IP Library Granted Patent US 9,012,063
Granted Patent B2
US 9,012,063 · App. 13/137,277 · Granted Apr 21, 2015

Battery module

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,012,063
App. No.
13/137,277
Granted
Apr 21, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells aligned in one direction, first and second end plates, the plurality of battery cells being positioned between the first and second end plates, and a top plate covering top surfaces of the battery cells, the top plate including first and second ends connected to the first and second end plates, respectively, via first and second fastening portions, respectively, the first and second fastening portions being different from each other.

Claims (27)

1. A battery module, comprising:

a plurality of battery cells aligned in one direction;

first and second end plates, the plurality of battery cells being positioned between the first and second end plates; and

a top plate covering top surfaces of the battery cells, the top plate including first and second ends connected to the first and second end plates, respectively, via first and second fastening portions, respectively, the first and second fastening portions being different from each other;

wherein the first fastening portion includes a hanging portion on the first end plate and a mounting portion on the first end of the top plate, the hanging portion and mounting portion overlapping each other; and

wherein the mounting portion contacts a bottom surface of the hanging portion.

2. The battery module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first and second fastening portions are opposite to each other.

3. The battery module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first end plate includes a base plate disposed in parallel with the battery cells and at least one flange portion on the base plate and bent away from the battery cells, the hanging portion being bent vertically toward the battery cells from a top of the base plate.

4. The battery module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion contacts side surfaces of the hanging portion.

5. The battery module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the top plate includes plastic, and the first and second plates include stainless steel.

6. The battery module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the top plate includes a gas exhaustion path corresponding to vent portions of the battery cells.

7. The battery module as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the second end of the top plate includes an opening connected to the gas exhaustion path, the opening extending from the gas exhaustion path to be mounted on a stepped portion of the second end plate.

8. The battery module as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a connecting member that connects the first and second end plates to each other.

9. The battery module as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the connecting member includes side plates that respectively support side surfaces of the battery cells, and a bottom plate that supports bottom surfaces of the battery cells.

10. The battery module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the top plate includes extending portions at the first and second ends thereof, the extending portions being configured to engage with portions of respective first and second end plates to define the first and second fastening portions, respectively.

11. The battery module as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the extending portions of the top plate include a mounting portion protruding from a first end of the top plate toward the first end plate, and an opening protruding from a second end of the top plate toward the second end plate.

12. The battery module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second fastening portion includes overlapping portions of the second end plate and the second end of the top plate.

13. The battery module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second fastening portion includes an insertion hole in the second end plate and a hook on the second end of the top plate, the hook being inserted into the insertion hole.

14. The battery module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second fastening portion includes at least one first through-hole in the second end plate and a second through-hole in the second end of the top plate, the first and second through-holes being aligned and penetrated by a fastening member.

15. A battery module, comprising:

a plurality of battery cells aligned in one direction;

first and second end plates, the plurality of battery cells being positioned between the first and second end plates; and

a top plate covering top surfaces of the battery cells, the top plate including first and second ends connected to the first and second end plates, respectively, via first and second fastening portions, respectively, the first and second fastening portions being different from each other;

wherein the second fastening portion includes an insertion hole in the second end plate and a hook on the second end of the top plate, the hook being inserted into the insertion hole.

16. The battery module as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the first fastening portion includes a hanging portion on the first end plate and a mounting portion on the first end of the top plate, the hanging portion and mounting portion overlapping each other.

17. The battery module as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the second fastening portion includes at least one first through-hole in the second end plate and a second through-hole in the second end of the top plate, the first and second through-holes being aligned and penetrated by a fastening member.

18. The battery module as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the fastening member includes a bolt or stud.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2013
From: SB LIMOTIVE CO. LTD.
To: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.; ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
Reel/Frame 029584/0111 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 3, 2011
From: KIM, MYUNG-CHUL
To: SB LIMOTIVE CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 026747/0111 →