Battery Assembly

Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment, a battery assembly is provided. The battery assembly includes a cell stack including a first pouch-type battery cell, a second pouch-type battery cell, and a third pouch-type battery cell, and a first busbar assembly. The first busbar assembly includes a first integrated circuit including a first busbar, a second busbar, and a first sensing bar configured to measure an electric potential of a second negative lead of the second pouch-type battery cell and a third positive lead of the third pouch-type battery cell. A thickness of the first sensing bar is less than a thickness of the first busbar.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery assembly. This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2022-0166622, filed on December 2, 2022, and Korean Application No. 10-2023-0029853, filed on March 7, 2023, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. [Background technology]

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are widely used as energy sources for a variety of wireless devices such as handsets, laptops, and wireless vacuum cleaners. In recent years, the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has dramatically decreased due to improvements in energy density and economies of scale, and as the driving range of BEVs (battery electric vehicles) increases to a level comparable to that of fuel-powered vehicles, the main use of secondary batteries is shifting from mobile devices to mobility.

[0003] The trend in technological development of secondary batteries for mobility is to improve energy density and safety. Here, the energy density of a secondary battery is the maximum electrical energy that can be stored in the secondary battery divided by the mass of the secondary battery. Since a high energy density of a secondary battery is directly related to the driving efficiency and driving range of mobility, various researches are being conducted to improve the energy density of secondary batteries. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the technical concept of the present invention is to provide a battery assembly having improved energy density. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, there is provided a battery assembly, the battery assembly being a cell stack including a first pouch-type battery cell, a second pouch-type battery cell, and a third pouch-type battery cell, the cell stack including a first busbar assembly.

[0006] The first pouch-type battery cell includes a first positive lead and a first negative lead, the second pouch-type battery cell includes a second positive lead and a second negative lead, and the third pouch-type battery cell includes a third positive lead and a third negative lead, and includes a first bus bar assembly coupled to the cell stack.

[0007] The first busbar assembly includes a first busbar frame, a first busbar and a second busbar coupled to the first busbar frame, the first busbar and the second busbar configured to output a voltage of the cell stack, and a first integrated circuit including a first sensing bar coupled on the first busbar frame and configured to measure a potential of the second negative electrode lead and the third positive electrode lead.

[0008] The first sensing bar has a thickness smaller than that of the first bus bar.

[0009] The thickness of each of the first bus bar and the second bus bar is in the range of 5 to 20 times the thickness of the first sensing bar.

[0010] The thickness of the first sensing bar is in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm.

[0011] The first sensing bar includes the same material as the first and second bus bars.

[0012] The first sensing bar includes a different material than the first and second bus bars.

[0013] The first sensing bar is spaced apart from the third positive lead with the second negative lead therebetween.

[0014] The first bus bar assembly further includes a first lead cover coupled to the bus bar frame and covering the first positive lead, the second negative lead, and the third positive lead.

[0015] The first lead cover includes an insulating material.

[0016] The first bus bar frame includes an integrated circuit receiving portion that defines a groove.

[0017] The first integrated circuit is inserted into the groove.

[0018] The integrated circuit receiving portion of the first bus bar frame protrudes further than the first lead cover.

[0019] The first bus bar frame includes a plurality of jig insertion slots.

[0020] The plurality of jig insertion slots expose the second negative electrode lead and the third positive electrode lead.

[0021] The jig insertion slots are spaced apart from the integrated circuit receiving portion with the first lead cover therebetween.

[0022] One of the jig insertion slots exposes the first sensing bar.

[0023] Each of the jig insertion slots is spaced apart from the first bus bar and the second bus bar. Effect of the Invention

[0024] The battery assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention does not include a module frame, and a bus bar for measuring potentials of multiple nodes inside the battery assembly is replaced with a sensing bar having a relatively small thickness, thereby improving the energy density of the battery assembly.

