Battery module and battery pack including same

Abstract

A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in one direction; and at least one bus bar frame on one or both sides of the battery cell stack. The bus bar frame includes a thermistor bridge extending toward at least one of the battery cells, and a thermistor for measuring a temperature of the battery cells is fixed to the thermistor bridge. The thermistor bridge has a structure that allows movement in one direction of the stacked battery cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0090046, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on July 11, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the battery module, and more particularly, to a battery module capable of accurately measuring the temperature of battery cells and a battery pack including the battery module. Background Art

[0004] In modern society, as portable devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, cameras, and digital cameras have been in daily use, technologies in the field related to mobile devices have been actively developed. In addition, since secondary batteries that can be charged and discharged are used as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs), etc., as a method of solving air pollution and the like caused by existing gasoline vehicles using fossil fuels, the necessity of developing secondary batteries is increasing.

[0005] Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc., and among these batteries, lithium secondary batteries have attracted much attention because they have the following advantages, for example, they hardly show a memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, so they can be freely charged and discharged, and have a very low self-discharge rate and high energy density.

[0006] Lithium secondary batteries generally use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material, respectively. A lithium secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material, respectively, are arranged with a separator inserted therebetween; and a battery case that hermetically accommodates the electrode assembly and an electrolyte.

[0007] Generally, according to the shape of the external material, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into can-type secondary batteries and pouch-type batteries. In can-type secondary batteries, the electrode assembly is incorporated into a metal can, and in pouch-type batteries, the electrode assembly is incorporated into a pouch of an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0008] In the case of a secondary battery for a small-sized device, two to three battery cells are arranged. However, in the case of a secondary battery for a medium-sized or large-sized device (such as an automobile), a battery module in which a large number of battery cells are electrically connected is used. In such a battery module, a large number of battery cells are connected in series or in parallel with each other to form a cell assembly, thereby increasing the capacity and output. In addition, one or more battery modules can be installed together with various control and protection systems (such as a battery management system (BMS), a battery disconnect unit (BDU), and a cooling system) to form a battery pack.

[0009] Meanwhile, when overvoltage, overcurrent, or overheating occurs in the battery cells included in the battery module, the safety and operating efficiency of the battery module deteriorate significantly. As an example, when the pressure or temperature of the battery increases, a decomposition reaction of the active material and multiple side reactions occur, causing the temperature of the battery to suddenly increase, which in turn accelerates the reaction between the electrolyte and the electrode. Eventually, a thermal runaway phenomenon occurs in which the temperature of the battery suddenly increases, and if the temperature rises above a certain level, the battery may catch fire, and the battery cell and the battery module including the battery cell may explode due to an increase in the internal pressure of the battery.

[0010] Therefore, a device for detecting temperature changes in battery cells is required, and thus a temperature sensor such as a thermistor is provided in the battery module to check and control the operating state in real time or at regular intervals. That is, the thermistor is an important component for sensing the temperature of the battery cells included in the battery module and adjusting the operating conditions of the cooling system of the battery pack and the temperature load of each battery cell, and must be present at an accurate sensing position of the battery cell.

[0011] However, during the process of repeatedly charging and discharging the battery cells or during the initial charging process, a phenomenon may occur in which the internal electrolyte may decompose to generate gas and cause the battery cell 110 to expand, that is, an expansion or breathing phenomenon. In a battery module including a large number of such battery cells, when the battery cells expand, each battery cell is located at a position different from its initial position. Specifically, since the battery cells expand in the thickness direction, the position of the battery cells can change in the direction of stacking the battery cells.

[0012] As described above, the thermistor must be located at an accurate sensing position of the battery cell, but due to the expansion of the battery cell, the thermistor may be located at a position different from the initial design, which may cause problems in measuring the accurate temperature information of the battery cell.

[0013] Therefore, considering the expansion phenomenon of the battery cells, etc., a means is required such that the thermistor can continue to be present at an accurate sensing position. Summary of the Invention

[0014] Technical problem

[0015] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and a battery pack including the battery module that can collect accurate temperature information by continuously positioning a thermistor at an accurate sensing position.

[0016] However, the technical objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above technical objects and can be extended in various ways within the scope of the technical concepts included in the present disclosure.

