BATTERY MODULE

Embodiments relate to a battery and a battery module including the same.

Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries generally may be rechargeable. A secondary battery may be used as an energy source for mobile devices such as laptop computers and mobile phones, electric automobiles, hybrid electric automobiles, electric bicycles, and uninterruptible power supplies.

In a medium-large sized device, such as in an electric or hybrid electric automobile, a battery module, in which a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to each other, is generally used due to the need for high output and high-capacity.

Embodiments are therefore directed to a battery and a battery module including the same, which substantially overcome one or more of the problems due to the limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

It is therefore a feature of an embodiment to provide a battery having provisions to prevent movement of an electrode assembly in a case, so as to reduce the effects of vibration, and a battery module including the same.

At least one of the above and other features and advantages may be realized by providing a battery, including a battery case, an electrode assembly in the battery case, the electrode assembly including a plurality of windings that are wound about a winding axis, the winding axis being oriented parallel to a bottom surface of the battery case, and a retainer between the electrode assembly and the bottom surface of the battery case, the retainer being pressed between the electrode assembly and the bottom surface of the battery case.

The electrode assembly may have an outermost winding, the outermost winding of the electrode assembly may be a separator, and the separator may contact the retainer.

In one embodiment, the electrode assembly includes a second plurality of windings that are wound about a second winding axis, the second winding axis being oriented parallel to the winding axis, and the retainer may have lateral support portions that press against the winding and the second winding.

The retainer may have at least one central support portion disposed between the lateral support portions, the central support portion being configured to press against a central region of the electrode assembly.

The retainer may have a W shape, the center of the W forming a central support portion disposed between the plurality of windings and the second plurality of windings.

The retainer may include lateral support portions that contact lower side regions of the electrode assembly, the lateral support portions of the retainer may be coupled to one another, and the retainer may be a single integrated member.

The retainer may be a preformed plate, ends of the plate being bent so as to extend away from the bottom surface of the battery case, the ends of the plate forming the lateral support portions.

The lateral support portions of the retainer may press against sides of the battery case.

The retainer may have a length in the winding axis direction that corresponds to that of the electrode assembly.

The retainer may not be fixed to the electrode assembly and may not be fixed to the battery case, such that the retainer floats between the electrode assembly and the battery case.

The battery may further include a cap plate coupled to the battery case, the cap plate having at least one electrode terminal extending there through, the electrode assembly being coupled to the at least one electrode terminal. The cap plate may be disposed at an end of the battery case that is opposite to the retainer.

The retainer may be electrically insulating.

The retainer may include at least one of silicone, rubber, and polypropylene.

At least one of the above and other features and advantages may also be realized by providing a battery, including a battery case, an electrode assembly in the battery case, and a retainer between the electrode assembly and the battery case, the retainer being disposed along an end of the electrode assembly, the retainer having peripheral members that extend away from a bottom surface of the battery case, the peripheral members contacting the electrode assembly and sides of the battery case.

The retainer may have a central member that joins the peripheral members, at least a portion of the central member being in contact with the battery case.

The peripheral members may be coupled together and the retainer may be a single integrated member.

The retainer may be a preformed plate having ends that are bent away from the bottom of the battery case, the ends forming the peripheral members.

The retainer may be electrically insulating.

The retainer may include at least one of silicone, rubber, and polypropylene.

The above and other features and advantages will become more apparent to those of skill in the art by describing in detail example embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a battery module according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a battery unit cut along a line I-I of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates aspects of an electrode assembly;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a battery unit cut along a line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial perspective view of the battery unit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the battery unit of FIG. 4 showing a bottom retainer in a state before the bottom retainer is deformed;

FIG. 6B illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the battery unit of FIG. 4 showing the bottom retainer in a state after the bottom retainer is deformed; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a battery unit according to another embodiment.

In the drawing figures, dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intervening elements may also be present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "under" another element, it can be directly under, or one or more intervening elements may also be present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "between" two elements, it can be the only element between the two elements, or one or more intervening elements may also be present. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a battery module according to a first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the battery module 100 includes a battery unit 101. The battery unit 101 includes one or more electrode assemblies 102.

A positive electrode terminal 103 and a negative electrode terminal 104 protrude from the battery unit 101. A washer 106, a nut 107, and an insulator 105 are connected to each of the positive electrode terminal 103 and the negative electrode terminal 104.

In the battery module 100, a plurality of the battery units 101 are connected together. For example, the battery units 101 are electrically connected in series. The battery units 101 may be alternately arranged so that adjacent terminals of adjacent battery units have opposite polarities. The positive electrode terminal 103 of one battery unit 101 may be connected to the negative electrode terminal 104 of another, adjacent battery unit 101 via a bus bar 108. In an implementation, the positive electrode terminal 103 of the one battery unit 101 and the negative electrode terminal 104 of the other battery unit 101 are connected to each other by the bus bar 108 with nuts 109 screwed thereon to secure the bus bar 108.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a battery unit cut along a line I-I of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates aspects of an electrode assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the battery unit 101 includes the at least one electrode assembly 102, as well as a case 110 including the at least one electrode assembly 102. A cap assembly 111 is installed on the case 110.

