Bus bar assembly, method for assembling cell using the same, and battery pack including

Abstract

A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: a plurality of cells including an electrode terminal on one side of a case; a battery cell fixing plate, wherein the plurality of battery cells are combined to the battery cell fixing plate; the battery cell fixing plate can be arranged on the lower side of the plurality of battery cells, the bus bar assembly is electrically connected with the plurality of battery cells, the battery cell fixing plate can be arranged on the lower side of the battery cell fixing plate, and the bus bar assembly can be arranged on the lower side of the battery cell fixing plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bus bar assembly, a method for assembling battery cells using the same, and a battery pack including the same. Background Art

[0002] A secondary battery refers to a battery in which the conversion between chemical energy and electrical energy is reversible, so that charging and discharging can be repeatedly performed.

[0003] Such secondary batteries can be used as energy sources for electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, energy storage systems (ESS), etc., which have recently attracted much attention, including mobile devices.

[0004] Secondary batteries can be used in a form in which one or more battery cells are electrically connected. The battery cells can be manufactured as flexible pouch-type battery cells or rigid prismatic or cylindrical can-type battery cells. In particular, for electric vehicles, etc. that require high power characteristics, they can be used in the form of a battery module or a battery pack. The battery module is formed by electrically connecting one or more battery cell stacks stacked with multiple battery cells, and the battery pack is formed by electrically connecting one or more battery modules.

[0005] In recent years, the "Cell to Pack" method in which one or more battery cells directly form a battery pack instead of forming a battery module has attracted much attention. Since the Cell to Pack method omits the battery module, it has the advantages of reducing the number of components and dead space and increasing the energy density.

[0006] On the other hand, among multiple battery cells assembled in the Cell to Pack method, the battery cells are attached to the bottom surface of the battery pack housing through an adhesive material or tape. However, the battery cells cannot be firmly fixed to the battery pack housing only by tape or the like, so there is a problem that the battery cells are likely to move due to external impact, vibration, etc. Summary of the Invention

[0007] (I) Technical Problem to be Solved

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a bus bar assembly capable of easily electrically connecting battery cells, a method for assembling battery cells using the same, and a battery pack including the same.

[0009] (II) Technical Solution

[0010] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a plurality of battery cells including electrode terminals located on one side of a housing; a battery cell fixing plate to which the plurality of battery cells are coupled; and a bus bar assembly electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells. The battery cell fixing plate may be disposed below the plurality of battery cells, and the bus bar assembly may be disposed below the battery cell fixing plate.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bus bar assembly may include: a plurality of bus bars electrically connected to the electrode terminals; a bus bar plate on which the plurality of bus bars are disposed; and a spring elastically supporting the plurality of bus bars.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of bus bars may include: an assembly groove to which the electrode terminal is coupled; and an extension portion extending in the length direction or the width direction of the bus bar plate with reference to the assembly groove.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrode terminal may include an assembly protrusion inserted into the assembly groove. When the assembly protrusion is coupled to the assembly groove, the plurality of battery cells may be electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the assembly protrusion may be a semi-circular shape.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the spring may be one of a compression spring or a leaf spring.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell fixing plate may include: a base; and a plurality of coupling holes formed in the base and including a first hole into which a positive terminal among the electrode terminals is inserted and a second hole into which a negative terminal among the electrode terminals is inserted. The first hole and the second hole may include: a first portion having a first width; and a second portion having a second width smaller than the first width.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bus bar assembly may be arranged such that the extension portion faces the first portion and the assembly groove faces the second portion.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of battery cells may include: a cover plate coupled to one side of the housing and provided with the electrode terminals; and a separating protrusion separating one surface of the electrode terminal from the cover plate. The width of the electrode terminal may not be greater than the first width, and the width of the separating protrusion is equal to the second width.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of battery cells may include: a cover plate coupled to one side of the housing and provided with the electrode terminals; and coupling protrusions respectively provided on one side of the positive terminal and one side of the negative terminal and passing through the first hole and the second hole. The coupling protrusion may include a portion having a width not greater than the first width and a portion having a width equal to the second width.

[0020] A bus bar assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention may be disposed on the lower plate side of a battery pack housing. The bus bar assembly may include: a plurality of bus bars electrically connected to electrode terminals of a plurality of battery cells; a bus bar plate on which the plurality of bus bars are disposed; and springs elastically supporting the plurality of bus bars.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of bus bars may include: an assembly groove to which the electrode terminal is coupled; and an extension portion extending in the length direction or the width direction of the bus bar plate with respect to the assembly groove as a reference.

