Battery module and battery pack including same

Abstract

A battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a battery cell stack in which battery cells are stacked in a first direction; and at least one bus bar located on one side or both sides of the battery cell stack. The electrode leads protrude from the battery cells in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The bus bar includes a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion at a prescribed angle to one surface of the first portion, and the electrode lead is bonded to the second portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0167843 filed on December 5, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module having a novel connection configuration of an electrode lead and a bus bar and a battery pack including the same. Background Art

[0004] In modern society, with the daily use of portable devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, video cameras, and digital cameras, the development of technology in the field related to mobile devices as described above has been initiated. In addition, rechargeable and dischargeable secondary batteries are used as energy sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs), etc., in an attempt to solve the air pollution caused by existing gasoline vehicles using fossil fuels, etc. Therefore, the demand for the development of secondary batteries is growing.

[0005] Generally, lithium secondary batteries may be classified into hard case type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is mounted in a metal can and pouch type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is mounted in a pouch of an aluminum laminate sheet, according to the shape of an exterior material.

[0006] In the case of a secondary battery for a small device, two to three battery cells are provided, but in the case of a secondary battery for a medium and large device such as an automobile, a battery module electrically connecting a plurality of battery cells is used. In such a battery module, a plurality of battery cells are connected in series or in parallel to each other to form a battery cell assembly, thereby increasing capacity and output. In addition, one or more battery modules may be installed together with various control and protection systems such as a BDU (battery disconnect unit), a BMS (battery management system), and a cooling system to form a battery pack.

[0007] Conventional battery modules can use bus bars and bus bar frames to provide electrical connections between multiple battery cells. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structure of a bus bar and a bus bar frame used in a conventional battery module will be described.

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional battery module. Figure 2 is magnified and shows Figure 1 Partial graph of part "A" in . In particular, Figure 1The battery module is shown in a state of being erected to show the appearance of the bus bar frame and the bus bars.

[0009] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the conventional battery module 10 includes a battery cell stack 12 in which a plurality of battery cells 11 are stacked, and a bus bar frame 30 disposed at both sides of the battery cell stack 12. Such a bus bar frame 30 may be mounted with a bus bar 40.

[0010] The bus bar 40 is used to provide electrical connection between the plurality of battery cells 11. The electrode leads 11L of the battery cells 11 pass through the slits formed in the bus bar frame 30 and then may be bent and connected to the bus bar 40. In some cases, the electrode leads 11L may also pass through the slits 40S formed in the bus bar 40.

[0011] When connection is made between the electrode lead 11L and the bus bar 40 , the method is not limited as long as electrical connection can be made, for example, they are connected by welding joining. The battery cells 11 may be electrically connected in series or in parallel via the bus bar 40 .

[0012] The connection configuration of the battery cell 11 as described above can be broken by the tensile force. Figure 3 This is explained.

[0013] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating breakage of an electrode tab or breakage of a connection portion between an electrode tab and an electrode lead in a conventional battery module.

[0014] Reference Figure 3 The battery cell 11 can be produced by accommodating the electrode assembly 11A in the soft-pack type battery cell case 11C and then sealing the outer periphery of the battery cell case 11C to form a sealing portion 11S. The electrode assembly 11A may include electrodes and a separator disposed between the electrodes. Each electrode includes an electrode tab 11t, wherein the electrode tab 11t may be connected to the electrode lead 11L by a method such as welding.

[0015] The electrode lead 11L protrudes to the outside of the battery cell case 11C, passes through the slits 30S of the bus bar frame 30 and the slits 40S of the bus bar 40 as described above, and then may be bent and connected to the bus bar 40 .

[0016] At this time, welding is performed by bringing the electrode lead 11L into close contact with the surface of the bus bar 40. Figure 3Only the case where one electrode lead 11L extending from one battery cell 11 is joined to the bus bar 40 is shown, but there is also a case where multiple electrode leads 11L protruding from multiple battery cells 11 are joined to one bus bar 40. In order to make the electrode lead 11L in close contact with the surface of the bus bar 40, the electrode lead 11L is bent to form a bent portion 11LB. In addition, in order to make the multiple electrode leads 11L in close contact with the surface of the bus bar 40, the length of the electrode lead 11L must be set differently for each battery cell 11. Therefore, the conventional battery module 10 basically requires a process of cutting the electrode lead 11L and a process of bending the electrode lead 11L.

