Rechargeable battery module, method of manufacturing the same, late member for the same, and system including the late member

Abstract

Provided are a rechargeable battery module, a method of manufacturing the same, a tab member for the same, and a system including the tab member, the rechargeable battery module including: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a first row and a second row parallel to the first row; a holder for accommodating the plurality of battery cells; and a tab member disposed on the holder, positioned with respect to the first row and the second row, and welded to respective electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells, in which the tab member includes: a main body portion disposed between the first row and the second row; a first neck portion connected to the main body portion, disposed along a first row, and connected to an electrode terminal of one or more battery cells arranged in the first row using a first tab; and a second neck portion connected to the main body portion, disposed along a second row, and connected to electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the second row by using a second tab.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a rechargeable battery module and more particularly to a rechargeable battery module for minimizing a voltage difference between battery cells. Background Art

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, rechargeable batteries are batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged. Small rechargeable batteries can be used in small portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers or cameras. Large capacity and high density rechargeable batteries can be used for motor drive power or energy storage for hybrid vehicles and / or electric vehicles. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present disclosure provides a rechargeable battery module for minimizing a voltage difference between battery cells sharing a tab member.

[0004] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a rechargeable battery module, which includes: a plurality of battery cells, arranged in a first row and a second row parallel to the first row; a retainer for accommodating the plurality of battery cells; and a tab member, arranged on the retainer, positioned relative to the first row and the second row, and welded to corresponding electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the tab member includes: a main body, arranged between the first row and the second row; a first neck, connected to the main body, arranged along the first row, and connected to the electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the first row among the plurality of battery cells using the first tab; and a second neck, connected to the main body, arranged along the second row, and connected to the electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the second row among the plurality of battery cells using the second tab.

[0005] The first tab may have a pair of electrically connected first tabs, and each of the pair of first tabs may be welded to corresponding electrode terminals of two battery cells among the plurality of battery cells, which are disposed in a first row and may be electrically connected to each other.

[0006] The first neck portion may be disposed around the two battery cells disposed in the first row and may be disposed between the two battery cells in the first row, and the pair of electrically connected first tabs may be disposed with respect to the two battery cells disposed in the first row.

[0007] The second tab may include a pair of electrically connected second tabs, and each of the pair of electrically connected second tabs may be welded to corresponding electrode terminals of two battery cells that are disposed in the second row and may be electrically connected to each other.

[0008] The second neck portion may be disposed around two battery cells disposed in the second row and may be disposed between the two battery cells in the second row, and the pair of electrically connected second tabs are disposed with respect to the two battery cells disposed in the second row direction.

[0009] Each of the multiple battery cells may be a cylindrical rechargeable battery, and the axial center of one or more battery cells arranged in a first row and the axial center of one or more battery cells arranged in a second row may be offset from each other in a direction along the second row, so that a line passing through the axial center of the battery cell disposed at the end of the first row and the axial center of the battery cell disposed at the end of the second row has an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the setting direction of the second row.

[0010] The tab member may further include: a bent portion that is bent downward relative to the plane of the main body of the tab member and in a direction parallel to a line passing through the axial center of the battery cells arranged at the end of the first row and the axial center of the battery cells arranged at the end of the second row, and the bent portion may be connected to the end of the main body of the tab member and formed to have a cross-section that protrudes downward relative to the plane of the main body.

[0011] The bent portion may have a curvature radius, and an upper bending start point of the curvature radius may be disposed at an oblique upper portion of a rounded portion formed at a corresponding end portion of a battery cell among the plurality of battery cells in the axial direction.

[0012] The bent portion may have a curvature radius, and an upper bending start point of the curvature radius may be disposed at an upper portion of a rounded portion formed at a corresponding end portion of a battery cell among the plurality of battery cells in the axial direction.

[0013] The bent portion may further include a lateral protruding surface protruding toward a side surface of a battery cell among the plurality of battery cells.

[0014] The bent portion may be formed to have a curved cross-section (U) convex downward on a side surface of a battery cell among the plurality of battery cells.

