Battery module and vehicle including the same

Abstract

The invention discloses a battery module and a vehicle including the same. The problem to be solved is to provide a battery module capable of preventing a short circuit of a battery cell due to an external collision and a vehicle including the same. To this end, disclosed in an example embodiment is a battery module comprising: a battery cell; a module case provided with side plates facing side surfaces of the battery cells; a cell terminal protruding from the battery cell toward the side plate; a bus bar holder disposed between the side plate and the battery cell and connected to the cell terminal; and a reinforcing member connected to the bus bar bracket and reinforcing the bus bar bracket. In the battery module and the vehicle including the same according to the present invention, the reinforcing member can prevent an external impact from being directly transmitted from the outside of the module case to the bus bar holder, thereby preventing a short circuit of the battery cells due to damage to the bus bar holder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a battery module and a vehicle including the battery module. Background Art

[0002] In general, with the rapid growth in demand for portable electronic products such as notebook computers, camcorders, and portable phones, and the commercialization of robots and electric vehicles, various studies have been actively conducted to develop high-performance secondary batteries that allow repeated charging and discharging.

[0003] Secondary batteries are widely used for power generation or energy storage not only in small devices such as portable electronic products but also in medium / large devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS). In particular, in the medium / large devices, a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to each other to form a battery module in order to enhance the output and / or capacity of the battery.

[0004] In recent years, in order to expand the charging and discharging capacity of electric vehicles, battery modules having terminals formed on the side surfaces of battery cells have been actively developed in the art. However, in the event of a side collision, these battery modules may catch fire or explode due to a short circuit of the battery cells.

[0005] The above information disclosed in this Background section is for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute related (or prior) technology. Summary of the invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a battery module capable of preventing a short circuit of a battery cell due to an external collision and a vehicle including the same.

[0007] These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be described in or will be apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problems, a battery module according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes: a battery cell; a module housing, provided with a side plate having a side surface facing the battery cell; a cell terminal, protruding from the battery cell toward the side plate; a bus bar bracket, arranged between the side plate and the battery cell and connected to the cell terminal; and a reinforcing member, connected to the bus bar bracket and reinforcing the bus bar bracket.

[0009] Each of the cell terminal, the bus bar holder, and the reinforcement member may be provided as a pair symmetrically disposed at opposite sides of the battery cell.

[0010] The reinforcement member may include a first reinforcement cover disposed between the side plate and the bus bar holder; and a second reinforcement cover connected to the first reinforcement cover.

[0011] One of the first reinforcement cover and the second reinforcement cover may be disposed to face the side plate, and the other of the first reinforcement cover and the second reinforcement cover may be disposed to face the bus bar supporter.

[0012] The second reinforcement cover may be formed of a material having higher rigidity than the first reinforcement cover and the bus bar holder.

[0013] The first reinforcement cover may be formed of a resin material, and the second reinforcement cover may be formed of a metallic material.

[0014] The first reinforcement cover may be coupled to the second reinforcement cover by insert injection molding.

[0015] The battery module may further include a first fixing member disposed between the bus bar holder and the reinforcement member and supporting the reinforcement member relative to the bus bar holder.

[0016] The first reinforcement cover may have an end portion surrounding an end portion of the second reinforcement cover, and the first fixing member may include: a first fixing groove recessed in one of the end portion of the first reinforcement cover and the bus bar bracket; and a first insert extending from the other of the end portion of the first reinforcement cover and the bus bar bracket and inserted into the first fixing groove.

[0017] The first fixing groove may have a first claw formed therein, and the first insert may include: a first insert body; and a first hook disposed at a distal end of the first insert body and caught by the first claw when inserted into the first fixing groove.

[0018] The first insert body may be elastically deformable.

[0019] The first hook may gradually narrow toward its distal end.

[0020] The battery module may further include a buffer member connected to the reinforcement member and absorbing impact applied to the reinforcement member.

[0021] The buffer member may be disposed between the side plate and the reinforcing member.

[0022] The cushioning member may be elastically deformable.

[0023] The battery module may further include: a second fixing member disposed between the reinforcement member and the buffer member and supporting the buffer member with respect to the reinforcement member.

[0024] The second fixing member may include: a second fixing groove recessed in one of the end portion of the first reinforcement cover and the buffer member; and a second insert extending from the other of the end portion of the first reinforcement cover and the buffer member and inserted into the second fixing groove.

