Battery module and battery pack including the same

Abstract

A battery module according to an embodiment of 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, and one or more bus bars for electrically connecting the battery cells, wherein electrode leads of the battery cells are movably coupled to the bus bars. The battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention has an effect of reducing tension applied to the battery cells by movably coupling the electrode leads of the battery cells to the bus bars.

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 capable of reducing tension applied to battery cells and a battery pack including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, which cannot be recharged, secondary batteries are batteries that can be charged and discharged. They are used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which 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, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack is constructed by connecting multiple battery cells in series. Alternatively, a battery pack may be constructed by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel depending on the required charge / discharge capacity of 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 use at least one such battery module to construct the battery pack by adding other components. Here, the battery module may refer to a component in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series or parallel, and the battery pack may refer to a component in which a plurality of battery modules are connected in series or parallel to increase capacity, output, etc.

[0005] A battery module is configured by electrically connecting a number of cells using bus bars, and electrode leads of the battery cells are connected to the bus bars.

[0006] However, as the battery module approaches the end of its lifespan, the swelling of the internal cells increases, which can cause the tabs inside the cells connected to the cell leads to be pulled and broken. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of reducing tension applied to battery cells, and a battery pack including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] 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, a module case for accommodating the battery cell stack, and one or more bus bars for electrically connecting the battery cells, wherein electrode leads of the battery cells are movably coupled to the bus bars.

[0009] Also, the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a connecting member for connecting the electrode leads of the battery cells to the bus bars.

[0010] The connecting member is connected to the bus bar.

[0011] The bus bar also includes a coupling groove to which the coupling member is coupled.

[0012] The coupling member is screwed into the coupling groove.

[0013] The electrode leads of the battery cells also include coupling holes into which the coupling members are inserted.

[0014] The coupling hole extends in a first direction.

[0015] In addition, an electrode lead of one battery cell and an electrode lead of another battery cell are connected to both sides of a front surface of the bus bar, respectively.

[0016] The battery pack may further include connecting members for connecting electrode leads of the battery cells to the bus bars, the connecting members being connected to both sides of the bus bars, respectively.

[0017] The bus bar also includes a through hole in the center.

[0018] The connecting members are disposed on both sides of the through hole.

[0019] The battery cell also includes an electrode tab, and the electrode lead is connected to the electrode tab.

[0020] The battery pack may further include a bus bar frame on which the bus bar is disposed outside the battery cell stack.

[0021] The bus bar frame further includes an insulating cover disposed on the outside of the bus bar frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The battery module and battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention have the effect of reducing tension applied to the battery cells. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a terminal bus bar according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insulating cover and an end plate according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a bus bar frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a partial perspective view of a bus bar frame to which an electrode lead is coupled according to an embodiment of the present invention, cut horizontally; FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a partial front view of a bus bar to which an electrode lead is coupled according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 1 is a partial plan view of a bus bar to which an electrode lead is coupled according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 10 is a front view illustrating a state in which an electrode lead is moved in a bus bar according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a plan view illustrating a state in which an electrode lead is moved in a bus bar according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be embodied in various different forms. These embodiments are provided solely to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention is defined only by the claims. Therefore, in some embodiments, well-known process steps, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques are not specifically described to avoid obscuring the present invention. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the specification.

[0025] In the drawings, thicknesses may be exaggerated to clearly show the various layers and regions. Similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the specification. When a layer, film, region, plate, or other part is said to be "on" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly on" the other part, but also the case where there are other parts between them. Conversely, when a part is said to be "directly on" another part, it means that there are no other parts between them. Furthermore, when a part is said to be "under" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly under" the other part, but also the case where there are other parts between them. Conversely, when a part is said to be "directly under" the other part, it means that there are no other parts between them.

[0026] First, a battery module 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] 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 a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a terminal bus bar according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insulating cover and an end plate according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a bus bar frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a bus bar frame to which electrode leads are coupled according to an embodiment of the present invention, when cut horizontally, FIG. 8 is a partial front view of a bus bar to which electrode leads are coupled according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of a bus bar to which electrode leads are coupled according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which electrode leads have been moved in a bus bar according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which electrode leads have been moved in a bus bar according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] A battery module 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include 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 positioned on one side and / or the other side of the battery cell stack 100, an insulating cover 500 disposed on the outside of the bus bar frame 300, and an end plate 400 disposed on the outside of the insulating cover 500.