[0025] Effects that can be obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong from the following description. That is, unintended effects accompanying the implementation of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure by a person having ordinary skill in the art. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery assembly according to an exemplary embodiment; [Diagram 3] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a battery assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram illustrating a coupling between a first bus bar frame, a first bus bar, a second bus bar, and a first integrated circuit. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram illustrating a coupling between a first bus bar frame, a first bus bar, a second bus bar, and a first integrated circuit. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram illustrating a coupling between a first bus bar frame, a first bus bar, a second bus bar, and a first integrated circuit. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram illustrating a coupling between a first bus bar frame, a first bus bar, a second bus bar, and a first integrated circuit. [Figure 8]13 is a diagram illustrating a coupling between a first bus bar frame, a first bus bar, a second bus bar, and a first integrated circuit. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining a welding process. [Figure 10] 9I is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9I-9I' in FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a view illustrating a connection between a first bus bar frame and a first lead cover. [Figure 12] 11 is a view illustrating a connection between a first bus bar frame and a first lead cover. [Figure 13] 11 is a view illustrating a connection between a first bus bar frame and a first lead cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before that, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that are consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to best describe his own invention.

[0028] Therefore, the embodiment described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0029] In addition, in the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of related publicly known configurations or functions may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0030] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated roughly for clearer explanation. Therefore, the sizes and proportions of each component do not completely reflect the actual sizes and proportions.

[0031] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0033] 1 and 2, the battery assembly 100 may further include a cell stack 110, a first busbar assembly 120, a second busbar assembly 130, and a Flat Flexible Cable (FFC) assembly 140.

[0034] The cell stack 110 may include first to sixteenth battery banks BKN1, BKN2, BKN3, BKN4, BKN5, BKN6, BKN7, BKN8, BKN9, BKN10, BKN11, BKN12, BKN13, BKN14, BKN15, and BKN16 (hereinafter, BKN1 to BKN16). Each of the first to sixteenth battery banks BKN1 to BKN16 may include a plurality of (e.g., three) pouch-type battery cells 111. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 may be a bidirectional cell. That is, the positive electrode lead of each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 may be disposed at one end of the pouch-type battery cell 111, and the negative electrode lead of each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 may be disposed at the other end of the pouch-type battery cell 111. In the following, an embodiment of the battery assembly 100 including 16 battery banks (ie, 48 pouch-type battery cells 111) is described, and the number of battery banks can be changed according to the design of the battery assembly.

[0035] Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the first battery bank BKN1 may be referred to as a first pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the second battery bank BKN2 may be referred to as a second pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the third battery bank BKN3 may be referred to as a third pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the fourth battery bank BKN4 may be referred to as a fourth pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the fifth battery bank BKN5 may be referred to as a fifth pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the sixth battery bank BKN6 may be referred to as a sixth pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the seventh battery bank BKN7 may be referred to as a seventh pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the eighth battery bank BKN8 may be referred to as an eighth pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the ninth battery bank BKN9 may be referred to as a ninth pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the tenth battery bank BKN10 may be referred to as a tenth pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the eleventh battery bank BKN11 may be referred to as an eleventh pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the twelfth battery bank BKN12 may be referred to as a twelfth pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the thirteenth battery bank BKN13 may be referred to as a thirteenth pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the fourteenth battery bank BKN14 may be referred to as a fourteenth pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the fifteenth battery bank BKN15 may be referred to as a fifteenth pouch-type battery cell. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the sixteenth battery bank BKN16 may be referred to as a sixteenth pouch-type battery cell.

[0036] Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the first battery bank BKN1 may include a first positive electrode lead P1 and a first negative electrode lead (not shown), each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the second pouch-type battery cell BKN2 may include a second positive electrode lead (not shown) and a second negative electrode lead N2, each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the third battery bank BKN3 may include a third positive electrode lead P3 and a third negative electrode lead (not shown), and each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the fourth pouch-type battery bank BKN4 may include a fourth positive electrode lead P4 and a fourth negative electrode lead N5. Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the fifth battery bank BKN5 may include a fifth positive lead P5 and a fifth negative lead (not shown), each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the sixth pouch-type battery bank BKN6 may include a sixth positive lead (not shown) and a sixth negative lead N6, each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the seventh battery bank BKN7 may include a seventh positive lead P7 and a seventh negative lead (not shown), and each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the eighth battery bank BKN8 may include a fifth positive lead P8 and a fifth negative lead (not shown). Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 in the ninth battery bank BKN9 may include a ninth positive lead P9 and a ninth negative lead (not shown), each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 in the tenth pouch-type battery bank BKN10 may include a tenth positive lead (not shown) and a tenth negative lead N10, and each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 in the eleventh battery bank BKN11 may include an eleventh positive lead P1 each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the 12th pouch-type battery bank BKN12 may include a 12th positive lead (not shown) and a 12th negative lead N12; each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the 13th battery bank BKN13 may include a 13th positive lead P13 and a 13th negative lead (not shown); each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the 14th pouch-type battery bank BKN14 may include a 14th positive lead (not shown) and a 14th negative lead N14;Each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the fifteenth battery bank BKN15 may include a fifteenth positive electrode lead P15 and a fifteenth negative electrode lead (not shown), and each of the pouch-type battery cells 111 of the sixteenth pouch-type battery bank BKN16 may include a sixteenth positive electrode lead (not shown) and a sixteenth negative electrode lead N16.

