Battery pack

Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present technology, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes: a case; the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly are positioned on the shell and respectively comprise a plurality of soft package type battery monomers; and a bus bar assembly on the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly, where the bus bar assembly includes a bus bar frame configured to cover the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly and a plurality of intermediate bus bars on the bus bar frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery pack. This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0046196, filed on Apr. 7, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged many times. Secondary batteries have been widely used as energy sources for various types of wireless devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, as the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has been significantly reduced due to the improvement of energy density and economies of scale, and the cruising range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to the same level as that of fuel vehicles, the main use of secondary batteries has shifted from mobile devices to mobility devices.

[0003] The trend of technical development of secondary batteries for mobility devices is the improvement of energy density and safety. Here, the energy density of a secondary battery is a value obtained by dividing the maximum level of electrical energy that a secondary battery can store by the mass of the secondary battery. The high energy density of a secondary battery is directly related to the driving efficiency and mobile range of a mobility device, and therefore various studies are being conducted to improve the energy density of secondary batteries. Summary of the invention

[0004] Technical issues

[0005] The present disclosure is directed to providing a battery pack with improved energy density.

[0006] Technical Solution

[0007] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a battery pack. The battery pack includes: a housing; a first battery assembly and a second battery assembly, the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly are located on the housing and each includes a plurality of soft-pack type battery cells; and a bus bar assembly, the bus bar assembly is located on the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly, wherein the bus bar assembly includes a bus bar frame and a plurality of intermediate bus bars located on the bus bar frame, and the bus bar frame is configured to cover the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly.

[0008] Each of the multiple soft-pack battery cells may include a soft-pack shell, a positive lead, and a negative lead. The soft-pack shell may include a first side facing the shell and a second side opposite to the first side. The positive lead and the negative lead of each of the multiple soft-pack battery cells may be located on the second side, and the positive lead and the negative lead of each of the multiple soft-pack battery cells may be connected to a corresponding one of the multiple intermediate bus bars.

[0009] The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells may be welded to a corresponding one of the plurality of intermediate bus bars.

[0010] A negative electrode lead of one of the plurality of pouch type battery cells may be in contact with an upper surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of intermediate bus bars.

[0011] The bus bar frame may include a plurality of lead grooves, and the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of pouch type battery cells may pass through a corresponding one of the plurality of lead grooves.

[0012] The bus bar assembly may include a fire-resistant sheet located between the first and second battery assemblies and the bus bar frame.

[0013] The bus bar frame may include a plurality of holes, and the refractory sheet may include a plurality of cutting guides, and each of the plurality of cutting guides may overlap with a corresponding one of the plurality of holes.

[0014] An exemplary embodiment provides a battery pack. The battery pack includes: a housing; a first battery assembly, a second battery assembly, a third battery assembly, and a fourth battery assembly, the first battery assembly, the second battery assembly, the third battery assembly, and the fourth battery assembly are located on the housing and each includes a plurality of soft-pack type battery cells; an intermediate beam, the intermediate beam is located between the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly and the third battery assembly and the fourth battery assembly; and a bus bar assembly, the bus bar assembly is located on the first battery assembly, the second battery assembly, the third battery assembly, and the fourth battery assembly, wherein the bus bar assembly includes a bus bar frame, and the bus bar frame is configured to cover the first battery assembly, the second battery assembly, the third battery assembly, and the fourth battery assembly.

[0015] The busbar frame may cover the intermediate beam.

[0016] Each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells may include a soft-pack shell, a positive lead, and a negative lead, and the soft-pack shell may include a first side facing the shell and a second side opposite to the first side, and the positive lead and the negative lead of each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells may be located on the second side.

[0017] The bus bar assembly may include a plurality of intermediate bus bars on the bus bar frame, and the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells may be connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of intermediate bus bars.

[0018] The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells may be welded to a corresponding one of the plurality of intermediate bus bars.

[0019] A positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead of any one of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells may be spaced apart from each of the plurality of intermediate bus bars.

[0020] A negative electrode lead of one of the plurality of pouch type battery cells may be in contact with an upper surface of the plurality of bus bar frames.

