CN103887457A - Battery - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery pack comprising: a single cell; a case including a first case and a second case coupled together and housing the single cell, wherein the first case includes a first rib, The first rib extends circumferentially around the first housing and substantially defines a cell receiving space for the cell around an interior of the first rib, the first rib having alternating thick portions and thin ridged regions.

Description

Battery

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/745,301, filed December 21, 2012 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

technical field

One or more embodiments of the invention relate to a battery pack.

Background technique

Generally, a secondary battery is a battery that can be charged, discharged, and recharged, unlike a primary battery that cannot be recharged. Secondary batteries are used as power sources for mobile devices, electric cars, hybrid cars, electric bicycles, uninterruptible power supplies, and the like. Depending on the type of external device to which the secondary battery is applied, the secondary battery may be used in the form of a single cell or a battery pack in which a plurality of cells are connected.

Although small mobile devices such as mobile phones can be operated for a period of time with the output and capacity of a single single battery, battery packs are expected to be used for mobile devices that consume a relatively large amount of power, such as notebook computers, or devices that require long-term operation and high power, For example, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, etc., wherein the output voltage or output current of the battery pack can increase as the number of single cells included therein increases.

Contents of the invention

One or more embodiments of the present invention include a battery pack in which deformation caused by cooling shrinkage after high-temperature molding of a battery case is reduced and noise during assembly of the battery case is reduced.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a battery pack includes: a single battery; a first case and a second case attached to face each other , to provide a space for accommodating the single cell, wherein the first case includes a first rib to surround the single cell, and the first rib includes an uneven portion, and in the uneven portion, Thick portions and thin portions having different thicknesses are alternately arranged.

For example, the first case includes a first bottom plate arranged to face the first main surface of the battery cell, and the first rib protrudes along an edge of the first bottom plate.

For example, said first chassis comprises a flange unit to be attached to the main equipment.

For example, the uneven portion is formed at a portion of the first rib that forms a boundary next to the flange unit.

For example, the flange unit is formed at a corner of the first bottom plate.

For example, the uneven portion is formed along the first rib bent to surround the flange unit.

For example, the unevenness is formed at corners of the first rib that diverge into different directions to surround the flange unit.

For example, the flange unit includes a first flange unit and a second flange unit formed at two opposite corners in a direction along a side of the first bottom plate.

For example, a strength reinforcing unit is formed at the flange unit.

For example, a boss protruding toward the main device is formed at the flange unit to be attached to the main device.

For example, the uneven portion may be intermittently formed in the length direction of the first rib.

For example, flat portions are formed between the uneven portions adjacent to each other.

For example, the flat portion is formed to have a substantially uniform thickness.

For example, a connection unit for interconnecting the first case and the second case is formed at the flat portion.

For example, the connection unit is intermittently formed throughout the entire length of the first rib.

For example, the second case includes a second bottom plate arranged to face the second main surface of the battery cell, and a second rib protruding along an edge of the second bottom plate.

For example, a plurality of unit cells are arranged, unit cells adjacent to each other are stacked to form different layers, and the second main surfaces of the unit cells adjacent to each other form a stepped portion.

For example, the second bottom plate has a stepped portion having a shape corresponding to the stepped portion between the second main surfaces of the cells adjacent to each other.

First and second connection units for attaching the first case and the second case to each other are formed at the first rib and the second rib, respectively.

For example, the first connection unit and the second connection unit form a hook connection.

For example, the first connection unit includes a connection plate formed at a position deviated from the first rib and includes a connection opening, and the second connection unit includes a connection plate inserted into the connection opening and The hook portion for locking the connection opening.

For example, the first connection unit and the second connection unit are formed at positions corresponding to each other, and the flange unit of the first bottom plate is formed at a position deviated from the second bottom plate.

For example, the accommodating space includes a cell accommodating space for accommodating the cell and a circuit accommodating space for accommodating a protection circuit module for controlling operations for charging and discharging the cell.

