Battery module and battery pack including the same

Abstract

A battery module according to the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module case for accommodating the battery cell stack; a terminal bus bar disposed on one side of the battery cell stack; an insulating cover disposed on one side of the module case and in which one end of the terminal bus bar is positioned; and a fixing member having a fixing hole for fixing one end of the terminal bus bar and disposed on the insulating cover below one end of the terminal bus bar.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly to a battery module and a battery pack including the same that can improve heat generation by improving contact resistance at a bus bar connection portion. [Background technology]

[0002] Secondary batteries are batteries that can be charged and discharged, unlike primary batteries which cannot be recharged. They are used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are powered by electrical sources.

[0003] Currently widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, and nickel zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such unit secondary battery cells, i.e., unit battery cells, is approximately 2.5V to 4.6V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack is constructed by connecting multiple battery cells in series. Alternatively, depending on the charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack, multiple battery cells may be connected in parallel to construct the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be variously set depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0004] When a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series / parallel, a common method is to first construct a battery module including at least one battery cell, preferably a plurality of battery cells, and then construct the battery pack using at least one such battery module and adding other components. Here, the term "battery module" refers to a component in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series or parallel, and the term "battery pack" refers to a component in which a plurality of battery modules are connected in series or parallel to increase capacity and output.

[0005] A battery module is configured by electrically connecting a number of cells using busbars.

[0006] The battery modules also include terminal bus bars for electrically connecting one battery module to another.

[0007] In such a battery module, heat may be generated due to contact resistance at the portion where the terminal bus bar is fixed to the module. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and a battery pack including the same that can improve heat generation by improving contact resistance at a fixing portion of a terminal bus bar. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A battery module according to the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module case for accommodating the battery cell stack; a terminal bus bar disposed on one side of the battery cell stack; an insulating cover disposed on one side of the module case and in which one end of the terminal bus bar is positioned; and a fixing member having a fixing hole for fixing one end of the terminal bus bar and disposed on the insulating cover below one end of the terminal bus bar.

[0010] The fixing member further includes a fixing pin coupled to a fixing hole of the fixing member through one end of the terminal bus bar.

[0011] The fixing pin is screwed into the fixing hole of the fixing member.

[0012] The insulating cover also includes an insertion groove into which the fixing member is inserted.

[0013] The fixing member also includes a fixing body including the fixing hole, and a first horizontally extending protrusion extending outward from one side of the fixing body at an upper portion of the fixing body.

[0014] The fixed body has a rectangular prism shape.

[0015] The insulating cover also includes an insertion groove into which the fixing member is inserted, and the insertion groove includes a first portion into which the fixing body is inserted and a second portion into which the first horizontal extension protrusion is seated.

[0016] The first horizontally extending protrusion extends horizontally from one side surface of the fixed body.

[0017] The fixing body further includes a first side portion extending in a width direction of the battery module, and the first horizontally extending protrusion is disposed on an upper portion of the first side portion.

[0018] The fixing body may further include a pair of first side portions extending in a width direction of the battery module and spaced apart in parallel, and the first horizontally extending protrusions may be disposed on upper portions of the pair of first side portions, respectively.

[0019] The fixed body further includes a pair of first side portions extending in a width direction of the battery module and spaced apart from each other in parallel, and a pair of second side portions connecting the pair of first side portions, respectively, and spaced apart from each other.

[0020] The fixing body further includes a second horizontally extending protrusion extending outward from the other side of the fixing body at the top of the fixing body.

[0021] The insulating cover also includes an insertion groove into which the fixing member is inserted, and the insertion groove includes a first portion into which the fixing body is inserted and a second portion into which the first horizontal extension protrusion and the second horizontal extension protrusion are seated.

[0022] The second horizontally extending protrusion extends horizontally from the other side of the fixed body.

[0023] The fixing body further includes a second side portion extending in a length direction of the battery module, and the second horizontally extending protrusion is disposed on an upper portion of the second side portion.

[0024] The fixed body may further include a pair of second side portions extending in a length direction of the battery module and spaced apart in parallel, and the second horizontally extending protrusions may be disposed on upper portions of the pair of second side portions, respectively.

