Battery module and battery pack including same

Abstract

Disclosed is a battery module comprising: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module frame that stores a stack of battery cells; and a bus bar structure including a plurality of bus bars each electrically connected to the battery cells and a bus bar frame on which the bus bars are disposed, in which the bus bar frame includes a plurality of individual bus bar frames, and the individual bus bar frames are coupled to each other by a position guide member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the priority and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2022 - 0177291, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 16, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the battery module, and more particularly, to a battery module and a battery pack including the battery module that have an improved energy density by improving their assembly and reducing assembly tolerances. Background Art

[0004] With the development of technology and the growing demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source has increased rapidly. Therefore, many studies have been conducted on secondary batteries that can meet various demands.

[0005] Secondary batteries have received attention as a power source for, for example, electric bicycles, electric vehicles, or hybrid electric vehicles, and as an energy source for mobile devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, or laptop computers.

[0006] In recent years, the demand for high - capacity secondary battery structures and the use of secondary batteries as an energy storage source has been increasing. Therefore, the demand for battery packs with a medium - to - large module structure, which are used to aggregate battery modules each including a plurality of secondary batteries connected in series / parallel with each other, has been increasing.

[0007] A plurality of battery cells can be connected in series / parallel with each other to form a battery pack. In this case, a conventional method can be used to configure a battery module including at least one battery cell, and then another component can be added using at least one battery module to configure a battery pack. Specifically, a plurality of battery cells can be stacked to form a battery cell stack, and a bus bar structure can be installed on one surface and the other surface of the battery cell stack to be electrically connected to the battery cells.

[0008] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional battery module.

[0009] Referring to Figure 1 , a conventional battery module 10 may include a battery cell stack 12 in which a plurality of battery cells 11 are stacked, a module frame 20 that houses the battery cell stack 12, a bus bar structure 30 disposed on the front surface and / or the rear surface of the battery cell stack 12, and an end plate 40 that covers the front surface and / or the rear surface of the battery cell stack 12.

[0010] Among these components, the bus bar structure 30 may include a bus bar frame and at least one bus bar, and the bus bar may be electrically connected to the electrode leads protruding from the battery cells 11.

[0011] In this case, when the bus bar structure 30 is mounted on the battery cell stack 12 in a state where the battery cells 11 are stacked without any mechanical reference, the length of the electrode leads passing through the slits may be different from the expected length during their welding, resulting in welding defects between the electrode leads and the bus bars. Additionally, the battery cells 11 may be unevenly pressed by the bus bar frame, which may reduce battery safety and battery space utilization. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Technical Problem

[0013] The present disclosure attempts to provide a battery module having improved energy density, improved battery safety, and improved battery space utilization.

[0014] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above problems, and various extensions can be made within the scope of the spirit of the present disclosure included in the embodiments.

[0015] Technical Solution

[0016] According to an embodiment, a battery module includes: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module frame that stores the battery cell stack; and a bus bar structure that includes a plurality of bus bars each electrically connected to the battery cells and a bus bar frame on which the bus bars are disposed, wherein the bus bar frame includes a plurality of individual bus bar frames, and the individual bus bar frames are coupled to each other by position guiding members.

[0017] The position guiding members may include: guiding holes provided in the individual bus bar frames, and guiding pins provided to pass through the plurality of guiding holes.

[0018] The guiding pins may be pins extending in the stacking direction of the battery cell stack.

[0019] The guiding holes may be holes respectively provided at two ends of the bus bar frame in the height direction.

[0020] The guiding pins may have a higher stiffness than the bus bar frame.

[0021] The bus bar frame may include: a battery cell insertion part into which an electrode lead protruding from a front surface or a rear surface of a battery cell and a battery cell platform of a pouch case that is a part surrounding the electrode lead are inserted and mounted; and a slit that is connected to the battery cell insertion part and through which the electrode lead penetrates to the outside of the bus bar frame.

[0022] One surface of the electrode lead protruding to the outside of the bus bar frame may be an assembly reference surface, and in a plurality of battery cells, all the assembly reference surfaces may be constant.

[0023] The battery module may further include a pressing plate disposed inside the bus bar frame.

