Battery module and battery pack including same

Abstract

A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in one direction; and at least one bus bar frame located on one or both sides of the battery cell stack. The bus bar frame includes a thermistor bridge extending toward at least one of the battery cells, and a thermistor for measuring the temperature of the battery cell is fixed to the thermistor bridge. The thermistor bridge has a structure that allows it to move along the one direction in which the battery cells are stacked.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0090046, filed July 11, 2023, 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 including the same, and more particularly to a battery module capable of accurately measuring the temperature of a battery cell and a battery pack including the same. [Background technology]

[0003] In modern society, the use of portable devices such as mobile phones, laptops, video cameras, and digital cameras has become commonplace, and the development of technologies related to these mobile devices is accelerating. Furthermore, rechargeable secondary batteries are a solution to air pollution caused by existing gasoline-powered vehicles that use fossil fuels, and are used as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs), etc., which has led to an increasing need for the development of secondary batteries.

[0004] Currently available secondary batteries on the market include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Of these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention due to their advantages over nickel-based secondary batteries, such as almost no memory effect, freedom in charging and discharging, an extremely low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] Such lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively, and include an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, each coated with the positive and negative electrode active materials, are disposed with a separator between them, and a battery case that seals and houses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0006] Generally, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into can-type secondary batteries, in which an electrode assembly is housed in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries, in which an electrode assembly is housed in a pouch made of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the exterior material.

[0007] While secondary batteries used in small devices typically have two to three battery cells, secondary batteries used in medium- to large-sized devices such as automobiles typically use battery modules in which multiple battery cells are electrically connected. These battery modules improve capacity and output by connecting multiple battery cells in series or parallel to form a stack of battery cells. One or more battery modules may be installed with various control and protection systems, such as a battery management system (BMS), a battery disconnect unit (BDU), and a cooling system, to form a battery pack.

[0008] Meanwhile, if the battery cells included in the battery module are subjected to overvoltage, overcurrent, or overheating, the safety and operating efficiency of the battery module become seriously affected. For example, when the pressure and temperature of the battery increase, decomposition reactions of the active material and various side reactions occur, causing a rapid rise in the battery temperature, which in turn accelerates the reaction between the electrolyte and the electrodes. Ultimately, a thermal runaway phenomenon occurs, in which the battery temperature rises rapidly. If the temperature rises above a certain level, the battery may ignite, and the increased internal pressure of the battery may cause the battery cells and the battery module containing them to explode.

[0009] Therefore, a means for detecting temperature changes of the battery cells is required, and a temperature sensor such as a thermistor is disposed in the battery module to check and control the operating state in real time or at regular intervals. That is, the thermistor is an important component for sensing the temperature of the battery cells included in the battery module and adjusting the operating conditions of the cooling system of the battery pack and the temperature load of each battery cell, and must be located at an accurate sensing position of the battery cell.

[0010] However, during repeated charge / discharge cycles or initial charge, the internal electrolyte of a battery cell may decompose, generating gas and causing the battery cell to swell, a phenomenon known as swelling or bleeding. In a battery module containing many such battery cells, swelling of the battery cells may cause the individual battery cells to move to a different location from their initial position. In particular, because the battery cells swell in the thickness direction, the positions of the battery cells may change along the stacking direction.

[0011] As described above, the thermistor must be located at the correct sensing position of the battery cell, but the thermistor may be located at a different position from the initial design due to expansion of the battery cell, etc., which may cause problems in measuring accurate temperature information of the battery cell.

[0012] Therefore, a means is required to maintain the thermistor in an accurate sensing position, taking into consideration the swelling phenomenon of the battery cell. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and a battery pack including the same in which a thermistor can be continuously located at an accurate sensing position to collect accurate temperature information.

[0014] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and can be variously expanded within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in one direction; and at least one bus bar frame located on one or both sides of the battery cell stack. The bus bar frame includes a thermistor bridge extending toward at least one of the battery cells, and a thermistor for measuring the temperature of the battery cell is fixed to the thermistor bridge. The thermistor bridge has a structure that allows it to move in the one direction in which the battery cells are stacked.

