Anti-disconnection battery module

Abstract

The present invention provides: a structure of a pouch-type battery cell including an electrode lead protruding and extending from one end in a longitudinal direction, in which the battery cell includes a rim portion that deforms as a corresponding end portion of the electrode lead is stretched and that can elongate the electrode lead; and a structure of a battery module including a battery cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells including at least one of the battery cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0120659 filed on September 23, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the document of this patent application are included as a part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module that prevents disconnection or damage of an electrode lead. In particular, the present invention relates to a battery module manufactured by stacking a plurality of pouch-type battery cells, in which disconnection or damage of an electrode lead due to expansion can be prevented and welding strength with a bus bar is ensured. Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are easy to apply according to product groups and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles driven by electric drive sources and power storage devices. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as new energy sources for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency, not only because they have the main advantage of being able to significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels, but also because they do not produce any byproducts caused by energy use.

[0004] Although small mobile devices use one, two or three battery cells per device, medium to large devices such as vehicles require high output and large capacity. Therefore, medium to large battery modules in which a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected are used.

[0005] Since it is desired to make medium to large sized battery modules as small and light as possible, rectangular batteries and pouch-type batteries, which are batteries that can be stacked in a highly integrated manner and have a small weight to capacity ratio, are mainly used as battery cells for medium to large sized battery modules.

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a pouch-type battery cell. Figure 1 , the battery cell 1 may include: an electrode assembly (not shown); a bag 11 which is folded in half and fusion-sealed to accommodate the electrode assembly, and the bag 11 is provided with a first sealing portion 111a at both length side surfaces in the direction X and a second sealing portion 111b provided at one width side surface in the direction Z; and a pair of electrode leads 12 which extend from the electrode assembly in the direction X and protrude outward from the bag 11. The electrode lead 12 may be fused to the bag 11 through a lead film 121 provided in a region corresponding to the first sealing portion 111a. A plurality of battery cells 1 as described above may be stacked to form a high-capacity and / or high-voltage battery module.

[0007] Figure 2 and Figure 3The figures are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view showing a battery module, respectively. Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the battery module 2 may include: a battery cell stack 21 formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 1; a bus bar frame 211 disposed at both length sides of the battery cell stack 21; and a housing 22 accommodating the battery cell stack 21 and the bus bar frame 211. The housing 22 may include: a U-shaped frame 221 having an open top and open front and rear ends; a top plate 222 covering the open top of the U-shaped frame 221; and a pair of end plates 223 covering the open front and rear ends of the U-shaped frame 221, respectively. The electrode leads 12 may be connected in series or in parallel to each other by being welded to the bus bars 213 disposed at the bus bar frame 211.

[0008] Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an electrode lead welded to a bus bar in a battery module. Figure 4 , the slit 212 through which the electrode lead 12 passes may be provided at the busbar frame 211. The electrode lead 12 may extend from the electrode assembly 13, protrude outward from the bag 11, pass through the slit 212, and be welded to the busbar 213 provided on the length outer surface of the busbar frame 211. Here, the electrode lead 12 is bent at the first bent portion 123a adjacent to the first sealing portion 111a side and at the second bent portion 123b adjacent to the busbar 213, so that its end portion contacts the busbar 213.

[0009] Meanwhile, it is well known that so-called expansion (a phenomenon in which the gas generated inside the bag 11 expands the bag 11) may occur in the battery cell 1. When expansion occurs, the battery cells 1 expand and push each other in the stacking direction Y, and due to such displacement of the battery cell 1, the welding of the electrode lead 12 and the bus bar 213 may be removed, resulting in disconnection, or a portion of the electrode lead 12 may be damaged. In particular, the first bent portion 123a is more susceptible to damage because the degree of bending exceeds the designed level as the battery cell 1 is pushed outward. Therefore, there is a need for a structure of a battery cell and a battery module in which a disconnection does not occur between the electrode lead 12 and the bus bar 213 despite the displacement of the battery cell 1 as described above.