[0029] 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 may be electrically connected. The direction in which the plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked may be the X-axis direction (or the X-axis direction) in FIG. 5.

[0030] 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 drawing. 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 drawing.

[0031] The longitudinal direction of the battery cell stack 100 may be substantially the same as the longitudinal 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 may be disposed near the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 to easily form electrical connections with the electrode leads 111, 112.

[0032] The battery cells 110 are provided as pouch-type battery cells, which can maximize the number of battery cells stacked per unit area. However, the battery cells 110 do not necessarily have to be provided as pouch-type cells, and may be provided as prismatic, cylindrical, or other various shapes.

[0033] The battery cell 110 provided in a pouch form can include an electrode assembly and a cell case 115 that houses the electrode assembly (see FIG. 3).

[0034] 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 between the upper and lower cases may be folded to form a folded structure. As shown, the upper case may completely cover the lower case, and a sealing portion 114 may be formed around the periphery.

[0035] 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 have insulating and electrolytic resistance. 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 against 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 suitable material for the metal layer in contact with the inner coating layer is an aluminum (Al) thin film, which is lightweight yet highly formable. The outer coating layer is located outside the cell case 115 relative to the metal layer. This outer coating layer can be made of a heat-resistant polymer with excellent tensile strength, moisture barrier, and air barrier properties to protect the electrode assembly while ensuring heat resistance and fire resistance. For example, nylon or polyethylene terephthalate can be used.

[0036] The upper and lower cases each have a receiving groove 116 formed therein, and the electrode assembly can be received in the receiving groove 116 of the upper and lower cases.

[0037] The electrode assembly accommodated 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 a long sheet-shaped negative electrode and a positive electrode and then wound up; a stack type electrode assembly consisting of unit cells having a structure in which rectangular positive and negative electrodes are stacked with a separator between them; a stack-folding type electrode assembly in which unit cells are wound up with a long separator film; and a lamination-stack type electrode assembly in which unit cells are stacked with a separator between them and attached to each other.

[0038] The electrode assembly may also include two electrode tabs 110a and 110b, and two electrode leads 111 and 112 connected to the two electrode tabs 110a and 110b by welding, respectively.

[0039] One of the two electrode leads 111, 112 may be a positive electrode lead connected to the positive electrode tab 110a, and the other may be a negative electrode lead connected to the negative electrode tab 110b. For example, the positive electrode lead 111 may be made of aluminum (Al), and the negative electrode lead 112 may be made of copper (Cu).

[0040] 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 leakage of electrolyte.

[0041] Although the two electrode leads 111, 112 are shown as being located on opposite sides of the electrode assembly, they may be located on only one side of the electrode assembly depending on the placement of the electrode tabs.

[0042] 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.

[0043] The module case 200 may have various structures. For example, the module case 200 may have a mono-frame structure. Here, the mono-frame may have the form of a metal plate with an integrated top, bottom, and both side surfaces. The mono-frame 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 is formed by coupling the upper plate to the top of a U-shaped frame, which is a metal plate with an integrated or combined bottom and both side surfaces, and each frame or plate may be manufactured by press molding. In addition to the mono-frame or U-shaped frame, the module case 200 may also have an L-shaped frame structure, and may have various structures not described in the above examples.

[0044] The structure of the module case 200 may be provided in a form that is open in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell stack 100. The front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 may not be blocked by the module case 200. The electrode leads 111, 112 of the battery cells 110 may not be blocked by the module case 200. The front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 are blocked 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 can be protected from external physical impacts, etc.

[0045] 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 .

[0046] The compression pad 150 may be disposed in the battery cell stack 100 so as to face the outermost battery cell 110 of the battery cell stack 100 in the X-axis direction on the drawing.

[0047] 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 may form a thermally conductive resin layer (not shown) between the battery cell stack 100 and one of the inner surfaces of the module case 200. Here, 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.

[0048] 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, as shown in the figure, the bus bar frame 300 is positioned on the front or rear side of the battery cell stack 100, but may also be positioned on the top, bottom, or side. At least one of bus bars 310, 320 and a module connector may be attached to the bus bar frame 300. As shown in FIG. 2 , one side of the bus bar frame 300 may be connected to one or the other side of the battery cell stack 100, and the other side of the bus bar frame 300 may be connected to the bus bars 310, 320.