[0017] In addition, in the process of bending the electrode lead 11L, a tensile force TF is generated in the electrode lead 11L. Due to this tensile force TF, stress may be concentrated on the electrode tab 11t or the connection between the electrode tab 11t and the electrode lead 11L. Ultimately, in the worst case, there may be a problem of the electrode tab 11t itself breaking or the connection between the electrode tab 11t and the electrode lead 11L breaking. Since this is an important problem that may be related to the risk of fire due to an internal short circuit, it is necessary to develop a technology that can prevent the breakage of the electrode tab or the breakage of the connection between the electrode tab and the electrode lead. Summary of the invention

[0018] Technical issues

[0019] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery module having a novel connection configuration of an electrode lead and a bus bar to prevent breakage of an electrode tab itself or a connection portion between the electrode tab and the electrode lead, and a battery pack including the same.

[0020] However, the technical problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and various extensions can be made within the scope of the technical concept included in the present disclosure.

[0021] Technical Solution

[0022] A battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a battery cell stack in which battery cells are stacked along a first direction; and at least one bus bar located on one side or both sides of the battery cell stack. An electrode lead protrudes from the battery cell along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The bus bar includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion extending from the first portion at a specified angle to a surface of the first portion, and the electrode lead is engaged with the second portion.

[0023] The battery cells may be pouch-type battery cells, and in the battery cell stack, the battery cells may be stacked in an upright state such that surfaces of one side of the battery cells face each other.

[0024] The second portion may extend in such a manner that one surface of the second portion is perpendicular to one surface of the first portion.

[0025] One surface of the first portion may be parallel to the first direction, and one surface of the second portion may be parallel to the second direction.

[0026] The electrode lead may be welded and joined to the second portion.

[0027] The bus bar may be formed with an opening portion, and at least one of the electrode leads may be joined to the second portion while passing through the opening portion.

[0028] The battery module may further include a bus bar frame located between the battery cell stack and the bus bar, and the bus bar is mounted on the bus bar frame, the bus bar frame may be formed with a slit, and the electrode lead passes through the slit and may be engaged with the second portion of the bus bar.

[0029] The electrode lead may be formed with a protrusion protruding in a direction different from the second direction.

[0030] The protrusion may protrude from a middle portion of the electrode lead in a direction parallel to the first direction.

[0031] The protrusion may be a portion formed by bending the electrode lead at least three times.

[0032] A joining portion, which is a portion where the electrode lead and the second portion are joined, may be provided at a portion where the protrusion and the electrode lead are connected.

[0033] The portion where the protrusion is connected to the electrode lead may be irradiated with laser to form a joint portion.

[0034] The battery module may further include a module frame in which the battery cell stack is accommodated.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery pack including the battery module is provided.

[0036] Beneficial Effects

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bus bar is designed to include a first portion and a second portion, so that the electrode lead can be joined to the bus bar without being bent. Thus, since no bending portion is formed in the electrode lead, the tensile force caused by bending does not act on the electrode lead, and the breakage of the electrode terminal tab or the breakage of the connection portion between the electrode terminal tab and the electrode lead can be prevented.

[0038] Since no bent portion is formed in the electrode lead, a process of bending the electrode lead is not required. In addition, since each battery cell can be regularly positioned by the joint between the electrode lead and the bus bar, a process of cutting the electrode lead is also not required.

[0039] In addition, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a protrusion protruding from the electrode lead can be formed. Even if a bent portion is not formed in the electrode lead, the protrusion enables stable bonding between the electrode lead and the bus bar.

[0040] Effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects. Also, other effects not mentioned herein can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional battery module.

[0042] Figure 2 is magnified and shows Figure 1 A partial view of part “A” in FIG.

[0043] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating breakage of an electrode tab or breakage of a connection portion between an electrode tab and an electrode lead in a conventional battery module.

[0044] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 4 A plan view of one of the battery cells included in a battery module.

