Battery Cell Assembly

Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a battery cell assembly including: a cell stack including a plurality of pouch-type battery cells; and a top plate assembly disposed on the cell stack, the top plate assembly including a top plate, a bus bar frame coupled to the top plate, and a plurality of bus bars mounted on the bus bar frame, each of the bus bar frames including a different material from the top plate.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell assembly. This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2023-0072952, filed on June 7, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

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

[0003] To meet the rapid growth in demand for secondary batteries for mobility, cell manufacturers are enduring huge capital expenditures. Each company is increasing productivity per line to maximize the return on invested capital, and to that end, various research efforts are ongoing to improve yield and productivity. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

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

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems, there is provided a battery cell assembly including a cell stack including a plurality of pouch-type battery cells and a top plate assembly disposed on the cell stack, the top plate assembly including a top plate, a bus bar frame coupled to the top plate, and a plurality of bus bars mounted on the bus bar frame, each of the bus bar frames including a different material from that of the top plate.

[0006] The top plate includes a conductive material.

[0007] The bus bar frame includes an insulating material.

[0008] The bus bar frame is heat-sealed to the top plate.

[0009] The top plate includes a plurality of fastening holes that horizontally surround the plurality of bus bars.

[0010] The bus bar frame includes a plurality of flanges that overlap the plurality of fastening holes.

[0011] The bus bar frame includes a plurality of rods that pass through the plurality of fastening holes and are connected to the plurality of flanges.

[0012] The width of each of the flanges is greater than the width of each of the fastening holes.

[0013] The battery cell assembly further includes a lower frame welded to the top plate.

[0014] The lower frame includes a bottom separated from the top plate with the cell stack interposed therebetween, and a sidewall welded to the top plate.

[0015] The battery cell assembly further includes an end plate welded to the top plate and having a flat plate shape.

[0016] The plurality of bus bars include portions interposed between the positive electrode leads and negative electrode leads of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells and the top plate.

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment, a battery cell assembly is provided, the battery cell assembly including a lower frame having a U-shape, a cell stack disposed on the lower frame and including a plurality of first pouch-type battery cells and a plurality of second pouch-type battery cells, wherein each of the plurality of first pouch-type battery cells includes a first lower side facing the lower frame and a first upper side opposite to the first lower side, and a first positive electrode lead and a first negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of first pouch-type battery cells are located on the first upper side and are spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and each of the plurality of second pouch-type battery cells includes a second lower side facing the lower frame and a second upper side opposite to the second lower side, and a second positive electrode lead and a second negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of second pouch-type battery cells are located on the second upper side and are spaced apart from each other in the first direction. and a top plate assembly disposed on the cell stack, wherein the top plate assembly includes a top plate covering the cell stack, a first bus bar frame joined to the top plate by heat fusion and including a plurality of first slits, and a second bus bar frame joined to the top plate by heat fusion, spaced apart from the first bus bar frame in the first direction and including a plurality of second slits, wherein the first positive electrode leads of each of the plurality of first pouch-type battery cells and the second negative electrode leads of each of the plurality of second pouch-type battery cells pass through corresponding ones of the plurality of first slits, and the first negative electrode leads of each of the plurality of first pouch-type battery cells and the second positive electrode leads of each of the plurality of second pouch-type battery cells pass through corresponding ones of the plurality of second slits.

[0018] The top plate is welded to the lower frame.

[0019] A first side and a second side of the top plate parallel to the first direction are welded to the lower frame.

[0020] The top plate includes metal, and the first bus bar frame and the second bus bar frame include plastic. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] A top plate assembly of a battery cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a top plate and a bus bar frame that are joined to each other by methods such as heat fusion and bolting, etc. This may eliminate the assembly process of the bus bar frame, thereby improving productivity of the battery cell assembly.

[0022] The effects that can be obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood from the following description by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong. In other words, unintended effects accompanying the implementation of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure by a person having ordinary skill in the art. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell assembly. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a top plate assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a cell stack. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a pouch-type battery cell. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the battery cell assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the battery cell assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] Shown is a busbar. [Figure 9] Interbus bars are shown. [Figure 10] Interbus bars are shown. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before that, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that are consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of the terms to best describe his own invention.