[0016] The thermistor bridge may include a fixing portion fixed to at least one of the battery cells.

[0017] The fixing portion may be engaged with and fixed to at least one of the battery cells.

[0018] When the battery cell swells, the thermistor bridge may move along the one direction in which the battery cells are stacked by an amount corresponding to an increase in thickness of the battery cell.

[0019] The battery cell may be a pouch-type battery including an electrode assembly and a pouch case that houses the electrode assembly, and the pouch case may have a sealing portion formed by sealing the outer periphery of a portion that houses the electrode assembly.

[0020] The fixing portion may be engaged with and fixed to the sealing portion.

[0021] The fixing portion may be fixed to at least one of the battery cells by an adhesive member.

[0022] A sensing assembly may be attached to the bus bar frame, and the sensing assembly may include connecting circuit members that transmit information about the battery cells.

[0023] The connecting circuit member may include an extension extending in a direction in which the thermistor bridge is located, and the thermistor may be fixed to the thermistor bridge while being connected to the extension.

[0024] The connecting circuit member may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) or a flexible flat cable (FFC).

[0025] The bus bar frame may include at least one hinge portion, and the thermistor bridge may include a hinge rod coupled to the at least one hinge portion. Fixing blocks formed at both ends of the hinge rod may be positioned at an outer side apart from the at least one hinge portion, and the thermistor bridge may have a structure that is movable along the one direction.

[0026] The thermistor bridge may include at least one hinge portion, and the bus bar frame may include a hinge rod coupled to the at least one hinge portion. Fixing blocks formed at both ends of the hinge rod may be positioned at an outer side apart from the at least one hinge portion, and the thermistor bridge may have a structure that is movable along the one direction.

[0027] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the battery module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the thermistor bridge to which the thermistor is fixed has a structure that allows it to move along the direction in which the battery cells are stacked in the battery module, so that the thermistor remains in the correct sensing position and the temperature of the battery cell can be accurately collected.

[0029] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing a battery cell stack and a bus bar frame included in the battery module of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a plan view showing one of the battery cells included in the battery cell stack of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of part "A" in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 1 is a partial view showing a thermistor bridge, thermistors, and connecting circuit components according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 3 is a partial view showing a thermistor bridge, thermistors, and connecting circuit components according to one embodiment of the present invention from another angle. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a partial view showing a thermistor bridge, thermistors, and connecting circuit components according to one embodiment of the present invention from another angle. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a partial view illustrating a coupling structure of a thermistor bridge according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a cross section taken along the line BB' in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12]FIG. 10 is a partial view of a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] In order to clearly describe the present invention, parts not necessary for the description will be omitted and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0033] Furthermore, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown. In the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated to clearly show them. In the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation.

[0034] Furthermore, when a layer, film, region, plate, or other part is said to be "on" or "above" another part, this does not only mean that it is "directly above" that part, but also includes cases where there are other parts between them. Conversely, when a part is said to be "directly above" another part, it means that there are no other parts between them. Furthermore, being "on" or "above" a reference part means being located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean being located "above" or "above" the direction opposite to gravity.

[0035] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a part is said to "comprise" a certain element, this does not mean to exclude other elements, but means that other elements may also be included, unless otherwise specified.

[0036] Also, throughout the specification, "on a plane" means a view of the subject part from above, and "on a cross section" means a view of the subject part cut vertically from the side.

[0037] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a battery cell stack and a bus bar frame included in the battery module of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing one of the battery cells included in the battery cell stack of Fig. 3.

[0038] 1 to 4, a battery module 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack 120 in which a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked, and at least one bus bar frame 200 located on one or both sides of the battery cell stack 120.