[0046] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 4 A partial diagram of a battery cell stack and a bus bar included in a battery module.

[0047] Figure 7 is magnified and shows Figure 6 A partial view of the junction between the electrode lead and the bus bar of a battery cell in FIG.

[0048] Figure 8 It is shown along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a cross section taken along the cutting line BB'.

[0049] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a bus bar according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Fig.10 and Fig.11 They are diagrams respectively showing electrode leads of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Fig.12 and Fig.13 Each of them is a diagram showing a process of bonding an electrode lead and a bus bar according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Fig.14 is a diagram showing an electrode lead of a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0053] Fig.15 is a perspective view showing a bus bar frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the embodiments. The present disclosure can be modified in various different ways and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0055] In order to clearly describe the present disclosure, parts irrelevant to the description will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the description to denote the same or similar elements.

[0056] In addition, in the drawings, for the convenience of description, the size and thickness of each element are arbitrarily shown, and the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to those sizes and thicknesses shown in the drawings. In the drawings, for the sake of clarity, the thickness of layers, regions, etc. is exaggerated. In the drawings, for the convenience of description, the thickness of parts and regions is exaggerated.

[0057] Furthermore, it will be understood that when an element, such as a layer, film, region, or plate, is referred to as being "on" or "above" another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, this means that no other intervening elements are present. Furthermore, a particular portion being "above" or "on" a reference portion indicates that the particular portion is above or below the reference portion, and does not specifically indicate that the particular portion is "above" or "on" in the opposite direction of gravity.

[0058] Furthermore, throughout the description, when a part is referred to as “including” or “comprising” specific components, it means that the part may also include other components, and other components are not excluded unless otherwise specified.

[0059] Furthermore, throughout the description, when referred to as a “plane”, this means that the target portion is viewed from the upper side at this time, and when referred to as a “cross section”, this means that the target portion is viewed from the side of a cross section cut vertically at this time.

[0060] Figure 4is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 It is shown that the Figure 4 A plan view of one of the battery cells in a battery module. Figure 6 It is shown Figure 4 A partial diagram of a battery cell stack and a bus bar included in a battery module.

[0061] Reference Figures 4 to 6 , the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery cell stack 120 in which battery cells 110 are stacked along a first direction d1 and at least one bus bar 500 located at one side or both sides of the battery cell stack 120 .

[0062] The bus bar 500 is a medium for electrical connection between the electrode leads 111 of the battery cells 110, and preferably, contains a metal material. Whether the bus bar 500 is located on one side or both sides of the battery cell stack 120 is determined by whether the electrode leads 111 of the battery cells 110 protrude in only one direction or in two directions. Below, the battery cell 110 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail first.

[0063] The battery cell 110 may be a soft-pack type battery cell, and may be in the shape of a rectangular sheet. The battery cell 110 may be formed by housing an electrode assembly in a soft-pack shell of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, and then bonding the outer periphery of the soft-pack shell. In particular, the battery cell 110 may have a structure in which two electrode leads 111 face each other and protrude from one end 114a and the other end 114b of the battery cell body 113, respectively. As another embodiment, a structure in which all of the electrode leads 111 of the battery cell 110 protrude in one direction is also available. One of the electrode leads 111 is a positive electrode lead, and the other is a negative electrode lead.

[0064] In a state where an electrode assembly (not shown) is accommodated in a soft-pack case 114, the battery cell 110 can be produced by joining the two end portions 114a and 114b of the soft-pack case 114 with one side portion 114c connecting them. In other words, the battery cell 110 according to the present embodiment has a total of three sealing portions, the sealing portion has a structure sealed by a method such as welding, and the remaining other side portion may include a folding portion 115. That is, the battery cell 110 according to the present embodiment may be a soft-pack type battery cell configured to accommodate the electrode assembly inside the soft-pack case 114 and seal the outer periphery of the soft-pack case 114.

[0065] Such battery cells 110 are stacked along the first direction d1 to form a battery cell stack 120. Specifically, in the battery cell stack 120, the battery cells 110 may be stacked along the first direction d1 in an upright state such that surfaces of one side of the battery cells 110 face each other.

