Patents by Inventor Heekook Yang

Heekook Yang has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20110262791
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery pack case in which a battery module having a plurality of stacked battery cells, which can be charged and discharged, is mounted, wherein the battery pack case is provided with a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port, which are disposed such that a coolant for cooling the battery cells can flow from one side to the other side of the battery module in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells, the battery pack case is further provided with a flow space (‘inlet duct’) extending from the coolant inlet port to the battery module and another flow space (‘outlet duct’) extending from the battery module to the coolant outlet port, and one or more guide members are disposed in the inlet duct for guiding the flow of the coolant in the direction parallel to the stacking direction of the battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Lg Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ye Hoon Im, Dooseong Choi, Sang Phil Han, Jongmoon Yoon, Jaesung Ahn, Heekook Yang, Dal Mo Kang
  • Patent number: 8033806
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery by performing insert injection molding with respect to a portion of a battery cell while the battery cell is located in a mold, wherein the apparatus comprises a pair of upper and lower molds, at which are formed shapes corresponding to the battery cell, the upper and lower molds are provided at the inside surfaces thereof with elastic members, and the elastic members are constructed in a structure in which the elastic members support a cell body of the battery cell and isolate a non-molding region from a molding region while the battery cell is mounted in the upper and lower molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junill Yoon, Ji Hoon Han, Heekook Yang
  • Publication number: 20110171512
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery pack case in which a battery module having a plurality of stacked battery cells, which can be charged and discharged, is mounted, wherein the battery pack case is provided with a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port, which are disposed such that a coolant for cooling the battery cells can flow from one side to the other side of the battery module in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells, and the battery pack case is further provided with beads formed in a concavo-convex shape for improving the structural stability of the battery pack case against an external force, the beads being constructed in an outwardly-protruding structure to allow the coolant to be uniformly introduced into the battery module from the coolant inlet port in the advancing direction of a fluid in a flow space (“inlet duct”) defined between the coolant inlet port and the battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ye Hoon Im, Dooseong Choi, Jaesung Ahn, Dal Mo Kang, Sang Phil Han, Jongmoon Yoon, Heekook Yang
  • Publication number: 20110135994
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery module comprising: a battery cell stack including a plurality of battery cells or unit modules electrically connected with each other; a first module case constructed in a structure to entirely surround one side end of the battery cell stack and to partially surround the upper and lower ends of the battery cell stack; a second module case coupled with the first module case, the second module case being constructed in a structure to entirely surround the other side end of the battery cell stack and to partially surround the upper and lower ends of the battery cell stack; a sensing member mounted to the first module case or the second module case; and a battery management system (BMS) mounted to the first module case or the second module case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Heekook Yang, Jongmoon Yoon, Jae Hun Yang
  • Patent number: 7892669
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery module comprising: a battery cell stack including a plurality of battery cells or unit modules electrically connected with each other, a first module case constructed in a structure to entirely surround one side end of the battery cell stack and to partially surround the upper and lower ends of the battery cell stack, a second module case coupled with the first module case, the second module case being constructed in a structure to entirely surround the other side end of the battery cell stack and to partially surround the upper and lower ends of the battery cell stack, a sensing member mounted to the first module case or the second module case, and a battery management system (BMS) mounted to the first module case or the second module case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heekook Yang, Jongmoon Yoon, Jae Hun Yang
  • Patent number: 7883793
    Abstract: A battery module having battery cell assemblies with alignment-coupling features is provided. The battery module includes a first battery cell assembly having at least first, second, third and fourth alignment-coupling features thereon. The battery module further includes a second battery cell assembly having at least fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth alignment-coupling features thereon. The fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth alignment-coupling features of the second battery cell assembly are configured to engage the first, second, third and fourth alignment-coupling features, respectively, of the first battery cell assembly to couple the second battery cell assembly to the first battery cell assembly and to align the second battery cell assembly relative to the first battery cell assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Niedzwiecki, Heekook Yang, Igor Isayev
  • Patent number: 7879485
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a housing member for a battery module, which is mounted to at least one side of the battery module such that a flow channel of refrigerant is defined in the battery module having unit cells stacked therein, wherein the housing member is provided with electrically connecting members for electrically connecting electrode terminals of the unit cells with each other and/or electrically connecting an external device to the electrode terminals, the electrically connecting members being integrally formed at the housing member. The housing member according to the present invention is manufactured in a structure in which the electrically connecting members are integrally formed at the housing member. Consequently, the manufacturing costs of the housing member are reduced. Furthermore, the assembly process of the battery module is greatly simplified, and the occurrence of short circuits caused by an engineer's mistake is effectively prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junill Yoon, Jong-yul Ro, Yeo Won Yoon, Heekook Yang, Jaesung Ahn
