Battery module, battery pack and vehicle including the same

Abstract

Disclosed are a battery module, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery module. A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a cover in which the battery cell stack is housed; a bus bar for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells; a relay having connection terminals for coupling to the bus bar; and a coupling block for coupling to the bus bar and the connection terminals of the relay.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0141902 filed in Korea on October 29, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery module, and more particularly, to a battery module capable of easily connecting a relay to a bus bar, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery module. Background Art

[0003] With the development of mobile device technology and the increase in demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries as energy sources has grown rapidly. Although nickel-cadmium batteries or hydrogen-ion batteries have been used as secondary batteries in related art, lithium secondary batteries, which have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, have recently been widely used because they can be freely charged and discharged, have a very low self-discharge rate, and have a high energy density.

[0004] Such lithium secondary batteries primarily use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively. These batteries include an electrode assembly, in which a positive plate and a negative plate coated with positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively, are arranged, with a separator interposed between the positive and negative plates, and a battery case, which seals and houses the electrode assembly and an electrolyte solution.

[0005] A lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and an electrolyte, and depending on whether a positive electrode active material or a negative electrode active material is used, the lithium secondary battery includes a lithium ion battery (LIB), a polymer lithium ion battery (PLIB), and the like. Typically, the electrodes of a lithium secondary battery are formed by coating a positive electrode active material or a negative electrode active material on a current collector such as an aluminum or copper sheet, a mesh, a film, or a foil, and then drying the positive electrode active material or the negative electrode active material. In addition, various secondary batteries have a cover capable of protecting a plurality of battery cells, and include a plurality of battery modules and a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules, in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and introduced into the cover.

[0006] The battery cells can be electrically connected to each other through bus bars as conductors. Typically, the positive electrode lead is made of aluminum material, the negative electrode lead is made of copper material, and the bus bars are also made of copper material.

[0007] Meanwhile, relays that selectively open / close a charge / discharge path through which current flows may be coupled to the battery module and connected to the bus bar.

[0008] However, one side of the bus bar is connected to the battery cell, and the other side of the bus bar is connected to the relay. Since a portion of the bus bar connected to the battery cell is surrounded by the battery module cover, and only a portion of the bus bar connected to the relay partially protrudes toward the outside of the cover, there is a problem that it is difficult to connect the relay to the bus bar because the operator's hand hits the cover in order to connect the relay to the bus bar. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] The present invention is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and therefore, the present invention aims to provide a battery module capable of easily coupling a relay to a bus bar, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery module.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, a battery module is provided, comprising: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a cover in which the battery cell stack is accommodated; a bus bar that electrically connects the plurality of battery cells; a relay including a connection terminal coupled to the bus bar; and a junction block coupled to the bus bar and the connection terminal of the relay.

[0013] A first fastening hole may be formed in the bus bar, a second fastening hole may be formed in the connecting terminal of the relay, a protruding bolt may be integrally formed on the joining block, and the protruding bolt integrally protruding from the joining block and formed on the joining block may be inserted into the first fastening hole and the second fastening hole and fastened to the nut.

[0014] A first fastening hole may be formed in the bus bar, a second fastening hole may be formed in the connecting terminal of the relay, a third fastening hole may be formed in the joining block, an internal thread may be formed in the third fastening hole, and a fastening bolt may be inserted into the second fastening hole and the first fastening hole, and the fastening bolt may be fastened to the internal thread of the third fastening hole.

[0015] The fastening bolts may be inserted and fastened in the order of the second fastening hole, the first fastening hole, and the third fastening hole.

[0016] The joining block may include a body, a seating groove formed in the body to seat the bus bar and the connection terminal, and a third fastening hole formed inside the seating groove.

[0017] A guide portion may be formed in the seating groove so that the first fastening hole of the bus bar, the second fastening hole, and the third fastening hole of the connection terminal of the relay are aligned.

[0018] The guide portion may be provided as an inclined guide portion in which an inclination is formed along a circumference of the seating groove.

[0019] The inclined guide portion may be formed such that the bus bar and the connection terminal descend along the inclined guide portion toward the third fastening hole.

[0020] In another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack including the battery module and a vehicle including the battery module are provided.

[0021] Beneficial effects

[0022] The embodiments of the present invention can easily join the relay to the bus bar through the joining block. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic overall perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 A portion of a bus bar in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0025] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a relay and a bus bar are joined by a joining block according to an embodiment in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 is shown as relays and busbars through Figure 3 A perspective view of a state in which the joining blocks are joined.

[0027] Figure 5 is shown by the relay and busbar according to Figure 3 A perspective view of a state in which engagement blocks according to another embodiment are engaged.