[0022] A method of assembling battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a vertical movement step of vertically moving a battery cell group composed of a plurality of battery cells toward a battery cell fixing plate and a bus bar assembly, the bus bar assembly being disposed below the battery cell fixing plate and including a plurality of bus bars; and a horizontal movement step of horizontally moving or rotating the battery cell group on the battery cell fixing plate and the bus bar assembly so that the plurality of battery cells are fixed to the battery cell fixing plate and the bus bar assembly.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrode terminal may include an assembly protrusion, and the plurality of bus bars may include an assembly groove having a shape corresponding to the assembly protrusion. In the horizontal movement step, the assembly protrusion may be inserted into the assembly groove.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell fixing plate may include a plurality of coupling holes into which the electrode terminals are inserted, and the plurality of coupling holes include: a first portion having a first width; and a second portion having a second width smaller than the first width. In the horizontal movement step, the electrode terminals may move from the first portion side to the second portion side.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell may include: a cover plate coupled to one side of the housing and provided with the electrode terminals; and a separation protrusion separating one surface of the electrode terminal from the cover plate. The width of the electrode terminal may not be greater than the first width, and the width of the separation protrusion may be equal to the second width.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of bus bars may include an extension portion extending to one side with respect to the assembly groove. The extension portion may face the first portion, and the assembly groove may face the second portion.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the second portions of the first hole and the second hole are formed in the same direction, and the assembly grooves of the bus bar are formed in the same direction, in the horizontal movement step, the battery cell group can be horizontally moved on the battery cell fixing plate and the bus bar assembly.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the second portions of the first hole and the second hole are formed in different directions from each other, and the bus bar facing the first hole and the bus bar facing the second hole are arranged in different directions from each other, in the horizontal movement step, the battery cell group can be rotated on the battery cell fixing plate and the bus bar assembly.

[0029] (III) Beneficial effects

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell can be electrically connected to the bus bar without a separate welding process. In addition, the battery cell is electrically connected to the bus bar while being combined with the battery cell fixing plate, so the assembly process can be simplified. Description of the drawings

[0031] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell fixing plate and a bus bar assembly in a battery cell assembled state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 is a view showing a state in which a battery cell is assembled to a battery cell fixing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a rear view of

[0034] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a battery cell fixing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a side view of the battery cell of

[0037] Figure 7a and Figure 7b are views for explaining a method of assembling a battery cell to a battery cell fixing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a bus bar assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 9a and Figure 9bIt is a diagram for explaining a method of assembling an electric cell into a bus bar assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 10 It is a perspective view of an electric cell according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 11a and Figure 11b It is a diagram for explaining a method of assembling an electric cell into an electric cell fixing plate according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 12a and Figure 12b It is a perspective view of a bus bar assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description

[0043] Before explaining the present invention in detail, terms or words used in the following description of this specification and claims should not be construed restrictively as ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the terms to explain his invention by the best method, as meanings and concepts conforming to the technical idea of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as completely representing all the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and variations that can replace these embodiments at the time of filing this application.

[0044] The same reference numerals or symbols described in the respective drawings of this specification denote components or assemblies that substantially perform the same function. For ease of explanation and understanding, the same reference numerals or symbols may also be used to describe in different embodiments. That is, even if components with the same reference numerals are shown in multiple drawings, it does not mean that multiple drawings all represent one embodiment.

[0045] In the following description, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning, singular expressions include plural expressions. Terms such as "including" or "comprising" refer to the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not preclude the presence or possibility of addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0046] In addition, in the following description, expressions such as upper side, upper part, lower side, lower part, side, front, and rear are made based on the directions shown in the drawings. If the directions of the corresponding objects change, they can be expressed in different ways.

[0047] In addition, ordinal terms such as "first" and "second" used in this specification may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by such terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components. For example, without departing from the scope of the rights of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be named the first component.

[0048] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cell fixing plate and a bus bar assembly in a cell assembly state according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a view showing a state in which a cell is assembled to a cell fixing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is Figure 2 a rear view of Figure 4 is a perspective view of a cell fixing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a cell 100 may be disposed in a battery pack (not shown) in a state assembled to a cell fixing plate 200. In addition, the cell 100 may be assembled to a bus bar assembly 300 together with the cell fixing plate 200. That is, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may include Figure 1 the structure shown in

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cell fixing plate 200 may be a configuration provided in a battery pack housing of a battery pack. For example, the cell fixing plate 200 may be a configuration provided in a lower plate (not shown) forming the bottom surface of the battery pack. The cell fixing plate 200 may be one of a plurality of components forming the battery pack housing.

[0052] A plurality of cells 100 may be provided on the cell fixing plate 200. The plurality of cells 100 may be arranged in a matrix along the length direction (or x direction) and the width direction (or y direction) of the cell fixing plate 200.

[0053] The cell fixing plate 200 may include a base 210, a guide groove 220, a partition 230, and a coupling hole 240. The guide groove 220, the partition 230, and the coupling hole 240 may all be provided on the base 210.

