BATTERY CASING, BATTERY PACK, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING BATTERY PACKS
20260106293 ยท 2026-04-16
Inventors
Cpc classification
H01M50/24
ELECTRICITY
B23K26/009
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B23K2101/36
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
H01M50/24
ELECTRICITY
B23K26/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B23K26/57
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
Disclosed herein are a battery casing, a battery pack, and a method of manufacturing battery packs. The battery casing is configured to house a plurality of battery cells, and includes a first casing, and a second casing coupled to the first casing at a bonding area by laser bonding. The first casing has a convex semicircular cross-sectional shape in the bonding area.
Claims
1. A battery casing configured to house a plurality of battery cells, the battery casing comprising: a first casing; and a second casing coupled to the first casing at a bonding area by laser bonding, wherein the first casing has a convex semicircular cross-sectional shape in the bonding area.
2. The battery casing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second casing has a concave semicircular n cross-sectional shape corresponding to the convex semicircular cross-sectional shape of the first casing in the bonding area.
3. The battery casing as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first casing is made of a material through which laser light can be transmitted.
4. The battery casing as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second casing includes a receiving groove adjacent to the bonding area.
5. The battery casing as claimed in claim 1, wherein a thermosetting resin comprising an optical initiator is provided in the area.
6. The battery casing as claimed in claim 1, wherein an ultraviolet blocking paint is provided on an upper outer surface of the first casing above the bonding area.
7. The battery casing as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ultraviolet blocking paint has a predetermined color.
8. A battery pack comprising: a plurality of battery cells; and a battery casing configured to house the plurality of battery cells, wherein the battery casing comprises a first casing and a second casing coupled to the first casing at a bonding area by laser bonding; and wherein the first casing has a convex semicircular cross-sectional shape in the bonding area.
9. The battery pack as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second casing has a concave semicircular cross-sectional shape corresponding to the convex semicircular cross-sectional shape of the first casing in the bonding area.
10. The battery pack as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first casing is made of a material through which laser light can be transmitted.
11. The battery pack as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second casing includes a receiving groove formed adjacent to the bonding area.
12. The battery pack as claimed in claim 8, wherein a thermosetting resin comprising an optical initiator is provided in the bonding area.
13. The battery pack as claimed in claim 8, wherein an ultraviolet blocking paint is provided on an upper outer surface of the first casing above the bonding area.
14. The battery pack as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ultraviolet blocking paint has a predetermined color.
15. A method of manufacturing battery packs, comprising: manufacturing a first casing; manufacturing a second casing; housing a plurality of battery cells in the second casing; and coupling the first casing and the second casing at a bonding area by laser bonding, wherein the first casing includes a convex semicircular cross-sectional shape in the bonding area.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second casing has a concave semicircular cross-sectional shape corresponding to the convex semicircular cross-sectional shape of the first casing in the bonding area.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first casing is made of a material through which laser light can be transmitted.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second casing includes a receiving groove adjacent to the bonding area.
19. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein a thermosetting resin comprising an optical initiator is provided in the bonding area.
20. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising applying an ultraviolet blocking paint to an upper outer surface of the first casing above the bonding area.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and serve to further describe aspects and features of the present disclosure together with the detailed description of the present disclosure. The present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the drawings.
[0030]
[0031]
[0032]
[0033]
[0034]
[0035]
[0036]
[0037]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to the description, it is noted that the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to common or dictionary meanings but instead should be understood to have meanings and concepts in agreement with the spirit of the present disclosure based on the principle that an inventor can define the concept of each term suitably in order to describe his/her own invention in the best way possible. Accordingly, since the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only an example of the present disclosure and they do not cover all the technical ideas of the present disclosure, various changes and modifications may be made at the time of filing this application.
[0039] It will be further understood that the terms comprises/includes and/or comprising/including when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0040] To facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated. It should be noted that the same reference numerals are designated to the same components in different embodiments.
[0041] Reference to two compared elements, features, etc. as being the same means that they are substantially the same. Therefore, the phrase substantially the same may include a deviation that is considered low in the art, for example, a deviation of 5% or less. The uniformity of any parameter in a given region may mean that it is uniform from an average perspective.
[0042] Although the terms such as first and/or second are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component. Thus, unless specifically stated to the contrary, a first component may be termed a second component without departing from the teachings of exemplary embodiments.
[0043] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.
[0044] Arrangement of any component above (or below) or on (or under) a component may mean that any component is disposed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component, as well as that other components may be interposed between the element and any element disposed on (or under) the element.