A first flange unit and a second flange unit to be combined with the main device may be formed at two opposite sides of the circuit receiving space.

According to the present invention, there is provided a battery pack free from deformation caused by cooling shrinkage after high-temperature molding of a battery case and free from noise during assembly of the battery case.

Description of drawings

1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 and 3 are exploded perspective views of the first housing and the second housing shown in FIG. 1, respectively;

Figures 4 to 6 are more detailed perspective views of areas IV, V and VI in Figure 2, respectively;

Figure 7 is a more detailed perspective view of area VII in Figure 3;

FIG. 8 is a top view showing the unevenness in FIG. 4 in more detail; and

9 to 11B illustrate the shapes of the first ribs according to the first to third comparative examples.

Detailed ways

Reference will now be made in detail to the 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, a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views of the first case 110 and the second case 120 shown in FIG. 1 , respectively. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first case 110 and the second case 120 may be assembled to rotate about an assembly axis C and face each other.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 , the battery pack 100 includes at least one battery cell 150 and a first case 110 and a second case 120 assembled to face each other to provide a single cell. The accommodation space G of the battery 150 .

The first case 110 and the second case 120 are assembled by inserting at least one battery cell 150 therebetween into the accommodation space G of the battery cell 150 . For example, the first case 110 may include a first bottom plate 111 and a first rib 115 protruding from the first bottom plate 111 and defining a receiving space G. Referring to FIG. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first rib 115 extends away from the first bottom plate 111 . Similarly, the second case 120 may include a second bottom plate 121 and a second rib 125 protruding from the second bottom plate 121 and defining the receiving space G. Referring to FIG.

The first bottom plate 111 and the second bottom plate 121 may be formed as an overall flat plate, and may be arranged to face each other across the unit cells 150 . In general, the first bottom plate 111 and the second bottom plate 121 may have shapes corresponding to each other, and each of the first bottom plate 111 and the second bottom plate 121 may have a pair of long A basic rectangular shape with a side and a pair of short sides extending in the short side direction (y-axis direction).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first bottom plate 111 and the second bottom plate 121 may be formed to have different shapes. In other words, the first bottom plate 111 may be formed to have a rectangular shape, and the second bottom plate 121 may have a shape of the flange unit 114 not facing the first bottom plate 111 . As described below, since the flange unit 114 interconnects the battery pack 100 and the main device, the second bottom plate 121 and the flange unit 114 may be formed in mutually exclusive positions to prevent the second bottom plate 121 from being positioned between the flange unit 114 and the flange unit 114. between master devices.

In other words, the flange unit 114 of the first bottom plate 111 may be formed at a position spaced apart from the second bottom plate 121 . For example, the flange units 114 may be formed at two opposite corners of the first bottom plate 111 along the long side direction (x-axis direction), and the second bottom plate 121 may have the flange units indented inward to avoid the corners. 114, that is, a shape in which a central portion of a long side (in the x-axis direction) protrudes. The protruding portion of the second bottom plate 121 may be formed to form the circuit receiving unit 122 for forming the protection circuit module receiving space G2 together with the first bottom plate 111 .

In one embodiment, the first bottom plate 111 may constitute a part of the overall appearance of the main device by being assembled to the main device, wherein rubber pads for supporting the entire main device may be formed on the bottom surface of the first bottom plate 111 .

The first rib 115 and the second rib 125 may protrude from edges of the first bottom plate 111 and the second bottom plate 121 , respectively. The first rib 115 and the second rib 125 may be formed at positions corresponding to each other to surround the battery cell 150 and define the accommodation space G. Referring to FIG. For example, the first rib 115 and the second rib 125 may be arranged to form a closed ring to seal the receiving space G. Referring to FIG.