[0054] The guiding grooves 220 and the partition plates 230 can be provided on the opposite surface of the surface where the battery cells 100 are arranged. For example, the guiding grooves 220 and the partition plates 230 can be provided on the bottom surface of the base 210. The guiding grooves 220 and the partition plates 230 can be alternately arranged along the width direction of the base 210. The interval between two adjacent partition plates 230 in the width direction of the base 210 can be the width of the guiding groove 220. For example, the width of the guiding groove 220 can be substantially the same as the width of the battery cell 100. Therefore, the battery cells 100 can be fixedly arranged in the guiding grooves 220.

[0055] The partition plates 230 can be alternately arranged with the guiding grooves 220 to separate adjacent guiding grooves 220. Therefore, the battery cells 100 arranged in different guiding grooves 220 can be spatially and thermally separated on at least one side. For example, the space separated by the partition plates 230 can be filled with air (air gap), and the heat transfer between the battery cells 100 arranged in different guiding grooves 220 can be blocked and delayed.

[0056] The coupling holes 240 are holes that penetrate the base 210 in the thickness direction, and the battery cells 100 can be fixed to the base 210 through the coupling holes 240. For example, the battery cells 100 can be fixed to the base 210 in a state where the electrode terminals 131 and 132 pass through the coupling holes 240.

[0057] The coupling holes 240 can be formed on the base 210 at a predetermined interval along the length direction of the guiding grooves 220 (the same as the length direction of the base 210). Refer to Figure 3 , the coupling holes 240 can include a first hole 241 and a second hole 242 with different shapes, and the first hole 241 and the second hole 242 can be alternately formed along the length direction of the guiding grooves 220.

[0058] Before explaining the coupling holes 240 in detail, the battery cell 100 will be described first.

[0059] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is Figure 5 a side view of the battery cell, Figure 10 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] As Figure 5 shown, the battery cells 100 arranged on the battery cell fixing plate 200 can be prismatic battery cells. A prismatic battery cell refers to a battery cell in which the housing 110 containing the electrode assembly and the electrolyte has a flat and angular shape.

[0061] The cover plate 120 can be coupled to one side of the housing 110. The cover plate 120 can be provided with electrode terminals 131, 132 and an exhaust portion 140. In addition, an electrolyte injection port 150 for injecting electrolyte into the interior of the housing 110 can be further provided.

[0062] The battery cells 100 disposed adjacent to each other in the battery pack can be electrically connected through the electrode terminals 131, 132 (more specifically, through the bus bars coupled to the electrode terminals). The electrode terminals 131, 132 can include a positive electrode terminal 131 and a negative electrode terminal 132, and the positive electrode terminal 131 and the negative electrode terminal 132 can be disposed at intervals in the longitudinal direction on the cover plate 120. In addition, the above-mentioned exhaust portion 140 can be disposed between the positive electrode terminal 131 and the negative electrode terminal 132.

[0063] Referring to Figure 5 , a separating protrusion 133 that separates the wide surfaces of the electrode terminals 131, 132 from the cover plate 120 can be formed between the electrode terminals 131, 132 and the cover plate 120. The separating protrusion 133 can be a part of the electrode terminals 131, 132, or a part of an insulating plate (not shown) disposed between the electrode terminals 131, 132 and the cover plate 120.

[0064] More specifically, the housing 110 and the cover plate 120 of the prismatic battery cell can be made of a material containing aluminum, so the housing 110 and the cover plate 120 themselves can be the positive electrode. Therefore, the positive electrode terminal 131 can be designed to be in direct contact with the cover plate 120, but an insulating plate for electrically insulating the negative electrode terminal 132 and the cover plate 120 needs to be provided between the negative electrode terminal 132 and the cover plate 120. Therefore, Figure 5 the shown separating protrusion 133 can be a part of the positive electrode terminal 131, or can be a part of the insulating plate disposed between the negative electrode terminal 132 and the cover plate 120.

[0065] Referring to Figure 6 , the electrode terminals 131, 132 have a first width B1, and the separating protrusion 133 can have a second width B2 smaller than the first width B1. Therefore, when viewed from the longitudinal direction (or x direction), the electrode terminal portions 131, 132 can have a "T-shaped" cross section.

[0066] The separating protrusion 133 can be formed with a narrower second width B2 than the electrode terminals 131, 132 in order to fix the battery cell 100 to the base 210, which will be described in detail later.

[0067] In addition, referring to Figure 5, the electrode terminals 131 and 132 may include fitting protrusions 134. Each of the electrode terminals 131 and 132 may include two fitting protrusions 134. For example, the fitting protrusions 134 may have a curved surface, preferably a semi-circular shape. The fitting protrusions 134 may be spaced apart in the length direction (or x-direction) of the battery cell 100 on the electrode terminals 131 and 132. The fitting protrusions 134 may be the portions electrically connected to the bus bar 320 of the bus bar assembly 300, which will be described in detail later.

[0068] On the other hand, although this specification mainly describes the embodiment in which the battery cell 100 is fixed to the base 210 in a state where the electrode terminals 131 and 132 pass through the coupling holes 240, as Figure 10 shown, the battery cell 100 may also include a separate configuration for fixing to the coupling holes 240.

