Busbar assembly and battery module including same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a busbar assembly that is easily deformable, is applicable to various types of battery modules by being connected to secondary batteries having various types of electrode leads, and can be fixed without any additional members, thereby improving the efficiency of a manufacturing process, and a battery module including the busbar assembly. A bus bar assembly according to the present invention may include a pair of bus bars intersecting each other, a shaft disposed at a point where the pair of bus bars intersect each other and hinge-connecting the pair of bus bars, and an elastic member connected between the pair of bus bars.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0181897, filed December 22, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0186183, filed December 19, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a busbar assembly and a battery module including the same, and more particularly to a busbar assembly that electrically connects chargeable and dischargeable secondary batteries to each other, and a battery module including the same. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, with the depletion of fossil fuels causing rising energy prices and increasing concerns about environmental pollution, the demand for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources has become an essential factor for future life. Therefore, research into various electricity production technologies such as solar, wind, and tidal power has been continuously progressing, and there has also been a great deal of attention being paid to power storage devices such as batteries to more efficiently use the electrical energy produced in this way.

[0004] Furthermore, with the technological development and increasing demand for battery-based electronic mobile devices and electric vehicles, the demand for batteries as an energy source is increasing rapidly, and as a result, much research is being conducted on batteries that can meet various demands.

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

[0006] Secondary batteries can be classified into cylindrical cells, pouch cells, prismatic cells, etc., depending on their shape. Among them, pouch cells may include an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, etc. are stacked inside a pouch.

[0007] Meanwhile, a battery module may be formed by housing a plurality of the secondary batteries inside a frame, and the battery module may include bus bars connected to electrode leads of the secondary batteries so that the plurality of secondary batteries are electrically connected to each other.

[0008] Recently, various types of battery modules have been developed, and secondary batteries including various types of electrode leads have been developed to be disposed inside the frame of the battery module in various shapes. In this regard, conventional bus bars have a fixed shape that is difficult to deform, and therefore cannot be applied to various types of battery modules when connected to secondary batteries including various types of electrode leads.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need for a busbar assembly that can be connected to secondary batteries having various types of electrode leads and that can be applied to various types of battery modules, and a battery module including the same. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a bus bar assembly that is easily modified and applicable to various types of battery modules, and a battery module including the bus bar assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A bus bar assembly according to the present invention may include a pair of bus bars intersecting each other, a shaft disposed at a point where the pair of bus bars intersect each other and hinge-connecting the pair of bus bars, and an elastic member connected between the pair of bus bars.

[0012] The pair of bus bars may include a connection hole formed at a point where they intersect with each other and having a shape that penetrates from one surface to the other, and the shaft may be inserted into the connection hole so that the pair of bus bars are connected to each other.

[0013] The shaft may include a polymer having a melting point lower than the melting point of the busbar.

[0014] The pair of bus bars may include a first bus bar and a second bus bar having a width narrower than that of the first bus bar, and the first bus bar may include an insertion hole formed at a point where it intersects with the second bus bar and shaped to allow the second bus bar to be inserted therethrough.

[0015] The first bus bar may include first connection holes formed on both sides of the insertion hole and penetrating from one side to the other, and the second bus bar may include second connection holes formed at a point where the first bus bar intersects with the first bus bar and penetrating from one side to the other, and the shaft may be inserted into the first connection holes and the second connection holes so that the first bus bar and the second bus bar are connected to each other.

[0016] A battery module according to the present invention includes a cell stack including a first cell and a second cell, and a bus bar assembly that electrically connects the first cell and the second cell to each other, wherein the bus bar assembly includes a pair of bus bars that contact the first cell and the second cell, respectively, and an elastic member that applies force to the pair of bus bars in a direction toward the first cell and the second cell so that the pair of bus bars contact the first cell and the second cell.

[0017] The first cell and the second cell may include an exterior material having a hole formed therein, and an electrode lead disposed inside the exterior material and exposed to the outside of the exterior material through the hole, and the bus bar may be configured to elastically move between a first position where it enters the interior of the exterior material through the hole and is electrically connected to the electrode lead, and a second position where it is located outside the exterior material.

[0018] The bus bar may have a contact surface formed at one end thereof in contact with the electrode lead, the contact surface being parallel to one surface of the electrode lead.

[0019] The contact surface may be surface-treated to increase the frictional force with the electrode lead.

[0020] The bus bar may include a plurality of protrusions connected to one end thereof in contact with the electrode lead so as to be fixed to the surface of the electrode lead.

