Battery module

Abstract

A battery module includes: a plurality of row groups connected to each other in parallel or in series, each of the plurality of row groups including a plurality of battery cells electrically connected to each other in parallel; a sensing tab configured to measure a voltage of each of the battery cells of each of the row groups; and a high-voltage bus bar configured to realize electrical connection with another battery module. The high voltage bus bar includes an insulating tape including a synthetic resin, the insulating tape being a non-conductive body configured to electrically insulate the high voltage bus bar from the sensing tab.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One or more embodiments relate to a battery module. Background Art

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, which cannot be recharged, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged. Low-capacity secondary batteries are used in small portable electronic devices such as smartphones, feature phones, laptops, digital cameras, and camcorders, while high-capacity secondary batteries are used as motor drive power sources and power storage batteries for hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. A secondary battery may include an electrode assembly having positive and negative electrodes, a housing that houses the electrode assembly, electrode terminals connected to the electrode assembly, and other components.

[0003] Typically, a battery pack can be used to store energy for an energy storage system (ESS) or an electric vehicle (EV). EVs may include, for example, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), or battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

[0004] A battery pack can be configured by connecting a plurality of battery modules to each other. A battery module can be manufactured by electrically connecting a plurality of battery cells to each other and housing them in a housing. The battery cells of a battery module may include rows forming an electrically parallel structure. A plurality of rows may be connected in electrical series. The electrical series connection between the rows may be achieved by a high-voltage bus bar. The voltage of each battery cell of the row may be measured by a low-voltage sensing tab. In this structure, if the high-voltage bus bar and the sensing tab are electrically connected to each other, an electrical short circuit may occur, which may damage the battery module. In the structure of the related art, physical contact between the high-voltage bus bar and the sensing tab and / or accidental electrical connection between the two due to water vapor or the like may damage the battery module.

[0005] The above information disclosed in this technical section serving as the background of the present disclosure is merely for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore may include information that does not constitute relevant technology. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One or more embodiments include a battery module including a bank wherein the insulation structure between the high voltage bus bar and the low voltage sensing tab is configured to prevent (or at least mitigate) electrical shorting between the high voltage bus bar and the low voltage sensing tab.

[0007] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments of the disclosure.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments, a battery module includes: banks connected in parallel or in series, each bank including a plurality of battery cells electrically connected in parallel; a sensing tab configured to measure the voltage of each of the battery cells in the bank; and a high-voltage bus bar configured to achieve electrical connection with another battery module. The high-voltage bus bar includes an insulating tape comprising a synthetic resin, which is a non-conductive material configured to electrically insulate the high-voltage bus bar from the sensing tab.

[0009] The insulating tape may cover at least a portion of a bottom surface and at least a portion of a top surface of the high-voltage bus bar in a thickness direction of the high-voltage bus bar.

[0010] The insulating tape may have a ring-shaped cross-sectional structure extending around the high-voltage bus bar.

[0011] The insulating tape may be coupled to the high-voltage bus bar by insert molding.

[0012] The insulating tape may comprise polyamide (PA6).

[0013] The high-voltage bus bar and the sensing tab may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0014] The sensing tab may be electrically connected to a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) on a bracket bus bar on the battery cell.

[0015] The support bus bar may be below the sensing tab, and a drainage space configured to drain water formed due to moisture generated around the sensing tab may be on a top surface of the support bus bar.

[0016] The drainage space may be concave in the top surface of the bracket bus bar and form a channel structure extending toward an edge of the bracket bus bar.

[0017] A bottom surface of the drainage space may be inclined downward from the sensing tab toward an edge of the bracket bus bar.

[0018] The battery module may include two or more drainage spaces that are parallel or substantially parallel to each other.