[0039] The battery cell 110 according to this embodiment may be a pouch-type battery in which an electrode assembly having electrode leads 111 protruding in one or both directions is housed in a pouch case 114. However, this is just one example, and a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present invention may be a prismatic battery.

[0040] For convenience of explanation, the following description will be based on the battery cell 110 of the pouch-type battery.

[0041] The battery cell 110 may be in the form of a rectangular sheet. The battery cell 110 may be formed by housing an electrode assembly in a pouch case 114 made of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, and then bonding the outer periphery of the pouch case 114. As an example, the battery cell 110 may have a structure in which two electrode leads 111 face each other and protrude from one end 114a and the other end 114b of the cell body 113, respectively. As another example, the electrode leads 111 of the battery cell 110 may all protrude in one direction. One of the electrode leads 111 is a positive electrode lead, and the other is a negative electrode lead.

[0042] The battery cell 110 can be manufactured by bonding both ends 114a, 114b of the pouch case 114 and one side 114c connecting them together while an electrode assembly (not shown) is housed in the pouch case 114. In other words, the battery cell 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a total of three sealing portions 114s, which are sealed by a method such as fusion, and the remaining side portions can be formed by folding portions 115. That is, in the battery cell 110 according to this embodiment, the electrode assembly is housed inside the pouch case 114, and the pouch case 114 has a sealing portion 114s formed by sealing the outer periphery of the portion where the electrode assembly is housed. 4 shows only the sealing portions 114s formed on both ends 114a and 114b of the pouch case 114, and does not show a sealing portion on the top edge facing the folding portion 115, i.e., one side 114c, but the sealing portion on one side 114c is in a state where it is folded to one side after sealing is completed to improve space utilization. The sealing portion on one side 114c in the folded state will be described again with reference to FIG.

[0043] The laminate sheet pouch case 114 may include an inner resin layer for sealing, a metal layer for preventing penetration of substances, and an outermost resin layer. Based on the electrode assembly inside the pouch case 114, the inner resin layer may be located innermost, the outer resin layer may be located outermost, and the metal layer may be located between the inner and outer resin layers.

[0044] The outer resin layer has excellent tensile strength and resistance to corrosion relative to its thickness to protect the electrode assembly from the outside and can exhibit electrical insulation. This outer resin layer can include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin or nylon resin. The metal layer can prevent air, moisture, etc. from entering the pouch-type secondary battery. This metal layer can include aluminum (Al). The inner resin layer can be heat-sealed by applying heat and / or pressure with the electrode assembly inside. This inner resin layer can include cast polypropylene (CPP) or polypropylene (PP).

[0045] The pouch case 114 may be divided into two sections, and a recessed storage section in which an electrode assembly can be placed may be formed in at least one of the two sections. The inner resin layers of the two sections of the pouch case 114 may be joined together to form a sealing section 114s around the outer periphery of the storage section. In this manner, the pouch case 114 is sealed, and the battery cell 110, which is a pouch-type battery, can be manufactured.

[0046] A plurality of battery cells 110 may be stacked to electrically connect to each other to form a battery cell stack 120. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of battery cells 110 may be stacked upright in a direction d1 parallel to the y-axis, with one surface of each cell body 113 facing each other. Accordingly, the electrode leads 111 may protrude in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells 110. That is, one electrode lead 111 of a battery cell 110 may protrude in the x-axis direction, and the other electrode lead 111 may protrude in the negative x-axis direction. In the case of a battery cell in which the electrode leads 111 protrude in only one direction, the electrode leads 111 protrude in the x-axis direction or the negative x-axis direction.

[0047] Meanwhile, the battery module 100 according to this embodiment may include a module frame 500 and end plates 600 that form an internal space in which the battery cell stack 120 is housed.

[0048] The module frame 500 may be a structure that is open on one side and on the other side opposite the one side. More specifically, the module frame 500 may be open on both sides of the battery cell stack 120 where the electrode leads 111 protrude.