[0025] Furthermore, a battery pack according to the present invention includes one or more battery modules as described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] The battery module and battery pack according to the present invention have improved contact resistance at the fixing portion of the terminal bus bar, thereby achieving an improved heat generation effect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module according to the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery cell according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a terminal bus bar according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an insulating cover and an end plate according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 4 is an enlarged view showing a portion exposed from an insulating cover through an opening in an end plate according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a fixing member of the insulating cover according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view showing the fixing member in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a terminal bus bar is coupled to a fixing member in the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a fixing member according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 11 is a plan view showing the fixing member in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state in which a fixing member according to another embodiment is separated from an insulating cover. [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle equipped with a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The advantages, features, and methods of achieving the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the following detailed embodiments, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided to fully disclose the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention is defined by the scope of the claims. Therefore, in some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques are not specifically described to avoid ambiguous interpretation of the present invention. The same reference numerals refer to the same components throughout the specification.

[0029] In the figures, the thickness of various layers and regions is exaggerated to clearly show them. Similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the specification. When a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is "on" another part, it means not only that it is "directly on" the other part, but also that there is another part between them. Conversely, when a part is "directly on" the other part, it means that there is no other part between them. When a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is "under" the other part, it means not only that it is "directly under" the other part, but also that there is another part between them. Conversely, when a part is "directly under" the other part, it means that there is no other part between them.

[0030] A battery module 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a terminal bus bar according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insulating cover and end plate according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a portion exposed from the insulating cover through an opening in the end plate, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a fixing member in the insulating cover according to the present invention, FIG. 8 is a side view of the fixing member in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the terminal bus bar is coupled to the fixing member according to the present invention.

[0032] A battery module 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack 100 in which a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked, a module case 200 that houses the battery cell stack 100, a bus bar frame 300 located on the front and / or rear surface of the battery cell stack 100, end plates 400 that cover the front and / or rear surface of the battery cell stack 100, and bus bars 310, 320 attached to the bus bar frame 300.

[0033] The battery cell stack 100 is formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 110 in one direction, and the plurality of battery cells 110 are electrically connectable. The stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells 110 may be the X-axis direction (or the −X-axis direction) in FIG. 2.

[0034] The direction from the front surface to the rear surface of the battery cell stack 100, or the opposite direction, may be defined as the length direction of the battery cell stack 100, which may be the Y-axis direction in the drawings. Also, the direction from the top surface to the bottom surface of the battery cell stack 100, or the opposite direction, may be defined as the width direction of the battery cell stack 100, which may be the Z-axis direction in the drawings.

[0035] The length direction of the battery cell stack 100 may be substantially the same as the length direction of the battery cells 110. The electrode leads 111, 112 of the battery cells 110 are located on the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100, and the bus bars 310, 320 of the battery module 1000 are disposed near the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 so as to easily form electrical connections with the electrode leads 111, 112.

[0036] The battery cells 110 may be pouch-type battery cells, which can maximize the number of stacked cells per unit area. However, the battery cells 110 do not necessarily have to be pouch-type, and may be rectangular, cylindrical, or have various other shapes.

[0037] The pouch-type battery cell 110 includes an electrode assembly and a cell case 115 that houses the electrode assembly (see FIG. 3).

[0038] The cell case 115 of the battery cell 110 is for housing the electrode assembly and may be a pouch-type cell case 115. The cell case 115 includes a lower case and an upper case covering the lower case, and the upper and lower cases may be integrated. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the connecting portion of the upper and lower cases may be folded to form a folding structure. Alternatively, as shown in the figure, the upper case may completely cover the lower case, with a sealing portion 114 provided around the periphery.

[0039] Both the upper and lower cases may have a laminate structure including an inner coating layer, a metal layer, and an outer coating layer. The inner coating layer is located inside the cell case 115 relative to the metal layer and is in direct contact with the electrode assembly, so it must be insulating and electrolytic-resistant. Furthermore, the sealing properties, i.e., the sealing portion where the inner layers are thermally bonded together, must have excellent thermal adhesive strength to seal the battery from the outside. The metal layer is located between the inner and outer coating layers and serves as a barrier layer to prevent moisture and various gases from penetrating into the battery from the outside. A preferred material for the metal layer in contact with the inner coating layer is an aluminum (Al) thin film, which is lightweight and has excellent formability. The outer coating layer is located outside the cell case 115 relative to the metal layer. For this outer coating layer, a heat-resistant polymer with excellent tensile strength, moisture permeability, waterproofness, and air permeability barrier properties can be used to protect the electrode assembly while ensuring heat resistance and chemical resistance. Examples of such materials include nylon or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0040] The upper and lower cases each have a receiving groove 116 formed therein, and the electrode assembly is received in the receiving groove 116 of the upper and lower cases.