[0024] The pressing plate may contact one surface or the other surface of the electrode lead disposed in the bus bar frame, or contact one surface and the other surface of the electrode lead.

[0025] The pressing plate may be disposed in a pressing area that is an area included in the battery cell insertion part, and the pressing area may include a plate coupling part that penetrates the bus bar frame in a direction perpendicular to the battery cell insertion part and the slit in a plane.

[0026] A coupling member may be inserted into the plate coupling part to fix the bus bar and the pressing plate to each other.

[0027] The bus bar may be disposed in a bus bar mounting part that is a groove recessed in the bus bar frame.

[0028] The bus bar mounting part may be grooves respectively recessed in two surfaces of the bus bar frame, and include: a first bus bar mounting part disposed in one surface of the bus bar frame; and a second bus bar mounting part disposed in the other surface of the bus bar frame.

[0029] The first bus bar mounting part and the second bus bar mounting part may have corresponding dimensions to each other.

[0030] Each of the first bus bar mounting part and the second bus bar mounting part may have a dimension equal to half the dimension of the bus bar or a dimension larger than half the dimension of the bus bar.

[0031] The bus bar mounting part may include the first bus bar mounting part and the second bus bar mounting part of the bus bar frame adjacent to each other.

[0032] The bus bar may include bus bar coupling parts that are holes respectively provided at two ends of the bus bar in a height direction.

[0033] A bus bar joint portion can be inserted with a joint member to fixedly couple the bus bar to the bus bar mounting portion.

[0034] According to another embodiment, the battery pack includes the above-described battery module.

[0035] Advantageous Effects

[0036] According to the embodiment, the assembly tolerance between the battery cell stack and the bus bar structure can be reduced, thereby improving the battery energy density. Also, since the bus bar structure does not unevenly press the battery cell stack, the battery safety is improved at the same time.

[0037] In addition, the welding defect rate between the electrode leads of the battery cells and the bus bar can be reduced, thereby improving the battery efficiency.

[0038] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above effects, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional battery module.

[0040] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery cell of the present disclosure mounted on a bus bar structure.

[0042] Figure 4 shows Figure 3 a perspective view of a battery cell mounted on a bus bar structure.

[0043] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a battery cell and a bus bar structure viewed from the x-axis direction of Figure 4 the battery cell and the bus bar structure.

[0044] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the bus bar structure of the present disclosure combined with a guide pin.

[0045] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing stacked Figure 6 battery cells and a bus bar structure.

[0046] Figure 8 is a view showing the bus bar of the present disclosure mounted on a bus bar frame.

[0047] Figure 9 shows Figure 8 a view of the bus bar mounted on a bus bar frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure can be modified in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments provided in the specification.

[0049] To clearly describe the present disclosure, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and throughout the specification, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0050] In addition, the sizes and thicknesses of the respective components shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation. Therefore, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to what is shown in the drawings. In the drawings, the thicknesses are enlarged to clearly show several layers and regions. In addition, for convenience of explanation, in the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are enlarged.

[0051] In addition, when an element such as a layer, film, region, or plate is referred to as being "on" or "above" another element, the element can be "directly" on the other element, or a third element can be interposed therebetween. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly" on another element, there is no third element interposed therebetween. In addition, when an element is referred to as being "on" or "above" a reference element, the element can be disposed above or below the reference element and is not necessarily "on" or "above" the reference element in the opposite direction of gravity.

[0052] Throughout the specification, unless there is a contrary description, "including" any component will be understood to imply including other elements, rather than excluding other elements.

[0053] In addition, throughout the specification, the expression "on a plane" can represent the situation of observing the target from the top, while the expression "in a cross-section" can represent the situation of observing the cross-section taken in the vertical direction of the target from its side.

[0054] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] Referring to Figure 2 , a battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a battery cell stack 120 in which a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked, a module frame 200 that stores the battery cell stack 120, a bus bar structure 300 disposed on the front surface and / or the rear surface of the battery cell stack 120, and an end plate 400 disposed on the front surface and / or the rear surface of the bus bar structure 300.