As shown in FIG. 3, the electrode assembly 102 includes a positive plate 112 and a negative plate 113. A separator 114 is interposed between the positive plate 112 and the negative plate 113. The positive plate 112, the separator 114, and the negative plate 113 are rolled to form a jelly-roll type electrode assembly. Two or more such jelly-roll type electrodes may be housed in the case 110.

For the positive plate 112, a positive active material layer 112b is formed on at least one surface of a positive current collector 112a. Further, a positive electrode uncoated part 112c, on which the positive active material layer 112b is not formed, is provided on one edge of the positive current collector 112a, e.g., along a longitudinal direction thereof.

For the negative plate 113, a negative active material layer 113b is formed on at least one surface of a negative current collector 113a. Further, a negative electrode uncoated part 113c, on which a negative active material layer 113b is not formed, is formed on one edge of the negative current collector 113a, e.g., along a longitudinal direction thereof.

The uncoated part 113c of the negative plate 113 is opposite to the uncoated part 112c of the positive plate 112, such that the positive electrode uncoated part 112c and the negative electrode uncoated part 113c are arranged at edges that are opposite to each other in a width direction of the electrode assembly 102. The electrode assembly 102 is inserted into the case 110 such that the positive electrode uncoated part 112c and the negative electrode uncoated part 113c are disposed on left and right sides of the electrode assembly 102, respectively.

The positive electrode uncoated part 112c is electrically connected to a positive electrode current collector plate 115. The negative electrode uncoated part 113c is electrically connected to a negative electrode current collector plate 116. An end of the positive electrode current collector plate 115 and an end of the negative electrode current collector plate 116 is located in the upper space S in the case 110, the space S being formed between the electrode assembly 102 and the cap assembly 111. The positive electrode uncoated part 112c is combined to the positive electrode current collector plate 115, and the negative electrode uncoated part 113c is combined to the negative electrode current collector plate 116, respectively, using, e.g., ultrasonic welding.

The case 110 is formed of a metal, e.g., aluminum, an aluminum alloy, nickel-plate steel, etc. In another implementation, the case 110 is formed of an electrically insulating material. The case 110 may or may not be polarized, i.e., the case 110 itself may or may not form part of the electrical circuit of the battery. The size of the case 110 is preferably such that at least one electrode assembly 102 is included therein. The case 110 may have a square shape or another suitable shape.

The cap assembly 111 includes a cap plate 112 that seals an upper opening 110b of the case 110. A bottom surface of the cap plate 112 may be combined to the case 110 along edges of an upper part of the case 110 and sealing an inner space of the case 110.

The cap plate 112 optionally includes a safety vent 123. The safety vent 123 opens, e.g., irreversibly, to rapidly discharge gas out from the case 110 when an internal pressure of the case 110 is excessively increased.

The cap plate 112 optionally includes an electrolyte injection hole 124 for injecting an electrolyte into the case 110. The electrolyte injection hole 124 may include a pin 125 that seals the electrolyte injection hole 124 after injection of an electrolyte.

The positive electrode current collector plate 115 is electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 103, which is preferably formed of a bolt. The positive electrode terminal 103 protrudes past a hole in the cap plate 112 by a predetermined amount from inside the case 110. At the hole of the cap plate 112 through which the positive electrode terminal 103 protrudes, the insulator 105 and a seal gasket 117 are respectively inserted thereon and there under, to insulate the positive electrode terminal 103 from the cap plate 112. The positive electrode terminal 103 preferably extends through the insulator 105 and the seal gasket 117.

A washer 106 and a nut 107 are placed onto the positive electrode terminal 103 protruding from the cap plate 112 and screwed thereon. The bus bar 108 is fixed to the positive electrode terminal 103 protruding from the nut 107 so as to electrically connect to an adjacent battery unit 101. The nut 109 is screwed on the bus bar 108 and thus the bus bar 108 can be fixed on the positive electrode terminal 103.

The positive electrode current collector plate 115 is fixed on the positive electrode terminal 103 in the upper space S of the case 110, e.g., by caulking and laser welding. An insulating case 118 may be further installed around the positive electrode terminal 103 by being interposed between the positive electrode current collector plate 115 and the cap plate 112.