[0025] The second fixing groove may have a second claw formed therein, and the second insert may include: a second insert body; and a second hook disposed at a distal end of the second insert body and caught by the second claw when inserted into the second fixing groove.

[0026] The second insert body may be elastically deformable.

[0027] A vehicle according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes: a vehicle body; and a battery module mounted on the vehicle body, wherein the battery module includes: a battery cell; a module housing provided with a side plate having a side surface facing the battery cell; a cell terminal protruding from the battery cell toward the side plate; a bus bar bracket disposed between the side plate and the battery cell and connected to the cell terminal; and a reinforcing member connected to the bus bar bracket and reinforcing the bus bar bracket.

[0028] In the battery module and the vehicle including the same according to the present invention, the reinforcement member can prevent external impact from being directly transferred from the outside of the module case to the bus bar holder, thereby preventing short circuit of the battery cells due to damage to the bus bar holder.

[0029] In the battery module and the vehicle including the same according to the present invention, the reinforcement member includes the second reinforcement cover formed of a metallic material, thereby further improving structural robustness.

[0030] In the battery module and the vehicle including the same according to the present invention, the buffer member can reduce the magnitude of the load transmitted to the reinforcing member by mainly absorbing the impact applied from the outside of the module case by utilizing its elastic recovery.

[0031] In the battery module and the vehicle including the same according to the present invention, the first fixing member and the second fixing member may stably support the reinforcing member and the buffering member inside the module case. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The accompanying drawings attached to this specification illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the detailed description of the present disclosure, further describe aspects and features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited to the accompanying drawings:

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a reinforcing member according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 and Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a first fixing member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Fig.10 and Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of a second fixing member according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to the usual meaning or dictionary meaning, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure based on the principle that the inventor can be his / her own lexicon compiler to appropriately define the concept of the term so as to explain his / her invention in the best way.

[0043] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not represent all technical ideas, aspects and features of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace or modify the embodiments described herein when submitting this application.

[0044] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, directly connected to, or directly coupled to that other element or layer, or there may be one or more intervening elements or layers. When an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers. For example, when a first element is described as being "coupled to" or "connected to" a second element, the first element may be directly coupled or connected to the second element, or the first element may be indirectly coupled or connected to the second element via one or more intervening elements.

[0045] In the accompanying drawings, for the clarity of illustration, the sizes of various elements, layers, etc. may be exaggerated. The same reference numerals represent the same elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items. In addition, when describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the use of "may" relates to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure". Statements such as "at least one of" and "any one of" when after the element list modify the entire element list without modifying the individual elements of the list. When phrases such as "at least one of A, B and C", "at least one of A, B or C", "at least one of the groups selected from A, B and C" or "at least one of A, B and C" are used to specify the list of elements A, B and C, the phrase may refer to any and all suitable combinations or subsets of A, B and C, such as A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C or A and B and C. As used herein, the terms "use", "use ... " and "used" may be considered to be synonymous with the terms "utilize", "utilize ... " and "utilized" respectively. As used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and similar terms are used as terms of approximation rather than terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variations in measurements or calculations that those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize.

[0046] It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or part from another element, component, region, layer or part. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments, the first element, component, region, layer or part discussed below can be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer or part.

[0047] For ease of description, spatial relationship terms such as "under", "below", "below", "above", "on", etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the figure. It will be understood that in addition to the orientation depicted in the figure, the spatial relationship terms are also intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is turned over, the element described as "under" or "below" other elements or features will be oriented "above" or "on" the other elements or features. Therefore, the term "under" can cover both above and below orientations. The device can be oriented otherwise (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relationship descriptors used here should be interpreted accordingly.

[0048] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular form "a" is also intended to include the plural form, unless the context clearly states otherwise. It will also be understood that the terms "include", "includes ...", "includes" and / or "includes ..." when used in this specification, indicate the existence of stated features, wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their groups.

[0049] In addition, any numerical range disclosed and / or described herein is intended to include all sub-ranges of the same numerical precision contained in the described range. For example, the range of "1.0 to 10.0" is intended to include all sub-ranges between the described minimum value 1.0 and the described maximum value 10.0 (and including the described minimum value 1.0 and the described maximum value 10.0), that is, all sub-ranges with a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0 (such as, for example, 2.4 to 7.6). Any maximum numerical limit described here is intended to include all lower numerical limits contained therein, and any minimum numerical limit described in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limits contained therein. Therefore, the applicant reserves the right to modify this specification (including claims) to explicitly describe any sub-range contained in the scope explicitly described here.