[0015] The bent portion may be formed to have an angled cross-section (V) convex downward on a side surface of a battery cell among the plurality of battery cells.

[0016] The connection structure of the first terminal block may include: an eleventh connection portion, which is welded to the electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the first row in the form of two pieces, is bent, and extends in the height direction; a twelfth connection portion, which extends in a direction orthogonal to the first row; and a thirteenth connection portion, which extends along the direction of the first row to be connected to the first neck.

[0017] The connection structure of the second terminal block may include: a twenty-first connection portion, which is welded to the electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the second row in the form of two pieces, bent, and extended in the height direction; a twenty-second connection portion, which extends in a direction orthogonal to the second row, and a twenty-third connection portion, which extends along the direction of the second row to be connected to the second neck.

[0018] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a rechargeable battery module. The method may include the following steps: providing a holder for accommodating a plurality of battery cells; arranging the plurality of battery cells in the holder into a first row and a second row parallel to the first row; installing a tab member on the holder, the tab member being positioned relative to the first row and the second row, wherein the step of installing the tab member includes welding the tab member to the corresponding electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells, and wherein the tab member includes: a main body portion, arranged between the first row and the second row; a first neck portion, connected to the main body portion, arranged along the first row, and connected to the electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the first row among the plurality of battery cells using the first tab; and a second neck portion, connected to the main body portion, arranged along the second row, and connected to the electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the second row among the plurality of battery cells using the second tab.

[0019] The connection structure of the first terminal block may include: an eleventh connection portion, which is welded to the electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the first row in the form of two pieces, bent, and extended in the height direction; a twelfth connection portion, which extends in a direction orthogonal to the first row; and a thirteenth connection portion, which extends along the direction of the first row to be connected to the first neck.

[0020] The connection structure of the second terminal block may include: a twenty-first connection portion, which is welded to the electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the second row in the form of two pieces, is bent, and extends in the height direction; a twenty-second connection portion, which extends in a direction orthogonal to the second row; and a twenty-third connection portion, which extends along the direction of the second row to be connected to the second neck.

[0021] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a tab member for a rechargeable battery module and configured to be disposed on a holder of the rechargeable battery module and welded to corresponding electrode terminals of a plurality of battery cells of the rechargeable battery module. The tab member may include: a main body portion configured to be disposed between a cell of a first row of batteries and a cell of a second row of batteries among a plurality of battery cells; a first neck portion connected to the main body portion, configured to be disposed along a first row, and connected to the electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the first row among a plurality of battery cells using a first tab; and a second neck portion connected to the main body portion, configured to be disposed along a second row, and connected to the electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the second row among a plurality of battery cells using a second tab.

[0022] The connection structure of the first terminal block may include: an eleventh connection portion, which is welded to the electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the first row in the form of two pieces, is bent, and extends in the height direction; a twelfth connection portion, which extends in a direction orthogonal to the first row; and a thirteenth connection portion, which extends along the direction of the first row to be connected to the first neck.

[0023] The connection structure of the second terminal block may include: a twenty-first connection portion, which is welded to the electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the second row in the form of two pieces, is bent, and extends in the height direction; a twenty-second connection portion, which extends in a direction orthogonal to the second row; and a twenty-third connection portion, which extends along the direction of the second row to be connected to the second neck.

[0024] Regarding the rechargeable battery module according to the embodiment, the tab member may include a main body, a first neck and a second neck, and a first tab and a second tab to connect the electrode terminals of the battery cells of the first row and the second row, thereby sharing the main body of the tab member. Therefore, the voltage difference between the battery cells can be minimized. Therefore, the reduction in the life of the battery cells can be prevented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a rechargeable battery module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 A top plan view of a rechargeable battery module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 3 shows the connection Figure 2 A top plan view of tab members of four battery cells of a rechargeable battery module.

[0028] Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 A perspective view of a tab member of a rechargeable battery module.

[0029] Figure 5 Shows Figure 3 The lug member relative to Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along line VV of .