[0025] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0026] Furthermore, in the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related publicly known structures or functions may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0027] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown in a schematic manner for clearer explanation. Therefore, the sizes and proportions of each component do not completely reflect the actual sizes and proportions.

[0028] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery cell assembly 120 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery cell assembly 120.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a top plate assembly TPA according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the cell stack CS.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the pouch-type battery cell 121.

[0033] 1 to 5, the battery cell assembly 120 may include a cell stack CS, a first inter-busbar 123P, a second inter-busbar 123N, a plurality of busbars 123_1, 123_2, 123_3, 123_4, 123_5, 123_6, 123_7, 123_8, 123_9, 123_10, 123_11 (hereinafter, 123_1 to 123_11), a lower frame 124, end plates 125F, 125R, and a top plate assembly TPA.

[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment, the cell stack CS may include a plurality of banks BNK1, BNK2, BNK3, BNK4, BNK5, BNK6, BNK7, BNK8, BNK9, BNK10, BNK11, and BNK12 (hereinafter, BNK1 to BNK12). Each of the plurality of banks BNK1 to BNK12 may include a plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121. The plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121 in each of the plurality of banks BNK1 to BNK12 may be connected in parallel to each other. The plurality of banks BNK1 to BNK12 may be connected in series to each other.

[0035] 4 shows the battery cell assembly 120 including 12 banks BNK1 to BNK12 and the plurality of banks BNK1 to BNK12 including two pouch-type battery cells 121, but this is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention in any way. The number of pouch-type battery cells 121 in the plurality of banks BNK1 to BNK12 and the number of the plurality of banks BNK1 to BNK12 connected in series to each other may be changed depending on the voltage and current values ​​to be output through the battery cell assembly 120.

[0036] Each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121 may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a pouch case 121C. The electrode assembly housed in the battery case may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. Depending on the assembly form, the electrode assembly may be either a jelly roll type or a stack type. A jelly roll type electrode assembly may include a rolled structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween. A stack type electrode assembly may include a plurality of positive electrodes, a plurality of negative electrodes, and a plurality of separators interposed therebetween, stacked in sequence.

[0037] The positive electrode of the electrode assembly may be connected to the positive electrode lead 121P. The negative electrode of the electrode assembly may be connected to the negative electrode lead 121N. The positive electrode lead 121P and the negative electrode lead 121N may protrude to the outside from the pouch case 121C. The positive electrode lead 121P and the negative electrode lead 121N may be spaced apart from each other in the X direction.

[0038] The pouch case 121C may include a storage portion 121B and a terrace 121T. The storage portion 121B may provide a storage space for storing the electrode assembly. The storage space may be provided by a forming process. The storage portion 121B may have a convex shape based on the terrace 121T. The terrace 121T may include a sealed portion. The terrace 121T may surround the storage portion 121B.

[0039] The pouch case 121C of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121 may include first to fourth sides 121S1, 121S2, 121S3, and 121S4. The first side 121S1 of the pouch case 121C may face the bottom 124B of the lower frame 124. The second side 121S2 of the pouch case 121C may be opposite the first side 121S1 of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121. The third side 121S3 and the fourth side 121S4 of the pouch case 121C may be connected to the first side 121S1 and the second side 121S2 of the pouch case 121C, respectively.

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121 may be a unidirectional cell. According to an exemplary embodiment, the positive electrode lead 121P and the negative electrode lead 121N of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121 may be arranged in the same direction. According to an exemplary embodiment, the positive electrode lead 121P and the negative electrode lead 121N of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121 may be on the second side 121S2 of the pouch case 121C of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121. The positive electrode lead 121P and the negative electrode lead 121N may protrude from the second side 121S2 of the pouch case 121C. The positive electrode lead 121P and the negative electrode lead 121N of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121 may be adjacent to both ends of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121 in the X direction. Positive lead 121P may be adjacent to third side 121S3, and negative lead 121N may be adjacent to fourth side 121S4.

[0041] According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121 may be arranged in the Y direction. The Y direction may be substantially perpendicular to the X direction. The positive electrode leads 121P and negative electrode leads 121N of each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121 may be aligned in the Y direction. The positive electrode leads 121P and negative electrode leads 121N of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121 may constitute a first lead array LAR1 and a second lead array LAR2.