[0010] Still refer to Figure 4, during the bending process of the electrode lead 12 at each of the first bend 123a and the second bend 123b, a rebound phenomenon may occur in which the electrode lead 12 is not completely plastically deformed and elastically recovers to a certain angle. Here, the degree of bending of the electrode lead 12 at each of the first bend 123a and the second bend 123b is a very important factor in the rebound phenomenon. This is because the greater the degree of bending of the electrode lead 12 at each of the first bend 123a and the second bend 123b, the greater the plastic deformation rate, thereby reducing the rebound phenomenon. Since the rebound phenomenon affects the welding strength between the electrode lead 12 and the bus bar 213 and the strength of the electrode lead 12 itself, the degree of rebound must be predictable and appropriately adjustable in order to design such strength. Summary of the invention

[0011] Technical issues

[0012] In order to solve the above problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure of a battery cell and a battery module which can prevent disconnection between an electrode lead and a bus bar or damage to the electrode lead despite displacement of the battery cell due to expansion.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure of a battery cell and a battery module having a designable electrode lead strength and a welding strength between the electrode lead and the bus bar through an adjustable degree of springback during a bending process for welding the electrode lead to the bus bar.

[0014] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned purpose, and other purposes and advantages of the present invention that are not described can be understood by the following description and will be more clearly understood by the examples of the present invention. In addition, it is obvious that the purposes and advantages of the present invention can be embodied by the devices indicated in the claims and their combinations.

[0015] Technical Solution

[0016] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a structure of a pouch-type battery cell, wherein the pouch-type battery cell is provided with electrode leads protruding and extending from one end portion thereof in a length direction, wherein the pouch-type battery cell includes a margin capable of extending the electrode lead by deforming as the two ends of the electrode lead are stretched.

[0017] The predetermined sections at both sides of the edge may be arranged on substantially the same virtual planes. That is, there may be a virtual plane that simultaneously passes through the predetermined sections at both sides of the edge.

[0018] Each of the predetermined sections may include a section of 1 mm or more at each of both sides of the edge.

[0019] The edge may be in an arc shape with an arc-shaped longitudinal cross section having a constant radius of curvature. For example, the edge may be in an arc shape with a semicircular longitudinal cross section having a constant radius of curvature.

[0020] The edge may be manufactured by plastically deforming each of the electrode leads by a mold having a shape corresponding to the edge. Alternatively, the edge may be manufactured by bending the electrode leads.

[0021] The present invention also provides a structure of a battery module, in which a battery cell stack formed by stacking at least one of the above-mentioned battery cells is accommodated.

[0022] The battery cell stack may include a section in which the length of the electrode lead increases toward the outside in the thickness direction of the battery cell stack. That is, for some sections along the thickness direction of the battery cell stack, the length of the electrode lead of the battery cell relatively closer to the outside in the thickness direction may be longer than the length of the electrode lead of the battery cell relatively closer to the inside in the thickness direction.

[0023] Alternatively, the battery cell stack may include a section in which the number of edges provided at the electrode leads of the battery cells increases toward the outside of the battery cell stack in the thickness direction. That is, along the thickness direction of the battery cell stack, the number of edges provided at the section of the electrode leads of the battery cells relatively closer to the outside in the thickness direction may be greater than the number of edges provided at the section of the electrode leads of the battery cells relatively closer to the inside in the thickness direction.

[0024] The battery cell stack can be manufactured to be symmetrical about the center of its two thickness sides. That is, the battery cell stack can be manufactured to be symmetrical about a plane passing through its center, with the thickness direction as the normal direction.

[0025] The present invention may also provide a battery pack including the battery module and a vehicle including the battery pack. Since the structures of these battery packs and vehicles are known, no additional description will be given herein.

[0026] Beneficial effects

[0027] The present invention can provide a structure of a battery cell and a battery module which prevents disconnection or damage of an electrode lead when expansion occurs by providing an edge capable of deforming when displacement occurs in the battery cell to extend the electrode lead.

[0028] The present invention can also provide a structure of a battery cell and a battery module in which even if an electrode lead has an edge, the degree of springback can be designed by having a shape that can be bent similar to a flat type.

[0029] The present invention has the advantage that it can provide a structure of a battery cell and a battery module, which can be manufactured using the same manufacturing process and manufacturing equipment as in a case where there is no edge even if the electrode lead has an edge.

[0030] In addition, the present invention may have various other effects, and a description thereof will be given in each embodiment, or a description of an effect that can be easily inferred by a person skilled in the art will be omitted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a pouch type battery cell.

