of the pouch 30. The module seating surface 311 may be a surface of the terrace 31 extending lengthwise in an transverse or widthwise direction (y-axis direction). The module seating surface 311 may be a portion in which the protection circuit module 40 described below with reference to
Referring to
The substrate 50 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include connection tabs 53 electrically connected to a first terminal and a second terminal of the battery cell 20. The connection tabs 53 may be on a second surface 52 of the substrate 50. The connection tabs 53 may be on a surface of the substrate 50 opposite to the surface of the substrate 50 on which the protection element 500 is arranged. However, arrangement of the connection tabs 53 is not limited to the foregoing description.
Additionally, in one or more embodiments, for weight reduction and miniaturization of the battery pack 1, the thickness of the substrate 50 may not exceed a threshold thickness. In an embodiment in which the thickness of the substrate 50 is minimized or at least reduced, the battery pack 1 may not be excessively heavy. In an embodiment in which the thickness of the substrate 50 does not exceed a threshold thickness, the size of the battery pack 1 may not be excessively large. The thickness of the substrate 50 may be the thickness of the substrate 50 measured in a second direction (x-axis direction). The second direction (x-axis direction) may intersect or cross the first direction (z-axis direction) in which an electrode of the battery cell 20 is drawn out. The second direction (x-axis) may be perpendicular to the first direction (z-axis direction). The second direction (x-axis) may perpendicularly traverse or cross the first surface 51 and the second surface 52 of the substrate 50. The thickness of the substrate 50 may be a shortest distance between the first surface 51 and the second surface 52. The thickness of the substrate 50 may be a shortest distance between a surface of the substrate 50 on which the protection element 500 is located and the other surface of the substrate 50 on which the connection tabs 53 are located. However, the foregoing description of the thickness of the substrate 50 is merely an embodiment and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
The substrate 50 according to embodiments may extend lengthwise in a third direction (y-axis). The third direction y may intersect the first direction (z-axis) in which the first and second electrodes 21, 22 of the battery cell 20 are drawn out. The third direction (y-axis) may be perpendicular to the first direction (z-axis). The third direction (y-axis) may intersect the second direction (x-axis) and perpendicularly traverse or cross the first surface 51 and the second surface 52 of the substrate 50 of the battery cell 20. The third direction (y-axis) may be perpendicular to the second direction (x-axis). The third direction (y-axis) may intersect the first direction (z-axis) and the second direction (x-axis). The third direction (y-axis) may be perpendicular to the first direction (z-axis) and the second direction (x-axis). In an embodiment in which the substrate 50 extends lengthwise in the third direction (y-axis), the size of the substrate 50, measured in the third direction (y-axis), may be greater than the size of the substrate 50, measured in the second direction (x-axis) and the first direction (z-axis). In one or more embodiments, the size of the substrate 50 in the third direction (y-axis) may be less than or equal to approximately 3 times to approximately 30 times the size of the substrate 50 in the first direction (z-axis). That is, the ratio of the length of the substrate 50 to the width of the substrate 50 may be less than or equal to a value in a range from approximate 3 to approximately 30. The size of the substrate 50 in the third direction (y-axis) may be less than or equal to approximately 5 times to approximately 10 times the size of the substrate 50 in the second direction (x-axis). That is, the ratio of the length of the substrate 50 to the thickness of the substrate 50 may be less than or equal to a value in a range from approximately 5 to approximately 10. The size of the substrate 50 in the third direction (y-axis) may be less than or equal to 10 times to 200 times the size of the substrate 50 in the second direction (x-axis). The size of the substrate 50 in the third direction (y-axis) may be less than or equal to 20 times to 100 times the size of the substrate 50 in the second direction (x-axis). However, the foregoing description of the form of the substrate 50 is merely an embodiment, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
In an embodiment in which the substrate 50 according to embodiments of the present disclosure extends lengthwise in the third direction (y-axis), the substrate 50 may be prevented from being damaged by an external force. In an embodiment in which the substrate 50 extends lengthwise in the third direction (y-axis), it may be desirable to prevent an excessive torque from being exerted on the substrate 50. In an embodiment in which the substrate 50 extends lengthwise in the third direction (y-axis), it may be desirable to prevent an excessive shear stress from being exerted on the substrate 50. Various forces as well as the foregoing forces may be exerted on the substrate 50. In one or more embodiments, a force generated by the weight of the substrate 50 may be exerted on the substrate 50. Hereinbelow, the support 60, which is configured to prevent or at least mitigate damage to the substrate 50, will be described.
