Battery pack including wiring board and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A battery pack including a wiring board and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. A battery pack according to one embodiment may include a plurality of battery cells arranged in an n × m array (where n and m are each natural numbers) respectively in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The battery pack may include at least one first busbar electrically connecting the respective first electrodes of two or more of the plurality of battery cells. The battery pack may include at least one second busbar connecting the respective second electrodes of two or more of the plurality of battery cells. The battery pack may include a board printed with conductor patterns electrically connected to the at least one first busbar and the at least one second busbar, respectively.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The following disclosure relates to a battery pack including a wiring board and a method for manufacturing the same. Background Technology

[0003] A battery pack is a device formed by bundling multiple battery cells (or batteries) into a single unit. Battery packs are utilized in various technological fields, such as renewable energy, mobile devices, medical devices, and electric vehicles.

[0004] To improve the performance and lifespan of a battery pack, it may be important to ensure that the voltage of each battery cell included in the battery pack is evenly matched.

[0005] The information described above may be provided as related art for the purpose of aiding understanding of the present disclosure. None of the foregoing information shall be applied as prior art related to the present disclosure. The problem to be solved

[0007] One embodiment can solve the balance issue between battery cells by electrically connecting busbars through a board with a printed conductor pattern.

[0008] One embodiment can increase the productivity of a battery pack by electrically connecting busbars through a board with a printed conductor pattern.

[0009] One embodiment can increase the safety of the battery pack by electrically connecting busbars through a board with a printed conductor pattern.

[0010] The technical tasks intended to be accomplished in this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this document belongs from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0012] A battery pack according to one embodiment may include a plurality of battery cells arranged in an n × m array (where n and m are each natural numbers) respectively in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The battery pack may include at least one first busbar that electrically connects the respective first electrodes of two or more of the plurality of battery cells to each other. The battery pack may include at least one second busbar that connects the respective second electrodes of two or more of the plurality of battery cells to each other. The battery pack may include a board printed with conductor patterns that are electrically connected to the at least one first busbar and the at least one second busbar, respectively.

[0013] Each of the at least one first busbar can electrically connect to each of the first electrodes of the battery cells within each of the battery cell groups, which include battery cells arranged in an n × k (k is a natural number smaller than m) arrangement in the first direction and the second direction among the plurality of battery cells. Each of the at least one second busbar can electrically connect to each of the second electrodes of the battery cells within each of the battery cell groups.

[0014] The battery pack may further include two structures that are connected to the plurality of battery cells and maintain the plurality of battery cells in an nxm arrangement.

[0015] The two structures above may include a first structure connected to a first end of each of the plurality of battery cells where a first electrode of each of the plurality of battery cells is located. The two structures above may include a second structure connected to a second end of each of the plurality of battery cells where a second electrode of each of the plurality of battery cells is located.

[0016] Each of the two structures above is a non-conductive object in the shape of a flat plate and may include a number of holes equal to the number of battery cells for individually accommodating the plurality of battery cells.

[0017] Each of the above holes may be formed by penetrating the first and second bottom surfaces of each of the two structures, having the shape of a cross-section of the battery cell perpendicular to both the first and second directions. The holes may be formed in an n × m arrangement in each of the two structures.

[0018] The holes may be formed in each of the two structures such that the distance between two adjacent holes along the first direction becomes the first distance, and the distance between two adjacent holes along the second direction becomes the second distance.

[0019] Each of the two structures may include stoppers formed on either the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface of each of the two structures so that each of the plurality of battery cells is inserted into each of the holes to a depth corresponding to the length in the third direction of each of the two structures.

[0020] One or more of the above stoppers may be fixed to each of the two structures based on the space between four adjacent holes.

[0021] Among the four sides of each of the two structures, protrusions may be formed on the first side and the second side adjacent to the first side. Among the four sides of each of the two structures, grooves that engage with the protrusions may be formed on the third side opposite the first side and the fourth side opposite the second side.

