Battery module having improved safety and operational lifespan

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017054119-A1
Application number	US-201515118721-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 7, 2015
Priority date	Oct 7, 2014
Publication date	Feb 23, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a battery module capable of preventing a battery cell from being damaged by vibration or impact. The battery module according to the present disclosure is characterized such that it includes a battery cell, a first cover disposed adjacent to the battery cell to cover one surface of the battery cell, and a first elastic member having elasticity, which is interposed between the battery cell and the first cover.

First claim

1 . A battery module, comprising:
a battery cell; a first cover disposed adjacent to the battery cell to cover one surface of the battery cell; and a first elastic member having elasticity and being interposed between the battery cell and the first cover.

2 . The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the first elastic member is an elastic mat having a predetermined thickness and comprising an elastic body having elasticity therein.

3 . The battery module of claim 2 , wherein an interior of the elastic mat is filled with an elastic body.

4 . The battery module of claim 3 , wherein the elastic body has a partially varying density.

5 . The battery module of claim 4 , wherein the elastic body is densely formed at a center portion such that a density at the center portion of the elastic mat is relatively greater than a density of a periphery of the elastic mat.

6 . The battery module of claim 2 , wherein the elastic body is a spring.

7 . The battery module of claim 6 , wherein the spring comprises two or more springs which are irregularly disposed within the elastic mat.

8 . The battery module of claim 7 , wherein the springs are densely formed at the center portion of the elastic mat.

9 . The battery module of claim 6 , wherein the spring comprises two or more springs, and some of the springs have a different modulus of elasticity from the rest of the springs.

10 . The battery module of claim 9 , wherein the some of the springs have a relatively greater modulus of elasticity than the rest of springs, and are disposed at the center portion of the elastic mat.

11 . The battery module of claim 2 , wherein the elastic mat has at least one insertion hole formed therein.

12 . The battery module of claim 11 , wherein the insertion hole is formed in a direction along which the battery cell, the elastic mat, and the first cover are stacked.

13 . The battery module of claim 12 , wherein the first cover has a corresponding protrusion formed at a location corresponding to the insertion hole and in a shape corresponding to the insertion hole.

14 . The battery module of claim 13 , wherein the corresponding protrusion is sized to be relatively greater than a size of the insertion hole such that the corresponding protrusion is press-fit into the insertion hole.

15 . The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the first elastic member is a plate spring convexly bent in one direction.

16 . The battery module of claim 15 , wherein a convex portion of the plate spring faces the battery cell.

17 . The battery module of claim 16 , wherein a convex portion of the plate spring is disposed in abutment with the center portion of the battery cell.

18 . The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the first cover has a plate shape and is made from a metal.

19 . The battery module of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second cover disposed adjacent to the battery cell to cover other surface of the battery cell; and a second elastic member having elasticity and being interposed between the battery cell and the second cover.

20 . (canceled)

21 . An electric vehicle comprising the battery module according to claim 1 .

Assignees

• Lg Chemical Ltd

Inventors

• Lee Chul-Kyu

Classifications

• H01M10/052 Primary

  Li-accumulators · CPC title

• H01M2200/00

  Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries · CPC title

• H01M2220/20

  Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane · CPC title

• H01M2/1094 Primary

  Electricity · mapped topic

• Y02P70/50

  Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product · CPC title