Battery Pack

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery pack. The battery pack includes: a battery cell; a circuit unit connected to the battery cell; and a flexible wiring connecting the battery cell and the circuit unit to each other, wherein the flexible wiring includes: a first end portion to which a plurality of conductive wires are physically bound; and a first group of conductive wires and a second group of conductive wires extending from the first end portion, branching from each other, and then extending substantially parallel to each other, and at least one of the first group of conductive wires and the second group of conductive wires includes a folded portion at a branching position, at which the first group of conductive wires is separated from the second group of conductive wires.

Description

[0001] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0131814 filed on October 13, 2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments relate to a battery pack. Background Art

[0003] A secondary battery refers to a battery that can be repeatedly charged and recharged, unlike a non-rechargeable primary battery. A secondary battery can be used as an energy source for a device such as a mobile device, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, an electric bicycle, or an uninterruptible power supply. Depending on the type of external device using the secondary battery, a secondary battery can be used alone, or a secondary battery module (group) each including a plurality of secondary batteries connected as a unit can be used. Summary of the invention

[0004] An embodiment may be implemented by providing a battery pack, comprising: a battery cell; a circuit unit connected to the battery cell; and a flexible wiring connecting the battery cell and the circuit unit to each other, wherein the flexible wiring comprises: a first end portion to which a plurality of conductive wires are physically bound; and a first group of conductive wires and a second group of conductive wires extending from the first end portion, branching off from each other, and then extending substantially parallel to each other, and at least one of the first group of conductive wires and the second group of conductive wires comprises a folded portion at a branching position, at which the first group of conductive wires is separated from the second group of conductive wires.

[0005] The first and second groups of conductive wires may extend from the first end in the first direction, may be spaced apart from each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction at a branch position, and may be connected to the first and second electrodes at opposite sides of the battery cell in the second direction.

[0006] The first set of electrically conductive lines may include connection locations connected to different ones of the battery cells along a first direction.

[0007] The connection position may be located at a rear side of the folded portion, the rear side being opposite to the first end portion in the first direction such that the folded portion is located between the connection position and the first end portion.

[0008] At least two conductive lines of the first set of conductive lines may be connected together at each of the connection locations.

[0009] The battery pack may further include a connecting member, wherein the at least two conductive wires connected together at each of the connecting positions are connected together to the connecting member.

[0010] The at least two conductive lines connected together at each of the connection locations may include a first conductive line, and the first conductive line may include a cutting location at which the first conductive line is cut.

[0011] The cutting position may be ahead of the connecting position along the first direction on the first conductive line, such that the cutting position is located between the connecting position and the first end.

[0012] The first conductive line may include a dummy line that does not transmit the battery cell state information obtained at the connection position to the first end portion.

[0013] The at least two conductive lines connected together at each of the connection locations may further include a second conductive line different from the first conductive line, and the first conductive line may be connected to the second conductive line through a bridge line between the cutting location and the connection location.

[0014] The cutting position of the first conductive wire may be behind the connecting position in the first direction such that the connecting position is located between the cutting position and the first end.

[0015] The at least two conductive lines connected together at each of the connection locations may also include a second conductive line different from the first conductive line, and the first conductive line and the second conductive line may include parallel conductive lines that together transmit the battery cell status information obtained at the connection location to the first end.

[0016] At least two conductive lines in the first group of conductive lines may be electrically connected to each other by a bridge line, and the at least two conductive lines electrically connected by the bridge line may include parallel conductive lines that together transmit battery cell status information obtained at corresponding connection locations to the first end.

[0017] The at least two conductive lines electrically connected to each other by the bridge line may include a first conductive line, and a cutting position at which the first conductive line is cut may be on the first conductive line before a connection position such that the cutting position is located between the connection position and the first end.

[0018] The at least two conductive lines electrically connected to each other by the bridge line may include a first conductive line and a second conductive line that are different from each other, and the first conductive line and the second conductive line may be connected together at a connection position.

[0019] The conductive wires in the first set of conductive wires may be connected to different battery cells at different connection locations.

[0020] The first group of conductive lines may include a cutting position at which at least one conductive line is cut, the cutting position being located between the different connection positions in the first direction.

[0021] The battery pack may further include a connection member at the connection position, wherein the connection member extends in a second direction crossing the first direction and is connected to the first group of conductive wires.

[0022] At least one of the first group of conductive wires may be directly connected to one of the battery cells through a direction changing portion at one of the connection locations, or may be connected to a bus bar connected to the one of the battery cells.

[0023] The first set of conductive lines may include a cutting location at which the at least one conductive line is cut, the cutting location being behind the direction changing portion in the first direction such that the direction changing portion is located between the cutting location and the first end. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Features will be apparent to those skilled in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A view of a portion of a battery pack shown in FIG.

[0027] Figures 3 to 5 are shown separately Figure 2 Enlarged views of parts III, IV and V in FIG.

[0028] Figure 6 is a view of a virtual line as a structure of a flexible wiring according to an embodiment;

[0029] Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a view of parallel conductive lines as a structure of a flexible wiring according to an embodiment; and

[0030] Fig. 9 is a view showing a structure of how a circuit element is mounted as a flexible wiring according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Example embodiments will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, example embodiments may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art.

[0032] In the drawings, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. It will also be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being "on" another layer or element, the layer or element may be directly on the other layer or element, or there may be intervening layers. In addition, it will be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "between" two layers, the layer may be the only layer between the two layers, or there may be one or more intervening layers. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout.