[0030] Figure 6 A top plan view of a tab member for connecting four battery cells in a rechargeable battery module according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0031] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 The lug member relative to Figure 6 Cross-sectional view along line VII-VII.

[0032] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery module according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery module according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] Fig.10 A cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery module according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which disclosed embodiments are shown. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the described embodiments may be modified in various ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The accompanying drawings and descriptions are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive in nature. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals represent the same elements.

[0036] The rechargeable battery can be used as a rechargeable battery module including a plurality of battery cells connected in series and / or in parallel to drive a motor of a hybrid vehicle requiring a relatively high energy density, for example. For example, in order to realize a relatively high-output rechargeable battery module (e.g., an electric vehicle), a rechargeable battery module can be formed by connecting electrode terminals of the battery cells using a number of battery cells that meet a desired amount of power.

[0037] For example, a rechargeable battery module is formed by storing battery cells in a holder and connecting the battery cells in series and / or in parallel using tabs. The rechargeable battery module has high voltage and high current according to the use conditions of consumers, and therefore, the rechargeable battery module may include tabs connecting the battery cells and a battery management system connected to the tabs.

[0038] At this time, the battery cells are connected to one tab, and thus a voltage difference may occur between the battery cells according to discharge. The voltage difference between the battery cells may deteriorate the life of the battery cells.

[0039] Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a rechargeable battery module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 2 FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of a rechargeable battery module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the rechargeable battery module 1 according to the first embodiment may include a battery cell 10 , a holder 20 for accommodating the battery cell 10 , and a tab member 50 welded to an electrode terminal 40 of the battery cell 10 .

[0040] Each of the battery cells 10 may be a cylindrical rechargeable battery and may include electrode terminals 40 at respective ends of the cylindrical rechargeable battery in the axial direction. That is, the electrode terminals 40 of the battery cells may include a positive terminal 41 and a negative terminal 42 installed at respective ends of the respective battery cells 10 in the axial direction.

[0041] The holder 20 may include a bottom holder 21 and a top holder 22. The bottom holder 21 and the top holder 22 may form a honeycomb structure therein to accommodate the battery cells 10 spaced apart in a first direction (x-axis direction) and a second direction (y-axis direction) intersecting the first direction, and may be combined with each other in a third direction (z-axis direction) intersecting the second direction, and may be securely fastened by a fastening member 23.

[0042] exist Figure 1 In the state of being arranged, the bottom retainer 21 may receive the lower side of the battery cell 10, and the top retainer 22 may receive the upper side of the battery cell 10. The bottom retainer 21 and the top retainer 22 are fastened by a fastening member 23.

[0043] The bottom retainer 21 and the top retainer 22 may be further combined in a snap-fit ​​structure including a protrusion 24 mounted on the outside of the bottom retainer 21 and a coupling portion 25 mounted on the outside of the top retainer 22 corresponding to the protrusion 24 .

[0044] Figure 3 shows the connection Figure 2 A top plan view of the tab members of four battery cells of a rechargeable battery module. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3The battery cells 10 may be accommodated in the holder 20 and may be arranged in a first row R1 and a second row R2 parallel to the first row R1. The first row R1 and the second row R2 may be set in the second direction and may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction.

[0045] For example, in the first row R1, the positive terminal 41 of the battery cell may be disposed at the upper portion of the rechargeable battery module, and the negative terminal 42 may be disposed at the lower portion. In the second row R2, the positive terminal 41 may be disposed at the lower portion of the rechargeable battery module, and the negative terminal 42 may be disposed at the upper portion.

[0046] The axial direction centers of the battery cells 10 arranged in the first row R1 and the axial direction centers of the battery cells 10 arranged in the second row R2 are offset in the direction of the first row R1 and the second row R2. Therefore, the cylindrical battery cells 10 can be prevented from being adjacent to each other.