[0066] At this time, the electrode lead 111 protrudes from the battery cell in a second direction d2 perpendicular to the first direction d1. Thus, the bus bar 500 may be located at one side in the second direction d2 with respect to the battery cell stack 120.

[0067] In the present disclosure, the first direction d1 is shown as a y-axis direction, and the second direction d2 is shown as an x-axis direction.

[0068] On the other hand, if the electrode lead 111 of the battery cell 110 is configured to protrude from the battery cell 110 in two directions, the other electrode lead 110 may protrude in the direction opposite to the second direction d2 (i.e., the -x-axis direction). Thus, the other bus bar 500 may also be located on one side of the battery cell stack 120 in the direction opposite to the second direction d2.

[0069] Next, the configuration of the bus bar and the bonding between the bus bar and the electrode leads according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0070] Figure 7 is magnified and shows Figure 6 A partial view of the junction between the electrode lead and the bus bar of a battery cell in FIG. Figure 8 It is shown along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a cross section taken along the cutting line BB'. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a bus bar according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] Refer to Figures 6 to 9 The bus bar 500 according to the present embodiment includes a first portion 510 and a second portion 520 extending from the first portion 510 at a constant angle to one surface of the first portion 510, wherein the electrode lead 111 of the battery cell 110 is engaged with the second portion 520. As described above, the bus bar 500 is a medium for electrical connection between the battery cells 110, and the battery cell 110 is a member engaged with the electrode lead 111 of the battery cell 110.

[0072] As an example, the second portion 520 may extend at an angle of more than 45 degrees and less than 135 degrees to one surface of the first portion 510. More specifically, the second portion 520 may extend in a manner such that one surface of the second portion 520 is perpendicular to one surface of the first portion 510. In particular, one surface of the first portion 510 may be parallel to the first direction d1, and one surface of the second portion 520 may be parallel to the second direction d2. In other words, one surface of the first portion 510 may be parallel to the stacking direction of the first battery cell 110, and the second portion 520 may be parallel to the direction in which the electrode lead 111 protrudes from the battery cell 110.

[0073] In the present embodiment, the bus bar 500 is constituted not only of the first portion 510 but also further includes a second portion 520 which is at a constant angle to the first portion 510 , and the electrode lead 111 is joined to the second portion 520 .

[0074] If the busbar consists of the first part only, it has the same Figures 1 to 3 When the electrode lead 11L is joined to the bus bar 40 as described above, the electrode lead 11L is bent to form the bent portion 11LB, so that the electrode lead 11L is in close contact with the surface of the bus bar 40. Thus, a process of cutting the electrode lead 11L and a process of bending the electrode lead 11L are basically required, and a break occurs in the electrode lead 11L due to the tensile force TF generated in the process of bending the electrode lead 11L.

[0075] On the other hand, in the case of the bus bar 500 according to the present embodiment, the second portion 520 is further provided, and the electrode lead 111 is joined to the second portion 520. Therefore, in the process of joining the electrode lead 111 to the bus bar 500, it is not necessary to bend the electrode lead 111. Since the tensile force caused by bending does not act on the electrode lead 111, the breakage of the electrode tab or the breakage of the connection portion between the electrode tab and the electrode lead can be prevented.

[0076] In addition, since there is no need for a process of bending the electrode lead, and each battery cell 110 can be regularly positioned by the joint between the electrode lead 111 and the bus bar 500, there is no need for a process of cutting the electrode lead 111. In other words, since part of the process can be eliminated, the product production cost can be reduced and the productivity can be improved.

[0077] On the other hand, the bonding method between the electrode lead 111 and the second part 520 is not particularly limited as long as the electrical connection between the electrode lead 111 and the second part 520 is available. As an example, the electrode lead 111 may be welded and bonded to the second part 520. That is, due to the welding bonding, the electrode lead 111 may be formed with a bonding portion. Figures 10 to 13 The welded joint and the joint portion are described together again.