[0021] The bus bars may include a shaft that is disposed at a point where the pair of bus bars intersects with each other and hinges the pair of bus bars together, a contact portion that is disposed on one side of the shaft and contacts the electrode lead, and an extension portion that is disposed on the other side of the shaft and extends in a direction away from the shaft, and the elastic member may be disposed between the pair of extension portions, and one end and the other end may be connected to the pair of extension portions, respectively.

[0022] The pair of extension portions may include a first extension member having one end connected to the contact portion and extending along the longitudinal direction of the contact portion, and a second extension member connected to the other end of the first extension member and extending along the longitudinal direction of the first cell and the second cell.

[0023] The elastic member may be disposed between the pair of second extension members, and one end and the other end may be connected to the pair of second extension members, respectively.

[0024] The first cell and the second cell include an exterior material in which an electrode assembly is housed, and electrode leads arranged to protrude outside the exterior material. The bus bar assembly includes a first bus bar configured to move between a 1-1 position electrically connected to the electrode lead of the first cell and a 1-2 position not electrically connected to the electrode lead of the first cell, and a second bus bar configured to move between a 2-1 position electrically connected to the electrode lead of the second cell and a 2-2 position not electrically connected to the electrode lead of the second cell. The elastic member may apply an elastic force such that the first bus bar moves to the 1-1 position and the second bus bar moves to the 2-1 position.

[0025] A portion of the busbar assembly may be disposed between the exterior material of the first cell and the exterior material of the second cell. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] A bus bar assembly according to the present invention may include a pair of bus bars intersecting each other, a shaft disposed at a point where the pair of bus bars intersect each other and hinge-connecting the pair of bus bars, and an elastic member connected between the pair of bus bars.

[0027] As a result, it is easy to electrically connect the busbar assembly to secondary batteries having various types of electrode leads, thereby improving the usability of the busbar assembly.

[0028] Furthermore, the force provided by the elastic member allows the bus bar assembly to be fixed to the electrode lead without an additional connection process, thereby improving the efficiency of the manufacturing process.

[0029] Furthermore, if the temperature rises excessively, the shaft melts, blocking the current flow to the bus bar, thereby improving the stability of the battery module.

[0030] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and various other effects are included within the present specification. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a busbar assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view schematically illustrating a busbar assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a busbar assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a bus bar assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a busbar assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view schematically illustrating a busbar assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a state in which a bus bar assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to an electrode lead; [Figure 8] 10 is a plan view schematically illustrating a state in which a bus bar assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention is connected to an electrode lead; FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a plan view schematically illustrating a modified bus bar assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention connected to an electrode lead; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily understand the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention may be realized in various different forms and is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0033] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of parts that are not relevant to the explanation or related known technologies that may obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted, and in this specification, when adding reference symbols to components in each drawing, the same or similar reference symbols will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0034] Furthermore, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in a limited way to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a way that is consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that an inventor can appropriately define the concept of a term in order to best explain his or her invention.

[0035] [Busbar assembly] Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a busbar assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view schematically illustrating the busbar assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the busbar assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] The bus bar assembly 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a bus bar 100 , a shaft 200 , and an elastic member 300 .

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, the bus bars 100 may be provided in pairs and arranged to intersect with each other. In this case, a shaft 200 may be disposed at the point where the pair of bus bars 100 intersect with each other to hinge the pair of bus bars 100. Therefore, the pair of bus bars 100 may rotate relative to each other via the shaft 200. For example, the pair of bus bars 100 arranged to intersect with each other and hingedly connected by the shaft 200 may be similar to a pair of scissors blades rotatably connected to each other. Referring to FIG. 2, the pair of intersecting bus bars 100 may have a substantially X-shape in a front view.

[0038] The busbar 100 may have a generally plate-like shape, and the size of the busbar 100 may vary as needed. The shaft 200 may have a generally cylindrical shape. Since the shaft 200 is to be inserted into the busbar 100, the cross section of the shaft 200 may have a generally circular cross section with a diameter smaller than the thickness of the busbar 100.

[0039] As an example of a configuration for being coupled to each other by shaft 200, a pair of bus bars 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may each include a first connection hole 111 and a second connection hole 121. Referring to Fig. 3, first connection hole 111 and second connection hole 121 may be formed at a point where the pair of bus bars 100 intersect with each other and may have a shape that penetrates from one surface to the other. In this case, one surface of bus bars 100 may face each other.

[0040] Meanwhile, a pair of bus bars 100 coupled to each other by the shaft 200 may be connected to each other so as to come into contact with each other.

[0041] When the pair of bus bars 100 are respectively a first bus bar 110 and a second bus bar 120, a first connecting hole 111 can be formed in the first bus bar 110, and a second connecting hole 121 can be formed in the second bus bar 120.