[0017] Technical solution

[0018] A battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in one direction; and at least one bus bar frame disposed on one or both sides of the battery cell stack. The bus bar frame includes a thermistor bridge extending toward at least one of the battery cells, and a thermistor for measuring the temperature of the battery cell is fixed to the thermistor bridge. The thermistor bridge has a structure capable of moving in the one direction in which the battery cells are stacked.

[0019] The thermistor bridge may include a fixing portion fixed to at least one of the battery cells.

[0020] The fixing portion may be snap-coupled and fixed to at least one of the battery cells.

[0021] When the battery cell expands, the thermistor bridge may move in the one direction in which the battery cells are stacked corresponding to the degree of increase in the thickness of the battery cell.

[0022] The battery cell may be a pouch-type battery including an electrode assembly and a pouch case accommodating the electrode assembly, and the pouch case may have a sealing portion formed by sealing an outer periphery of a portion accommodating the electrode assembly.

[0023] The fixing portion may be snap-coupled and fixed to the sealing portion.

[0024] The fixing portion may be fixed to at least one of the battery cells by an adhesive member.

[0025] A sensing component may be mounted on the bus bar frame, and the sensing component may include a connection circuit member for transmitting information about the battery cell.

[0026] The connection circuit member may include an extension portion extending in a direction in which the thermistor bridge is located. The thermistor may be fixed to the thermistor bridge in a state of being connected to the extension portion.

[0027] The connection circuit member may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) or a flexible flat cable (FFC).

[0028] The bus bar frame may include at least one hinge portion, and the thermistor bridge may include a hinge rod coupled to at least one of the hinge portions. Fixed blocks formed at both ends of the hinge rod are separately provided at a portion more outward than at least one of the hinge portions, such that the thermistor bridge may have a structure capable of moving along the one direction.

[0029] The thermistor bridge may include at least one hinge portion, and the bus bar frame may include a hinge rod coupled to at least one of the hinge portions. Fixed blocks formed at both ends of the hinge rod are separately provided at a portion more outward than at least one of the hinge portions, such that the thermistor bridge may have a structure capable of moving along the one direction.

[0030] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery module.

[0031] Advantageous Effects

[0032] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the thermistor bridge to which the thermistor is fixed has a structure capable of moving along the direction in which battery cells in a battery module are stacked, such that the thermistor may continuously exist at an accurate sensing position and may accurately collect the temperatures of the battery cells.

[0033] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above effects, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand additional other effects not described above from the detailed description of the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an exploded perspective view of the battery module of

[0036] Figure 3 is included in Figure 1 an enlarged partial perspective view of a battery cell stack and a bus bar frame in the battery module of

[0037] Figure 4 is a plan view showing one battery cell included in the battery cell stack of Figure 3 of

[0038] Figure 5 is Figure 3 an enlarged partial view of cross-section “A” of

[0039] Figure 6 is a partial view showing a thermistor bridge, a thermistor, and a connection circuit member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a partial view showing a thermistor bridge, a thermistor, and a connection circuit member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from different angles.

[0041] Figure 9 is a partial view for explaining a coupling structure of a thermistor bridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 10 is showing along Figure 6 a cross-sectional view of a part of a cross-section cut along cutting line B-B'.

[0043] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 12 is a partial view according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Embodiments

[0045] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement these embodiments. The present disclosure can be modified in various different ways and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0046] Parts unrelated to the description will be omitted to clearly describe the present disclosure, and throughout the description, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

[0047] In addition, in the drawings, for ease of description, the dimensions and thicknesses of each element are arbitrarily shown, and the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to those dimensions and thicknesses shown in the drawings. In the drawings, for clarity, the thicknesses of layers, regions, etc. are exaggerated. In the drawings, for ease of description, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated.

[0048] In addition, it should be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or plate is referred to as being "on" or "above" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there can also be an intermediate element. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, this means that there are no other intermediate elements. In addition, the terms "on... " or "above... " mean being disposed on or below the reference part and do not necessarily mean being disposed at the upper end of the reference part in the opposite direction of gravity.

[0049] In addition, throughout the specification, when a part is referred to as "including" or "containing" a certain component, this means that the part may also include other components without excluding them, unless otherwise specified.

[0050] In addition, throughout the specification, when referred to as a "plane", this means when observing the target part from the upper side, and when referred to as a "cross-section", this means when observing the target part from one side of the cross-section cut vertically.