[0028] Figure 6 is shown as relays and busbars through Figure 5 A perspective view of a state in which the joining blocks are joined.

[0029] Figure 7 is based on Figure 5 A perspective view showing a state in which a guide portion is formed in an engaging block according to another embodiment.

[0030] Figures 8 to 10 Shown along Figure 7 The guide part of the joint block guides and fastens the relay and bus bar in the process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as limited to the general meaning and dictionary meaning, but should be interpreted based on the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical aspects of the present invention in accordance with the principle that the inventor is allowed to appropriately define the terms for the best interpretation. Therefore, the descriptions provided herein are only preferred examples and are only for the purpose of illustration, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0032] In the accompanying drawings, for the sake of convenience and clarity of description, the sizes of various elements or specific parts of the elements are exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically. Therefore, the sizes of various elements do not fully reflect the actual sizes. If it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the main purpose of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0033] As used herein, the terms “joined” or “connected” include not only a case where one member is directly joined or directly connected to another member but also a case where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member via a joining member.

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic overall perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows a portion of a bus bar in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a relay and a bus bar are joined by a joining block according to an embodiment in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is shown as relays and busbars through Figure 3 A perspective view of the state in which the joining blocks are joined, Figure 5 is shown by the relay and busbar according to Figure 3 A perspective view of a state in which the engaging blocks of another embodiment are engaged, Figure 6 is shown as relays and busbars through Figure 5 A perspective view of the state in which the joining blocks are joined, Figure 7 is based on Figure 5 A perspective view of a state in which a guide portion is formed in a joining block of another embodiment, Figures 8 to 10 Shown along Figure 7 The guide part of the joint block guides and fastens the relay and bus bar. Figure 4 and Figure 6 The cover is omitted.

[0035] 1 , a battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack 100 , a cover 200 , a bus bar 300 , a relay 400 , and a joining block 500 .

[0036] Reference Figure 1 A plurality of battery cells 110 in which electrode leads 111 are provided are stacked in the battery cell stack 100. The electrode lead 111 provided in the battery cell 110 is a terminal exposed to the outside and connected to an external device, and a conventional material may be used.

[0037] The electrode leads 111 may include a positive lead and a negative lead. The positive lead and the negative lead may be arranged in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 110, or the positive lead and the negative lead may be located in the same direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 110.

[0038] The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead can be made of various materials. For example, the positive electrode lead can be made of aluminum, and the negative electrode lead can be made of copper.

[0039] The electrode lead 111 may be electrically coupled to the bus bar 300. The battery cell 110 may have a structure in which a plurality of unit cells or a plurality of bi-cells are stacked according to capacity, wherein a positive plate-separator-negative plate are sequentially arranged in the unit cell, and a positive plate-separator-negative plate-separator-positive plate-separator-negative plate are sequentially arranged in the bi-cell.

[0040] The battery cell stack 100 may be configured such that a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked on each other. Here, the battery cells 110 may have various structures, and the plurality of battery cells 110 may be stacked in various ways.

[0041] A plurality of cartridges (not shown) each accommodating the battery cells 110 may be provided on the battery cell stack 100. Each cartridge (not shown) may be manufactured by injection molding of plastic, and a plurality of cartridges (not shown) may be stacked to form an accommodating unit capable of accommodating the battery cells 110 therein.

[0042] The connector element or terminal element may be provided on a cartridge assembly in which a plurality of cartridges (not shown) are stacked. For example, the connector element may include various electronic connection components or connection members for connecting to a battery management system (BMS, not shown) that can provide data on the voltage or temperature of the battery cell 110.

[0043] In addition, the terminal element includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal as main terminals connected to the battery cell 110, and terminal bolts are provided on the terminal element to be electrically connected to the outside. Meanwhile, the battery cell 110 may have various shapes.

[0044] Reference Figure 1The battery cell stack 100 or a box assembly in which the battery cell stack 100 is accommodated is accommodated in the cover 200. For example, the cover 200 may be provided to surround the battery cell stack 100.

[0045] The relay 400 is provided on the cover 200 , and the relay 400 is coupled to the bus bar 300 connected to the battery cell 110 .

[0046] The cover 200 surrounds the battery cell stack 100 or all of the plurality of cartridge assemblies, thereby protecting the battery cell stack 100 or the cartridge assemblies from external vibration or impact.

[0047] The cover 200 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the battery cell stack 100 or the box assembly. For example, when the battery cell stack 100 or the box assembly is provided in a hexahedron shape, the cover 200 may also be provided in a corresponding hexahedron shape.

[0048] For example, the cover 200 may be manufactured by bending a plate of a metal material, or may be manufactured by plastic injection molding. In addition, the cover 200 may be manufactured integrally or may be manufactured separately.