[0021] Beneficial Effects

[0022] The battery pack according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a bus bar frame to cover a plurality of battery assemblies, thereby reducing the number of assembly processes and the number of components to be assembled to manufacture a secondary battery, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the secondary battery and improving the productivity of the secondary battery.

[0023] The effects that can be achieved by the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above effects, and those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong can clearly derive and understand other effects not described herein from the following description. In other words, those skilled in the art can derive from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure the unexpected effects achieved when implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0026] Figure 3 A pouch-type battery cell of a battery pack is shown.

[0027] Figure 4 A bus bar assembly of a battery pack is shown.

[0028] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 An enlarged partial plan view of a portion of the.

[0029] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line 5I-5I′.

[0030] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 An enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a portion of.

[0031] Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0032] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 An exploded perspective view of a battery pack.

[0033] Fig.10 yes Figure 8 An exploded perspective view of a bus bar assembly.

[0034] Fig.11 Shows Figure 8 The battery pack and Figure 7 The corresponding part.

[0035] Fig.12 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0036] Fig.13 yes Fig.12 An exploded perspective view of a battery pack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms or expressions used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to the terms or expressions generally understood or defined in a commonly used dictionary, but should be understood based on the principle that the inventor of the present application can appropriately define these terms or expressions to best interpret the present disclosure according to the meanings and concepts corresponding to the present disclosure.

[0038] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples of the present disclosure and do not reflect all technical concepts of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications have been made to replace these configurations on the filing date of the present application.

[0039] When it is determined that well-known configurations or functions related to describing the present disclosure would obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure due to unnecessary details, such configurations or functions are not described in detail.

[0040] Since the embodiments of the present disclosure are provided to more fully explain the present disclosure to those skilled in the art, the shapes, sizes, etc. of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically shown for the sake of clarity. Therefore, it should not be understood that the sizes or proportions of the components fully reflect their actual sizes or proportions.

[0041] (First embodiment)

[0042] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0043] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery pack 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0044] Figure 3 It is a side view of the pouch-type battery cell 121 .

[0045] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The battery pack 100 includes a housing 110, a plurality of battery assemblies 120_1, 120_2, 120_3, 120_4, 120_5, and 120_6 (hereinafter, 120_1 to 120_6), a middle beam 130, bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2, and a cross bus bar 150. The battery pack 100 is a final form of a battery system mounted on a mobile device or the like.

[0046] The housing 110 may provide a space in which the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 are arranged. The housing 110 may include a support plate 110P and a side wall 110S.

[0047] Two directions substantially parallel to the support plate 110P will be defined as the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the direction substantially perpendicular to the support plate 110P will be defined as the Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction may be substantially perpendicular to each other. Unless otherwise specified, the definition of the direction will apply to the following drawings. When describing a plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction will be defined based on the situation that the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 are arranged on the battery pack 100.

[0048] The support plate 110P may include a plurality of plates welded to each other by friction stir welding. The support plate 110P may include a plurality of cooling channels as flow paths for cooling fluid. The support plate 110P may include a plurality of cavities, thereby reducing the weight of the support plate 110P. Each of the plurality of cooling channels and the plurality of cavities may extend in the X-axis direction.

[0049] The side wall 110S may be coupled to the support plate 110P. The side wall 110S may extend in the Z-axis direction. The side walls 110S may each include an internal hollow space, so the weight may be very light. A portion of the side wall 110S may be substantially perpendicular to the Y-axis direction, and a portion of the side wall 110S may be substantially perpendicular to the X-axis direction.

[0050] The plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 may be located on the support plate 110P of the housing 110. The support plate 110P may support the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6. The side wall 110S may horizontally surround the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6.

[0051] The plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 may include a plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121, a first beam 125a and a second beam 125b. The battery assembly 120_1 may be referred to as a first battery assembly, the battery assembly 120_2 may be referred to as a second battery assembly, the battery assembly 120_3 may be referred to as a third battery assembly, the battery assembly 120_4 may be referred to as a fourth battery assembly, the battery assembly 120_5 may be referred to as a fifth battery assembly, and the battery assembly 120_6 may be referred to as a sixth battery assembly.