[0056] The battery cell 110 can be a pouch-type battery cell. The pouch-type battery cell can be formed by storing an electrode assembly in a pouch case including a resin layer and a metal layer, and then heat-sealing a sealed portion of the pouch case. Here, the battery cell 110 can have a rectangular sheet-like structure.

[0057] A plurality of battery cells 110 can be provided, and the plurality of battery cells 110 can be stacked to be electrically connected to each other, thereby forming a battery cell stack 120. Specifically, the plurality of battery cells 110 can be stacked in a direction parallel to the x-axis.

[0058] The module frame 200 for storing the battery cell stack 120 can include a U-shaped frame 210 and a top cover 220.

[0059] The U-shaped frame 210 can include a bottom 210a and two side portions 211 extending upward from two end portions of the bottom 210a. The bottom 210a can cover the lower surface of the battery cell stack 120 (in the z-axis direction), and the side portions 211 can cover two side surfaces of the battery cell stack 120 (in the x-axis direction and the -x-axis direction).

[0060] The top cover 220 can have a plate-like structure surrounding the upper surface (in the z-axis direction) of the battery cell stack 120 except for its lower surface and two side surfaces surrounded by the U-shaped frame 210.

[0061] The top cover 220 and the U-shaped frame 210 can be joined to each other by welding or the like while their corresponding corners are in contact with each other, thereby forming a structure covering the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the battery cell stack 120. The battery cell stack 120 can be physically protected by the top cover 220 and the U-shaped frame 210. For this purpose, the top cover 220 and the U-shaped frame 210 can each include a metal material having a specific strength.

[0062] Meanwhile, although not shown in detail, the module frame 200 according to a modified example can be in the form of a single frame made of a metal plate in which its upper surface, lower surface, and two side surfaces are integrated with each other. That is, the U-shaped frame 210 and the top cover 220 can be not joined to each other, and can be manufactured by extrusion molding to have an integrated upper surface, lower surface, and two side surfaces with each other.

[0063] The bus bar structure 300 can be assembled and provided on the front surface and the rear surface of the battery cell stack 120 (in the y-axis direction and the -y-axis direction), and can include a bus bar 310 and a bus bar frame 330. More specifically, the bus bar structure 300 can be provided to cover the front surface and the rear surface of the battery cell stack 120 (in the y-axis direction and the -y-axis direction), and guide the connection between the battery cell stack 120 and an external device.

[0064] The bus bar 310 can be electrically connected to the respective electrode leads protruding from the battery cells 110. The bus bar 310 can electrically connect the battery cell stack 120 to the battery system.

[0065] The bus bar 310 can be mounted on the bus bar frame 330. The bus bar frame 330 can fix the position of the bus bar 310 and physically protect the battery cell stack 120 and the bus bar 310 from external impacts.

[0066] The bus bar frame 330 can contain an electrically insulating material. For example, the bus bar frame 330 can be plastic. The bus bar frame 330 can limit the contact of the bus bar 310 with the battery cells 110 except for the part where it is joined to the electrode leads and can prevent an electrical short circuit from occurring therein.

[0067] Multiple bus bar structures 300 can be provided. Specifically, each bus bar structure 300 can be arranged to correspond to at least one battery cell 110. That is, the bus bar structure 300 can include a plurality of bus bars 310 and a plurality of bus bar frames 330 that respectively correspond to the number of battery cells 110. The number of bus bar structures 300 can be the same as the number of battery cells 110 or can be less than the number of battery cells 110.

[0068] Multiple bus bars can be provided conventionally, and there is only one bus bar frame including the multiple bus bars. That is, multiple bus bars can be arranged while being fixed to one bus bar frame, and the shape and position of the bus bar frame can also be fixed. In addition, since there is no mechanical reference when forming the battery cell stack by stacking the battery cells, it is difficult to accurately align the positions of the battery cells in the length direction.