[0069] Referring to Figure 10 , the battery cell 100 may include coupling protrusions 160 that are fixed to the coupling holes 240 instead of the electrode terminals 131 and 132. Similar to the electrode terminal portions 131 and 132 in the above embodiment, the coupling protrusions 160 may include a portion having a first width C1 and a portion having a second width C2, but may be made of an insulating material.

[0070] The coupling protrusions 160 may be provided on the cover plate 120 together with the electrode terminals 131 and 132. The coupling protrusions 160 may be respectively provided on one side of the positive electrode terminal 131 and one side of the negative electrode terminal 132. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the coupling protrusions 160 may be provided inside the electrode terminals 131 and 132 with respect to the exhaust portion 140 provided at the center of the cover plate 120. However, the position of the coupling protrusions 160 is not particularly limited as long as they are respectively provided on both sides with respect to the exhaust portion 140. That is, in other embodiments, the coupling protrusions 160 may be provided inside or outside the electrode terminals 131 and 132 with respect to the exhaust portion 140.

[0071] Hereinafter, the coupling holes 240 formed in the base 210 will be described.

[0072] The base 210 may include a plurality of coupling holes 240 formed at predetermined intervals along the length direction of the guide groove 220. The plurality of coupling holes 240 may be the first holes 241 or the second holes 242, and the first holes 241 and the second holes 242 may be alternately provided along the length direction of the guide groove 220.

[0073] A battery cell 100 can be combined and fixed to the base 210 through adjacent first holes 241 and second holes 242. For example, the positive terminal 131 of a battery cell 100 can be combined with the first hole 241 in a state of passing through the first hole 241, and the negative terminal 132 can be combined with the second hole 242 in a state of passing through the second hole 242 adjacent to the first hole 241, so as to be fixed to the base 210. Alternatively, the configuration combined with the first hole 241 and the second hole 242 can be the engaging protrusion 160.

[0074] In a battery cell 100, an exhaust portion 140 can be provided between the positive terminal 131 and the negative terminal 132, and gases generated inside the housing 110 are discharged through the exhaust portion 140. Refer to Figure 4 etc., the first hole 241 can extend longer in the length direction (or x-direction) than the second hole 242, which can be for exposing the exhaust portion 140 from the bottom surface side of the base 210. That is, the first hole 241 can extend more in the x-direction by the length of the exhaust portion 140 than the second hole 242. In addition, accordingly, the interval between the adjacent first hole 241 and the second hole 242 can be substantially the same as the interval between the exhaust portion 140 of the battery cell 100 and the negative terminal 132 (or can also be the positive terminal 131), or the interval between the exhaust portion 140 and the engaging protrusion 160.

[0075] Refer to Figure 4 As shown in, the first hole 241 and the second hole 242 can include a portion having a first width A1 (hereinafter referred to as the first portion) and a portion having a second width A2 smaller than the first width A1 (hereinafter referred to as the second portion). The second portions of the first hole 241 and the second hole 242 can be provided in the same direction, that is, the +x direction based on the drawing.

[0076] The width A1 of the first portions of the first hole 241 and the second hole 242 can be the same as the first width B1 of the electrode terminals 131, 132, or can be greater than the first width B1 of the electrode terminals 131, 132. Therefore, the electrode terminals 131, 132 can be inserted into the first hole 241 and the second hole 242 through the first portion.

[0077] The width A2 of the second portions of the first hole 241 and the second hole 242 can be substantially the same as the second width B2 of the separating protrusion 133, and preferably can be the same. The separating protrusion 133 can be assembled into the second portions of the first hole 241 and the second hole 242, so that the battery cell 100 can be fixed to the base 210.

[0078] According to an embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 1 shown, the bus bar assembly 300 can be provided at the lower part of the battery cell fixing plate 200.

[0079] Figure 8 Side cross-sectional view of a bus bar assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] Referring to Figure 8 , the bus bar assembly 300 may include a bus bar plate 310 and a bus bar 320 disposed on the bus bar plate 310.

[0081] The bus bar plate 310 may be made of a material having structural rigidity and insulation to support the battery cell 100.

[0082] A plurality of bus bars 320 may be disposed on the bus bar plate 310. Specifically, the bus bar 320 may be disposed on the bus bar plate 310 in a state supported by a spring 330. The bus bar plate 310 may include a spring groove 311 for disposing the spring 330. In one embodiment, the spring 330 may be a compression spring capable of elastically deforming in the height direction (or z direction). An interval may be formed between the bus bar 320 and the bus bar plate 310 in the height direction (or z direction) through the spring 330.