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment, the positive leads 121P of each of the odd-numbered banks BNK1, BNK3, BNK5, BNK7, BNK9, and BNK11 may be included in a first lead array LAR1. According to an exemplary embodiment, the negative leads 121N of each of the odd-numbered banks BNK1, BNK3, BNK5, BNK7, BNK9, and BNK11 may be included in a second lead array LAR2.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment, the positive leads 121P of each of the even-numbered banks BNK2, BNK4, BNK6, BNK8, BNK10, and BNK12 may be included in the second lead array LAR2. According to an exemplary embodiment, the negative leads 121N of each of the even-numbered banks BNK2, BNK4, BNK6, BNK8, BNK10, and BNK12 may be included in the first lead array LAR1.

[0044] In other words, the first lead array LAR1 may include positive leads 121P of the pouch-type battery cells 121 in the odd-numbered banks BNK1, BNK3, BNK5, BNK7, BNK9, and BNK11 and negative leads 121N of the pouch-type battery cells 121 in the even-numbered banks BNK2, BNK4, BNK6, BNK8, BNK10, and BNK12.

[0045] In addition, the second lead array LAR2 may include negative electrode leads 121N of the pouch-type battery cells 121 in each of the odd-numbered banks BNK1, BNK3, BNK5, BNK7, BNK9, and BNK11 and positive electrode leads 121P of the pouch-type battery cells 121 in each of the even-numbered banks BNK2, BNK4, BNK6, BNK8, BNK10, and BNK12.

[0046] Each of the pouch-type battery cells 121 in the odd-numbered banks BNK1, BNK3, BNK5, BNK7, BNK9, and BNK11 may also be referred to as a first pouch-type battery cell. The pouch case 121C, positive electrode lead 121P, and negative electrode lead 121N of each of the pouch-type battery cells 121 in the odd-numbered banks BNK1, BNK3, BNK5, BNK7, BNK9, and BNK11 may also be referred to as a first pouch case, first positive electrode lead, and first negative electrode lead, respectively.

[0047] Each of the pouch-type battery cells 121 in the even-numbered banks BNK2, BNK4, BNK6, BNK8, BNK10, and BNK12 may also be referred to as a second pouch-type battery cell. The pouch case 121C, positive electrode lead 121P, and negative electrode lead 121N of each of the battery cells 121 in the even-numbered banks BNK2, BNK4, BNK6, BNK8, BNK10, and BNK12 may also be referred to as a second pouch case, second positive electrode lead, and second negative electrode lead, respectively.

[0048] The positive electrode leads 121P of the banks BNK1 to BNK12 can be short-circuited to each other, and the negative electrode leads 121N of the banks BNK1 to BNK12 can be short-circuited to each other.

[0049] The negative electrode lead 121N of each of the plurality of banks BNK1 to BNK12 can be short-circuited with the positive electrode lead 121P of the succeeding one of the plurality of banks BNK1 to BNK12.

[0050] For example, the negative electrode lead 121N of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK1 can be short-circuited with the positive electrode lead 121P of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK2 by bus bar 123_1, the negative electrode lead 121N of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK2 can be short-circuited with the positive electrode lead 121P of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK3 by bus bar 123_2, and the negative electrode lead 121N of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK3 can be short-circuited with the positive electrode lead 121P of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK4 by bus bar 123_3. The positive lead 121P of the pouch-type battery cell 121 in bank BNK4 can be shorted to the positive lead 121P of the pouch-type battery cell 121 in bank BNK5 by bus bar 123_4, the negative lead 121N of the pouch-type battery cell 121 in bank BNK5 can be shorted to the positive lead 121P of the pouch-type battery cell 121 in bank BNK6 by bus bar 123_5, and the negative lead 121N of the pouch-type battery cell 121 in bank BNK6 can be shorted to the positive lead 121P of the pouch-type battery cell 121 in bank BNK6 by bus bar 123_6. The positive electrode lead 121P of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK7 can be shorted to the positive electrode lead 121P of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK8 by bus bar 123_7, the negative electrode lead 121N of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK8 can be shorted to the positive electrode lead 121P of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK9 by bus bar 123_8, and the negative electrode lead 121N of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK9 can be shorted to the positive electrode lead 121P of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK9 by bus bar 123_9. The positive electrode lead 121N of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK10 may be short-circuited to the positive electrode lead 121P of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK11 by the bus bar 123_9, the negative electrode lead 121N of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK10 may be short-circuited to the positive electrode lead 121P of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK11 by the bus bar 123_10, and the negative electrode lead 121N of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK11 may be short-circuited to the positive electrode lead 121P of the pouch-type battery cell 121 of bank BNK12 by the bus bar 123_11. In this way, the multiple banks BNK1 to BNK12 may be sequentially connected in series.As will be described later, the plurality of banks BNK1 to BNK12 can be connected in series by a plurality of bus bars 123_1 to 123_11.