[0069] Therefore, when a conventionally fixed bus bar structure is mounted on a battery cell stack whose positions are uneven in the length direction, the electrode leads passing through the bus bar frame may have different lengths for each battery cell. Therefore, welding defects may occur between the electrode leads and the bus bar, which may reduce the battery efficiency. In addition, a conventional battery cell stack can have a fixed structure that completely covers the front surface and / or the rear surface of the battery cell stack. Therefore, the battery cell stack may be pressed unevenly, thus increasing the risk of battery cell damage and reducing the battery safety. In addition, assembly tolerances may occur between the battery cell stack and the bus bar frame, thus reducing the battery space utilization rate and the energy density.

[0070] On the other hand, the bus bar structure 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be respectively arranged to correspond to the front surface and / or the rear surface of each battery cell 110 or at least two battery cells 110. That is to say, a plurality of bus bar structures 300 can be not connected to each other and can be arranged separately. Therefore, there will be no assembly tolerance between the battery cell stack 120 and the bus bar structure 300, thereby improving the battery space utilization rate and energy density. In addition, the bus bar structure 300 can not apply uneven pressure to the battery cell 110, so as to prevent the shape change or damage of the soft package housing, thereby improving the battery assembly, safety and structural stability.

[0071] The end plate 400 can cover the battery cell stack 120 by being arranged on the open first side surface and the second side surface of the module frame 200 (in the y-axis direction and the -y-axis direction). The end plate 400 can physically protect the battery cell stack 120 and other electronic components from the influence of external impacts.

[0072] Meanwhile, although not shown in detail, a bus bar frame with bus bars installed and an insulating cover for electrical insulation can be arranged between the battery cell stack 120 and the end plate 400.

[0073] Hereinafter, the specification describes in more detail the installation of the battery cell of the present disclosure on the bus bar structure.

[0074] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the installation of the battery cell of the present disclosure on the bus bar structure. Figure 4 is a view showing Figure 3 the perspective view of the battery cell installed on the bus bar structure. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the battery cell and the bus bar structure viewed from the x-axis direction of Figure 4 the battery cell and the bus bar structure.

[0075] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 the battery cell 110 of the present disclosure can be installed on the bus bar frame 330. Specifically, one battery cell 110 can be installed on one bus bar frame 330.

[0076] The battery cell 110 can include electrode leads 150 protruding from the front surface and the rear surface of the battery cell 110 (in the y-axis direction and the -y-axis direction), and the electrode leads 150 can be installed in the bus bar frame 330 while passing through the bus bar frame 330.

[0077] The bus bar frame 330 may include: a battery cell insertion part 331 into which the electrode lead 150 and the battery cell platform 130 (which is a pouch case surrounding a part of the electrode lead 150) are inserted and mounted; and a slit 332 connected to the battery cell insertion part 331 through which the electrode lead 150 can penetrate to the outside of the bus bar frame 330.

[0078] The battery cell insertion part 331 may be a hole provided on one side of the bus bar frame 330 and connected to the slit 332. The battery cell insertion part 331 may be an area into which the electrode lead 150 and the battery cell platform 130 are inserted into the bus bar frame 330. The battery cell insertion part 331 may be a hole provided on the side of the bus bar frame 330 close to the battery cell 110.

[0079] The shape of the battery cell insertion part 331 may correspond to the shape of the battery cell platform 130. The battery cell platform 130 may be an area extending from the main body of the pouch case and is sealed to seal the electrode assembly. The electrode lead 150 may protrude from one side and the other side of the battery cell platform 130, specifically, from the front and the rear of the battery cell platform 130 (in the y-axis direction and the -y-axis direction).

[0080] The slit 332 may be a hole provided on the other side of the bus bar frame 330 and connected to the battery cell insertion part 331. The slit 332 may be a hole through which the electrode lead 150 inserted into the battery cell insertion part 331 penetrates to the outside of the bus bar frame 330. The slit 332 may be a hole provided on the other side of the bus bar frame 330 far from the battery cell 110.

[0081] The shape of the slit 332 may correspond to the shape of the electrode lead 150. In this case, the size of the slit 332 that only accommodates the electrode lead 150 may be smaller than the battery cell insertion part 331 that accommodates the battery cell platform 130.