[0033] As used herein, the terms "or" and "and / or" include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, for example, "A or B" will include A, B, or A and B. Expressions such as "at least one of...", when following a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements in the list.

[0034] Hereinafter, a battery pack will be described according to embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A view of a portion of a battery pack is shown in FIG. Figures 3 to 5 are shown separately Figure 2 Enlarged view of parts III, IV and V in FIG. Figure 6 is a view of a virtual line D as a structure of the flexible wiring 50 according to the embodiment. Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a view of parallel conductive lines Pc as a structure of a flexible wiring 50 according to the embodiment. Fig. 9 is a view showing how the circuit element 250 is mounted as a structure of the flexible wiring 50 according to the embodiment.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to an embodiment, a battery pack may include, for example, a battery cell 10, a circuit controller or a circuit unit 200 on the battery cell 10, and a flexible wiring 50 that connects (e.g., electrically connects) the battery cell 10 and the circuit unit 200 to each other. In an embodiment, the flexible wiring 50 may include, for example, a first end or a first end portion E1 (a plurality of conductive wires C are physically bound to the first end portion E1), a first group of conductive wires Ca and a second group of conductive wires Cb (extending from the first end portion E1, branching off from each other, and then extending parallel (or substantially parallel) to each other), and a folding region or folding portion F1 on / in at least one of the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb for forming a separation space 50' (a group of conductive wires is separated from another group of conductive wires by the separation space 50').

[0037] The flexible wiring 50 may include a plurality of conductive wires C and an insulating film IF in which the plurality of conductive wires C are embedded together. The plurality of conductive wires C may be insulated from the external environment and from each other, for example, by being embedded in the insulating film IF. The flexible wiring 50 may extend in a first direction Z1 (e.g., longitudinally), and may include a plurality of conductive wires C arranged (e.g., spaced apart) in a second direction Z2 that intersects the first direction Z1 (e.g., the direction along which the flexible wiring 50 extends). Among the plurality of conductive wires C arranged along the second direction Z2, the conductive wires C arranged at the same position along the second direction Z2 may be considered to be the same conductive wire C. As described below, on the conductive wires C extending along the first direction Z1, a cutting position T may be formed (e.g., the conductive wires C are cut at the cutting position T). In an embodiment, the conductive wire C can be divided at the cutting position into conductive wires C in front of the cutting position T (e.g., on one side) and conductive wires C behind the cutting position T (e.g., on the other side) having different functions, and the conductive wires C in front of the cutting position T and the conductive wires C behind the cutting position T can be functionally distinguished from each other.

[0038] Throughout this specification, the first direction Z1 may refer to a direction along which the flexible wiring 50 extends (e.g., longitudinally) or a direction along which a plurality of battery cells 10 are arranged. In this case, "forward" in the first direction Z1 may refer to a direction toward the first end E1, and "backward" in the first direction Z1 may refer to a direction opposite to the direction toward the first end E1. In addition, throughout this specification, the second direction Z2 is a direction intersecting the first direction Z1, and may refer to a direction along which the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 of the battery cell 10 are away from or spaced apart from each other, or a direction along which the first bus bar B1 and the second bus bar B2 (respectively connected to the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 of the battery cell 10) are away from or spaced apart from each other. In an embodiment, the second direction Z2 may intersect the first direction Z1 perpendicularly.

[0039] In an embodiment, the flexible wiring 50 may transmit information about the voltage of the battery cell 10, for example, the flexible wiring 50 may transmit the information about the voltage of the battery cell 10 to the circuit unit 200. The conductive wires C may be connected to the bus bar B that electrically connects the battery cells 10 to each other, for example, the conductive wires C may be respectively connected to different bus bars B. In an embodiment, the battery cells 10 connected through the same bus bar B may have the same voltage, and voltage information about a plurality of battery cells 10 having the same voltage may be obtained through the conductive wires C connected to the same bus bar B.

[0040] The flexible wiring 50 may extend in a first direction Z1 (e.g., a direction in which the battery cells 10 are arranged). In an embodiment, the flexible wiring 50 may include a first end E1 (to which the conductive wire C is physically bound) and a first group of conductive wires Ca and a second group of conductive wires Cb, which extend in the first direction Z1, branch off from each other, and then extend in the first direction Z1 with a separation space 50' therebetween. The first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction Z2, and may be respectively connected to the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 of the battery cell 10 spaced apart from each other in the second direction Z2, or respectively connected to the first bus bar B1 and the second bus bar B2, which are connected to the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 of the battery cell 10.

[0041] In an embodiment, each of the battery cells 10 may include a first electrode 11 and a second electrode 12 spaced apart from each other in the second direction Z2, and the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 may be connected to the first bus bar B1 and the second bus bar B2. In this case, the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 of the battery cell 10 refer to electrodes at positions spaced apart from each other in the second direction Z2, and may have the same polarity or different polarities according to the orientation of the battery cells 10 arranged in the first direction Z1. The term "first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12" is determined according to the position of the electrodes of the battery cell 10, regardless of the polarity of the electrodes of the battery cell 10. In an embodiment, in an arrangement in which the battery cells 10 are arranged in the first direction Z1 (e.g., aligned in a row along the first direction Z1) and have left-right opposite orientations in the second direction Z2, the first electrodes 11 of the battery cells 10 arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1 may have different polarities, and similarly, the second electrodes 12 of the battery cells 10 arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1 may have different polarities. On the contrary, in an arrangement where the battery cells 10 are arranged in a first direction Z1 and have the same left-right orientation in a second direction Z2, the first electrodes 11 of the battery cells 10 arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1 may have the same polarity, and similarly, the second electrodes 12 of the battery cells 10 arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1 may have the same polarity.