The first rib 115 is formed substantially along the edge of the first bottom plate 111 , wherein the first rib 115 may be formed around the flange unit 114 and inside the flange unit 114 . In other words, since the flange unit 114 is arranged to directly face the host device and interconnect the battery pack 100 and the host device, the accommodating space G of the battery pack 100 can be formed without interfering with the connection of the flange unit 114 to the host device. Location. In other words, the receiving space G of the battery pack 100 and the flange unit 114 may be formed at mutually exclusive positions. In one embodiment, the second rib 125 may be formed along the edge of the second bottom plate 121 .

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , a first connection unit 118 and a second connection unit 128 interconnecting the first case 110 and the second case 120 may be formed at the first rib 115 and the second rib 125 , respectively. For example, when the first case 110 and the second case 120 are attached to face each other, the first rib 115 and the second rib 125 may be assembled so as to be in contact with each other, and may be formed at positions corresponding to each other. The first connection unit 118 and the second connection unit 128 are attached to each other.

4 to 6 are more detailed perspective views of areas IV, V and VI in FIG. 2, respectively. FIG. 7 is a more detailed perspective view of area VII in FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7 , a first connection unit 118 and a second connection unit 128 may be formed at the first rib 115 and the second rib 125 to connect the first case 110 and the second case 120 to each other. For example, the first connection unit 118 and the second connection unit 128 may form a hook connection. As described below, the first connection unit 118 is disposed at a position deviated from the first rib 115, and may include a connection plate in which a connection opening 118' is formed. In addition, the second connection unit 128 may include a hook that is inserted into the connection opening 118' and thereby locked. Since the hook portion (second connection unit 128 ) formed at the second rib 125 is stopped and locked by the connection opening 118 ′ formed at the first rib 115 , the first connection unit 118 and the second connection unit 128 can be blocked. separated from each other.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 4 to 6 , the uneven portion 115 a of the first rib 115 will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6 , an uneven part 115 a may be formed at the first rib 115 . For example, the uneven part 115a may be formed on an inner surface of the first rib 115 facing the accommodation space G. Referring to FIG.

The unevenness 115a may help resist shrinkage. For example, the first case 110 and the second case 120 may be formed to have a suitable shape through high temperature molding. Here, the uneven portion 115a may help prevent cooling shrinkage.

As described below, the uneven portion 115a includes an uneven pattern or a ridge-like region in which thick portions and thin portions are alternately and repeatedly arranged to form alternating ridges and grooves, thereby preventing the first One rib 115 shrinks and maintains a thickness sufficient to stably support the second rib 125 fitted on the first rib 115 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, the thick portion protrudes toward the unit cell 150 relative to the thin portion.

The uneven part 115 a may be formed entirely along the length of the first rib 115 or may be selectively formed along a part of the first rib 115 . In detail, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the uneven part 115a may be selectively formed along a portion of the first rib 115 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, the uneven part 115 a may be formed in a portion of the first rib 115 forming close to a boundary of the flange unit 114 . In other words, the uneven part 115a may be formed in a portion of the first rib 115 that separates the flange unit 114 and the accommodation space G from each other.

The flange unit 114 is configured to interconnect the battery pack 100 and the main device, wherein the fitting unit 114 a is formed on the flange unit 114 . If the first rib 115 forming a boundary next to the flange unit 114 shrinks and deforms, the warping may prevent the flange unit 114 from being easily assembled to a host device.

For example, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a raised portion may be formed at the fitting unit 114 as the fitting unit 114a to be fitted to the main device, and the raised portion may be configured to receive an external device, wherein the Attachment holes may be formed in the fitting unit 114a. If warpage is formed at the flange unit 114, the position or perpendicularity of the protrusion may be distorted, so that assembly with the main device may become difficult. Accordingly, the unevenness 115 a may be selectively formed at a portion of the first rib 115 contacting the flange unit 114 .

In one embodiment, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the uneven part 115a may be formed entirely along the length of the first rib 115 . In this case, the uneven portion 115a may also prevent shrinkage and deformation of the first rib 115 and reduce assembly noise.