[0042] Shaft 200 may be inserted through first connecting hole 111 and second connecting hole 121 so that first bus bar 110 and second bus bar 120 are connected to each other. First connecting hole 111 and second connecting hole 121 may have a cylindrical shape with a substantially circular cross section so that shaft 200 can be easily inserted, and may be formed to have a cross section with a larger area than the cross section of shaft 200.

[0043] As an example of a configuration for providing a force that allows the pair of bus bars 100 to rotate, the bus bar assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an elastic member 300. Specifically, the elastic member 300 may be disposed between the pair of bus bars 100. That is, the elastic member 300 may be disposed between the first bus bar 110 and the second bus bar 120.

[0044] The elastic member 300 of the bus bar assembly 10 may have one end connected to the first bus bar 110 and the other end connected to the second bus bar 120. In this case, the elastic member 300 may provide elastic force in a direction in which the pair of bus bars 100 move away from each other so that the bus bars 100 are fixed to the electrode leads 21 of the cells. For example, the elastic member 300 may be a spring. In this case, the spring may be disposed in a compressed state to provide force in a direction in which the pair of bus bars 100 move away from each other.

[0045] Meanwhile, because the pair of bus bars 100 are arranged in front of and behind each other, the direction of the force provided by the elastic member 300 may differ from the direction in which the bus bars 100 rotate. In this regard, the pair of bus bars 100 are connected to each other by the shaft 200, and movement in directions other than one rotatable direction is restricted. Therefore, even if the direction of the force provided by the elastic member 300 and the direction in which the bus bars 100 rotate differ from each other, the force provided by the elastic member 300 allows the bus bars 100 to rotate only in one direction away from each other.

[0046] Since the busbar assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the elastic member 300, a separate process such as welding for fixing may be omitted. Therefore, the efficiency of the assembly process of the busbar assembly 10 may be improved.

[0047] As described above, the bus bar assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a different shape from conventional bus bar assemblies. Therefore, the bus bar assembly 10 can be applied to battery modules of various shapes, thereby improving usability.

[0048] Hereinafter, features of the busbar assembly 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention that provide additional effects will be described.

[0049] As an example of a configuration for efficient contact with the electrode lead 21, the bus bar 100 of the bus bar assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may have contact surfaces 114a, 114b formed at one end thereof that contacts the electrode lead 21 and that are parallel to one surface of the electrode lead 21. Specifically, one end of the substantially plate-shaped bus bar 100 may have contact surfaces 114a, 114b that are cut parallel to the longitudinal direction with reference to FIG.

[0050] For a more specific explanation, in the busbar 100, when the portion arranged on one side of the shaft 200 and in contact with the electrode lead 21 is defined as the contact portion 130, and the portion arranged on the other side of the shaft 200 and extending in a direction away from the shaft 200 is defined as the extension portion 140, the contact surfaces 114a, 114b of the electrode lead 21 can be formed at one end of the contact portion 130, respectively.

[0051] Due to this shape of the bus bar 100, when the bus bar assembly 10 is assembled into a battery module, the bus bar 100 can have a large contact surface with the electrode lead 21. Therefore, the bus bar 100 can be efficiently electrically connected to the electrode lead 21.

[0052] Meanwhile, the contact surfaces 114a and 114b may be surface-treated. Specifically, the contact surfaces 114a and 114b may be surface-treated to increase the frictional force with the electrode lead 21. In this case, the surface treatment of the contact surfaces 114a and 114b may be performed in various ways.

[0053] When the frictional force between the electrode lead 21 and the contact surfaces 114a, 114b increases, the bus bar 100 can be fixed to the electrode lead 21 efficiently.

[0054] As an example of a configuration for improving the stability of the battery module, the shaft 200 of the busbar assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a polymer. Specifically, the shaft 200 may be made of a polymer. For example, the polymer forming the shaft 200 may be plastic. In this case, the polymer of the shaft 200 may have a melting point lower than that of the busbar 100. That is, even if the temperature of the busbar 100 increases due to a current flowing through the busbar 100, the shaft 200 may melt before the busbar 100 melts. When the shaft 200 melts, the connection between the pair of busbars 100 is released, and the current flowing through the busbar 100 may be interrupted.

[0055] Therefore, if the temperature inside the battery module rises excessively, the shaft 200 disappears and the current is cut off before the bus bar 100 melts, thereby suppressing the temperature rise. This can prevent additional problems such as fire from occurring inside the battery module, and the bus bar assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention can improve the stability of the battery module.