[0049] A penetration unit (not shown) may be formed in the cover 200, through which the connector element or terminal element may be exposed to the outside. That is, the connector element or terminal element may be electrically connected to a predetermined external component or member, and the penetration unit may be formed in the cover 200 so that the electrical connection is not hindered by the cover 200.

[0050] The bus bar 300 is joined to the electrode lead 111 provided in each of the plurality of battery cells 110, and the bus bar 300 electrically connects the respective electrode leads 111 to each other. Figure 3 and Figure 5 In the embodiment, a portion of the bus bar 300 connected to the battery cells 110 accommodated in the cover 200 is exposed to the outside of the cover 200. Here, the bus bar 300 is made of a bendable flexible material.

[0051] Reference Figure 2 、 Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 , a first fastening hole 310 is formed in the bus bar 300. The first fastening hole 310 of the bus bar 300 is fastened after being center-aligned with a second fastening hole 411 formed in a connection terminal 410 of a relay 400 to be described below.

[0052] The relay 400 is connected to the battery cell 110 through the bus bar 300 and switches the flow of current in the battery cell 110. The connection terminal 410 is provided in the relay 400. In addition, a second fastening hole 411 is formed in the connection terminal 410 of the relay 400, and the relay 400 can be coupled to the bus bar 300 through the second fastening hole 411 formed in the connection terminal 410 of the relay 400.

[0053] Here, the battery cell stack 100 is accommodated in the cover 200 and connected to the bus bar 300 , and the bus bar 300 may be disposed to be engaged with the relay 400 in a state in which a portion of the bus bar 300 protrudes outside the cover 200 .

[0054] The joining block 500 is joined to the bus bar 300 and the connection terminal 410 of the relay 400. Here, the bus bar 300 and the relay 400 can be joined by the joining block 500. That is, referring to Figure 3 and Figure 5 When the bus bar 300 and the connection terminal 410 of the relay 400 are directly fastened by bolts and nuts, the operation is not easy because the operator's hand hits the cover 200. To solve this problem, the battery module 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a joint block 500.

[0055] As an example, refer to Figure 3 , the engaging block 500 may include a body 510 , a seating groove 520 , and a protruding bolt 530 .

[0056] A seating groove 520 and a protruding bolt 530 are formed on the body 510 .

[0057] A seating groove 520 may be formed in the body 510 so as to seat the bus bar 300 and the connection terminal 410 of the relay 400. Figure 3 , three seating grooves 520 are formed in the body 510 , but this is only an example and the number of the seating grooves 520 is not limited thereto.

[0058] A protruding bolt 530 is formed in the body 510 , and a nut 540 is coupled to the protruding bolt 530 .

[0059] As another example, refer to Figure 5 , the engaging block 500 may include a body 510 , a seating groove 520 , and a third fastening hole 550 .

[0060] A seating groove 520 and a third fastening hole 550 are formed in the body 510 .

[0061] A seating groove 520 may be formed in the body 510 so as to seat the bus bar 300 and the connection terminal 410. Figure 5, three seating grooves 520 are formed in the body 510 , but this is merely an embodiment and the number of the seating grooves 520 is not limited thereto.

[0062] In addition, a third fastening hole 550 is formed in the seating groove 520, and an internal thread 551 (refer to Figure 7 ) is formed in the third fastening hole 550. Here, Figure 5 and Figure 7 The only difference is whether the guide portion 570 is formed in the seating groove 520. Figure 5 and Figure 7 In the embodiment, an internal thread 551 is formed in the third fastening hole 550 .

[0063] As another example, refer to Figure 7 , a guide portion 570 may be formed in the seating groove 520 .

[0064] Reference Figure 3 , the protruding bolt 530 is formed integrally with the engaging block 500 according to the embodiment. The engaging block 500 is first Figure 3 Move in the X direction and then move along the bottom of the bus bar 300 Figure 3 The Y direction moves so that the protruding bolt 530 formed in the engaging block 500 moves from the rear to the front of the first fastening hole 310 of the bus bar 300, that is, Figure 3 In a direction opposite to the X direction, and inserted into the first fastening hole 310.

[0065] Then, the second fastening hole 411 formed in the connection terminal 410 of the relay 400 is inserted into the protruding bolt 530 of the engaging block 500 (the protruding bolt 530 of the engaging block 500 is inserted into the first fastening hole 310 and protrudes toward the outside of the first fastening hole 310), and Figure 4 As shown, the nut 540 is fastened to the protruding bolt 530, so that the bus bar 300, the joint block 500 and the relay 400 can be joined. Figure 4 The cover 200 is omitted.