The orientation between the flange unit 114 and the uneven portion 115a will be described in more detail below. For example, the flange unit 114 may include a first flange unit 1141 and a second flange unit 1142 along the long side direction (x-axis direction) of the first bottom plate 111, wherein the uneven portion 115a may be formed around the first flange unit 1142. The flange unit 1141 and the first rib 115 of the second flange unit 1142.

Referring to FIG. 5 , a flange unit 114 may be formed at a corner of the first bottom plate 111 , and an uneven portion 115 a may be formed along a first rib 115 bent to surround the flange unit 114 . In other words, the uneven part 115a is formed along the first rib 115 bent to surround the flange unit 114, and may be formed along the first rib 115 extending in two different directions (x-axis direction and y-axis direction).

The uneven part 115 a may be formed at a corner of the first rib 115 divided into two different directions (x-axis direction and y-axis direction). For example, the unevenness 115 a may be selectively formed at a discontinuous portion in the length direction of the first rib 115 , wherein the unevenness 115 a may be formed at a corner of the first rib 115 . Shrinkage stress may be applied in two different directions to corners divided into two different directions (x-axis direction and y-axis direction) during cooling shrinkage after high-temperature molding, so that shrinkage stress may concentrate there. For example, greater volumetric contraction may occur at the corners of the first rib 115 than at other portions of the first rib 115 depending on the concentration of shrinkage stress. Accordingly, the uneven portion 115 a may be arranged to reduce shrinkage stress applied to the corner of the first rib 115 and to minimize stress transmitted to the flange unit 114 .

In FIG. 6 , unlike in FIG. 5 , the uneven portion 115 a is not formed at the corner of the first rib 115 divided into two different directions (x-axis direction and y-axis direction). Alternatively, the uneven portion 115 a is formed at a portion of the first rib 115 extending in one direction (y-axis direction), and the flat portion 115 b having a substantially uniform thickness is formed at the other direction of the first rib 115 . (x-axis direction) at the extended part. As described below, the first connection unit 118 to be attached to the second housing 120 is formed at the flat portion 115b, and the flat portion 115b having a relatively smooth surface is formed so as not to interfere with the attachment. In one embodiment, reference numeral 117 in FIG. 6 denotes a clamping member for fixing the circuit unit accommodated in the protection circuit module accommodation space G2.

Referring to FIG. 2 , uneven portions 115 a may be intermittently formed in the length direction of the first rib 115 , and flat portions 115 b having a substantially uniform thickness may be formed between the uneven portions 115 a of the first rib 115 .

The first connection unit 118 may be formed at the flat part 115b. The first connection unit 118 and the second connection unit 128 sandwich the first case 110 and the second case 120 such that the first case 110 and the second case 120 are not separated from each other. The flat portion 115b provides an attachment point for the first connection unit 118 and the second connection unit 128 . For example, the flat portion 115b may have a substantially uniform thickness and a relatively smooth surface so as not to interfere with the attachment between the first connection unit 118 and the second connection unit 128 .

The first connection unit 118 is disposed at a position deviated from the flat part 115b, and may include a connection plate in which a connection opening 118' is formed. The connection opening 118' is configured to receive a fastener to couple the first housing 110 to the second housing 120. For example, the second connection unit 128 (hook) can be inserted into the connection opening 118' between the flat portion 115b and the first connection unit 118 and thus locked, wherein the entry friction of the second connection unit 128 can be achieved by having The flat portion 115b of uniform thickness and smooth surface is reduced. The first connection unit 118 may extend parallel to the flat portion 115b from a position deviated therefrom, and may be formed as an overall flat plate-like structure.

The first connection unit 118 may be formed entirely along the length of the first rib 115 . In other words, the first connection unit 118 may be formed not only at a portion forming a boundary next to the flange unit 114 but also entirely along the length of the first rib 115 extending to surround the battery cell 150 .

The first connection unit 118 may be intermittently formed in the length direction of the first rib 115 . The first connection unit 118 and the second connection unit 128 may be formed at positions corresponding to each other so as to be attached to each other. In order to firmly clamp the first case 110 and the second case 120 , the first connection unit 118 and the second connection unit 128 may be formed entirely along the length of the first rib 115 and the second rib 125 .