[0041] The electrode assembly housed in the cell case 115 may be one selected from the group consisting of a jelly-roll type electrode assembly having a structure in which a separator is interposed between long sheet-shaped anodes and cathodes and then wound up; a stack type electrode assembly composed of unit cells having a structure in which rectangular anodes and cathodes are stacked with a separator interposed between them; a stack folding type electrode assembly in which unit cells are wound up with a long separating film; and a lamination stack type electrode assembly in which unit cells are stacked with a separator interposed between them and then attached to each other.

[0042] The electrode assembly also includes two electrode tabs and two electrode leads 111 and 112 connected to the electrode tabs by welding, respectively.

[0043] One of the two electrode leads 111, 112 may be an anode lead connected to an anode tab, and the other electrode lead 111, 112 may be a cathode lead connected to a cathode tab.

[0044] A lead film 113 may be attached to each of the electrode leads 111 and 112. The lead film 113 connected to the electrode leads 111 and 112 is located between the electrode leads 111 and 112 and the cell case 115, and prevents short circuits from occurring between the electrode leads 111 and 112 and the cell case 115, and improves sealing strength to prevent electrolyte leakage, etc.

[0045] Although the two electrode leads 111 and 112 are shown disposed on both sides of the electrode assembly, they may be disposed on only one side of the electrode assembly depending on the arrangement of the electrode tabs.

[0046] The module case 200 is intended to protect the battery cell stack 100 and the electrical components connected thereto from external physical impacts, and the module case 200 can accommodate the battery cell stack 100 and the electrical components connected thereto in the internal space of the module case 200.

[0047] The module case 200 may have various structures. For example, the module case 200 may have a monoframe structure. Here, the monoframe may be in the form of a metal plate with an integrated top, bottom, and both side surfaces. The monoframe may be manufactured by extrusion molding. As another example, the module case 200 may have a structure in which a U-shaped frame and an upper plate (upper surface 201) are coupled together. In the case of a structure in which a U-shaped frame and an upper plate are coupled together, the module case 200 may be formed by coupling the upper plate to the top of the U-shaped frame, which is a metal plate with an integrated bottom and both side surfaces, and each frame or plate may be manufactured by press molding. Furthermore, the module case 200 may have a monoframe or U-shaped frame structure, or an L-shaped frame structure, or various other structures not described above.

[0048] The module case 200 may have a structure that is open along the length direction of the battery cell stack 100. The front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 do not have to be hidden by the module case 200. The electrode leads 111, 112 of the battery cells 110 do not have to be hidden by the module case 200. The front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 may be hidden by a bus bar frame 300, an end plate 400, or bus bars 310, 320, which will be described later, and thereby the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 are protected from external physical impacts, etc.

[0049] A compression pad 150 may be positioned between the battery cell stack 100 and one side of the inner surface of the module case 200 .

[0050] The compression pad 150 may be disposed in the battery cell stack 100 so as to face the battery cell 110 located at the outermost edge of the battery cell stack 100 in the X-axis direction in the drawing.

[0051] Furthermore, although not shown, a thermally conductive resin may be injected between the battery cell stack 100 and the inner surface of the module case 200, and the injected thermally conductive resin forms a thermally conductive resin layer (not shown) between the battery cell stack 100 and one side of the inner surface of the module case 200. In this case, the thermally conductive resin layer may be located on the Z-axis of the battery cell stack 100, and the thermally conductive resin layer may be formed between the battery cell stack 100 and the bottom surface of the module case 200 located on the -Z-axis.