[0083] The bus bar 320 may be electrically connected to the electrode terminals 131, 132 of the battery cell 100. To this end, the bus bar 320 may be disposed on the bus bar plate 310 to face the electrode terminals 131, 132 of the battery cell 100 in the height direction (or z direction). Each bus bar 320 may face the positive terminal 131 or the negative terminal 132 in the height direction (or z direction).

[0084] On the other hand, as described above, the electrode terminals 131, 132 may be electrically connected to the bus bar 320 through the assembly protrusions 134. The bus bar 320 may include an assembly groove 321 into which the assembly protrusions 134 of the electrode terminals 131, 132 are inserted. The assembly groove 321 may face the second part for fixing the electrode terminals 131, 132 in the height direction (or z direction). In addition, the assembly groove 321 may be set to a shape corresponding to the assembly protrusion 134 so that the assembly protrusion 134 can be inserted and fixed, and may be set in a quantity and interval corresponding to the assembly protrusion 134. That is, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connection between the electrode terminals 131, 132 of the battery cell 100 and the bus bar 320 may be achieved in a form in which the assembly protrusion 134 is inserted into the assembly groove 321, thereby omitting the welding process.

[0085] In addition, the bus bar 320 may have a length in the length direction (or x direction) so that the battery cell 100 can be horizontally moved when assembling the battery cell 100. For example, the bus bar 320 may be in a form extending to one side of the assembly groove 321. Hereinafter, this part will be referred to as an extension part 322. The extension part 322 may face the first part of the coupling hole 240 in the height direction (or z direction).

[0086] Next, a method for assembling the battery cell 100 to the battery cell fixing plate 200 and the bus bar assembly 300 will be described.

[0087] Figure 7a and Figure 7b are diagrams for explaining a method of assembling a battery cell to a battery cell fixing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 9a and Figure 9b are diagrams for explaining a method of assembling a battery cell to a bus bar assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell 100 can be assembled to the battery cell fixing plate 200 through a vertical movement step and a horizontal movement step.

[0089] The battery cells 100 can be assembled in units of battery cell groups 100G. In one embodiment, a plurality of battery cells 100 arranged in the length direction (or x direction) can form a battery cell group 100G. Referring to Figure 7a and Figure 7b , three battery cells 100 arranged in the length direction can form a battery cell group 100G. A battery cell group 100G can be composed of a number of battery cells 100 corresponding to the number of the first holes 241 and the second holes 242 provided along the guide groove 220.

[0090] A battery cell group 100G can move vertically (hereinafter referred to as the vertical movement step) toward the base 210. In the vertical movement step, a battery cell group 100G can be inserted into the coupling holes 240 formed in the base 210.

[0091] A battery cell group 100G can move vertically from the upper side of the base 210 toward the base 210. A battery cell group 100G can move vertically in a state where the positive electrode terminals 131 and the negative electrode terminals 132 of the plurality of arranged battery cells 100 are made to correspond to the first parts of the first holes 241 and the second holes 242, respectively. As described above, since the width A1 of the first parts of the first holes 241 and the second holes 242 is the same as, or greater than, the first width B1 of the electrode terminals 131, 132, the positive electrode terminals 131 and the negative electrode terminals 132 can be inserted into the first holes 241 and the second holes 242 through the first parts, respectively, and can be disposed on the bottom surface side of the base 210. At this time, the electrode terminals 131, 132 pass through the first parts, and partition protrusions 133 are provided in the first parts, so that a battery cell group 100G can be in a state of being loosely coupled to the base 210.

[0092] A battery cell group 100G can move horizontally in a state of being loosely combined with the base 210. The horizontal movement direction can be the +x direction based on the attached drawings, which can be the direction where the second part of the first hole 241 and the second hole 242 is located. That is, through the horizontal movement of a battery cell group 100G, the separating protrusion 133 can move from the first part to the second part, so that a plurality of battery cells 100 can be fixed to the base 210.

[0093] In a state where a battery cell group 100G moves vertically, the separating protrusion 133 is located in the first part of the first hole 241 and the second hole 242. Therefore, in order to fix a battery cell group 100G to the base 210, it is necessary to move the separating protrusion 133 to the second part of the first hole 241 and the second hole 242. Therefore, a battery cell group 100G can move horizontally along the +x direction, whereby the separating protrusion 133 can be arranged in the second part. As described above, since the width A2 of the second part of the first hole 241 and the second hole 242 is the same as the second width B2 of the separating protrusion 133, when the separating protrusion 133 moves from the first part to the second part, the battery cell 100 can be firmly fixed to the base 210. In addition, when a battery cell group 100G moves horizontally, the exhaust part 140 can be exposed through the first hole 241.

[0094] On the other hand, the battery cell fixing plate 200 can further include a fixing member (not shown), and the fixing member fixes the battery cell group 100G fixed to the base 210 through the above vertical movement and horizontal movement. The fixing member can prevent the battery cell group 100G from moving along the -x direction in a state of being fixed to the base 210.

