Battery modules and battery packs

The battery pack design with a simplified bus bar assembly improves space utilization and manufacturing efficiency by using a thin, flexible circuit board and insulating film for electrical connections, addressing the inefficiencies of conventional bus bar frames.

JP2025530488APending Publication Date: 2025-09-11LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025517470
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-09-29
Filing Date
2023-06-30
Publication Date
2025-09-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional bus bar frames in battery modules and packs occupy a large volume, leading to insufficient space utilization and inefficient assembly processes.

Method used

A battery pack design featuring a bus bar assembly with a simplified shape and reduced volume, comprising a bus bar, circuit board, and insulating film, connected via conductive adhesive, and supported by a support portion, which includes a flexible circuit board for sensing and a thin plate-like structure for efficient electrical connections.

Benefits of technology

Improves space utilization and simplifies the manufacturing and assembly processes by reducing the volume of the bus bar assembly, enhancing the efficiency of battery pack production.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack in which the shape of a bus bar assembly is simplified and the volume is reduced, thereby improving space utilization and manufacturing process efficiency of the battery pack. The battery pack according to the present invention includes a plurality of cell groups, each including one or more cells and terminals, and a bus bar assembly disposed at one end of an upper surface of the cell group, and the bus bar assembly may include a bus bar disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the terminals to electrically connect the cell groups to each other, a circuit board electrically connected to the bus bar and sensing the cell group, and a film laminated on the bus bar and the circuit board to prevent movement of the bus bar and the circuit board.
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0124728 filed on September 29, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of this Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack, and more particularly to a battery module and a battery pack for a secondary battery including a plurality of cells. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, with rising energy prices due to the depletion of fossil fuels and growing concerns about environmental pollution, the demand for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources has become an essential factor for future life. Accordingly, research into various power generation technologies, such as solar, wind, and tidal power, has been ongoing, and there has also been great interest in power storage devices, such as batteries, to more efficiently use the electrical energy produced in this way.

[0004] Furthermore, with the increasing technological development and demand for battery-based electronic mobile devices and electric vehicles, the demand for batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing, and a great deal of research is being conducted into batteries that can meet the resulting diverse demands.

[0005] Batteries that store electrical energy are generally classified as primary batteries and secondary batteries. While primary batteries are disposable, secondary batteries are rechargeable batteries manufactured using materials that can undergo repeated oxidation and reduction processes between electric current and materials. That is, when a reduction reaction occurs in a material due to electric current, the power source is charged, and when an oxidation reaction occurs in the material, the power source is discharged. Electricity is generated through repeated charge-discharge cycles.

[0006] Meanwhile, in recent years, as the need for large-capacity structures, including utilization as an energy storage source, has increased, the demand for battery packs that assemble a large number of secondary batteries or battery modules has also increased, and the demand for battery modules has also increased.

[0007] Typically, a battery module includes a plurality of secondary batteries, and a battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules. However, recently, a battery pack has also become possible in which units including a plurality of secondary batteries are assembled together.

[0008] The battery module or battery pack may include a bus bar frame on which bus bars, circuit boards, etc. required for electrical connection can be placed.

[0009] Conventional bus bar frames are manufactured using injection molding and therefore occupy a large volume, resulting in insufficient space utilization.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a battery module or a battery pack having a configuration that can improve the efficiency of the assembly process and improve space utilization. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and a battery pack including a bus bar assembly that can improve space utilization by simplifying the shape and reducing the volume. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A battery pack according to the present invention includes a plurality of cell groups, each including one or more cells and terminals, and a bus bar assembly disposed at one end of an upper surface of the cell group. The bus bar assembly may include a bus bar disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the terminals to electrically connect the cell groups to each other, a circuit board electrically connected to the bus bar and sensing the cell group, and a film laminated to the bus bar and the circuit board to prevent movement of the bus bar and the circuit board.

[0013] The circuit board includes a thin plate-like main body extending in the stacking direction of the cell group, and a connecting portion having one end connected to the main body and the other end electrically connected to the bus bar, and one side of the connecting portion facing the bus bar can be open so that the internal conductor portion can be exposed.

[0014] The bus bar assembly may further include a conductive adhesive attached to one side of the connecting portion to electrically connect the connecting portion and the bus bar to each other.

[0015] The circuit board may further include a connector connected to the main body and electrically connected to the outside.