[0047] That is, the battery cells 10 disposed in the second row R2 may be offset in the second direction (y-axis direction) relative to the battery cells 10 disposed in the first row R1. Therefore, a line passing through the centers of two battery cells 10 disposed at the ends of the first row R1 and the second row R2 may have an angle θ (e.g., other than 90 degrees) with the arrangement direction of the first row R1 and the second row R2.

[0048] For example, the tab member 50 may include a nickel material, and the battery cells 10 may be electrically connected in parallel and / or in series, and may be connected to a battery management system (BMS) 30. The tab member 50 may be formed by punching a thin plate material.

[0049] For example, the battery management system (BMS) 30 may be mounted on the side surfaces of the bottom retainer 21 and the top retainer 22. The tab members 50 may respectively have output terminals 54 on one side in the second direction (y-axis direction) and may be electrically connected to the battery management system (BMS) 30 through the output terminals 54.

[0050] The tab member 50 may be disposed in the seating groove 221 of the bottom retainer 21 and the top retainer 22 and may connect the corresponding electrode terminal 40. The protrusion 222 may be installed on one side of the seating groove 221 and may engage with the combination hole H corresponding to the tab member 50.

[0051] Therefore, before the tab member 50 is welded to the electrode terminal 40, the seating groove 221 may set the position of the tab member 50 to maintain the position of the tab member 50. When the setting of the position of the tab member 50 is completed, the protrusion 222 may engage with the combination hole H to prevent the tab member 50 from being separated from the seating groove 221.

[0052] Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 A perspective view of a lug member. Figure 4 The tab member 50 may include a body portion 51 , a first tab 521 , a second tab 522 , a first neck portion 531 , and a second neck portion 532 .

[0053] The connection structure of the first terminal piece 521 may include an eleventh connection portion C11, a twelfth connection portion C12 and a thirteenth connection portion C13, the eleventh connection portion C11 being constructed to be welded to the positive terminal 41 in the form of two pieces, bent, and extending in the height direction (z-axis direction), the twelfth connection portion C12 extending in a direction orthogonal to the first row R1, and the thirteenth connection portion C13 extending in the direction of the first row R1 to connect to the first neck 531.

[0054] The connection structure of the second terminal piece 522 may include a twenty-first connection portion C21, a twenty-second connection portion C22 and a twenty-third connection portion C23, the twenty-first connection portion C21 being constructed to be welded on the negative terminal 42 in the form of two pieces, bent, and extending in the height direction (z-axis direction), the twenty-second connection portion C22 extending in a direction orthogonal to the second row R2, and the twenty-third connection portion C23 extending in the direction of the second row R2 to connect to the second neck 532.

[0055] The connection structure of the first connecting piece 521 including the eleventh connecting part C11, the twelfth connecting part C12 and the thirteenth connecting part C13 and the connection structure of the second connecting piece 522 including the twenty-first connecting part C21, the twenty-second connecting part C22 and the twenty-third connecting part C23 can be connected to the main body 51 through a long distance.

[0056] Therefore, the difference between the entire distance from the connection structure of the first tab 521 through the body portion 51 to the final output end of the tab member 50 and the entire distance from the connection structure of the second tab 522 through the body portion 51 to the final output end of the tab member 50 can be minimized. That is, the voltage difference between the battery cells of the first row R1 and the battery cells 10 of the second row R2 can be minimized (e.g., equal to zero).

[0057] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4, the main body 51 may be disposed between the first row R1 and the second row R2 of the battery cells 10 and may be connected in the second direction. The first tab 521 may be connected to the positive terminal 41 in the first row R1. The first tab 521 may be connected to the main body 51 and may be disposed in the first row R1. The second tab 522 may be connected to the negative terminal 42 in the second row R2. The second tab 522 may be connected to the main body 51 and may be disposed in the second row R2.

[0058] The first neck portion 531 may be connected to a pair of electrically connected first tabs 521, and may connect the positive terminals 41 of the two battery cells 10 in parallel. The first neck portion 531 may avoid the two battery cells 10 arranged in the direction of the first row R1 (e.g., be arranged around the two battery cells 10 arranged in the direction of the first row R1), and may be arranged between the two battery cells 10 in the direction of the first row R1. The pair of first tabs 521 may be connected to the first neck portion 531, and the first neck portion 531 may avoid the two battery cells 10 arranged in the direction of the first row R1. The pair of first tabs 521 may be connected to the corresponding positive terminals 41 of the two battery cells 10.