  • Publication number: 20110020677
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery pack including a module assembly constructed in a structure in which a plurality of battery modules, each of which includes a plurality of battery cells or unit modules mounted in a module case while the battery cells or unit modules are connected in series to each other, are arranged such that the battery modules are disposed in contact with each other in the lateral direction, and a coolant flow channel is vertically formed, a plurality of support members for supporting opposite sides and the bottom of the module assembly and maintaining the arrangement state of the module assembly, and a pack housing for surrounding the module assembly and the support members, wherein the battery pack is constructed in a cooling structure in which a coolant is introduced through one side upper end (or lower end) of the module assembly along a hermetically sealed space defined by the support members, flows vertically through the module assembly, and is discharged through
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Yongshik Shin, Heekook Yang, Jin Woong Ha, Jongmoon Yoon
  • Patent number: 7875378
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a voltage sensing member constructed in a structure in which linear mounting parts are mounted to supporting parts coupled to the bottom of a battery module, conductive sensing parts are mounted on the mounting parts while the conductive sensing parts are in elastic contact with electrode terminals of battery cells, and the sensing parts are electrically connected to a battery management system (BMS). The voltage sensing member according to the present invention is manufactured by a simple assembly process without using a plurality of members for mechanical coupling and electrical connection. Consequently, the present invention has the effect of reducing the manufacturing costs of the voltage sensing member. Also, the voltage sensing member is maintained in elastic and stable contact when external impact or frequent vibration is applied to the voltage sensing member. Consequently, the present invention has the effect of performing stable voltage sensing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heekook Yang, Juyoung Kim, Jongmoon Yoon
  • Patent number: 7867663
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heat exchange system for battery packs, which controls the temperature of a medium- or large-sized battery pack including a plurality of unit cells such that the battery pack can be operated under the optimum operating conditions. The heat exchange system includes an air inlet port and an air outlet port formed at one side of a housing surrounding the outer surface of the battery pack so as to form a predetermined flow channel, through which air flows, a driving fan mounted in the flow channel for driving the air to flow through the flow channel, and a Peltier element mounted at the air inlet port for controlling the temperature of air introduced into the air inlet port. In the heat exchange system according to the present invention, the thermoelectric element is mounted inside the air inlet port, through which air for cooling the battery pack is introduced into the heat exchange system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: JongMin Park, Junill Yoon, Heekook Yang, John E. Namgoong, Jaesung Ahn, Hyosang Woo
  • Patent number: 7833655
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a frame member for fabrication of a battery module including two battery cells, each of which has electrode terminals formed at upper and lower ends thereof, as unit cells. The frame member includes a lower-end frame having a groove, into which lower electrode terminals of the unit cells are inserted while the lower electrode terminals of the unit cells are coupled with each other, the lower-end frame being constructed such that lower-end sealing parts of the unit cells are mounted to the lower-end frame, an upper-end frame constructed such that upper-end sealing parts of the unit cells are mounted to the upper-end frame, and external input and output terminals, which are connected to upper electrode terminals of the unit cells, protrude from the outer surface of the upper-end frame, and a side frame connected between the lower-end frame and the upper-end frame, the side frame being constructed such that one-side sealing parts of the unit cells are mounted to the side frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junill Yoon, Heekook Yang, Juyoung Kim, Juhyun Kang, Jongmoon Yoon, Seungjae You, John E. Namgoong
  • Patent number: 7820322
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery module for medium- or large-sized battery packs, including a plurality of unit cells, wherein the unit cells are generally plate-shaped unit cells, and the unit cells are electrically connected with each other while the unit cells are arranged in a module case so as to constitute at least two rows and at least two columns. According to the present invention, integration of the battery module is highly improved. Especially, the vertical-direction mechanical strength of the battery module is further increased, and the number of connecting members necessary for the electrical connection between the unit cells is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Do Yang Jung, Heekook Yang, Yeo Won Yoon, John E. Namgoong
  • Patent number: 7794875
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery module including two battery cells, each of which has electrode terminals formed at upper and lower ends thereof. The battery module further includes a frame member, to which upper-end sealing parts, lower-end sealing parts, and one-side sealing parts of the battery cells are mounted, a metal sheathing member for covering the outer surfaces of the battery cells while the battery cells are mounted to the frame member, and caps (an upper-end cap and a lower-end cap) mounted to the upper and lower ends of the battery cells, respectively, which are covered by the metal sheathing member. According to the present invention, it is possible to minimize the weight and the size of the battery module while increasing the strength of the battery cells. Also, it is possible to easily mount the detecting means that detects the operation of the battery cells, and it is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of short circuits during the assembly or the operation of the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junill Yoon, Seungjae You, Heekook Yang, Jongmoon Yoon, Jisang Yu, John E. Namgoong