[0019] A longitudinal direction of the drain space and a longitudinal direction of the sensing tab may be perpendicular to each other or substantially perpendicular to each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional structure of a battery module according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 The high-voltage busbars in the battery module are separated;

[0023] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 The line III-III shown is intercepted Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of a battery module;

[0024] Figure 4 shows a drainage structure according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0025] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 The line VV shown is taken Figure 1 Partial cross-sectional view of the battery module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout. In this regard, the embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as limited to the description set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments will be described below solely with reference to the accompanying drawings to illustrate various aspects of this specification. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms and words used in the above-mentioned present specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to the common meaning or dictionary meaning, but should be understood as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical ideas of the present disclosure based on the principle that the inventors can appropriately define the concepts of terms to describe their inventions in the best way. Therefore, it should be understood that the configurations shown in the drawings and the embodiments described in this specification are only the most preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and do not represent all the technical ideas of the present disclosure. Therefore, various equivalents and modifications may exist to replace them when submitting this application. If used in this article, "including" and / or "comprising" specifies the existence of the mentioned shape, quantity, step, operation, component, part and / or its group, and does not exclude the existence or addition of one or more different shapes, quantities, operations, components, parts and / or groups. If describing an embodiment of the present disclosure, "can" or "may" may include "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure."

[0028] To help understand the present disclosure, the accompanying drawings are not shown to scale, but the sizes of some components may be exaggerated. In different embodiments, the same reference numerals may be assigned to the same components.

[0029] A statement that two comparison targets are "the same" as each other may mean that they are "substantially the same." Therefore, cases where they are "substantially the same" may include cases where they have a deviation that is considered low, such as a deviation of 5% or less. If a uniformity parameter is uniform within a predetermined area, it may mean that it is uniform from an average perspective.

[0030] Although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components, and unless specifically stated otherwise, the first component may be the second component.

[0031] Throughout the specification, unless specifically stated otherwise, each component may be in the singular or in the plural.

[0032] If a component is arranged on the “top portion (or bottom portion)” of another component or “on (or under)” another component, this not only means that the component is arranged adjacent to the top surface (or bottom surface) of the other component, but also means that other components can be inserted between the other component and the component arranged on (or under) the other component.

[0033] If a component is described as being “coupled” or “connected” to another component, it should be understood that the components are directly connected to each other or can be connected to each other, but other components may be “interposed” between the components, or the components may be “coupled” or “connected” to each other through other components. If a part is electrically coupled to another part, this may include not only a case where they are directly connected to each other, but also a case where they are connected with other elements interposed therebetween.

[0034] Unless otherwise specified, throughout the specification, "A and / or B" may refer to A, B, or A and B. That is, "and / or" may include all or any combination of the listed items. Unless otherwise specified, "C to D" may refer to at least C but no more than D.

[0035] Figure 1 The three-dimensional structure of the battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2 The high-voltage bus bar 50 in the battery module 10 is shown in a disassembled or separated state. Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view taken along line III-III is shown. Figure 4 A drainage structure according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 The battery module 10 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VV.

[0036] refer to Figures 1 to 5 , a battery module 10 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a plurality of battery cells 20 , a sensing tab 30 , a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) 40 , a bracket bus bar 70 , a high-voltage bus bar 50 , and an insulating tape 60 .

[0037] A plurality of battery cells 20 may be housed in the housing 15 (eg, Figure 3 As shown). The housing 15 may include heat dissipation holes to discharge the heat generated in the battery cells 20 to the outside. Each battery cell 20 may be a prismatic battery cell. A plurality of battery cells 20 may be stacked sequentially in the first direction X. The battery module 10 may form (one or more) bank groups in which a plurality of battery cells 20 are electrically connected to each other. For example, a bank group may be configured by electrically connecting eight battery cells 20 in parallel. A plurality of bank groups may be electrically connected to each other in series to increase the voltage. The battery module 10 may be configured as a structure (8P2S) in which eight battery cells are electrically connected in parallel to form a bank group and two bank groups are electrically connected in series. In one or more embodiments, a plurality of bank groups may be connected in parallel.

[0038] The sensing tab 30 may be an electrical component configured to measure the voltage of each battery cell 20. The sensing tab 30 may be electrically connected to some of the battery cells 20 that form a row. The sensing tab 30 may be electrically connected to the FPCB 40 described below. The sensing tab 30 may be or include a low-voltage circuit. The sensing tab 30 may extend in a second direction Y. The second direction Y may be perpendicular to (or substantially perpendicular to) the first direction X.