[0059] The second neck 532 may be connected to a pair of electrically connected second tabs 522, and may connect the negative terminals 42 of the two battery cells 10 in parallel. The second neck 532 may avoid the two battery cells 10 arranged in the direction of the second row R2, and may be arranged between the two battery cells 10 in the direction of the second row R2. The pair of second tabs 522 may be connected to the second neck 532, and the second neck 532 may avoid the two battery cells 10 arranged in the direction of the second row R2. The pair of second tabs 522 may be connected to the corresponding negative terminals 42 of the two battery cells 10.

[0060] The first tabs 521 and the first necks 531 in the first row R1 may allow two battery cells 10 disposed in the first row R1 to generate the same current path to the body portion 51. Therefore, a voltage difference between the battery cells 10 in the first row R1 may be minimized (eg, equal to zero).

[0061] The second tab 522 and the second neck 532 in the second row R2 may allow two battery cells 10 disposed in the second row R2 to generate the same current path to the body portion 51. Therefore, the voltage difference between the battery cells 10 in the second row R2 may be minimized (eg, equal to zero).

[0062] The body portion 51 may be connected to the first neck portion 531 and the second neck portion 532 , and may connect two battery cells 10 connected in parallel in the first row R1 and two battery cells 10 connected in parallel in the second row R2 in series.

[0063] Therefore, currents of two battery cells 10 connected in parallel in the first row R1 may flow to the main body portion 51 , and currents of two battery cells 10 connected in parallel in the second row R2 may flow to the main body portion 51 .

[0064] In this case, the body 51 of the tab member 50 can be shared by the first and second rows R1 and R2, so the voltage difference between the battery cells 10 of the first and second rows R1 and R2 can be minimized (eg, equal to zero). Therefore, the reduction in the life of the battery cells 10 can be prevented.

[0065] The tab member 50 may further include a bent portion 55 connected to one end of the body portion 51 disposed between the first row R1 and the second row R2 and formed to have a cross-section convex downward relative to the plane of the body portion 51. The bent portion 55 may extend in a direction misaligned with the side surfaces of the two battery cells 10 by an angle θ.

[0066] Figure 5 Shows Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the terminal piece member relative to line VV. Figure 5 The bent portion 55 has a curvature radius, and an upper end bending starting point BSP of the curvature radius may be disposed at an oblique upper portion of a round portion RP formed on respective ends of the battery cell 10 in the axial direction.

[0067] The bent portion 55 may be installed in the tab member 50 for connecting the battery management system (BMS) 30 and the battery cell 10 , and may absorb and / or mitigate shock or vibration that may be transmitted in various directions between the battery management system 30 and the battery cell 10 .

[0068] The bent portion 55 may form a gap G between the BMS 30 and the side surface of the battery cell 10 . The gap G may increase the degree of freedom of assembling the tab member 50 , and may facilitate settings for welding the battery cell 10 and the tab member 50 .

[0069] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described. The same components and configurations as the first embodiment will be omitted, and different configurations will now be described.

[0070] Figure 6 A top plan view of a tab member for connecting four battery cells in a rechargeable battery module according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, and Figure 7 Shows relative to Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. Figure 6 and Figure 7 Regarding the tab member 250 of the rechargeable battery module 2 according to the second embodiment, the bent portion 55 has a curvature radius, and the upper end bending starting point BSP2 of the curvature radius may be disposed at the upper portion of the circular portion RP formed at the axial direction ( Figure 7 On the corresponding ends in the up and down directions).