[0050] Referring to two compared elements, features, etc. as "the same" may mean that they are "substantially the same." Thus, the phrase "substantially the same" may include situations with deviations that are considered low in the art (e.g., 5% or less). In addition, when a parameter is referred to as uniform in a given area, this may mean that it is uniform in terms of average value.

[0051] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be in the singular or in the plural.

[0052] When any element is referred to as being disposed (or placed or positioned) "on (or below)" or "on (or below)" a component, this may mean that the arbitrary element is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component, and may also mean that another component may be interposed between the component and any element disposed (or placed or positioned) on (or below) the component.

[0053] Furthermore, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "coupled," "linked," or "connected" to another element, the elements may be directly "coupled," "linked," or "connected" to each other, or there may be intervening elements therebetween through which the element may be "coupled," "linked," or "connected" to another element. Furthermore, when a portion is referred to as being "electrically coupled" to another portion, the portion may be directly connected to the other portion, or there may be intervening portions therebetween such that the portion and the other portion are indirectly connected to each other.

[0054] Throughout this specification, when "A and / or B" is stated, it means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise stated. That is, "and / or" includes any or all combinations of the listed multiple items. When "C to D" is stated, it means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise specified.

[0055] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Reference Figure 1 , a vehicle according to this embodiment includes a vehicle body 10 and a battery module 20 .

[0057] The vehicle body 10 constitutes a frame of the vehicle and supports a battery module 20 described below. The vehicle body 10 may be exemplified as a frame body generally applied to a vehicle, a monocoque body, a skateboard platform, etc. The vehicle body 10 may be connected to a plurality of wheels W that are rotated by a driving force from a motor, an engine, etc.

[0058] The battery module 20 is mounted on the vehicle body 10 and supplies power to the motor and various electronic devices (not shown) of the vehicle. The battery module 20 may be provided in plurality. The plurality of battery modules 20 may be housed in a battery pack housing 30 coupled to the vehicle body 10. The plurality of battery modules 20 may be arranged to have a length parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body 10 (the X-axis direction in the figure). The plurality of battery modules 20 may be arranged in the width direction ( Figure 1 Arranged in the Y-axis direction).

[0059] Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the battery module 20 according to this embodiment includes a battery cell 100 , a module case 200 , a cell terminal 300 , a bus bar holder 400 , and a reinforcement member 500 .

[0061] The battery cell 100 serves as a unit structure for storing and supplying power inside the battery module 20 .

[0062] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Reference Figure 4 , the battery cell 100 according to this embodiment can be exemplified as an angular secondary cell, in which an electrode assembly 120 having a positive electrode plate (not shown) and a negative electrode plate (not shown) on opposite sides of a separator (not shown) is disposed inside a shell 110 and is capable of charging and discharging a predetermined amount of electricity.

[0064] The case 110 may have a hollow parallelepiped shape. The case 110 may have an exhaust port 130 formed on an upper surface thereof, and the exhaust port 130 opens when the internal pressure of the case 110 increases. The exhaust port 130 may have a thickness smaller than that of the case 110.

[0065] The electrode assembly 120 may be formed in a wound type in which a separator, a positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode plate are wound into a roll, or in a stacked type in which a separator, a positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode plate are stacked one on top of another.

[0066] The battery cell 100 may be provided in plurality. The plurality of battery cells 100 may be arranged in one direction (e.g., in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body 10). Adjacent battery cells 100 may be arranged in parallel with each other so that the front surface of one battery cell 100 faces the rear surface of another battery cell 100 adjacent thereto. Here, among the peripheral surfaces of the battery cells 100, the front surface and the rear surface of the battery cells 100 may refer to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body 10 (i.e., with reference to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body 10). Figure 1 and Figure 2 In addition, among the peripheral surfaces of the battery cell 100, the side surface of the battery cell 100 may refer to a surface perpendicular to the width direction of the vehicle body 10 (ie, with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 It should be noted that the number of battery cells 100 is not limited to Figure 2 The number is shown, and may be modified in various ways depending on the size of the battery module 20 and the like.

[0067] The module case 200 surrounds the battery cell 100 and serves to protect the battery cell 100 from foreign objects and impacts.

[0068] According to this embodiment, the module housing 200 may include a bottom plate 210 , a top plate 220 , side plates 230 , and end plates 240 .