The negative electrode current collector plate 116 is exemplarily electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal 104, which is formed of a bolt. The negative electrode terminal 104 protrudes past a hole in the cap plate 112 by a predetermined amount from inside of the case 110. An insulator 105, a seal gasket 117, and an insulating case 118 are installed between the negative electrode terminal 104 and the cap plate 112 for insulating the negative electrode terminal 104 from the cap plate 112.

The at least one electrode assembly 102 is installed in the battery unit 101. A bottom retainer 400 is further installed at a bottom of the case 110 in order to prevent movement of the electrode assembly 102, which will be described more fully below.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a battery unit cut along a line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 illustrates a partial perspective view of the battery unit of FIG. 4.

Hereinafter, connections regarding a positive plate are described in the current embodiment; however, the current embodiment may be also applied to a negative plate.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the electrode assembly 102 is included in the case 110. The electrode assembly 102 according to the current embodiment includes a first electrode assembly 102a and a second electrode assembly 102b. However, the current embodiment is not limited thereto, and one or more electrode assemblies 102 may be included in the case 110.

The positive electrode current collector plate 115 includes a plurality of collector leads, e.g., first and second positive electrode current collector leads 115a and 115b, as well as a positive electrode current collector connector 115c that connects the positive electrode current collector leads 115a and 115b.

In the embodiment, the first positive electrode current collector lead 115a is electrically connected to the first electrode assembly 102a and the second positive electrode current collector lead 115b is electrically connected to the second electrode assembly 102b. The first positive electrode current collector lead 115a and the second positive electrode current collector lead 115b are connected to a positive electrode current collector of the first electrode assembly 102a and a positive electrode current collector of the second electrode assembly 102b, respectively, using, e.g., ultrasonic welding. The first positive electrode current collector lead 115a and the second positive electrode current collector lead 115b are connected to the positive electrode current collector at one edge of the first electrode assembly 102a and the positive electrode current collector at one edge of the second electrode assembly 102b, respectively.

The first positive electrode current collector lead 115a and the second positive electrode current collector lead 115b are integrally connected to each other by the positive electrode current collector connector 115c in the upper space S in the case 110. The positive electrode current collector connector 115c is bent with respect to the first positive electrode current collector lead 115a and the second positive electrode current collector lead 115b. The positive electrode terminal 103 is fixed to an upper surface of the positive electrode current collector connector 115c, e.g., by caulking and laser welding.

An insulator 105, a seal gasket 117, and an insulating case 118 are installed around the positive electrode terminal 103 for insulating the positive electrode terminal 103 from the cap plate 112.

The first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b are secured by the connections of the first positive electrode current collector lead 115a, the second positive electrode current collector lead 115b, the positive electrode current collector connector 115c, and the positive electrode terminal 103 in the upper space S in the case 110, which helps to prevent movement of the internal components of the battery unit 101.

The bottom retainer 400 is preferably installed at the bottom of the case 110 in order to prevent the first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b from moving. The bottom retainer 400 is preferably configured as a plate having ends that contact outer side surfaces of the electrode assembly 102a and/or 102b. The bottom retainer 400 may be a plate having ends that are bent upward to positively engage the electrode assembly 102a and/or 102b, to thus positively engage the electrode assembly 102a and/or 102b and resist lateral motion thereof. In an implementation, the bottom retainer 400 is a preformed and/or solid piece, and thus provides a more positive engagement with the electrode assembly 102a and/or 102b than, e.g., a foam piece. The bottom retainer 400 may be an integral member, and may be formed by, e.g., thermoforming a plastic material, stamping a metal material, etc.

The bottom retainer 400 includes a first bottom or first bottom portion 401 and a second bottom or second bottom portion 402. The first bottom 401 and the second bottom 402 are preferably flat plates extending from one side to the other side along the bottom of the case 110.

A first transformed part or lateral support portion 403 inclined by a predetermined angle towards an upper direction is formed at an edge of the first bottom 401, and extends along the longitudinal direction of the first bottom 401. In an implementation, opposing first transformed parts 403 are integrally connected with the first bottom 401 along edges of the first bottom 401 on both side ends of the first bottom 401, such that the first electrode assembly 102a is located in an inner space formed by combining the first bottom 401 and the first transformed parts 403.

A second transformed part or second lateral portion 404 inclined by a predetermined angle towards an upper direction is formed at an edge of the second bottom 402, and extends along the longitudinal direction of the second bottom 402. In an implementation, opposing second transformed parts 404 are integrally connected with the second bottom 402 along edges of the second bottom 402 on both side ends of the second bottom 402, such that the second electrode assembly 102b is located in an inner space formed by combining the second bottom 402 and the second transformed parts 404.

The first bottom 401 and the second bottom 402 may be disposed apart from one another, or may be integrally connected to each other at a part 405. The part 405 is pref erably positioned where the first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b are contacted with each other. Accordingly, the bottom retainer 400 spans and stabilizes the first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b, wherein the first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b are located in the inner space formed by combining the first bottom 401 and the first transformed parts 403 and the inner space formed by combining the second bottom 402 and the second transformed parts 404, respectively.