[0049] The module frame 500 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a U-shaped frame 510 that covers the bottom and both side surfaces of the battery cell stack 120, and an upper cover 520 that covers the open upper portion of the U-shaped frame 510. The U-shaped frame 510 and the upper cover 520 may be joined to each other at corresponding corners.

[0050] In another embodiment of the present invention, the module frame may be a mono-frame in which the top, bottom and both sides are integrated.

[0051] A plurality of end plates 600 may be provided, each covering one of the open sides of the module frame 500. The battery cell stack 120 is housed in an internal space formed by the module frame 500 and the end plates 600, thereby physically protecting the battery cell stack 120. For this purpose, the module frame 500 and the end plates 600 may include a metal material having a predetermined strength. Meanwhile, the module frame 500 and the end plates 600 may be joined by welding, with corresponding corners in contact with each other.

[0052] An electrically insulating cover 610 may be disposed between the battery cell stack 120 and the end plate 600. Such an insulating cover 610 covers the bus bar frame 200 and can prevent short circuits from occurring within the battery module 100.

[0053] The configurations of the bus bar frame, the thermistor bridge, the thermistor, and the like according to this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0054] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of part "A" in FIG.

[0055] 2, 3, and 5, as described above, the battery module 100 according to this embodiment includes at least one bus bar frame 200 located on one or both sides of the battery cell stack 120. In one embodiment, two bus bar frames 200 may be located on both sides of the battery cell stack 120, and in another embodiment, one bus bar frame 200 may be located on one side of the battery cell stack 120. The bus bar frame 200 may be located between the battery cell stack 120 and the insulating cover 610 and may include an electrically insulating material.

[0056] The bus bar frame 200 may be fitted with a bus bar 800 for electrically connecting the battery cells 110 and a sensing assembly 300 for sensing the voltage and temperature of the battery cells 110. Specifically, the bus bar 800 and the sensing assembly 300 may be fitted to the surface of the bus bar frame 200 opposite to the surface facing the battery cell stack 120.

[0057] The bus bar 800 is for electrically connecting the battery cells 110 inside the battery module 100 and preferably includes a metal material to enable electrical connection. The electrode leads 111 protruding from the battery cells 110 may be bent after passing through slits formed in the bus bar frame 200 and connected to the bus bar 800. For example, one electrode lead 111 may be bent after passing through a slit in the bus bar frame 200 located on one side of the battery cell stack 120 and connected to the bus bar, and the other electrode lead 111 may be passed through a slit in another bus bar frame 200 located on the other side of the battery cell stack 120 and connected to the other bus bar 800. There are no particular limitations on the method of connection between the electrode leads 111 and the bus bar; for example, welding may be used. By connecting the electrode leads 111 of the battery cells 110 to the bus bar in this manner, the battery cells 110 may be electrically connected to each other via the bus bar. In this manner, high voltage (HV) connections can be made within the battery module 100. Meanwhile, the sensing assembly 300 will be described later.

[0058] Fig. 6 is a partial view showing a thermistor bridge, thermistor, and connecting circuit members according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 7 and 8 are partial views showing the thermistor bridge, thermistor, and connecting circuit members according to an embodiment of the present invention from different angles. However, for the sake of convenience, Figs. 7 and 8 do not show the fixing portion 211 of the thermistor bridge 210. The fixing portion 211 will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 10.

[0059] 5 to 8 , the bus bar frame 200 includes a thermistor bridge 210 extending toward at least one of the battery cells 110. A thermistor 400 for measuring the temperature of the battery cell 110 is fixed to the thermistor bridge 210, and the thermistor bridge 210 has a structure that allows it to move along the direction d1 in which the battery cells 110 are stacked. The thermistor 400 senses temperature data of the battery cell 110 and can transmit the sensed temperature data to a Battery Management System (BMS) located outside the battery module 100.

[0060] During repeated charging and discharging or initial charging, the electrolyte inside the battery cell 110 may be decomposed, generating gas and causing the battery cell 110 to swell, ie, swelling may occur.