[0051] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is Figure 1 an exploded perspective view of the battery module. Figure 3 is included in Figure 1 an enlarged partial perspective view of the battery cell stack and the bus bar frame in the battery module. Figure 4 is a plan view showing one battery cell included in Figure 3 the battery cell stack.

[0052] Referring to Figures 1 to 4 , a battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a battery cell stack 120 in which a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked; and at least one bus bar frame 200 located on one side or both sides of the battery cell stack 120.

[0053] The battery cell 110 according to the present embodiment may be a pouch-type battery in which an electrode assembly having electrode leads 111 protruding in one direction or two directions is accommodated in a pouch case 114. However, this is only an exemplary embodiment, and the battery cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may be a prismatic battery.

[0054] For ease of explanation, the battery cell 110 as a pouch-type battery will be mainly described below.

[0055] The battery cell 110 may be formed in a rectangular sheet-like structure. The battery cell 110 may be formed by accommodating an electrode assembly in a pouch case 114 made of a laminated sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, and then adhering the outer peripheral portion of the pouch case 114. As an example, the battery cell 110 may have a structure in which two electrode leads 111 face each other and protrude from one end 114a and the other end 114b of the cell body 113. As another example, a structure in which all the electrode leads 111 of the battery cell 110 protrude in one direction is also possible. One of the electrode leads 111 is a positive electrode lead, and the other is a negative electrode lead.

[0056] The battery cell 110 can be produced by joining two end portions 114a and 114b of the pouch case 114 and one side portion 114c connecting the two end portions 114a and 114b in a state where an electrode assembly (not shown) is accommodated in the pouch case 114. In other words, the battery cell 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a total of three sealing portions 114s, where the sealing portion 114s has a structure sealed by a method such as fusion, and the other remaining side portion can be constituted by a folding portion 115. That is to say, the battery cell 110 according to the present embodiment can have a structure in which the electrode assembly is accommodated inside the pouch case 114, where the pouch case 114 has a sealing portion 114s formed by sealing the outer peripheral portion of the portion accommodating the electrode assembly. In Figure 4 only the state in which the sealing portions 114s are formed at the two end portions 114a and 114b of the pouch case 114 is shown, and the sealing portion at the upper side facing the folding portion 115 (i.e., at one side portion 114c) is not shown. However, the sealing portion of one side portion 114c can be in a state of being folded to one side after sealing for space utilization. This will be described again in connection with Figure 10 the sealing portion of one side portion 114c in the folded state.

[0057] The pouch case 114 of the laminated sheet can include an inner resin layer for sealing, a metal layer for preventing material penetration, and an outer resin layer located on the outermost side. Based on the electrode assembly inside the pouch case 114, the inner resin layer can be located on the innermost side, the outer resin layer can be located on the outermost side, and the metal layer can be located between the inner resin layer and the outer resin layer.

[0058] The outer resin layer has excellent tensile strength and weather resistance with respect to thickness and can have electrical insulation characteristics in order to protect the electrode assembly from external influences. Such an outer resin layer can include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin or nylon resin. The metal layer can prevent air, moisture, etc. from flowing into the pouch-type secondary battery. The metal layer can include aluminum (Al). The inner resin layer can be heat-sealed to each other by heat and / or pressure applied in a state where the electrode assembly is embedded. The inner resin layer can include cast polypropylene (CPP) or polypropylene (PP).

[0059] The pouch case 114 is divided into two parts, and a concave-shaped housing portion in which the electrode assembly can be disposed can be formed in at least one of the two parts. Along the outer circumference of this housing portion, the inner resin layers of the two parts of the pouch case 114 can be joined to each other to provide the sealing portion 114s. The pouch case is sealed in this way so that the battery cell 110 as a pouch-type secondary battery can be produced.

[0060] The battery cells 110 can be formed in multiple numbers, and the multiple battery cells 110 can be stacked along one direction to be electrically connected to each other, thereby forming a battery cell stack 120. Specifically, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the multiple battery cells 110 can be stacked in an upright state along a direction d1 parallel to the y-axis so that one side surface of the cell body 113 faces each other. Accordingly, the electrode leads 111 can protrude in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells 110. That is, in the battery cell 110, one electrode lead 111 can protrude toward the x-axis direction, and the other electrode lead 111 can protrude toward the -x-axis direction. If the battery cell has an electrode lead 111 that protrudes only in one direction, the electrode lead 111 protrudes in the x-axis direction or the -x-axis direction.