For example, connection plates (first connection units 118 ) extending parallel to the first rib 115 may be arranged at discontinuous positions along the length of the first rib 115 . In addition, a connection opening 118' that locks the second connection unit 128 (hook) may be formed in the connection plate. The second connection unit 128 may enter between the first rib 115 and the connection plate and be fixed through the connection opening 118'.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the flange unit 114 may be formed in a long side direction (x-axis direction) of the first bottom plate 111 . For example, the flange unit 114 may be formed at two opposite corners in the long-side direction (x-axis direction). For example, the flange unit 114 may include a first flange unit 1141 and a second flange unit 1142 along the long side direction (x-axis direction) of the first bottom plate 111 . The first flange unit 1141 may extend longer than the second flange unit 1142 from the corner in the long side direction (x-axis direction).

As described below, the protection circuit module accommodating space G2 in which the protection circuit module 130 for controlling the operation for charging and discharging the battery cell 150 is accommodated may be arranged in the first flange unit 1141 and the second flange unit 1142 . between. By housing the protection circuit module 130 in the space between the first flange unit 1141 and the second flange unit 1142, the overall structure of the battery pack 100 can be compact.

The flange unit 114 will interconnect the battery pack 100 and the host device. A fitting unit 114a such as a boss may be formed at the flange unit 114, wherein a screw attachment hole for screw attachment may be formed in the boss. For example, the fitting unit 114a may protrude upward from the top surface of the flange unit 114, or may be formed in any of various forms to align the battery pack 100 with a host device to which the battery pack 100 is to be attached.

The strength reinforcing unit 114b may be formed at the flange unit 114 . The flange unit 114 is to interconnect the battery pack 100 and the main device, and a fitting unit 114a such as a boss is formed thereon. Therefore, if shrinkage and/or deformation occur at the flange unit 114, it may become difficult to attach the battery pack 100 to the host device. For example, the strength reinforcing unit 114b may be formed as a stripe pattern rib structure protruding from the top surface of the flange unit 114 .

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the uneven portion 115a of FIG. 4 in more detail. Referring to FIG. 8 , the uneven part 115 a may include an uneven pattern in which thick parts 1151 and thin parts 1152 are alternately and repeatedly arranged in the length direction of the first rib 115 . For example, the thick part 1151 and the thin part 1152 may be formed to have different thicknesses, ie, a first thickness t1 and a second thickness t2, respectively.

The unevenness 115a may help resist shrinkage. For example, the first case 110 and the second case 120 may be formed to have a suitable shape through high temperature molding. Here, the uneven portion 115a may help prevent cooling shrinkage.

The uneven part 115a includes an uneven pattern in which the thick part 1151 and the thin part 1152 are arranged alternately and repeatedly, thereby preventing the shrinkage of the first rib 115 and maintaining stable support enough to be assembled on the first rib 115a. The thickness of the second rib 125 on the rib 115.

The first rib 115 protrudes from the first bottom plate 111 , wherein the first rib 115 and the first bottom plate 111 adjacent to each other may apply stress to each other based on a thickness relationship therebetween during cooling shrinkage. As described below, if the first rib 115 is thicker than the first bottom plate 111, the first bottom plate 111 may be stretched as the volume of the first rib 115 shrinks, thereby causing warpage. Accordingly, the thickness of the uneven part 115 a , that is, the first thickness t1 of the thick part 1151 and the second thickness t2 of the thin part 1152 may be equal to or smaller than the thickness of the first bottom plate 111 .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first thickness t1 of the thick portion 1151 and the second thickness t2 of the thin portion 1152 may be from about 0.6mm to about 0.8mm. In detail, the first thickness t1 of the thick portion 1151 may be about 0.8mm, and the second thickness t2 of the thin portion 1152 may be about 0.6mm. Here, the thickness of the first bottom plate 111 may be about 0.8mm.