[0049] The bus bar frame 300 may include one or more bus bar seating portions 340 to which the bus bars 310 and 320 are coupled and seated, and one or more ribs (see FIG. 7).

[0050] The bus bars 310 and 320 may be seated on the front surfaces of the bus bar seats 340 of the bus bar frame 300, and a plurality of the bus bar seats 340 may be arranged at intervals in the width direction of the battery module 1000.

[0051] The rib may be configured to connect two adjacent bus bar seats 340 between the bus bar seats 340. The rib may be disposed between two adjacent bus bar seats 340, thereby improving the rigidity of the bus bar frame 300.

[0052] The bus bar frame 300 may be made of or include an electrically insulating material, and the bus bar frame 300 may limit contact of the bus bars 310, 320 with other parts of the battery cells 110 other than the parts joined to the electrode leads 111, 112, thereby preventing electrical short circuits from occurring.

[0053] The bus bar frames 300 may be located on one side and the other side of the battery cell stack 100, respectively.

[0054] 6 is a diagram showing a bus bar frame 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Bus bars 310, 320 are attached to one side of the bus bar frame 300, and the bus bars 310, 320 may be used to electrically connect the battery cell stack 100 or the battery cells 110 to an external device circuit. A plurality of bus bars 310, 320 may be arranged and positioned between the battery cell stack 100 or the bus bar frame 300 and the end plates 400, 450, thereby protecting the battery cell stack 100 or the bus bar frame 300 from external impacts and minimizing deterioration in durability due to external moisture, etc.

[0055] The bus bars 310 , 320 can be electrically connected to the battery cell stack 100 via the electrode leads 111 , 112 of the battery cells 110 .

[0056] Specifically, the electrode leads 111 and 112 of the battery cell 110 may pass through lead slits formed in the bus bar frame 300 and then bend to be connected to the bus bars 310 and 320 .

[0057] The bus bar 310 serves to electrically connect the battery cells 110, and as shown in Figures 6 and 7, electrode leads 111, 112 of the battery cells 110 are connected to both the left and right sides of one surface of the bus bar 310. The electrode lead 111 connected to one side of the bus bars 310, 320 may be a positive lead, and the electrode lead 112 connected to the other side of the bus bars 310, 320 may be a negative lead. As shown in Figure 7, there may be two or more electrode leads 111 connected to one side of the bus bars 310, 320, and two or more electrode leads 111 may be overlapped and connected to one side of the bus bars 310, 320. There may be two or more electrode leads 112 connected to the other side of the bus bars 310, 320, and two or more electrode leads 112 may be overlapped and connected to the other side of the bus bars 310, 320.

[0058] The bus bars 310, 320 can connect the battery cells 110 that make up the battery cell stack 100 in series or in parallel.

[0059] The bus bars 310 and 320 are connected to a connector 350, and the connector 350 may be connected to a sensing portion (sensing plate, not shown) capable of performing functions such as voltage sensing of the battery cells 110.

[0060] In this embodiment, the bus bars 310 and 320 may include a coupling groove 310a.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 7, the coupling groove 310a is formed on the front surface of the bus bars 310 and 320 where the electrode leads 111 and 112 are coupled, and a thread may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the coupling groove 310a.

[0062] A plurality of coupling grooves 310a may be arranged spaced apart from each other on one bus bar 310, 320, and two coupling grooves 310a may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the battery module 1000.

[0063] For example, the coupling grooves 310a may be disposed in one side region of the busbars 310, 320 to which the positive electrode lead 111 is connected and in the other side region of the busbars 310, 320 to which the negative electrode lead 112 is connected. The busbar 310 may have a through hole 311 extending in the vertical direction at the center thereof, and the coupling grooves 310a may be disposed on both sides of the through hole 311.

[0064] A coupling member 350 may be coupled to the coupling groove 310a. The coupling member 350 may include a body 350a coupled to the coupling groove 310a and a head 350b having a diameter larger than that of the body 350a. When the coupling member 350 is coupled to the coupling groove 310a, the electrode leads 111 and 112 can be maintained coupled to the bus bars 310 and 320. By adjusting the depth to which the coupling member 350 is coupled to the coupling groove 310a, the distance between the head 350b of the coupling member 350 and the bus bars 310 and 320 can be adjusted, and thus the electrode leads 111 and 112 can be compressed to such an extent that the electrode leads 111 and 112 can move while coupled to the bus bars 310 and 320.