[0061] When swelling occurs in the battery cells 110 stacked along one direction d1, the battery cells 110 expand mainly along their thickness direction, and the position of the battery cells 110 may change along the stacking direction d1 of the battery cells 110. When the battery cells 110 swell, the thermistor 400 fixed to the thermistor bridge 210 may be located at a position other than the designated position of the battery cells 110, which reduces the accuracy of temperature measurement of the battery cells 110 via the thermistor 400.

[0062] The thermistor bridge 210 according to this embodiment has a structure that allows it to move along the direction d1 in which the battery cells 110 are stacked. Therefore, even if the position of the battery cell 110 changes due to swelling of the battery cell 110, the thermistor bridge 210 and the thermistor 400 can remain at the correct sensing position. This allows the temperature of the battery cell 110 to be collected more accurately. More specifically, when the battery cell 110 swells, the thermistor bridge 210 can move along the direction d1 in which the battery cells 110 are stacked by an amount corresponding to the increase in the thickness of the battery cell 110.

[0063] Hereinafter, a movable structure of the thermistor bridge 210 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, this is merely an example structure, and the structure may be applied to other embodiments of the present invention as long as the thermistor bridge 210 is movable along the direction d1 in which the battery cells 110 are stacked in proportion to the increase in thickness of the battery cells 110.

[0064] Fig. 9 is a partial view illustrating a coupling structure of a thermistor bridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a cross section taken along the line BB' in Fig. 6.

[0065] 6 to 10, the thermistor bridge 210 may include a fixing portion 211 that is fixed to at least one of the battery cells 110. As an example, the fixing portion 211 may be fixed by engaging with at least one of the battery cells 110. As described above, in order to explain the configuration of the thermistor 400 and the like, the fixing portion 211 of the thermistor bridge 210 is not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0066] The fixing portion 211 may include a protruding portion 211p. The protruding portion 211p may be engaged with a stepped shape formed on the battery cell 110, thereby fixing the fixing portion 211 to at least one of the battery cells 110. The stepped shape formed on the battery cell 110 is not particularly limited. For example, the protruding portion 211p of the fixing portion 211 may be engaged with a stepped structure formed by the sealing portion 114s of the pouch case 114. As described above, the battery cell 110 according to this embodiment may be a pouch-type battery including an electrode assembly and a pouch case 114 that houses the electrode assembly. The pouch case 114 may have a sealing portion 114s formed by sealing the outer periphery of the portion that houses the electrode assembly. Referring to both FIGS. 4 and 10, the sealing portion 114s formed on the upper edge, i.e., one side 114c, of the pouch case 114 may be folded to one side after sealing is completed. The fixing portion 211 according to this embodiment may be fixed by engaging with such a sealing portion 114s. In other words, the protruding portion 211p of the fixing portion 211 may be engaged with a stepped structure formed by the sealing portion 114s folded onto one side portion 114c of the pouch case 114. However, fixing the fixing portion 211 by engaging the protruding portion 211p is one example of the present invention, and there are no particular limitations on the manner in which the fixing portion 211 is fixed to the battery cell 110.

[0067] The bus bar frame 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one hinge portion 220, and the thermistor bridge 210 may include a hinge rod 212. The hinge rod 212 of the thermistor bridge 210 may be coupled to the at least one hinge portion 220. The hinge rod 212 may be positioned to extend along the direction d1 in which the battery cells 110 are stacked. Fixing blocks 213 formed on both ends of the hinge rod 212 may be positioned at outer portions spaced apart from the at least one hinge portion 220, and the thermistor bridge 210 may have a structure that is movable along the direction d1.

