BUS BAR FRAME ASSEMBLY AND BATTERY MODULE INCLUDING THE SAME

Abstract

A bus bar frame assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a bus bar frame that covers one side of a plurality of batteries and has a bus bar attached thereto to electrically connect the plurality of batteries to the outside, and a buffer member that protrudes from an inner surface of the bus bar frame toward the plurality of batteries, the buffer member including an end portion located closest to the plurality of batteries in a protruding direction of the buffer member, and a support surface that forms an obtuse angle with the end portion so as to face each of the batteries adjacent to the buffer member.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0070387 filed on June 9, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0047728 filed on April 11, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent applications are incorporated by reference into this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a bus bar frame assembly and a battery module including the same. [Background technology]

[0003] In order to solve the problem of environmental pollution and the demand for alternative energy sources due to the depletion of petroleum resources, research and development are being conducted on electricity production based on environmentally friendly energy sources. In particular, research on secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is being actively conducted, and research and development is being conducted on various aspects of secondary batteries such as materials, structures, processes, and stability.

[0004] The secondary battery may be built into a battery module. Specifically, the secondary battery may be built into a battery module, and the secondary battery inside the battery module may be electrically connected to the outside via a bus bar. The bus bar may be mounted on a bus bar frame to maintain structural stability.

[0005] According to the conventional technology, when gas is generated inside a secondary battery due to repeated charging and discharging, pressure may be concentrated at the edges of the secondary battery, and therefore a structural design that can disperse the pressure concentrated at the edges is required. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a bus bar frame assembly and a battery module including the same, which can effectively disperse pressure when gas is generated inside a secondary battery and pressure is concentrated at edges. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A bus bar frame assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a bus bar frame that covers one side of a plurality of batteries and has a bus bar attached thereto to electrically connect the plurality of batteries to the outside, and a buffer member that protrudes from an inner surface of the bus bar frame toward the plurality of batteries, the buffer member including an end portion located closest to the plurality of batteries in a protruding direction of the buffer member, and a support surface that forms an obtuse angle with the end portion so as to face each of the batteries adjacent to the buffer member.

[0008] A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of batteries, a bus bar frame covering one side of the plurality of batteries and having a bus bar attached thereto for electrically connecting the plurality of batteries to the outside, and a buffer member protruding from an inner surface of the bus bar frame toward the plurality of batteries, the buffer member including an end portion located closest to the plurality of batteries in a protruding direction of the buffer member, and a support surface forming an obtuse angle with the end portion so as to face each of the batteries adjacent to the buffer member. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, damage to a secondary battery due to swelling can be suppressed. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the secondary battery and the battery module are prevented from being structurally damaged, and the structural stability can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a bus bar frame assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a bus bar frame assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a plan view showing a state in which a cushioning member according to an embodiment of the present invention is viewed from above. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the cushioning member according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing contacts of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged view showing a contact area according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in order to enable those skilled in the art to easily carry out the present invention. However, the present invention may be realized in various different forms, and is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0012] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of parts that are not relevant to the explanation or related known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted, and when referring to components in each drawing in this specification, the same or similar reference symbols will be used for the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0013] Furthermore, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims should not be interpreted in a limited manner to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the technical ideas of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventors can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their invention.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. The secondary battery 1 may include an electrode assembly therein. The electrode assembly may have a structure in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately stacked with a separator interposed therebetween.

[0015] The secondary battery 1 may include a case 10. The case 10 may surround and house the electrode assembly. The case 10 may be a pouch-type case.

[0016] The case 10 may include a terrace portion 12. The terrace portion 12 may be a predetermined region including an edge of the case 10. For example, the terrace portion 12 may be a portion from an edge of the electrode assembly to an edge of the case 10 when viewed from the front. The terrace portion 12 may include a sealing portion 13 at an end thereof. The sealing portion 13 may be an edge portion of the case 10.