[0052] According to an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 may be connected in series and / or in parallel. For example, a plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 may be connected in series with each other. As another example, a plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 may be connected in parallel with each other. As another example, a plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 connected in parallel may form a plurality of groups together, and the plurality of groups may be connected in series with each other.

[0053] Each of the plurality of pouch type battery cells 121 may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a pouch case 121C.

[0054] The electrode assembly embedded in the battery case includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator located between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. According to the form of assembly, the electrode assembly can be divided into a wound electrode assembly or a stacked electrode assembly. The wound electrode assembly is manufactured by winding the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator inserted between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The stacked electrode assembly may include a plurality of positive electrodes and a plurality of negative electrodes stacked in sequence and a plurality of separators inserted between the plurality of positive electrodes and the plurality of negative electrodes. The positive electrode of the electrode assembly may be connected to the positive electrode lead 121P. The negative electrode of the electrode assembly may be connected to the negative electrode lead 121N.

[0055] The soft package case 121C may include a receiving portion 121B and a terrace 121T. The receiving portion 121B may provide a space for storing the electrode assembly, and thus may have a convex shape relative to the terrace 121T. The terrace 121T may be a sealing portion of the soft package case 121C. The terrace 121T may surround the receiving portion 121B.

[0056] The soft-pack case 121C of each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 may include a first side portion 121S1, a second side portion 121S2, a third side portion 121S3, and a fourth side portion 121S4. The first side portion 121S1 of the soft-pack case 121C may face the support plate 110P of the case 110. The second side portion 121S2 of the soft-pack case 121C may be opposite to the first side portion 121S1 of each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121. The third side portion 121S3 and the fourth side portion 121S4 of the soft-pack case 121C may connect the first side portion 121S1 and the second side portion 121S2 of the soft-pack case 121C.

[0057] According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 may be a unidirectional battery cell. According to an exemplary embodiment, the positive lead 121P and the negative lead 121N of each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 may be arranged in the same direction. According to an exemplary embodiment, the positive lead 121P and the negative lead 121N of each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 may be located on the second side 121S2 of the soft-pack case 121C of each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121. The positive lead 121P and the negative lead 121N may protrude from the second side 121S2 of the soft-pack case 121C. The positive lead 121P and the negative lead 121N may be spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. The positive lead 121P may be located at one end of the second side 121S2 in the Y-axis direction, and the negative lead 121N may be located at the other end of the second side 121S2 in the Y-axis direction.

[0058] According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 may further include a plurality of separators 122 (see Figure 6 ). Multiple diaphragms 122 (see Figure 6 ) can horizontally support the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 to prevent the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 from expanding. According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of separators 122 (see Figure 6 ) may be a heat insulating member. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of diaphragms 122 (see Figure 6 ) may have a high melting temperature and low thermal conductivity. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of diaphragms 122 (see Figure 6 ) may include flame retardant materials such as ceramic and coated glass materials. According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of diaphragms 122 (see Figure 6 ) can be configured to discharge flame retardant materials and fire extinguishing agents when a thermal runaway event occurs.

[0059] The first cross beam 125a of each of the battery assemblies 120_1 and 120_6 at the edge of the battery pack case may be coupled to the first support beam 116a located on the support plate 110P of the case 110. The first cross beam 125a and the first support beam 116a may be fixed to the support plate 110P of the case 110 by mechanical means such as bolts.

[0060] The second cross beam 125b of each of the battery assemblies 120_3 and 120_5 located at the edge of the battery pack housing may be coupled to the second support beam 116b. The second support beam 116b may be located on the second cross beam 125b. The second cross beam 125b and the second support beam 116b may be fixed to the support plate 110P of the housing 110 by mechanical means such as bolts.

[0061] The first beam 125a and the second beam 125b of each of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 may be spaced apart from each other, and the soft-pack type battery cell 121 is interposed between the first beam 125a and the second beam 125b. The first beam 125a and the second beam 125b may horizontally cover the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121. The first beam 125a and the second beam 125b may be fixed to the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 by an adhesive material or the like.

[0062] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first beam 125a and the second beam 125b may have different and complementary shapes. For example, the second beam 125b of the battery assembly 120_2 may be coupled to the first beam 125a of the battery assembly 120_3. The first beam 125a and the second beam 125b coupled to each other may form a beam assembly CBA together. The first beam 125a and the second beam 125b in each beam assembly CBA may be coupled to each other.