[0095] The fixing member can be assembled in the engaging hole 240 provided on the opposite side (the left side in the attached drawings) based on the horizontal movement direction of the battery cell group 100G on the bottom surface side of the base 210, that is, in the second hole 242 based on the attached drawings. In a state where the battery cell group 100G is fixed to the base 210, the electrode terminals 131, 132 and the separating protrusion 133 are arranged in the second part, and the fixing member can be assembled in the first part of the second hole 242.

[0096] The above-described Figure 7a and Figure 7b The assembly steps shown in can be executed simultaneously with Figure 9a and Figure 9b The assembly steps shown in. That is, a battery cell group 100G can be electrically connected to the bus bar 320 of the bus bar assembly 300 while being fixedly combined with the battery cell fixing plate 200.

[0097] Referring to Figure 9a, the bus bar assembly 300 can be disposed at the lower part of the battery cell fixing plate 200. A battery cell group 100G can pass through the coupling holes 240 formed in the base 210 during the vertical movement step and contact the bus bar assembly 300. Specifically, during the vertical movement step in which a battery cell group 100G moves vertically toward the base 210, the electrode terminals 131 and 132 of a battery cell group 100G can be inserted into the coupling holes 240 formed in the base 210 and exposed toward the side of the bus bar assembly 300 disposed at the lower part of the base 210, so that the bus bar 320 can be disposed. When a battery cell group 100G moves vertically, the electrode terminals 131 and 132 can be inserted into the first part having the first width A1 of the coupling hole 240, so that the electrode terminals 131 and 132 can be disposed at the extension part 322 facing the first part. Specifically, the fitting protrusions 134 protruding relatively from one surface of the electrode terminals 131 and 132 can be disposed at the extension part 322. On the other hand, when a battery cell group 100G moves vertically, the spring 330 supporting the bus bar 320 can be compressed, so that the gap in the height direction (or z-direction) between the bus bar 320 and the bus bar plate 310 formed by the spring 330 can disappear. That is, the bus bar 320 can be in close contact with the bus bar plate 310.

[0098] A battery cell group 100G can be electrically connected to the bus bar 320 during the horizontal movement step. That is, the fitting protrusions 134 of a battery cell group 100G can be inserted into the fitting grooves 321 through horizontal movement. A battery cell group 100G can move from the first part to the second part through horizontal movement, and the fitting protrusions 134 disposed on the bus bar 320 can move from the extension part 322 facing the first part to the side of the fitting grooves 321 facing the second part and be inserted into the fitting grooves 321. The battery cell 100 can be fixed to the bus bar 320 while being electrically connected to the bus bar 320. On the other hand, as described above, since the fitting protrusions 134 have a semicircular cross-section, the fitting protrusions 134 can move horizontally in a state of point contact with the bus bar 320, so that smooth horizontal movement can be achieved.

[0099] In addition, Figure 11a and Figure 11b are diagrams for explaining a method of assembling a battery cell to a battery cell fixing plate according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 12a and Figure 12b is a perspective view of a bus bar assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell 100 can be assembled to the battery cell fixing plate 200 through a vertical movement step and a horizontal rotation step.

[0101] In this embodiment, the battery cells 100 can also be assembled in units of battery cell groups 100G'. However, the multiple battery cells 100 that make up the battery cell group 100G' can be arranged substantially along the width direction (or the y direction). Referring to Figure 9a and Figure 9b , three battery cells 100 arranged substantially along the width direction can form a battery cell group 100G'. At this time, the three battery cells 100 can be arranged in a form of being twisted by a predetermined angle with respect to the length direction of the guiding groove 220, and the coupling holes 240 can also be formed along the length direction of the guiding groove 220 in a form of being twisted in the same direction as the battery cells 100.

[0102] Referring to Figure 9a and Figure 9b , the coupling holes 240 can include a first hole to a third hole 243, 244, 245. The positive terminal 131, the negative terminal 132, and the exhaust part 140 of the battery cell 100 can be coupled or exposed through the first hole 243, the second hole 244, and the third hole 245 respectively, and the first hole to the third hole 243, 244, 245 can be alternately arranged in the order of the first hole 243, the third hole 245, and the second hole 244 along the length direction of the guiding groove 220.

[0103] As described in the above embodiment, the first hole 243 and the second hole 244 to which the electrode terminals 131, 132 of the battery cell 100 are coupled can include a first part having a first width A1 and a second part having a second width A2 smaller than the first width A1. However, the second parts of the first hole 243 and the second hole 244 can be arranged in different directions. For example, the second part of the first hole 243 can be arranged in the -y direction based on the drawing, and the second part of the second hole 244 can be arranged in the +y direction based on the drawing. However, it is not limited thereto, and the position of the second part can vary according to the horizontal rotation direction of the battery cell group 100G'.