[0082] The bus bar frame 330 may include the battery cell insertion part 331 and the slit 332 that respectively penetrate one side and the other side of the bus bar frame 330. The battery cell platform 130 and the electrode lead 150 may be inserted into the battery cell insertion part 331, and the electrode lead 150 may penetrate through the bus bar frame 330 through the slit 332 and protrude to the outside.

[0083] However, not only the battery cell platform 130 and the electrode lead 150 may be provided in the bus bar frame 330, but also the pressing plate 350 may be inserted into the bus bar frame 330.

[0084] The pressing plate 350 can be a plate inserted and disposed in the bus bar frame 330. The pressing plate 350 can be a flat plate having a height corresponding to the height of the electrode lead 150 (in the z-axis direction), and the pressing plate 350 is not limited to this shape. Although not shown in this figure, the pressing plate 350 can have a hollow shape with a middle opening and enable the electrode lead 150 to penetrate therethrough.

[0085] The pressing plate 350 can be made of an insulating material similar to that of the bus bar frame 330. This configuration is used to prevent a short circuit from occurring by being electrically connected to the electrode lead 150 which is a conductor.

[0086] The pressing plate 350 can be in contact with one surface and / or the other surface of the electrode lead 150. Specifically, the pressing plate 350 can be inserted into the battery cell insertion part 331 so as to be disposed together in the area of the bus bar frame 330 where the electrode lead 150 is disposed.

[0087] The area of the bus bar frame 330 where the pressing plate 350 is disposed can be a pressing area PA. The pressing area PA can be an area included in the battery cell insertion part 331 and can be an area of the bus bar frame 330 where the electrode lead 150 and the pressing plate 350 are disposed. Here, the width of the pressing area PA can correspond to the sum of the width of the electrode lead 150 and the width of the pressing plate 350. Specifically, the width of the pressing area PA can be equal to or greater than the sum of the width of the electrode lead 150 and the width of the pressing plate 350.

[0088] That is to say, the pressing plate 350 can be disposed together with the electrode lead 150 in the bus bar frame 330 to press the electrode lead 150, thereby reducing the assembly tolerance between the electrode lead 150 and the bus bar frame 330.

[0089] When disposed together in the bus bar frame 330, the pressing plate 350 and the electrode lead 150 can be fixed using a coupling member 360 coupled to the plate coupling part 333.

[0090] The plate coupling part 333 can be a hole disposed in the pressing area PA and penetrating one surface of the bus bar frame 330 to be connected to the pressing area PA. Specifically, the plate coupling part 333 can be a hole connected to the pressing area PA by penetrating one surface of the bus bar frame 330 in a direction perpendicular to the battery cell insertion part 331 and the slit 332 on a plane.

[0091] The coupling member 360 can be inserted into the plate coupling part 333. The coupling member 360 inserted into the plate coupling part 333 can be, for example, a headless bolt, and is not limited thereto as long as the coupling member 360 fixes the pressing plate 350.

[0092] In summary, the coupling member 360 can press and fix the electrode lead 150 and the pressing plate 350 by being inserted and fixed to the board coupling portion 333. Therefore, the electrode lead 150 and the pressing plate 350 can be more firmly fixed to each other, thereby improving the coupling force and fixing force between the battery cell 110 and the bus bar frame 330.

[0093] In addition, the bus bar frame 330 of the present disclosure may include guide holes 335. The guide holes 335 may be holes respectively provided at two ends of the bus bar frame 330 in the height direction (or in the z-axis direction). Specifically, the guide holes 335 may be holes penetrating the bus bar frame 330 in a direction perpendicular to the battery cell insertion portion 331 and the slit 332 on a plane (xy plane).

[0094] The guide holes 335 may be areas where the guide pins 370 described below are provided. The guide pins 370 may be provided to pass through the guide holes 335, thereby guiding the stacking position between the battery cell stack 120 and the bus bar frame 330. Figure 6 and Figure 7 Referring to

[0095] Referring to Figure 5 , one battery cell 110 may be mounted and fixed to one bus bar frame 330, and the electrode lead 150 may protrude outside the bus bar frame 330. In this case, the electrode lead 150 protruding outside the bus bar frame 330 may be a reference for assembling the battery cell 110 and the bus bar frame 330 to each other.