FIG. 9 shows the structure of the first rib 15 according to the first comparative embodiment. The first rib 15 protrudes upward from the first bottom plate 11 and may have a thickness t02 greater than a thickness t01 of the first bottom plate 11 . The first rib 15 and the first bottom plate 11 may undergo shrinkage and deformation when cooled after high-temperature molding, wherein the relatively thick first rib 15 bears greater stress than the first bottom plate 11 . The first rib 15 contracts in the thickness direction, thereby pulling the first bottom plate 11 upward.

The first ribs 15 and the first bottom plate 11 may interfere with each other during contraction and deformation, wherein the relatively thick first ribs 15 undergo volumetric contraction, thereby affecting the first bottom plate 11 . As a result, the first bottom plate 11 has a shape concave toward the first rib 15, thereby forming a so-called warp, which is an overall uneven and twisted shape.

Fig. 10 shows the shape of the first rib 15' according to the second comparative embodiment. The first rib 15' protrudes from the first bottom plate 11'. The bottom portion 15a' contacting the first bottom plate 11' is formed to have a relatively small thickness, and the upper portion 15b' is formed to have a relatively large thickness. Although the shape takes into account warping of the first bottom plate 11' due to shrinkage deformation and interference of the first rib 15', if the first rib 15' is formed to have a thick upper portion over the entire length of the first rib 15' 15b' and thin bottom 15a', it is difficult to design a mold for this, and the structural strength of the first rib 15' is reduced.

11A and 11B show the shape of the first rib 15'' according to the third comparative embodiment. 11A and 11B show the shapes of the first rib 15" before and after shrinkage deformation, respectively.

The first rib 15" protrudes from the first bottom plate 11", wherein the first rib 15" is formed to have a small thickness as a whole. Although the shape takes into account the shrinkage deformation of the first rib 15" and includes The mold is designed for mass production operations, but the shape causes loose assembly of the battery pack, thereby causing assembly noise and reducing assembly strength.

In detail, the first rib 15" contacts the second rib 25" during assembly of the battery pack and provides a supporting structure to support the second rib 25". As the first rib 15" is shrunk, it has a larger shape than the second rib after shrinkage deformation. With a thickness of 25", the area where the first rib 15" and the second rib 25" contact each other is reduced, thereby resulting in a loose attachment. For example, the first rib 15" may not form with the second rib 25". precisely aligned and shrunk to have a thickness less than that of the second rib 25". As a result, the fitting position of the first rib 15" may not be precisely defined, and fitting noise may be generated.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8, instead of forming the first rib 115 to have a large thickness or a small thickness as a whole, an uneven portion 115a is formed in which the thick portion 1151 and the thin portion 1152 are alternately and repeatedly arranged in the length direction of the first rib 115 . Therefore, the problems occurring in the first to third comparative embodiments can be completely solved. In addition, cooling shrinkage of the first rib 115 can be reduced without causing any problems in mass production (for example, design of molds) and assembly noise during attachment to the second rib 125 .

Referring to FIG. 8 , the flat part 115b may be formed at a position close to the uneven part 115a, ie, between the uneven parts 115a. The flat part 115b may have a third thickness t3 substantially uniform in the length direction of the first rib 115 .

For example, the third thickness t3 of the flat part 115b may be equal to the thickness (first thickness t1) of the thick part 1151 of the uneven part 115a. The flat portion 115 b may have a relatively large third thickness t3 to increase an area where the first rib 115 contacts the second rib 125 and may stably support the contact portion of the second rib 125 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the third thickness t3 of the flat portion 115 b may be any thickness between the first thickness t1 of the thick portion 1151 and the second thickness t2 of the thin portion 1152 .