[0063] The middle beam 130 may extend between the side walls 110S perpendicular to the X-axis direction among the side walls 110S. The middle beam 130 may extend in the X-axis direction. The middle beam 130 may isolate the battery assemblies 120_1, 120_2, and 120_5 from the battery assemblies 120_3, 120_4, and 120_6. The middle beam 130 may be interposed between the battery assemblies 120_1, 120_2, and 120_5 and the battery assemblies 120_3, 120_4, and 120_6.

[0064] Each of the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 may extend in the X-axis direction. The length of each of the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 in the X-axis direction may be greater than the length of each of the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 in the Y-axis direction. The bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 may be spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. The intermediate beam 130 may be interposed between the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 in the Y-axis direction. Each of the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 may be spaced apart from the intermediate beam 130 in the horizontal direction (e.g., in the Y-axis direction). Each of the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 may not overlap with the intermediate beam 130 in the Z-axis direction.

[0065] Each of the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 may cover a portion of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1, 120_2, 120_3, 120_4, 120_5, and 120_6. Each of the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 may be spaced apart from a portion of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1, 120_2, 120_3, 120_4, 120_5, and 120_6.

[0066] The bus bar assembly 140_1 may be located on the battery assemblies 120_1, 120_2, and 120_5. The bus bar assembly 140_1 may cover the battery assemblies 120_1, 120_2, and 120_5. The bus bar assembly 140_1 may overlap the battery assemblies 120_1, 120_2, and 120_5 in the z-axis direction. The bus bar assembly 140_1 may not cover the battery assemblies 120_3, 120_4, and 120_6. The bus bar assembly 140_1 may be spaced apart from the battery assemblies 120_3, 120_4, and 120_6 in the horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The bus bar assembly 140_1 may not overlap the battery assemblies 120_3, 120_4, and 120_6 in the Z-axis direction.

[0067] The bus bar assembly 140_2 may be located on the battery assemblies 120_3, 120_4, and 120_6. The bus bar assembly 140_2 may cover the battery assemblies 120_3, 120_4, and 120_6. The bus bar assembly 140_2 may overlap the battery assemblies 120_3, 120_4, and 120_6 in the Z-axis direction. The bus bar assembly 140_2 may not cover the battery assemblies 120_1, 120_2, and 120_5. The bus bar assembly 140_2 may be spaced apart from the battery assemblies 120_1, 120_2, and 120_5 in the horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The bus bar assembly 140_2 may not overlap the battery assemblies 120_1, 120_2, and 120_5 in the z-axis direction.

[0068] In this example, each of the two bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction covers the battery assemblies 120_1, 120_2, 120_3, 120_4, 120_5, and 120_6 arranged in three columns in the X-axis direction and in two rows in the Y-axis direction, and therefore, the array of the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 and the battery assemblies 120_1, 120_2, 120_3, 120_4, 120_5, and 120_6 can be referred to as a 3*2 array. Based on the above description, a person of ordinary skill in the art will be able to easily derive the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 and the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 arranged in an M*N array. Here, M and N are each an integer greater than 2.

[0069] The battery pack 100 may further include electronic components. The electronic components may include electronic devices required to drive the battery pack 100 .

[0070] For example, the electronic components may include a battery management system (BMS). The BMS may be configured to monitor, balance, and control the battery pack 100. Monitoring the battery pack 100 may include measuring the voltage and current of a portion of nodes inside the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 and measuring the temperature of a set position in the battery pack 100. As described above, the battery pack 100 may include measuring instruments for measuring voltage, current, and temperature.

[0071] The balancing of the battery pack 100 is an operation to reduce the deviation between the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6. The control of the battery pack 100 includes preventing overcharge, overdischarge and overcurrent. Through monitoring, balancing and control, the battery pack 100 can operate under optimal conditions, thereby preventing the service life of each of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 from being shortened.