[0016] The connecting portion may have a bent shape such that one end is spaced apart from the other end in the thickness direction.

[0017] The bus bar assembly may further include a support portion disposed below the main body portion to support the main body portion, the support portion being laminated with the film together with the bus bar and the circuit board.

[0018] The support may include acrylic.

[0019] The bus bar assembly further includes a terminal having one end coupled to the circuit board and the other end coupled to the bus bar, and the terminal may include copper (Cu) or nickel (Ni).

[0020] The terminals may be connected to the circuit board by soldering and to the bus bars by laser welding.

[0021] The busbar assembly may further include fixing portions disposed on both ends of the film to fix the film to the cell groups.

[0022] The fixing portion may include a horizontal portion surrounded by the film so as to be fixed to the film, and a vertical portion connected to the horizontal portion in a folded shape and arranged to contact the cell group.

[0023] The film may include an upper film disposed above the bus bar and the circuit board, and a lower film disposed below the bus bar and the circuit board, and the horizontal portion may be interposed between the upper film and the lower film.

[0024] The lower film may have openings at positions corresponding to the positions of the terminals so that the bus bars and the terminals can come into contact with each other.

[0025] In the battery pack, the distance between the vertical portions disposed on both ends of the film may correspond to the sum of the widths of the cell groups.

[0026] The vertical portion may have a fastening hole formed therein that penetrates from one side facing the cell group to the other side, and the fixing portion may further include a fastening member that is fastened to the fastening hole so as to fix the vertical portion to the cell group.

[0027] The busbar assembly may be formed in the shape of a thin plate.

[0028] The film may be an insulating film.

[0029] The film may be open at locations corresponding to the locations of the terminals so that the bus bars and terminals can come into contact.

[0030] The circuit board includes an antenna having a printed pattern, and data for the cell group can be wirelessly transmitted to the outside via the antenna.

[0031] The circuit board may be a flexible circuit board that changes shape when a force is applied.

[0032] The cell group may further include a terminal support portion disposed to surround the terminal so as to support the terminal.

[0033] A battery module according to the present invention may include a plurality of cells, each having a terminal protruding from one end, and a bus bar assembly disposed at one end of an upper surface of the cell, wherein the bus bar assembly may include a bus bar disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the terminal to electrically connect the cells to each other, a circuit board electrically connected to the bus bar and sensing the cell, and a film laminating the bus bar and the circuit board to prevent movement of the bus bar and the circuit board. [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] A battery pack according to the present invention may include a plurality of cell groups, each including one or more cells and terminals, and a bus bar assembly disposed at one end of an upper surface of the cell group, wherein the bus bar assembly may include a bus bar disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the terminals to electrically connect the cell groups to each other, a circuit board electrically connected to the bus bar and sensing the cell group, and a film laminated on the bus bar and the circuit board to prevent movement of the bus bar and the circuit board.

[0035] As a result, the shape of the bus bar assembly is simplified and the volume is reduced, thereby improving the space utilization of the battery pack.

[0036] In addition, the manufacturing process of the busbar assembly is simplified, and the efficiency of the battery pack manufacturing process can be improved.

[0037] In addition, the assembly process of the busbar assembly is simplified, and the efficiency of the battery pack manufacturing process can be improved.

[0038] In addition, the bus bar and the circuit board are efficiently connected, improving the efficiency of the battery pack manufacturing process.

[0039] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and more diverse effects may be included within the present specification. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view schematically showing an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view schematically showing a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above; [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line BB' in FIG. 2 as viewed from the side. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a fixing portion of the busbar assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically illustrating a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. [Figure 8] 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along CC' in FIG. 6 as viewed from the side. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the following embodiments.

[0042] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of parts that are not relevant to the explanation or of related known technologies that may obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted, and in this specification, when adding reference numbers to components in each drawing, the same or similar reference numbers will be used for the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0043] Furthermore, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in a way that is limited to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a way that is consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself / herself can appropriately define the concept of a term in order to best explain the invention.

[0044] Example 1 The present invention provides a battery pack 10 as a first embodiment.

[0045] Fig. 1 is a perspective view that schematically shows a battery pack 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view that schematically shows an enlarged view of part A in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top view that schematically shows the battery pack 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows the cross section taken along line B-B' in Fig. 1 as viewed from the side.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery pack 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention may include a cell group 100 and a busbar assembly 200.