[0096] Specifically, one surface of the electrode lead 150 protruding outside the bus bar frame 330 may be an assembly reference surface 160. The assembly reference surface 160 may be a surface having a fixed width w1 and a fixed height h1, and may be a reference surface for setting the width w1 and height h1 of each electrode lead 150 of the plurality of battery cells 110. The width w1 of the assembly reference surface 160 may be its length in the direction in which the electrode lead 150 protrudes, and the height h1 of the assembly reference surface 160 may be the length of the electrode lead 150 perpendicular to the width w1. Here, the assembly reference surface 160 may vary based on the battery specifications. Therefore, the width w1 and height h1 of the electrode lead 150 may be adjusted based on the battery specifications.

[0097] That is, when setting the assembly reference surface 160, the plurality of battery cells 110 and the corresponding bus bar frames 330 may be assembled to each other such that the electrode leads 150 protrude outside the bus bar frames 330 through the set assembly reference surface 160.

[0098] In summary, due to the set assembly reference surface 160, the bonding reference between the battery cell 110 and the bus bar frame 330 can be set, and the battery cell 110 and the bus bar frame 330 can thus be bonded to each other with specific specifications. Therefore, the length of the electrode lead 150 protruding from the bus bar frame 330 can be easily controlled, and thus, the expected length of the electrode lead 150 during welding can be kept constant. Therefore, even in the electrical connection between the bus bar 310 and the electrode lead 150, the welding defect rate of the electrode lead 150 can be reduced.

[0099] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the combination of the bus bar structure of the present disclosure and the guide pin. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the Figure 6 stacked battery cells and the bus bar structure.

[0100] Referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the battery cells 110 combined with the bus bar frame 330 as shown in Figures 3 to 5 can be stacked to form the battery cell stack 120.

[0101] In this case, the guide pin 370 can be inserted into the guide hole 335 provided in the bus bar frame 330. Specifically, the guide pin 370 can be inserted through and pass through one guide hole 335, and the guide pin 370 passing through one guide hole 335 can be inserted through another guide hole 335, so as to stack a plurality of battery cells 110 and bus bar frames 330. The guide hole 335 and the guide pin 370 can be position guiding members for guiding the stacking position of the bus bar frame 330.

[0102] The guide pin 370 can be a pin extending in the stacking direction (or x-axis direction) of the battery cell stack 120. As described above, the guide pin 370 can align the bus bar frames 330 by passing through the guide holes 335 (holes respectively provided at two ends of the bus bar frame 330 in the height direction (or z-axis direction)). That is, the guide pin 370 can align a plurality of bus bar frames 330 by passing through a plurality of guide holes 335 provided in the plurality of bus bar frames 330.

[0103] The guide pin 370 can be combined with two guide holes 335 respectively provided at two ends of the bus bar frame 330 in the height direction (or z-axis direction), or can be provided only at one end of the bus bar frame 330 in the height direction (or z-axis direction), as shown in this figure.

[0104] The guide pin 370 can be made of a material with high stiffness. The stiffness of the guide pin 370 can be higher than that of the bus bar frame 330. For example, the guide pin 370 can be a metal rod.

[0105] When stacking the battery cells 110 and the bus bar frame 330 respectively combined therewith based on the guide pins 370, the battery cell stack 120 can have reduced assembly deviation. Specifically, when stacking the battery cells 110 based on the guide pins 370, the battery cells 110 can be stacked in sequence at the same positions as the guide pins 370. Therefore, the assembly deviation of the battery cell stack 120 in the leftward and rightward directions (or the x-axis direction and the -x-axis direction) can be reduced. Therefore, the outermost battery cells 110 of the battery cell stack 120 can all be arranged on the same line. Therefore, the space utilization rate of the battery module, battery pack or battery device and the battery energy density can be improved.

[0106] In addition, the bus bar frame 330 can be made of an insulating material, and thus has relatively low stiffness. However, the guide pins 370 made of a material having relatively higher stiffness than the bus bar frame 330 can be combined with the bus bar frame 330, thereby improving the stiffness of the bus bar frame 330. Therefore, the overall stiffness and durability of the battery can also be improved, thereby enhancing battery safety.