[0032] Figure 2 and Figure 3 They are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view showing a battery module, respectively.

[0033] Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an electrode lead welded to a bus bar in a battery module.

[0034] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Each of them is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Each of them is a schematic diagram showing a manufacturing process of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Fig.10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an electrode lead welded to a bus bar in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Fig.11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating expansion in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Fig.12 and Fig.13 are perspective views showing a battery pack including a battery module according to the present invention and a vehicle including the battery pack, respectively.

[0040] [Description of Reference Signs]

[0041] 1: Battery Cell

[0042] 11: bag

[0043] 111: Sealing part

[0044] 111a: First sealing portion

[0045] 111b: Second sealing portion

[0046] 12: Electrode lead

[0047] 121: Lead film

[0048] 122: Edge

[0049] 122P: Virtual Plane

[0050] R: Radius of curvature

[0051] 123: Bend

[0052] 123a: First bend

[0053] 123b: Second bend

[0054] 13: Electrode assembly

[0055] 2: Battery module

[0056] 21: Battery cell stack

[0057] 211: Busbar frame

[0058] 212: Slit

[0059] 213: Busbar

[0060] 22: Shell

[0061] 221: U-shaped frame

[0062] 222: Top plate

[0063] 223: End plate

[0064] P: Battery pack

[0065] V: Vehicle

[0066] X: Length direction / front and back direction

[0067] Y: Thickness direction / left-right direction / stacking direction

[0068] Z: Width direction / up and down direction / height direction DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] The above-mentioned objects, features and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art will be able to implement the technical concept of the present invention. When describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the prior art related to the present invention unnecessarily obscures the gist of the present invention, its detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0070] Although "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are certainly not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element, and unless otherwise specifically stated, the first element may also be the second element.

[0071] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, each element may be in the singular or in the plural.

[0072] Hereinafter, “arranging an element at the upper portion (or lower portion) of an element” or “arranging an element at the top (or bottom) of an element” means not only “arranging an element to be in contact with an upper surface (or lower surface)” but also means “arranging an element above an upper surface (or lower surface) with another element interposed therebetween.”

[0073] In addition, when an element is described as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, or “in contact with” another element, it should be understood that the element may be “directly connected to”, “directly coupled to”, or “directly in contact with” another element, or the element may be “connected to”, “coupled to”, or “in contact with” another element with another element interposed therebetween or be “connected,” “coupled to” or “in contact with” via yet another element.

[0074] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the expressions in the singular form used herein include the expressions in the plural form. Terms such as "include" or "comprising" used herein should not be interpreted as necessarily including all elements or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as excluding some elements or steps, or including additional elements or steps.

[0075] In addition, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the expressions in the singular form used herein include the expressions in the plural form. Terms such as "include" or "comprising" used herein should not be interpreted as necessarily including all elements or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as excluding some elements or steps, or including additional elements or steps.

[0076] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, “A and / or B” means A, B, or A and B, and “C to D” means equal to or higher than C to equal to or lower than D unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0077] The present invention provides a structure of a pouch-type battery cell, the pouch-type battery cell is provided with electrode leads protruding and extending from one end portion thereof in the length direction, and the pouch-type battery cell includes edges capable of extending the electrode leads by deforming as the two ends of the electrode leads are stretched. Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the battery cell according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0078] Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 1 and 2 are perspective views and cross-sectional views respectively showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The battery cell 1 may include an electrode assembly 13 , a pouch 11 , and an electrode lead.

[0079] The electrode assembly 13 may be formed by alternately stacking anodes and cathodes with a separator interposed therebetween.

[0080] The bag 11 may be formed from a metal foil.

[0081] The inner surface and / or outer surface of the bag 11 may be coated with a synthetic resin layer for insulation.

[0082] The bag 11 accommodates the electrode assembly 13 and can be folded in half, and is sealed at a first sealing portion 111a provided at both length side surfaces in the direction X and a second sealing portion 111b provided at one width side surface in the direction Z. The sealing can be achieved by fusing the synthetic resin layer coated on the inner surface of the bag 11. In particular, the second sealing portion 111b can be fusion-sealed and then resealed by folding and / or tape attachment.

[0083] The electrode lead 12 may be made of a flat metal foil having a length and a width.