[0047] The cell group 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include one or more cells therein. Here, the cell may refer to a pouch cell that generates electricity by repeatedly charging and discharging, and the one or more cells may be housed inside a substantially rectangular parallelepiped exterior member. Furthermore, a plurality of exterior members housing cells therein may be stacked in parallel to each other to form a substantially rectangular parallelepiped battery pack 10. In this case, the cell group 100 may be a battery module including a plurality of cells.

[0048] Although not shown in the first embodiment of the present invention, the features of the present invention may also be applied to a battery module having the same shape as the battery pack 10. In this case, the cell group 100 may be a single prismatic cell. Furthermore, such prismatic cells may be assembled to form a battery module having a similar shape to the battery pack 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the features according to the first embodiment of the present invention are not limited to a battery pack, but may also be applied to a battery module.

[0049] The cell group 100 may include a terminal 110 protruding from one end. Specifically, the terminal 110 may be formed to protrude from one end of the cell group 100 toward the upper surface. The terminal 110 may serve to electrically connect the cell group 100 to other components. There is no limitation on the shape of the terminal 110, but it may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a flat upper surface for efficient connection with a bus bar 210, which will be described later.

[0050] The cell group 100 of the battery pack 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a terminal support 120.

[0051] The terminal support part 120 may be disposed in a shape surrounding the terminal 110 to support the terminal 110. Therefore, the terminal 110 may be formed in a shape protruding upward from the inside of the cell group 100 and may be surrounded by the terminal support part 120 except for a portion for connection with the bus bar 210. In this case, the terminal support part 120 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0052] The terminal support 120 of the cell group 100 may be made of an insulating material and may serve to insulate the terminal 110 from the outside.

[0053] 2 and 3, the busbar assembly 200 of the battery pack 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be disposed at one end of the upper surface of the cell group 100 and electrically connected to the cell group 100. The busbar assembly 200 is formed to have a small thickness and a small volume, and therefore, even when disposed at one end of the upper surface of the cell group 100, it may occupy less space than a conventional busbar frame.

[0054] The bus bar assembly 200 of the battery pack 10 may include a bus bar 210, a circuit board 220, and a film 230.

[0055] The bus bars 210 of the bus bar assembly 200 may be arranged at positions corresponding to the positions of the terminals 110. Specifically, the bus bars 210 may be arranged to contact the terminals 110 in order to electrically connect the multiple cell groups 100 to each other.

[0056] The bus bar 210 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped plate shape that extends along the stacking direction of the cell groups 100.

[0057] The circuit board 220 of the bus bar assembly 200 may be electrically connected to the bus bar 210 so as to be able to sense various states of the cell group 100. Since the bus bar 210 is electrically connected to the cell group 100, the circuit board 220 may be electrically connected to the cell group 100. Here, the circuit board 220 may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) whose shape is deformed when a force is applied.

[0058] The film 230 of the bus bar assembly 200 may be disposed on the upper and lower parts of the bus bar 210 and the circuit board 220 to laminate the bus bar 210 and the circuit board 220 to prevent movement. In this case, the film 230 may be an insulating film to ensure insulation of the laminated structure. Here, lamination may refer to a technique of overlaying one or more thin layers on an object to protect the surface and increase strength and stability.

[0059] The film 230 may include an upper film 231 and a lower film 232. The upper film 231 may be disposed on the upper part of the bus bar 210 and the circuit board 220, and the lower film 232 may be disposed on the lower part of the bus bar 210 and the circuit board 220.

[0060] The lamination process using the film 230 can be roughly explained as follows.

[0061] An object to be laminated may be placed between the upper jig and the lower jig. At this time, a space in which the object can be placed may be formed between the upper jig and the lower jig. A bus bar 210 and a circuit board 220 connected to each other may be placed between the upper jig and the lower jig, and an upper film 231 and a lower film 232 may be placed above and below the bus bar 210 and the circuit board 220, respectively. The upper jig and the lower jig, with the object to be laminated therein, may be pressed toward each other to laminate the object placed therein.

[0062] After the lamination process, the upper film 231 and the lower film 232 may contact each other on their outer surfaces, and the bus bar 210 and the circuit board 220 may be disposed between the upper film 231 and the lower film 232 .

[0063] The bus bar assembly 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which is formed by lamination, is thinner and occupies a smaller volume than conventional bus bar frames, making it easier to arrange in the cell group 100 and improving space utilization.