[0051] According to an exemplary embodiment, the cell stack CS may further include a plurality of separators 122 interposed between the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121. The separators 122 may prevent swelling of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121 by supporting the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 121 horizontally. According to an exemplary embodiment, the separators 122 may be thermal barriers. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the separators 122 may have a high melting temperature and low thermal conductivity. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the separators 122 may include a flame-retardant material such as ceramic and coated fiberglass. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the separators 122 may also be configured to release a fire retardant material and a fire extinguishing agent in the event of a thermal runaway event.

[0052] The lower frame 124, the end plates 125F, 125R, and the top plate assembly TPA may be coupled to one another. The lower frame 124, the end plates 125F, 125R, and the top plate 126 of the top plate assembly TPA may each include a metal material such as aluminum. The lower frame 124, the end plates 125F, 125R, and the top plate 126 may be welded to one another. This may secure the lower frame 124, the end plates 125F, 125R, and the top plate 126 to one another and form an outer case of the battery cell assembly 120. According to an exemplary embodiment, the lower frame 124, the end plates 125F, 125R, and the top plate 126 may protect the cell stack CS.

[0053] The lower frame 124 may have a generally U-shape. The lower frame 124 may include a bottom 124B and a sidewall 124S connected to the bottom 124B. The sidewall 124S may be located at both ends of the bottom 124B (e.g., both ends in the Y direction). The sidewall 124S may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom 124B.

[0054] The top plate assembly TPA may include a top plate 126 and bus bar frames 127, 128. The bus bar frames 127, 128 may be coupled to the top plate 126.

[0055] The first side 126S1 and the second side 126S2 of the top plate 126 may contact the side walls of the lower frame 124. The first side 126S1 and the second side 126S2 of the top plate 126 may be welded to the side walls of the lower frame 124. The first side 126S1 and the second side 126S2 of the top plate 126 may be substantially parallel to the X direction.

[0056] Each of the end plates 125F and 125R may have a generally flat plate shape. The end plate 125F may cover the front surface of the cell stack CS, and the end plate 125R may cover the rear surface of the cell stack CS. The front and rear surfaces of the cell stack CS are opposite each other. The front surface of the cell stack CS may be adjacent to the first lead array LAR1, and the rear surface of the cell stack CS may be adjacent to the second lead array LAR2.

[0057] The end plate 125F may contact the third side 126S3 of the top plate 126. The end plate 125F may be welded to the third side 126S3 of the top plate 126. The end plate 125R may contact the fourth side 126S4 of the top plate 126. The end plate 125R may be welded to the fourth side 126S4 of the top plate 126.

[0058] The top plate 126 may include openings 126O1, 126O2 and an exhaust hole 126H. The exhaust hole 126H may provide a path for exhausting hot gas in the event of a thermal runaway event in the multiple pouch-type battery cells 121. The exhaust hole 126H may be interposed between the openings 126O1, 126O2.

[0059] The openings 126O1 and 126O2 may be spaced apart with an exhaust hole 126H therebetween. The openings 126O1 and 126O2 may be spaces for coupling the bus bar frames 127 and 128. The bus bar frame 127 may be inserted into the top plate 126 through the opening 126O1, and the bus bar frame 128 may be inserted into the top plate 126 through the opening 126O2.

[0060] The bus bar frame 127 may include a connecting portion 127C and an elevated portion 127E. The connecting portion 127C may be spaced apart with the elevated portion 127E therebetween. The bus bar frame 127 may be inserted upward into the top plate 126. That is, the bus bar frame 127 may be inserted into the opening 126O1 of the top plate 126 in a direction from the lower surface 126L of the top plate 126 toward the upper surface 126U of the top plate 126.