[0022] The above board can be fastened to the two structures such that the bottom surface of the board, on which the conductor patterns are printed, faces the plurality of battery cells.

[0023] Each of the first side of the board and the second side opposite to the first side may be formed to interlock between two adjacent protrusions formed on one side of the corresponding structure among the two structures.

[0024] Each of the above-mentioned at least one first busbar may include a connecting portion formed to engage between two adjacent protrusions formed on one side of either of the two structures. Each of the above-mentioned at least one second busbar may include a connecting portion formed to engage between two adjacent protrusions formed on one side of the other of the two structures.

[0025] Each of the above plurality of battery cells may be a cylindrical battery cell having a positive electrode formed on a first bottom surface and a negative electrode formed on a second bottom surface opposite to the first bottom surface.

[0026] The above board may include a terminal for connection with a BMS (battery management system).

[0027] A battery pack according to one embodiment may include a plurality of battery cells arranged in an n × m (where n and m are natural numbers) arrangement in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, respectively. The battery pack may include at least one first busbar that electrically connects the first electrodes of each battery cell within each of the battery cell groups, which include battery cells arranged in an n × k (where k is a natural number smaller than m) arrangement in the first direction and the second direction among the plurality of battery cells. The battery pack may include at least one second busbar that electrically connects the second electrodes of each battery cell within each of the battery cell groups. The battery pack may include a board printed with conductor patterns that are electrically connected to the at least one first busbar and the at least one second busbar, respectively. The battery pack may include a first structure in which holes for receiving a first end of each of the plurality of battery cells are formed penetrating two bottom surfaces, and protrusions for connecting to a first side of the board and a connection portion of each of the at least one first bus bar are formed on one of the four sides. The battery pack may include a second structure in which holes for receiving a second end of each of the plurality of battery cells—where the second end is located on the opposite side of the first end—are formed penetrating two bottom surfaces, and protrusions for connecting to a second side of the board—where the second side is located on the opposite side of the first side—and a connection portion of each of the at least one second bus bar are formed on one of the four sides.

[0028] A method for manufacturing a battery pack according to one embodiment may include the operation of electrically connecting each first electrode of two or more battery cells among a plurality of battery cells using a first busbar. The manufacturing method may include the operation of electrically connecting each second electrode of two or more battery cells among the plurality of battery cells using a second busbar. The manufacturing method may include the operation of electrically connecting the first busbar and the second busbar to each conductor pattern (respective conductor patterns) of a board.

[0029] The operation of electrically connecting the first busbar and the second busbar to respective conductor patterns of the board may include the operation of inserting a part of the first busbar and a part of the board into a groove formed on one side of a first structure coupled to the first electrode of the plurality of battery cells in order to electrically connect the first busbar to the conductor pattern of the board. The operation of electrically connecting the first busbar and the second busbar to respective conductor patterns of the board may include the operation of inserting a part of the second busbar and a part of the board into a groove formed on one side of a second structure coupled to the second electrode of the plurality of battery cells in order to electrically connect the second busbar to the conductor pattern of the board. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0031] In relation to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components. FIGS. 1a and 1b are drawings for illustrating a battery pack according to one embodiment. FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3 are drawings for explaining a busbar according to one embodiment. FIGS. 4 to 8 are drawings for explaining a structure for coupling between components of a battery pack according to one embodiment. FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining battery cells according to one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a board according to one embodiment. FIGS. 11, FIGS. 12a, and FIGS. 12b are drawings for illustrating the combination of a structure, a PCB, and a busbar according to one embodiment. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0032] Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments are disclosed for illustrative purposes only and may be modified and implemented in various forms. Accordingly, actual implementations are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and the scope of this specification includes modifications, equivalents, or substitutions included in the technical concept described by the embodiments.

[0033] Terms such as "first" or "second" may be used to describe various components, but these terms should be interpreted solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component.

[0034] When it is stated that a component is "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected to or coupled with that other component, or that there may be other components in between.