[0056] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a busbar assembly 10' according to another embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a busbar assembly 10' according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 6 is a front view schematically illustrating a busbar assembly 10' according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] The bus bar assembly 10' according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the bus bar assembly 10 according to the first embodiment in the manner in which the bus bar assembly 10 and the bus bar 100' are connected to each other, the position of the elastic member 300', and whether or not the protrusions 112 and 122 are included.

[0058] Hereinafter, detailed description of the same configuration as the busbar assembly 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

[0059] A bus bar assembly 10′ according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a bus bar 100′, a shaft 200′, and an elastic member 300′. In this case, the bus bar 100′ may include a first bus bar 110′ and a second bus bar 120′.

[0060] As an example of a configuration for efficiently coupling the first bus bar 110' and the second bus bar 120', the first bus bar 110' according to another embodiment of the present invention may include an insertion hole 113. In this regard, the second bus bar 120' according to another embodiment of the present invention may be coupled to the first bus bar 110' while being inserted into the first bus bar 110'. In this case, the space into which the second bus bar 120' is inserted may serve as the insertion hole 113 of the first bus bar 110'.

[0061] 4, the insertion hole 113 may be formed at a point where the first bus bar 110′ intersects with the second bus bar 120′ and may have a shape that penetrates to allow the second bus bar 120′ to be inserted. Specifically, the insertion hole 113 may be formed as an empty space having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0062] Meanwhile, the second bus bar 120' may have a width smaller than that of the first bus bar 110' so as to be inserted into the first bus bar 110'. Also, the second bus bar 120' may have a width equal to or smaller than that of the insertion hole 113 so as to pass through the insertion hole 113. However, since movement of the first bus bar 110' and the second bus bar 120' other than rotation needs to be minimized, the difference between the width of the insertion hole 113 and the width of the second bus bar 120' is very small. Preferably, the width of the insertion hole 113 and the width of the second bus bar 120' may be formed to be the same so that the first bus bar 110' and the second bus bar 120' are coupled to each other by an interference fit.

[0063] The insertion hole 113 may have a thickness greater than that of the second bus bar 120' so that the first bus bar 110' and the second bus bar 120' can rotate relative to each other. In this case, the thickness of the insertion hole 113 may refer to the linear length in the same direction as the thickness direction of the second bus bar 120'.

[0064] Since the first bus bar 110' includes the insertion holes 113, the first bus bar 110' and the second bus bar 120' can be efficiently coupled to each other in a rotatable state.

[0065] A first bus bar 110' according to another embodiment of the present invention may include first connection holes 111' having different shapes depending on the insertion holes 113. Referring to Fig. 4, the first connection holes 111' may be formed on both sides of the insertion holes 113 and may have a shape that penetrates from one surface to the other. That is, the first bus bar 110' may have the first connection holes 111', the insertion holes 113, and the first connection holes 111' formed in this order from one surface to the other surface at a point where the first bus bar 110' intersects with the second bus bar 120'.

[0066] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the second bus bar 120', which is arranged to pass through the insertion hole 113, has a second connection hole 121 formed at the point where it intersects with the first bus bar 110', so that the shaft 200' can connect the first bus bar 110' and the second bus bar 120' to each other by passing through both the first connection hole 111' and the second connection hole 121.

[0067] Meanwhile, since the second bus bar 120' according to another embodiment of the present invention is coupled to the first bus bar 110' while being inserted into the first bus bar 110', the shaft 200' may have a shorter length than the shaft 200' according to the one embodiment.

[0068] As an example of a configuration for minimizing interference with the cell stack 20, the elastic member 300' according to another embodiment of the present invention may be positioned at a different position from the elastic member 300 according to the first embodiment.

[0069] In this regard, the bus bar 100' of the bus bar assembly 10' may include a contact portion 130 and an extension portion 140. Specifically, the contact portion 130 of the bus bar 100' may be disposed on one side of the shaft 200' and may contact the electrode lead 21'. The extension portion 140 of the bus bar 100' may be disposed on the other side of the shaft 200' and may extend in a direction away from the shaft 200'. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the bus bar 100' may have, from one end, the contact portion 130, the shaft 200', and the extension portion 140 in this order. In this case, the elastic member 300' may be disposed between the pair of extension portions 140. Specifically, one end and the other end of the elastic member 300' may be connected to the pair of extension portions 140, respectively.

[0070] 6, the elastic member 300′ according to another embodiment of the present invention is disposed between a pair of extensions 140, and therefore can be spaced relatively far from one end of the bus bar 100′ that contacts the electrode lead 21′. Therefore, during the assembly process of the bus bar assembly 10′, interference between the elastic member 300′ and other components is reduced, thereby improving process efficiency.