[0042] As described above, the first bus bar B1 may be connected to the first electrode 11 of the battery cell 10 (e.g., in the second direction Z2), and the second bus bar B2 may be connected to the second electrode 12 of the battery cell 10 (e.g., in the second direction Z2). In an embodiment, the first bus bar B1 may be arranged in the first direction Z1 (e.g., may extend along the first direction Z1) while connecting the first electrodes 11 of a plurality of battery cells 10 arranged in the first direction Z1 or aligned along the first direction Z1, and similarly, the second bus bar B2 may be arranged in the first direction Z1 while connecting the second electrodes 12 of a plurality of battery cells 10 arranged in the first direction Z1 or aligned along the first direction Z1.

[0043] The flexible wiring 50 may be connected to a first bus bar B1 and a second bus bar B2, and the first bus bar B1 and the second bus bar B2 may be separated from each other in a second direction Z2. In an embodiment, a first group of conductive wires Ca of the flexible wiring 50 may be connected to the first bus bar B1, and a second group of conductive wires Cb of the flexible wiring 50 may be connected to the second bus bar B2. The first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb physically bound to each other at the first end E1 of the flexible wiring 50 may branch from each other with a separation space 50' therebetween, and may be connected to the first bus bar B1 and the second bus bar B2, respectively. Here, the description that the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb are physically bound to each other at the first end E1 of the flexible wiring 50 may mean that the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb are physically bound to each other by being embedded together in a continuously formed insulating film IF. In an embodiment, the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb may be physically and tightly bound to each other at the first end E1 of the flexible wiring 50 by the continuously formed insulating film IF, and then the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb may be respectively embedded in the separated first insulating film IF1 and the second insulating film IF2 and branched from each other at a branch position (corresponding to the folded portion F1) in a state where the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb are respectively embedded in the separated first insulating film IF1 and the second insulating film IF2 and the separation space 50' is between the first insulating film IF1 and the second insulating film IF2.

[0044] The first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb, which may be bound to each other at the first end E1 of the flexible wiring 50, may branch from each other along the second direction Z2 at the folded portion F1 forming a branching position, and then may approach the first bus bar B1 and the second bus bar B2. In an embodiment, the folded portion F1 forming a branching position may be selectively formed on one of the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb, or may be formed on each of the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb.

[0045] Reference Figure 3The folding portion F1 can form a branch position so that the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb can be separated from each other, and at least one of the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb can be folded by a single fold FF and a secondary fold SF, and thus can be separated from the other of the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb, and a separation space 50' is between the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb.

[0046] In an embodiment, the folded portion F1 may be on the first group of conductive wires Ca, the folded portion F1 may be on each of the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb, or may be only on the second group of conductive wires Cb. Hereinafter, the term "conductive wire C" may be used to refer to both or only one of the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb.

[0047] In an embodiment, the folding portion F1 may be located on the conductive wire C through a primary fold FF and a secondary fold SF. In the primary fold FF, the conductive wire C may be folded from the first direction Z1 to the second direction Z2, and in the secondary fold SF after the primary fold FF, the conductive wire C may be folded from the second direction Z2 to the first direction Z1. In an embodiment, the first group of conductive wires Ca may extend (e.g., extend longitudinally) in the second direction Z2 between the primary fold FF and the secondary fold SF, so that the first group of conductive wires Ca may be spaced apart from the second group of conductive wires Cb. In an embodiment, the size of the separation space 50' between the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb may be determined according to the length of the conductive wire C between the primary fold FF and the secondary fold SF. Throughout this specification, the description that the conductive wire C is folded at the folding portion F1 or folded through the primary fold FF and the secondary fold SF includes the conductive wire C being folded together with the insulating film IF in which the conductive wire C is embedded.

[0048] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the separation space 50' may correspond to the position of the exhaust hole 15 between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 on the battery cell 10. In an embodiment, due to the separation space 50', the flexible wiring 50 may not hinder the discharge of the gas ejected from the exhaust hole 15 of the battery cell 10, and may not be damaged by the high-pressure and high-temperature gas discharged from the exhaust hole 15 of the battery cell 10. In an embodiment, even when the gas is discharged as the exhaust hole 15 is broken, the flexible wiring 50 may be minimally damaged, and safe operation of the battery pack may be guaranteed under the control of the circuit unit 200.

[0049] The first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb may be connected to the first bus bar B1 and the second bus bar B2, respectively. The first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb may be connected to first bus bars B1 and second bus bars B2, respectively, which are different from each other. In an embodiment, the first group of conductive wires Ca may be connected to different first bus bars B1 at different connection positions P in the first direction Z1 or along the first direction Z1, and the second group of conductive wires Cb may be connected to different second bus bars B2 at different connection positions P in the first direction Z1 or along the first direction Z1. In an embodiment, the connection position P of the first group of conductive wires Ca and the connection position P of the second group of conductive wires Cb may be behind the folding portion F1, which forms a branch position in the second direction Z2, and due to the folding portion F1, the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb may be close to the first bus bar B1 and the second bus bar B2, respectively, and may form a connection position P with the first bus bar B1 and the second bus bar B2.