[0107] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing the bus bar of the present disclosure mounted on the bus bar frame. Figure 9 It is shown Figure 8 The diagram of the bus bar mounted on the bus bar frame.

[0108] Referring to Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the bus bar 310 can be disposed between one bus bar frame 330 and an adjacent bus bar frame 330 stacked as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 .

[0109] The bus bar 310 can be a metal plate and can be in contact with and electrically connected to the electrode leads 150. The bus bar 310 can be disposed between one electrode lead 150 and an adjacent electrode lead 150. Specifically, the bus bar 310 can be mounted on the bus bar frame 330 disposed between the adjacent electrode leads 150.

[0110] The bus bar 310 can include bus bar coupling portions 311 that are holes respectively provided at two end portions of the bus bar 310 in the height direction (or z-axis direction).

[0111] The bus bar coupling portions 311 can be holes penetrating the bus bar 310. Due to the coupling members 360 passing through the bus bar coupling portions 311, the bus bar 310 can be fixedly mounted on the bus bar frame 330. The coupling members 360 can be, for example, bolts or the like.

[0112] The bus bar 310 can be disposed in the bus bar mounting portion 337.

[0113] The bus bar mounting portion 337 can be a groove recessed in the bus bar frame 330 and can be an area where the bus bar 310 is mounted. The bus bar mounting portion 337 can be grooves recessed in two surfaces of the bus bar frame 330 respectively. More specifically, the bus bar mounting portion 337 can be a groove provided between the slits 332 (see Figure 3 and Figure 4 ).

[0114] The bus bar mounting portion 337 can include a first bus bar mounting portion 337a provided in one surface of the bus bar frame 330 and a second bus bar mounting portion 337b provided in the other surface of the bus bar frame 330.

[0115] The first bus bar mounting portion 337a and the second bus bar mounting portion 337b can have dimensions corresponding to each other. Specifically, the first bus bar mounting portion 337a and the second bus bar mounting portion 337b can have the same dimensions.

[0116] Each of the first bus bar mounting portion 337a and the second bus bar mounting portion 337b can have a dimension corresponding to half of the dimension of the bus bar 310. Specifically, each of the first bus bar mounting portion 337a and the second bus bar mounting portion 337b can have the same dimension as half of the dimension of the bus bar 310 or a dimension larger than half of the dimension of the bus bar 310.

[0117] Therefore, when one bus bar frame 330 and another adjacent bus bar frame 330 are stacked, the first bus bar mounting portion 337a of one bus bar frame 330 and the second bus bar mounting portion 337b of the other adjacent bus bar frame 330 can form a bus bar mounting portion 337. That is to say, one bus bar mounting portion 337 can include the first bus bar mounting portion 337a and the second bus bar mounting portion 337b of the bus bar frames 330 adjacent to each other. In this case, one bus bar 310 can be mounted on one bus bar mounting portion 337.

[0118] In short, the bus bar 310 can be mounted in the groove of the bus bar mounting portion 337, and due to the coupling member 360 inserted through the bus bar coupling portion 311, the bus bar 310 can be more firmly fixedly coupled to the bus bar mounting portion 337. In addition, although not shown in this figure, the bus bar mounting portion 337 can have additional grooves that can fix the coupling member 360, thereby improving its fixing force with the bus bar 310.

[0119] Refer to Figure 9, the bus bar 310 can be installed on the bus bar installation part 337, and then the electrode lead 150 can be bent toward the bus bar 310 and brought into contact with and electrically connected to the bus bar 310.

[0120] Specifically, the bus bar 310 installed on the bus bar installation part 337 can be disposed between the electrode leads 150 of the respective adjacent bus bar frames 330. In this case, the respective electrode leads 150 can be bent toward the bus bar 310 and brought into contact with the bus bar 310. The electrode lead 150 in contact with the bus bar 310 can be fixed to the bus bar 310 by welding or the like and electrically connected thereto.