[0017] The secondary battery 1 may include an electrode lead 11. The electrode lead 11 may electrically connect the electrode assembly to the outside. The electrode lead 11 may be connected to the electrode assembly inside the case 10 and may protrude to the outside of the case 10 for electrical connection to the outside.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. The description of the above-mentioned embodiment may be applied in the same or similar manner to this embodiment.

[0019] The battery module 100 may include a plurality of batteries 2. Each of the plurality of batteries 2 may be a secondary battery. The battery module 100 may include plates. The outer periphery of the battery module 100 may be formed by the plates. For example, the outer periphery of the battery module 100 may be formed by a lower plate 110, an upper plate 111, and an end plate 112.

[0020] The lower plate 110, the upper plate 111, and the end plate 112 may be arranged in a form surrounding the plurality of batteries 2. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the lower plate 110 may be formed as a U-shaped plate, the upper plate 111 may be attached onto the lower plate 110 as a flat plate, and the electrode lead 11 side of the plurality of batteries 2 may be covered by the end plate 112. However, this is merely an example and is not particularly limited.

[0021] The battery module 100 may include a bus bar frame 210. The bus bar frame 210 may be disposed between the multiple batteries 2 and the end plates 112.

[0022] The battery module 100 may include a cushioning member 220. The cushioning member 220 may be disposed between the plurality of batteries 2 and the bus bar frame 210. The cushioning member 220 may disperse pressure when any one of the plurality of batteries 2 expands. The bus bar frame 210 and the buffer member 220 may form a bus bar frame assembly 200.

[0023] The battery module 100 may be provided with a plurality of bus bar frame assemblies 200. The battery module 100 may be provided with a plurality of bus bar frame assemblies 200, which may cover both sides of the plurality of batteries 2. Specifically, the bus bar frame assemblies 200 may cover the electrode lead 11 sides of the plurality of batteries 2.

[0024] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a bus bar frame assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5 is a side view showing a bus bar frame assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. The description of the above embodiment may be applied in the same or similar manner to this embodiment.

[0025] A bus bar 211 may be attached to the bus bar frame 210. In addition, a connector (not shown) may be attached to the bus bar frame 210. The bus bar 211 or the connector may be attached to the bus bar frame 210 and electrically connected to the plurality of batteries 2.

[0026] The buffer member 220 may extend in a predetermined direction. For example, the buffer member 220 may extend in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the plurality of batteries 2. In other words, the buffer member 220 may extend along the seal portion 13 formed on one side edge of each of the plurality of batteries 2. The extension length of the buffer member 220 may correspond to, but is not limited to, the length of the seal portion 130. The bus bar frame 210 and the buffer member 220 may be integrally formed.

[0027] The battery module 100 (or the bus bar frame assembly 200) may include a plurality of cushioning members 220. The plurality of cushioning members 220 may be arranged in a direction parallel to the direction in which the plurality of batteries 2 are stacked.

[0028] Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a cushioning member according to an embodiment of the present invention is seen from above, and Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the cushioning member according to an embodiment of the present invention. The description of the above embodiment can be applied in the same or similar manner to this embodiment.

[0029] The battery module 100 may include a bus bar frame 210 that covers at least one side of the plurality of batteries 2 and has bus bars 211 attached thereto to electrically connect the plurality of batteries 2 to the outside.

[0030] The cushioning members 220 can protrude from the inner surface of the bus bar frame 210 towards the multiple batteries 2 . The cushioning member 220 may include an end portion 220-1. The end portion 220-1 may be located closest to the plurality of batteries 2 in the protruding direction of the cushioning member 220.

[0031] The cushioning member 220 may include a support surface 220-2. The support surface 220-2 may include a first support surface 221 and a second support surface 222. The support surface 220-2 may form an obtuse angle with the end portion 220-1 so as to face each of the plurality of batteries 2 adjacent to the cushioning member 220. Referring to FIG. 6, the first support surface 221 and the second support surface 222 may form an obtuse angle (α).