[0061] This allows the coupling portion 127C of the bus bar frame 127 to contact the lower surface 126L of the top plate 126, and allows the rising portion 127E of the bus bar frame 127 to pass through the opening 126O1.

[0062] The rising portion 127E of the bus bar frame 127 and the opening 126O1 may have shapes complementary to each other. The rising portion 127E of the bus bar frame 127 may have a substantially rectangular planar shape and protruding portions 127P protruding from the corners of the rectangle. The protruding portions 127P may support the inter-bus bars 123P and 123N. The opening 126O1 may include a substantially rectangular portion and a portion protruding from the corners of the rectangle.

[0063] The elevated portion 127E of the busbar frame 127 may be at a higher level than the upper surface 126U of the top plate 126. That is, the distance between the elevated portion 127E of the busbar frame 127 and the lower surface 126L of the top plate 126 may be greater than the distance between the upper surface 126U of the top plate 126 and the lower surface 126L of the top plate 126. This may prevent a short circuit between the busbars 123_2, 123_4, 123_6, 123_8, 123_10 and the inter-busbars 123P, 123N mounted on the busbar frame 127 and the top plate 126. According to an exemplary embodiment, the thickness (i.e., length in the Z direction) of the busbar frame 127 may be different from the thickness (i.e., length in the Z direction) of the top plate 126. According to an exemplary embodiment, the thickness (i.e., length in the Z direction) of the busbar frame 127 may be greater than the thickness (i.e., length in the Z direction) of the top plate 126.

[0064] The bus bar frame 127 may include a plurality of flanges 127F on the coupling portions 127C. A plurality of rods 127R may be interposed between the plurality of flanges 127F and the coupling portions 127C. The width (or diameter) of each of the plurality of flanges 127F may be different from the width (or diameter) of each of the plurality of rods 127R. The width (or diameter) of each of the plurality of flanges 127F may be even larger than the width (or diameter) of each of the plurality of rods 127R.

[0065] The top plate 126 may include a plurality of coupling holes 126C1 surrounding the opening 126O1. The plurality of coupling holes 126C1 may be arranged along the periphery of the opening 126O1 of the top plate 126. The plurality of coupling holes 126C1 may overlap with the plurality of flanges 127F, for example, in the Z direction. The plurality of coupling holes 126C1 may be penetrated by a plurality of rods 127R. The width (or diameter) of the plurality of coupling holes 126C1 may be different from the width (or diameter) of each of the plurality of flanges 127F. The width (or diameter) of the plurality of coupling holes 126C1 may be smaller than the width (or diameter) of each of the plurality of flanges 127F. The plurality of flanges 127F may be spaced apart from the coupling portion 127C with the top plate 126 therebetween. This allows the bus bar frame 127 to be fixed to the top plate 126. The plurality of flanges 127F may be formed by, for example, melt-induced deformation.

[0066] The bus bar frame 127 may be heat-sealed to the top plate 126. According to an exemplary embodiment, by heat-sealing the bus bar frame 127 and the top plate 126 and simultaneously forming the plurality of flanges 127F, the mechanical robustness of the bus bar frame 127 and the top plate 126 may be improved, thereby improving the reliability of the battery cell assembly 120.

[0067] The bus bar frame 128 may include a connecting portion 128C and a rising portion 128E. The connecting portion 128C may be spaced apart with the rising portion 128E interposed therebetween. The bus bar frame 128 may be inserted upward into the top plate 126. That is, the bus bar frame 128 may be inserted into the opening 126O2 of the top plate 126 in a direction from the lower surface 126L toward the upper surface 126U of the top plate 126. The bus bar frame 128 may be spaced apart from the bus bar frame 127 in the X direction. The bus bar frame 128 may be spaced apart from the bus bar frame 127 with a plurality of exhaust holes 126H interposed therebetween.

[0068] This allows the joint portion 128C of the bus bar frame 128 to contact the lower surface 126L of the top plate 126, and the rising portion 128E of the bus bar frame 128 to pass through the opening 126O2.