[0035] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, phrases such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may each include any one of the items listed together with the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to designate the existence of the described feature, number, step, action, component, part, or combination thereof, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this specification.

[0037] As used herein, the term "module" may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be a component formed integrally, or a minimum unit of said component or a part thereof that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0038] As used in this document, the term "part" refers to a software or hardware component, such as an FPGA or ASIC, that performs certain roles. However, "part" is not limited to software or hardware. "Part" may be configured to reside in an addressable storage medium or configured to operate one or more processors. For example, "part" may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, as well as processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functions provided within the components and "parts" may be combined into a smaller number of components and "parts" or further separated into additional components and "parts." Furthermore, components and "parts" may be implemented to operate one or more CPUs within a device or secure multimedia card. Additionally, '~part' may include one or more processors.

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments may be referenced, borrowed, or combined with one another. In the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, identical components are given the same reference numeral regardless of the drawing number, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0041] FIGS. 1a and 1b are drawings for illustrating a battery pack according to one embodiment. FIG. 1a shows a battery pack (10) in a combined state, and FIG. 1b may be an exploded perspective view of the battery pack (10).

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1a or FIG. 1b, according to one embodiment, a battery pack (10) may include at least one first bus bar (101), at least one second bus bar (111), at least one first structure (201), at least one second structure (211), a plurality of battery cells (300), and a board (or wiring board) (400) (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)).

[0043] Each of at least one first busbar (101) can connect the first electrodes (e.g., positive electrodes) of two or more of the plurality of battery cells (300) to each other. It should be noted that the shape of the busbar shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is merely an example for explaining the present disclosure and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0044] Each of at least one second busbar (111) can connect the second electrodes (e.g., negative electrodes) of two or more of the plurality of battery cells (300) to each other. The first busbar (101) or the second busbar (111) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3.

[0045] At least one first structure (201) and at least one second structure (211) can fix a plurality of battery cells (300) in a fixed arrangement. Bus bars (101, 211), a plurality of battery cells (300), and a board (400) can be mechanically connected to each other through at least one first structure (201) and at least one second structure (211). At least one first structure (201) or at least one second structure (211) will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0046] In this disclosure, the structure of a battery pack (10) is described on the premise that the battery pack (10) comprises two first structures (201) and two second structures (211) joined together, in order to explain that the structure (e.g., the first structure (201-1) of FIG. 4 or the second structure (211-1) of FIG. 5) has a structure that facilitates mechanical (or physical) coupling between the structures.

[0047] A plurality of battery cells (300) can provide electrical energy. The plurality of battery cells (300) can be connected to each other in series or in parallel based on at least one first bus bar (101), at least one second bus bar (201), and a conductor pattern printed on a board (400). The plurality of battery cells (300) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9.

[0048] The board (400) may include at least one conductor pattern for connecting multiple battery cells (300) (e.g., serial connection or parallel connection). Multiple battery cells (300) may be connected in series or in parallel through at least one conductor pattern, and the series / parallel connected battery cells may be electrically connected to terminals formed on the board (400) for connecting to an external device (e.g., a battery management system (BMS) or a load) through at least one conductor pattern. The length and / or width of each of the at least one conductor pattern may be adjusted so that the impedance between the terminal and each battery cell is equal to that of the external device.

[0049] At least one conductor pattern may be printed on one side of the board (400). Each of at least one first bus bar (101) and at least one second bus bar (111) may be electrically connected to each corresponding conductor pattern of the board (400). The board (400) may include terminals (e.g., positive terminal and negative terminal) for connection to an external device. The board (400) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10.

[0050] According to one embodiment, instead of connecting battery cells to each other with cables, they are connected in series or in parallel through a board (400) with a printed conductor pattern, thereby resolving balance issues between battery cells and improving the stability of the battery pack. In addition, in terms of the manufacturing process, productivity can be improved and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0052] FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3 are drawings for explaining a busbar according to one embodiment.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of at least one first busbar (101) and at least one second busbar (111) can electrically connect two or more battery cells to each other. Each of at least one first busbar (101) and at least one second busbar (111) may be a conductive material (e.g., copper).