[0065] The coupling member 350 may comprise a fixing pin, a bolt, or the like.

[0066] In this embodiment, the electrode leads 111 and 112 may include coupling holes 111a and 112a into which the coupling members 350 are inserted.

[0067] The coupling holes 111a, 112a may be formed to penetrate the electrode leads 111, 112 from the front to the rear. The coupling members 350 are inserted into the coupling holes 111a, 112a and then coupled to the coupling grooves 310a, thereby coupling the electrode leads 111, 112 to the bus bars 310, 320, and electrically connecting the electrode leads 111, 112 to the bus bars 310, 320.

[0068] The width (vertical width in the drawing) of the coupling holes 111a and 112a may be equal to or larger than the diameter of the body 350a of the coupling member 350, but smaller than the diameter of the head 350b of the coupling member 350.

[0069] The coupling holes 111a, 112a may extend in a first direction as shown in the drawings. Specifically, the coupling holes 111a, 112a may extend in the width direction of the battery module 1000 (the X-axis direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) as shown in Fig. 7. By extending the coupling holes 111a, 112a in the first direction in this manner, the electrode leads 111, 112 can slide in the first direction while being coupled to the bus bars 310, 320 by the coupling member 350.

[0070] 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the state of the electrode lead 111 coupled to the right side of the bus bar 310 before it is moved. As shown, before the electrode lead 111 is moved, the coupling member 350 can be positioned on the right side of the coupling hole 111a.

[0071] Figures 10 and 11 show the state after the electrode lead 111 coupled to the right side of the bus bar 310 has been moved. As shown, after the electrode lead 111 has been moved, the coupling member 350 can be positioned at the left side of the coupling hole 111a.

[0072] Meanwhile, although not shown, before the electrode lead 112 coupled to the left side of the bus bar 310 moves, the coupling member 350 may be positioned on the left side of the coupling hole 112a, and after the electrode lead 112 moves, the coupling member 350 may be positioned on the right side of the coupling hole 112a.

[0073] As the battery module 1000 approaches the end of its lifespan, the amount of swelling in the internal cells increases. There are various causes of swelling in the battery cells 110. For example, as the battery approaches the end of its lifespan, the thickness of the battery cells 110 may increase due to internal gas generation, lithium deposition, etc. As the battery cells 110 swell, as shown in FIG. 7 , the electrode leads 111 and 112 of the battery cells 110 are pulled toward the battery cells 110. As a result, the electrode leads 111 and 112 move while electrically connected to the bus bars 310 and 320, relieving tension on the electrode leads 111 and 112 and the electrode tabs 110a and 110b.

[0074] When the electrode leads 111 and 112 are fixed to the bus bars 310 and 320, swelling of the battery cell 110 may cause the electrode tabs 110a and 110b connected to the electrode leads 111 and 112 to be pulled and broken.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present invention, as described above, even if the electrode leads 111, 112 and the electrode tabs 110a, 110b are pulled due to swelling of the battery cell 110, the electrode leads 111, 112 can move while maintaining their connection to the bus bars 310, 320 by the connecting member 350, thereby relieving the tension on the electrode leads 111, 112 and preventing the electrode tabs 110a, 110b from breaking.

[0076] The bus bars 310 and 320 may include a terminal bus bar 320 for electrically connecting one battery module 100 to another battery module 100 .

[0077] At least a portion of the terminal bus bar 320 is exposed to the outside of the end plate 400 in order to be connected to another battery module 100, and the end plate 400 may have a terminal opening 410 for this purpose.

[0078] One end (second portion 322 ) of the terminal bus bar 320 may be exposed through the opening 510 in the insulating cover 500 and the terminal opening 410 in the end plate 400 .

[0079] 4, the terminal bus bar 320 may include a first portion 321 connected to the electrode leads 111 and 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 bending portion 323 formed between the first portion 321 and the second portion 322.