[0052] The bus bar frame 300 is positioned on one side of the battery cell stack 100 to cover that side and guide the connection between the battery cell stack 100 and an external device. Specifically, the bus bar frame 300 may be positioned on the front or rear side of the battery cell stack 100 as shown in the figure, or on the top, bottom, or side. At least one of bus bars 310, 320 and a module connector is attached to the bus bar frame 300. As shown in FIG. 2 , one side of the bus bar frame 300 is connected to one or the other side of the battery cell stack 100, and the other side of the bus bar frame 300 is connected to the bus bars 310, 320.

[0053] The bus bar frame 300 may include an electrically insulating material, which limits contact between the bus bars 310 and 320 and other parts of the battery cell 110 in addition to the parts where the bus bars 310 and 320 are joined to the electrode leads 111 and 112, thereby preventing the occurrence of an electrical short circuit.

[0054] The bus bar frames 300 may be located on one side and the other side of the battery cell stack 100, respectively.

[0055] The bus bars 310, 320 may be attached to one surface of the bus bar frame 300 and serve to electrically connect the battery cell stack 100 or the battery cells 110 to an external device circuit. By being positioned between the battery cell stack 100 or the bus bar frame 300 and the end plate 400, the bus bars 310, 320 are protected from external impacts and minimize deterioration of durability due to external moisture and the like.

[0056] The bus bars 310 and 320 can be electrically connected to the battery cell stack 100 via the electrode leads 111 and 112 of the battery cells 110 .

[0057] Specifically, the electrode leads 111, 112 of the battery cells 110 pass through lead slits formed in the bus bar frame 300, and then bend to connect to the bus bars 310, 320. The bus bars 310, 320 connect the battery cells 110 that make up the battery cell stack 100 in series or parallel.

[0058] The bus bars 310, 320 may include a terminal bus bar 320 for electrically connecting one battery module 1000 to another battery module 1000. To be connected to another battery module 1000, at least a portion of the terminal bus bar 320 may be exposed to the outside of the end plate 400, and the end plate 400 is provided with a terminal opening 410 for this purpose.

[0059] One end (second portion 322 ) of terminal bus bar 320 may be exposed through opening 510 in insulating cover 500 and terminal opening 410 in end plate 400 .

[0060] 4, the terminal bus bar 320 may include a first portion 321 connected to the electrode leads 111, 112 of the battery cell 110, and a second portion 322 exposed to the outside through the terminal opening 410. The terminal bus bar 320 may further include a bent portion 323 formed between the first portion 321 and the second portion 322.

[0061] In the terminal bus bar 320, the first portion 321 is connected to the second portion 322 via a bent portion, and one surface of the first portion 321 and one surface of the second portion 322 may be perpendicular to each other. That is, a bent portion 323 is formed in the terminal bus bar 320, and the second portion 322 protrudes and seats on the seating portion 530 of the insulating cover 500, so that the second portion 322 is electrically connected to the pack bus bar 1100. A coupling hole 322a is formed in the second portion 322 that constitutes one end of the terminal bus bar 320, and the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 is fixed by a fixing pin 550 that is inserted into the coupling hole 322a.

[0062] The end plate 400 may serve to protect the battery cell stack 100 and the electrical components connected thereto from external physical impact by covering the open side of the module case 200. To this end, the end plate 400 may be manufactured from a material having a predetermined strength, and may include, for example, a metal such as aluminum or a plastic material.

[0063] Terminal openings 410 may be formed in the end plate 400. The terminal openings 410 are provided on both sides of the end plate 400, and a part of the insulating cover 500 and one end (second portion 322) of the terminal bus bar 320 may be exposed through the terminal openings 410.

[0064] A connector opening may be located between the terminal openings 410 located on both sides of the end plate 400, and the module connector may be exposed to the outside through the connector opening.

[0065] The end plate 400 covers the bus bar frame 300 or the bus bars 310, 320 located on one side of the battery cell stack 100 and can be coupled to the module case 200. Each edge of the end plate 400 can be coupled to a corresponding edge of the module case 200 by welding, bolting, hooking, or other methods.

[0066] The end plates 400 may be positioned on the front and rear surfaces of the module case 200 so as to cover the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100, respectively.

[0067] In addition, an insulating cover 500 for electrical insulation may be positioned between the end plate 400 and the bus bar frame 300. That is, the bus bar frame 300, the insulating cover 500, and the end plate 400 may be positioned in this order from the outside of the battery cell stack 100. Like the end plate 400, the bus bar frame 300 and the insulating cover 500 may each be configured in multiple pieces.