The battery pack 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include the support 60. The battery pack 1 may include the support 60 that is configured to support the substrate 50. The support 60 may be configured to reinforce the strength of the substrate 50. The support 60 may prevent an excessive torque from being exerted on the substrate 50. The support 60 may prevent an excessive shear stress from being exerted on the substrate 50. The support 60 may prevent the substrate 50 from being deformed by an external force. The support 60 may prevent the substrate 50 from being damaged. However, the function of the support 60 is not limited to the foregoing description.
The support 60 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may extend lengthwise in a direction in which the substrate 50 extends lengthwise. The support 60 may extend in the third direction (y-axis). The support 60 and the substrate 50 may each extend in the third direction (y-axis). Opposite ends of the support 60 in a longitudinal direction (i.e., opposite ends in the y-axis direction) may be respectively arranged toward opposite ends of the substrate 50 in the longitudinal direction (y-axis direction). The extending direction of the support 60 and the extending direction of the substrate 50 may be aligned or substantially aligned with each other. In an embodiment in which the lengthwise extending direction of the support 60 and the lengthwise extending direction of the substrate 50 are aligned with each other, an excessive force may be prevented or at least mitigated from being exerted on the substrate 50. If the lengthwise extending direction of the support 60 and the lengthwise extending direction of the substrate 50 are aligned with each other, damage to the substrate 50 may be prevented or at least mitigated. However, in one or more embodiments in which the extending direction of the support 60 and the extending direction of the substrate 50 are aligned or substantially aligned with each other, the support 60 and the substrate 50 may not extend in parallel to each other. In one or more embodiments in which the support 60 extends in a direction aligned or substantially aligned with the extending direction of the substrate 50, the support 60 and the substrate 50 may be arranged with an angle (within a predetermined angle range) between the extending direction of the support 60 and the extending direction of the substrate 50
The support 60 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be on the first surface 51 of the substrate 50. The support 60 may support the substrate 50 on the first surface 51 of the substrate 50. The support 60 may support the substrate 50 on the first surface 51 of the substrate 50. However, the arrangement of the support 60 is not limited to the foregoing description. In one or more embodiments, the support 60 may be on the first surface 51 and the second surface 52 of the substrate 50.
The support 60 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a solid material. The support 60 may include a metal material. The support 60 may include a thermally conductive material. In an embodiment in which the support 60 includes a metal material, the support 60 may stably support the substrate 50. In an embodiment in which the support 60 includes the thermally conductive material, the support 60 may sufficiently or adequately discharge heat emitted from the substrate 50 to outside of the battery pack 1. However, the material of the support 60 is not limited to the foregoing description.
The protection element 500 and the support 60 may both be on the first surface 51 of the substrate 50 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The support 60 may be spaced by a predetermined distance apart from the protection element 500 on the first surface 51 of the substrate 50. The support 60 may not contact the protection element 500 on the first surface 51 of the substrate 50. In an embodiment in which the support 60 does not contact the protection element 500, the support 60 may not be electrically connected to the protection element 500. In an embodiment in which the support 60 is spaced apart from the protection element 500, the support 60 may not be electrically connected to the protection element 500. However, the arrangement of the support 60 and the protection element 500 is not limited to the foregoing description. The support 60 may be spaced apart from an electric component on the substrate 50 as well as the protection element 500 such that the support 60 is not electrically connected to the electric component.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The molding portion 70 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may extend lengthwise in a direction in which the substrate 50 extends lengthwise. The molding portion 70 may include a solid material. The material of the molding portion 70 may include resin. The material of the molding portion 70 may include metal. The molding portion 70 may prevent or at least mitigate the substrate 50 from being deformed by an external force. However, the material and function of the molding portion 70 are not limited to the foregoing description.