[0037] Each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 111 is a basic unit of a lithium ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. Each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 111 may include a pouch case of an aluminum laminate sheet and an electrode assembly housed in the pouch case. The electrode assembly housed in the pouch case includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The electrode assemblies are classified into a jelly roll type and a stack type according to the form of assembly. The jelly roll type is a roll of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween. The stack type includes a plurality of positive electrodes, a plurality of negative electrodes, and a plurality of separators interposed therebetween, which are stacked in sequence.

[0038] The pouch-type battery cells 111 of the first battery bank BKN1 may be connected in parallel to each other. The same applies to the second to sixteenth battery banks BKN2 to BKN16. The first to sixteenth battery banks BKN1 to BKN16 may be connected in series to each other. As a result, the first to sixteenth battery cells may also be connected in series.

[0039] More specifically, the first negative electrode lead (not shown) may be connected to the second positive electrode lead (not shown), the second negative electrode lead N2 may be connected to the third positive electrode lead P3, the third negative electrode lead (not shown) may be connected to the fourth positive electrode lead (not shown), the fourth negative electrode lead N4 may be connected to the fifth positive electrode lead P5, the fifth negative electrode lead (not shown) may be connected to the sixth positive electrode lead (not shown), the sixth negative electrode lead N6 may be connected to the seventh positive electrode lead P7, the seventh negative electrode lead (not shown) may be connected to the eighth positive electrode lead (not shown), and the eighth negative electrode lead N8 may be connected to the ninth positive electrode lead P9. The ninth negative electrode lead (not shown) may be connected to the tenth positive electrode lead (not shown), the tenth negative electrode lead N10 may be connected to the eleventh positive electrode lead P11, the eleventh negative electrode lead (not shown) may be connected to the twelfth positive electrode lead (not shown), the twelfth negative electrode lead (not shown) may be connected to the thirteenth positive electrode lead P13, the thirteenth negative electrode lead (not shown) may be connected to the fourteenth positive electrode lead (not shown), the fourteenth negative electrode lead N14 may be connected to the fifteenth positive electrode lead P15, and the fifteenth negative electrode lead (not shown) may be connected to the sixteenth positive electrode lead (not shown). The above-mentioned connection means a physical connection, including being configured to be electrically connected, and includes an indirect connection including an additional element in between.

[0040] The first positive electrode lead P1, the second negative electrode lead N2, the third positive electrode lead P3, the fourth negative electrode lead N4, the fifth positive electrode lead P5, the sixth negative electrode lead N6, the seventh positive electrode lead P7, the eighth negative electrode lead N8, the ninth positive electrode lead P9, the tenth negative electrode lead N10, the eleventh positive electrode lead P11, the twelfth negative electrode lead N12, the thirteenth positive electrode lead P13, the fourteenth negative electrode lead N14, the fifteenth positive electrode lead P15 and the sixteenth negative electrode lead N16 may be covered by the first bus bar assembly 120.

[0041] The first negative electrode lead, the second positive electrode lead, the third negative electrode lead, the fourth positive electrode lead, the fifth negative electrode lead, the sixth positive electrode lead, the seventh negative electrode lead, the eighth positive electrode lead, the ninth negative electrode lead, the tenth positive electrode lead, the eleventh negative electrode lead, the twelfth positive electrode lead, the thirteenth negative electrode lead, the fourteenth positive electrode lead, the fifteenth negative electrode lead and the sixteenth positive electrode lead may be covered by the second bus bar assembly 130.