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 1 , the overall structure of a battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The first case 110 and the second case 120 are assembled to face each other with one or more battery cells 150 therebetween, and are assembled to define an accommodating space G for receiving the battery cells 150 . For example, the first case 110 may include a first bottom plate 111 disposed to face the first main surface 150 a of the battery cell 150 and a first rib 115 protruding from the first bottom plate 111 and surrounding the battery cell 150 . Similarly, the second case 120 may include a second bottom plate 121 disposed to face the second main surface 150 b of the battery cell 150 and a second rib 125 protruding from the second bottom plate 121 and surrounding the battery cell 150 .

If it is assumed that the unit cell 150 is formed to have a substantially hexahedral shape, the first main surface 150a and the second main surface 150b are surfaces having the largest areas and may be arranged on opposite sides.

The accommodating space G defined by the first case 110 and the second case 120 may include a cell accommodating space G1 for accommodating the cell 150 and a circuit for controlling operations of charging and discharging the cell 150 . The protection circuit module accommodation space G2 of the unit.

For example, the single battery accommodation space G1 can occupy most of the accommodation space G, and can accommodate an appropriate number of single batteries 150 to meet the required output performance of the entire battery pack 100 . For example, according to an embodiment of the present invention, six battery cells 150 may be accommodated in the battery receiving space G1.

The unit cells 150 may be arranged parallel to each other to form the same level side by side, or a plurality of unit cells 150 may be stacked to form upper/lower levels. Parallel and stacked arrangements can be combined.

For example, according to an embodiment of the present invention, four unit cells 150 arranged side by side may form a first layer, and two unit cells 150 arranged thereon may form a second layer. In detail, four battery cells 150 may be arranged side by side on the first case 110, and two battery cells 150 may be stacked on two battery cells 150 at two opposite ends.

When the unit cells 150 adjacent to each other are stacked to form different layers, the second main surfaces 150b of the unit cells 150 adjacent to each other may form a stepped portion 150c. In addition, the second case 120 disposed on the second main surface 150b may have a stepped portion 120a aligned with the contour of the second main surface 150b. In detail, the second housing 120 may have a stepped portion 120a at which two opposite end portions of the second housing 120 in a long-side direction (x-axis direction) deviate upward. The stepped portion 120a of the second case 120 is formed to closely contact the cells 150 that are selectively stacked to form the second layer, securely fix the position of the cells 150, and make the entire battery pack 100 compact without wasting any space. .

The unit battery 150 is a rechargeable secondary battery, and may be a lithium ion battery, for example. The unit cell 150 may include an electrode assembly and a case member 151 for accommodating the electrode assembly. Although not shown, the electrode assembly may be formed by stacking a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate together and winding the stacked structure into a jelly-roll shape. The case member 151 may be formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

A flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) 140 electrically connecting the unit cells 150 and the protection circuit module 130 to each other may be disposed outside the unit cells 150 . The FPCB 140 may provide wiring for drawing out power generated by the battery cell 150 or inputting a charging voltage to the battery cell 150 from an external charger. The FPCB 140 is electrically connected to the electrode assembly of the unit cell 150 and can extract power from the electrode assembly to the outside.

The FPCB 140 electrically connects the battery cells 150 arranged adjacent to each other to each other. For example, the FPCB 140 may interconnect the cells 150 arranged adjacent to each other with opposite polarities to connect the cells 150 in series, or may interconnect the cells 150 arranged adjacent to each other with the same polarity to connect the cells 150 in parallel. Single battery 150. Series connection and parallel connection can be combined. For example, the cells 150 stacked in the vertical direction may be connected in parallel, while the cells 150 arranged side by side may be connected in series.

The FPCB 140 may include wiring for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells 150 to each other and forming charging and discharging paths, and an insulating film for insulating from the external environment.

A protective circuit module accommodation space G2 is formed in the accommodation space G. As shown in FIG. The protection circuit module accommodation space G2 accommodates the protection circuit module 130 for controlling operations for charging and discharging the battery cell 150 . For example, the protection circuit module 130 for controlling the operation for charging and discharging the cells 150 may measure condition variables such as current and temperature on the cells 150 to monitor the condition of each cell 150, and based on the The conditions control operations for charging and discharging the cells 150 . In addition, the protection circuit module 130 may detect failures such as overcharge, overdischarge, and overcurrent in advance, and perform safety operations for preventing overheating and explosion.