[0061] Meanwhile, the battery module 100 according to the present embodiment can include a module frame 500 and end plates 600, and the module frame 500 and the end plates 600 form an internal space that houses the battery cell stack 120.

[0062] The module frame 500 can be a structure in which one surface and the other surface opposite to the one surface are open. More specifically, the module frame 500 can be open in two directions in which the electrode leads 111 protrude with respect to the battery cell stack 120.

[0063] The module frame 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can include a U-shaped frame 510 that covers the lower surface and two side surfaces of the battery cell stack 120, and an upper cover 520 that covers the open upper surface of the U-shaped frame 510. The U-shaped frame 510 and the upper cover 520 can be joined to each other at corresponding edges.

[0064] In addition, in another embodiment of the present disclosure, the module frame can be in the form of a single frame integrated with the upper surface, the lower surface, and two side surfaces.

[0065] The end plates 600 are formed in multiple numbers and can cover each of the two open sides of the module frame 500. The battery cell stack 120 is housed in the internal space formed by the module frame 500 and the end plates 600, thereby being able to physically protect the battery cell stack 120. For this purpose, the module frame 500 and the end plates 600 can include a metal material having a predetermined strength. Meanwhile, the module frame 500 and the end plates 600 can be joined by welding while their corresponding corner portions are in contact with each other.

[0066] In addition, an electrically insulating insulating cover 610 can be provided between the battery cell stack 120 and the end plates 600. The insulating cover 610 can prevent a short circuit from occurring in the battery module 100 while covering the bus bar frame 200.

[0067] Next, the configurations of the bus bar frame, the thermistor bridge, the thermistor, etc. according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0068] Figure 5 is Figure 3 a partial enlarged view of cross-section “A”.

[0069] Referring to Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 5 According to the present embodiment, the battery module 100 includes at least one bus bar frame 200 located on one or both sides of the battery cell stack 120 as described above. As an example, two bus bar frames 200 may be located on both sides of the battery cell stack 120, and as another example, one bus bar frame 200 may be located on one side of the battery cell stack 120. The bus bar frame 200 may be located between the battery cell stack 120 and the insulating cover 610 and may include an electrically insulating material.

[0070] The bus bar frame 200 may be provided with a bus bar 800 for electrical connection between the battery cells 110 and the sensing component 300 for sensing the voltage and temperature of the battery cells 110. Specifically, the bus bar 800 and the sensing component 300 may be mounted on the opposite surface of the bus bar frame 200 facing the battery cell stack 120.

[0071] The bus bar 800 is used for electrically connecting the battery cells 110 within the battery module 100 and preferably includes a metallic material to achieve electrical connection. The electrode lead 111 extending from the battery cell 110 may be bent after passing through a slit formed in the bus bar frame 200 and connected to the bus bar 800. As an example, one electrode lead 111 may be bent after passing through a slit of the bus bar frame 200 located on one side of the battery cell stack 120 and connected to the bus bar, and the other electrode lead 111 may pass through a slit of another bus bar frame 200 located on the other side of the battery cell stack 120 and then connected to another bus bar 800. The connection method between the electrode lead 111 and the bus bar is not particularly limited, and as an example, a welding joint may be performed. When the electrode leads 111 of the battery cells 110 are connected to the bus bar in this way, the battery cells 110 may be electrically connected to each other via the bus bar. In this way, HV (high voltage) connection can be performed within the battery module 100. Meanwhile, the sensing component 300 will be described below.

[0072] Figure 6 is a partial view showing a thermistor bridge, a thermistor, and a connection circuit member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 and Figure 8is a partial view showing a thermistor bridge, a thermistor, and a connection circuit member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from different angles. However, in Figure 7 and Figure 8 , for ease of explanation, the fixing portion 211 in the thermistor bridge 210 is not shown. The fixing portion 211 will be described with reference to Figure 6 and Figure 10 .