[0064] A lower film 232 may be disposed on the lower surface of the bus bar 210 laminated with the film 230. In this case, the bus bar 210 needs to contact the terminal 110 of the cell group 100 for electrical connection. As an example of a configuration for contact with the terminal 110, the lower film 232 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be partially opened. Specifically, the lower film 232 may be formed in a shape in which a position corresponding to the position of the terminal 110 is opened so that the bus bar 210 and the terminal 110 can contact each other. Therefore, the terminal 110 can be disposed in the opened portion of the lower film 232 and contact the bus bar 210.

[0065] As an example of a configuration for efficient connection with the bus bar 210, the circuit board 220 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a main body portion 221 and a connection portion 222.

[0066] 2 to 4, the body portion 221 may have a thin plate shape extending in the stacking direction of the cell groups 100. Specifically, the body portion 221 may be disposed so as to be spaced apart from the terminal support portion 120.

[0067] The connecting portion 222 may have one end connected to the main body 221 and may extend toward the bus bar 210. In this case, the other end of the connecting portion 222 may be electrically connected to the bus bar 210. The connecting portion 222 may have a thin plate shape, and a plurality of connecting portions 222 may be formed to be electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars 210, respectively.

[0068] As an example of a configuration for efficient arrangement with other configurations, the connecting portion 222 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may have a bent shape.

[0069] The connecting portion 222 of the circuit board 220 may have a bent shape such that one end is spaced apart from the other end in the thickness direction. Referring to FIG. 4 , one end of the connecting portion 222 may be disposed on top of the bus bar 210, which is disposed at a higher position than the terminal support portion 120, and the other end of the connecting portion 222 may be disposed to be connected to the body portion 221, which is disposed at a lower position than the bus bar 210. Therefore, a height difference may occur between one end and the other end of the connecting portion 222. That is, since the one end and the other end are disposed to have such a height difference, the connecting portion 222 may have a partially bent shape. More specifically, the connecting portion 222 may be bent so as not to interfere with the terminal support portion 120.

[0070] As an example of a configuration for electrically connecting to the bus bar 210, the connecting portion 222 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may have one side open. Specifically, the connecting portion 222 of the circuit board 220 may have one side open so that a conductor portion included therein may be exposed to the outside so as to be electrically connected to the bus bar 210.

[0071] As an example of a configuration for efficient electrical connection between the bus bar 210 and the connecting portion 222, the bus bar assembly 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a conductive adhesive 260.

[0072] 4, the conductive adhesive 260 may be attached to the lower surface of the connecting portion 222, with one side in contact with the lower surface of the connecting portion 222 and the other side in contact with the upper surface of the bus bar 210. The conductive adhesive 260 may be a conductor through which current flows and may have adhesive properties to be bonded to the connecting portion 222 and the bus bar 210.

[0073] When the bus bar assembly 200 includes the conductive adhesive 260, the connecting portion 222 and the bus bar 210 can be easily electrically connected without an additional process such as welding, thereby improving the efficiency of the manufacturing process of the battery pack 10.

[0074] As an example of a configuration for electrical connection with the outside, the circuit board 220 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a connector 223.

[0075] The connector 223 may be arranged to be connected to the main body 221, and may have various shapes as long as it can be electrically connected to the outside.

[0076] The connector 223 may serve as a medium for electrically connecting the circuit board 220 to the outside, and thus, data on the cell group 100 sensed by the circuit board 220 may be transmitted to the outside through the connector 223.

[0077] If the circuit board 220 is a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), its rigidity is relatively low to the extent that it is deformed when a force is applied, and therefore an additional structure may be required to supplement the rigidity so as to support the circuit board 220. As an example of a structure for supporting the circuit board 220, the bus bar assembly 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a support portion 250.

[0078] The support part 250 is disposed below the circuit board 220 and can support the circuit board 220 so as to be fixed. Specifically, the support part 250 is disposed below the main body part 221 of the circuit board 220 and can support the main body part 221 so as to be fixed.

[0079] The support 250 may be made of a material having a higher rigidity than the circuit board 220 so as to be able to support the circuit board 220. For example, the support 250 may be made of plastic, preferably an acrylic plate made of acrylic.

[0080] The support part 250 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped plate shape to be disposed below the circuit board 220 and prevent deformation of the circuit board 220. In this case, since the support part 250 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is disposed below the body part 221 of the circuit board 220, it may be a plate shape having an area larger than or equal to the area of ​​the body part 221 that it comes into contact with.