[0078] The bus bar 500 according to the present embodiment may be formed with an opening 500P, and at least one electrode lead 111 may be combined with the second portion 520 while passing through the opening 500P. In particular, the first portion 510 of the bus bar 500 may be formed with an opening 500P. A plurality of second portions 520 may be provided on one bus bar 500, and the opening 500P may be provided to join the electrode lead 111 with the second portion 520 located on the middle side instead of the outermost side. In addition, another electrode lead 111 may be joined with the second portion 520 without passing through the opening 500P, as shown in the figure. In particular, a portion of the electrode lead 111 may be joined with the second portion 520 located on the outermost side without passing through the opening 500P.

[0079] As described above, one bus bar 500 is provided with a plurality of second portions 520, so that each battery cell 110 can be regularly positioned by the joint between the electrode lead 111 and the bus bar 500. Thus, unlike conventional techniques, a process of cutting the electrode lead is not required. When a plurality of second portions 520 are formed on one bus bar 500, the opening portion 500P is a portion provided to facilitate the joint between a portion of the electrode lead 111 and the second portion.

[0080] Next, we will refer to Fig.10 and Fig.11 The electrode lead and the protrusion formed thereon according to this embodiment are described in detail.

[0081] Fig.10 and Fig.11 They are diagrams showing electrode leads of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Fig.10 is a partial perspective view of an electrode lead according to the present embodiment. Fig.11 is a plan view of the electrode lead according to the present embodiment viewed along the −z-axis direction on the xy plane.

[0082] Reference Fig.10 and Fig.11 as well as Figure 7 and Figure 8, since the electrode lead 111 according to this embodiment is coupled to the second portion 520 as described above, there is no need to bend perpendicularly to the direction in which the electrode lead 111 protrudes from the battery cell 110 .

[0083] However, the electrode lead 111 according to this embodiment may be formed with a protrusion 111B protruding in a direction different from the second direction d2. That is, although the electrode lead 111 protrudes from the battery cell 110 along the second direction d2, it is not simply formed in a plate shape, but a protrusion 111B protruding in a direction different from the second direction d2 may be formed in the middle portion of the electrode lead 111. More specifically, the protrusion 111B may protrude from the middle portion of the electrode lead 111 in a direction parallel to the first direction d1.

[0084] Next, we will refer to Fig.12 and Fig.13 The welding joint of the electrode lead 111 and the function of the protrusion 111B according to the present embodiment are described.

[0085] Fig.12 and Fig.13 Each of them is a diagram showing a process of bonding an electrode lead and a bus bar according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] Reference Fig.12 and Fig.13 as well as Figure 8 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 As described above, the electrode lead 111 may be welded and joined to the second portion 520. The second portion 520 is disposed on the bus bar 500, and there is no need to bend the electrode lead 111, but the welding process may be difficult compared to a conventional electrode lead 11L in a bent form. Figure 3 As shown, in a conventional case, since the electrode lead 11L is bent, the portion where the electrode lead 11L is in close contact with the bus bar 40 can be seen from the front, and welding is performed by irradiating the relevant portion with laser or the like, so that the welding process is relatively simple. On the other hand, since the electrode lead 111 according to the present embodiment has no portion bent at a right angle, the portion where the electrode lead 11L is in close contact with the second portion 520 is not a surface seen from the front, and it may be difficult to irradiate the laser due to the angle.

[0087] In order to improve weldability and achieve stable welding bonding between the electrode lead 111 and the second portion 520 , according to this embodiment, the above-mentioned protrusion 111B is formed on the electrode lead 111 .

[0088] like Fig.12 and Fig.13As shown, the joint portion 111A, as the joint portion of the electrode lead 111 and the second portion 520, can be provided at the portion where the protrusion 111B is connected to the electrode lead 111. Here, the portion where the protrusion 111B is connected to the electrode lead 111 refers to the starting portion where the protrusion 111B starts to protrude from the electrode lead 111. That is, the portion where the protrusion 111B is connected to the electrode lead 111 can be joined to the second portion 520 to form the joint portion 111A.

[0089] More specifically, the portion where the protrusion 111B is connected to the electrode lead 111 to form the joint 111A can be irradiated with the laser L to form the joint 111A. The joint 111A can be formed by irradiating the laser L while being at an angle of about 45 degrees to one surface of the second portion 520, and the electrode lead 111 and the bus bar 500 can be electrically connected through the joint 111A. As described above, the portion where the electrode lead 111 is in close contact with the second portion 520 is not the surface seen from the front, but since the protrusion 111B is provided and the laser L inclined at a prescribed angle is irradiated to the portion where the protrusion 111B is connected to the electrode lead 111, a stable welding process can be achieved. That is, the protrusion 111B according to the present embodiment can be provided to improve welding workability so that the electrode lead 111 protruding along the second direction d2 can be stably welded and joined to the second portion 520.