[0072] The electronic components may also include a cooling device, a power relay assembly (PRA), a safety plug, and the like. The cooling device may include a cooling fan. The cooling fan may circulate air in the battery pack 100 to prevent each of the multiple battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 from overheating. The PRA may be configured to supply power to an external load (e.g., a motor of a vehicle) or cut off power supply from the high-voltage battery. When an abnormal voltage such as a voltage surge occurs, the PRA may cut off power supply to an external load (e.g., a motor of a vehicle) to protect the multiple battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 and the external load (e.g., a motor of a vehicle).

[0073] The battery pack 100 may further include a lead plate coupled to the side wall 110S. The lead plate may cover elements inside the battery pack 100, such as the battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 and electronic components. The lead plate may be fixed to the side wall 110S by mechanical means (e.g., bolts).

[0074] The battery pack 100 may further include a plurality of exhaust devices. The plurality of exhaust devices may be mounted on the guide plate or the side wall 110S. When a thermal runaway event occurs in a portion of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6, the plurality of exhaust devices may provide a path for high temperature gas to be discharged from the inside of the battery pack 100 to the outside. Therefore, heat propagation may be delayed and the stability of the battery pack 100 may be improved.

[0075] Here, the thermal runaway state of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 is a state in which the temperature change of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 accelerates the temperature change, that is, runaway positive feedback. The temperature of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 in the thermal runaway state rises rapidly, and a large amount of high-pressure gas and burning fragments are discharged.

[0076] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0077] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 An enlarged partial plan view of a portion of the POR.

[0078] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line 5I-5I'.

[0079] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 An enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a portion of.

[0080] Reference Figure 2 as well as Figures 4 to 7 , each of the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 may include a bus bar frame 141 , a plurality of refractory sheets 143 , and a plurality of intermediate bus bars 145 a , 145 b , and 145 c .

[0081] The busbar frame 141 of each of the busbar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 may include an insulating material. The busbar frame 141 of each of the busbar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 may extend in the X-axis direction. The busbar frame 141 of each of the busbar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 may include a plurality of holes 141H and a plurality of slots 141S. The busbar frame 141 of each of the busbar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 may also include a coupling hole 141C for coupling to the beam assembly CBA. For example, a mechanical coupling device such as a long bolt may pass through the beam assembly CBA through the coupling hole 141C and be coupled to the support plate 110P of the housing 110.

[0082] The positive lead 121P and the negative lead 121N of each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 may pass through the corresponding slot 141S of the plurality of slots 141S. Therefore, the bus bar frame 141 of each of the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 may horizontally support and protect the positive lead 121P and the negative lead 121N of each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121. The length of each of the plurality of slots 141S in the Y-axis direction may be greater than the length of each of the plurality of slots 141S in the X-axis direction.

[0083] The plurality of grooves 141S may form a first groove array AR1 and a second groove array AR2. That is, each of the first groove array AR1 and the second groove array AR2 may include a plurality of grooves 141S arranged in the X-axis direction. The first groove array AR1 may be parallel to the X-axis direction and located on an edge of the busbar frame 141 adjacent to the side wall 110S. The second groove array AR2 may be parallel to the X-axis direction and located on an edge of the busbar frame 141 adjacent to the middle beam 130.

[0084] Therefore, one of the positive lead 121P and the negative lead 121N of each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 may pass through the slot 141S of the first slot array AR1, and the other may pass through the slot 141S of the second slot array AR2. For example, when the positive lead 121P of the soft-pack type battery cell 121 passes through the slot 141S of the first slot array AR1, the negative lead 121N of the soft-pack type battery cell 121 may pass through the slot 141S of the second slot array AR2.

[0085] There may be a plurality of holes 141H between the first slot array AR1 and the second slot array AR2. The first slot array AR1 and the second slot array AR2 may be spaced apart from each other, and the plurality of holes 141H are interposed between the first slot array AR1 and the second slot array AR2. When a thermal runaway event occurs in the battery pack 100, the plurality of holes 141H may provide a path for discharging high-temperature gas. Because each of the plurality of slots 141S allows one of the positive lead 121P and the negative lead 121N, each having a thinner thickness, to pass therethrough, and the plurality of holes 141H allow high-temperature gas to be discharged therethrough, the area of ​​each of the plurality of holes 141H may be greater than the area of ​​each of the plurality of slots 141S.