[0032] When the support surface 220-2 forms an obtuse angle, it is possible to form a surface facing the multiple batteries 2, and therefore pressure dispersion by the support surface when the batteries expand can be effectively achieved.

[0033] Each of the support surfaces 220-2 may be a flat surface. In other words, the first support surface 221 and the second support surface 222 may be a flat surface. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0034] When one of the plurality of batteries 2 expands, the direction in which the one battery presses one of the support surfaces 220-2 can intersect with the width direction of the one support surface. For example, when one battery (e.g., the first battery 2-1) among the multiple batteries 2 adjacent to the first support surface 221 expands, the direction in which the one battery (e.g., the first battery 2-1) applies pressure to the first support surface 221 may intersect with the width direction of the first support surface 221.

[0035] As another example, when another battery (e.g., the second battery 2-2) among the multiple batteries 2 adjacent to the second support surface 222 expands, the direction in which the other battery (e.g., the second battery 2-2) applies pressure to the second support surface 222 may intersect with the width direction of the second support surface 222. As described above, the width direction of the support surface is formed to intersect with the direction in which pressure is applied to the battery, so that pressure dispersion can be effectively achieved when the battery expands.

[0036] The area of ​​the support surface 220-2 may be 50% or more of the outer surface of the buffer member 220. In other words, the support surface 220-2 can occupy the largest area of ​​the outer surface of the buffer member 220. The larger the area of ​​the support surface 220-2, the more effectively it can disperse pressure concentrated on edges (e.g., terrace portions 12) when the multiple batteries 2 swell.

[0037] It is possible to provide a plurality of cushioning members 220. For example, a plurality of cushioning members 220 may be provided along the stacking direction of the plurality of batteries 2. The plurality of buffer members may include the asymmetric buffer member 230. For example, when two of adjacent batteries are defined as a first battery and a second battery, and the support surface facing the first battery is defined as a first support surface, and the support surface facing the second battery is defined as a second support surface, the asymmetric buffer member 230 may have different areas for the first support surface and the second support surface.

[0038] In the arrangement direction of the plurality of buffer members, a section (A) in which the angles between the support surfaces are different may be formed. For example, the buffer members 220 may be arranged in a plurality of positions along the stacking direction of the plurality of batteries 2, and a section (A) in which the angles between the support surfaces 220-2 are different may be formed along the arrangement direction.

[0039] As a specific example, if two of adjacent batteries are defined as a first battery and a second battery, and the surface of support surface 220-2 facing the first battery is defined as a first support surface, and the surface facing the second battery is defined as a second support surface, the area difference between the first support surface and the second support surface can be greater toward the battery stacked on the outermost side of the plurality of batteries 2.

[0040] As described above, when a section (A) having different angles between the support surfaces 220-2 along the arrangement direction is formed, or when the areas of the support surfaces 220-2 are different, the pressure distribution effect can be adaptively maintained according to the structural characteristics of the busbar frame 210 and the multiple batteries 2.

[0041] Fig. 8 is a plan view showing contact of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 9 is a partially enlarged view showing a contact area according to an embodiment of the present invention. The description of the above embodiment may be applied in the same or similar manner to this embodiment.

[0042] As described above, each of the plurality of batteries 2 can include a terrace portion 12 having a seal portion 13 formed at an end thereof. The buffer member 220 can come into contact with a predetermined area range of the terrace portion 12. For example, the area of ​​the terrace portion 12 excluding the seal portion 13 that comes into contact with the buffer member 220 may be within a range of 25% to 55%.

[0043] When the secondary battery 1 swells, the support surface 220-2 of the cushioning member 220 contacts and supports within a range of 25% to 55% of the area of ​​the terrace portion 12 excluding the seal portion 13, thereby effectively dispersing the pressure concentrated on the edge of the secondary battery 1.