[0068] The insulating cover 500 may include an electrically insulating material and may block contact between the bus bars 310 , 320 and the end plate 400 .

[0069] The insulating cover 500 may include an opening 510 and a seat 530. The openings 510 are disposed on both sides of the upper portion of the insulating cover 500, and one end (second portion 322) of the terminal bus bar 320 may be exposed through the openings 510.

[0070] Furthermore, a connector opening may be located between the openings 510 located on both sides of the insulating cover 500, and the module connector may be exposed to the outside through the connector opening.

[0071] The insulating cover 500 is located on the inner surface of the end plate 400 and may, but does not necessarily, fit tightly against the inner surface of the end plate 400 .

[0072] As described above, one end (second portion 322) of terminal bus bar 320 may be exposed through opening 510, and this exposed end (second portion 322) of terminal bus bar 320 may be seated on seat 530. Therefore, seat 530 may be disposed adjacent to opening 510 and on the outer surface of the upper portion.

[0073] The seating portion 530 has an upper surface on which the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 is seated, and therefore the upper surface of the seating portion 530 can form a seating surface. Also, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the seating portion 530 can include a fixing member 531 for fixing the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the fixing member 531 may include a fixing body 531b and a fixing hole 531a.

[0075] In this embodiment, the fixed body 531 b has a substantially rectangular prism shape and can be inserted into the insertion groove 530 a of the seating part 530 .

[0076] Specifically, the fixed body 531b may include a pair of first side portions 531c and a pair of second side portions 531e.

[0077] The pair of first side surface portions 531c may be arranged parallel to and spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the fixed body 531b, and may be arranged parallel to the end plates 400 arranged on the front and rear surfaces of the battery module 1000. In addition, the first side surface portions 531c may extend in the width direction of the battery module 1000 (the X-axis direction in the drawing).

[0078] The pair of second side surface portions 531e may extend in the length direction of the battery module 1000 (the Y-axis direction in the drawing), and each second side surface portion 531e may be arranged to connect the pair of first side surface portions 531c. The pair of second side surface portions 531e may be arranged parallel to and spaced apart on opposite sides of the fixed body 531b, and may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the end plates 400 arranged on the front and rear surfaces of the battery module 1000.

[0079] The square portion of the fixed body 531b where the first side surface portion 531c and the second side surface portion 531e are connected may be rounded.

[0080] The fixing hole 531a is formed in the fixing body 531b, and the fixing pin 550 is inserted into the fixing hole 531a. The fixing hole 531a may be circular, and an internal thread may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the fixing hole 531a. When the internal thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the fixing hole 531a, an external thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fixing pin 550, and they are threaded together. When the fixing pin 550 is threaded into the fixing hole 531a, the fixing member 531 is rotated by rotating the fixing pin 550. However, since the fixing body 531b of the fixing member 531 is rectangular prism-shaped, the upper part of the fixing member 531 is rectangular, and the insertion groove 530a is a rectangular groove, the fixing member 531 is maintained without rotating, and the fixing pin 550 can be stably coupled to the fixing hole 531a.

[0081] In addition, the fixing member 531 may further include a first horizontally extending protrusion 531d on the upper portion of the fixing body 531b.

[0082] The first horizontally extending protrusion 531d may be formed to protrude horizontally outward from an upper end of the first side surface portion 531c of the fixing body 531b. Specifically, the first horizontally extending protrusion 531d may extend from the upper end of the first side surface portion 531c in the length direction of the battery module 1000 (in the Y-axis direction, the -Y-axis direction, or the direction toward the end plate 400 in the drawings).

[0083] The first horizontal extension protrusions 531d are formed on each of a pair of first side portions 531c of the fixed body 531b, and in this case, the pair of first horizontal extension protrusions 531d arranged on the pair of first side portions 531c may extend in opposite directions to each other.

[0084] The first horizontally extending protrusion 531d may have the same length along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the battery module 1000 as the first side surface portion 531c.

[0085] The upper end of the fixing member 531 including the first horizontally extending protrusion 531d may be square-shaped, and the corners thereof may be rounded.