[0104] Referring to Figure 9a and Figure 9b , a battery cell group 100G' can move vertically toward the base 210, and this vertical movement step can be the same as the embodiment shown in Figure 6 a Figure 6 b. In short, a battery cell group 100G' can move vertically toward the upper surface of the base 210 in a state where the positive terminals 131 and the negative terminals 132 of the multiple battery cells 100 are arranged such that the positive terminals 131 and the negative terminals 132 respectively correspond to the first parts of the first hole 243 and the second hole 244. In a state where the battery cell group 100G' moves vertically, the electrode terminals 131, 132 pass through the first parts, and separation protrusions 133 are provided in the first parts.

[0105] A battery cell group 100G' can be horizontally rotated while being loosely coupled with the base 210. The horizontal rotation direction can be the counterclockwise direction with reference to the drawing, which can be the direction where the second part of the first hole 241 and the second hole 242 is located. That is, through the horizontal rotation of a battery cell group 100G', the separating protrusion 133 can move from the first part to the second part, so that multiple battery cells 100 can be fixed to the base 210. In addition, when a battery cell group 100G' is horizontally rotated, the exhaust part 140 can be integrally exposed through the third hole 245.

[0106] According to Figure 9a and Figure 9b In the illustrated embodiment, the battery cell group 100G' can be arranged parallel to the length direction of the guiding groove 220 through horizontal rotation.

[0107] In another embodiment of the present invention, a battery cell group 100G' can also be electrically connected to the bus bar 320 of the bus bar assembly 300 while being fixedly coupled to the battery cell fixing plate 200. However, according to another embodiment of the present invention, since a battery cell group 100G' needs to go through a horizontal rotation step after the vertical movement step, the bus bar assembly 300 can have a structure as shown in Figure 12a and Figure 12b shown.

[0108] Figure 12a and Figure 12b are perspective views of a bus bar assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] As shown in Figure 12a and Figure 12b shown, the bus bar plate 310 can be provided with a plurality of bus bars 340. The plurality of bus bars 340 can be arranged on the bus bar plate 310 in a state supported by the spring 350. In one embodiment, the spring 350 can be a leaf spring that can be elastically deformed in the arc direction. An interval can be formed between the bus bar 340 and the bus bar plate 310 in the height direction (or z direction) through the spring 350.

[0110] The plurality of bus bars 340 can have a length in the width direction (or y direction) so that the battery cells 100 can be horizontally rotated when assembling the battery cells 100. That is, the assembly grooves 341 and the extension parts 342 can be arranged along the width direction (or y direction).

[0111] Referring to Figure 12a and Figure 12b, among multiple busbars 340, with the assembly groove 341 as a reference, the extension portion 342 can be arranged on the +y direction side or the -y direction side. For example, the multiple busbars 340 can include: a first busbar 340a, with the assembly groove 341 as a reference, the extension portion 342 is arranged on the +y direction side; and a second busbar 340b, with the assembly groove 341 as a reference, the extension portion 342 is arranged on the -y direction side. The first busbar 340a and the second busbar 340b can be alternately arranged in the length direction (or x direction) of the busbar plate 310, and the first busbar 340a and the second busbar 340b can each be electrically connected to the positive terminal 131 or the negative terminal 132 of the battery cell 100 through the assembly protrusion 134. In other words, one battery cell 100 can be electrically connected to the first busbar 340a and the second busbar 340b.

[0112] On the other hand, in another embodiment, as Figure 12b shown, the first busbar 340a and the second busbar 340b can be arranged on the busbar plate 310 in a form that tilts in different directions from each other. For example, the first busbar 340a can be arranged in a form that tilts toward the +y direction side with reference to the drawing, and the second busbar 340b can be arranged in a form that tilts toward the -y direction side with reference to the drawing.

[0113] According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the vertical movement step, the electrode terminals 131, 132 of a battery cell group 100G' can be inserted into the coupling holes 240 formed in the base 210 and exposed to the side of the busbar assembly 300 provided at the lower part of the base 210, so that they can be arranged on the busbar 320. During vertical movement, the electrode terminals 131, 132 can be inserted into the first part having a first width A1 of the coupling hole 240, so that the electrode terminals 131, 132 and the assembly protrusions 134 formed on the electrode terminals 131, 132 can be arranged on the extension portion 342 facing the first part. On the other hand, when a battery cell group 100G' moves vertically, the spring 350 supporting the busbar 340 can be compressed, and the busbar 340 can be in close contact with the busbar plate 310.

[0114] The assembly protrusion 134 of a battery cell group 100G' can be inserted into the assembly groove 341 through horizontal rotation. A battery cell group 100G' can move from the first part to the second part through horizontal rotation, so as to form a connection between the assembly protrusion 134 and the assembly groove 341. Therefore, the battery cell 100 can be fixed to the busbar 340 while being electrically connected to the busbar 340.

[0115] As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell 100 can be simultaneously coupled to the battery cell fixing plate 200 and the bus bar assembly 300. That is, the electrical connection between the battery cells 100 can be achieved without going through a separate welding process, thereby simplifying the assembly process.