[0069] The rising portion 128E of the bus bar frame 128 and the opening 126O2 may have shapes complementary to each other. The rising portion 128E of the bus bar frame 128 may have a substantially rectangular planar shape. The opening 126O2 may be substantially rectangular.

[0070] The elevated portion 128E of the busbar frame 128 may be at a higher level than the upper surface 126U of the top plate 126. That is, the distance between the elevated portion 128E of the busbar frame 128 and the lower surface 126L of the top plate 126 may be greater than the distance between the upper surface 126U of the top plate 126 and the lower surface 126L of the top plate 126. This may prevent a short circuit between the busbars 123_1, 123_3, 123_5, 123_7, 123_9, 123_11 and the inter-busbars 123P, 123N mounted on the busbar frame 128 and the top plate 126. According to an exemplary embodiment, the thickness (i.e., length in the Z direction) of the busbar frame 128 may be different from the thickness (i.e., length in the Z direction) of the top plate 126. According to an exemplary embodiment, the thickness (i.e., length in the Z direction) of the busbar frame 128 may be greater than the thickness (i.e., length in the Z direction) of the top plate 126.

[0071] The bus bar frame 128 may include a plurality of flanges 128F on the joints 128C. A plurality of rods 128R may be interposed between the plurality of flanges 128F and the joints 128C. The width (or diameter) of each of the plurality of flanges 128F may be different from the width (or diameter) of each of the plurality of rods 128R. The width (or diameter) of each of the plurality of flanges 128F may be even larger than the width (or diameter) of each of the plurality of rods 128R.

[0072] The top plate 126 may include a plurality of coupling holes 126C2 surrounding the opening 126O2. The plurality of coupling holes 126C2 may be arranged along the periphery of the opening 126O2 of the top plate 126. The plurality of coupling holes 126C2 may be penetrated by a plurality of rods 128R. The width (or diameter) of the plurality of coupling holes 126C2 may be different from the width (or diameter) of each of the plurality of flanges 128F. The width (or diameter) of the plurality of coupling holes 126C2 may be even smaller than the width (or diameter) of each of the plurality of flanges 128F. The plurality of flanges 128F may be spaced apart from the coupling portion 128C with the top plate 126 therebetween. This may allow the bus bar frame 128 to be fixed to the top plate 126. The plurality of flanges 128F may be formed by, for example, melt-deformation.

[0073] The bus bar frame 128 may be heat-sealed to the top plate 126. According to an exemplary embodiment, by heat-sealing the bus bar frame 128 and the top plate 126 and simultaneously forming the plurality of flanges 128F, the mechanical robustness of the bus bar frame 128 and the top plate 126 may be improved, which may improve the reliability of the battery cell assembly 120.

[0074] FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of the battery cell assembly 120 of FIG.

[0075] FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of the battery cell assembly 120 of FIG.

[0076] FIG. 8 shows the bus bars 123_1 to 123_11.

[0077] FIG. 9 shows the inter-bus bar 123P.

[0078] FIG. 10 shows the inter-bus bar 123N.

[0079] 4 and 6 to 10, the inter-bus bars 123P and 123N and the bus bars 123_2, 123_4, 123_6, 123_8, and 123_10 may be mounted on a bus bar frame 127, and the bus bars 123_1, 123_3, 123_5, 123_7, 123_9, and 123_11 may be mounted on a bus bar frame 128. The bus bar frame 127 may include a slit 127S, and the bus bar frame 128 may include a slit 128S. The positive electrode lead 121P and the negative electrode lead 121N may be coupled to the bus bars 123_1 to 123_11 and the inter-bus bars 123P and 123N via any one of the slit 127S and the slit 128S.

[0080] Each of the bus bars 123_1 to 123_11 may include connecting portions 123C1 and 123C2 and a bridge 123B. Each of the connecting portions 123C1 and 123C2 may have a rod shape. The bridge 123B may have a rod shape and may be connected to the connecting portions 123C1 and 123C2. As a result, the planar shape of each of the bus bars 123_1 to 123_11 may include a substantially U-shape.

[0081] The coupling parts 123C1 and 123C2 may be in contact with either one of the positive electrode lead 121P and the negative electrode lead 121N. The coupling parts 123C1 and 123C2 may be coupled to either one of the positive electrode lead 121P and the negative electrode lead 121N by a method such as welding.

