Battery module with improved bending structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module in which a negative electrode and a positive electrode terminal are provided at the upper part. In the battery cell included in the battery module, both the negative electrode lead and the positive electrode lead protrude toward one side in the width direction of the battery cell, and a battery cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of the battery cells is connected to the terminal via one plate-shaped bus bar frame provided above it. At this time, an end plate that covers the front and rear of the housing of the module is integrally formed with a top plate that covers the upper part or a U-frame that covers the lower part and the side. Thereby, in the battery module according to the present invention, since the end plate does not fall off even during ignition, flames and the like do not transfer to other battery modules located adjacent to the front and rear, and the leads and terminals are provided at the upper part and are guided to vent upward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0084568 filed on July 8, 2022, and all of the contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module with an improved bending structure. Specifically, the present invention relates to a battery module having an improved structure such that, when a fire occurs, bending is performed upward so that flames and heat do not spread to other adjacent battery modules in the front-rear direction or left-right direction.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are highly applicable to a wide range of products and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles driven by an electric drive source, power storage devices, and the like. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source not only because they can significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels but also because they are environmentally friendly in that they do not generate any by-products during energy use and can improve energy efficiency.

[0004] One or two or three battery cells are used per device in small mobile devices, while high output and large capacity are required for medium and large-sized devices such as automobiles. Therefore, medium and large-sized battery modules in which a large number of battery cells are electrically connected are used.

[0005] Medium and large-sized battery modules are preferably manufactured to be small in size and light in weight if possible. Therefore, prismatic batteries, pouch-type batteries, etc., which can be stacked with a high degree of integration and have a small weight-to-capacity ratio, are mainly used as battery cells for medium and large-sized battery modules.

[0006] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view showing a general battery module, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one unit of a pouch-type battery cell constituting a general battery cell laminate. Referring to these drawings, the battery module 1 may generally include a housing 4, a battery cell laminate 2, a bus bar frame 3, and a terminal 5 including a positive terminal 5a and a negative terminal 5b.

[0007] The housing 4 may be composed of a U-frame 41 with its front, rear, and upper sides open, a pair of end plates 42 covering the front and rear respectively, and a top plate 43 covering the upper side. Each component of the housing 4 may then be joined to each other by a method such as welding to form the housing 4.

[0008] The battery cell laminate 2 is formed by laminating a plurality of pouch-type battery cells 21, and the battery cell 21 may include a pouch 212 and an electrode assembly. The pouch 212 has electrode leads 211 protruding from both sides in its length direction (X2) and is folded in half, and is fusion-sealed by seal portions 213 on three sides except the folding surface to accommodate the electrode assembly. The electrode leads 211 may include a positive electrode lead 211a and a negative electrode lead 211b.

[0009] The bus bar frame 3 may be electrically connected to the electrode leads 211 and may be electrically connected to the terminal 5 again. The terminal 5 may be exposed to the outside through a terminal exposure portion 51 provided on the end plate 42 and may be electrically connected to the outside.

[0010] On the one hand, the battery cell 21 has a risk of overheating and catching fire, such as a short circuit occurring. When the battery cell 21 catches fire, heat, flame, and vent gas generated by vaporization of the electrolyte charged in the battery cell 21 can be discharged from the battery cell 21. The heat, flame, and vent gas are discharged mainly from the portion of the seal portion 213 of the pouch 212 where the electrode lead 211 protrudes in the battery cell 21, and in the battery module 1, mainly through the terminal exposure portion 51 provided on the end plate 42 where the terminal 5 is exposed, the joint between the end plate 42, the top plate 43, and the U-frame.

[0011] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are schematic diagrams showing how thermal energy and flame transfer between battery modules. Referring to this, when heat, flame, and vent gas are discharged at both ends in the length direction (X1) of the battery module 1, there is a risk that thermal energy is transferred to other adjacent battery modules 1 in the front-rear direction (X1), resulting in a chain of fires. Such a chain of fires can occur particularly during an accident of an electric vehicle, and it is essential to prevent this. However, in the battery module 1 having a structure in which the electrode lead 211 protrudes in the length direction (X2) of the battery cell 21, and thereby the terminal 5 is exposed at the portion of the end plate 42, such a risk of chain fires is even greater. Also, when the end plate 42 falls off from the housing 4 due to an increase in the pressure resistance of the housing 4, such a risk is aggravated. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the structure of the battery module so that heat, flame, and vent gas do not vent toward other adjacent battery modules 1.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0012] The present invention has been devised under the background of the prior art as described above, and an object thereof is to provide a battery module with an improved structure configured such that heat, flame, and vent gas generated when a battery cell catches fire vent upward.