The size of the inner space formed by combining the first bottom 401 and the first transformed parts 403, and the size of the inner space formed by combining the second bottom 402 and the second transformed parts 404, respectively, is preferably such that lower parts of the first electrode assembly 102a and lower parts of the second electrode assembly 102b are forcibly fixed thereto. The bottom retainer 400 is preferably a separate element from the electrode assembly 102 and the bottom surface 110a of the case 110. The bottom retainer 400 is preferably not fixed to the electrode assembly 102 or the bottom surface 110a of the case 110. The bottom retainer 400 is preferably held in place due to being pressed between the electrode assembly 102 and the bottom surface 110a of the case 110, but may float there between.

Lengths, i.e., longitudinal dimensions, of the first bottom 401 and the second bottom 402 are preferably long enough to cover lengths of the first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b. Moreover, the height of the first transformed parts 403 and the second transformed parts 404 is preferably high enough to include predetermined areas of the lower parts of the first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b therein.

The bottom retainer 400 is preferably formed of a material that deforms when the first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b are inserted thereon, for example, an elastomer such as silicone or rubber, or a polymer resin such as poly propylene (PP).

The battery unit 101 is inserted into the case 110 as illustrated in FIG. 6A while the first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b are respectively electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 103 and the negative electrode terminal 104 protruding through the cap plate 112.

The bottom retainer 400 may first be installed at the bottom of the case 110. Then, the lower part of the first electrode assembly 102a may be located in the inner space formed by combining the first bottom 401 and the first transformed parts 403, and the lower part of the second electrode assembly 102b may be located in the inner space formed by combining the second bottom 402 and the second transformed parts 404.

As illustrated in FIG. 6B, when the electrode assembly 102 is installed on the bottom retainer 400, the lower part of the first electrode assembly 102a deforms a part of the bottom retainer 400 where the first bottom 401 and the first transformed parts 403 are connected to each other, and the lower part of the second electrode assembly 102b deforms a part of the bottom retainer where the second bottom 402 and the second transformed parts 404 are connected to each other.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the electrode assembly 102, when forcibly fixed to the bottom retainer 400 as represented by an arrow in FIG. 6A, deforms the bottom retainer 400 such that the first transformed parts 403 and the second transformed parts 404 of the bottom retainer 400 are elastically deformed on the left and right sides of the case 110, as represented by dashed lines in FIG. 6B.

In an implementation, the first transformed parts or first lateral portion 403 and the second transformed parts or second lateral portion 404 contact inner walls of the case 110. The first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b are elastically supported by the first transformed parts 403 and the second transformed parts 404. Accordingly, the first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b are not moved.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a battery unit according to another embodiment. Like reference numerals to those in the previous drawings denote like elements having the same functions.

Referring to FIG. 7, the first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b are installed in the case 110. A bottom retainer 700 is installed at the bottom of the case 110 in order to prevent first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b from moving.

As compared to the above-described embodiment, separate transformed parts or lateral portions (to include the first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b in separate spaces) are not formed where the first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b contact each other. Rather, the bottom retainer 700 includes a bottom 701 and lateral, i.e., peripheral, transformed parts or lateral portions 702 inclined by a predetermined angle towards an upper direction at two edges of the bottom 701 in a longitudinal direction. Each transformed part 702 may be integrally connected with the bottom 701. The first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b are both be located in an inner space formed by combining the bottom 701 and the transformed parts 702.

The size of the inner space formed by combining the bottom 701 and the transformed parts 702 is preferably such that the lower parts of the first electrode assembly 102a and the lower part of the second electrode assembly 102b are forcibly fixed thereto. The size of the plurality of transformed parts 702 is preferably such that predetermined areas of the lower parts of the first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b can be included therein.

Accordingly, when the electrode assembly 102 is installed on the bottom retainer 700, the bottom retainer 700 can be deformed and the electrode assembly 102 is elastically supported by the bottom retainer 700. Accordingly, the first electrode assembly 102a and the second electrode assembly 102b may not be moved.

As described above, according to the one or more of the above embodiments, the battery unit has a bottom retainer formed preferably of an elastomer, the bottom retainer being installed at a bottom of a case where at least one electrode assembly is included. When the electrode assembly inserted into the case, the electrode assembly pushes on the bottom retainer and deforms the bottom retainer, thereby supporting the electrode assembly by an elastic force of the bottom retainer. Accordingly, the electrode assembly may not be moved, and thus, vibration endurance of battery can be improved. A plurality of battery units, each including at least one electrode assembly and a corresponding bottom retainer, may be prepared and the plurality of battery units may be electrically connected to form a battery module.

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.