Battery module

Abstract

The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells having a protruding terminal portion including a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal. The frame portion accommodates a plurality of battery cells, and the bus bar is electrically connected to terminal portions of the plurality of battery cells. Each of the bus bars is formed with an insertion hole into which the terminal portion is inserted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery module capable of reducing heat generation by having a reduced height. Background Art

[0002] Secondary batteries are widely used in mobile devices, auxiliary power devices, etc. They are also attracting attention as the main power source for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, which are proposed to solve various problems such as air pollution caused by conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles.

[0003] However, since electric vehicles require high-output, large-capacity batteries, battery modules are used in which multiple battery cells are stacked and then electrically connected in series and parallel. Each battery module includes multiple stacked battery cells, and terminals exposed at both ends of each battery cell are electrically connected to provide high voltage.

[0004] While battery modules are manufactured in various methods and pack housing sizes to match the shape and pack capacity, current packs have limitations in scalability, serviceability, and recycling. Furthermore, when using multiple conventional battery cells, the battery pack requires a structure that can effectively dissipate the heat generated during charging and discharging in order to provide high output. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure provides a battery module that is electrically connected with a portion of an electrode terminal inserted into an interior of a bus bar, and a portion of the electrode terminal welded to the bus bar is an edge portion of the electrode terminal, thereby reducing heat generation.

[0006] According to an embodiment, a battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells, each of the plurality of battery cells including a protruding terminal portion, wherein the terminal portion includes a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal; a frame portion that accommodates the plurality of battery cells; and a bus bar that is electrically connected to the terminal portions of the plurality of battery cells, wherein an insertion hole is formed in each of the bus bars, and the terminal portion is inserted into the insertion hole.

[0007] The insertion holes formed in each of the bus bars include a first insertion hole through which one of the first electrode terminals is inserted and electrically connected, and a second insertion hole through which one of the second electrode terminals is inserted and electrically connected.

[0008] Each of the bus bars may include a first connector and a second connector, the first connector having a first insertion hole formed therein, and the first electrode terminal being inserted through the first insertion hole and electrically connected, and the second connector extending on a side of the first connector, the second connector having a second insertion hole formed therein, and the second electrode terminal of the battery cell being inserted through the second insertion hole and electrically connected.

[0009] A bent portion may be formed between the first connection piece and the second connection piece in each of the bus bars.

[0010] A through hole may be formed in the bent portion.

[0011] A plurality of through holes may be formed in the bent portion between the first connector and the second connector.

[0012] The plurality of through holes may include a first through hole formed in the bent portion between the first connector and the second connector, and a second through hole formed in the bent portion at a position spaced apart from the first through hole.

[0013] The first through hole and the second through hole may be formed such that the lengths of the first through hole and the second through hole extend between the first connector and the second connector.

[0014] The first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal may be electrically connected by welding when inserted into the first insertion hole and the second insertion hole.

[0015] Inlet grooves may be formed on inner walls of the first insertion hole and the second insertion hole.

[0016] The insertion protrusion inserted into the inlet groove may protrude from side surfaces of the first and second electrode terminals.

[0017] According to another embodiment, a battery module may include: a first battery cell including an electrode terminal; a second battery cell including an electrode terminal; and a bus bar in which a first insertion hole and a second insertion hole are formed, wherein the electrode terminal of the first battery cell is located in the first insertion hole of the bus bar, and the electrode terminal of the second battery cell is located in the second insertion hole of the bus bar.

[0018] An edge portion of the electrode terminal of the first battery cell may be welded to the bus bar, and an edge portion of the electrode terminal of the second battery cell is welded to the bus bar.

[0019] A first insertion hole may be formed in the first connector of the bus bar, and a second insertion hole may be formed in the second connector of the bus bar, and the first connector and the second connector may be connected by a bendable portion of the bus bar.

[0020] An edge portion of the electrode terminal of the first battery cell may be welded to the first connector of the bus bar, and an edge portion of the electrode terminal of the second battery cell may be welded to the second connector of the bus bar.

[0021] According to another embodiment, a battery module may include: a plurality of battery cells, each of the battery cells including a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal; a plurality of bus bars, each of the plurality of bus bars having a first insertion hole and a second insertion hole formed therein, wherein the first electrode terminal of each of the battery cells is electrically connected to one of the bus bars when the first electrode terminal is inserted into the first insertion hole of the bus bar, and the second electrode terminal of each of the battery cells is electrically connected to the other bus bar when the second electrode terminal is inserted into the second insertion hole of the other bus bar.