[0090] Fig.14 is a diagram illustrating an electrode lead of a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] Reference Fig.14 , the electrode lead 111 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may have a protrusion 111B'. The protrusion 111B' may protrude from the middle portion of the electrode lead 111 in a direction different from the second direction d2, for example, in a direction parallel to the first direction d1. This is similar to the above-mentioned protrusion 111B. The protrusion 111B' according to the present embodiment may be formed by attaching a plate-shaped member to the middle portion of the electrode lead 111.

[0092] On the other hand, referring again Fig.10 and Fig.11 , the protrusion 111B according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a portion formed by bending the electrode lead 111 at least three times. Fig.11A case where three bends BP are formed in the electrode lead 111 to finally form the protrusion 111B is shown. Unlike the protrusion 111B' to which the plate-like member is attached, the protrusion 111B according to the present embodiment can be formed by simply bending the electrode lead 111 multiple times, and therefore, it has the advantage of a simple production method. That is, the protrusions 111B and 111B' in the present disclosure are not particularly limited in their configuration as long as they protrude from the electrode lead 111 in a direction different from the second direction d2, but when the convenience of the production method is taken into consideration, the protrusion 111B formed by bending the electrode lead 111 at least three times may be preferred.

[0093] Fig.15 is a perspective view showing a bus bar frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0094] Refer to Figure 6 and Fig.15 The battery module according to the present embodiment may further include a bus bar frame 600. Figure 6 , only the bus bar 500 is shown for convenience of explanation, but the bus bar frame 600 may be located between the battery cell stack 120 and the bus bar 500. The bus bar 500 may be mounted on such a bus bar frame 600.

[0095] Specifically, the bus bar 500 is mounted on one surface of the bus bar frame 600, and the battery cell stack 120 may be located on the other surface of the bus bar frame 600. The electrode lead 111 of the battery cell 110 passes through the slit 600S formed in the bus bar frame 600 and may be engaged with the bus bar 500. The engagement between the electrode lead 111 and the bus bar 500 has been described above, and thus, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] The bus bar frame 600 may include an electrically insulating material. As an example, the bus bar frame 600 may include an electrically insulating plastic material. The bus bar frame 600 is a member provided to prevent a short circuit from occurring when a portion of the battery cell 110 other than the electrode lead 111 is bonded to the bus bar 500 .

[0097] Although not specifically shown, the bus bar frame 600 may be mounted with terminal bus bars serving as external input / output terminals and a sensing component transmitting temperature and voltage information of the battery cells.

[0098] On the other hand, referring again Figure 4, the battery module 100 according to the present embodiment may further include a module frame 200 in which the battery cell stack 120 is accommodated. The module frame 200 is a member in which the battery cell stack 120 is accommodated, and may include two side portions 210 and 220, an upper surface portion 230, and a lower surface portion 240. In addition, the module frame 200 may have a configuration in which both sides corresponding to the second direction and the opposite direction thereof are open. The battery cell stack 120 may be accommodated through any one of the two open sides. The module frame 200 may include a metal material having a predetermined strength to protect internal electrical components.

[0099] like Figure 4 The module frame 200 shown may be a single frame in which two side portions 210 and 220, an upper surface portion 230, and a lower surface portion 240 are integrated. That is, it may be produced by extrusion molding, and may have a configuration in which two side portions 210 and 220, an upper surface portion 230, and a lower surface portion 240 are integrated. Although not specifically shown, in another embodiment of the present disclosure, a module frame in which a U-shaped frame is welded to an upper plate is also available. Observing in the stacking direction of the module frame 200 and the battery cell 110, the battery cell 110 may be stacked from one side portion 210 to another side portion 220, so that one surface of the battery cell 110 is parallel to one surface of the side portions 210 and 220 of the module frame 200.