[0082] For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the negative electrode lead 121N of the second bank BNK2 that passes through the slit 127S of the bus bar frame 127 may be coupled to the coupling portion 123C1 of the bus bar 123_2. The negative electrode lead 121N of the second bank BNK2 may be welded to the coupling portion 123C1 of the bus bar 123_2. The negative electrode leads 121N of the second bank BNK2 may be spaced apart from each other, but this is not a limitation. The positive electrode lead 121P of the third bank BNK3 that passes through the slit 127S may be coupled to the coupling portion 123C2 of the bus bar 123_2. The positive electrode lead 121P of the third bank BNK3 may be welded to the coupling portion 123C2 of the bus bar 123_2. The positive electrode leads 121P of the third bank BNK3 may be spaced apart from each other, but this is not a limitation. As a result, the negative electrode lead 121N of the second bank BNK2 can be short-circuited with the positive electrode lead 121P of the third bank BNK3.

[0083] As another example, as shown in FIG. 7, the negative electrode lead 121N of the first bank BNK1 that passes through the slit 128S may be coupled to the coupling portion 123C1 of the bus bar 123_1. The negative electrode lead 121N of the first bank BNK1 may be welded to the coupling portion 123C1 of the bus bar 123_1. The negative electrode leads 121N of the first bank BNK1 may be spaced apart from each other, but this is not a limitation. The positive electrode lead 121P of the second bank BNK2 that passes through the slit 128S may be coupled to the coupling portion 123C2 of the bus bar 123_1. The positive electrode lead 121P of the second bank BNK2 may be welded to the coupling portion 123C2 of the bus bar 123_1. The positive electrode leads 121P of the second bank BNK2 may be spaced apart from each other, but this is not a limitation. This allows the negative electrode lead 121N of the first bank BNK1 to be short-circuited with the positive electrode lead 121P of the second bank BNK2.

[0084] The connections between the bus bars 123_3, 123_4, 123_5, 123_6, 123_7, 123_8, 123_9, 123_10, 123_11, the positive lead 121P and the negative lead 121N are substantially the same as those described for the bus bars 123_1 and 123_2, and therefore, a duplicated description thereof will be omitted.

[0085] The inter bus bar 123P may include a coupling portion 123PC and a contact portion 123PT. The coupling portion 123PC may contact the positive electrode lead 121P of the bank BNK1 that has passed through the slit 127S. The coupling portion 123PC may be coupled to the positive electrode lead 121P of the bank BNK1 that has passed through the slit 127S by a method such as welding. The positive electrode lead 121P of the bank BNK1 may encase the coupling portion 123PC. As a result, the inter bus bar 123P (more specifically, the coupling portion 123PC of the inter bus bar 123P) may include a portion interposed between the positive electrode lead 121P and the bus bar frame 127.

[0086] The inter bus bar 123N may include a coupling portion 123NC and a contact portion 123NT. The coupling portion 123NC may contact the negative electrode lead 121N of the bank BNK1 that has passed through the slit 127S. The coupling portion 123NC may be coupled to the negative electrode lead 121N of the bank BNK12 that has passed through the slit 127S by a method such as welding. The negative electrode lead 121N of the bank BNK12 may encase the coupling portion 123NC. As a result, the inter bus bar 123N (more specifically, the coupling portion 123NC of the inter bus bar 123N) may include a portion interposed between the negative electrode lead 121N and the bus bar frame 127.

[0087] The contact portion 123PT may be a contact pad for providing a series connection between the battery cell assemblies 120 when a plurality of battery cell assemblies 120 are mounted in a battery pack housing for assembling the battery pack.

[0088] The contact portion 123NT may be a contact pad for providing a series connection between the battery cell assemblies 120 when a plurality of battery cell assemblies 120 are mounted in a battery pack housing for assembling the battery pack.

[0089] (Second embodiment) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a battery cell assembly 120' according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0090] 1 to 5, the battery cell assembly 120′ may include a cell stack CS, a first inter-bus bar 123P, a second inter-bus bar 123N, a plurality of bus bars 123_1, 123_2, 123_3, 123_4, 123_5, 123_6, 123_7, 123_8, 123_9, 123_10, and 123_11 (hereinafter, 123_1 to 123_11), a lower frame 124, end plates 125F and 125R, a top plate assembly TPA′, and a fixture 129. The top plate assembly TPA′ may include a top plate 126 and bus bar frames 127′ and 128′.