[0042] The first busbar assembly 120 and the second busbar assembly 130 may be coupled to the cell stack 110. The first busbar assembly 120 and the second busbar assembly 130 may be spaced apart from each other with the cell stack 110 therebetween.

[0043] First busbar assembly 120 may include a first busbar frame 121, a first busbar 123, a second busbar 124, a first integrated circuit 125, and a first lead cover 127. First busbar frame 121 may include an insulating material such as plastic. First busbar frame 121 may support and secure first busbar 123, second busbar 124, first integrated circuit 125, and first lead cover 127.

[0044] The first bus bar 123 and the second bus bar 124 may be coupled to the first bus bar frame 121. The first bus bar 123 and the second bus bar 124 may be output terminals for outputting the voltage of the cell stack 110. The first bus bar 123 may be a positive terminal, and the second bus bar 124 may be a negative terminal. The first bus bar 123 may be coupled to the first positive electrode lead P1. The second bus bar 124 may be coupled to the sixteenth negative electrode lead N16. Thus, the potential difference between the first bus bar 123 and the second bus bar 124 may be substantially equal to the sum of the output voltages of the first to sixteenth battery banks BKN1 to BKN16.

[0045] The first integrated circuit 125 may be coupled to the first bus bar frame 121. The first integrated circuit 125 may be configured to measure a voltage of a predetermined node of the cell stack 110. The first integrated circuit 125 may be configured to transmit a measurement value of each voltage of the predetermined node of the cell stack 110 to a Battery Management System (BMS).

[0046] The above-mentioned predetermined nodes include a node of the first positive electrode lead P1, a node of the second negative electrode lead N2 and the third positive electrode lead P3, a node of the fourth negative electrode lead N4 and the fifth positive electrode lead P5, a node of the sixth negative electrode lead N6 and the seventh positive electrode lead P7, a node of the eighth negative electrode lead N8 and the ninth positive electrode lead P9, a node of the tenth negative electrode lead N10 and the eleventh positive electrode lead P11, a node of the twelfth negative electrode lead N12 and the thirteenth positive electrode lead P13, a node of the fourteenth negative electrode lead N14 and the fifteenth positive electrode lead P15, and a node of the sixteenth negative electrode lead N16.

[0047] The first lead cover 127 may be coupled to the first bus bar frame 121. The first lead cover 127 may cover the first positive lead P1, the second negative lead N2, the third positive lead P3, the fourth negative lead N4, the fifth positive lead P5, the sixth negative lead N6, the seventh positive lead P7, the eighth negative lead N8, the ninth positive lead P9, the tenth negative lead N10, the eleventh positive lead P11, the twelfth negative lead N12, the thirteenth positive lead P13, the fourteenth negative lead N14, the fifteenth positive lead P15, and the sixteenth negative lead N16, thereby preventing unintentional short circuits between these and external elements. The first lead cover 127 may include an insulating material.

[0048] The second busbar assembly 130 may include a second busbar frame 131, a second integrated circuit 135, and a second lead cover 137. The second busbar frame 131 may include an insulating material, such as plastic. The second busbar frame 131 may support and secure the second integrated circuit 135 and the second lead cover 137.

[0049] The second integrated circuit 135 may be coupled to the second bus bar frame 131. The second integrated circuit 135 may be configured to measure a voltage at a predetermined node of the cell stack 110. The measurement of each voltage at the predetermined node of the cell stack 110 by the second integrated circuit 135 may be communicated to the first integrated circuit 125 by the FFC assembly 140.

[0050] The predetermined nodes include a node of the first negative lead and the second positive lead, a node of the third negative lead and the fourth positive lead, a node of the fifth negative lead and the sixth positive lead, a node of the seventh negative lead and the eighth positive lead, a node of the ninth negative lead and the tenth positive lead, a node of the eleventh negative lead and the twelfth positive lead, a node of the thirteenth negative lead and the fourteenth positive lead, and a node of the fifteenth negative lead and the sixteenth positive lead.