[0044] According to the above-described embodiment, pressure concentrated on the edge of the secondary battery 1 can be dispersed through the support surface of the buffer member, thereby preventing damage to the secondary battery 1 or the busbar frame 210 and improving structural stability.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible within the scope equivalent to the technical concept of the present invention and the claims described below by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1: Secondary battery 2: Multiple batteries 2-1: First battery 2-2: Second battery 10: Case 11: Electrode lead 12: Terrace Club 13: Seal part 100: Battery module 110: Lower plate 111: Upper plate 112: End plate 200: Busbar frame assembly 210: Busbar frame 211: Busbar 220: Cushioning material 220-1: Terminal part 220-2: Support surface 221: 1st support surface 222:Second support surface 230: Asymmetrical cushioning material

Claims

1. a bus bar frame that covers one side of the plurality of batteries and to which a bus bar is attached to electrically connect the plurality of batteries to the outside; a buffer member protruding from an inner surface of the bus bar frame toward the batteries; Including, The buffer member is an end portion located closest to the plurality of batteries in a protruding direction of the cushioning member; a support surface that forms an obtuse angle with the end portion so as to face each battery adjacent the cushioning member; 2. A bus bar frame assembly comprising:

2. The bus bar frame assembly of claim 1 , wherein when one of the plurality of batteries expands, a direction in which the one battery presses one of the support surfaces intersects a width direction of the one support surface.

3. the buffer member is disposed in a stacking direction of the plurality of batteries, The bus bar frame assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a section is formed in a direction in which the buffer members are arranged, the support surfaces being spaced apart from each other at different angles.

4. The buffer member is The bus bar frame assembly according to claim 1 , extending in a direction perpendicular to a stacking direction of the plurality of batteries.

5. The area of ​​the support surface is The bus bar frame assembly of claim 1 , wherein the buffer member is formed on at least 50% of an outer surface of the buffer member.

6. The bus bar frame assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bus bar frame and the buffer member are integrally formed.

7. The buffer member is The bus bar frame assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bus bar frame assembly extends along a seal portion formed on one side edge of each of the plurality of batteries.

8. The extension length of the buffer member is The bus bar frame assembly of claim 7 , which corresponds to a length of the seal portion.

9. When two of the adjacent batteries are defined as a first battery and a second battery, and a surface of the support surface facing the first battery is defined as a first support surface, and a surface of the support surface facing the second battery is defined as a second support surface, The bus bar frame assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising an asymmetric buffer member, the first support surface and the second support surface having different areas.

10. The busbar frame assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of said support surfaces is planar.

11. the buffer member is disposed in a stacking direction of the plurality of batteries, When two of the adjacent batteries are defined as a first battery and a second battery, and a surface of the support surface facing the first battery is defined as a first support surface, and a surface of the support surface facing the second battery is defined as a second support surface, The bus bar frame assembly according to claim 1 , wherein an area difference between the first support surface and the second support surface increases toward an outermost stacked battery of the plurality of batteries.

12. A number of batteries; a bus bar frame covering one side of the plurality of batteries and having a bus bar attached thereto for electrically connecting the plurality of batteries to an outside; a buffer member protruding from an inner surface of the bus bar frame toward the batteries; Including, The buffer member is an end portion located closest to the plurality of batteries in a protruding direction of the cushioning member; a support surface that forms an obtuse angle with the end portion so as to face each battery adjacent the cushioning member; a battery module including:

13. the bus bar frame and the buffer member form a bus bar frame assembly; The busbar frame assembly is The battery module according to claim 12 , wherein a plurality of the battery modules are provided, the battery module covering at least both sides of the plurality of batteries.

14. The plurality of batteries include The seal portion includes a terrace portion formed at an end thereof, 13. The battery module according to claim 12, wherein an area of ​​the terrace portion excluding the seal portion that is in contact with the buffer member is within a range of 25% to 55%.

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