[0068] In summary, the thermistor bridge 210 can be fixed to at least one of the battery cells 110 via the fixing portion 211 and can move along the direction d1, which is the expansion direction of the battery cell 110. In this embodiment, the movable structure of the thermistor bridge 210 can be implemented via the fixing block 213 located at a distance outside the hinge portion 220. Such a fixed and movable structure of the thermistor bridge 210 allows the thermistor bridge 210 to move by an amount corresponding to an increase in thickness due to swelling of the battery cell 110, and the thermistor 400 fixed to the thermistor bridge 210 can remain at an accurate sensing position. However, as described above, the fixed structure via the fixing portion 211 and the movable structure via the hinge portion 220 and hinge rod 212 are exemplary structures, and other embodiments of the present invention may be applied as long as the fixed and movable functions are satisfied.

[0069] Alternatively, the thermistor 400 may be fixed to the thermistor bridge 210 while remaining connected to the connecting circuit member 310 included in the sensing assembly 300. The structure of the sensing assembly 300 and the like will be described in detail below.

[0070] 5 to 8, a sensing assembly 300 may be attached to the bus bar frame 200 according to this embodiment. The sensing assembly 300 is a member for LV (Low Voltage) connection of the battery module 100. LV connection refers to an electrical connection that requires a relatively low voltage, such as in battery electrical components. The sensing assembly 300 senses temperature and voltage data of the battery cells 110 included in the battery module 100 and transmits the sensed voltage and temperature data to a Battery Management System (BMS) located outside the battery module 100. The battery management system can control the operation of the battery module 100 based on the transmitted voltage and temperature data.

[0071] The sensing assembly 300 may include a connection circuit member 310 that transmits information about the battery cells 110. The connection circuit member 310 included in the sensing assembly 300 may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) or a flexible flat cable (FFC). The connection circuit member 310 may transmit temperature data of the battery cells 110 inside the battery module 100, voltage data of each battery cell 110, etc. to the external battery management system.

[0072] The connecting circuit member 310 may include an extension 310E extending in the direction in which the thermistor bridge 210 is located. The thermistor 400 may be fixed to the thermistor bridge 210 while being connected to the extension 310E. As an example, at least one pad 700 may be disposed on the extension 310E, with one side of the pad 700 bonded to the extension 310E and the other side of the pad 700 bonded to the thermistor bridge 210. With this structure, the extension 310E and the thermistor 400 are fixed to the thermistor bridge 210 and can move together in response to movement of the thermistor bridge 210.

[0073] Meanwhile, the sensing assembly 300 may further include a module connector 320 and a joining member 330 in addition to the connection circuit member 310. The module connector 320 is a member connected to the connection circuit member 310 and exposed to the outside of the battery module 100. A module connector opening is formed in the end plate 600, and the module connector 320 can be exposed to the outside of the battery module 100 through this module connector opening.

[0074] A joining member 330 may be connected to the connection circuit member 310. Such joining member 330 may be connected to the electrode lead 111 or the bus bar 800. There are no particular limitations on the method for connecting the joining member 330 to the electrode lead 111 or the bus bar 800, but welding may be used to ensure physical and electrical connection. Voltage data of each battery cell 110 is transmitted to the module connector 320 via the joining member 330 and the connection circuit member 310.

[0075] The module connector 320 is connected to the battery management system located outside the battery module 100, and can transmit to the battery management system temperature data of the battery cells 110 measured by the thermistor 400 and voltage data of each battery cell 110 transmitted via the joint member 330. The battery management system can monitor the state of each battery cell 110 based on the data and control the operation of the battery module 100.

[0076] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view according to another embodiment of the present invention, specifically taken at the same position as FIG.

[0077] 11, the fixing portion 211 of the thermistor bridge 210 according to another embodiment of the present invention may be fixed to the battery cell 110 by an adhesive member 900. The adhesive member 900 may be an adhesive or an adhesive tape. As described above, in the present invention, there are no particular limitations on the method of fixing the fixing portion 211 to the battery cell 110. Therefore, a fixing method of the fixing portion 211 using the adhesive member 900, similar to that shown in FIG. 11, may also be applied.

[0078] FIG. 12 is a partial view of a modified example of the present invention, specifically, a view seen from the same position as FIG.