[0022] An edge portion of each of the first electrode terminals may be welded to a bus bar having a first insertion hole accommodating the first electrode terminal, and an edge portion of each of the second electrode terminals may be welded to a bus bar having a second insertion hole accommodating the second electrode terminal.

[0023] Each of the first insertion holes may be formed in a first connector of the bus bar, and each of the second insertion holes may be formed in a second connector of the bus bar, and the first connector and the second connector are connected through a bendable portion of the bus bar.

[0024] An edge portion of each of the first electrode terminals may be welded to a first connector of the bus bar having a first insertion hole for accommodating the first electrode terminal, and an edge portion of each of the second electrode terminals may be welded to a second connector of the bus bar having a second insertion hole for accommodating the second electrode terminal.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a portion of the electrode terminal is electrically connected by welding while being inserted into an insertion hole formed in a bus bar. Therefore, the portion where the electrode terminal and the bus bar are welded is the edge portion of the electrode terminal, thereby allowing current to flow along the edge portion of the electrode terminal and thus reducing heat generation in the bus bar.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a portion of the electrode terminal is electrically connected by welding when inserted into an insertion hole formed in a bus bar, and thus the overall height of the battery module is reduced, thereby increasing cell capacity due to an increase in power per unit volume. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the busbars connected to Figure 1 A perspective view of the main parts of the battery cell state.

[0029] Figure 3 It is schematically shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the main parts of a state in which the electrode terminals are inserted into the bus bars and connected.

[0030] Figure 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a bus bar according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 5 It is schematically shown Figure 4 Side view of the busbar.

[0032] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the connection of electrode terminals to Figure 4 A side view of the main parts of the bus bar state.

[0033] Figure 7 is a perspective view of main parts schematically showing a state in which electrode terminals of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure are inserted into bus bars and connected.

[0034] Figure 8 It is schematically shown Figure 7 A perspective view of the busbar.

[0035] <Description of Reference Numerals>

[0036] 10 Battery cell 11 Terminal portion

[0037] 11a First electrode terminal 11b Second electrode terminal

[0038] 20 frame portion 21 first side frame

[0039] 22 Second side frame 23 First end frame

[0040] 24 second end frame 30 bus bar

[0041] 31 first connecting piece 31a first insertion hole

[0042] 33 Second connecting piece 33a Second insertion hole

[0043] 35 bent portion 36 through hole

[0044] 36a first through hole 36b second through hole DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the described embodiments may be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings and description are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive in nature. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals represent the same elements.

[0046] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the busbars connected to Figure 1 A perspective view of the main parts of the battery cell state.

[0047] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of battery cells 10 having protruding terminal portions 11 including first and second electrode terminals 11a and 11b, a frame portion 20 accommodating the plurality of battery cells 10, and a bus bar 30 electrically connected to the terminal portions 11 of the plurality of battery cells 10. The bus bar 30 is formed with insertion holes 31a and 33a into which the terminal portions 11 are inserted.

[0048] The frame portion 20 may include a first side frame 21 supporting one side surface of the plurality of battery cells 10, a second side frame 22 supporting another side surface of the plurality of battery cells 10, a first end frame 23 having an end connected to the end of the first side frame 21 and the second side frame 22, and a second end frame 24 having an end connected to the end of the first side frame 21 and the second side frame 22.

[0049] The first side frame 21 may be installed to support one side of the plurality of battery cells 10. The second side frame 22 may be installed to support the other side of the plurality of battery cells 10. The first end frame 23 may be installed to connect one end of each of the first side frame 21 and the second side frame 22. That is, one end of the first end frame 23 may be connected to one end of the first side frame 21 by a fastening member, and the other end of the first end frame 23 may be connected to one end of the second side frame 22 by a fastening member.

[0050] The second end frame 24 may be installed to connect the other ends of the first side frame 21 and the second side frame 22. That is, one end of the second end frame 24 may be connected to the other end of the first side frame 21 by a fastening member, and the other end of the second end frame 24 may be connected to the other end of the second side frame 22 by a fastening member.