[0054] Each of at least one first busbar (101) and at least one second busbar (111) may have a shape that facilitates electrical connection between the busbar and the battery cell. For example, each of at least one first busbar (101) and at least one second busbar (111) may include a hole (21) formed in a certain shape (e.g., a rectangle).

[0055] The position of the hole (21) may correspond to the position of the battery electrode. For example, when the components (101, 111, 201, 211, 300, 400) of a battery pack (e.g., battery pack (10) of FIG. 1a) are combined with each other, the battery electrode may be located below or above the hole (101).

[0056] The hole (101) can facilitate electrical coupling between a busbar (e.g., a first busbar (101) or a second busbar (111)) and an electrode of a battery (e.g., a positive electrode or a negative electrode). For example, the busbar and the electrode of the battery can be electrically connected to each other through soldering through the hole (101).

[0057] Each of at least one first bus bar (101) and at least one second bus bar (111) may include a fastening portion (22) for connection with a first structure or a second structure. For example, the fastening portion (22) may be formed by bending one end of the bus bar at a certain angle (e.g., 90 degrees). For example, one end of the bus bar may be bent in the direction in which the protrusion (111) is formed.

[0058] The number of fastening portions included in each of at least one first busbar (101) and at least one second busbar (111) can be determined based on the shape of the busbar. For example, if each of at least one first busbar (101) and at least one second busbar (111) has a shape (e.g., ladder shape) for electrically connecting two rows of battery cells along a first direction (e.g., x-axis direction), each of at least one first busbar (101) and at least one second busbar (111) may include two fastening portions.

[0059] A busbar (e.g., a first busbar or a second busbar) can be connected to a structure (e.g., a first structure or a second structure) in various ways through a fastening portion (22). For example, the busbar can be connected to the structure through interlocking between the fastening portion (22) and a projection formed on the side of the structure (e.g., a projection (41) in FIGS. 6 to 8). The connection between the busbar and the structure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0061] FIGS. 4 to 8 are drawings for illustrating a structure for coupling components of a battery pack according to one embodiment. FIGS. 4 and 5 are drawings for illustrating the overall shape of the structure, and FIGS. 6 to 8 may be drawings for illustrating the detailed shape of the side of the structure.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, according to one embodiment, each of at least one first structure (201) may be a flat, non-conductive object (e.g., plastic).

[0063] Each of at least one first structure (201) may be coupled to an end where a first electrode (e.g., positive electrode) of a plurality of battery cells (e.g., a plurality of battery cells (300) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 9) is located. Each of at least one first structure (201) may include a hole (31) for accommodating a plurality of battery cells. The hole (31) may be formed such that the distance between two adjacent holes in a first direction (e.g., x-axis direction) is a first distance, and the distance between two adjacent holes in a second direction (e.g., y-axis direction) is a second distance. The first distance and the second distance may be the same or different from each other.

[0064] Each of at least one first structure (201) may include a stopper (33). The stopper (33) may be formed on one of the two bottom surfaces of each of at least one first structure (201). The stopper (33) may allow the battery cell to be inserted into the hole (31) only to the depth of the hole (31) of the structure (or the depth of the structure).

[0065] The stopper (33) may be formed in the space between two adjacent holes. For example, the stopper (33) may be fixed to the bottom surface of the first structure (201) based on the space between four adjacent holes. It should be noted that the shape of the stopper (33) shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the shape of the stopper may be circular or triangular.