[0071] The tab member 250 is connected to the second tab 522 by welding, and may contact the battery cell 10 on the side surface of the bent portion 55, thereby making the connection between the tab member 250 and the battery cell 10 more secure. Therefore, the bent portion 55 may be installed in the tab member 250 for connecting the battery management system (BMS) 30 and the battery cell 10, may be more securely connected to the battery cell 10 than to the battery management system 30, and may absorb and / or mitigate shock or vibration that may be transmitted in various directions.

[0072] Figure 8 FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery module according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 Regarding the terminal tab member 350 of the rechargeable battery module 3 according to the third embodiment, the bent portion 355 may have a curvature radius, and the upper end bending starting point BSP of the curvature radius may be set at the oblique upper part of the circular portion RP, which is formed on the corresponding end of the battery cell 10 in the axial direction.

[0073] The bent portion 355 may be installed in the tab member 350 for connecting the battery management system 30 and the battery cell 10 , and may absorb and / or mitigate shock or vibration that may be transmitted between the battery management system 30 and the battery cell 10 in various directions.

[0074] The bent portion 355 may further include a lateral protruding surface 56 protruding toward the side surface of the battery cell 10. The lateral protruding surface 56 may increase the degree of freedom of assembling the tab member 350, may facilitate the setting for welding the battery cell 10 and the tab member 350, may contact the battery cell 10, and may make the connection between the tab member 350 and the battery cell 10 more secure.

[0075] Fig. 9 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery module according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9Regarding the tab member 450 applied to the rechargeable battery module 4 according to the fourth embodiment, the bent portion 455 may be formed to have a curved cross section that protrudes downward relative to the plane of the body portion 51 (e.g., protrudes downward in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the body portion 51). For example, the curved cross section may have a U-shape.

[0076] The tab member 450 may be connected to the second tab 522 by welding, may contact the battery cell 10 on the side surface of the bent portion 455 formed to have a curved cross-section, and may more firmly connect the tab member 450 to the battery cell 10. Therefore, the bent portion 455 may be installed in the tab member 450 for connecting the battery management system (BMS) 30 and the battery cell 10, may be more firmly connected to the battery cell 10 than to the battery management system 30, and may absorb and / or mitigate shocks or vibrations transmittable in various directions.

[0077] Fig.10 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery module according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.10 Regarding the tab member 550 applied to the rechargeable battery module 5 according to the fifth embodiment, the bent portion 555 may be formed to have an angled cross section that protrudes downward relative to the plane of the body portion 51 (e.g., protrudes downward in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the body portion 51). For example, the angled cross section may have a V-shape.

[0078] The tab member 550 may be connected to the second tab 522 by welding, may contact the battery cell 10 on the side surface of the bent portion 555 formed to have an angled cross-section, and may more firmly connect the tab member 550 to the battery cell 10. Therefore, the bent portion 555 may be installed in the tab member 550 for connecting the battery management system (BMS) 30 and the battery cell 10, may be more firmly connected to the battery cell 10 than to the battery management system 30, and may absorb and / or mitigate shock or vibration that may be transmitted in various directions.

[0079] The variable gap G2 set between the bent portion 555 and the battery cell 10 may increase the degree of freedom of assembling the tab member 550 , thereby facilitating settings for welding the battery cell 10 and the tab member 550 .

[0080] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a rechargeable battery module. The method may include: providing a holder for accommodating a plurality of battery cells; arranging the plurality of battery cells in the holder into a first row and a second row parallel to the first row; installing a tab member on the holder, the tab member being positioned relative to the first row and the second row, wherein installing the tab member includes welding the tab member to the corresponding electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells, and wherein the tab member includes: a main body portion disposed between the first row and the second row; a first neck portion connected to the main body portion, disposed along the first row, and connected to the electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the first row among the plurality of battery cells using the first tab; and a second neck portion connected to the main body portion, disposed along the second row, and connected to the electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the second row among the plurality of battery cells using the second tab.