[0073] Referring together to Figures 5 to 8 , the bus bar frame 200 includes a thermistor bridge 210 extending toward at least one of the battery cells 110. A thermistor 400 for measuring the temperature of the battery cell 110 is fixed to the thermistor bridge 210, where the thermistor bridge 210 has a structure capable of moving along a direction d1 of the stacked battery cells 110. The thermistor 400 can sense the temperature data of the battery cell 110 and transmit the sensed temperature data to a battery management system (BMS) located outside the battery module 100.

[0074] During the process of repeatedly charging and discharging the battery cell 110 or during the initial charging process, a phenomenon may occur in which the internal electrolyte of the battery cell 110 may be decomposed to generate gas and cause the battery cell to expand, that is, the swelling phenomenon.

[0075] When swelling occurs in the battery cells 110 stacked along a direction d1, the battery cells 110 mainly expand along their thickness direction, and the positions of the battery cells 110 may change along the direction d1 of the stacked battery cells 110. When the battery cells expand, the thermistor 400 fixed to the thermistor bridge 210 may be located at a position other than the designated position of the battery cell 110, and the accuracy of the temperature measurement of the battery cell 110 via the thermistor 400 is reduced.

[0076] The thermistor bridge 210 according to the present embodiment has a structure capable of moving along a direction d1 of the stacked battery cells 110. Therefore, even if the position of the battery cell 110 changes more than in the conventional case due to the swelling of the battery cell 110, the thermistor bridge 210 and the thermistor 400 can continue to be in the accurate sensing position. Therefore, the temperature of the battery cell 110 can be collected more accurately. More specifically, when the battery cell 110 swells, the thermistor bridge 210 can move along a direction d1 of the stacked battery cells 110 corresponding to the degree of increase in the thickness of the battery cell 110.

[0077] Next, a movable structure of the thermistor bridge 210 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. However, this is an exemplary structure, and if the thermistor bridge 210 has a structure capable of moving in one direction d1 along the stacked battery cells 110 corresponding to the degree of increase in the thickness of the battery cells 110, it can be applied to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] Figure 9 is a partial view for explaining a coupling structure of a thermistor bridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10 is shown along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a part of a cross-section cut along the cutting line B-B'.

[0079] Referring together to Figures 6 to 10 , the thermistor bridge 210 may include a fixing part 211 fixed to at least one battery cell 110. As an example, the fixing part 211 may be snap-coupled and fixed to at least one of the battery cells 110. As described above, in Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the fixing part 211 in the thermistor bridge 210 is not shown in order to explain the structure of the thermistor 400 and the like.

[0080] The fixing part 211 may include a protruding part 211p formed in a protruding shape. When the protruding part 211p is snap-coupled to a stepped shape formed in the battery cell 110, the fixing part 211 may be fixed to at least one of the battery cells 110. The stepped shape formed in the battery cell 110 is not particularly limited, and as an example, the protruding part 211p of the fixing part 211 may be snap-coupled to a stepped structure formed by the sealing part 114s of the pouch case 114. As described above, the battery cell 110 according to the present embodiment may be a pouch-type battery including an electrode assembly and a pouch case 114 accommodating the electrode assembly, and the pouch case 114 may have a sealing part 114s formed by sealing the outer periphery of the part accommodating the electrode assembly. Referring together to Figure 4 and Figure 10 , the sealing part 114s formed on the upper side (i.e., one side part 114c) of the pouch case 114 may be folded to one side after sealing is completed. The fixing part 211 according to the present embodiment may be snap-coupled and fixed to the sealing part 114s. In other words, the protruding part 211p of the fixing part 211 may be snap-coupled to a stepped structure formed by the sealing part 114s folded on one side part 114c of the pouch case 114. However, fixing the fixing part 211 by snap-coupling of the protruding part 211p is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and as long as the fixing part 211 is fixed to the battery cell 110, the method is not particularly limited.

[0081] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bus bar frame 200 may include at least one hinge portion 220, and the thermistor bridge 210 may include a hinge rod 212. The hinge rod 212 of the thermistor bridge 210 may be coupled to the at least one hinge portion 220. The hinge rod 212 may be positioned to extend along a direction d1 in which the battery cells 110 are stacked. The fixing blocks 213 formed at both ends of the hinge rod 212 may be separately provided at portions more outward than the at least one hinge portion 220, such that the thermistor bridge 210 may have a structure capable of moving along the direction d1.