[0066] Among the four sides (221–224) of at least one first structure (211), a protrusion may be formed on each of the first side (221) and the second side (224) adjacent to the first side (221). A groove that engages with the protrusion may be formed on each of the third side (223), which is the opposite side of the first side (221), and the fourth side (222), which is the opposite side of the second side (224). The protrusions and grooves of the first structure (211) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

[0067] Each of at least one second structure (211) can be coupled to the first electrode (e.g., negative electrode) of a plurality of battery cells. Since each of at least one second structure (211) can be substantially identical to each of at least one first structure (201), redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 6 through 8, according to one embodiment, a projection (41) or a groove (43) may be formed on one side of a structure (e.g., a first structure or a second structure). The shape of the projection (41) and the shape of the groove (43) may correspond to each other so that the projection (41) can engage with the groove (43). The projection (41) or the groove (43) may be formed in a shape that facilitates mechanical connection between two objects. For example, the shape of the projection (41) or the groove (43) may be T-shaped, trapezoidal, or circular, but is not limited thereto. The structures may form a larger structure by joining together through the projection (41) and the groove (43). For example, one first structure (201-1) may be joined to another first structure (201-2) through the engagement between the projection and the groove.

[0070] FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining battery cells according to one embodiment.

[0071] A plurality of battery cells (300) can be aligned along a first direction (e.g., x-axis direction) and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (e.g., y-axis direction), respectively, through at least one first structure (201) and at least one second structure (211). For example, if at least one first structure (201) (e.g., a combination of two first structures) includes holes in an n × m arrangement (n and m are each natural numbers), the plurality of battery cells (300) can be aligned in an n × m arrangement along the first direction and the second direction, respectively.

[0072] Each of the plurality of battery cells (300) may have two electrodes (e.g., a positive electrode and a negative electrode). The two electrodes may be aligned along a third direction (e.g., a z-axis direction) perpendicular to both the first direction (e.g., an x-axis direction) and the second direction (e.g., a y-axis direction).

[0073] Each of the plurality of battery cells (300) may be a cylindrical battery cell (e.g., a lithium battery cell) in which a positive electrode is formed on a first bottom surface and a negative electrode is formed on a second bottom surface opposite to the first bottom surface.

[0075] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a board according to one embodiment.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 10, according to one embodiment, the board (400) may have a shape that can be mechanically coupled to at least one first structure (e.g., at least one first structure (201) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 4) and at least one second structure (e.g., at least one second structure (211) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 5). For example, among the four sides of the board (400), the first side (411) and the second side (412) opposite to the first side (411) may each be formed in a shape that can be engaged in the space between two adjacent protrusions (e.g., protrusions (41) of FIG. 6 to 8) formed on one side of the structure. For example, the first side (411) and the second side (412) may each include a first protrusion (51) corresponding to a fastening portion (22) of a busbar (e.g., a first busbar or a second busbar). For example, if one busbar includes two fastening parts, two first protrusions (52) corresponding to one busbar may be formed on each of the first side (411) and the second side (412) of the board (400).

[0077] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, when a busbar includes two or more fastening parts (22), a second projection (52) may be formed on each of the first side (11) and the second side (412) and located between two adjacent first projections (51) corresponding to the busbar. The connection between the board (400) and the structure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0079] FIGS. 11, FIGS. 12a, and FIGS. 12b are drawings for illustrating the combination of a structure, a PCB, and a busbar according to one embodiment.

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 11, FIGS. 12a, and FIGS. 12b, according to one embodiment, a fastening portion (22) of a bus bar (e.g., a first bus bar or a second bus bar) and a first projection (51) of a board corresponding to the fastening portion (22) may be formed to be inserted into the space between two adjacent projections (41) of a structure (e.g., a first structure or a second structure).

[0081] The distance (W1) between two adjacent protrusions (41) of the structure may correspond to the width (W3) of the busbar's fastening portion (22) and the width (W2) of the first protrusion (51) of the board, respectively. For example, when the shape of the protrusion (41) of the structure is T, the distance (W1) between the two protrusions (41) may be slightly narrower than the width (W3) of the busbar's fastening portion (22) and the width (W2) of the first protrusion (51) of the board for mechanical interlocking. As another example, when the shape of the protrusion (41) of the structure is trapezoidal, the shortest distance (W4) between two adjacent protrusions (41) may be narrower than the width (W2) of the first protrusion (51) of the board.