[0079] 12, the thermistor bridge 210 according to a modified example of the present invention may include at least one hinge portion 220', and the bus bar frame 200 may include a hinge rod 212'. The hinge rod 212' of the bus bar frame 200 may be coupled to at least one hinge portion 220'. The hinge rod 212' may be integral with the bus bar frame 200, and the hinge portion 220' may be integral with the thermistor bridge 210. Here, an integral structure means that the two components are not attached via a separate component, but are integrated by injection molding together.

[0080] In addition, the fixed blocks 213' formed at both ends of the hinge rod 212' may be positioned at a distance outside at least one hinge portion 220', and the thermistor bridge 210 may have a structure that is movable along the one direction d1.

[0081] That is, Fig. 12 corresponds to a modified example in which the positions of the hinge portion and the hinge rod are reversed in Fig. 9. As described above, any structure in which the thermistor bridge 210 is movable along the one direction d1 in which the battery cells 110 are stacked can be applied to the modified example of the present invention.

[0082] In this embodiment, terms indicating directions such as front, back, left, right, up, and down are used, but these terms are used for convenience of explanation and may change depending on the position of the target object, the position of the observer, etc.

[0083] One or more battery modules according to the above-described embodiments may be mounted together with various control and protection systems such as a BMS (Battery Management System), a BDU (Battery Disconnect Unit), and a cooling system to form a battery pack.

[0084] The battery module or battery pack can be applied to various devices, specifically, but not limited to, transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles, and ESS (Energy Storage Systems).

[0085] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the claims below also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 100 Battery Module 110 Battery cell components 120 Battery cell stack 200 Busbar Frame 210 Thermistor Bridge 300 Sensing Assembly 310 Connection circuit members 400 Thermistor

Claims

1. a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in one direction; and at least one bus bar frame located on one or both sides of the battery cell stack; the bus bar frame includes a thermistor bridge extending toward at least one of the battery cells; a thermistor for measuring the temperature of the battery cell is fixed to the thermistor bridge; the thermistor bridge has a structure that allows it to move along the one direction in which the battery cells are stacked.

2. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the thermistor bridge includes a fixing portion fixed to at least one of the battery cells.

3. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the fixing portion is engaged with and fixed to at least one of the battery cells.

4. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein, when the battery cell swells, the thermistor bridge moves along the one direction in which the battery cells are stacked by an amount corresponding to an increase in thickness of the battery cell.

5. the battery cell is a pouch-type battery including an electrode assembly and a pouch case that houses the electrode assembly; The battery module of claim 2 , wherein the pouch case has a sealing portion formed by sealing an outer periphery of a portion where the electrode assembly is housed.

6. The battery module according to claim 5 , wherein the fixing portion is fixed by engaging with the sealing portion.

7. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the fixing portion is fixed to at least one of the battery cells by an adhesive member.

8. a sensing assembly attached to the bus bar frame; The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the sensing assembly includes a connecting circuit member that transmits information about the battery cells.

9. the connecting circuit member includes an extension extending in a direction in which the thermistor bridge is located; The battery module according to claim 8 , wherein the thermistor is fixed to the thermistor bridge while being connected to the extension.

10. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein the connecting circuit member is a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) or a flexible flat cable (FFC).

11. the bus bar frame includes at least one hinge portion; the thermistor bridge includes a hinge bar coupled to at least one of the hinge portions; 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein fixing blocks formed at both ends of the hinge bar are located at an outer side apart from at least one of the hinge portions, and the thermistor bridge has a structure that is movable along the one direction.

12. the thermistor bridge includes at least one hinge portion; the bus bar frame includes a hinge rod coupled to at least one of the hinge portions, 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein fixing blocks formed at both ends of the hinge bar are located at an outer side apart from at least one of the hinge portions, and the thermistor bridge has a structure that is movable along the one direction.

13. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to claim 1.

Images