[0045] It will be understood that, when a component is referred to as being connected, coupled, or joined to another component, not only can it be directly connected, coupled, or joined to the other element, but also can it be indirectly connected, coupled, or joined to the other element with other elements interposed therebetween.
[0046] As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associate listed items. The use of may when describing embodiments of the present disclosure relates to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Expressions such as at least one and one or more preceding a list of elements modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements in the list.
[0047] Throughout the specification, when A and/or B is stated, it means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise stated. In addition, when C to D is stated, it means C or more and D or less, unless specifically stated to the contrary.
[0048] When the phrase such as at least one of A, B, and C, at least one of A, B, or C, at least one selected from the group of A, B, and C, or at least one selected from among A, B, and C is used to designate a list of elements A, B, and C, the phrase may refer to any and all suitable combinations.
[0049] The term use may be considered synonymous with the term utilize. As used herein, the terms substantially, about, and similar terms are used as terms of approximation rather than as terms of degree, and are intended to account for inherent variations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0050] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another element, component, region, layer, or section. Accordingly, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below may be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of exemplary embodiments.
[0051] For ease of explanation in describing the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawings, spatially relative terms such as beneath, below, lower, above, and upper may be used herein. It will be understood that spatially relative positions are intended to encompass different directions of the device in use or operation in addition to the direction depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, any element described as being below or beneath another element would then be oriented above or over another element. Therefore, the term below may encompass both upward and downward directions.
[0052] Secondary batteries can be a coin type, a cylindrical type, a prismatic type, and a pouch type. Before descriptions of embodiments of the present disclosure, cylindrical, pouch type, and prismatic secondary batteries are described because the present disclosure may be applied to these types of secondary batteries.
[0053]
[0054] The electrode assembly 40 may be formed by winding or stacking the first electrode plate 10, the second electrode plate 20, and the separator 30, each of which is formed in a plate or film shape. For a winding stack, the winding axis of the electrode assembly 40 may be parallel to the length direction of the case. In other examples, the electrode assembly 40 may be the stack type, but the shape of the electrode assembly 40 is not limited in the present disclosure. The first electrode plate 10 of the electrode assembly 40 may function as a positive electrode, and the second electrode plate 20 functions as a negative electrode, or vice versa.
[0055] The first electrode plate 10 may be formed by applying a first electrode active material, such as graphite or carbon, to a first electrode collector plate formed of metal foil, such as copper, a copper alloy, nickel, or a nickel alloy. The first electrode plate 10 may include a first electrode tab (or a first uncoated part), which is an area where no first electrode active material is provided.
[0056] The second electrode plate 20 may be formed by applying a second electrode active material, such as transition metal oxide, to a material formed of metal foil, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The second electrode plate 20 may include a second electrode tab (or a second uncoated part), which is an area where the second electrode active material is not provided.
[0057] The separator 30 may function to prevent a short-circuit between the first electrode plate 10 and the second electrode plate 20 while permitting a movement of lithium ions between the plates 10 and 20. The separator 30 may be, for example, a polyethylene film, a polypropylene film, or a polyethylene-polypropylene film.
[0058] The secondary batteries described may be provided in a plurality of secondary batteries to constitute a plurality of battery cells, which may be housed in a battery casing to constitute a battery pack.
[0059]
[0060] Referring to
[0061] The process of forming the bonding area between the first casing 1 and the second casing 2 will be described in detail. As illustrated in
[0062] As illustrated in
[0063]
[0064] Referring to
[0065] The first casing 110 may have a convex semicircular cross-section 111 at the bonding area between the first casing 110 and the second casing 120. In addition, the second casing 120 may have a concave semicircular cross-section 121, which corresponds to the convex semicircular cross-section of the first casing 110, at the bonding area between the first casing 110 and the second casing 120. Here, the first casing 110 may be made of a material capable with the laser using to generate the heat for bonding the casings 110 and 120. For example, the first casing 110 may be made of polycarbonate (PC). As the first casing 110 is of a convex semicircular shape in cross-section, and the second casing 120 is of a corresponding concave semicircular shape in cross-section, as illustrated in
[0066] In an embodiment, the second casing 120 may have a receiving groove 122 formed adjacent to the bonding area between the first casing 110 and the second casing 120. The molten base material melted by the heat of laser is moved to and received in the receiving groove 122 as indicated by F. Thus, a stable joint is formed between the first casing 110 and the second casing 120 as illustrated in
[0067]
[0068] Referring to
[0069]
[0070] Referring to
[0071] In an embodiment, the ultraviolet blocking paint 140 may have a predetermined color. For example, the ultraviolet blocking paint 140 may have a color that provides good visibility therethrough. Thus, with the battery casing according to the embodiment of the present disclosure c it is easy to find a damaged area of because paint cracking due to deformation of the battery casing 100 is visually determined through the ultraviolet blocking paint 140 applied to the upper outer surface of the first casing 110.