[0080] In terminal bus bar 320, first portion 321 is connected to second portion 322 via bent portion 323, and one surface of first portion 321 and one surface of second portion 322 may be perpendicular to each other. That is, by forming bent portion 323 in terminal bus bar 320, second portion 322 protrudes and seats on seat portion 530 of insulating cover 500, and second portion 322 may be electrically connected to a pack bus bar (not shown). Second portion 322 constituting one end of terminal bus bar 320 has coupling hole 322a formed therein, and second portion 322 of terminal bus bar 320 is fixed by a fixing pin (not shown) inserted into coupling hole 322a.

[0081] Similar to the bus bar 310 described above, the terminal bus bar 320 may include a coupling groove 310a in a first portion 321 that is coupled to the electrode leads 111 and 112 of the battery cell 110, and a coupling member 350 may be disposed in the coupling groove 310a.

[0082] In addition, the electrode leads 111 and 112 of the battery cells 110 connected to the terminal bus bar 320 may include coupling holes 111a and 112a into which the coupling members 350 are inserted.

[0083] Therefore, in the same manner as the bus bar 310, when the battery cell 110 swells, the electrode leads 111, 112 can move while being electrically connected to the terminal bus bar 320, thereby relieving the tension on the electrode leads 111, 112 and the electrode tabs 110a, 110b.

[0084] In this embodiment, two terminal bus bars 320 may be arranged on both sides of the bus bar frame 300 as shown in FIG.

[0085] Of the two terminal bus bars 320, one terminal bus bar 320 may be a positive (+) terminal bus bar 320, and the other may be a negative (-) terminal bus bar 320.

[0086] The electrode leads 111 and 112 are connected to the first portion 321 of the terminal bus bar 320 , and the positive electrode lead 111 may be connected to one terminal bus bar 320 and the negative electrode lead 112 may be connected to the other terminal bus bar 320 .

[0087] 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 made of a material having a predetermined strength, and may include, for example, a metal such as aluminum or a plastic material.

[0088] Terminal openings 410 may be formed in the end plate 400. The terminal openings 410 may be disposed on both sides of the end plate 400, and a portion 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.

[0089] A connector opening is located between the terminal openings 410 located on both sides of the end plate 400, and the module connector can be exposed to the outside through the connector opening.

[0090] The end plate 400 may be coupled to the module case 200 while covering the bus bar frame 300 or the bus bars 310, 320 located on one side of the battery cell stack 100. Each corner of the end plate 400 may be coupled to a corresponding corner of the module case 200 by welding, bolting, hooking, or the like.

[0091] The end plates 400 may be disposed on the outside of the module case 200. Specifically, the end plates 400 may be located on one side and the other side of the module case 200 so as to cover both sides of the battery cell stack 100. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the end plates 400 are located on the front and rear sides of the module case 200.

[0092] The insulating cover 500 may be disposed inside the end plate 400 and outside the bus bar frame 300. Furthermore, the insulating cover 500 for electrical insulation may be located 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 sequentially located from the outside of the battery cell stack 100. As with the end plate 400, the bus bar frame 300 and the insulating cover 500 may each be configured in plurality.

[0093] The insulating cover 500 may be made of or include an electrically insulating material, and may block contact between the bus bars 310 , 320 and the end plate 400 .

[0094] 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.

[0095] A connector opening is located between the openings 510 located on both sides of the insulating cover 500, and the module connector can be exposed to the outside through the connector opening.

[0096] The insulating cover 500 is positioned on the inner surface of the end plate 400 and can be in close contact with the inner surface of the end plate 400, but is not necessarily limited to this.

[0097] As described above, one end (second portion 322) of terminal bus bar 320 is exposed through opening 510, and this exposed one end (second portion 322) of terminal bus bar 320 can be seated on seat 530. Thus, seat 530 can be disposed adjacent to opening 510 and on the upper outer surface.

[0098] The second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 can be seated on the upper surface of the seating portion 530, and thus the upper surface of the seating portion 530 can form a seating surface. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the seating portion 530 may include a fixing member 531 for fixing the terminal bus bar 320.

[0099] The fixing member 531 can fix the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 and can include a fixing hole 531a.

[0100] A fixing pin (not shown) can be inserted into the fixing hole 531 a. The fixing pin (not shown) is inserted into a coupling hole 322 a formed in the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 and coupled to and fixed in the fixing hole 531 a, thereby fixing the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 to the insulating cover 500.