[0091] The cell stack CS, the first inter bus bar 123P, the second inter bus bar 123N, the multiple bus bars 123_1, 123_2, 123_3, 123_4, 123_5, 123_6, 123_7, 123_8, 123_9, 123_10, 123_11 (hereinafter referred to as 123_1 to 123_11), the lower frame 124, the end plates 125F, 125R, and the top plate 126 are substantially the same as those described with reference to Figures 1 to 10, so duplicate descriptions of them will be omitted.

[0092] The bus bar frames 127', 128' are substantially the same as the bus bar frames 127, 128 of Figure 3, except that the flanges 127F, 128F (Figure 3) and the rods 127R, 128R (Figure 3) are omitted. The bus bar frames 127', 128' may be coupled to the top plate 126 by fasteners 129, such as bolts.

[0093] The present invention has been described in more detail above through the drawings and embodiments, etc. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

Claims

1. a cell stack including a plurality of pouch-type battery cells; and a top plate assembly disposed on the cell stack; A battery cell assembly comprising: The top plate assembly includes: The top plate and a bus bar frame coupled to the top plate; a plurality of bus bars mounted on the bus bar frame; Including, each of the bus bar frames comprises a different material than the top plate.

2. The battery cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein the top plate comprises a conductive material.

3. The battery cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bus bar frame comprises an insulating material.

4. The battery cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bus bar frame is heat-sealed to the top plate.

5. The battery cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein the top plate includes a plurality of fastening holes that horizontally surround the plurality of bus bars.

6. The battery cell assembly of claim 5 , wherein the bus bar frame includes a plurality of flanges that overlap the plurality of fastening holes.

7. The battery cell assembly of claim 6 , wherein the bus bar frame includes a plurality of rods that pass through the plurality of fastening holes and are connected to the plurality of flanges.

8. The battery cell assembly of claim 6 , wherein a width of each of the plurality of flanges is greater than a width of each of the plurality of fastening holes.

9. further comprising a lower frame welded to the top plate; and The battery cell assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the lower frame includes a bottom separated from the top plate with the cell stack therebetween, and a sidewall welded to the top plate.

10. The battery cell assembly according to claim 9 , further comprising an end plate welded to the top plate and having a flat plate shape.

11. The battery cell assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bus bars include portions interposed between the positive electrode leads and the negative electrode leads of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells and the top plate.

12. a lower frame having a U-shape; a cell stack disposed on the lower frame, the cell stack including a plurality of first pouch-type battery cells and a plurality of second pouch-type battery cells, wherein each of the plurality of first pouch-type battery cells includes a first lower side facing the lower frame and a first upper side opposite the first lower side, and a first positive electrode lead and a first negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of first pouch-type battery cells are respectively on the first upper side and spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and each of the plurality of second pouch-type battery cells includes a second lower side facing the lower frame and a second upper side opposite the second lower side, and a second positive electrode lead and a second negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of second pouch-type battery cells are respectively on the second upper side and spaced apart from each other in the first direction; and a top plate assembly disposed on the cell stack; Including, The top plate assembly includes: Top plate, a first bus bar frame joined to the top plate by thermal fusion and including a plurality of first slits; and a second bus bar frame coupled to the top plate by thermal fusion, spaced apart from the first bus bar frame in the first direction, and including a plurality of second slits; Including, the first positive electrode lead of each of the plurality of first pouch-type battery cells and the second negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of second pouch-type battery cells pass through corresponding ones of the plurality of first slits; and the first negative electrode lead of each of the plurality of first pouch-type battery cells and the second positive electrode lead of each of the plurality of second pouch-type battery cells pass through corresponding ones of the plurality of second slits.

13. The battery cell assembly of claim 12 , wherein the top plate is welded to the lower frame.

14. The battery cell assembly of claim 12 , wherein a first side and a second side of the top plate parallel to the first direction are welded to the lower frame.

15. the top plate comprises a metal; and The battery cell assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first bus bar frame and the second bus bar frame comprise plastic.

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