[0086] The fixing member 531 having such a configuration is inserted into the insertion groove 530 a of the seating portion 530 .

[0087] As shown in FIG. 9, the insertion groove 530a of the seating portion 530 is formed to correspond to the outer shape of the fixing member 531, and may include a first portion 530b at the bottom of the insertion groove 530a into which the fixing body 531b is inserted, and a second portion 530c at the top of the insertion groove 530a into which the first horizontal extension protrusion 531d is seated.

[0088] In the insertion groove 530a, the lower portion of the fixed body 531b, excluding the first horizontal extension protrusion 531d, is inserted into the first portion 530b. In this embodiment, the first portion 530b has a substantially rectangular cross section corresponding to the fixed body 531b, and the rectangular portion may be rounded.

[0089] The second part 530c, which is positioned above the first part 530b in the insertion groove 530a, has a first horizontally extending protrusion 531d inserted therein, and the second part 530c may further extend outward from the first part 530b so that the first horizontally extending protrusion 531d is seated therein, but may include a first extension part 530d and a first vertical wall part 530e.

[0090] The first extension portion 530d is formed to extend horizontally outward from the first portion 530b, and the first horizontally extending protrusion 531d is seated on the first extension portion 530d. The first extension portion 530d may extend from the upper end of the first portion 530b in the length direction of the battery module 1000 (in the Y-axis direction or toward the end plate 400 in the drawing).

[0091] A first vertical wall portion 530e can extend upwardly from the first extension portion 530d.

[0092] Also, the second portions 530c may be formed on both opposing sides of the first portion 530b of the insertion groove 530a so that the pair of first horizontally extending protrusions 531d are seated thereon.

[0093] 9, fixing pin 550 inserted into coupling hole 322a formed in second portion 322 of terminal bus bar 320 is coupled to and fixed in fixing hole 531a, thereby fixing second portion 322 of terminal bus bar 320 to insulating cover 500. As another example, fixing pin 550 inserted into coupling hole 322a of terminal bus bar 320 may be coupled to and fixed in the bottom of insertion groove 530a of seat 530, in which case a female thread is formed in the bottom of insertion groove 530a and fixing pin 550 is screwed into it.

[0094] The second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 is seated on the seating portion 530 of the insulating cover 500, and the second portion 322 is seated and comes into contact with the fixing member 531 arranged on the seating portion 530, which causes heat to be generated due to contact resistance.

[0095] In this embodiment, the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 is seated on and in contact with the upper portion of the fixing member 531, which includes the first horizontal extension protrusion 531d, and since the fixing member 531 includes the first horizontal extension protrusion 531d, the contact area between the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 and the fixing member 531 is increased, thereby improving contact resistance and heat generation.

[0096] The seating portion 530 may be exposed to the outside through the terminal opening 410 of the end plate 400 together with the opening 510. The seating portion 530 may be formed integrally with the insulating cover 500 or may be separated from the insulating cover 500 and then coupled thereto.

[0097] Furthermore, a terminal cover portion (not shown) that covers one end (second portion 322) of the exposed terminal bus bar 320 may be disposed on the insulating cover 500.

[0098] The battery modules are electrically connected to each other by a pack bus bar (not shown). The pack bus bar is a member for connecting one battery module 1000 to another adjacent battery module 1000 or a BDU (Battery Disconnect Unit), and can be connected to an exposed end (second portion 322) of the terminal bus bar 320. For example, the pack bus bar 1100 may be connected to an upper portion of one end (second portion 322) of the terminal bus bar 320 by overlapping it.

[0099] After one end of the pack busbar is positioned overlapping the second portion 322 of the terminal busbar 320, the fixing pin 550 is inserted sequentially into the coupling hole of the pack busbar and the coupling hole 322a of the second portion 322 of the terminal busbar 320, and then the fixing pin 550 is fixed in the fixing groove of the seat 530, thereby connecting the pack busbar to the terminal busbar 320.

[0100] Additionally, the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 together with the pack bus bar may be fixed to the insulating cover 500 by a fixing pin 550 .

[0101] Meanwhile, Figures 10 to 12 are diagrams showing a fixing member 531 in a battery module 1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a fixing member according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 11 is a plan view showing the fixing member in Figure 10, and Figure 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the fixing member according to another embodiment is separated from the insulating cover.