[0082] The length (H1) associated with the projection (41) of the structure may correspond to the depth (H3) of the fastening portion (22) of the busbar and the depth (H2) of the first projection (51) of the board. For example, when the shape of the projection (41) of the structure is T, the distance (H1) between one edge of the projection (41) of the structure and the side of the structure may be slightly narrower than the sum of the depth (H3) of the fastening portion (22) of the busbar and the depth (H2) of the first projection (51) of the board for mechanical engagement. As another example, when the shape of the projection (41) of the structure is trapezoidal, the length (H4) of the first projection (41) may be slightly longer than the sum of the depth (H3) of the fastening portion (22) of the busbar and the depth (H2) of the first projection (51) of the board.

[0083] The board can be attached to a structure such that the conductor patterns formed on one side of the board face the battery. For example, within the space between two adjacent protrusions (41) of the structure, the fastening portion (22) of the busbar can be located between the first protrusion (51) of the board and the side of the structure. According to one embodiment, as the board is attached to the structure such that the conductor patterns of the board face the battery, the conductor patterns can be safely protected from physical external forces applied from the outside.

[0084] Each of the connecting portion (22) of the busbar and the first projection (51) of the board may have a shape that facilitates insertion between two adjacent projections (41) of the structure. For example, the four corners of each of the connecting portion (22) of the busbar and the first projection (51) of the board may be rounded (e.g., chamfer or fillet).

[0086] Referring to FIG. 13, according to one embodiment, operations 1310 to 1330 may be operations performed by an apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack. Operations 1310 to 1330 may be performed sequentially, but are not limited thereto.

[0087] In operation 1310, the manufacturing device can electrically connect each of the first electrodes of two or more battery cells among a plurality of battery cells (e.g., a plurality of battery cells (300) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 9) using a first busbar (e.g., a first busbar (101) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2).

[0088] In operation 1320, the manufacturing device can electrically connect each of the second electrodes of two or more battery cells among a plurality of battery cells using a second bus bar (e.g., the second bus bar (111) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 3).

[0089] In operation 1330, the manufacturing device can electrically connect the first busbar and the second busbar to each conductor pattern of the board (e.g., the board (400) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 10).

[0091] The hardware device described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operation of the embodiment, and vice versa.

[0092] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the limited drawings, those skilled in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based thereon. For example, suitable results may be achieved even if the described techniques are performed in a different order than described, and / or if the components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or assembled in a form different from described, or replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents.

[0094] Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the various embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications to the form and details may be made without departing from the true spirit and full scope of the present disclosure, including the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that any of the embodiments described herein may be used in conjunction with other embodiments described herein. Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims are also within the scope of the claims set forth below.

[0095] The effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood from this document by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs.