Referring back to
Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the substrate 50, the molding portion 70, and the support 60 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may form a protection circuit module 40. The protection circuit module 40 may include the substrate 50, the molding portion 70, and the support 60. Hereinafter, a structure in which the protection circuit module 40 is arranged on the terrace 31 of the pouch 30 will be described.
Referring to
The protection circuit module 40 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be on the terrace 31 of the pouch 30 by pivoting or rotating after the connection tabs 53 are connected to the first terminal and the second terminal of the battery cell 20. The protection circuit module 40 may be on the terrace 31 of the pouch 30 by pivoting or rotating the protection circuit module 40 about the third direction (y-axis). In one or more embodiments, pivoting or rotating the protection circuit module 40 about the third direction (y-axis) may mean that the second surface 52 of the substrate 50 is moved from a direction facing the front surface of the pouch 30 to a direction facing the rear surface of the pouch 30. Pivoting or rotating the protection circuit module 40 about the third direction (y-axis) may mean that the second surface 52 of the substrate 50 is moved from a direction facing the second direction (x-axis) to a direction opposing the second direction (x-axis). Pivoting or rotating the protection circuit module 40 about the third direction (y-axis) may mean that the second surface 52 of the substrate 50 is moved from a direction facing the rear surface of the pouch 30 to a direction facing the front surface of the pouch 30. Pivoting or rotating the protection circuit module 40 about the third direction (y-axis) may mean that the first surface 51 of the substrate 50 is move from the direction opposing the second direction (x-axis) to the direction facing the second direction (x-axis).
Referring back to
The protection circuit module 40 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be fixed such that the second surface 52 of the substrate 50 is opposite to (e.g., faces away from) the module seating surface 311 of the terrace 31. To fix the protection circuit module 40 such that the second surface 52 of the substrate 50 is opposite to the module seating surface 311, the protection circuit module 40 and the module seating surface 311 may be arranged to overlap in the second direction (x-axis).
The terrace 31, the substrate 50, and the molding portion 70 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may overlap in the second direction (x-axis). The terrace 31, the substrate 50, and the molding portion 70 may be arranged in the stated order in the second direction (x-axis). Heat emitted by the substrate 50 may be discharged in the second direction x. The heat emitted by the substrate 50 may be discharged through the molding portion 70 in the second direction (x-axis). The molding portion 70 may include a material having high thermal conductivity. The molding portion 70 may include a thermally conductive material capable of discharging the heat emitted from the substrate 50 to the outside of the protection circuit module 40. The molding portion 70 may discharge the heat emitted from the substrate 50 to the outside of the battery pack 1.
The substrate 50, the support 60, and the molding portion 70 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be arranged to overlap in the second direction (x-axis). The substrate 50, the support 60, and the molding portion 70 may be arranged in the stated order in the second direction (x-axis). The support 60 may be between the substrate 50 and the molding portion 70. The support 60 may be on the same surface of the substrate 50 as the protection element 500. The support 60 may be adjacent to the protection element 500 on the first surface 51 of the substrate 50. The support 60 may include a material having high thermal conductivity. The support 60 may include a thermally conductive material capable of discharging the heat emitted from the substrate 50 to the outside of the protection circuit module 40. The support 60 may transfer the heat emitted from the substrate 50 to the molding portion 70. The support 60 may induce the heat emitted from the substrate 50 to be discharged to the outside of the protection circuit module 40. In an embodiment in which the substrate 50, the support 60, and the molding portion 70 are arranged to overlap in the second direction (x-axis), the support 60 may sufficiently transfer or discharge the heat emitted from the substrate 50 to the molding portion 70.
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and equivalent other examples may be made from the shown example.
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and equivalent other examples may be made from the shown example.
The battery pack according to the present disclosure may be configured prevent damage to a substrate by including a support supporting the substrate.
The battery pack according to the present disclosure may provide a protection circuit module capable of efficiently protecting the substrate through the support arranged to avoid a protection element on the substrate.
It should be understood that embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2024-0001517 | Jan 2024 | KR | national |