[0084] A plurality of electrode leads 12 may be provided. Preferably, the electrode leads 12 may be provided in pairs.

[0085] The electrode lead 12 may extend from the electrode assembly 13. Specifically, the electrode lead 12 may extend from the anode or cathode of the electrode assembly 13. Alternatively, the electrode lead 12 may be electrically connected to the anode or cathode by being connected to an electrode tab extending from the anode or cathode. Here, the electrode tab may extend from a plurality of anodes or cathodes, respectively, and be connected to the electrode lead 12 when stacked.

[0086] The electrode lead 12 may extend from the electrode assembly 13 and protrude from the bag 11. For example, the electrode lead 12 may protrude from the bag 11 through the first sealing portion 111a. Here, a lead film made of a synthetic resin may be provided in a region where the electrode lead 12 overlaps the first sealing portion 111a, so that the electrode lead 12 may be fused with portions of the bag 11 located on both thickness sides of the first sealing portion 111a.

[0087] The edge 122 may be provided at the electrode lead 12. The edge 122 may be provided at a portion of the electrode lead 12 protruding outward from the pouch 11.

[0088] The edge 122 may be a non-straight section between the start point and the end point of the cross section of the electrode lead 12. That is, the edge 122 may be a section on the electrode lead 12 that does not follow the direction in which the electrode lead 12 extends. Therefore, since the start point and the end point of the edge 122 are not connected by the shortest distance, as the two ends of the electrode lead 12 are stretched, the shape of the electrode lead 12 is deformed to approach a straight line, so that the edge 122 may be elongated as a whole along its extension direction.

[0089] The predetermined sections on both sides of the edge 122 (i.e., two sections with predetermined lengths extending from the starting point and the end point of the edge 122 along the extension direction of the electrode lead 12, respectively) can be manufactured to be on the same virtual plane 122P. That is, the predetermined sections can be located on a single straight line in the cross-sectional view of the electrode lead 12. In other words, before and after the edge 122, at least a portion of the electrode lead 12 can extend in the same direction, and the straight line connecting the starting point and the end point of the edge 122 can follow the extension direction of the electrode lead 12.

[0090] The predetermined sections may be selected in various ways according to the physical properties of the electrode lead 12 and the design of the battery module 2, which will be described later. For example, each predetermined section may be a section having a length of 1 mm or more at each side of the edge 122. Alternatively, each predetermined section may be shorter.

[0091] The edge 122 may have various shapes. For example, the edge 122 may have a plurality of sharp or obtuse angles, such as Figure 6 Alternatively, the edge 122 may be an arc-shaped shape with an arc-shaped longitudinal cross-section having a predetermined radius of curvature R, such as Figure 7 In particular, the edge 122 may be in an arc shape with a semicircular longitudinal cross section, and the semicircular longitudinal cross section has a predetermined radius of curvature R.

[0092] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 They are schematic diagrams showing the manufacturing process of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8and Fig. 9 The edge 122 may be formed by pressing the electrode lead 12 with a die having a shape corresponding to the edge 122 and plastically deforming the electrode lead 12. Alternatively, the edge 122 may be formed by bending the electrode lead 12.

[0093] The present invention also provides a structure of a battery module in which a battery cell stack manufactured by stacking a plurality of battery cells is accommodated. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a battery module according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0094] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The figures are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view showing a battery module, respectively. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The battery module 2 may include a battery cell stack 21 , a bus bar frame 211 and a housing 22 .

[0095] The battery cell stack 21 may be formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 1 in the thickness direction.

[0096] The bus bar frame 211 may be located at each of both length sides of the battery cell stack 21 .

[0097] The battery cell stack 21 and the bus bar frame 211 may be accommodated inside the housing 22 .

[0098] The housing 22 may include: a U-shaped frame 221 having an open top and open front and rear ends; a top plate 222 covering the open top of the U-shaped frame 221; and a pair of end plates 223, which respectively cover the open front and rear ends of the U-shaped frame 221. However, the housing 22 may have any shape as long as the six sides of the battery cell stack 21 and the bus bar frame 211 are covered.

[0099] The bus bar 213 may be provided at the bus bar frame 211 .

[0100] The electrode leads 12 may be connected to each other in series or in parallel by being welded to the bus bar 213 provided at the bus bar frame 211 .