Claims

Claim 1 A plurality of battery cells arranged in an n × m array (where n and m are each natural numbers) respectively in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; at least one first busbar electrically connecting the respective first electrodes of two or more of the plurality of battery cells; at least one second busbar connecting the respective second electrodes of two or more of the plurality of battery cells; and a board having printed conductor patterns electrically connected to the at least one first busbar and the at least one second busbar, respectively. A battery pack comprising two structures that are connected to the plurality of battery cells and maintain the plurality of battery cells in an n × m arrangement, wherein protrusions are formed on each of the four sides of each of the two structures, a first side and a second side adjacent to the first side, and grooves that engage with the protrusions are formed on each of the four sides of each of the two structures, a third side opposite to the first side and a fourth side opposite to the second side, wherein each of the at least one first bus bar includes a connecting portion formed to engage between two adjacent protrusions formed on one side of any one of the two structures, and each of the at least one second bus bar includes a connecting portion formed to engage between two adjacent protrusions formed on one side of the other of the two structures. Claim 2 A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one first busbar electrically connects to each first electrode of a battery cell within each of the battery cell groups, each of which includes battery cells arranged in an n × k (k is a natural number smaller than m) arrangement in the first direction and the second direction among the plurality of battery cells, and each of the at least one second busbar electrically connects to each second electrode of a battery cell within each of the battery cell groups. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the two structures comprise: a first structure connected to a first end of each of the plurality of battery cells where a first electrode of each of the plurality of battery cells is located; and a second structure connected to a second end of each of the plurality of battery cells where a second electrode of each of the plurality of battery cells is located. Claim 5 A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein each of the two structures is a non-conductive object in the shape of a flat plate and includes a number of holes equal to the number of battery cells for individually accommodating the plurality of battery cells. Claim 6 In claim 5, each of the holes has the shape of a cross-section of the battery cell perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction and is formed by penetrating the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface of each of the two structures, and the holes are formed in an n × m arrangement in each of the two structures, a battery pack. Claim 7 A battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the holes are formed in each of the two structures such that the distance between two adjacent holes along the first direction is the first distance, and the distance between two adjacent holes along the second direction is the second distance. Claim 8 A battery pack according to claim 6, wherein each of the two structures comprises stoppers formed on either the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface of each of the two structures so that each of the plurality of battery cells is inserted into each of the holes to a depth corresponding to the length in the third direction of each of the two structures. Claim 9 In claim 8, one or more of the stoppers are fixed to each of the two structures based on the space between four adjacent holes, forming a battery pack. Claim 10 delete Claim 11 In claim 1, the battery pack is secured to the two structures such that the bottom surface of the board on which the conductor patterns are printed faces the plurality of battery cells. Claim 12 A battery pack according to claim 11, wherein each of the first side of the board and the second side opposite to the first side is formed to interlock between two adjacent protrusions formed on one side of a corresponding structure among the two structures. Claim 13 delete Claim 14 A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of battery cells is a cylindrical battery cell having a positive electrode formed on a first bottom surface and a negative electrode formed on a second bottom surface opposite to the first bottom surface. Claim 15 In claim 1, the board comprises a battery pack including a terminal for connection with a BMS (battery management system). Claim 16 A plurality of battery cells arranged in an n × m (where n and m are natural numbers) arrangement in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, respectively; at least one first busbar electrically connecting each first electrode of a battery cell within each of the battery cell groups, wherein the battery cells among the plurality of battery cells are arranged in an n × k (where k is a natural number smaller than m) arrangement in the first direction and the second direction; at least one second busbar electrically connecting each second electrode of a battery cell within each of the battery cell groups; a board having conductor patterns printed thereon that are electrically connected to each of the at least one first busbar and each of the at least one second busbar; and a first structure having holes formed through two bottom surfaces to accommodate the first end of each of the plurality of battery cells, and protrusions formed on one of four sides for fastening with the first side of the board and the connection portion of each of the at least one first busbar. A battery pack comprising a second structure having holes formed through two bottom surfaces to accommodate a second end of each of the plurality of battery cells—the second end being located on the opposite side of the first end—and protrusions formed on one of the four sides for connection with a second side of the board—the second side being located on the opposite side of the first side—and a connection portion of each of the at least one second bus bar. Claim 17 A method for manufacturing a battery pack comprises: an operation of electrically connecting each first electrode of two or more battery cells among a plurality of battery cells using a first busbar; an operation of electrically connecting each second electrode of two or more battery cells among the plurality of battery cells using a second busbar; and an operation of electrically connecting the first busbar and the second busbar to each conductor pattern of a board, wherein the operation of electrically connecting the first busbar and the second busbar to each conductor pattern of the board comprises, in order to electrically connect the first busbar to the conductor pattern of the board, an operation of inserting a part of the first busbar and a part of the board into a groove formed on one side of a first structure coupled to the first electrode of the plurality of battery cells. A method for manufacturing a battery pack, comprising the operation of inserting a portion of the second busbar and a portion of the board into a groove formed on one side of a second structure coupled to a second electrode of a plurality of battery cells in order to electrically connect the second busbar to a conductor pattern of the board. Claim 18 delete

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