[0082] In summary, the thermistor bridge 210 may be fixed to at least one of the battery cells 110 via the fixing portion 211 and may move along a direction d1 which is the expansion direction of the battery cells 110. In this embodiment, the movable structure of the thermistor bridge 210 may be implemented by the fixing blocks 213 which are separately provided at portions more outward than the hinge portion 220. Through the fixing structure and the movable structure of the thermistor bridge 210, the thermistor bridge 210 moves by an amount corresponding to the degree of increase in thickness when the battery cells 110 expand, such that the thermistor 400 fixed to the thermistor bridge 210 may continue to be in an accurate sensing position. However, as described above, the fixing structure via the fixing portion 211 and the movable structure via the hinge portion 220 and the hinge rod 212 are exemplary structures, and other embodiments of the present invention may be applied if the fixing function and the movable function are satisfied.

[0083] Meanwhile, the thermistor 400 may be fixed to the thermistor bridge 210 while being connected to a connection circuit member 310 included in the sensing assembly 300. Next, the structure of the sensing assembly 300 and the like will be described in detail.

[0084] Referring to Figures 5 to 8 , according to the present embodiment, the sensing assembly 300 may be mounted on the bus bar frame 200. The sensing assembly 300 is a member for LV (low voltage) connection of the battery module 100. The LV connection refers to an electrical connection that requires a relatively low voltage, such as a battery electrical component. The sensing assembly 300 senses temperature data or voltage data of the battery cells 110 included in the battery module 100, and transmits the sensed voltage or temperature data to a battery management system (BMS) located outside the battery module 100. The battery management system may control the operation of the corresponding battery module 100 based on the transmitted voltage or temperature data.

[0085] The sensing assembly 300 may include a connection circuit member 310 that transmits information about the battery cell 110. The connection circuit member 310 included in the sensing assembly 300 may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) or a flexible flat cable (FFC). The connection circuit member 310 may transmit temperature data of the battery cell 110 or voltage data of each battery cell 110 within the battery module 100 to an external battery management system.

[0086] The connection circuit member 310 may include an extension portion 310E extending in a direction where the thermistor bridge 210 is located. The thermistor 400 may be fixed to the thermistor bridge 210 in a state of being connected to the extension portion 310E. As an example, at least one pad 700 may be provided on the extension portion 310E. One surface of the pad 700 may be joined to the extension portion 310E, and the other surface of the pad 700 may be joined to the thermistor bridge 210. With this structure, the extension portion 310E and the thermistor 400 may be fixed to the thermistor bridge 210 and move together according to the movement of the thermistor bridge 210.

[0087] Meanwhile, in addition to the connection circuit member 310, the sensing assembly 300 may further include a module connector 320 and a joining member 330. The module connector 320 is a member that is connected to the connection circuit member 310 and exposed to the outside of the battery module 100. A module connector opening is formed in the end plate 600, and the module connector 320 may be exposed to the outside of the battery module 100 through the module connector opening.

[0088] The joining member 330 may be connected to the connection circuit member 310. The joining member 330 may be connected to the electrode lead 111 or the bus bar 800. The method of connecting the joining member 330 to the electrode lead 111 or the bus bar 800 is not particularly limited, but a welding joint may be applied to achieve a physical connection and an electrical connection. Voltage data of each battery cell 110 is transmitted to the module connector 320 via the joining member 330 and the connection circuit member 310.

[0089] The module connector 320 is connected to a battery management system located outside the battery module 100, and may transmit temperature data of the battery cell 110 measured by the thermistor 400 and voltage data of each battery cell 110 transmitted via the joining member 330 to the battery management system. The battery management system may monitor the state of each battery cell 110 based on this, and control the operation of the battery module 100 based on this.

[0090] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and specifically corresponds to the cross-sectional view at the same position as in Figure 10 the same position.

[0091] Reference Figure 11 , according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixing portion 211 of the thermistor bridge 210 may be fixed to the battery cell 110 by an adhesive member 900. The adhesive member 900 may be an adhesive or a tape. In the present disclosure, as described above, if the fixing portion 211 is fixed to the battery cell 110, the method thereof is not particularly limited. Therefore, the fixing method of the fixing portion 211 using the adhesive member 900 as in Figure 11 may also be applied.