[0116] Above, the configuration and features of the present invention have been described based on the embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains that various changes or modifications can be made within the technical idea and scope of the present invention. Therefore, these changes or modifications fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A battery pack, comprising: a plurality of battery cells, including electrode terminals located on one side of the housing; a battery cell fixing plate to which the plurality of battery cells are coupled; and a bus bar assembly electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells, wherein the battery cell fixing plate is disposed below the plurality of battery cells, and the bus bar assembly is disposed below the battery cell fixing plate.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the bus bar assembly includes: a plurality of bus bars electrically connected to the electrode terminals; a bus bar plate on which the plurality of bus bars are disposed; and springs elastically supporting the plurality of bus bars.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of bus bars include: a fitting groove into which the electrode terminal is coupled; and an extension portion extending in the length direction or the width direction of the bus bar plate with respect to the fitting groove as a reference.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the electrode terminal includes a fitting protrusion that is inserted into the fitting groove, and when the fitting protrusion is coupled to the fitting groove, the plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the fitting protrusion is a semi-circular shape.

6. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the spring is one of a compression spring or a leaf spring.

7. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the battery cell fixing plate includes: a base; and a plurality of coupling holes formed in the base and including a first hole into which a positive terminal of the electrode terminals is inserted and a second hole into which a negative terminal of the electrode terminals is inserted, wherein the first hole and the second hole include: a first portion having a first width; and a second portion having a second width smaller than the first width.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the bus bar assembly is arranged such that the extension portion faces the first portion and the fitting groove faces the second portion.

9. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of battery cells include: a cover plate coupled to one side of the housing and provided with the electrode terminals; and a separating protrusion separating one surface of the electrode terminal from the cover plate, wherein the width of the electrode terminal is not greater than the first width, and the width of the separating protrusion is equal to the second width.

10. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of battery cells include: a cover plate coupled to one side of the housing and provided with the electrode terminals; and coupling protrusions respectively provided on one side of the positive terminal and one side of the negative terminal and passing through the first hole and the second hole, wherein the coupling protrusion includes a portion having a width not greater than the first width and a portion having a width equal to the second width.

11. A bus bar assembly disposed on the lower plate side of a battery pack housing, the bus bar assembly comprising: a plurality of bus bars electrically connected to electrode terminals of a plurality of battery cells; a bus bar plate on which the plurality of bus bars are disposed; and springs elastically supporting the plurality of bus bars.

12. The bus bar assembly according to claim 11, wherein, the plurality of bus bars include: a fitting groove to which the electrode terminal is coupled; and an extension portion that extends in the length direction or the width direction of the bus bar plate with respect to the fitting groove as a reference.

13. A method for assembling an electric cell, comprising: a vertical movement step of vertically moving a cell group composed of a plurality of electric cells toward a cell fixing plate and a bus bar assembly, the bus bar assembly being provided below the cell fixing plate and including a plurality of bus bars; and a horizontal movement step of horizontally moving or rotating the cell group on the cell fixing plate and the bus bar assembly so that the plurality of electric cells are fixed to the cell fixing plate and the bus bar assembly.

14. The method for assembling an electric cell according to claim 13, wherein, the electrode terminal includes a fitting protrusion, and the plurality of bus bars include fitting grooves having a shape corresponding to the fitting protrusion, and in the horizontal movement step, the fitting protrusion is inserted into the fitting groove.

15. The method for assembling an electric cell according to claim 14, wherein, the cell fixing plate includes a plurality of coupling holes into which the electrode terminals are inserted, and the plurality of coupling holes include: a first portion having a first width; and a second portion having a second width smaller than the first width, and in the horizontal movement step, the electrode terminals move from the side of the first portion to the side of the second portion.

16. The method for assembling an electric cell according to claim 15, wherein, the electric cell includes: a cover plate coupled to one side of the housing and provided with the electrode terminals; and a separating protrusion that separates one surface of the electrode terminal from the cover plate, the width of the electrode terminal is not greater than the first width, and the width of the separating protrusion is equal to the second width.

17. The method for assembling an electric cell according to claim 15, wherein, the plurality of bus bars include an extension portion that extends to one side with respect to the fitting groove as a reference, the extension portion faces the first portion, and the fitting groove faces the second portion.

18. The method for assembling an electric cell according to claim 15, wherein, when the second portions of the first hole and the second hole are formed in the same direction, and the fitting grooves of the bus bars are formed in the same direction, in the horizontal movement step, the cell group is horizontally moved on the cell fixing plate and the bus bar assembly.

19. The method for assembling an electric cell according to claim 15, wherein, when the second portions of the first hole and the second hole are formed in different directions from each other, and the bus bars facing the first hole and the bus bars facing the second hole are arranged in different directions from each other, in the horizontal movement step, the cell group is rotated on the cell fixing plate and the bus bar assembly.

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