[0081] While the disclosure has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0082] <Description of Reference Signs> 1, 2, 3, 4, 5: Rechargeable battery module 10: Battery cell 20: Retainer 21: Bottom retainer 22: Top retainer 23: Fastening member 24: protrusion 25: joint part 30: Battery Management System (BMS) 40: Electrode Terminals 41: Positive terminal 42: Negative terminal 50: Lug member 51: Main body 54: output end 55: bending part 56: Lateral protruding surface 221: Recessed groove 222: protrusion 250: lug member 350: Lug member 355: Bend portion 450: Lug member 455: Bend portion 521: first connecting piece 522: second connecting piece 531: First neck 532: Second neck 550: Lug member 555: Bend portion BSP: Bending start point BSP2: Bending start point C11: Eleventh connection C12: Twelfth connection C13: Thirteenth connection C21: Twenty-first connection C22: 22nd connection part C23: 23rd connection part G, G2: Gap H: Combination hole R1: first row R2: second row RP: circular part θ: angle.

Claims

1. A rechargeable battery module, comprising: A plurality of battery cells arranged in a first row and a second row parallel to the first row; a holder for accommodating the plurality of battery cells; as well as a tab member disposed on the holder, positioned relative to the first row and the second row, and welded to the corresponding electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells, Wherein, the wiring piece component comprises: a main body, arranged between the first row and the second row, a first neck portion connected to the main body portion, disposed along the first row, and connected to electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the first row among the plurality of battery cells using a first tab; and A second neck portion, connected to the main body portion, is disposed along the second row and connected to electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the second row among the plurality of battery cells using a second tab.

2. The rechargeable battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The first terminal block includes a pair of electrically connected first terminal blocks, and Each of the pair of electrically connected first tabs is welded to a corresponding electrode terminal of two battery cells of the plurality of battery cells, the two battery cells being disposed in the first row and electrically connected to each other.

3. The rechargeable battery module according to claim 2, wherein: The first neck is disposed around the two battery cells disposed in the first row and between the two battery cells disposed in the first row, and The pair of electrically connected first tabs are disposed with respect to the two battery cells disposed in the first row.

4. The rechargeable battery module according to claim 2, wherein: The second terminal piece includes a pair of electrically connected second terminal pieces, and Each of the pair of electrically connected second tabs is welded to corresponding electrode terminals of two battery cells of the plurality of battery cells that are disposed in the second row and electrically connected to each other.

5. The rechargeable battery module according to claim 4, wherein: The second neck is disposed around the two battery cells disposed in the second row and between the two battery cells disposed in the second row, and The pair of electrically connected second tabs are disposed with respect to the two battery cells disposed in the second row.

6. The rechargeable battery module according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of battery cells comprises a cylindrical rechargeable battery, The axial center of the one or more battery cells arranged in the first row and the axial center of the one or more battery cells arranged in the second row are offset from each other in the direction along the second row, so that a line passing through the axial center of the battery cell set at the end of the first row and the axial center of the battery cell set at the end of the second row has an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the setting direction of the second row.

7. The rechargeable battery module according to claim 6, wherein: The terminal piece member further comprises: A bent portion is bent downward relative to the plane of the main body of the terminal member and in a direction parallel to the line passing through the center of the axial direction of the battery cells arranged at the end of the first row and the center of the axial direction of the battery cells arranged at the end of the second row, the bent portion is connected to the end of the main body of the terminal member, and is formed to have a cross-section that bulges downward relative to the plane of the main body.

8. The rechargeable battery module according to claim 7, wherein: The bent portion of the tab member has a radius of curvature, and An upper bending start point of the curvature radius is disposed at an oblique upper portion of a circular portion formed at a corresponding end portion of a battery cell among the plurality of battery cells in the axial direction.

9. The rechargeable battery module according to claim 7, wherein: The bent portion of the tab member has a radius of curvature, and An upper bending start point of the curvature radius is disposed at an upper portion of a circular portion formed at a corresponding end portion of a battery cell among the plurality of battery cells in the axial direction.

10. The rechargeable battery module according to claim 7, wherein: The bent portion of the tab member further includes a lateral protruding surface that protrudes toward a side surface of a battery cell among the plurality of battery cells.