[0121] In this case, when the electrode lead 150 protruding outside the bus bar frame 330 is used as a reference surface, the plurality of electrode leads 150 can all have a constant length. Accordingly, the welding defect rate between the electrode lead 150 and the bus bar 310 can be reduced, thereby improving the battery energy density.

[0122] The above-described bus bar structure and the battery module including the bus bar structure can be applied to various devices. Such devices can be applied to, for example, transportation devices such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and can be applied to any of various devices that can use the battery module and the battery pack including the battery module, which also falls within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0123] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, various modifications and changes made by those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present disclosure defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0124] <Explanation of Reference Numerals>

[0125] 100: Battery module

[0126] 150: Electrode lead

[0127] 160: Assembly reference surface

[0128] 200: Module frame

[0129] 300: Bus bar structure

[0130] 310: Bus bar

[0131] 311: Bus bar joint

[0132] 330: Bus bar frame

[0133] 331: Lead insertion part

[0134] 332: Slit

[0135] 333: Plate joint

[0136] 335: Guide hole

[0137] 337: Bus bar mounting part

[0138] 350: Pressing plate

[0139] 360: Coupling member

[0140] 370: Guide pin

[0141] 400: End plate

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module frame that stores the battery cell stack; and a bus bar structure that includes a plurality of bus bars each electrically connected to the battery cells and a bus bar frame, and the bus bars are disposed on the bus bar frame, wherein the bus bar frame includes a plurality of individual bus bar frames, and the individual bus bar frames are joined to each other by position guiding members.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the position guiding member includes: a guiding hole provided in the individual bus bar frame, and a guiding pin provided to pass through a plurality of the guiding holes.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the guiding pin is a pin extending in the stacking direction of the battery cell stack.

4. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the guiding holes are holes respectively provided at two ends of the bus bar frame in the height direction.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the guiding pin has a higher stiffness than the bus bar frame.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the bus bar frame includes: a battery cell insertion portion into which an electrode lead protruding from a front surface or a rear surface of the battery cell and a battery cell platform of a soft package case that surrounds a part of the electrode lead are inserted and mounted; and a slit connected to the battery cell insertion portion, and the electrode lead passes through the slit to the outside of the bus bar frame.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein one surface of the electrode lead protruding to the outside of the bus bar frame is an assembly reference surface, and among the plurality of battery cells, all of the assembly reference surfaces are constant.

8. The battery module according to claim 6, further comprising a pressing plate disposed inside the bus bar frame.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein the pressing plate contacts one surface or the other surface of the electrode lead disposed inside the bus bar frame, or contacts the one surface and the other surface of the electrode lead.

10. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein the pressing plate is disposed in a pressing area that is an area included in the battery cell insertion portion, and the pressing area includes a plate joining portion that penetrates the bus bar frame in a direction perpendicular to the battery cell insertion portion and the slit in a plane.

11. The battery module according to claim 10, wherein a joining member is inserted into the plate joining portion to fix the bus bar and the pressing plate to each other.

12. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the bus bar is disposed in a bus bar mounting portion that is a groove recessed in the bus bar frame.

13. The battery module according to claim 12, wherein The bus bar mounting part is the groove respectively recessed in two surfaces of the bus bar frame, and the bus bar mounting part includes: a first bus bar mounting part disposed in one surface of the bus bar frame; and a second bus bar mounting part disposed in the other surface of the bus bar frame.

14. The battery module according to claim 13, wherein, the first bus bar mounting part and the second bus bar mounting part have corresponding dimensions to each other.

15. The battery module according to claim 14, wherein, each of the first bus bar mounting part and the second bus bar mounting part has a dimension same as or larger than half of the dimension of the bus bar.

16. The battery module according to claim 13, wherein, the bus bar mounting part includes the first bus bar mounting part and the second bus bar mounting part of the bus bar frame adjacent to each other.

17. The battery module according to claim 12, wherein, the bus bar includes a bus bar coupling part, and the bus bar coupling part is holes respectively disposed at two ends of the bus bar in the height direction.

18. The battery module according to claim 17, wherein, a coupling member is inserted into the bus bar coupling part to fixedly couple the bus bar with the bus bar mounting part.

19. A battery pack includes the battery module according to claim 1.

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