[0051] The battery assembly 100 may be implemented in a battery pack, and the battery pack may include a BMS. The BMS may be configured to monitor and balance the battery assembly 100 based on the measured voltages of the respective predetermined nodes of the cell stack 110 measured by the first integrated circuit 125 and the second integrated circuit 135. Balancing the battery assembly 100 is an operation to reduce deviations between the first battery bank BKN1 to the sixteenth battery bank BKN16.

[0052] The second lead cover 137 may be coupled to the second bus bar frame 131. The second lead cover 137 may cover the first negative lead, the second positive lead, the third negative lead, the fourth positive lead, the fifth negative lead, the sixth positive lead, the seventh negative lead, the eighth positive lead, the ninth negative lead, the tenth positive lead, the eleventh negative lead, the twelfth positive lead, the thirteenth negative lead, the fourteenth positive lead, the fifteenth negative lead, and the sixteenth positive lead, thereby preventing unintentional short circuits between these leads and external elements. The second lead cover 137 may include an insulating material.

[0053] The first busbar assembly 120 and the second busbar assembly 130 may be coupled by an FFC assembly 140. The FFC assembly 140 may be disposed on the cell stack 110. The FFC assembly 140 may be a path for transmitting a measurement value of each voltage of a predetermined node of the cell stack 110 sensed by the second busbar assembly 130.

[0054] Second embodiment FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of providing a battery assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0055] 4 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the coupling of first bus bar frame 121, first bus bar 123, second bus bar 124, and first integrated circuit 125. More specifically, Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the above-mentioned elements, Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the above-mentioned elements, Fig. 7 is a rear view of the above-mentioned elements, and Fig. 8 is a front view of the above-mentioned elements.

[0056] 3-8, in P110, a first bus bar frame 121 may have a first bus bar 123, a second bus bar 124, and a first integrated circuit 125 coupled thereto.

[0057] The first bus bar frame 121 may include a first groove 121G1 and a second groove 121G2. The first bus bar 123 and the second bus bar 124 may be inserted into the first groove 121G1. The first integrated circuit 125 may be inserted into the second groove 121G2. The second groove 121G2 may be interposed between the first grooves 121G1. The second groove 121G2 may be formed by the integrated circuit receiving portion 121I.

[0058] First bus bar frame 121 may include first slits 121S1 connected to first grooves 121G1. First slits 121S1 may expose external connection portions 123EC of first bus bar 123 or external connection portions 124EC of second bus bar 124.

[0059] The integrated circuit receiving portion 121I of the first bus bar frame 121 may include a second slit 121S2. The second slit 121S2 may expose the first integrated circuit 125. The first integrated circuit 125 may be coupled to the FFC assembly 140 through the second slit 121S2.

[0060] The first bus bar frame 121 may further include a plurality of jig insertion slots 121S used for welding the first to seventh sensing bars 125S1, 125S2, 125S3, 125S4, 125S5, 125S6, and 125S7 (hereinafter, 125S1 to 125S7) of the first integrated circuit 125.

[0061] The jig insertion slots 121S may expose the first to seventh sensing bars 125S1 to 125S7. Each of the jig insertion slots 121S may be spaced apart from the first bus bar 123 and the second bus bar 124. Each of the jig insertion slots 121S may be interposed between the first grooves G1. Each of the jig insertion slots 121S may be interposed between the first bus bar 123 and the second bus bar 124. The jig insertion slots 121S will be described later with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0062] The thickness of each of the first to seventh sensing bars 125S1 to 125S7 may be different from the thickness of each of the first bus bar 123 and the second bus bar 124. The thickness of each of the first to seventh sensing bars 125S1 to 125S7 may be smaller than the thickness of each of the first bus bar 123 and the second bus bar 124. The thickness of each of the first bus bar 123 and the second bus bar 124 may be in the range of 5 to 20 times the thickness of each of the first to seventh sensing bars 125S1 to 125S7. The thickness of each of the first to seventh sensing bars 125S1 to 125S7 may be in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm.