The protection circuit module 130 may be disposed on a charging and discharging path for charging and discharging the battery cell 150 and control opening and closing of the charging and discharging path. Accordingly, the protection circuit module 130 may include a switching device or the like. A connector for supplying power to the main device may be disposed at an end of the protection circuit module 130 .

The protection circuit module accommodating space G2 is for accommodating the protection circuit module 130 electrically connected to the battery cell 150, wherein the protection circuit module accommodating space G2 may be arranged at an end facing the terminal of the battery cell 150 in the accommodating space G so as to be connected with the battery cell 150. A single battery 150 is connected. Here, the first flange unit 1141 and the second flange unit 1142 may be disposed at two opposite sides of the protection circuit module receiving space G2. By efficiently arranging the first flange unit 1141, the second flange unit 1142, and the protection circuit module receiving space G2, the battery pack 100 can be compact without wasting any space.

It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described therein 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.

Explanation of reference signs

100: battery pack 110: first housing

111: First bottom plate 114: Flange unit

1141: The first flange unit 1142: The second flange unit

114a: Assembly unit 114b: Strength enhancement unit

115: First rib 115a: Uneven part

1151: Thick part 1152: Thin part

115b: Flat part 117: Clamping member

118: The first connection unit (connection plate)

118': connection opening

120: Second housing 120a: Step portion of the second housing

121: Second bottom plate 125: Second rib

128: Second connection unit (hook) 130: Protection circuit module

140: Flexible printed circuit board 150: Single battery

150a: first major surface 150b: second major surface

G: Accommodating space G1: Accommodating space for a single battery

G2: Protection circuit module accommodation space C: Assembly axis

Claims (20)

1. A battery pack comprising: Single battery; a case including a first case and a second case coupled together and housing the single battery, wherein the first case includes: A first rib extending circumferentially around the first housing and substantially defining a battery receiving space for the battery cells around an interior of the first rib, the first rib having Alternating thick and thin ridged regions. 2. The battery pack of claim 1, further comprising a flange unit on an exterior of the first rib, wherein the ridge region is located on the first rib adjacent to the flange unit. 3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the flange unit includes a protrusion configured to receive an external device. 4. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the flange unit is exposed when the first case and the second case are coupled together. 5. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the ridged region extends along the entirety of the first rib. 6. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the ridged region is on a corner of the first rib. 7. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the first case further includes a first bottom plate, and wherein the first rib extends away from the first bottom plate. 8. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the flange unit is on a corner of the first case. 9. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the flange unit comprises a first flange unit and a second flange unit spaced apart from each other. 10. The battery pack according to claim 9, further comprising a protection circuit module, wherein the first rib further defines a protection circuit module receiving space. 11. The battery pack according to claim 10, wherein the protective circuit module is between the first flange unit and the second flange unit. 12. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein said ridged region comprises a first ridged region and a second ridged region, and wherein said first rib has The flat areas between the second ridged areas. 13. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein the planar region has a connection opening configured to receive a fastener to couple the first housing to the second housing. 14. The battery pack according to claim 13, further comprising a connection unit offset from the first rib, and wherein the connection opening is on the connection unit. 15. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein a thickness of the flat area and a thickness of the thick portion are equal. 16. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the ridged region comprises a plurality of ridged regions spaced apart from each other. 17. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein thicknesses of the thick portion and the thin portion are equal to or smaller than a thickness of the first bottom plate. 18. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the battery pack includes a plurality of the single cells stacked to form a stepped configuration. 19. The battery pack according to claim 18, wherein the second case includes a second bottom plate having a stepped configuration to accommodate the stepped configuration of a plurality of the single cells. 20. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the thick portion protrudes toward the single cell relative to the thin portion.

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