[0050] At the connection position P, the bus bar B and the conductive wire C may be selectively connected to each other. In an embodiment, a plurality of conductive wires C may extend through one connection position P in the first direction Z1, and one or more of the plurality of conductive wires C may be selectively connected to a corresponding bus bar B. Figure 5 , the conductive wire C and the bus bar B may be connected to each other (e.g., electrically) through a connector or a connecting member 100. In an embodiment, the connecting member 100 that may extend from the bus bar B in the second direction Z2 may be connected to one or more of the plurality of conductive wires C extending through the connection position P. In an embodiment, the conductive wire C may be connected to the connecting member 100 by solder or a welding material in the coupling hole 100' of the connecting member 100. In an embodiment, the conductive wire C may be exposed from the insulating film IF at the connection position P or exposed through the insulating film IF, and may be connected to the connecting member 100 by a welding material filled in the coupling hole 100' of the connecting member 100. As described above, the conductive wire C may be connected to one end of the connecting member 100, and the bus bar B may be connected to the other end of the connecting member 100, so that the conductive wire C and the bus bar B may be connected to each other (e.g., electrically) through the connecting member 100. In an embodiment, the connection between the end of the connecting member 100 and the conductive wire C may be performed by welding (e.g., the connection between the connecting member 100 and the conductive wire C may be performed by a single batch reflow soldering process). In an embodiment, the connection member 100 and the conductive wires C may be simultaneously connected to each other at a plurality of connection positions P arranged along the first direction Z1 by reflow soldering.

[0051] Throughout this specification, the description that the conductive wire C and the connecting member 100 are selectively connected to each other at different connection positions P in the first direction Z1 does not only mean that one conductive wire C and one connecting member 100 are connected to each other at each connection position P. In an embodiment, as Figure 6 As shown in , the connection members 100 (each extending in the second direction Z2) can be connected to multiple conductive lines C arranged in the second direction Z2 (at each of the connection positions P2, P3 and P4). In some embodiments, the connection position P1 and the connection member 100 corresponding to the connection position P1 can be omitted. In an embodiment, each connection member 100 can be connected to multiple conductive lines C, and the connection of each connection member 100 can be physically strengthened. In other types of connection structures, each connection member 100 can form a stable connection with a bus bar B having a relatively large width, but the connection member 100 may not have enough connection area (for example, unstable connection may result) in the case of only one conductive line C with a relatively small width. In an embodiment, some connection members 100 can be connected to at least two conductive lines C (for example, connection members 100 at each of the connection positions P2, P3 and P4) to help ensure sufficient connection area between the connection member 100 and the conductive line C. If the same conductive wire C (e.g., conductive wire C1) is connected to different connection members 100 at different connection positions P1, P2, P3, and P4, an electrical short circuit may be formed therebetween. In an embodiment, the incision or cutting position T (e.g., cutting position T1) may be between the connection positions (e.g., P1 and P2) on the conductive wire C (e.g., conductive wire C1) connected to different connection members 100 to separate the conductive wire C (e.g., electrically isolate different parts of the conductive wire C). Each cutting position T may be on the conductive wire C between different connection positions (e.g., connection positions P1, P2, P3, and P4) in the first direction Z1, so that the signal providing information about different voltages and obtained at different connection positions P1, P2, P3, and P4 may not be transmitted through the same conductive wire C (transmission through the same conductive wire C may cause an electrical short circuit). In an embodiment, the cutting position T may have various shapes (e.g., a closed hole shape inside the flexible wiring 50 or a groove shape open to the outside of the flexible wiring 50) according to the position of the conductive wire C to be cut.

[0052] Throughout this specification, the description that at least two conductive wires C are connected to one connection member 100 (at each of the connection positions P2, P3, and P4) may mean that at least two conductive wires C and the connection member 100 are physically connected to each other to physically strengthen the connection of the connection member 100. In an embodiment, at least two conductive wires C may form a physical connection with one connection member 100 (at each of the connection positions P2, P3, and P4), and only a portion (e.g., only one) of the at least two conductive wires C may form an electrical connection with the connection member 100 to transmit voltage information to the bus bar B, and the other conductive wires C may be a dummy wire D that is not electrically connected to the connection member 100. In an embodiment, a plurality of conductive wires C and the connection member 100 may be physically connected to each other (at each of the connection positions P2, P3, and P4). In an embodiment, not all of the plurality of conductive wires C may be electrically connected to the connection member 100, and only a portion (e.g., only one of the plurality of conductive wires C) may be electrically connected to the connection member 100 to transmit voltage information. As used herein, the description that the conductive wire C is electrically connected to the connection member 100 to transmit voltage information may mean that the conductive wire C continuously extends from the connection member 100 to the first end E1 to transmit the voltage information obtained from the connection member 100 to the first end E1. In an embodiment, the conductive wire C other than the conductive wire C electrically connected to the connection member 100 may form a physical connection with the connection member 100 to serve as a dummy wire D that physically strengthens the connection of the connection member 100. As used herein, the description that the dummy wire D is physically connected to the connection member 100 but not electrically connected to the connection member 100 may mean that the dummy wire D does not (e.g., continuously) extend from the connection member 100 to the first end E1, and is disconnected from the first end E1, for example, due to a cutting position (e.g., cutting positions T1, T2, and T3), and therefore, the voltage information obtained from the connection member 100 is not transmitted to the first end E1 through the dummy wire D. The dummy wire D will be described in more detail below.