[0069] The bottom plate 210 and the top plate 220 may be formed in a plate shape to respectively face the lower surface and the upper surface of the battery cell 100. The bottom plate 210 and the top plate 220 may be respectively disposed parallel to the lower surface and the upper surface of the battery cell 100. The bottom plate 210 and the top plate 220 may respectively contact the lower surface and the upper surface of the battery cell 100.

[0070] The side plates 230 may be formed in a plate shape to face the side surfaces of the battery cells 100, respectively. The side plates 230 may extend in a longitudinal direction thereof corresponding to the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells 100 to be parallel to the side surfaces of the battery cells 100. Each side plate 230 may be separated from the side surface of the battery cell 100 by a predetermined distance. Therefore, a space may be formed between each side plate 230 and the side surface of the battery cell 100 to accommodate the bus bar holder 400 and the reinforcing member 500 therein.

[0071] Each side plate 230 may be disposed so that the lower end and the upper end of the side plate 230 respectively face the upper surface of the bottom plate 210 and the lower surface of the top plate 220. The lower end and the upper end of the side plate 230 may be directly coupled to the upper surface of the bottom plate 210 and the lower surface of the top plate 220, respectively. In this case, the side plate 230 may be coupled to the bottom plate 210 and the top plate 220 by various types of coupling means such as bolting, welding, bonding, assembly, latching, etc.

[0072] The side plates 230 may be provided as a pair of side plates. The pair of side plates 230 may be provided such that inner surfaces of the side plates face opposite side surfaces of each battery cell 100, respectively.

[0073] The end plate 240 may be disposed to intersect the side plate 230 while facing the front surface and the rear surface of the battery cell 100, respectively. More specifically, the end plate 240 may be provided as a pair of end plates. The pair of end plates 240 may be disposed such that the inner surfaces of the end plates face the front surface of the battery cell 100 placed on one side among the plurality of battery cells 100 and the rear surface of the battery cell 100 placed on the other side among the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0074] The end plates 240 may have a substantially plate shape and may extend in a longitudinal direction thereof corresponding to a direction perpendicular to an arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells 100 , and may be disposed parallel to front and rear surfaces of the battery cells 100 , respectively.

[0075] Each end plate 240 may be coupled to the side plate 230 at its opposite end. More specifically, one of the pair of end plates 240 may be coupled to one end of each side plate 230 at its opposite end, and the other end plate 240 may be coupled to the other end of each side plate 230 at its opposite end. In this case, the end plate 240 may be coupled to the side plate 230 by various types of coupling means such as bolting, welding, bonding, assembly, latching, etc.

[0076] The cell terminal 300 may protrude from the side surface of the battery cell 100 toward the side plate 230. The cell terminal 300 may be disposed in the width direction of the vehicle body 10 (ie, in the direction of the width of the vehicle body 10). Figure 1 and Figure 2 The cell terminal 300 protrudes from the side surface of the battery cell 100 in the Y-axis direction of the battery cell 100. The cell terminal 300 may be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 120 disposed inside the case 110.

[0077] The cell terminal 300 may be provided as a pair of cell terminals. The pair of cell terminals 300 may be symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the battery cell 100. That is, the pair of cell terminals 300 may protrude from opposite side surfaces of the battery cell 100 in opposite directions, and the distal ends of the cell terminals 300 face the pair of side plates 230, respectively.

[0078] A pair of cell terminals 300 may have opposite polarities. More specifically, one cell terminal 300 may be electrically connected to the positive plate of the electrode assembly 120 to exhibit positive polarity, and the other cell terminal may be electrically connected to the negative plate of the electrode assembly 120 to exhibit negative polarity.

[0079] Each bus bar bracket 400 may be disposed between the side plate 230 and the battery cell 100. The bus bar bracket 400 may have a substantially flat plate shape. Each bus bar bracket 400 may be disposed parallel to the side plate 230 and the battery cell 100 so that both surfaces of the bus bar bracket 400 face the side surface of the side plate 230 and the side surface of the battery cell 100.

[0080] The bus bar holder 400 may be electrically connected to the cell terminal 300. More specifically, the inner surface of the bus bar holder 400 facing the battery cell 100 may be formed with a bus bar 410 that contacts the cell terminal 300. The bus bar 410 may be formed of a conductive material such as copper, aluminum, nickel, etc. The bus bar 410 may be provided in plurality. A plurality of bus bars 410 may connect a plurality of battery cells 100 in series or in parallel. The bus bar 410 may be coupled to the cell terminal 300 by welding.