[0013] Still another technical problem of the present invention is to provide a battery module including a housing having a structure in which an end plate does not fall off from the housing even though the pressure resistance of the housing increases due to ignition of a battery cell.

[0014] Still another technical problem of the present invention is to provide a structure of a battery module that achieves the above object, improves space utilization, and occupies a small volume with respect to the capacity.

[0015] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack including a battery module having the improved structure as described above and an automobile including the battery pack.

[0016] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention not mentioned can be understood from the following description and can be more clearly understood from the embodiments of the present invention. Further, it is easily understood that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof shown in the claims.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0017] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a structure of a battery module in which a terminal protrudes upward.

[0018] The battery module may include a housing, a battery cell laminate, a bus bar frame, and a terminal.

[0019] The housing may include a U-frame with the front, rear, and upper sides open, a pair of end plates covering the front and rear respectively, and a top plate covering the upper side.

[0020] The U-frame may be made of a metal material. However, the U-frame may be made of any material.

[0021] The U-frame may be manufactured by plastic deformation of a single plate material through pressing. Alternatively, the U-frame may be manufactured by joining each side wall and the bottom surface to each other.

[0022] The end plate can form a single box frame that is open upward integrally with the U-frame. Or, the end plate can also form a single second U-frame that is open in the front, rear, and downward integrally with the top plate. Thereby, by increasing the pressure resistance of the housing due to ignition of the battery module, it is possible to prevent the end plate from falling off. At this time, the second U-frame may be manufactured by plastic deformation of a single plate material through pressing.

[0023] Each component constituting the housing can be joined to each other to form a single housing. The joining may be by welding or may be by various methods such as friction fitting.

[0024] The battery cell stack can be accommodated in the housing.

[0025] The battery cell stack may be formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells in their height direction (Z2).

[0026] The battery cell may include an electrode assembly, an electrode lead protruding from the electrode assembly, the electrode lead being protruded and folded in half, and heat-sealed with seal portions 213 on three sides excluding the folding surface to accommodate the electrode assembly.

[0027] The electrode lead may include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead.

[0028] The electrode lead may protrude from both sides in the length direction (X2) of the battery cell, or may protrude from one side in the width direction (Y2) of the battery cell. Preferably, both the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may protrude from one side in the width direction of the battery cell.

[0029] The battery cell laminate can be housed in the housing such that one side in the width direction of the battery cell faces upward. Thereby, when the battery cell catches fire, heat, flames, and vent gas can be induced to be discharged upward where the electrode lead, which is relatively weak in sealing, protrudes.

[0030] The electrode lead can be electrically connected to the bus bar frame. The electrode leads may be connected to the bus bar frame such that the same poles are connected to each other, or different poles may be connected to each other.

[0031] When the electrode leads protrude from both sides in the length direction of the battery cell, the bus bar frame can be provided in a pair of plate shapes interposed between the battery cell laminate and the pair of end plates. Or, when the electrode lead protrudes from one side in the width direction of the battery cell, it can be provided in one plate shape interposed between the battery cell laminate and the top plate.

[0032] The bus bar frame may be electrically connected to the terminal. At this time, the terminal may include a positive terminal and a negative terminal, and thereby, a part of the bus bar frame may be connected to the positive terminal, and another part may be connected to the negative terminal.

[0033] The portions of the bus bar frame connected to the electrode lead and the terminal are made of a metal material, and the other portions may be made of a synthetic resin material. The synthetic resin may be a flame-retardant synthetic resin.

[0034] The terminal may be exposed to the outside of the housing through a terminal exposure portion that is provided open upward on the top plate of the housing. As the terminal exposure portion faces upward, when the battery module ignites, heat, flames, and vent gas can be guided to be discharged above the battery module.

[0035] The means for solving the above problems can be similarly applied to a battery pack including the battery module and an automobile including the battery pack.

Advantages of the Invention

[0036] The present invention can provide a battery module with an improved structure in which heat, flames, and vent gas generated when a battery cell ignites vent upward because the terminal and the terminal exposure portion are provided facing upward.