[0051] The battery cells 10 can be inserted into the frame portion 20 in a plurality arranged adjacent to each other in a first direction (x-axis direction). Each of the battery cells 10 has a terminal portion 11, which includes a first electrode terminal 11a and a second electrode terminal 11b protruding upward. The terminal portions 11 of adjacent battery cells 10 can be electrically connected to each other through the bus bar 30. Each terminal portion 11 can be electrically connected to one of the bus bars 30 with a portion inserted into the bus bar 30. In this way, the insertion of a portion of the terminal portion 11 into the bus bar 30 changes the portion where the terminal portion 11 is welded to the bus bar 30 to the edge portion of the terminal portion, causing the current to flow along the edge portion of the electrode terminal, thereby reducing the heat generation in the bus bar 30.

[0052] In addition, a portion of the terminal portion 11 is inserted into the bus bar 30 to reduce the overall height of the battery module 100, thereby enabling a relatively low height battery module 100. The bus bar 30 will be described in detail below.

[0053] Each bus bar 30 electrically connects the plurality of battery cells 10 to each other and may include a first insertion hole 31 a into which the first electrode terminal 11 a is inserted and electrically connected, and a second insertion hole 33 a into which the second electrode terminal 11 b is inserted and electrically connected.

[0054] Figure 3 It is schematically shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the main parts of a state in which the electrode terminals are inserted into the bus bars and connected, Figure 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a bus bar according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 5 It is schematically shown Figure 4 Side view of the busbar.

[0055] Reference Figures 3 to 5 Each bus bar 30 may include a first connection tab 31 having a first insertion hole 31 a, through which the first electrode terminal 11 a of the battery cell 10 is inserted and electrically connected. Each bus bar 30 may also include a second connection tab 33 extending to a side surface of the first connection tab 31 and having a second insertion hole 33 a, through which the second electrode terminal 11 b of the battery cell 10 is inserted and electrically connected.

[0056] The first and second connection tabs 31 and 33 are connected to electrically connect a pair of adjacent battery cells 10 to each other, and the connection tabs 31 and 33 may be formed in the same or similar shape and connected to each other.

[0057] The first connection piece 31 may have a generally rectangular or square shape, with a first insertion hole 31a formed therein. The first electrode terminal 11a is inserted through the first insertion hole 31a and electrically connected thereto. The first insertion hole 31a may be formed through the first connector 31 in a shape corresponding to the shape of the first electrode terminal 11a. In other words, the first insertion hole 31a may be formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the first electrode terminal 11a, which is rectangular in the depicted embodiment. If the first electrode terminal 11a is changed to a circular shape, the first insertion hole 31a may also be changed to a corresponding circular shape.

[0058] The first electrode terminal 11a may be electrically connected to the bus bar 30 by welding when inserted into the first insertion hole 31a. That is, the first electrode terminal 11a may be electrically connected to the first connection tab 31 by butt welding when inserted into the first insertion hole 31a.

[0059] The second connection tab 33 is connected to the side surface of the first connection tab 31 and can be electrically connected to the second electrode terminal 11b of the adjacent battery cell 10. The second connection tab 33 can have a generally rectangular or square shape and can have a second insertion hole 33a formed therein, through which the second electrode terminal 11b is inserted and electrically connected. The second insertion hole 33a can be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the second electrode terminal 11b. That is, the second insertion hole 33a can be formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the second electrode terminal 11b through the second electrode terminal 11b, which is a rectangular shape in the depicted embodiment. If the second electrode terminal 11a is changed to a circular shape, the first insertion hole 31a can also be changed to a corresponding circular shape.

[0060] The second electrode terminal 11b may be electrically connected by welding when inserted into the second insertion hole 33a. That is, the second electrode terminal 11b may be electrically connected to the second connection tab 33 by butt welding when inserted into the second insertion hole 33a.

[0061] Therefore, the first and second connectors 31 and 33 and the first and second electrode terminals 11 a and 11 b are connected by welding, and specifically, may be electrically connected to each other by butt welding in the present embodiment.

[0062] The first connector 31 and the second connector 33 may be connected by a bent portion 35. One side of the bent portion 35 may be connected to an edge of the first connector 31, and the other side of the bent portion 35 may be connected to one side of the second connector 33. The central portion of the bent portion 35 may be rounded toward the battery cell 10.