[0081] The bus bar bracket 400 may be provided as a pair of bus bar brackets. The pair of bus bar brackets 400 may be symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the battery cell 100. That is, in the case where the battery cell 100 is disposed between the pair of bus bar brackets 400, the bus bar bracket 400 may be disposed in the width direction of the vehicle body 10 (i.e., in the reference direction). Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the pair of bus bar brackets 400, one bus bar bracket 400 may be disposed between the cell terminal 300 disposed on one side of the battery cell 100 and the side plate 230, and the other bus bar bracket 400 may be disposed between the cell terminal 300 disposed on the other side of the battery cell 100 and the side plate 230.

[0082] The reinforcing member 500 is connected to the bus bar bracket 400 to strengthen the bus bar bracket 400. That is, the reinforcing member 500 can be used as a component with rigidity to block the external impact from being directly transmitted to the corresponding bus bar bracket 400. Each reinforcing member 500 can be arranged between the side plate 230 and the bus bar bracket 400. The reinforcing member 500 can be provided as a pair of reinforcing members. A pair of reinforcing members 500 can be symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the battery cell 100. More specifically, among a pair of reinforcing members 500, one reinforcing member 500 can be arranged between the bus bar bracket 400 and the side plate 230 arranged on one side of the battery cell 100, and another reinforcing member 500 can be arranged between the bus bar bracket 400 and the side plate 230 arranged on the other side of the battery cell 100. The reinforcing member 500 can be directly connected to the bus bar bracket 400 by welding, bonding, etc. Alternatively, the reinforcing member 500 can be indirectly connected to the bus bar bracket 400 by a separate member (not shown).

[0083] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a reinforcing member according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the reinforcement member 500 according to this embodiment may include a first reinforcement cover 510 and a second reinforcement cover 520 .

[0085] The first reinforcement cover 510 may define an appearance of one side of the reinforcement member 500 and may support the second reinforcement cover 520. The first reinforcement cover 510 may have a substantially flat plate shape and may be disposed between the side plate 230 and the bus bar support 400. The first reinforcement cover 510 may be disposed parallel to the side plate 230 and the bus bar support 400.

[0086] The second reinforcement cover 520 may define the appearance of the other side of the reinforcement member 500 and may be coupled to the first reinforcement cover 510. The second reinforcement cover 520 may have a substantially flat plate shape. The second reinforcement cover 520 may be disposed parallel to the first reinforcement cover 510 to face the first reinforcement cover 510.

[0087] The first reinforcement cover 510 and the second reinforcement cover 520 may be arranged in a width direction of the vehicle body 10 (ie, in the direction of the width of the vehicle body 10). Figure 3 The first reinforcement cover 510 and the second reinforcement cover 520 are stacked between the side plate 230 and the bus bar support 400 in the Y-axis direction. Each of the first reinforcement cover 510 and the second reinforcement cover 520 may be disposed to face any one of the side plate 230 and the bus bar support 400. For example, referring to Figure 3 , the first reinforcement cover 510 may be disposed to face the side plate 230, and the second reinforcement cover 520 may be disposed to face the bus bar bracket 400. However, the first reinforcement cover 510 and the second reinforcement cover 520 are not limited thereto. Alternatively, the first reinforcement cover 510 may be disposed to face the bus bar bracket 400, and the second reinforcement cover 520 may be disposed to face the side plate 230.

[0088] The second reinforcement cover 520 may be formed of a material having higher rigidity than the first reinforcement cover 510 and the bus bar support 400. For example, the first reinforcement cover 510 and the bus bar support 400 may be formed of a resin material such as polyamide resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, epoxy resin, etc., and the second reinforcement cover 520 may be formed of a metallic material such as steel, etc. Therefore, the second reinforcement cover 520 strengthens the overall rigidity of the reinforcement member 500.

[0089] In this case, the first reinforcement cover 510 may be coupled to the second reinforcement cover 520 by insert injection molding. That is, in the process of being melted into a liquid state and injected into an injection mold into which the second reinforcement cover 520 is inserted, the first reinforcement cover 510 may be integrally coupled to the second reinforcement cover 520. The second reinforcement cover 520 may have a smaller area than the first reinforcement cover 510. In this case, the first reinforcement cover 510 may have an end 511 surrounding the entire end 521 of the second reinforcement cover 520.