[0037] From another aspect, the present invention can provide a battery module with an improved structure in which an electrode lead protrudes upward and vents upward.

[0038] Another effect of the present invention is to provide a battery module having a housing with an improved structure in which an end plate is formed integrally with a top plate or a U-frame, so that the end plate does not fall off from the housing despite an increase in the pressure resistance of the housing due to ignition of the battery cell.

[0039] Another effect of the present invention is to provide a structure of a battery module in which an electrode lead, a bus bar plate, and a terminal are provided upward rather than in the length direction, thereby improving space utilization and occupying a small volume with respect to the capacity.

[0040] From another aspect, the present invention can provide a battery pack including a battery module with the above-described improved structure and an automobile including the battery pack.

[0041] In addition, the present invention can have various effects. Regarding this, those effects that will be described in each embodiment or those effects that can be easily inferred by an ordinary technician will be omitted from the description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0042]

Figure 1

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Figure 4

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Figure 6

Figure 7

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Figure 10

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Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0043] The above-described objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereby those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. In the description of the present invention, when it is determined that a specific description of a known technique related to the present invention obscures the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0044] Although, for example, first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, it goes without saying that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another, and it goes without saying that the first component may be the second component unless otherwise stated.

[0045] Unless otherwise stated throughout the specification, each component may be singular or plural.

[0046] Hereinafter, the statement that an arbitrary configuration is arranged “above (or below)” a component or “on (or under)” a component means that not only is the arbitrary configuration arranged in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of the above component, but also other configurations may be interposed between the above component and an arbitrary configuration arranged on (or under) the above component.

[0047] In addition, when a certain component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that the above components may be directly connected or joined to each other, but other components may "intervene" between the components, or each component may be "connected", "coupled", or "joined" through other components.

[0048] As used herein, the singular forms also include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Terms such as "composed of" or "including" in this application should not necessarily be construed as including all of the multiple components or multiple steps described in the specification. Some of the components or some of the steps may not be included, or additional components or steps may be included.

[0049] Throughout the specification, when "A and / or B" is used, this means A, B, or A and B unless otherwise stated, and when "C to D" is used, this means C or more and D or less unless otherwise stated.

[0050] For the sake of convenience of explanation, in this specification, regarding the battery module, the direction parallel to the bottom surface of the frame passing through both end plates of the battery module is the front-rear direction or the length direction (X1), which is the normal direction of the plane formed by each battery cell included in the battery cell stack, the direction parallel to the bottom surface of the frame is the left-right direction or the width direction (Y1), and the normal direction of the bottom surface of the frame is the up-down direction or the height direction (Z1).

[0051] In addition, in this specification, regarding the battery cell, the direction parallel to the battery cell passing through both side electrode leads is the length direction (X2), the direction parallel to the battery cell perpendicular to the length direction is the width direction (Y2), and the direction corresponding to the normal direction of the battery cell is the normal direction or the height direction (Z2).

[0052] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Figures 1 and 2 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view showing a general battery module. Referring to these drawings, the battery module 1 may include a housing 4, a battery cell laminate 2, a bus bar frame 3, and a terminal 5.

[0054] The housing 4 may include a U-frame 41 that is open at the front, rear, and top, a pair of end plates 42 that cover the front and rear respectively, and a top plate 43 that covers the top.

[0055] The U-frame 41 may be made of a metal material. However, the U-frame 41 may be made of any material.

[0056] The U-frame 41 may be manufactured by plastic deformation of a single plate through pressing. Alternatively, the U-frame 41 may be manufactured by joining each side wall 412 and the bottom surface 411 to each other. The joining may be in various ways such as welding, friction fitting, or bolt fastening.

[0057] The end plate 42 and / or the top plate 43 may be made of a metal material. However, the end plate 42 and / or the top plate 43 may be made of any material.

[0058] The U-frame 41, the end plate 42, and the top plate 43 may be joined to each other to form the housing 4. The joining may be in various ways such as welding, friction fitting, or bolt fastening.

[0059] The battery cell laminate 2 may be formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells in the height direction (Z2).

[0060] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a single unit of a pouch-type battery cell that constitutes a general battery cell laminate. Referring to this, the battery cell 21 may include an electrode assembly 214, an electrode lead 211 protruding from the electrode assembly 214, and a pouch 212 that houses the electrode assembly 214.