[0101] Fig.10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an electrode lead welded to a bus bar in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.10 , the bus bar frame 211 may be provided with slits 212 penetrating the bus bar frame 211 in a length direction.

[0102] The bus bar 213 may be disposed at one or both sides of the slit 212 in the length direction of the bus bar frame 211. Here, the lateral ends of the bus bar 213 may protrude, be flush with, or be recessed relative to the lateral ends of the slit 212 to form a step.

[0103] The electrode lead 12 may protrude from the pouch 11 by extending from the electrode assembly 13 through the first sealing portion 111 a , pass through the slit 212 , and be welded to the bus bar 213 .

[0104] The electrode lead 12 may be bent at the first bent portion 123 a and the second bent portion 123 b such that ends thereof are close to the bus bar 213 .

[0105] A plurality of bent portions 123 may be provided. For example, the bent portion 123 may include a first bent portion 123 a provided at a portion where the first seal portion 111 a starts or ends, and a second bent portion 123 b adjacent to the slit 212 or the bus bar 213 .

[0106] In the process of bending the electrode lead 12 at each of the bends 123a and 123b, a springback phenomenon may occur in which the electrode lead 12 is not completely plastically deformed and elastically recovers to a certain extent. The degree of bending of the electrode lead 12 in each of the bends 123a and 123b is a very important factor in the springback phenomenon. This is because the greater the degree of bending of the electrode lead 12 in each of the bends 123a and 123b, the greater the plastic deformation rate, thereby reducing the springback phenomenon. The springback phenomenon greatly affects the welding strength between the electrode lead 12 and the bus bar 213 and the strength of the electrode lead 12 itself.

[0107] When the predetermined sections on both sides of the edge 122 are on the same virtual plane 122P, the bending degree of the electrode lead 12 in the bent portion 123 is the same as that of the planar electrode lead 12 without the edge 122. That is, the same angles can be formed before and after the edge 122 as in the case where the electrode lead 12 has no edge 122, so that the degree of the springback phenomenon can also be the same as in the case where the electrode lead 12 has no edge 122.

[0108] The advantage of this scheme is that while maintaining the conventional manufacturing process and conventional manufacturing equipment of a battery module comprising only battery cells without edges, the present invention can be implemented without a reduction in strength caused by the rebound phenomenon by simply including battery cells with edges in the battery module.

[0109] The predetermined section may be selected in various ways according to physical characteristics such as the bending radius of the bent portion 123 or the thickness of the electrode lead 12. For example, since the bending radius of the bent portion 123 increases as the elasticity of the electrode lead 12 increases, the predetermined section must be long enough so that the deformation of the bent portion 123 does not affect the edge 122. In the case of a typical electrode lead, a predetermined section of 1 mm or longer provides the same result as an electrode lead without the edge 122.

[0110] Meanwhile, an expansion phenomenon in which the pouch 11 is expanded by gas generated inside the pouch 11 may occur in the battery cell 1 .

[0111] Fig.11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing expansion in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.11 , when expansion occurs in the battery cell 1, the thickness of the battery cell stack 21 increases, so that the side wall of the U-shaped frame 221 may be deformed. Here, the battery cells 1 expand and push each other in the thickness direction, and therefore, displacement may occur in the battery cell 1 and the first bent portion 123a. This displacement may be greater for the battery cell 1 located on the outside in the thickness direction of the battery cell stack 21. A tensile load is applied to the electrode lead 12 according to the displacement, and the degree of bending of the first bent portion 123a may increase, thereby increasing the risk of damage or disconnection of the welding area between the electrode lead 12 and the bus bar 213 or the first bent portion 123a.

[0112] When the electrode lead 12 having the edge 122 according to the present invention is subjected to a tensile load due to displacement caused by expansion, the edge 122 is deformed substantially into a straight line so that its total length is extended. Therefore, the load applied to the welding area between the electrode lead 12 and the bus bar 213 and the first bent portion 123a is reduced, thereby preventing damage or disconnection.