11. The rechargeable battery module according to claim 7, wherein: The bent portion of the tab member is formed to have a curved cross-section that is convex downward on a side surface of a battery cell among the plurality of battery cells.

12. The rechargeable battery module according to claim 7, wherein: The bent portion of the tab member is formed to have an angled cross-section that protrudes downward on a side surface of a battery cell among the plurality of battery cells.

13. The rechargeable battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The first terminal piece includes a connection structure, and the connection structure of the first terminal piece includes: an eleventh connection portion, welded to the electrode terminals of the one or more battery cells arranged in the first row in the form of two pieces, bent, and extending in a height direction; a twelfth connecting portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the first row; and A thirteenth connecting portion extends along the direction of the first row to be connected to the first neck.

14. The rechargeable battery module according to claim 13, wherein: The second terminal piece includes a connection structure, and the connection structure of the second terminal piece includes: a twenty-first connection portion, welded in the form of two pieces to the electrode terminals of the one or more battery cells arranged in the second row, bent, and extending in the height direction, a twenty-second connecting portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the second row; and A twenty-third connecting portion extends along the direction of the second row to be connected to the second neck portion.

15. A method for manufacturing a rechargeable battery module, the method comprising the steps of: A holder is provided for accommodating a plurality of battery cells; arranging the plurality of battery cells in the holder into a first row and a second row parallel to the first row; mounting a tab member on the holder, the tab member being positioned relative to the first row and the second row, wherein the step of mounting the tab member comprises welding the tab member to corresponding electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells, and Wherein, the wiring piece component comprises: a main body, disposed between the first row and the second row; a first neck portion connected to the main body portion, disposed along the first row, and connected to electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the first row among the plurality of battery cells using a first tab; and A second neck portion, connected to the main body portion, is disposed along the second row and connected to electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the second row among the plurality of battery cells using a second tab.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The first terminal piece includes a connection structure, and the connection structure of the first terminal piece includes: an eleventh connection portion, which is welded to the electrode terminals of the one or more battery cells arranged in the first row in the form of two pieces, is bent, and extends in a height direction, a twelfth connecting portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the first row; and A thirteenth connecting portion extends along the direction of the first row to be connected to the first neck.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The second terminal piece includes a connection structure, and the connection structure of the second terminal piece includes: a twenty-first connection portion, welded in the form of two pieces to the electrode terminals of the one or more battery cells arranged in the second row, bent, and extending in a height direction, a twenty-second connecting portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the second row; and A twenty-third connecting portion extends along the direction of the second row to be connected to the second neck portion.

18. A tab member for a rechargeable battery module, the tab member being configured to be disposed on a holder of the rechargeable battery module and welded to corresponding electrode terminals of a plurality of battery cells of the rechargeable battery module, the tab member comprising: a main body configured to be disposed between the battery cells of a first row and the battery cells of a second row among the plurality of battery cells; a first neck portion connected to the main body portion, configured to be disposed along the first row and connected to electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the first row among the plurality of battery cells using a first tab; as well as A second neck portion, connected to the main body portion, is configured to be disposed along the second row and connected to electrode terminals of one or more battery cells arranged in the second row among the plurality of battery cells using a second tab.

19. The lug member according to claim 18, wherein: The first terminal piece includes a connection structure, and the connection structure of the first terminal piece includes: an eleventh connection portion configured to be welded in the form of two pieces to the electrode terminals of the one or more battery cells arranged in the first row, bent, and extending in a height direction, a twelfth connecting portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the first row; and a thirteenth connecting portion extending in the direction of the first row to be connected to the first neck, and The second terminal piece includes a connection structure, and the connection structure of the second terminal piece includes: a twenty-first connection portion configured to be welded in the form of two pieces to the electrode terminals of the one or more battery cells arranged in the second row, bent, and extending in the height direction, a twenty-second connecting portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the second row, and A twenty-third connecting portion extends along the direction of the second row to be connected to the second neck portion.

20. A system, comprising: The lug member according to claim 18 or 19; as well as The retainer.

Images