[0061] The pouch 212 may be such that a pouch sheet made of a metal material is folded in half about its length direction (X2) with the electrode assembly 214 interposed therebetween, the electrode lead 211 is made to protrude to the outside, and is fusion-sealed by seal portions 213 provided on one side surface in the width direction and both side surfaces in the length direction excluding the folding surface.

[0062] The electrode lead 211 may include a positive electrode lead 211a and a negative electrode lead 211b.

[0063] The electrode lead 211 may protrude from both sides in the length direction (X2) of the battery cell 21.

[0064] The battery cell laminate 2 can be housed in the housing 4 such that one side in the width direction of the battery cell 21 faces upward.

[0065] The electrode lead 211 may be electrically connected to the bus bar frame 3. At this time, the electrode leads 211 may be connected such that the same polarities are connected to each other, or may be connected such that different polarities are connected to each other.

[0066] The bus bar frame 3 can be electrically connected to the terminal 5.

[0067] The terminal 5 may include a positive electrode terminal 5a and a negative electrode terminal 5b. Accordingly, a part of the bus bar frame 3 may be connected to the positive electrode terminal 5a, and another part may be connected to the negative electrode terminal 5b.

[0068] The portion of the bus bar frame 3 that is connected to the electrode lead 211 and the terminal 5 may be made of an electrically conductive material such as metal, and the other portions may be made of a non-electrically conductive material such as synthetic resin. For example, the other portions may be made of a flame-retardant synthetic resin material.

[0069] The terminal 5 may be exposed to the outside through a terminal exposure portion 51 that is provided in a part of the housing 4 and opens outward. At this time, the battery module 1 may be connected to another adjacent battery module via the terminal 5.

[0070] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are schematic diagrams showing how thermal energy and flames transfer between battery modules. Referring to this, the battery module 1 may be arranged such that each end plate 42 faces another battery module arranged in front of or behind it. When the battery cell 21 ignites, heat, flames, and vent gas are discharged, and the heat, flames, and vent gas are discharged toward the side of another adjacent battery module. If the thermal energy of the battery module 1 transfers to the other battery module, a chain reaction of ignition may occur. In particular, when the electrode lead 211 protrudes in the length direction (X2) of the battery cell 21 and the terminal 5 and the terminal exposure portion 51 are provided at the ends in the length direction (X1) of the battery module 1, the risk of the above-described chain reaction of ignition is even greater.

[0071] Therefore, the present invention provides a structure of a battery module characterized in that the terminal and the terminal exposure portion face upward.

[0072] [Example 1] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a negative terminal and a positive terminal project above the upper surface of a housing. Referring to this, the terminal 5 may be exposed upward through the terminal exposure portion 51 provided in the top plate 43 of the housing 4. The terminal exposure portion 51 and the terminal 5 may be provided aligned in the width direction (Y1) at one end portion in the length direction (X1) of the top plate 43, for example.

[0073] Accordingly, in the battery module according to this embodiment, there is no opening in the end plate 42, and when the terminal exposure portion 51 faces upward, at the time of ignition of the battery module 1, heat, flame, and vent gas can be guided upward, not in the direction of the end plate 42, where the terminal 5 and the terminal exposure portion 51 are provided. By discharging the heat, flame, and vent gas upward, not in the front and rear directions, the risk of heat energy being transmitted to other adjacent battery modules and causing a chain reaction of ignition can be reduced.

[0074] [Embodiment 2] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a single unit of a pouch-type battery cell constituting a battery cell laminate included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a negative electrode lead and a positive electrode lead face upward. Referring to this, the electrode leads 211, the positive electrode lead 211a and the negative electrode lead 211b may all project toward one side in the width direction of the battery cell 21.

[0075] Accordingly, in the battery cell according to this embodiment, when the pressure resistance of the battery cell 21 increases due to heat, flame, and vent gas generated at the time of ignition of the battery cell 21, among the seal portions 213 on one side in the width direction of the battery cell 21, the seal at the portion where the electrode lead 211 projects is released better than other portions, so that the heat, flame, and vent gas can be guided to vent from the inside of the battery cell 21 toward one side in the width direction of the battery cell 21.