[0102] As shown in the drawing, in another embodiment, the fixing member 531 may further include a second horizontally extending protrusion 531f on the upper portion of the fixing body 531b in addition to the first horizontally extending protrusion 531d.

[0103] The second horizontally extending protrusion 531f may be formed to protrude horizontally outward from an upper end of the second side surface portion 531e of the fixed body 531b. Specifically, the second horizontally extending protrusion 531f may extend from an upper end of the second side surface portion 531e in the width direction of the battery module 1000 (the X-axis direction or the −X-axis direction in the drawings).

[0104] The second horizontal extension protrusions 531f may be formed on each of a pair of second side portions 531e of the fixed body 531b, and in this case, the pair of second horizontal extension protrusions 531f arranged on the pair of second side portions 531e may extend in opposite directions to each other.

[0105] In another embodiment, the upper portion of the fixing member 531 may include a first horizontal extension protrusion 531d and a second horizontal extension protrusion 531f, which extend outward from the upper edge of the fixing body 531b in the entire circumferential direction, and the upper portion of the fixing member 531 may be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the fixing body 531b in plan view. The upper end of the fixing member 531, including the first horizontal extension protrusion 531d and the second horizontal extension protrusion 531f, is rectangular, and the corners thereof are rounded.

[0106] In another embodiment, the insertion groove 530a of the seating portion 530 into which the fixing member 531 is inserted may be formed to correspond to the outer shape of the fixing member 531, and may include a first portion 530b into which the fixing body 531b is inserted, and a second portion 530c into which the first horizontal extension protrusion 531d and the second horizontal extension protrusion 531f are seated.

[0107] In the insertion groove 530a, the first horizontal extension protrusion 531d and the second horizontal extension protrusion 531f are inserted into the second part 530c, and the second part 530c may further include a second extension part 530f and a second vertical wall part 530g in addition to the first extension part 530d and the first vertical wall part 530e so that the first and second horizontal extension protrusions 531d, 531f are seated.

[0108] The second extension portion 530f is formed by extending horizontally outward from a side surface of the first portion 530b on which the first extension portion 530d is not disposed, and the second horizontally extending protrusion 531f can be seated on the second extension portion 530f. The second extension portion 530f can extend from the upper end of the first portion 530b in the width direction of the battery module 1000 (the X-axis or −X-axis direction in the drawings).

[0109] A second vertical wall portion 530g can extend upwardly from the second extension portion 530f.

[0110] The second portions 530c are formed on both opposing side surfaces of the insertion groove 530a in the second portion 530c so that the pair of second horizontally extending protrusions 531f are seated thereon.

[0111] In other embodiments, other configurations may be similar to those of the above-described embodiment.

[0112] In this way, in another embodiment, the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 is seated on and makes contact with the upper portion of the fixing member 531, which includes the first horizontal extension protrusion 531d and the second horizontal extension protrusion 531f, and the fixing member 531 includes the second horizontal extension protrusion 531f in addition to the first horizontal extension protrusion 531d on the upper portion of the fixing body 531b, thereby further increasing the contact area between the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 and the fixing member 531, thereby improving contact resistance and heat generation.

[0113] One or more battery modules 1000 according to the present invention as described above may form a battery pack 2000. As shown in Fig. 13, a battery pack 2000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may accommodate at least one battery module 1000 inside a pack case 2100, and may include various control and protection systems such as a BMS (Battery Management System), a cooling system, etc.

[0114] The pack case 2100 may include a lower housing 2110 and an upper housing (not shown) coupled to the upper side of the lower housing 2110, and a plurality of battery modules 1000 are housed in the internal spaces of the lower housing 2110 and the upper housing.

[0115] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to an example in which a plurality of battery modules 1000 are housed inside the battery pack 2000, a plurality of battery cells 110 may be directly arranged inside the battery pack 2000.

[0116] The battery module 1000 and the battery pack 2000 according to the present invention configured as described above can be applied to various devices. Specifically, they can be applied to transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles (V), and hybrid vehicles, as well as ESS (Energy Storage Systems), but are not limited thereto and can be applied to various devices that can use secondary batteries.