[0081] The support portion 250 may be laminated with the film 230 together with the bus bar 210 and the circuit board 220, and may be integrated with the bus bar 210 and the circuit board 220.

[0082] Although not shown in the first embodiment of the present invention, it may be disposed below the connecting portion 222 so as to support the connecting portion 222 .

[0083] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a fixing portion 240 of a busbar assembly 200 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] As an example of a configuration for fixing the busbar assembly 200 to the cell group 100, the busbar assembly 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a fixing portion 240.

[0085] The fixing portions 240 are disposed on both ends of the film 230 and can fix the film 230 to the cell group 100. Since the film 230 can be fixed to the cell group 100 by the fixing portions 240, the bus bar 210, the circuit board 220, and the support portion 250 laminated by the film 230 can also be fixed to the cell group 100. Therefore, the bus bar assembly 200 can be fixed to the cell group 100 by the fixing portions 240.

[0086] The fixing portion 240 is configured to fix the cell group 100, and therefore may include a material with higher rigidity than the film 230 so that the shape can be maintained. For example, the fixing portion 240 may include stainless steel. Specifically, the fixing portion 240 may be formed of stainless steel.

[0087] As an example of a configuration for efficient fixing, the fixing portion 240 of the busbar assembly 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a horizontal portion 241 and a vertical portion 242.

[0088] 5, the horizontal portion 241 of the fixing portion 240 may have a generally thin plate shape. The horizontal portion 241 may be disposed on the upper surface of the support portion 250 and may be surrounded by the film 230 so as to be fixed to the film 230. Specifically, the horizontal portion 241 may be interposed between the upper film 231 and the lower film 232.

[0089] The vertical portion 242 of the fixing portion 240 may be connected to the horizontal portion 241 in a bent shape. Specifically, the horizontal portion 241 and the vertical portion 242 may be connected to each other in a bent shape at approximately 90 degrees so as to be disposed approximately perpendicular to each other.

[0090] The vertical portions 242 can be arranged so that one surface is in contact with a side surface of the cell group 100. That is, the vertical portions 242 arranged at both ends of the film 230 can be arranged at both ends of multiple cell groups 100, respectively.

[0091] Since the film 230 is fixed to the cell group 100 by the vertical portions 242 of the fixing portions 240, the vertical portions 242 may be arranged such that the distance between the pair of vertical portions 242 arranged at both ends of the film 230 corresponds to the sum of the widths of the multiple cell groups 100. Therefore, the fixing portions 240 arranged at both ends of the film 230 may be sandwiched between the cell groups 100 with the vertical portions 242 each in contact with a side surface of the cell group 100, thereby fixing the film 230 to the cell group 100.

[0092] As an example of a configuration for improving the fixing force, the fixing portion 240 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a fastening member 243.

[0093] A fastening hole 242-1 may be formed in the vertical portion 242 of the fixing portion 240 to fasten the fastening member 243. The fastening hole 242-1 may be formed in a shape that penetrates the vertical portion 242 from one side facing the cell group 100 to the other side.

[0094] The shape of the fastening hole 242-1 may vary as long as it has a shape that allows fastening of the fastening member 243. However, the fastening member 243 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be a bolt, and the fastening hole 242-1 may have a shape that penetrates through a substantially circular cross section.

[0095] 5, the fastening member 243 of the fixing portion 240 may be fastened to the fastening hole 242-1 so as to fix the vertical portion 242 to the cell group 100. Specifically, the fastening member 243 may be fastened in a direction from the other side of the vertical portion 242 to one side thereof.

[0096] When the fastening member 243 is fastened to the vertical portion 242, the fastening force is increased compared to when the vertical portion 242 is sandwiched and fixed between the cell group 100, and the bus bar assembly 200 can be more stably fixed to the cell group 100.

[0097] The busbar assembly 200 of the battery pack 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a simplified shape and a reduced volume, thereby improving space utilization of the battery pack 10. In addition, since the busbar assembly 200 is manufactured through a lamination process, the manufacturing process of the busbar assembly 200 is simplified, thereby improving the efficiency of the manufacturing process of the battery pack 10. Furthermore, the busbar assembly 200 of the battery pack 10 includes the support parts 250 to improve stability, and includes the fixing parts 240 to simplify the process of assembling the busbar assembly 200 with the cell groups 100, thereby improving the efficiency of the assembly process of the battery pack 10.