[0072]
[0073] In step S210a first casing is manufactured. In embodiments, the first casing include a convex semicircular shape in cross-section at the bonding area between first and second casing. The first casing may be made of a material through which a laser can be transmitted.
[0074] In step S220 a second casing is manufactured that is combined to the first casing. The second casing may include a concave semicircular shape in cross-section that corresponds to the convex semicircular cross-sectional shape of the first casing at the bonding area between the first casing and the second casing. In addition, step S220 may include forming a receiving groove adjacent to the bonding area between the first casing and the second casing.
[0075] After step S220, the method of manufacturing battery packs may further include a step of applying a thermosetting resin including an optical initiator to the second casing in the bonding area between the first casing and the second casing.
[0076] In step S230 a plurality of battery cells are housed in the second casing.
[0077] In step S240 the first casing and the second casing are combined at the bonding area by laser bonding.
[0078] After step S240, the method may further include a step of applying an ultraviolet blocking paint to the upper outer surface of the first casing above the bonding area between the first casing and the second casing.
[0079] The method of manufacturing battery packs according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the flowchart in
[0080] In the description with reference to
[0081] Hereinafter, materials that may be used in a secondary battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure are described.
[0082] A compound (e.g., a lithiated intercalation compound) capable of reversible intercalation and deintercalation of lithium may be used as a positive electrode active material. Specifically, one or more of complex oxides of metal, selected among cobalt, manganese, nickel, and a combination of them, and lithium may be used as the positive electrode active material. The complex oxide may be lithium transition metal complex oxide. Examples of the complex oxide include lithium nickel-based oxide, lithium cobalt-based oxide, lithium manganese-based oxide, a lithium ferrous phosphate-based compound, cobalt-free nickel-manganese-based oxide, and combinations of these compounds. A compound that is represented as one of the following chemical formulas may be used: Li.sub.aA.sub.1-bX.sub.bO.sub.2-cD.sub.c (0.90a1.8, 0b0.5, 0c0.05); Li.sub.aMn.sub.2-bX.sub.bO.sub.4-cD.sub.c (0.90a1.8, 0b0.5, 0c0.05); Li.sub.aNi.sub.1-b-cCo.sub.bX.sub.cO.sub.2-D.sub.(0.90a1.8, 0b0.5, 0c0.5, 0<<2); Li.sub.aNi.sub.1-b-cMn.sub.bX.sub.cO.sub.2-D.sub.(0.90a1.8, 0b0.5, 0c0.5, 0<<2); Li.sub.aNi.sub.bCo.sub.cL.sup.1.sub.dG.sub.eO.sub.2 (0.90a1.8, 0b0.9, 0c0.5, 0d0.5, 0e0.1); Li.sub.aNiG.sub.bO.sub.2 (0.90a1.8, 0.001b0.1); Li.sub.aCoG.sub.bO.sub.2 (0.90a1.8, 0.001b0.1); Li.sub.aMn.sub.1-bG.sub.bO.sub.2 (0.90a1.8, 0.001b0.1); Li.sub.aMn.sub.2G.sub.bO.sub.4 (0.90a1.8, 0.001b0.1); Li.sub.aMn.sub.1-gG.sub.gPO.sub.4 (0.90a1.8, 0g0.5); Li.sub.(3-f)Fe.sub.2(PO.sub.4).sub.3 (0f2); and Li.sub.aFePO.sub.4 (0.90a1.8). In these chemical formulas, A may be Ni, Co, Mn, or a combination thereof; X may be Al, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, Fe, Mg, Sr, V, a rare earth element, or a combination thereof; D may be O, F, S, P, or a combination thereof; G may be Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mg, La, Ce, Sr, V, or a combination thereof; and L.sup.1 may be Mn, Al, or a combination thereof.
[0083] A positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery may include a current collector and a positive electrode active material layer formed on the current collector. The positive electrode active material layer may include the positive electrode active material, and may further include a binder and/or a conductive material.
[0084] The amount of the positive electrode active material may be 90 wt. % to 99.5 wt. % with respect to 100 wt. % the positive electrode active material layer. The amount of the binder and the conductive material may be 0.5 wt. % to 5 wt. % with respect to 100 wt. % the positive electrode active material layer.