[0090] According to this embodiment, the battery module 20 may further include a first fixing member 600 .

[0091] The first fixing member 600 is disposed between the bus bar holder 400 and the reinforcement member 500 and supports the reinforcement member 500 relative to the bus bar holder 400. That is, the first fixing member 600 may serve as a component for aligning the reinforcement member 500 with the bus bar holder 400 while preventing displacement of the reinforcement member 500.

[0092] Figure 6 and Figure 7is a schematic diagram of a first fixing member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the first fixing member 600 according to this embodiment includes a first fixing groove 610 and a first inserting piece 620 .

[0094] The first fixing groove 610 may be recessed into one of the end portion 511 of the first reinforcement cover 510 and the bus bar bracket 400. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the first fixing groove 610 will be illustrated as being recessed in the end portion 511 of the first reinforcement cover 510. However, the first fixing groove 610 is not limited to this structure, and may be recessed in the bus bar holder 400.

[0095] The first fixing groove 610 may be recessed in one surface of the end portion 511 of the first reinforcement cover 510 facing the bus bar holder 400. One surface of the first fixing groove 610 facing the bus bar holder 400 may be open. The cross section of the first fixing groove 610 may be modified to various shapes such as a polygonal cross section, a circular cross section, an elliptical cross section, etc.

[0096] The first fixing groove 610 may have formed therein a first claw 611 described below coupled to the first insert 620. The first claw 611 may be formed in a claw shape protruding from an inner surface of the first fixing groove 610 toward an inner space of the first fixing groove 610. The first claw 611 may continuously extend along an inner circumferential surface of the first fixing groove 610 to form a ring shape.

[0097] The first insert piece 620 may extend from the other of the end portion 511 of the first reinforcement cover 510 and the bus bar holder 400. As the bus bar holder 400 and the reinforcement member 500 approach each other to have a predetermined distance therebetween, the first insert piece 620 may be inserted into the first fixing groove 610. As the first insert piece 620 is inserted into the first fixing groove 610, the first insert piece 620 may be caught on the first fixing groove 610 by the first claw 611.

[0098] Hereinafter, the first insert 620 will be exemplified as extending from the bus bar support 400. Figure 6 and Figure 7 However, it should be understood that the first inserting member 620 is not limited to this structure. In the structure where the first fixing groove 610 is recessed in the bus bar holder 400 , the first inserting member 620 may extend from the end 511 of the first reinforcement cover 510 .

[0099] The first inserter 620 according to this embodiment may include a first inserter body 621 and a first hook 622 .

[0100] The first insert body 621 may have a bar shape extending from one surface of the bus bar holder 400 facing the reinforcement member 500 toward the reinforcement member 500. Figure 3 The first insert body 621 may be elastically deformable. Therefore, when the first hook 622 is inserted into the first fixing groove 610, the first insert body 621 may allow the position of the first hook 622 to be adjusted by elastic deformation.

[0101] The first insert body 621 may be provided in plurality. The plurality of first insert bodies 621 may be disposed in parallel with each other. The plurality of first insert bodies 621 may be spaced apart from each other along a circumference around the central axis of the first fixing groove 610. Figure 6 Although shown as two, it should be understood that the number of the first insert body 621 can be modified in various ways.

[0102] The first hook 622 may be provided at the distal end of the first insert body 621. As the bus bar support 400 and the reinforcing member 500 move toward each other, the first hook 622 may be inserted into the first fixing groove 610. The first hook 622 may have a shape having a width that gradually decreases in the forward direction. With this structure, the first hook 622 may be more efficiently inserted into the first fixing groove 610. The rear end of the first hook 622 may have a larger cross-sectional area than the first insert body 621. When the first hook 622 is fully inserted into the first fixing groove 610, the rear end of the first hook 622 contacts and is caught by the first claw 611. Therefore, the first hook 622 may restrict the bus bar support 400 and the reinforcing member 500 from moving away from each other.

[0103] Next, a battery module 20 ′ according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0104] Figure 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] Reference Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , the battery module 20 ′ according to this embodiment may include a battery cell 100 , a module case 200 , a cell terminal 300 , a bus bar holder 400 , a reinforcing member 500 , a first fixing member 600 , a buffer member 700 , and a second fixing member 800 .

[0106] The battery module 20 ′ according to this embodiment is similar to the battery module 20 according to the above embodiment except for the buffer member 700 and the second fixing member 800 .