[0063] The curved portion 35 has an area smaller than that of the first connector 31 or the second connector 33. The curved portion 35 can connect the first connector 31 and the second connector 33 in a curved state. Thus, forming the curved portion 35 between the first connector 31 and the second connector 33 allows for elastic deformation of the curved shape during the process of connecting the first connector 31 and the second connector 33 to each of the first electrode terminal 11a and the second electrode terminal 11b. Consequently, a smoother connection is possible.

[0064] One or more through-holes 36 may also be formed in the bent portion 35. Specifically, a plurality of through-holes 36 may be formed in the bent portion 35. The through-holes 36 allow the bent portion 35 to elastically deform more smoothly during the process of connecting the bus bar 30 to the first and second electrode terminals 11a and 11b. The through-holes 36 may include a first through-hole 36a formed in the bent portion 35 between the first connector 31 and the second connector 33, and a second through-hole 36b formed in the bent portion 35 between the first connector 31 and the second connector 33 at a position spaced apart from the first through-hole 36a.

[0065] The first through hole 36 a may be formed through the bent portion 35 with a longer length toward the first and second connectors 31 and 33 .

[0066] The first through hole 36a may be formed in a long hole shape between the first connector 31 and the second connector 33. The first through hole 36a thus allows the bent portion 35 to be more easily elastically deformed during the process of connecting the first and second connectors 31 and 33 to the first and second electrode terminals 11a and 11b, respectively. Thus, the first through hole 36a improves the flexibility of the connection between the bus bar 30 and the terminal portion 11.

[0067] The second through-hole 36b has the same or similar shape as the first through-hole 36a and can be formed in the bent portion 35 at a location spaced apart from the location where the first through-hole 36a is formed. The second through-hole 36b can be formed through the bent portion 35 with a longer length toward the first and second connectors 31 and 33. The second through-hole 36b can be formed as an elongated hole between the first and second connectors 31 and 33. Thus, the second through-hole 36b has a similar effect to the first through-hole 36a, facilitating elastic deformation of the bent portion 35 during connection of the first and second connectors 31 and 33 to the first and second electrode terminals 11a and 11b, respectively. Consequently, the second through-hole 36b improves the flexibility of the connection between the busbar 30 and the terminal portion 11.

[0068] The first through-hole 36 a and the second through-hole 36 b have the same or similar shape, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, as the through-holes 36 a and 36 b may have different shapes.

[0069] As described above, the battery module 100 of the present embodiment can be electrically connected by welding, wherein portions of the first electrode terminal 11a and the second electrode terminal 11b are inserted into the first insertion hole 31a and the second insertion hole 33a formed in each of the first connector 31 and the second connector 33 of the bus bar 30. Therefore, the portion where the terminal portion 110 is welded to the bus bar is the edge portion of the terminal portion, allowing current to flow along the edge portion of the electrode terminal to the bus bar 30, thereby reducing the heating of the bus bar 30. In addition, the height from the bottom of the battery cell 10 of the battery module 100 to the top of the bus bar 30 is reduced. In addition, the amount of power per unit volume of the battery module 100 can be increased, thereby increasing the capacity of the battery cells in the battery module.

[0070] Figure 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which electrode terminals of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure are inserted into bus bars and connected, and Figure 8 It is schematically shown Figure 7 A perspective view of the busbar. Figures 1 to 6 The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same or similar components having the same or similar functions. Therefore, detailed descriptions of the same reference numerals will be omitted.

[0071] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the bus bar 30 of the battery module 200 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first connection tab 31 having a first insertion hole 31a, through which the first electrode terminal 11a of the battery cell 10 is inserted and electrically connected. The bus bar 30 may also include a second connection tab 33, which extends to the side of the first connection tab 31 and has a second insertion hole 33a, through which the second electrode terminal 11b of the battery cell 10 is inserted and electrically connected.

[0072] An inlet groove 37 may be formed on the inner walls of the first and second insertion holes 31a and 33a. Multiple inlet grooves 37 may be formed in each of the first and second insertion holes 31a and 33a. Insertion protrusions 11c protruding from the side surfaces of the first and second electrode terminals 11a and 11b may be inserted into the inlet grooves 37. Specifically, one of the insertion protrusions 11c is inserted into the inlet groove 37 formed in each of the first and second insertion holes 31a and 33a, and the insertion protrusions 11c may be inserted into the first and second insertion holes 31a and 33a in a press-fit state. Therefore, the bus bar 30 may be more stably fixed to the first and second electrode terminals 11a and 11b.