[0071] As an example of a configuration for efficient electrical connection, the extension 140 may include a first extension member 141 and a second extension member 142. Extensions 140 of other shapes including the first extension member 141 and the second extension member 142 will be described in detail later in the description of the battery module.

[0072] Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the first bus bar 110' and the second bus bar 120' of the bus bar 100' may be coupled together with overlapping portions. This allows the direction of the force provided by the elastic member 300' to coincide with the direction in which the first bus bar 110' and the second bus bar 120' rotate. This allows the force provided by the elastic member 300' to be efficiently transmitted to the first bus bar 110' and the second bus bar 120'.

[0073] As an example of a configuration for efficient contact with the electrode lead 21, the bus bar 100′ according to another embodiment of the present invention may include protrusions 112 and 122. Specifically, the first bus bar 110′ and the second bus bar 120′ may each include protrusions 112 and 122. More specifically, the protrusions 112 and 122 may each be disposed at one end of the contact portion 130.

[0074] The protrusions 112 and 122 may be connected to one ends of the first bus bar 110′ and the second bus bar 120′ that contact the electrode lead 21′ so as to be fixed to the surface of the electrode lead 21′. Specifically, the protrusions 112 and 122 may be disposed at one end of the contact portion 130.

[0075] 5 and 6, the protrusions 112, 122 may have a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases toward the end, and may have a pointed end shape so as to be inserted into the surface of the electrode lead 21'. For example, the protrusions 112, 122 may have a substantially quadrangular pyramid shape. The protrusions 112, 122 may have a variety of shapes as long as they have a pointed end.

[0076] Meanwhile, a plurality of the protrusions 112, 122 may be arranged spaced apart from each other. The arrangement of the plurality of protrusions 112, 122 and the distance at which they are spaced apart may vary as required.

[0077] Since the protrusions 112 and 122 are disposed in a manner that they are inserted into the surface of the electrode lead 21', the bus bar assembly 10' can be efficiently connected to the electrode lead 21'.

[0078] In relation to various embodiments of the present invention, the features of one embodiment of the present invention, such as the position where elastic member 300 is disposed and the shape of busbar 100 having contact surfaces 114a and 114b parallel to one surface of the electrode lead, can be applied to a busbar assembly 10' according to other embodiments of the present invention. Similarly, the features of other embodiments of the present invention, such as the position where elastic member 300' is disposed and the shape of busbar 100' including protrusions 121 and 122, can also be applied to a busbar assembly 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In other words, by combining the features of the busbar assemblies described above, further embodiments other than those described in the embodiments of the present invention can be derived.

[0079] [Battery module] In the following, detailed description of the configuration of the busbar assemblies 10, 10' will be omitted.

[0080] FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically illustrating a state in which the bus bar assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to an electrode lead 21. As shown in FIG.

[0081] A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a busbar assembly 10 and a cell stack 20. In this case, the cell stack 20 may have a form in which a plurality of cells, each including an electrode lead 21 and an exterior material 22, are stacked, and the busbar assembly 10 is connected to the electrode leads 21 of the cells to electrically connect the plurality of cells to one another.

[0082] Each cell constituting the cell stack 20 of the battery module may be a pouch-type cell. A pouch-type cell may refer to a cell in which an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator is housed in a pouch. In the present invention, the cell stack 20 is described as being composed of a pouch-type cell, but each cell of the cell stack 20 may be a secondary battery in other forms.

[0083] Meanwhile, the electrode leads 21 of the cell may be disposed in a form protruding out of the exterior packaging 22. Specifically, the electrode leads 21 may have a form protruding from one side or both sides of the exterior packaging 22. In this case, the exterior packaging 22 may be a pouch.

[0084] 7, the busbar assembly 10 may be disposed between electrode leads 21 protruding from the outer casing 22. The busbar assembly 10 may contact the electrode leads 21 to electrically connect the cells to each other or electrically connect the cell stack 20 to the outside. For electrical connection, the busbar assembly 10 may contact the electrode leads 21.

[0085] The arrangement of the busbar assembly 10 will now be described in more detail.

[0086] The cell stack 20 may include a first cell 20a and a second cell 20b. Here, the first cell 20a and the second cell 20b of the cell stack 20 may refer to two adjacent cells arbitrarily selected from a plurality of cells.