[0053] Reference Figure 6 , the plurality of conductive wires C1, C2, C3, and C4 may be connected to one connection member 100 at the connection position P4 to physically strengthen the connection of the connection member 100. In an embodiment, only the conductive wire C4 among the plurality of conductive wires C1, C2, C3, and C4 may be electrically connected to the connection member 100 to transmit voltage information obtained through the connection member 100 to the first end portion E1, and the other conductive wires C1, C2, and C3 may be dummy wires D that are electrically disconnected or isolated from the first end portion E1, for example, due to the cutting position T3.

[0054] In an embodiment, reference is made to Figure 5, the flexible wiring 50 may include, for example, a plurality of conductive lines C extending from the first end E1 in the first direction Z1 and an isolation pattern I having an isolated shape protruding away from the separation space 50' in the second direction Z2. The isolation pattern I may physically strengthen the connection of the connection member 100 by forming a physical connection with the connection member 100, and at the connection position P, the isolation pattern I may have a shape protruding away from the separation space 50' in the second direction Z2. In an embodiment, the isolation pattern I may help form a stronger physical connection with the connection member 100, and may not form an electrical connection with the connection member 100. In an embodiment, like the above-mentioned dummy line D, the isolation pattern I may help physically strengthen the connection of the connection member 100. In an embodiment, the isolation pattern I may include therein a completely isolated conductive line C that may be connected to the connection member 100, thereby helping to physically strengthen the connection of the connection member 100.

[0055] In an embodiment, reference is made to Figure 6, the conductive wires C may be connected to the connection member 100 at connection positions P1, P2, P3, and P4 arranged or spaced apart along the first direction Z1, respectively, to transmit voltage information obtained through the connection member 100 to the first end E1. In an embodiment, each conductive wire C may extend from the first end E1 along the first direction Z1, and may be connected to the connection member 100 at the connection position P. In an embodiment, after the connection position P, the conductive wire C may not participate in transmitting the voltage information. In an embodiment, the cutting positions T1, T2, and T3 may be on or in the conductive wire C after the connection positions P1, P2, and P3 in the first direction Z1 to disconnect the conductive wire C. In an embodiment, each conductive line C in the region from the first end E1 to the connection position P (e.g., the portion of the conductive line C before the connection position P) may participate in transmitting information, and after the connection position P, the conductive line C (e.g., the portion of the conductive line C after the connection position P or passing through the connection position P) may not participate in transmitting information, for example, because the conductive line C after the connection position P may be removed at the cutting position T, or may be otherwise disconnected from the conductive line C before the connection position P at the cutting position T. In an embodiment, the conductive line C after the cutting position T may not be electrically connected to the first end E1, and therefore may not have an electrical function of transmitting a signal. The conductive line C after the cutting position T may be a dummy line D (e.g., at the connection position P2, P3, or P4) that physically strengthens the connection of the connecting member 100. In an embodiment, due to the cutting position T, the dummy line D may be electrically separated from the corresponding conductive line C before the cutting position T. In an embodiment, even when the dummy line D is connected to an adjacent conductive line C, an electrical short circuit does not occur between adjacent conductive lines C. In an embodiment, in the case where the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 are adjacent to each other (for example, in the second direction Z2), one portion of the first conductive line C1 (behind the cutting position T1) may be electrically separated from another portion of the first conductive line C1 before the cutting position T1 due to the cutting position T1, and thus the first conductive line C1 behind the cutting position T1 may be connected together with the second conductive line C2 (at the connection position P2) (for example, without electrically interfering with the second conductive line C2) to the same connection member 100. As described above, the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 behind the cutting position T1 may be connected together (at the connection position P2) to the connection member 100, thereby making it possible to more firmly maintain the connection of the connection member 100, physically strengthen the connection of the connection member 100, and stabilize the transmission of voltage information through the conductive line C2.In an embodiment, a portion of the first conductive line C1 behind the cutting position T1 can be connected to the same connecting member 100 together with the second conductive line C2 adjacent to the first conductive line C1 (at the connecting position P2), and the first conductive line C1 behind the cutting position T1 can help physically strengthen the connection of the connecting member 100 and stabilize the transmission of voltage information through the second conductive line C2 (adjacent to the first conductive line C1).

[0056] In an embodiment, the conductive wire C and the connecting member 100 may be connected to each other at different connection positions P1, P2, P3, and P4 arranged in the first direction Z1 along which the conductive wire C extends, and the conductive wire C having a connection position P relatively close to or close to the first end E1 (for example, along the first direction Z1) may have a relatively low resistance, and the conductive wire C having a connection position P relatively far away from or far away from the first end E1 may have a relatively large resistance. When measuring voltage through the conductive wire C, such resistance imbalance between different conductive wires C may cause errors. The voltage information transmitted by the conductive wire C having a connection position P relatively far away from the first end E1 may experience relatively large signal attenuation due to a relatively large resistance, and the conductive wire C having a connection position P relatively close to the first end E1 may experience relatively low signal attenuation due to a relatively small resistance. When different signal attenuations are experienced depending on the connection position P of the corresponding conductive wire C, the voltage information transmitted by different conductive wires C may be distorted.