[0085] Aluminum may be used as the current collector. But the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0086] A negative electrode active material may include a material capable of reversibly intercalation/de-intercalation of lithium ions, lithium metal, an alloy of lithium metal, a material capable of doping and dedoping with respect to lithium, or transition metal oxide.
[0087] The material capable of reversibly Intercalation/de-intercalation of lithium ions may include a carbon-based negative electrode active material, for example, crystalline carbon, amorphous carbon, or a combination thereof. An example of the crystalline carbon is graphite, such as natural graphite or synthetic graphite. Examples of the amorphous carbon include soft or hard carbon, mesophase pitch carbide, and fired coke.
[0088] An Si-based negative electrode active material or an Sn-based negative electrode active material may be used as the material capable of doping and dedoping with respect to lithium. The Si-based negative electrode active material may be silicon, a silicon-carbon composite, SiO.sub.x (0<x<2), a Si-based alloy, or a combination thereof.
[0089] The silicon-carbon composite may be a composite of silicon and amorphous carbon. According to an example, the silicon-carbon composite may include silicon particles, and may have a form in which amorphous carbon is coated on surfaces of silicon particles.
[0090] The silicon-carbon composite may further include crystalline carbon. For example, the silicon-carbon composite may include a core including crystalline carbon and silicon particles and an amorphous carbon coating layer disposed on a surface of the core.
[0091] A negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery may include a current collector and a negative electrode active material layer disposed on the current collector. The negative electrode active material layer may include the negative electrode active material, and may further include a binder and/or a conductive material.
[0092] For example the negative electrode active material layer may include 90 wt. % to 99 wt. % of the negative electrode active material, 0.5 wt. % to 5 wt. % of the binder, and 0 wt. % to 5 wt. % of the conductive material.
[0093] A nonaqueous-based binder, an aqueous-based binder, a dry binder, or a combination thereof may be used as the binder. If the aqueous-based binder is used as a binder for the negative electrode, the binder for the negative electrode may further include a cellulose-series compound capable of assigning viscosity.
[0094] One of nickel foil, stainless steel foil, titanium foil, nickel foam, copper foam, a polymer base on which a conductive metal has been coated, and a combination thereof may be used as a current collector for the negative electrode.
[0095] An electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery may include a nonaqueous organic solvent and lithium salts. The nonaqueous organic solvent may play a role as a medium through which ions that are involved in an electrochemical reaction of a battery can move. The nonaqueous organic solvent may be a carbonate-based, ester-based, ether-based, ketone-based, or alcohol-based solvent, an aprotic solvent, or a combination of them. The carbonate-based, ester-based, ether-based, ketone-based, or alcohol-based solvent, or the aprotic solvent may be used solely, or two types or more of these may be mixed and used as the nonaqueous organic solvent. If the carbonate-based solvent is used, annular carbonate and chain carbonate may be mixed and used.
[0096] A separator may be provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode depending on the type of lithium secondary battery. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinylidene fluoride, or a multi-layer having two or more layers of them may be used as the separator.
[0097] The separator may include a porous base, and a coating layer including an organic matter, an inorganic matter, or a combination thereof that is disposed on one or both sides of the porous base.
[0098] The organic matter may include a polyvinylidene fluoride-based heavy antibody or (meth)acrylic polymer.
[0099] The inorganic matter may include inorganic particles selected among Al.sub.2O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, CeO.sub.2, MgO, NiO, CaO, GaO, ZnO, ZrO.sub.2, Y.sub.2O.sub.3, SrTiO.sub.3, BaTiO.sub.3, Mg(OH).sub.2, boehmite, and a combination thereof, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.
[0100] The organic matter and the inorganic matter may have a form in which the organic matter and the inorganic matter are mixed in one coating layer. In other examples, a coating layer including the organic matter and a coating layer including the inorganic matter are stacked
[0101] As is apparent from the above description, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure a first casing includes a convex semicircular shape in cross-section and the second casing includes a concave semicircular shape in cross-section at the bonding area between the first casing and the second casing. It is therefore possible to form a uniform and stable bonding area between the first casing and the second casing.
[0102] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure faster and more stable bonding through a chemical reaction of a thermosetting resin by applying the thermosetting resin including an optical initiator to the second casing at the bonding area between the first casing and the second casing.
[0103] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a change in temperature after combination of the first casing and the second casing at the bonding area therebetween to ensure reliability of battery protection of the battery casing by applying ultraviolet blocking paint to the upper outer surface of the first casing above the bonding area between the first casing and the second casing.
[0104] Although the present disclosure has been described above in connection with the embodiments and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments. A person having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present disclosure pertains may modify and change the present disclosure within the technical spirit of the present disclosure.