[0098] Example 2 The present invention provides a battery pack 10' including a cell group 100' and a busbar assembly 200' in another form as a second embodiment.

[0099] The battery pack 10' according to the second embodiment of the present invention may differ from the battery pack 10 according to the first embodiment in the shape of the circuit board 220', the shape of the film 230', whether or not the terminal 270 is included, whether or not the antenna 224 is included, and the like.

[0100] Hereinafter, detailed description of the same configuration as that of the battery pack 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be omitted.

[0101] Fig. 6 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a battery pack 10' according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 7 is a top view schematically illustrating the battery pack 10' according to the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the cross section taken along CC' in Fig. 6 as viewed from the side.

[0102] 6 to 8, a battery pack 10' according to a second embodiment of the present invention may include a cell group 100' and a bus bar assembly 200'.

[0103] The cell group 100' may include one or more cells and terminals 110'. Here, the cell group 100' may not include the terminal support 120, unlike the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] The busbar assembly 200′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include a circuit board 220′ for sensing the cell groups 100′. The circuit board 220′ may be disposed on top of the plurality of cell groups 100′ and may have a thin plate shape extending in the stacking direction of the cell groups 100′.

[0105] As an example of a configuration for electrically connecting the circuit board 220′ and the bus bar 210, the bus bar assembly 200′ of the battery pack 10′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention may further include a terminal 270.

[0106] The terminal 270 may have one end connected to the circuit board 220′ and the other end connected to the bus bar 210. The terminal 270 may have a thin plate shape extending from the circuit board 220′ toward the bus bar 210. In this case, the circuit board 220′ may have one end slightly protruding in order to be efficiently connected to the terminal 270.

[0107] The terminals 270 may be conductive so as to electrically connect the circuit board 220′ and the bus bar 210. For example, the terminals 270 may include copper or nickel. Preferably, the terminals 270 may be made of copper or nickel. If the terminals 270 are made of copper or nickel, the terminals 270 have conductivity and can be connected by laser welding.

[0108] Examples of methods for connecting the terminals 270 to the circuit board 220′ and the bus bar 210 include soldering and laser welding. Specifically, the terminals 270 may be connected to the circuit board 220′ by soldering and to the bus bar 210 by laser welding.

[0109] Laser welding is a relatively simple process and reduces the time consumed for the process, thereby improving the efficiency of the connection process. However, laser welding cannot be performed directly on the circuit board 220' because there is a risk of damage, such as holes being created in the circuit board 220'. On the other hand, the bus bar assembly 200' according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal 270 made of copper or nickel, and can be connected to the bus bar 210 through laser welding. Therefore, the efficiency of the assembly process of the bus bar assembly 200' can be improved.

[0110] As an example of a configuration for transmitting data for the cell group 100' to the outside, the circuit board 220' according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include an antenna 224.

[0111] The antenna 224 may have a shape printed in a pattern, so that it can be laminated with the film 230' along with other features.

[0112] If the circuit board 220′ includes the antenna 224, data for the sensed cell group 100′ can be wirelessly transmitted to the outside without contact connection, and therefore the circuit board 220′ can transmit data to the outside relatively efficiently.

[0113] The bus bar assembly 200' according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be laminated by compressing the bus bar 210, the circuit board 220', the support 250, and the terminal 270 arranged between the upper film 231' and the lower film 232' using a pressure jig or the like.

[0114] The cell group 100' according to the second embodiment of the present invention does not include the terminal support 120, so the bus bar assembly 200' of the battery pack 10' may be formed in a substantially thin plate shape. Therefore, the bus bar assembly 200' is disposed in a relatively small space, thereby improving the space utilization of the battery pack 10'.

[0115] The busbar assembly 200′ of the battery pack 10′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a relatively simple shape, that is, a thin plate shape, so that the busbar assembly 200′ can be fixed to the cell group 100′ by sandwiching the fixing portion 240′ between the cell group 100′ without additional fastening such as a fastening member 243.

[0116] As described above, although not shown in the second embodiment of the present invention, the features of the present invention may also be applied to a battery module having the same shape as the battery pack 10'. In this case, the cell group 100' may be a single prismatic cell. Furthermore, such cells may be assembled to form a battery module having a similar shape to the battery pack 10' according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the features of the second embodiment of the present invention are not limited to battery packs and may be similarly applied to battery modules.