[0076] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, including the battery cell of FIG. 7, with a plate-shaped bus bar frame interposed between the battery cell stack and the top plate. Referring to this, the battery cell stack 2 in which the battery cells 21 are stacked can be housed in the housing 4 such that one side in the width direction of the battery cell 21 faces upward. Accordingly, the positive electrode lead 211a and the negative electrode lead 211b may be provided in alignment along the width direction (Y1) of the battery module 1 on the upper surface of the battery cell stack 2, respectively.

[0077] A bus bar frame 3 may be interposed between the battery cell stack 2 and the top plate 43. The bus bar frame 3 may be formed in a single plate shape in which a portion electrically connected to the electrode lead 211 and the terminal 5 is made of an electrically conductive material such as metal, and the other portion is made of a non-electrically conductive material such as synthetic resin. The synthetic resin may be a flame-retardant synthetic resin. The bus bar frame 3 may thus be connected to the electrode lead 211 below and to the terminal 5 above.

[0078] The terminal 5 may be exposed upward through the terminal exposure portion 51 provided on the top plate 43 of the housing 4. The terminal exposure portion 51 and the terminal 5 may be provided in alignment in the width direction (Y1) at one end portion in the length direction (X1) of the top plate 43, for example.

[0079] Accordingly, in the battery module according to this embodiment, when the battery cell 21 catches fire, the heat, flame, and vent gas generated can be guided to be discharged upward where the electrode lead 211 protrudes by releasing the seal of the electrode lead 211 portion, which is relatively weak in sealing among the seal portions 213 of the battery cell 21. Further, since the terminal 5 and the terminal exposed portion 51 are provided upward on the top plate 43, the heat, flame, and vent gas discharged to the battery cell 21 can be guided to be discharged above the battery module 1 through the terminal exposed portion 51. By discharging the heat, flame, and vent gas upward instead of forward and backward, the risk of heat energy being transmitted to other adjacent battery modules and causing a chain reaction of ignition can be reduced.

[0080] In addition to this, when the electrode lead 211 faces upward, both side surfaces in the length direction of the battery cell stack 2 may be formed flat without including the electrode lead 211 and the bus bar frame 3. Therefore, the space utilization of the battery module 1 can be maximized, and a battery module with a larger capacity relative to the volume can be provided.

[0081] [Embodiment 3] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which an end plate and a first U-frame integrally form a box frame. Referring to this, in addition to the embodiment 2, the end plate 42 and the U-frame 41 can integrally form one box frame 44 with an open top.

[0082] Since such a structure has the electrode lead 211, the bus bar frame 3, and the terminal 5 provided on the top plate 43 side rather than on the end plate 42 side, it can be applied more easily. If the electrode lead 211, the bus bar frame 3, and the terminal 5 were provided on the end plate 42 side and the end plate 42 was integrally formed with the U-frame 41, during the process of accommodating the battery cell stack 2 having protruding portions on both sides in the length direction, the bus bar frame 3, and the terminal 5 in the box frame 44 with only the upper side open, significant difficulties in assembly could occur. However, the battery cell stack 2, the bus bar frame 3, and the terminal 5 according to this embodiment, which do not have protruding portions in the length direction and the width direction, can be accommodated in the box frame 44 simply by being inserted downward into the box frame 44 with only the upper side open.

[0083] Due to such a structure, in the battery module according to this embodiment, when the battery module 1 catches fire, the risk of the end plate 42 falling off from the housing 4 is reduced, and the risk that the joints of the three surfaces where the end plate 42 and the U-frame 41 are joined to each other on both sides in the length direction are released due to the increased pressure resistance of the housing 4 is also significantly reduced. Therefore, the heat, flame, and vent gas generated when the battery module 1 catches fire are discharged to the end plate 42 side, and the risk of a chain reaction fire occurring in other adjacent battery modules is also reduced, and the heat, flame, and vent gas can be further induced to be discharged above the battery module 1.

[0084] [Embodiment 4] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which an end plate and a top plate integrally form a second U-frame. Referring to this, in addition to the above-described Example 2, the end plate 42 and the top plate 43 can integrally form a U-shaped frame that is open at the front, rear, and bottom. Hereinafter, the U-frame 41 is referred to as the first U-frame 41, and the U-shaped frame integrally formed by the end plate 42 and the top plate 43 is referred to as the second U-frame 45.