[0039] The FPCB 40 may be a battery protection device configured to monitor the status of the battery cell(s) 20 of the battery module 10 and control the charge / discharge status of the battery cell(s) 20. The FPCB 40 may be on the battery module 10. In one or more embodiments, the sensing tab 30 may be electrically connected to the FPCB 40 on the support bus bar 70 on the battery cell 20. The FPCB 40 may include a connector electrically connected to the battery bank.

[0040] The FPCB 40 and the sensing tab 30 may be on the top surface of the support bus bar 70. The support bus bar 70 may cover the top portion of the battery cell 20. The support bus bar 70 may include a non-conductive material. The support bus bar 70 may include an insulating synthetic resin. The support bus bar 70 may be configured to fix the position of the upper portion of the battery cell 20.

[0041] The high-voltage bus bar 50 can be configured to form an electrical connection between the battery module 10 and another battery module. The high-voltage bus bar 50 can be a conductive member to which the final voltage output from the battery module 10 is applied. The high-voltage bus bar 50 can be made of a metal material with sufficient conductivity. The high-voltage bus bar 50 can include, for example, copper or an aluminum alloy. The voltage applied to the high-voltage bus bar 50 can be a higher voltage than the voltage applied to the sensing tab 30.

[0042] The high-voltage bus bar 50 may be electrically insulated from the sensing tab 30. The high-voltage bus bar 50 may be above the battery module 10. Therefore, the sensing tab 30 may be below the high-voltage bus bar 50. The high-voltage bus bar 50 may be fixed to the housing 15, for example, by bolts and nuts.

[0043] The high-voltage bus bar 50 and the sensing tab 30 may be perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) to each other. The longitudinal direction of the high-voltage bus bar 50 and the longitudinal direction of the sensing tab 30 may form a right angle (or substantially a right angle). In a plan view, the high-voltage bus bar 50 and the sensing tab 30 may intersect each other at a right angle (or substantially a right angle).

[0044] The insulating tape 60 can be configured to electrically insulate the high-voltage bus bar 50 from the sensing terminal piece 30. The insulating tape 60 can include a synthetic resin that is a non-conductive body. In one or more embodiments, the material of the insulating tape 60 can be polyamide (PA6). The insulating tape 60 can be inseparably coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled) to the high-voltage bus bar 50. The insulating tape 60 can be configured to cover the bottom surface and the top surface of the high-voltage bus bar 50 in the thickness direction of the high-voltage bus bar 50. Figure 3 As shown, the insulating tape 60 may have an annular cross-section extending around the high-voltage busbar 50 (e.g., the periphery or circumference of the high-voltage busbar 50) (e.g., the insulating tape 60 may be an annular or ring-shaped structure extending around the high-voltage busbar 50). In one or more embodiments, the insulating tape 60 may be coupled to the high-voltage busbar 50 via an insert molding structure or process (e.g., the insulating tape 60 may be molded or otherwise formed around the high-voltage busbar 50).

[0045] The support bus bar 70 may include a drainage space 72. The support bus bar 70 may be below the sensing tab 30. The drainage space 72 may be on the top surface of the support bus bar 70. The drainage space 72 may be configured to facilitate drainage of water formed due to moisture generated around the sensing tab 30. The drainage space 72 may be concave in the top surface of the support bus bar 70. The drainage space 72 may form a channel structure extending toward the outer edge of the support bus bar 70. In one or more embodiments, the bottom surface of the drainage space 72 may be inclined downward from the sensing tab 30 toward the edge of the support bus bar 70, which is configured to facilitate smooth drainage.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, the bracket bus bar 70 may include a plurality of drainage spaces 72 that are parallel (or substantially parallel) to each other.

[0047] The longitudinal direction of the drain space 72 and the longitudinal direction of the sensing tab 30 may be perpendicular (or substantially parallel) to each other. In a plan view, the drain space 72 and the sensing tab 30 may intersect each other at a right angle (or substantially a right angle).