[0092] Figure 12 is a partial view according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure, and specifically corresponds to the view observed from the same position as in Figure 9 .

[0093] Reference Figure 12 , according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure, the thermistor bridge 210 may include at least one hinge portion 220', and the bus bar frame 200 may include a hinge rod 212'. The hinge rod 212' of the bus bar frame 200 may be coupled to at least one hinge portion 220'. The hinge rod 212' may be configured to be integrated with the bus bar frame 200, and the hinge portion 220' may be configured to be integrated with the thermistor bridge 210. Here, the integrated configuration means that the two configurations are not attached via another configuration, but are injection-molded together and integrated.

[0094] In addition, fixing blocks 213' formed at both ends of the hinge rod 212' are separately provided at a portion more outward than at least one hinge portion 220', so that the thermistor bridge 210 may have a structure capable of moving along one direction d1.

[0095] That is to say, Figure 12 corresponds to a modified embodiment in which the positions of the hinge portion and the hinge rod in Figure 9 are reversed. As described above, if the thermistor bridge 210 has a structure capable of moving along one direction d1 of the stacked battery cells 110, it may be applied to the modified embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] In this embodiment, terms indicating directions such as the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the upper side, and the lower side are used, but the terms used are only provided for convenience of description and may vary depending on the position of the object, the position of the observer, etc.

[0097] One or more battery modules according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be installed together with various control and protection systems such as a BMS (Battery Management System), a BDU (Battery Disconnect Unit), and a cooling system to form a battery pack.

[0098] The battery module or battery pack can be applied to various devices. Specifically, it can be applied to vehicle devices such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles or ESS (energy storage system), and can be applied to various devices that can use secondary batteries, but is not limited thereto.

[0099] Although the present invention has been shown and described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements can be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0100] Symbol Description

[0101] 100: Battery module

[0102] 110: Battery cell

[0103] 120: Battery cell stack

[0104] 200: Bus bar frame

[0105] 210: Thermistor bridge

[0106] 300: Sensing component

[0107] 310: Connection circuit member

[0108] 400: Thermistor

Claims

1. A battery module, the battery module comprising: A battery cell stack, wherein a plurality of battery cells are stacked in one direction; And At least one bus bar frame located on one or both sides of the battery cell stack, Wherein the bus bar frame includes a thermistor bridge extending towards at least one of the battery cells, Wherein a thermistor for measuring the temperature of the battery cell is fixed to the thermistor bridge, and Wherein the thermistor bridge has a structure capable of moving along the one direction in which the battery cells are stacked.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The thermistor bridge includes a fixing portion fixed to at least one of the battery cells.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein: The fixing portion is snap-coupled and fixed to at least one of the battery cells.

4. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein: When the battery cell expands, the thermistor bridge moves along the one direction in which the battery cells are stacked corresponding to the degree of increase in the thickness of the battery cell.

5. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein: The battery cell is a pouch-type battery including an electrode assembly and a pouch case accommodating the electrode assembly, and The pouch case has a sealing portion formed by sealing the outer periphery of the portion accommodating the electrode assembly.

6. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein: The fixing portion is snap-coupled and fixed to the sealing portion.

7. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein: The fixing portion is fixed to at least one of the battery cells by an adhesive member.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: A sensing component is mounted on the bus bar frame, and The sensing component includes a connection circuit member for transmitting information about the battery cell.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: The connection circuit member includes an extension portion extending in the direction where the thermistor bridge is located, and The thermistor is fixed to the thermistor bridge in a state of being connected to the extension portion.

10. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: The connection circuit member is a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) or a flexible flat cable (FFC).

11. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The bus bar frame includes at least one hinge portion, The thermistor bridge includes a hinge rod coupled to at least one of the hinge portions, and Fixing blocks formed at both ends of the hinge rod are separately provided at a portion more outward than at least one of the hinge portions, so that the thermistor bridge has a structure capable of moving along the one direction.

12. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The thermistor bridge includes at least one hinge portion, The bus bar frame includes a hinge rod coupled to at least one of the hinge portions, and The fixing blocks formed at both ends of the hinge rod are separately disposed at a portion more outward than at least one of the hinge portions, so that the thermistor bridge has a structure capable of moving along the one direction.

13. A battery pack, the battery pack including the battery module according to claim 1.

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