[0087] The bus bar assembly 10 may include a first bus bar 110 and a second bus bar 120. In this case, the first bus bar 110 may be configured to move between a 1-1 position and a 1-2 position. The 1-1 position may be a position where the first bus bar 110 is electrically connected to the electrode lead 21 of the first cell 20a. The 1-2 position may be a position where the first bus bar 110 is not electrically connected to the electrode lead 21 of the first cell 20a. The second bus bar 120 may be configured to move between a 2-1 position and a 2-2 position. The 2-1 position may be a position where the second bus bar 120 is electrically connected to the electrode lead 21 of the second cell 20b. The 2-2 position may be a position where the second bus bar 120 is not electrically connected to the electrode lead 21 of the second cell 20b.

[0088] The movement of first bus bar 110 to position 1-1 and the movement of second bus bar 120 to position 2-1 can be performed by elastic member 300. That is, elastic member 300 can apply an elastic force such that first bus bar 110 moves to position 1-1 and second bus bar 120 moves to position 2-1.

[0089] For efficient connection with the electrode lead 21, the bus bar 100 of the bus bar assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may have contact surfaces 114a, 114b formed parallel to one surface of the electrode lead 210 at one end that contacts the electrode lead 21. Due to this shape of the bus bar 100, the area of ​​the bus bar 100 that contacts the electrode lead 21 may be wide when the bus bar assembly 10 is assembled into a battery module. Therefore, the bus bar 100 can be efficiently electrically connected to the electrode lead 21.

[0090] The elastic member 300 of the busbar assembly 10 can provide a force to the busbar 100 so that the busbar 100 is fixed between the electrode leads 21. That is, the busbar 100 can receive a force from the elastic member 300 that tends to move the busbar 100 in a direction toward the electrode leads 21. Therefore, the busbar assembly 10 can be disposed between the electrode leads 21 while in contact with the electrode leads 21 without any additional process.

[0091] Although not shown in detail in the present invention, the battery module may further include additional members for electrically connecting the bus bar assemblies 10 to each other.

[0092] If the temperature inside the battery module rises excessively as the battery module is used for an extended period of time, there is a risk of fire occurring in the battery module. In this regard, the shaft 200 of the busbar assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a melting point lower than that of the busbar 100. Therefore, the shaft 200 melts and disappears before the temperature rises to a level that would cause a fire in the battery module, and therefore the pair of busbars 100 that were connected to each other via the shaft 200 may be separated due to the disappearance of the shaft 200.

[0093] 7, because the busbar assembly 10 is fixed to the electrode lead 21 without a process such as welding, the busbars 100 separated from one another due to the loss of the shaft 200 cannot be positioned in a state where they are fixed to the electrode lead 21, and the cells are no longer electrically connected to one another. The busbar assembly 10, which is no longer fixed, blocks the flow of current in the battery module, preventing the temperature of the battery module from rising any further and reducing the risk of fire.

[0094] The battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the bus bar assembly 10, which can improve the efficiency and stability of the assembly process.

[0095] FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically illustrating a state in which a bus bar assembly 10' according to another embodiment of the present invention is connected to an electrode lead 21'.

[0096] A battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a bus bar assembly 10′ and a cell stack 20′. In this case, the cell stack 20′ may have a form in which a plurality of cells including electrode leads 21′ and exterior materials 22′ of other shapes are stacked.

[0097] Each cell constituting the cell stack 20′ of the battery module may be a pouch-shaped cell, a prismatic cell, etc. Each cell may refer to a cell in a form in which an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator is housed in an exterior material 22′.

[0098] The cell stack 20′ may include a first cell 20a′ and a second cell 20b′. Here, the first cell 20a′ and the second cell 20b′ of the cell stack 20′ may refer to two adjacent cells arbitrarily selected from a plurality of cells.

[0099] The first cell 20a' and the second cell 20b' can each include an electrode lead 21' and an exterior material 22'. Holes are formed in the exterior material 22', and the electrode lead 21' is disposed inside the exterior material 22' and can be exposed to the outside of the exterior material 22' through the holes.

[0100] The electrode lead 21' of the cell exposed to the outside through the hole in the exterior packaging material 22' may be recessed on one side of the exterior packaging material 22'. In this case, the electrode lead 21' may be disposed on one or both sides of the exterior packaging material 22'. Although the electrode lead 21' of the cell according to another embodiment of the present invention is described as being recessed in the exterior packaging material 22', the surface of the electrode lead 21' exposed to the outside may be flush with the surface of the exterior packaging material 22'.

[0101] Meanwhile, an insulating film may be disposed between the electrode lead 21' and the outer casing 22'.

[0102] 8, the busbar assembly 10' may be disposed between the outer casing 22' of a first cell 20a' and the outer casing 22' of a second cell 20b' adjacent to the first cell 20a'. In this manner, the busbar assembly 10' may be assembled into a battery module in various forms.