[0086] A plurality of fire-resistant sheets 143 may be interposed between the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 and the busbar frame 141. As a non-limiting example, each of the plurality of fire-resistant sheets 143 may correspond to one of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6. That is, the area of ​​each of the plurality of fire-resistant sheets 143 may be substantially the same as the area of ​​one of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6, and each of the plurality of fire-resistant sheets 143 may cover a corresponding one of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6.

[0087] A person skilled in the art will be able to easily derive an embodiment in which a portion of the plurality of refractory sheets 143 covers more than two of the plurality of battery assemblies 121_1 to 121_6, or more than two refractory sheets 143 cover one of the plurality of battery assemblies 121_1 to 121_6.

[0088] A plurality of refractory sheets 143 may overlap with a plurality of holes 141H. A plurality of refractory sheets 143 may not overlap with the first slot array AR1 and the second slot array AR2. A plurality of refractory sheets 143 may be spaced apart from each of the first slot array AR1 and the second slot array AR2 in the horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). A plurality of refractory sheets 143 may be interposed between the first slot array AR1 and the second slot array AR2.

[0089] According to an exemplary embodiment, for example, the plurality of refractory sheets 143 may include a refractory material such as mica. Each of the plurality of refractory sheets 143 may include a plurality of cutting guides 143G. Each of the plurality of cutting guides 143G may overlap with a corresponding one of the plurality of holes 141H of the busbar frame 141 in the Z-axis direction. For example, the plurality of cutting guides 143G may be formed by performing non-cutting processing on the plurality of refractory sheets 143 using a knife or the like. Due to the plurality of cutting guides 143G, when a thermal runaway event occurs, the portions of the plurality of refractory sheets 143 formed with the cutting guides 143G may be easily ruptured, so that the generated high temperature gas may be discharged from the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 through the plurality of holes 141H.

[0090] A plurality of intermediate bus bars 145a, 145b, and 145c may be located on the bus bar frame 141. The plurality of intermediate bus bars 145a, 145b, and 145c may include a conductive material such as metal. As a non-limiting example, the intermediate bus bar 145a may have a substantially "L" shape, the intermediate bus bar 145b may have a substantially "I" shape, and the intermediate bus bar 145c may have a substantially "C" shape.

[0091] Each intermediate bus bar 145a may include a groove 145aS, each intermediate bus bar 145b may include a groove 145bS, and each intermediate bus bar 145c may include a groove 145cS. Due to the grooves 145aS, 145bS, and 145cS, each of the plurality of intermediate bus bars 145a, 145b, and 145c may have a comb shape. The positive lead 121P and the negative lead 121N of each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells 121 that pass through a corresponding one of the plurality of grooves 141S may pass through a corresponding one of the grooves 145aS, 145bS, and 145cS.

[0092] The intermediate bus bar 145a may be an external connection terminal for deriving the voltage of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6. The positive potential of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 may be output to one intermediate bus bar 145a, and the negative potential of the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 may be output to another intermediate bus bar 145a. One intermediate bus bar 145a may be in contact with the positive lead 121P, and another intermediate bus bar 145a may be in contact with the negative lead 121N.

[0093] The intermediate bus bar 145b may not overlap with the beam assembly CBA in the Z-axis direction. The intermediate bus bar 145b may be spaced apart from the beam assembly CBA in the horizontal direction (eg, the X-axis direction). Therefore, the intermediate bus bar 145b may contact the positive lead 121P and the negative lead 121N.

[0094] The intermediate bus bar 145c may overlap the cross beam assembly CBA in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the distance between the positive lead 121P and the negative lead 121N contacting the intermediate bus bar 145b may be relatively large. Therefore, each intermediate bus bar 145b may include comb-shaped portions spaced apart from each other and bridge portions connecting the comb-shaped portions.

[0095] The plurality of intermediate bus bars 145a, 145b, and 145c may be welded to the positive electrode lead 121P and the negative electrode lead 121N. Therefore, the reliability of electrical and mechanical connection between the plurality of intermediate bus bars 145a, 145b, and 145c, the positive electrode lead 121P, and the negative electrode lead 121N may be improved.