[0066] Reference Figure 5 , in accordance with Figure 3 The engagement block 500 of the different embodiments is formed with an internal thread 551 (see Figure 7 ) of the third fastening hole 550. The engaging block 500 is firstly Figure 5 Move in the X direction and then Figure 5 The Y-direction of the engaging block 500 is moved below the bus bar 300 so that the third fastening holes 550 formed in the engaging block 500 are centrally aligned while being located rearward of the first fastening holes 310 of the bus bar 300 .

[0067] Next, the second fastening hole 411 formed in the connection terminal 410 of the relay 400 is aligned with the center of the first fastening hole 310 and the third fastening hole 550, and as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, the fastening bolt 560 is inserted into the second fastening hole 411 and the first fastening hole 310 and fastened to the internal thread 551 of the third fastening hole 550, so that the bus bar 300, the joint block 500 and the relay 400 can be joined. Figure 6 The cover is omitted.

[0068] Here, refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the fastening bolts 560 are inserted and fixed in the order of the second fastening hole 411 , the first fastening hole 310 , and the third fastening hole 550 .

[0069] Reference Figure 7 , the guide portion 570 may be formed in the seating groove 520. Here, the guide portion 570 may be provided as an inclined guide portion in which an inclination is formed along the periphery of the seating groove 520. That is, the inclined guide portion may be formed so that the bus bar 300 and the connection terminal 410 descend toward the third fastening hole 550 along the inclined guide portion.

[0070] Therefore, there is an effect that the relay 400 can be easily joined to the bus bar 300 through the joining block 500 .

[0071] Hereinafter, operations and effects of the battery module 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0072] Reference Figure 8 , the connection terminal 410 of the relay 400 contacts the bus bar 300 and moves in the direction of arrow A. At this time, referring to Figure 9 , the connection terminal 410 of the relay 400 and the bus bar 300 move in the direction of arrow B while contacting each other and descend toward the third fastening hole 550 along the inclined guide portion of the guide portion 570 formed in the seating groove 520 in the engaging block 500 .

[0073] That is, when the connection terminal 410 of the relay 400 and the bus bar 300 are in contact with each other and only along Figure 8 When the relay 400 moves in the direction of arrow A, the connecting terminal 410 of the relay 400 and the bus bar 300 move to the third fastening hole 550, and the second fastening hole 411 of the connecting terminal 410 of the relay 400, the first fastening hole 310 of the bus bar 300 and the third fastening hole 550 of the coupling block 500 are precisely aligned with each other without any alignment operation.

[0074] That is, in the battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first fastening hole 310, the second fastening hole 411 and the third fastening hole 550 can be aligned without the need for special alignment operations, and therefore, the first fastening hole 310, the second fastening hole 411 and the third fastening hole 550 can be fastened with the fastening bolts 560, thereby having the effect that the relay 400 can be easily joined to the bus bar 300 through the joining block 500.

[0075] Meanwhile, a battery pack (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery modules 10 according to the above-described embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the battery pack (not shown) may further include, in addition to the battery module 10, a housing for accommodating the battery module 10 and various devices for controlling the charge and discharge of the battery module 10, such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0076] Meanwhile, a vehicle (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the above-described battery module 10 or a battery pack (not shown). A battery pack (not shown) may include the battery module 10. In addition, the battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a vehicle (not shown), for example, a predetermined vehicle (not shown) configured to use electricity, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0077] The present invention has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that although the detailed description and specific examples illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, these are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0078] Industrial Applicability

[0079] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery module, and more particularly, the present invention can be applied to industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. A battery module comprising: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a cover receiving the battery cell stack therein; a bus bar electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells; a relay including a connection terminal coupled to the bus bar; as well as a junction block coupled to the bus bar and the connection terminal of the relay, wherein a first fastening hole is formed in the bus bar, forming a second fastening hole in the connection terminal of the relay, A third fastening hole is formed in the engaging block, an internal thread is formed in the third fastening hole, and A fastening bolt is inserted into the second fastening hole and the first fastening hole, and the fastening bolt is fastened to the internal thread of the third fastening hole, Wherein, the joining block comprises: main body; a seating groove formed in the body so as to seat the bus bar and the connection terminal, Wherein, the third fastening hole is formed inside the seating groove, wherein a guide portion is formed in the seating groove so that the first fastening hole of the bus bar, the second fastening hole of the connection terminal of the relay, and the third fastening hole are aligned; The guide portion is configured as an inclined guide portion, wherein an inclination is formed along the periphery of the seating groove in the inclined guide portion. The inclined guide portion is formed such that the bus bar and the connection terminal descend along the inclined guide portion toward the third fastening hole.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The fastening bolts are inserted and fixed in the order of the second fastening hole, the first fastening hole, and the third fastening hole.

3. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A vehicle comprising the battery module according to claim 1 or 2.

Images