[0100] On the other hand, the battery module 100 according to the present embodiment may further include an end plate 300 located at two open sides of the module frame 200. The end plate 300 may be configured to cover the battery cell stack 120 at the two open sides of the module frame 200. The edges of each end plate 300 may be joined with the corresponding edges of the module frame 200 by a welding method. The end plate 300 may include a metal material having a predetermined strength, and may protect the battery cell stack 120 and other electrical components from external impacts. The above-mentioned bus bar 500 and bus bar frame 600 may be located between the end plate 300 and the battery cell stack 120.

[0101] The battery module 100 may further include a thermal resin layer 400 located between the battery cell stack 120 and the lower surface portion 240 of the module frame 200. One side of the battery cell 110 may be adhered to the thermal resin layer 400. Specifically, the thermal resin layer 400 may be formed by injecting or coating a thermal resin and then curing it. The thermal resin may include a thermally conductive adhesive material, specifically, may include at least one of a silicone material, a polyurethane material, or an acrylic material. During coating, the thermal resin may be in a liquid phase, but may be cured after coating to adhere to one side of the battery cell 110. Thus, the thermal resin layer 400 may be used to fix the battery cell 110. In addition, the thermal resin layer 400 has excellent thermal conductivity, and the heat generated in the battery cell 110 may be quickly transferred to the lower side of the battery module.

[0102] Terms representing directions such as the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the upper side, and the lower side have been used in this embodiment, but the terms used are provided for convenience of description and may become different depending on the position of the object, the position of the observer, etc.

[0103] One or more battery modules according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be installed together with various control and protection systems such as a BMS (Battery Management System), a BDU (Battery Disconnect Unit), and a cooling system to form a battery pack.

[0104] The battery module or battery pack can be applied to various devices. Specifically, it can be applied to vehicle devices such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles or ESS (energy storage system), and can be applied to various devices that can use secondary batteries, but is not limited thereto.

[0105] The present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to its preferred embodiments. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and that various modifications and improvements may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0106] [Explanation of Reference Numerals]

[0107] 100: Battery module

[0108] 110: Battery Cell

[0109] 111: Electrode lead

[0110] 111A: Joint

[0111] 111B: protrusion

[0112] 120: Battery cell stack

[0113] 200: Module Framework

[0114] 300: End plate

[0115] 400: Thermal resin layer

[0116] 500: Busbar

[0117] 510: Part 1

[0118] 520: Part 2

[0119] 600: Busbar frame

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: a battery cell stack in which battery cells are stacked along a first direction; as well as at least one bus bar, the at least one bus bar being located on one side or both sides of the battery cell stack; wherein the electrode lead protrudes from the battery cell along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the bus bar comprises a first portion and a second portion, the second portion extending from the first portion at a specified angle to a surface of the first portion, and Wherein, the electrode lead is joined to the second portion.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The battery cell is a soft-pack type battery cell, and In the battery cell stack, the battery cells are stacked in an upright state such that surfaces of one side of the battery cells face each other.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The second portion extends in such a manner that one surface of the second portion is perpendicular to one surface of the first portion.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: One surface of the first portion is parallel to the first direction, and one surface of the second portion is parallel to the second direction.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The electrode lead is welded and joined to the second portion.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The bus bar is formed with an opening, and At least one of the electrode leads is joined to the second portion while passing through the opening.

7. The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising a bus bar frame located between the battery cell stack and the bus bar, and the bus bar is mounted on the bus bar frame, in, The bus bar frame is formed with slits, and The electrode lead passes through the slit and is coupled to the second portion of the bus bar.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The electrode lead is formed with a protrusion that protrudes in a direction different from the second direction.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: The protrusion protrudes from a middle portion of the electrode lead in a direction parallel to the first direction.

10. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: The protrusion is a portion formed by bending the electrode lead at least three times.

11. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: A joining portion, which is a portion where the electrode lead and the second portion are joined, is provided at a portion where the protrusion and the electrode lead are connected.

12. The battery module according to claim 11, wherein: The portion where the protrusion is connected to the electrode lead is irradiated with laser light to form the joining portion. 13 . The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising a module frame in which the battery cell stack is accommodated.

14. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to claim 1.

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