[0101] Therefore, second portion 322 of terminal bus bar 320 is seated on seating portion 530 of insulating cover 500 , and second portion 322 is seated on and comes into contact with fixing member 531 arranged on seating portion 530 .

[0102] 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.

[0103] Meanwhile, electrical connection between the battery modules 1000 may be made via 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 Disconnection Unit), and may be connected to an exposed end (second portion 322) of the terminal bus bar 320. For example, the pack bus bar may be connected to an upper portion of one end (second portion 322) of the terminal bus bar 320 by overlapping it.

[0104] After one end of the pack busbar is placed overlapping on the second part 322 of the terminal busbar 320, the fixing pin is inserted sequentially into the connecting hole of the pack busbar and the connecting hole 322a of the second part 322 of the terminal busbar 320, and then the fixing pin is fixed in the fixing groove 531a of the seating portion 530, thereby connecting the pack busbar to the terminal busbar 320.

[0105] Then, the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 together with the pack bus bar can be fixed to the insulating cover 500 by the fixing pin.

[0106] One or more battery modules 1000 according to the present invention as described above may form a battery pack 2000. As shown in Fig. 12, 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) and a cooling system.

[0107] 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 may accommodate multiple battery modules 1000 in the internal space of the lower housing 2110 and the upper housing.

[0108] Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of the present invention, an example in which a plurality of battery modules 1000 are accommodated inside the battery pack 2000 has been described, but a plurality of battery cells 110 may be disposed inside the battery pack 2000 directly.

[0109] 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, but not limited to, transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrid cars, and ESS (Energy Storage Systems).

[0110] 13 is a diagram showing an electric vehicle V equipped with a battery pack 2000. The wheels of the electric vehicle V are driven by a motor powered by the battery pack 2000, so that the electric vehicle can be operated.

[0111] As described above, the present invention has been described based on preferred embodiments, but it is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0112] The present invention can provide a battery module and a battery pack that can relieve tension applied to battery cells. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 100 Battery Module 110 battery cells 110a Electrode tab, positive electrode tab 110b Electrode tab, negative electrode tab 111 Electrode lead 111a Binding hole 112 Electrode Lead 112a Binding hole 113 Lead Film 114 Sealing part 115 Pouch-type cell case 116 Storage groove 150 compression pads 200 Module Case 201 Top surface 300 Busbar Frame 310 Busbar 310a coupling groove 311 Through Hole 320 Terminal Busbar 321 Part 1 322 Part 2 322a Binding hole 323 Bending Department 340 Busbar seat 350 Joint members, connectors 350a fuselage 350b head 400 End Plate 410 Terminal opening 450 end plate 500 Insulation Cover 510 Opening 530 Seating area 531 Fixing member 531a Fixing groove, fixing hole 1000 Battery Module 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; one or more bus bars for electrically connecting the battery cells; Including, The electrode leads of the battery cells are movably coupled to the bus bars.

2. The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising a coupling member for coupling an electrode lead of the battery cell to the bus bar.

3. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the connecting member is connected to the bus bar.

4. The battery module of claim 3 , wherein the bus bar includes a coupling groove to which the coupling member is coupled.

5. The battery module according to claim 4 , wherein the coupling member is threadedly engaged with the coupling groove.

6. The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein the electrode leads of the battery cells include coupling holes into which the coupling members are inserted.

7. The battery module according to claim 6 , wherein the coupling hole extends along a first direction.

8. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein an electrode lead of one of the battery cells and an electrode lead of another of the battery cells are connected to both sides of a front surface of the bus bar, respectively.

9. a connecting member for connecting an electrode lead of the battery cell to the bus bar; The battery module of claim 8 , wherein the connecting members are respectively connected to both sides of the bus bar.

10. The battery module of claim 9 , wherein the bus bar includes a through-hole at the center.

11. The battery module of claim 10 , wherein the connecting members are disposed on both sides of the through-hole.

12. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the battery cells include electrode tabs, and the electrode leads are coupled to the electrode tabs.

13. The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising a bus bar frame on which the bus bars are arranged outside the battery cell stack.

14. The battery module according to claim 13 , further comprising an insulating cover disposed on an outer side of the bus bar frame.

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