[0057] In an embodiment, if Figure 7As shown in , in order to help reduce or avoid measurement errors caused by the imbalance of the distance from the first end E1 to the connection position P, two or more conductive lines C may be electrically connected to each other according to the distance from the first end E1 (e.g., along the first direction Z1) to the connection position P to form the two or more conductive lines C as parallel conductive lines Pc through which the same voltage information can be transmitted. In an embodiment, a conductive line C having a connection position P2 or P4 relatively far from the first end E1 may be connected (e.g., electrically) to the connection member 100 together with an adjacent conductive line C to form parallel conductive lines Pc through which the same voltage information is transmitted. In an embodiment, the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 adjacent to each other may be (at the connection position P2) (e.g., electrically) connected to the same connection member 100 to transmit the same voltage information through the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2. In an embodiment, the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 adjacent to each other may be connected to the same connection member 100 at the connection position P2 to form the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 as parallel conductive lines Pc through which the same voltage information is transmitted. In an embodiment, at least two of the conductive lines C of the flexible wiring 50 may be formed as parallel conductive lines Pc by (eg, electrically) connecting the at least two conductive lines C to the same connection member 100 .

[0058] In an embodiment, the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 may be connected to the same connection member 100 as parallel conductive lines Pc through which the same voltage information is transmitted. In an embodiment, the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 extending from the first end E1 in the first direction Z1 may be (e.g., electrically) connected to the same connection member 100 at a connection position P2. In an embodiment, the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 may be connected to each other in parallel from the first end E1 to the connection position P2, thereby forming parallel conductive lines Pc, through which the voltage information obtained at the connection position P2 is transmitted to the first end E1. In an embodiment, the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 may have a cutting position T2 behind the connection position P2.

[0059] In an embodiment, if Figure 8As shown in , the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 can be connected in parallel to each other, and the parallel connection is not between the connection position P2 and the first end E1, but between the connection position P2 and the bridge line 150, and the bridge line 150 can be between the first end E1 and the connection position P2. In an embodiment, the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 can be connected to each other through the bridge line 150 in front of the connection position P2, and can be connected to the same connection member 100 at the connection position P2 (e.g., electrically), so that the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 can be connected in parallel to each other from the bridge line 150 to the connection position P2. In an embodiment, the first conductive line C1 can be connected to the second conductive line C2 through the bridge line 150, and can have a cutting position T1 in front of the bridge line 150. In an embodiment, the portion of the first conductive line C1 connected to the bridge line 150 can still be electrically isolated from the connection member 100 at the connection position P1.

[0060] The first conductive line C1 behind the cutting position T1 may support the connection member 100 together with the second conductive line C2, and may be a dummy line D or a reinforcement line that physically reinforces the connection of the connection member 100. In an embodiment, the first conductive line C1 behind the cutting position T1 may be (e.g., electrically) connected to the second conductive line C2 through the bridge line 150 to form a parallel conductive line Pc between the bridge line 150 and the connection position P2, and the same voltage information may be transmitted through the parallel conductive line Pc.

[0061] In an embodiment, the number of conductive lines C forming the parallel conductive lines Pc may vary with or depend on the distance from the first end E1 to the connection positions P2, P3, and P4 (e.g., in the first direction Z1). In an embodiment, the number of conductive lines C forming the parallel conductive lines Pc may increase or decrease according to the distance from the first end E1 to the connection positions P2, P3, and P4. In an embodiment, as Figure 8 As shown in , as the distance from the first end E1 increases, the number of parallel conductive lines Pc connected in parallel to each other between the bridge line 150 and the connection positions P2, P3, and P4 may increase to, for example, two, three, and four.

[0062] In an embodiment, the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 may form a parallel conductive line Pc together, and the first conductive line C1 may have cutting positions T1 and T2 before and after the connection position P2 of the second conductive line C2. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second conductive line C2 may be connected to the connection member 100 together with the first conductive line C1 before the cutting position T2 of the first conductive line C1, or as shown in FIG. Figure 8As shown in FIG. 1 , the second conductive line C2 may be connected to the first conductive line C1 through the bridge line 150 after the cutting position T1 of the first conductive line C1 .

[0063] In an embodiment, if Figure 7 As shown in , even when the first conductive line C1 in front of the cutting position T2 forms a parallel conductive line Pc together with the second conductive line C2, the first conductive line C1 in front of the cutting position T2 can support the same connection member 100 together with the second conductive line C2, and thus can help to physically strengthen the connection between the connection member 100 and the second conductive line C2. In an embodiment, the first conductive line C1 in front of the cutting position T2 can form a parallel conductive line Pc together with the second conductive line C2 to transmit the same voltage information, and the first conductive line C1 can be a dummy line D, and the dummy line D can help support the connection member 100 together with the second conductive line C2.

[0064] In an embodiment, if Figure 6 As shown in , with respect to the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2, the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 after the cutting position T1 can be connected to each other through the same connecting member 100. It can be understood that the first conductive line C1 after the cutting position T1 can be a virtual line D that helps to physically strengthen the connection between the connecting member 100 and the second conductive line C2. In an embodiment, as Figure 7 As shown in , when the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 in front of the cutting position T2 are connected to each other through the same connecting member 100, it can be understood that the first conductive line C1 and the second conductive line C2 in front of the cutting position T2 together form parallel conductive lines Pc for transmitting the same voltage information.

[0065] In an embodiment, if Figure 8 As shown in , the first conductive line C1 behind the cutting position T1 may be a dummy line D or a support member that physically strengthens the connection of the connecting member 100 by supporting the connecting member 100 together with the second conductive line C2, and the first conductive line C1 behind the cutting position T1 may be connected to the second conductive line C2 through a bridge line 150 (e.g., electrically) to form a parallel conductive line Pc for transmitting the same voltage information together with the second conductive line C2. In an embodiment, it is understood that the first conductive line C1 behind the cutting position T1 may have both the physical function of the dummy line D and the electrical function of the parallel conductive line Pc.