[0103] The busbar assembly 10' can contact the electrode leads 21' to electrically connect the cells to each other or to electrically connect the cell stack 20' to the outside. That is, for electrical connection, the busbar assembly 10' must be in contact with the electrode leads 21'. In this regard, in the busbar assembly 10' according to another embodiment of the present invention, the busbars 100' are arranged in a crossing shape, and the elastic members 300' provide force to the busbars 100', so that even when the electrode leads 21' are provided in a recessed shape, the busbar assembly 10' can efficiently contact the electrode leads 21' without any additional process.

[0104] Specifically, the elastic member 300' can apply a force to the pair of bus bars. The elastic member 300' can apply a force to the pair of bus bars in a direction toward the first cell 20a' and the second cell 20b'. The force applied by the elastic member 300' can position the pair of bus bars so as to contact the first cell 20a' and the second cell 20b'.

[0105] In this regard, the bus bar 100' may be provided to be elastically movable by the elastic member 300'. Specifically, the bus bar 100' may be provided to be elastically movable between a first position and a second position. Here, the first position may be a position where the bus bar 100' enters the inside of the outer jacket 22' through a hole and is electrically connected to the electrode lead 21'. Furthermore, the second position may be a position where the bus bar 100' is disposed outside the outer jacket 22'.

[0106] For efficient connection with the electrode lead 21′, the bus bar 100′ of the bus bar assembly 10′ according to another embodiment of the present invention may include protrusions 112, 122. Specifically, the protrusions 112, 122 may be disposed on one end of the first bus bar 110′ and one end of the second bus bar 120′ that contact the electrode lead 21′ so as to be fixed to the surface of the electrode lead 21′.

[0107] Because the protrusions 112 and 122 have sharp ends, the area of ​​contact with the surface of the electrode lead 21' is reduced, and the force of the elastic member 300' pressing the bus bar 100' increases the pressure applied to the electrode lead 21'. As a result, portions of the protrusions 112 and 122 can be disposed in a form in which they are inserted into the surface of the electrode lead 21'. Therefore, the force with which the bus bar assembly 10' is fixed to the electrode lead 21' can be increased without the need for an additional process such as welding.

[0108] Meanwhile, as described above, the shaft 200', which has a melting point lower than that of the bus bar 100', can interrupt the current before the temperature of the battery module rises excessively. In this regard, the first bus bar 110' according to another embodiment of the present invention may include an insertion hole 113. Therefore, when the shaft 200' disappears and the second bus bar 120' is released from the connection with the first bus bar 110', the second bus bar 120' receives a force provided by the elastic member 300' and moves through the insertion hole 113, thereby being separated from the first bus bar 110'.

[0109] The shaft 200' melts before the bus bar 100', thereby reducing the risk of fire occurring in the battery module, and thus improving the stability of the battery module, as described above.

[0110] FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically illustrating a modified bus bar assembly 10' according to another embodiment of the present invention connected to an electrode lead 21'.

[0111] 9, the bus bar 100′ may include a contact portion 130 and an extension portion 140. The contact portion 130 may be disposed on one side of the shaft 200′. Here, one side of the shaft 200′ may refer to the side of the shaft 200′ that is closer to the electrode lead 21′. One end of the contact portion 130 may contact the electrode lead 21′.

[0112] The extension 140 may be disposed on the other side of the shaft 200'. Here, the other side of the shaft 200' may refer to the side of the shaft 200' that is farther from the electrode lead 21'.

[0113] The extension portion 140 may further include a first extension member 141 and a second extension member 142. One end of the first extension member 141 may be connected to the contact portion 130. In addition, the first extension member 141 may extend along the length direction of the contact portion 130.

[0114] The second extension member 142 of the extension portion 140 may be connected to the other end of the first extension member 141. That is, one end of the first extension member 141 may be connected to the contact portion 130, and the other end may be connected to the second extension member 142. The second extension member 142 may extend in the length direction of the first cell 20a' and the second cell 20b'. With reference to FIG. 9, the length direction of the first cell 20a' and the second cell 20b' may refer to the up-down direction. That is, the pair of second extension members 142 may be disposed substantially parallel to each other. Since the second extension member 142 extends in the length direction of the first cell 20a' and the second cell 20b', it may be easily electrically connected to other members.

[0115] The elastic member 300' may be disposed between a pair of second extension members 142. That is, one end and the other end of the elastic member 300' may be respectively connected to a pair of second extension members 142. Since the pair of second extension members 142 are disposed substantially parallel to each other, the elastic member 300' may be efficiently connected to the second extension members 142.