[0113] As described above, since the displacement caused by expansion may be greater for the battery cell 1 located at the outside in the thickness direction of the battery cell stack 21, the battery cell stack 21 may include a longer segment of the electrode lead 12 having the edge 122 for the battery cell 1 of the battery cell stack 21 located further outward in the thickness direction of the battery cell stack 21. For example, the length of the electrode lead 12 having the edge 122 of the three outermost battery cells 1 of the battery cell stack 21 may gradually increase toward the outside in the thickness direction. Therefore, since the stronger the tensile load applied to the electrode lead 12, the greater the displacement of the battery cell 1, the greater the elongation limit of the electrode lead 12, thereby more effectively preventing the risk of damage or disconnection of the electrode lead 12.

[0114] Return to reference Figure 7, a longer length of the electrode lead 12 including the edge 122 of the semicircular cross-section having a constant radius of curvature R indicates that the radius of curvature R is larger.

[0115] Alternatively, the battery cell stack 21 may have a section in which the number of edges 122 provided at the electrode lead 12 may be greater for the battery cells 1 of the battery cell stack 21 located further outward in the thickness direction of the battery cell stack 21. Therefore, since the stronger the tensile load applied to the electrode lead 12, the greater the displacement of the battery cell 1, the greater the number of times the electrode lead 12 is extended, thereby more effectively preventing the risk of damage or disconnection of the electrode lead 12.

[0116] Since the displacement difference between each battery cell 1 due to expansion does not differ between the left and right sides, the battery cell stack 21 can be manufactured to be symmetrical about the center of its two thickness sides. That is, the battery cell stack can be manufactured to be symmetrical about a plane passing through its center, with the thickness direction as the normal direction. Alternatively, the battery cell stack 21 can be manufactured to be symmetrical about the center of its two thickness sides at least with respect to the edge 122.

[0117] Fig.12 and Fig.13 are perspective views showing a battery pack including a battery module according to the present invention and a vehicle including the battery pack, respectively. Fig.12 and Fig.13 , the present invention may provide a battery pack P including the battery module 2 and a vehicle V including the battery pack P. Because the structures of the battery pack P and the vehicle V are already known, additional description is omitted herein.

[0118] The above-described embodiments should be understood in all aspects to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and the scope of the present invention will be represented by the claims described later rather than the detailed description given above. In addition, all changes and modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the equivalent concepts and the patent claims to be described later should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention.

[0119] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrative drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and those skilled in the art may make various modifications within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. It is obvious that changes may occur. In addition, although the operational effects of the configuration according to the present invention are not explicitly described and explained while explaining the above embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the predictable effects caused by the configuration should also be recognized.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: A battery cell stack having a plurality of pouch-type battery cells stacked therein, each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells including an electrode lead protruding and extending from one end portion thereof in a length direction; as well as A busbar frame is provided at the length end of the battery cell stack and includes busbars connected to the electrode leads, wherein At least one of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells includes an edge capable of extending the electrode lead by deforming as both ends of the electrode lead are stretched, and The predetermined sections at both sides of the edge are disposed on substantially the same virtual plane as each other.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein The electrode lead includes at least one of the following: a first bent portion bent at the other side of the bus bar relative to the edge; and A second bent portion is bent at one side of the bus bar relative to the edge.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the predetermined sections includes a section of 1 mm or more at each of both sides of the edge.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The edge is in an arcuate shape with an arcuate longitudinal cross-section having a constant radius of curvature.

5. The battery module according to claim 4, wherein: The edge is in the shape of an arc with a semicircular longitudinal cross-section having a constant radius of curvature.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The edge is manufactured by plastically deforming each of the electrode leads by a mold having a shape corresponding to the edge.

7. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The edge is produced by bending the electrode lead.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The battery cell stack includes a section in which the extension limit of the edge increases toward the outside of the battery cell stack in the thickness direction of the battery cell stack.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: The edge is an arcuate shape with an arcuate longitudinal cross-section having a constant radius of curvature, and The battery cell stack includes a section where the radius of curvature of the edge provided at the electrode lead increases toward the outer side of the battery cell stack in a thickness direction of the battery cell stack.

10. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: The battery cell stack includes a section in which the number of the edges provided at the electrode leads increases toward the outer side of the battery cell stack in a thickness direction of the battery cell stack.

11. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: The two central thickness sides of the battery cell stack are symmetrical. 12 . A battery pack comprising the battery module according to claim 1 .

13. A vehicle comprising the battery pack according to claim 12.

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