[0107] Therefore, the following description of the battery module 20' according to this embodiment will focus on the buffer member 700 and the second fixing member 800 that are not present in the battery module 20 according to the above embodiment. For the description of other components of the battery module 20', refer to the description of the battery module 20 according to the above embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] The buffer member 700 is connected to the reinforcement member 500 and absorbs impact applied to the reinforcement member 500. That is, the buffer member 700 may serve as a component that reduces the magnitude of a load applied to the reinforcement member 500 by mainly absorbing an external impact applied to the module case 200.

[0109] The buffer member 700 has a substantially plate shape and may be disposed between the side plate 230 and the reinforcing member 500. Both surfaces of the buffer member 700 may contact the inner surface of the side plate 230 and the outer surface of the reinforcing member 500, respectively. The buffer member 700 may be elastically deformable. For example, the buffer member 700 may be formed of a flexible material such as rubber, silicone, etc. Therefore, when an external impact is applied to the side plate 230, the buffer member 700 may absorb the external impact by compressive deformation caused by elastic recovery.

[0110] The second fixing member 800 is disposed between the reinforcing member 500 and the buffering member 700 and supports the buffering member 700 relative to the reinforcing member 500. That is, the second fixing member 800 may serve as a component for aligning the buffering member 700 relative to the reinforcing member 500 while preventing displacement of the buffering member 700.

[0111] Fig.10 and Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of a second fixing member according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Reference Fig.10 and Fig.11 , the second fixing member 800 according to this embodiment may include a second fixing groove 810 and a second inserting piece 820 .

[0113] The second fixing groove 810 may be recessed into one of the end portion 511 of the first reinforcement cover 510 and the buffer member 700. Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, the second fixing groove 810 will be illustrated as being recessed in the end portion 511 of the first reinforcement cover 510. However, the second fixing groove 810 is not limited to this structure, and may be recessed in the buffer member 700.

[0114] The second fixing groove 810 may be recessed in one surface of the end portion 511 of the first reinforcement cover 510 facing the buffer member 700. One surface of the second fixing groove 810 facing the buffer member 700 may be open. The cross section of the second fixing groove 810 may be modified to various shapes such as a polygonal cross section, a circular cross section, an elliptical cross section, etc.

[0115] The second fixing groove 810 may be spaced apart from the first fixing groove 610. The central axis of the first fixing groove 610 may be coaxial with the central axis of the second fixing groove 810 or offset.

[0116] The second fixing groove 810 may have formed therein a second claw 811 described below coupled to the second insert 820. The second claw 811 may be formed in a claw shape protruding from an inner surface of the second fixing groove 810 toward an inner space of the second fixing groove 810. The second claw 811 may continuously extend along the inner circumferential surface of the second fixing groove 810 to form a ring shape.

[0117] The second inserting piece 820 may extend from the other of the end portion 511 of the first reinforcing cover 510 and the buffering member 700. As the buffering member 700 and the reinforcing member 500 approach each other to have a predetermined distance therebetween, the second inserting piece 820 may be inserted into the second fixing groove 810. As the second inserting piece 820 is inserted into the second fixing groove 810, the second inserting piece 820 may be caught on the second fixing groove 810 by the second claw 811.

[0118] Hereinafter, the second insert 820 will be exemplified as extending from the buffer member 700. Figure 6 and Figure 7 However, it should be understood that the second inserting piece 820 is not limited to this structure. In the structure in which the second fixing groove 810 is recessed in the buffer member 700 , the second inserting piece 820 may extend from the end 511 of the first reinforcement cover 510 .

[0119] The second inserter 820 according to this embodiment may include a second inserter body 821 and a second hook 822 .

[0120] The second insert body 821 may have a strip shape extending from one surface of the buffer member 700 facing the reinforcing member 500 toward the reinforcing member 500. That is, the second insert body 821 may extend in a direction opposite to the first insert body 621. The second insert body 821 may be provided at a position where it is opposite to the reference member 500. Figure 3 The second insert body 821 may be elastically deformable. Therefore, when the second hook 822 is inserted into the second fixing groove 810, the second insert body 821 may allow the position of the second hook 822 to be adjusted by elastic deformation.

[0121] The second insert body 821 may be provided in plurality. The plurality of second insert bodies 821 may be arranged in parallel with each other. The plurality of second insert bodies 821 may be spaced apart from each other along a circumference around the central axis of the second fixing groove 810. Figure 6 Although two are shown in FIG. 8 , it should be understood that the number of the second inserter bodies 821 may be modified in various ways.