[0063] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first to seventh sensing bars 125S1 to 125S7 may include the same material as the first bus bar 123 and the second bus bar 124. For example, the first to seventh sensing bars 125S1 to 125S7 and the first bus bar 123 and the second bus bar 124 may include any one of copper, aluminum, and an alloy thereof.

[0064] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first to seventh sensing bars 125S1 to 125S7 may include a different material from the first bus bar 123 and the second bus bar 124. For example, the first to seventh sensing bars 125S1 to 125S7 may include any one of copper, aluminum, and alloys thereof, and the first bus bar 123 and the second bus bar 124 may include another one of copper, aluminum, and alloys thereof.

[0065] According to an exemplary embodiment, the bus bars for measuring the potential of the nodes inside the cell stack 110 (see FIG. 1) are replaced with the first to seventh sensing bars 125S1 to 125S7 having a relatively small thickness, which may reduce the mass of the battery assembly 100 (see FIG. 1) and improve the mass-energy density.

[0066] The second busbar assembly 130 (see FIG. 2) is substantially the same as the first busbar assembly 120, except that it does not include the first busbar 123 and the second busbar 124. Thus, the description of the first busbar assembly 120 described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8 may be similarly applied to the second busbar assembly 130 (see FIG. 2), except as it relates to the first busbar 123 and the second busbar 124.

[0067] Fig. 9 is a perspective view for explaining the welding process. More specifically, the workpiece WP shown in Fig. 12 is a workpiece in which the cell stack 110 is coupled to the first bus bar frame 121 to which the first bus bar 123, the second bus bar 124, and the first integrated circuit 125 are coupled.

[0068] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9I-9I' of FIG.

[0069] 4, 9 and 10, the welding process may be performed at P120.

[0070] The welding process includes welding the first bus bar 123 and the first positive electrode lead P1, welding the first sensing bar 125S1, the second negative electrode lead N2, and the third positive electrode lead P3, welding the second sensing bar 125S2, the fourth negative electrode lead N4, and the fifth positive electrode lead P5, welding the third sensing bar 125S3, the sixth negative electrode lead N6, and the seventh positive electrode lead P7, welding the fourth sensing bar 125S4, the eighth negative electrode lead N8, and the fourth sensing bar 125S5, the eighth negative electrode lead N9, and the fourth sensing bar 125S6, the eighth negative electrode lead N10, and the fourth sensing bar 125S7, the eighth negative electrode lead N11, and the fourth sensing bar 125S8, the eighth negative electrode lead N12, and the fourth sensing bar 125S9, the eighth negative electrode lead N2, and the fourth sensing bar 125S10, the eighth negative electrode lead N3, and the fourth sensing bar 125S11, the eighth positive electrode lead N3, and the fourth sensing bar 125S12, the eighth negative electrode lead N4, and the fifth positive electrode lead P5. The welding may include welding the ninth positive lead P9, welding the fifth sensing bar 125S5, the tenth negative lead N10, and the eleventh positive lead P11, welding the sixth sensing bar 125S6, the twelfth negative lead N12, and the thirteenth positive lead P13, welding the seventh sensing bar 125S7, the fourteenth negative lead N14, and the fifteenth positive lead P15, and welding the second bus bar 124 and the sixteenth negative lead N16. As a non-limiting example, the welding process may use ultrasonic waves.

[0071] A plurality of welding fixtures WZ can be inserted through the plurality of fixture insertion slots 121S of the first bus bar frame 121 during the welding process. The multiple welding fixtures WZ may support the first sensing bar 125S1, the second negative electrode lead N2, and the third positive electrode lead P3, support the second sensing bar 125S2, the fourth negative electrode lead N4, and the fifth positive electrode lead P5, support the third sensing bar 125S3, the sixth negative electrode lead N6, and the seventh positive electrode lead P7, support the fourth sensing bar 125S4, the eighth negative electrode lead N8, and the ninth positive electrode lead P9, support the fifth sensing bar 125S5, the tenth negative electrode lead N10, and the eleventh positive electrode lead P11, support the sixth sensing bar 125S6, the twelfth negative electrode lead N12, and the thirteenth positive electrode lead P13, and support the seventh sensing bar 125S7, the fourteenth negative electrode lead N14, and the fifteenth positive electrode lead P15 while the welding process is being performed.