[0066] Throughout this specification, the cutting position T may be on or in the conductive wire C to disconnect the conductive wire C at the cutting position T, and the insulating film IF in which the conductive wire C is embedded may also be removed together with the conductive wire C at the cutting position T. In an embodiment, the cutting position T may be in the form of a closed hole inside the flexible wiring 50, or in the form of a groove open to the outside of the flexible wiring 50. In an embodiment, the insulating film IF in which the conductive wire C is embedded may also be removed together with the conductive wire C at the cutting position to form the cutting position T in the form of a closed hole or an open groove.

[0067] In an embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the flexible wiring 50 (or the conductive wire C of the flexible wiring 50) that transmits information about the state of the battery cell 10 may extend from the first end E1 and may be connected to different bus bars B. In an embodiment, the flexible wiring 50 (or the conductive wire C of the flexible wiring 50) may be directly connected to the battery cell 10 instead of being connected to the bus bar B connected to the battery cell 10. In an embodiment, the flexible wiring 50 (or the conductive wire C of the flexible wiring 50) may be directly connected to the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 of the battery cell 10 to obtain voltage information instead of being connected to the bus bar B connected to the battery cell 10. In an embodiment, the flexible wiring 50 for obtaining information about the state of the battery cell 10 may transmit temperature information instead of voltage information. In an embodiment, the flexible wiring 50 (or the conductive wire C of the flexible wiring 50) may be connected to the battery cell 10 or to the bus bar B of the battery cell 10 to transmit information about the temperature of the battery cell 10.

[0068] Throughout this specification, the description that the flexible wiring 50 (or the conductive wire C of the flexible wiring 50) is connected to the battery cell 10 may include a case where the flexible wiring 50 (or the conductive wire C of the flexible wiring 50) is connected to a bus bar B connected to the battery cell 10, etc., and the flexible wiring 50 (or the conductive wire C of the flexible wiring 50) can transmit information about the state such as the voltage or temperature of the battery cell 10 through the bus bar B. This is possible because the bus bar B is electrically and thermally connected to the battery cell 10, and thus can share voltage information and temperature information with the battery cell 10.

[0069] In an embodiment, reference is made to Figure 5 , the conductive wire C may be connected to the bus bar B through the connecting member 100. In this case, the connecting member 100 may connect the bus bar B and the conductive wire C to each other while extending in the second direction Z2. Figure 4, the conductive wire C may be directly connected to the bus bar B (or the battery cell 10) through the direction changing portion F2 of the conductive wire C (for example, in the absence of the connecting member 100 between the conductive wire C and the bus bar B). In an embodiment, at least one of the conductive wires C may be separated from the remaining portion of the flexible wiring 50 at the cutting position T, and the at least one conductive wire C separated from the flexible wiring 50 may be directly connected to the bus bar B (or the battery cell 10) at the connecting position P. In an embodiment, the conductive wire C may be directly connected to the bus bar B (or the battery cell 10) at the connecting position P before the cutting position T.

[0070] The direction change portion F2 may be formed by folding the conductive wire C, and the conductive wire C may approach the bus bar B (or the battery cell 10) as it is folded from the first direction Z1 to the second direction Z2 at the direction change portion F2. Throughout this specification, the description that the conductive wire C is folded at the direction change portion F2 may mean that the insulating film IF in which the conductive wire C is embedded may also be folded together with the conductive wire C. Unlike the folding portion F1 that forms a branching position between the first group of conductive wires Ca and the second group of conductive wires Cb, the direction change portion F2 may be formed by folding the conductive wire C only once. In an embodiment, the extension direction of the conductive wire C may be changed from the first direction Z1 to the second direction Z2 by folding the conductive wire once. In an embodiment, the direction change portion F2 may be provided together with a cutting position T that separates the conductive wire C from other portions of the flexible wiring 50. In an embodiment, an end portion (e.g., an end portion opposite to the first end portion E1) of the flexible wiring 50 may be directly connected to the bus bar B without the cutting position T.

[0071] In an embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1 , the circuit unit 200 may be connected to the first end portion E1 of the flexible wiring 50 to be connected with the battery cell 10, and may obtain information about the state of the battery cell 10 through the conductive line C of the flexible wiring 50. In an embodiment, the circuit unit 200 may obtain voltage information or temperature information about the battery cell 10 as information about the state of the battery cell 10, and based on the information about the state of the battery cell 10 obtained through the flexible wiring 50, the circuit unit 200 may be used as a battery management system (BMS) for controlling charging and discharging operations of the battery cell 10.

[0072] Reference Fig. 9, the circuit element 250 may be on the flexible wiring 50 and connected to the conductive wire C. In an embodiment, a mounting hole M for exposing the conductive wire C may be formed in the insulating film IF in which the conductive wire C is embedded, and each of the circuit elements 250 may be mounted on both ends of a portion of the conductive wire C exposed through the mounting hole M. In an embodiment, each of the circuit elements 250 may be mounted on both ends of a disconnected portion of the conductive wire C, so that the circuit element 250 may be connected in series to the conductive wire C. Examples of the circuit element 250 connected to the conductive wire C may include a surface mount technology (SMT) element (for example, a safety element such as an SMT fuse may be connected to the conductive wire C as the circuit element 250). Figures 6 to 9 The structure of the conductive wire C can be applied to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first group of conductive lines Ca and the second group of conductive lines Cb in the embodiment.