[0096] The cross bus bar 150 may be located on the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2. The cross bus bar 150 may overlap the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 in the Z-axis direction. The cross bus bar 150 may overlap the intermediate beam 130 in the Z-axis direction. The cross bus bar 150 may have a substantially linear shape. The cross bus bar 150 may include a groove 150S1 overlapping the bus bar assembly 140_1 and a groove 150S2 overlapping the bus bar assembly 140_2. The groove 150S1 may be located at a first end of the cross bus bar 150, and the groove 150S2 may be located at a second end of the cross bus bar 150. The first end and the second end of the cross bus bar 150 may be opposite to each other in the Y-axis direction.

[0097] The cross bus bar 150 may be connected to the negative electrode lead 121N of some soft-pack type battery cells 121 of the battery assembly 120_5 and the positive electrode lead 121P of some soft-pack type battery cells 121 of the battery assembly 120_6. The cross bus bar 150 may be in contact with the negative electrode lead 121N of some soft-pack type battery cells 121 of the battery assembly 120_5 and the positive electrode lead 121P of some soft-pack type battery cells 121 of the battery assembly 120_6. The cross bus bar 150 may be welded together with the negative electrode lead 121N of some soft-pack type battery cells 121 of the battery assembly 120_5 and the positive electrode lead 121P of some soft-pack type battery cells 121 of the battery assembly 120_6. The cross bus bar 150 may provide electrical connection between the negative electrode lead 121N of some of the pouch type battery cells 121 of the battery assembly 120_5 and the positive electrode lead 121P of some of the pouch type battery cells 121 of the battery assembly 120_6 .

[0098] In the case of a battery pack of the related art, each battery assembly includes one or two bus bar assemblies, thereby increasing the mass of the battery pack and reducing the energy density and productivity of the battery pack. According to an exemplary embodiment, bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 covering a plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 and 120_2 are provided to reduce the number of components and the number of assembly processes of the battery pack 100. Therefore, the energy density and productivity of the battery pack 100 can be improved.

[0099] (Second embodiment)

[0100] Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack 101 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0101] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack 101.

[0102] Fig.10 yes Figure 8 Exploded perspective view of bus bar assemblies 140_1 ′ and 140_2 ′.

[0103] Fig.11 Shows Figure 8 The battery pack 101 is Figure 7 The corresponding part.

[0104] Reference Figures 8 to 11 The battery pack 101 may include a housing 110, a plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6, an intermediate beam 130, bus bar assemblies 140_1′ and 140_2′, and a cross bus bar 150. The housing 110 and the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 of the battery pack 101 are similar to those described above with reference to Figures 1 to 7 Those described are substantially the same, and therefore, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted here.

[0105] Each of the busbar assemblies 140_1′ and 140_2′ may include a busbar frame 141, a plurality of refractory sheets 143, and a middle busbar 145a. The busbar frame 141, the plurality of refractory sheets 143, and the middle busbar 145a are similar to those described above with reference to Figures 4 to 7 Those described are substantially the same, and therefore, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted here.

[0106] According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 4 Unlike the bus bar assemblies 140_1 and 140_2 , each of the bus bar assemblies 140_1 ′ and 140_2 ′ may not include the intermediate bus bars 145 b and 145 c .

[0107] Therefore, the positive electrode lead 121P and the negative electrode lead 121N of some of the pouch type battery cells 121 may be spaced apart from the intermediate bus bar 145a. The positive electrode lead 121P and the negative electrode lead 121N of some of the pouch type battery cells 121 may not contact the intermediate bus bar 145a.

[0108] The positive lead 121P and the negative lead 121N spaced apart from the middle bus bar 145a may be welded together. The lowermost lead of the welded positive lead 121P and the negative lead 121N may contact the upper surface 141U of the bus bar frame 141. The upper surface 141U of the bus bar frame 141 may be opposite to the lower surface 141L facing the plurality of soft pack type battery cells 121. In contrast, in Figure 2 In the battery pack 100, the lowermost lead of the positive electrode lead 121P and the negative electrode lead 121N welded together may be welded to the middle bus bar 145b, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 shown.

[0109] According to an exemplary embodiment, the intermediate bus bars 145b and 145c may be omitted except for the intermediate bus bar 145a as an external output terminal and the cross bus bar 150 which should be relatively long (see FIG. Figure 4 ). Therefore, the number of components to be assembled to manufacture the battery pack 101 is reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the battery pack 101 and increasing the energy density of the battery pack 101.