[0122] The second hook 822 may be disposed at the distal end of the second insert body 821. As the buffer member 700 and the reinforcing member 500 move toward each other, the second hook 822 may be inserted into the second fixing groove 810. The second hook 822 may have a shape having a width that gradually decreases in the forward direction. With this structure, the second hook 822 may be inserted into the second fixing groove 810 more efficiently. The rear end of the second hook 822 may have a larger cross-sectional area than the second insert body 821. When the second hook 822 is fully inserted into the second fixing groove 810, the rear end of the second hook 822 contacts and is caught by the second claw 811. Therefore, the second hook 822 may limit the buffer member 700 and the reinforcing member 500 from moving away from each other.

[0123] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments and the drawings showing aspects of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Various modifications and variations may be made by those skilled in the art within the technical spirit of the present disclosure and the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: Battery cells; a module housing provided with a side plate facing a side surface of the battery cell; a cell terminal protruding from the battery cell toward the side plate; a bus bar support disposed between the side plate and the battery cell and connected to the cell terminal; as well as A reinforcement member is connected to the bus bar support and reinforces the bus bar support. 2 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein each of the cell terminal, the bus bar holder, and the reinforcement member is provided as a pair symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the battery cell.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member comprises: a first reinforcement cover, disposed between the side plate and the busbar support; and a second reinforcement cover connected to the first reinforcement cover. 4 . The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein one of the first reinforcement cover and the second reinforcement cover is disposed to face the side plate, and the other of the first reinforcement cover and the second reinforcement cover is disposed to face the bus bar support. 5 . The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein the second reinforcement cover is formed of a material having higher rigidity than the first reinforcement cover and the bus bar bracket. 6 . The battery module according to claim 5 , wherein the first reinforcement cover is formed of a resin material, and the second reinforcement cover is formed of a metallic material. 7 . The battery module according to claim 6 , wherein the first reinforcement cover is coupled to the second reinforcement cover by insert injection molding.

8. The battery module according to claim 3, further comprising: A first fixing member is provided between the bus bar holder and the reinforcement member and supports the reinforcement member relative to the bus bar holder.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: The first reinforcement cover has an end portion surrounding an end portion of the second reinforcement cover; as well as The first fixing member includes: a first fixing groove recessed into one of the end portion of the first reinforcement cover and the bus bar bracket; and a first insert extending from the other of the end portion of the first reinforcement cover and the bus bar bracket and inserted into the first fixing groove.

10. The battery module according to claim 9, wherein: The first fixing groove has a first claw formed therein; as well as The first insert comprises: a first insert body; and a first hook provided at a distal end of the first insert body and caught by the first claw when inserted into the first fixing groove. The battery module according to claim 10 , wherein the first insert body is elastically deformable. 12 . The battery module according to claim 10 , wherein the first hook gradually narrows toward a distal end thereof.

13. The battery module according to claim 9, further comprising: A buffer member is connected to the reinforcing member and absorbs an impact applied to the reinforcing member. 14 . The battery module according to claim 13 , wherein the buffer member is disposed between the side plate and the reinforcing member.

15. The battery module according to claim 13, wherein the buffer member is elastically deformable.

16. The battery module according to claim 13, further comprising: A second fixing member is provided between the reinforcing member and the buffering member and supports the buffering member relative to the reinforcing member.

17. The battery module according to claim 16, wherein the second fixing member comprises: a second fixing groove recessed into one of the end portion of the first reinforcing cover and the buffer member; as well as A second insert extends from the other of the end portion of the first reinforcement cover and the buffer member and is inserted into the second fixing groove.

18. The battery module according to claim 17, wherein: The second fixing groove has a second claw formed therein; and The second inserter includes: a second inserter body; and a second hook provided at a distal end of the second inserter body and caught by the second claw when inserted into the second fixing groove.

19. The battery module of claim 18, wherein the second insert body is elastically deformable.

20. A vehicle comprising: Vehicle body; and a battery module mounted on the vehicle body, the battery module comprising: Battery cells; a module housing provided with a side plate facing a side surface of the battery cell; a cell terminal protruding from the battery cell toward the side plate; a bus bar support disposed between the side plate and the battery cell and connected to the cell terminal; and A reinforcement member is connected to the bus bar support and reinforces the bus bar support.

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