[0073] In an embodiment, the flexible wiring 50 for collecting information on the state of the battery cell 10 may be formed using a relatively inexpensive flat film cable (FFC), and the battery pack may be manufactured at a low cost.

[0074] In an embodiment, although the battery pack may use an FFC having a relatively simple structure in which an insulating film is adhered to both sides of a uniform conductive line, rather than using a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) patterned by a relatively expensive patterning process (such as etching) to optimize the design, the functions of the battery pack (such as the function of the exhaust hole of the battery pack) can be ensured or not hindered by folding or cutting the conductive line of the FFC without changing the structure of the battery pack, and errors can be prevented when detecting status information.

[0075] One or more embodiments may provide a battery pack that can be manufactured at low cost.

[0076] One or more embodiments may provide a battery pack that can be manufactured at low cost without requiring a design change for preventing a state information detection error.

[0077] Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, such specific terms are used and interpreted only in a general and descriptive sense, and not for purposes of limitation. In some cases, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art when filing this application, unless specifically indicated otherwise, features, characteristics, and / or elements described in conjunction with a particular embodiment may be used alone or in combination with features, characteristics, and / or elements described in conjunction with other embodiments. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A battery pack, comprising: Battery cells; a circuit unit connected to the battery unit; as well as Flexible wiring connects the battery cells and circuit units to each other. in, The flexible wiring includes: a first end portion to which a plurality of conductive wires are physically bound; and a first group of conductive wires and a second group of conductive wires extending from the first end portion, branching from each other, and then extending substantially parallel to each other, At least one of the first group of conductive lines and the second group of conductive lines includes a folded portion at a branching location where the first group of conductive lines is separated from the second group of conductive lines, At least one of the first group of conductive lines and the second group of conductive lines includes a connection location connected to different ones of the battery cells along a first direction, and For at least one conductive wire among the first group of conductive wires and the second group of conductive wires, a cutting position is formed between a previous connection position relatively adjacent to the first end along the first direction and a subsequent connection position relatively far away from the first end along the first direction, so that the at least one conductive wire is electrically connected to the previous connection position and electrically insulated from the subsequent connection position.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The first set of conductive lines includes connection locations connected to different ones of the battery cells along a first direction, and The second group of conductive wires includes a folded portion, and the folded portion is used to form a separation space, and the first group of conductive wires is separated from the second group of conductive wires by the separation space.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: The connection position is located at a rear side of the folded portion, the rear side being opposite to the first end portion in the first direction, so that the folded portion is located between the connection position and the first end portion.

4. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: At least two conductive lines of the first set of conductive lines are connected together at each of the connection locations.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, further comprising a connecting member, wherein: The at least two conductive lines connected together at each of the connection locations are connected together to the connection member.

6. The battery pack as claimed in claim 4, wherein: The at least two conductive lines connected together at each of the connection locations include a first conductive line, and The first conductive line includes the cutting position, and the first conductive line is cut at the cutting position.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein: The cutting position is located on the first conductive line in front of the subsequent connection position along the first direction, so that the cutting position is located between the subsequent connection position and the first end.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein: The first conductive line includes a dummy line that does not transmit the battery cell state information obtained at the connection position to the first end portion.

9. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein: The at least two conductive lines connected together at each of the connection locations further include a second conductive line different from the first conductive line, and The first conductive line is connected to the second conductive line through a bridge line between the cutting position and the subsequent connection position.

10. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein: The cutting position of the first conductive wire is located behind the previous connection position in the first direction, so that the previous connection position is located between the cutting position and the first end.

11. The battery pack of claim 10, wherein: The at least two conductive lines connected together at each of the connection locations further include a second conductive line different from the first conductive line, and The first conductive line and the second conductive line include parallel conductive lines that together transmit battery cell status information obtained at the connection location to the first end.

12. The battery pack of claim 2, wherein: At least two conductive lines in the first group of conductive lines are electrically connected to each other through a bridge line, and The at least two conductive lines electrically connected by the bridge line include parallel conductive lines that together transmit battery cell status information obtained at corresponding connection locations to the first end.

13. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein: The at least two conductive lines electrically connected to each other by the bridge line include a first conductive line, and A cutting position at which the first conductive line is cut is on the first conductive line in front of the subsequent connection position, so that the cutting position is located between the subsequent connection position and the first end portion.

14. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein: The at least two conductive lines electrically connected to each other by the bridge line include a first conductive line and a second conductive line that are different from each other, and The first conductive line and the second conductive line are connected together at the connection position.

15. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: The conductive wires in the first group of conductive wires are connected to different battery cells at different connection locations.

16. The battery pack according to claim 15, wherein: The first group of conductive lines includes a cutting position, at which at least one conductive line is cut, and the cutting position is located between the different connection positions in the first direction.

17. The battery pack according to claim 2, further comprising a connecting member at the connecting position, wherein: The connection member extends in a second direction crossing the first direction and is connected to the first group of conductive lines.

18. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: At least one of the first group of conductive wires is directly connected to one of the battery cells through a direction changing portion at one of the connection locations, or is connected to a bus bar connected to the one of the battery cells.

19. The battery pack according to claim 18, wherein: The first group of conductive lines includes a cutting location at which the at least one conductive line is cut, the cutting location being behind the direction changing portion in the first direction such that the direction changing portion is located between the cutting location and the first end.

20. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein: The first group of conductive wires and the second group of conductive wires extend from the first end in a first direction, are spaced apart from each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction at the branch position, and are connected to first and second electrodes at opposite sides of the battery cell in the second direction.

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