  • Publication number: 20100203376
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery pack case in which a battery module having a plurality of stacked battery cells, which can be charged and discharged, is mounted, wherein the battery pack case is provided with a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port, which are disposed such that a coolant for cooling the battery cells can flow from one side to the other side of the battery module in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells, and the battery pack case is further provided with a flow space (‘inlet duct’) extending from the coolant inlet port to the battery module and another flow space (Outlet duct’) extending from the battery module to the coolant outlet port, the inlet duct having a vertical sectional area less than that of the outlet duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Dooseong Choi, Ye Hoon Im, Sang Phil Han, Jaesung Ahn, D.M. Kang, Jongmoon Yoon, Heekook Yang
  • Publication number: 20100190048
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery module including a charge and discharge stack, constituted by a plurality of secondary battery cells that can be charged and discharged or a plurality of unit modules having the secondary battery cells, mounted between an upper module case and a lower module case, wherein the lower module case is provided with joint structures including coupling parts (upper and lower coupling parts) for allowing both upward and downward couplings, and the upper module case is provided with joint holes communicating with the upper coupling parts of the joint structures. The battery module according to the present invention has the effect of reinforcing the low mechanical strength of the battery cells while the weight and size of the battery module is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Hun Yang, Heekook Yang, Jongmoon Yoon
  • Patent number: 7762855
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a three-dimensional electrode terminal of a battery having an electrode assembly mounted in a pouch-shaped case, wherein a part of the electrode terminal, which is exposed from the battery case, has a predetermined thickness, and has a perpendicular surface (a perpendicular end surface) formed on the end thereof. According to the present invention, it is possible to easily accomplish the connection between the electrode terminal and the electrically connecting member without modifying the shape of the electrode terminal, and it is possible to easily accomplish the connection for detecting the voltage, the current, and the temperature of the battery. Furthermore, the mechanical strength of the three-dimensional electrode terminal according to the present invention is higher than that of the conventional plate-shaped electrode terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junill Yoon, Jaesung Ahn, Heekook Yang, Jisang Yu
  • Publication number: 20100141214
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power switching module for a battery module assembly constructed in a structure in which a plurality of rectangular battery modules, each having a plurality of battery cells or unit modules connected in series to each other, are stacked in the width direction (the longitudinal direction) and the height direction (the transverse direction) by at least twos such that the rectangular battery modules generally constitute a hexahedral structure (hexahedral stack), outer edges of the hexahedral stack are fixed by a frame member, and input and output terminals of the rectangular battery modules are oriented such that the input and output terminals of the rectangular battery modules are directed toward one surface (a) of the hexahedral stack, wherein the power switching module comprises an insulative substrate mounted to the surface (a) of the hexahedral stack in a coupling fashion, elements mounted on the insulative substrate for controlling voltage and current during the charge and discharge o
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: LG CHEM,.LTD
    Inventors: Junill Yoon, Jong-yul Ro, Heekook Yang, Jongmoon Yoon, Do Yang Jung
  • Publication number: 20100092848
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery pack case in which a battery module having a plurality of stacked battery cells, which can be charged and discharged, is mounted, wherein the battery pack case is provided with a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port, which are disposed such that a coolant for cooling the battery cells can flow from one side to the other side of the battery module in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells, and the battery pack case is further provided with beads formed in a concavo-convex shape for improving the structural stability of the battery pack case against an external force, the beads being constructed in a structure in which the beads do not disturb the flow of the coolant from the coolant inlet port along the advancing direction of a fluid in a flow space defined between the coolant inlet port and the battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Dooseong Choi, Ye Hoon Im, Sang Phil Han, Jaesung Ahn, D.M. Kang, Jongmoon Yoon, Heekook Yang
  • Publication number: 20100086842
    Abstract: A battery cell assembly and a method for assembling the battery cell assembly are provided. The battery cell assembly includes first and second rectangular ring-shaped panel members and at least one battery cell. The first and second rectangular ring-shaped panel members are configured to easily couple together to hold the battery cell therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventor: Heekook Yang
  • Patent number: 7683583
    Abstract: In a cooling system for cooling a battery pack mounted in a vehicle, the battery pack is mounted at an inner lower end of the vehicle constructed in a corrugated structure including alternating valleys and peaks. Battery modules of the battery pack are arranged such that unit cells of each battery module are mounted vertically on the corrugated lower end of the vehicle. The cooling system includes a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port formed at a lower-end member of a housing surrounding an outer surface of the battery pack. The coolant inlet port and the coolant outlet port are formed using a structure of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junill Yoon, Jaesung Ahn, Heekook Yang, John E. Namgoong