[0072] Since the first bus bar 123 and the second bus bar 124 have sufficient rigidity, the welding of the first positive electrode lead P1 and the first bus bar 123 and the welding of the sixteenth negative electrode lead N16 and the second bus bar 124 do not require support by a welding jig WZ.

[0073] According to an exemplary embodiment, by bonding the sensing bar, the negative lead, and the positive lead via a single welding process, the number of process steps required to provide the battery assembly 100 (see FIG. 1) may be reduced, thereby increasing the productivity of the battery assembly 100 (see FIG. 1).

[0074] The welding of the first negative electrode lead, the second positive electrode lead, the third negative electrode lead, the fourth positive electrode lead, the fifth negative electrode lead, the sixth positive electrode lead, the seventh negative electrode lead, the eighth positive electrode lead, the ninth negative electrode lead, the tenth positive electrode lead, the eleventh negative electrode lead, the twelfth positive electrode lead, the thirteenth negative electrode lead, the fourteenth positive electrode lead, the fifteenth negative electrode lead and the sixteenth positive electrode lead to the sensing bar of the second integrated circuit 135 (see FIG. 2) is substantially the same as that of P130, so a duplicated description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] 11 to 13 are diagrams illustrating the connection between first bus bar frame 121 and first lead cover 127. More specifically, Fig. 11 is a perspective view, and Figs. 12 and 13 are side views.

[0076] 4 and 11-13, in P130, a first lead cover 127 may be coupled to a first bus bar frame 121. As shown in FIG.

[0077] First bus bar frame 121 may further include third groove 121G3 and protruding portion 121P. First lead cover 127 may be inserted into third groove 121G3. First lead cover 127 may include fixing portion 127F. Fixing portion 127F may include a hole configured to receive protruding portion 121P. First lead cover 127 and first bus bar frame 121 may be fixed to each other by inserting protruding portion 121P into the hole of fixing portion 127F.

[0078] According to an exemplary embodiment, the area of ​​the first lead cover 127 may be smaller than the area of ​​the first bus bar frame 121. The integrated circuit receiving portion 121I may protrude further outward (i.e., toward the opposite side to be coupled with the cell stack 110) than the first lead cover 127 inserted into the third groove 121G3. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first lead cover 127 may limitatively cover only the portions of the first bus bar frame 121 that overlap with the first to seventh sensing bars 125S1 to 125S7, the first positive electrode lead P1, the second negative electrode lead N2, the third positive electrode lead P3, the fourth negative electrode lead N4, the fifth positive electrode lead P5, the sixth negative electrode lead N6, the seventh positive electrode lead P7, the eighth negative electrode lead N8, the ninth positive electrode lead P9, the tenth negative electrode lead N10, the eleventh positive electrode lead P11, the twelfth negative electrode lead N12, the thirteenth positive electrode lead P13, the fourteenth negative electrode lead N14, the fifteenth positive electrode lead P15, and the sixteenth negative electrode lead N16. According to an exemplary embodiment, there is no substantial increase in the volume of the first bus bar assembly 120 (see FIG. 1) due to the insertion of the first lead cover 127, and the volume-energy density of the battery assembly 100 (see FIG. 1) may be improved.

[0079] The third groove 121G3 may be interposed between the multiple jig insertion slots 121S (see FIG. 5) and the second groove 121G2 (see FIG. 5). The multiple jig insertion slots 121S (see FIG. 5) may be separated from the second groove 121G2 (see FIG. 5) with the third groove 121G3 therebetween. As a result, the multiple jig insertion slots 121S (see FIG. 5) may be separated from the integrated circuit receiving portion 121I with the first lead cover 127 therebetween.

[0080] The description of the first bus bar assembly 120 described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13 can be similarly applied to the second bus bar assembly 130 (see FIG. 2).