[0110] (Third Embodiment)

[0111] Fig.12 is a perspective view of a battery pack 102 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0112] Fig.13 yes Fig.12 1 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack 102.

[0113] Reference Fig.12 and Fig.13 The battery pack 102 may include a housing 110, a plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6, an intermediate beam 130, a bus bar assembly 140, and a cross bus bar 150. The housing 110 and the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 of the battery pack 102 are similar to those described above. Figures 1 to 7 Those described are substantially the same, and therefore, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted here.

[0114] The bus bar assembly 140 may include Figure 4 The first portion 140P1 of the bus bar assembly 140_1 is substantially the same as Figure 4The bus bar assembly 140_2 includes a second portion 140P2 that is substantially identical to the first portion 140P1 and a third portion 140P3 that connects the first portion 140P1 and the second portion 140P2.

[0115] According to an exemplary embodiment, the bus bar assembly 140 may cover the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6. According to an exemplary embodiment, the bus bar assembly 140 may overlap the plurality of battery assemblies 120_1 to 120_6 in the Z-axis direction. According to an exemplary embodiment, the bus bar assembly 140 may cover the middle beam 130. According to an exemplary embodiment, the bus bar assembly 140 may overlap the middle beam 130 in the Z-axis direction.

[0116] The present disclosure has been described in more detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments, etc. However, the configurations shown in the drawings or the embodiments described in this specification are only embodiments of the present disclosure and do not reflect all technical concepts of the present disclosure, and therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications have been made to replace these configurations on the filing date of the present application.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: case; a first battery assembly and a second battery assembly, the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly being located on the housing and each comprising a plurality of soft-pack type battery cells; as well as a bus bar assembly, the bus bar assembly being located on the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly, Wherein, the busbar assembly comprises: a bus bar frame configured to cover the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly; and A plurality of intermediate bus bars are located on the bus bar frame.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells includes a soft-pack case, a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead, The soft package shell includes a first side facing the shell and a second side opposite to the first side. The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells are located at the second side, and The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells are connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of intermediate bus bars.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells are welded to the corresponding one of the plurality of intermediate bus bars.

4. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: The negative electrode lead of one of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells contacts an upper surface of the corresponding one of the plurality of intermediate bus bars.

5. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: The busbar frame includes a plurality of lead slots, and The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells pass through a corresponding one of the plurality of lead grooves.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The bus bar assembly includes a fire-resistant sheet located between the first and second battery assemblies and the bus bar frame.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein: The busbar frame includes a plurality of holes, and The refractory sheet comprises a plurality of cutting guides, Wherein, each of the plurality of cutting guides overlaps with a corresponding one of the plurality of holes.

8. A battery pack comprising: case; a first battery assembly, a second battery assembly, a third battery assembly and a fourth battery assembly, wherein the first battery assembly, the second battery assembly, the third battery assembly and the fourth battery assembly are located on the housing and each includes a plurality of soft-pack type battery cells; A middle beam, the middle beam being located between the first battery assembly and the second battery assembly and between the third battery assembly and the fourth battery assembly; as well as a bus bar assembly, the bus bar assembly being located on the first battery assembly, the second battery assembly, the third battery assembly and the fourth battery assembly, The busbar assembly includes a busbar frame, and the busbar frame is configured to cover the first battery assembly, the second battery assembly, the third battery assembly, and the fourth battery assembly.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein: The bus bar frame covers the intermediate beam.

10. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein: Each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells includes a soft-pack case, a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead, The soft package shell includes a first side facing the shell and a second side opposite to the first side, and The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells are located at the second side.

11. The battery pack according to claim 10, wherein: The busbar assembly includes a plurality of intermediate busbars located on the busbar frame, The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of soft-pack type battery cells are connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of intermediate bus bars.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells are welded to the corresponding one of the plurality of intermediate bus bars.

13. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of any one of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells are spaced apart from each of the plurality of intermediate bus bars.

14. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: The negative electrode lead of one of the plurality of pouch type battery cells is in contact with an upper surface of the plurality of bus bar frames.

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