[0117] Although the present invention has been described above using limited examples and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible within the technical spirit of the present invention and the scope of the claims set forth below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 10, 10' battery pack 100, 100' cell group 110, 110' terminals 120 Terminal support part 200, 200' busbar assembly 210 Busbar 220, 220' circuit board 221 Main body 222 Connecting part 223 Connector 224 Antenna 230, 230' film 231, 231' Upper film 232, 232' Lower film 240, 240' fixed part 241 Horizontal part 242 Vertical section 242-1 Concluding hole 243 Fastening members 250 Support part 260 Conductive Adhesive Terminal 270

Claims

1. a plurality of cell groups each including one or more cells and terminals; a busbar assembly disposed at one end of an upper surface of the cell group; A battery pack comprising: The bus bar assembly is bus bars disposed at positions corresponding to the terminals so as to electrically connect the cell groups to each other; a circuit board electrically connected to the bus bar and configured to sense the cell group; a film laminated to the bus bar and the circuit board to prevent movement of the bus bar and the circuit board.

2. The circuit board includes: a thin plate-shaped main body portion extending in the stacking direction of the cell group; a connecting portion having one end connected to the main body and the other end electrically connected to the bus bar; Including, The connecting portion is The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein one side facing the bus bar is open so that an internal conductor portion is exposed.

3. The bus bar assembly is The battery pack of claim 2 , further comprising a conductive adhesive attached to one surface of the connecting portion to electrically connect the connecting portion and the bus bar to each other.

4. The circuit board includes: The battery pack of claim 2 , further comprising a connector connected to the body and electrically connected to an external device.

5. The connecting portion is The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the battery pack has a bent shape such that one end is spaced apart from the other end in the thickness direction.

6. The bus bar assembly is The battery pack according to claim 2 , further comprising a support member disposed under the body member to support the body member, the support member being laminated with the film together with the bus bar and the circuit board.

7. The support portion is 7. The battery pack of claim 6 comprising acrylic.

8. The bus bar assembly is a terminal having one end connected to the circuit board and the other end connected to the bus bar; The terminal 10. The battery pack of claim 1, comprising copper (Cu) or nickel (Ni).

9. The terminal connected to the circuit board by soldering, The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the battery pack is connected to the bus bar by laser welding.

10. The bus bar assembly is The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising fixing portions disposed on both ends of the film to fix the film to the cell group.

11. The fixing portion is a horizontal portion that is fixed to the film and is surrounded by the film; 11. The battery pack of claim 10, further comprising: a vertical portion connected to the horizontal portion in a bent shape and arranged to contact the cell group.

12. The film is an upper film disposed on the bus bar and the circuit board; a lower film disposed under the bus bar and the circuit board; Including, The horizontal portion is The battery pack according to claim 11 , interposed between the upper film and the lower film.

13. The lower film is The battery pack according to claim 12 , wherein the bus bar is open at a position corresponding to the position of the terminal so that the bus bar and the terminal come into contact with each other.

14. The battery pack according to claim 11 , wherein a distance between the vertical portions disposed on both ends of the film corresponds to a sum of widths of the cell groups.

15. The vertical portion is A fastening hole is formed through the cell group from one side to the other side, The fixing portion is The battery pack of claim 11 , further comprising a fastening member fastened to the fastening hole to fix the vertical portion to the cell group.

16. The bus bar assembly is The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the battery pack is formed in a thin plate shape.

17. The film is The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the battery pack is an insulating film.

18. The film is The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the bus bars are open at positions corresponding to the positions of the terminals so that the bus bars and the terminals come into contact with each other.

19. The circuit board includes: It includes an antenna with a shape printed in a pattern, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein data for the cell group is wirelessly transmitted to the outside via the antenna.

20. The circuit board includes:

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the battery pack is a flexible circuit board that changes shape when a force is applied.

21. The cell group is The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a terminal support disposed to surround the terminal so as to support the terminal.

22. A plurality of cells each having a terminal protruding from one end thereof; a busbar assembly disposed at one end of an upper surface of the cell; A battery module comprising: The bus bar assembly is a bus bar disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the terminal so as to electrically connect the cells to each other; a circuit board electrically connected to the bus bar and configured to sense the cells; a film that laminates the bus bars and the circuit board to prevent the bus bars and the circuit board from moving.

Citation Information

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