[0081] The present invention has been described in detail above through the drawings and embodiments, etc. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of filing this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 100 Battery Assembly 110 Cell Stack 111 Pouch type battery cell 120 First busbar assembly 121 First bus bar frame 121G1 1st groove 121G2 2nd groove 121G3 3rd groove 121I Integrated circuit housing 121P protrusion 121S Jig insertion slot 121S1 First slit 121S2 2nd slit 123 No. 1 bus bar 123EC External connection part 124 2nd bus bar 124EC External connection part 125 1st Integrated Circuit 125S1 First sensing bar 125S2 Second sensing bar 125S3 3rd sensing bar 125S4 4th sensing bar 125S5 5th sensing bar 125S6 6th sensing bar 125S7 7th sensing bar 127 First lead cover 127F Fixed part 130 Second busbar assembly 131 Second bus bar frame 135 2nd Integrated Circuit 137 2nd Lead Cover 140 FFC Assembly (Flat Flexible Cable Assembly) BKN1 Battery Bank 1 BKN2 2nd Battery Bank (2nd Pouch Type Battery Cell) BKN3 3rd Battery Bank BKN4 4th Battery Bank (4th Pouch Type Battery Bank) BKN5 5th Battery Bank BKN6 6th Battery Bank (6th Pouch-type Battery Bank) BKN7 7th Battery Bank BKN8 8th Battery Bank (8th Pouch Type Battery Bank) BKN9 9th Battery Bank BKN10 10th Battery Bank (10th Pouch-type Battery Bank) BKN11 Battery Bank 11 BKN12 12th Battery Bank (12th Pouch-type Battery Bank) BKN13 13th Battery Bank BKN14 14th Battery Bank (14th Pouch-type Battery Bank) BKN15 15th Battery Bank BKN16 16th Battery Bank (16th Pouch-type Battery Bank) G1 1st groove N2 Second negative lead N4 4th negative lead N6 6th negative lead N8 8th negative lead N10 10th negative lead N12 12th negative lead N14 14th negative lead N16 16th negative lead P1 First positive lead P3 3rd positive lead P5 5th positive lead P7 7th positive lead P9 9th positive lead P11 11th positive lead P13 13th positive lead P15 15th positive lead WP Work WZ welding fixture

Claims

1. a cell stack including a first pouch-type battery cell, a second pouch-type battery cell, and a third pouch-type battery cell, the first pouch-type battery cell including a first positive lead and a first negative lead, the second pouch-type battery cell including a second positive lead and a second negative lead, and the third pouch-type battery cell including a third positive lead and a third negative lead; a first bus bar assembly coupled to the cell stack; A battery assembly comprising: The first bus bar assembly includes: A first bus bar frame; a first bus bar and a second bus bar coupled to the first bus bar frame, the first bus bar and the second bus bar configured to output a voltage of the cell stack; a first integrated circuit coupled onto the first bus bar frame, the first integrated circuit including a first sensing bar configured to measure a potential of the second negative lead and the third positive lead; Including, A battery assembly, wherein a thickness of the first sensing bar is thinner than a thickness of the first bus bar.

2. 2. The battery assembly of claim 1, wherein a thickness of each of the first bus bar and the second bus bar is in a range of 5 to 20 times a thickness of the first sensing bar.

3. The battery assembly of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the first sensing bar is in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm.

4. The battery assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first sensing bar comprises the same material as the first bus bar and the second bus bar.

5. The battery assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first sensing bar comprises a different material than the first bus bar and the second bus bar.

6. The battery assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first sensing bar is spaced apart from the third positive lead with the second negative lead therebetween.

7. the first bus bar assembly further includes a first lead cover coupled to the first bus bar frame, the first lead cover covering the first positive lead, the second negative lead, and the third positive lead, The battery assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first lead cover comprises an insulating material.

8. the first bus bar frame includes an integrated circuit receiving portion that defines a groove; The battery assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first integrated circuit is inserted into the groove.

9. The battery assembly of claim 8 , wherein the integrated circuit receiving portion of the first bus bar frame protrudes beyond the first lead cover.

10. the first bus bar frame includes a plurality of jig insertion slots; The battery assembly of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of jig insertion slots expose the second negative lead and the third positive lead.

11. The battery assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the jig insertion slots are spaced apart from the integrated circuit receiving portion with the first lead cover therebetween.

12. The battery assembly of claim 10 or 11, wherein one of the plurality of jig insertion slots exposes the first sensing bar.

13. The battery assembly according to claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of jig insertion slots is spaced apart from the first bus bar and the second bus bar.

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