[0048] Hereinafter, the operation of the battery module 10 including the above-mentioned components will be described in detail based on an assembled state of the battery module 10 .

[0049] refer to Figure 3 , the battery module 10 may include a high-voltage bus bar 50 for electrically connecting to another adjacent battery module. The high-voltage bus bar 50 may be a component to which the peak voltage is applied during the charge / discharge operation of the battery module. The sensing tab 30 may be a component that measures the voltage of one battery cell 20 or one row group. Therefore, a relatively low voltage can be applied to the sensing tab 30. If the high-voltage bus bar 50 and the sensing tab 30 are electrically connected to each other, an electrical short circuit may occur, thereby damaging the battery module 10. Since the insulating tape 60 is provided around the high-voltage bus bar 50, the high-voltage bus bar 50 and the sensing tab 30 can always remain electrically insulated from each other. In addition, since the insulating tape 60 is inseparably coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled) to the high-voltage bus bar 50 through the insert injection molding structure, the insulating tape 60 will not be inadvertently separated from the high-voltage bus bar 50. A drainage space 72 may be formed in the support bus bar 70, so even if water is generated around the sensing tab 30 due to changes in the environment, the water may be smoothly drained through the drainage space 72. Therefore, an accidental electrical short circuit between the high-voltage bus bar 50 and the sensing tab 30 may be prevented (or at least mitigated).

[0050] As described above, the battery module according to the present disclosure may include an insulating tape that prevents (or at least reduces) an electrical short circuit between a high-voltage bus bar electrically connecting the battery module and a sensing tab that measures the voltage of a battery cell or battery row in the battery module, thereby preventing an electrical short circuit (or accidental short circuit) between the high-voltage bus bar and the low-voltage sensing tab, thereby preventing (or at least reducing) damage to the battery module.

[0051] In addition, as in the embodiments of the present disclosure, a drainage space can be provided in the bracket bus bar below the sensing terminal to promote the discharge of water generated due to water vapor around the sensing terminal to the outside, thereby more effectively preventing (or at least further mitigating) the electrical short circuit between the high-voltage battery and the sensing terminal.

[0052] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should generally be considered applicable to other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. Although one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A battery module comprising: a plurality of banks connected in parallel or in series with each other, each of the plurality of banks including a plurality of battery cells electrically connected in parallel with each other; a sensing tab configured to measure a voltage of each of the plurality of battery cells in each of the plurality of banks; as well as A high-voltage bus bar configured to achieve electrical connection with another battery module, The high-voltage bus bar includes an insulating tape, the insulating tape includes a synthetic resin, and the insulating tape is a non-conductive body configured to electrically insulate the high-voltage bus bar from the sensing tab. 2 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating tape covers at least a portion of a bottom surface and at least a portion of a top surface of the high-voltage bus bar in a thickness direction of the high-voltage bus bar. 3 . The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the insulating tape has a ring-shaped cross-section extending around the high-voltage bus bar. 4 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating tape is coupled to the high-voltage bus bar by insert molding. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating tape comprises polyamide PA6. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the high-voltage bus bar and the sensing tab are perpendicular to each other. 7 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the sensing tab is electrically connected to a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) on a bracket bus bar on the plurality of battery cells.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, wherein the support bus bar is below the sensing tab, and wherein a drainage space is on a top surface of the support bus bar, the drainage space being configured to discharge water formed due to water vapor generated around the sensing tab. 9 . The battery module according to claim 8 , wherein the drainage space is concave in the top surface of the support bus bar, the drainage space comprising a channel extending toward an edge of the support bus bar. 10 . The battery module according to claim 9 , wherein a bottom surface of the drainage space is inclined downward from the sensing tab toward the edge of the bracket bus bar. 11 . The battery module according to claim 9 , wherein the drainage space comprises a plurality of drainage spaces, and wherein the plurality of drainage spaces are parallel to each other. 12 . The battery module according to claim 9 , wherein a longitudinal direction of the drainage space and a longitudinal direction of the sensing tab are perpendicular to each other.

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