[0116] Meanwhile, the busbar assemblies 10, 10' according to various embodiments of the present invention may be assembled into battery modules of other shapes in addition to the battery modules of the shapes exemplified in the present invention.

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

[0118] 10, 10' busbar assembly 20, 20' cell stack 21, 21' electrode leads 22, 22' exterior materials 100, 100' busbar 110, 110' 1st bus bar 111, 111' 1st connecting hole 112, 122 protrusion 113 Insertion hole 120, 120' 2nd bus bar 121 2nd connection hole 130 Contact part 140 Extension 141 1st extension member 142 Second extension member 200, 200' shaft 300, 300' Elastic member

Claims

1. A pair of bus bars that cross each other; a shaft disposed at a point where the pair of bus bars intersect with each other and hinge-connecting the pair of bus bars; and an elastic member connected between the pair of bus bars.

2. The pair of bus bars are A connecting hole is formed at the intersection and penetrates from one surface to the other surface, The bus bar assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the shaft is inserted into the connecting hole so that the pair of bus bars are connected to each other.

3. The shaft The bus bar assembly of claim 1 , comprising a polymer having a melting point lower than the melting point of the bus bar.

4. The pair of bus bars are A first bus bar; a second bus bar having a width narrower than a width of the first bus bar, The first bus bar is 4. The bus bar assembly of claim 1, further comprising an insertion hole formed at a point where the first bus bar intersects with the second bus bar and having a shape for allowing the second bus bar to be inserted therethrough.

5. The first bus bar is a first connecting hole formed on both sides of the insertion hole and penetrating from one surface to the other surface; The second bus bar is a second connection hole formed at a point where the first bus bar intersects with the second bus bar and having a shape penetrating from one surface to the other surface; The bus bar assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the shaft is inserted into the first and second connecting holes so that the first and second bus bars are connected to each other.

6. a cell stack including a first cell and a second cell; a bus bar assembly electrically connecting the first cell and the second cell to each other, The bus bar assembly includes: a pair of bus bars in contact with the first cell and the second cell, respectively; an elastic member that applies a force to the pair of bus bars in a direction toward the first cell and the second cell so that the pair of bus bars contact the first cell and the second cell.

7. The first cell and the second cell are an exterior material having a hole formed therein; and an electrode lead disposed inside the exterior material and exposed to the outside of the exterior material through the hole, The bus bar is 7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the electrode lead is configured to enter the inside of the exterior material through the hole and elastically move between a first position where the electrode lead is electrically connected to the first position and a second position where the electrode lead is located outside the exterior material.

8. The bus bar is The battery module according to claim 7 , wherein a contact surface is formed at one end that contacts the electrode lead and that is parallel to one surface of the electrode lead.

9. The contact surface is The battery module according to claim 8 , which is surface-treated to increase frictional force with the electrode leads.

10. The bus bar is The battery module according to claim 7 , comprising a plurality of protrusions connected to one end of the electrode lead in contact with the electrode lead so as to be fixed to the surface of the electrode lead.

11. The bus bar is a shaft disposed at a point where the pair of bus bars intersect with each other and hinge-connecting the pair of bus bars; a contact portion disposed on one side of the shaft and contacting the electrode lead; an extension portion disposed on the other side of the shaft and extending in a direction away from the shaft; The elastic member is The battery module according to claim 7 , wherein the battery module is disposed between a pair of the extension portions, and one end and the other end are connected to the pair of extension portions, respectively.

12. The pair of extensions are a first extension member having one end connected to the contact portion and extending along a length of the contact portion; The battery module of claim 11 , further comprising: a second extension member connected to the other end of the first extension member and extending in the length direction of the first cell and the second cell.

13. The elastic member is The battery module according to claim 12 , wherein the battery module is disposed between the pair of second extension members, and one end and the other end are connected to the pair of second extension members, respectively.

14. The first cell and the second cell are an exterior material in which the electrode assembly is housed; an electrode lead arranged to protrude outside the exterior of the sheath material, The bus bar assembly includes: a first bus bar configured to move between a 1-1 position electrically connected to the electrode lead of the first cell and a 1-2 position not electrically connected to the electrode lead of the first cell; a second bus bar configured to move between a 2-1 position electrically connected to the electrode lead of the second cell and a 2-2 position not electrically connected to the electrode lead of the second cell, 14. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the elastic member applies an elastic force so that the first bus bar moves to the 1-1 position and the second bus bar moves to the 2-1 position.

15. The bus bar assembly includes: The battery module according to claim 6 , wherein a portion of the first cell is disposed between the exterior material of the first cell and the exterior material of the second cell.

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