[0073] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be practical embodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, the present disclosure covers various modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells, each of the plurality of battery cells including a protruding terminal portion, each of the terminal portions including a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal; as well as a bus bar electrically connected to the terminal portions of the plurality of battery cells, Herein, an insertion hole is formed in each of the bus bars, and the terminal portion is inserted into the insertion hole.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The insertion holes formed in each of the bus bars include a first insertion hole into which one of the first electrode terminals is inserted and electrically connected, and a second insertion hole into which one of the second electrode terminals is inserted and electrically connected.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein: Each of the bus bars comprises: a first connection member having the first insertion hole formed therein and through which the first electrode terminal is inserted and electrically connected; and A second connector extends at a side of the first connector, the second connector having the second insertion hole formed therein, and the second electrode terminal of the battery cell is inserted through the second insertion hole and electrically connected.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein: A bent portion is formed in each of the bus bars between the first connector and the second connector.

5. The battery module according to claim 4, wherein: A through hole is formed in the bent portion.

6. The battery module according to claim 4, wherein: A plurality of through holes are formed in the bent portion between the first connector and the second connector.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein: The plurality of through holes include: a first through hole formed in the bent portion between the first connector and the second connector; and A second through hole is formed in the bent portion at a position spaced apart from the first through hole.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, wherein: The first through hole and the second through hole are formed such that the lengths of the first through hole and the second through hole extend between the first connector and the second connector.

9. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein: The first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal are electrically connected by welding when inserted into the first insertion hole and the second insertion hole.

10. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein: Inlet grooves are formed on inner walls of the first insertion hole and the second insertion hole.

11. The battery module according to claim 10, wherein: Insertion protrusions protrude from a side surface of the first electrode terminal and a side surface of the second electrode terminal, and each of the insertion protrusions is inserted into one of the inlet grooves.

12. A battery module comprising: A first battery cell including an electrode terminal; a second battery cell including an electrode terminal; as well as a bus bar having a first insertion hole and a second insertion hole formed therein, The electrode terminal of the first battery cell is located in the first insertion hole of the bus bar, and the electrode terminal of the second battery cell is located in the second insertion hole of the bus bar.

13. The battery module according to claim 12, wherein: An edge portion of the electrode terminal of the first battery cell is welded to the bus bar, and an edge portion of the electrode terminal of the second battery cell is welded to the bus bar.

14. The battery module according to claim 12, wherein: The first insertion hole is formed in the first connection piece of the bus bar, and the second insertion hole is formed in the second connection piece of the bus bar, Wherein, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected through the bendable portion of the busbar.

15. The battery module according to claim 14, wherein: An edge portion of the electrode terminal of the first battery cell is welded to the first connector of the bus bar, and an edge portion of the electrode terminal of the second battery cell is welded to the second connector of the bus bar.

16. A battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells, each of the battery cells comprising a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal; a plurality of bus bars, each of the plurality of bus bars having a first insertion hole and a second insertion hole formed therein, wherein the first electrode terminal of each of the battery cells is electrically connected to the one of the bus bars when the first electrode terminal is inserted into the first insertion hole of the one of the bus bars, wherein the second electrode terminal of each of the battery cells is electrically connected to another bus bar among the plurality of bus bars when the second electrode terminal is inserted into the second insertion hole of the other bus bar.

17. The battery module according to claim 16, wherein: An edge portion of each of the first electrode terminals is welded to the bus bar having the first insertion hole accommodating the first electrode terminal, and an edge portion of each of the second electrode terminals is welded to the bus bar having the second insertion hole accommodating the second electrode terminal.

18. The battery module according to claim 16, wherein: Each of the first insertion holes is formed in a first connection piece of the bus bar, and each of the second insertion holes is formed in a second connection piece of the bus bar, Wherein, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected through the bendable portion of the busbar.

19. The battery module according to claim 18, wherein: An edge portion of each of the first electrode terminals is welded to the first connector of the bus bar having the first insertion hole for accommodating the first electrode terminal, and an edge portion of each of the second electrode terminals is welded to the second connector of the bus bar having the second insertion hole for accommodating the second electrode terminal.

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