[0117] 14 is a diagram showing an electric vehicle (V) equipped with a battery pack 2000. In the electric vehicle (V), the wheels are driven by a motor supplied with power from the battery pack 2000, and the electric vehicle is operated.

[0118] As described above, the present invention has been described using preferred embodiments, but it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified and altered in various ways by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0119] The present invention can provide a battery module and pack in which the contact resistance at the fixing portion of the terminal bus bar is improved, thereby improving heat generation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 100 Battery cell stack 110 battery cells 111 Electrode lead 112 Electrode Lead 113 Lead Film 114 Sealing part 115 Cell Case 116 Storage groove 150 compression pads 200 Module Case 201 Top surface 300 Busbar Frame 310 Busbar 320 Terminal Busbar 321 First Part 322 Second Part 322a Binding hole 323 Bending Department 400 End Plate 410 Terminal opening 500 Insulation Cover 510 Opening 530 Seating area 530a Insertion groove 530b First part 530c Second part 530d First Extension 530e first vertical wall 530f Second Extension 530g Second vertical wall 531 Fixing member 531a Fixed hole 531b Fixed fuselage 531c First side part 531d First horizontal extension 531e Second side part 531f Second horizontal extension protrusion 550 fixing pin 1000 Battery Module 1100 Pack Busbar 2000 battery pack 2100 pack case 2110 Lower Housing

Claims

1. a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module case for accommodating the battery cell stack; a terminal bus bar disposed on one side of the battery cell stack; an insulating cover disposed on one side of the module case, on which one end of the terminal bus bar is positioned; and a fixing member having a fixing hole for fixing one end of the terminal bus bar, the fixing member being disposed on the insulating cover below the one end of the terminal bus bar; A battery module comprising:

2. The battery module of claim 1 , further comprising a fixing pin coupled to a fixing hole of the fixing member through one end of the terminal bus bar.

3. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the fixing pin is screwed into the fixing hole of the fixing member.

4. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating cover includes an insertion groove into which the fixing member is inserted.

5. The fixing member is a fixing body including the fixing hole; and a first horizontally extending protrusion extending outward from one side surface of the fixed body at the upper portion of the fixed body; The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

6. The battery module according to claim 5 , wherein the fixing body has a rectangular prism shape.

7. the insulating cover includes an insertion groove into which the fixing member is inserted, The insertion groove includes a first portion into which the fixing body is inserted; and a second portion on which the first horizontally extending projection rests; The battery module of claim 5 , comprising:

8. The battery module according to claim 5 , wherein the first horizontally extending protrusion extends horizontally from one side surface of the fixed body.

9. the fixing body further includes a first side portion extending in a width direction of the battery module, The battery module according to claim 5 , wherein the first horizontally extending protrusion is disposed on an upper portion of the first side portion.

10. the fixing body further includes a pair of first side portions extending in a width direction of the battery module and spaced apart from each other in parallel; The battery module according to claim 5 , wherein the first horizontally extending protrusions are respectively disposed on upper portions of the pair of first side portions.

11. The fixed body is a pair of first side surfaces extending in a width direction of the battery module and spaced apart from each other in parallel; a pair of second side surfaces that respectively connect the pair of first side surfaces and are spaced apart from each other; The battery module of claim 5 , further comprising:

12. The battery module according to claim 5 , further comprising a second horizontally extending protrusion extending outward from another side surface of the fixing body at an upper portion of the fixing body.

13. the insulating cover includes an insertion groove into which the fixing member is inserted, The insertion groove includes a first portion into which the fixing body is inserted; and a second portion on which the first horizontally extending projection and the second horizontally extending projection are seated; The battery module of claim 12 , comprising:

14. The battery module according to claim 12 , wherein the second horizontally extending protrusion extends horizontally from another side surface of the fixed body.

15. the fixed body further includes a second side portion extending in a length direction of the battery module; The battery module according to claim 12 , wherein the second horizontally extending protrusion is disposed on an upper portion of the second side portion.

16. the fixed body further includes a pair of second side portions extending in a length direction of the battery module and spaced apart from each other in parallel; The battery module according to claim 12 , wherein the second horizontally extending protrusions are respectively disposed on upper portions of the pair of second side portions.

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