[0085] The second U-frame 45 may be made of a metal material. However, the second U-frame 45 may be made of any material.

[0086] The second U-frame 45 may be manufactured by plastic deformation of a single plate material through pressing. Alternatively, the second U-frame 45 may be manufactured by joining the respective end plates 42 and the top plate 43 to each other. The joining may be made in various ways such as welding, friction fitting, or bolt fastening.

[0087] Due to such a structure, in the battery module according to the present embodiment, when the battery module 1 catches fire, the risk of the end plate 42 falling off from the housing 4 is reduced, and the risk that the joint between the end plate 42 and the top plate 43 is released due to an increase in the pressure resistance of the housing 4 is also greatly reduced. Therefore, the heat, flame, and vent gas generated when the battery module 1 catches fire are discharged to the end plate 42 side, and the risk of causing a chain reaction fire in other adjacent battery modules is also reduced, and the heat, flame, and vent gas can be further induced to be discharged above the battery module 1.

[0088] In addition to this, when the first U-frame 41 and the second U-frame 45 are each manufactured from a metal plate material that is plastically deformed through pressing, all components of the housing 4 can be provided in two pressing steps, and there are also manufacturing advantages.

[0089] Figures 11 and 12 are schematic diagrams showing a battery pack including a battery module according to the present invention and a motor vehicle including the battery pack. Referring to these drawings, the present invention can provide a battery pack (P) including the battery module 1 and a vehicle (V) on which the battery pack (P) is mounted. Since manufacturing methods such as the above-described battery pack (P) and vehicle (V) are known to ordinary technicians, descriptions thereof are omitted in this specification.

[0090] It should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims to be described later rather than the foregoing detailed description. And, of course, all changes and deformable forms conceivable from the equivalent concept of the meaning and scope of the claims to be described later should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

[0091] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the exemplary drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made by ordinary technicians within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Further, even if the effects of the present invention by the configuration are not explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects predictable by the configuration should also be recognized.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0092] 1 Battery module 2 Battery cell stack 21 Battery cell 211 Electrode lead 211a Positive electrode lead 211b Negative electrode lead 212 Pouch 213 Seal portion 214 Electrode assembly 3 Busbar frame 4 Housing 41 (First) U-frame 411 Bottom surface 412 Side wall 42 End plate 43 Top plate 44 Box frame 45 Second U-frame 5 Terminal 5a Positive terminal 5b Negative terminal 51 Terminal exposed part P Battery pack V Automobile

Claims

1. In a battery module in which a plurality of battery modules are connected in parallel in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction within a battery pack, a housing; a battery cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells and housed in the housing; a bus bar frame for electrically connecting electrode leads provided on each battery cell constituting the battery cell stack to each other; and a positive terminal and a negative terminal that are electrically connected to the bus bar frame and protrude on the upper surface of the housing; including a battery module.

2. The positive terminal and the negative terminal are provided in alignment with each other in the width direction along one end portion in the length direction of the upper surface of the housing, The battery module according to Claim 1.

3. The electrode leads include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead, The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead protrude from the battery cell toward one side in the width direction of the battery cell, The battery cell stack is housed in the housing such that one side in the width direction of the battery cell faces upward, The battery module according to Claim 1.

4. The bus bar frame is plate-shaped and is interposed between the battery cell stack and the upper surface of the housing, The battery module according to Claim 1.

5. The bus bar frame is made of a flame-retardant synthetic resin, The battery module according to Claim 4.

6. The housing is a U-shaped first U-frame with an open upper surface, front, and rear; a pair of end plates that respectively cover the front and rear of the first U-frame; and a top plate that covers the upper part of the first U-frame; including The battery module according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. The pair of end plates and the first U-frame are integrally formed to form a box frame with an open upper part, The battery module according to Claim 6.

8. The pair of end plates and the top plate are integrally formed to form a second U-frame with an open lower part, front, and rear, The battery module according to Claim 6.

9. The first U-frame and the second U-frame are each made of a single metal plate material that is plastically deformed through pressing, The battery module according to Claim 8.

10. The first U-frame and the second U-frame are welded and joined to each other, The battery module according to Claim 8.

11. A battery pack including the battery module according to claim 1. Battery pack.

12. An automobile including the battery pack according to claim 11. Automobile.

Images