Battery pack

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack housing a cell assembly including a pair of external terminals on one side, and further includes a pack case, the pack case including a plurality of cell assemblies and bus bars connecting the external terminals of each cell assembly, any pair of cell assemblies arranged adjacent to each other with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery pack are arranged such that the positions of the external terminals are reversed with respect to the width direction of the battery pack, and the pack case further includes a bus bar cap formed to correspond to the shape of the bus bar and covering the top of the bus bar.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack that houses a plurality of cell assemblies. More specifically, the battery pack of the present invention is characterized by having a structure that can effectively protect a bus bar that electrically connects each cell assembly from spark particles that may be generated by a short circuit.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0039910 filed on March 22, 2024, and all the contents disclosed in the document of the Korean Patent Application are included as part of this specification.

Background Art

[0003] A battery pack applied to an electric vehicle or the like has a structure in which a number of cell assemblies including a plurality of secondary batteries are connected in series or in parallel in order to obtain high output. The secondary battery includes an electrode, a separator, an electrolyte, etc., and can be repeatedly charged and discharged by an electrochemical reaction between the components.

[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional battery pack, and the battery pack is composed of a plurality of cell assemblies 10 and a pack case 20 that can accommodate the cell assemblies 10.

[0005] The cell assembly 10 includes a pair of external terminals, and each cell assembly 10 is electrically connected via a separate bus bar that connects the external terminals.

[0006] On the other hand, when a short circuit occurs inside any one of the cell assemblies 10 housed in the pack case 20, a spark accompanied by high heat may be generated. At this time, if the ejecta of the spark or the like scatters and contacts the bus bar, a short circuit can be instantaneously generated in a large number of cell assemblies 10, which may lead to a large explosion or fire.

[0007] In particular, the cell assembly 10, which is usually housed in a battery pack, is positioned so that its external terminals face the center of the pack case 20, making it highly likely that the busbars will come into contact with the scattered spark particles. In other words, conventional battery packs have a structure in which the busbars are concentrated in the center, making them vulnerable to large fires if sparks or flames occur due to a short circuit. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Korean Published Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0001228 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] Therefore, the present invention was created to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a battery pack with a structure that can eliminate situations in which busbars are densely packed in a particular area.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a battery pack with a configuration that can eliminate situations in which scattered spark ejection material comes into contact with the busbar.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood from the following description and will be more clearly seen from the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof as set forth in the claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present invention provides a battery pack that houses a cell assembly including a pair of external terminals on one side.

[0013] The battery pack comprises a pack case and a plurality of cell assemblies fixed to the pack case, wherein the pack case includes bus bars connecting the external terminals of each cell assembly, and any pair of cell assemblies arranged adjacent to each other with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery pack are arranged such that the positions of the external terminals are reversed with respect to the width direction of the battery pack, and the pack case further includes bus bar caps formed to correspond to the shape of the bus bars and covering the top of the bus bars.

[0014] The above-mentioned busbar cap may include a material having at least one of the properties of heat resistance and fire resistance.

[0015] The pack case further includes a covering member located between the busbar and the busbar cap, covering the upper part of the busbar, and the covering member may include an insulating material.

[0016] The busbar described above may include a connecting busbar that is bent to connect a pair of cell assemblies whose external terminals are located opposite each other.

[0017] The busbar cap described above can be formed to bend in accordance with the shape of the connecting busbar described above.

[0018] The connecting busbar includes a first connecting portion that spans between a pair of cell assemblies, a second connecting portion bent in the width direction of the cell assembly at one end of the first connecting portion, and a third connecting portion bent in the width direction of the cell assembly at the other end of the first connecting portion. The second connecting portion can be connected to the external terminal of one of the pair of cell assemblies, and the third connecting portion can be connected to the external terminal of the other cell assembly of the pair.

[0019] The bus bar cap can include a first cover portion that covers the first connection portion of the connection bus bar, a second cover portion that covers the second connection portion, and a third cover portion that covers the third connection portion.

[0020] The second connection portion and the third connection portion can be bent in opposite directions at both ends of the first connection portion.

[0021] The pack case can further include a cross beam that intervenes between any pair of cell assemblies arranged adjacent to each other with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery pack and separates the cell assemblies, and the connection bus bar can be located above the cross beam.

[0022] The bus bar cap can be coupled to the upper end of the cross beam so that the connection bus bar located on the cross beam is not exposed to the outside.

[0023] The cross beam includes an insertion groove formed corresponding to the shape of the connection bus bar so that the connection bus bar can be inserted, and the connection bus bar can be inserted and fixed into the insertion groove of the cross beam.

[0024] The cell assembly includes a cell stack in which a plurality of cells from which electrode leads are led out are stacked, and end plates respectively coupled to the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack, and the external terminal is formed on the end plate coupled at a position corresponding to the electrode lead and can be electrically connected to the electrode lead.

[0025] The cell assembly can further include a module frame that surrounds the periphery of the cell stack and is coupled to the end plate.

[0026] The module frame includes a lower frame that supports the lower part of the cell stack, an upper frame that supports the upper part of the cell stack, and a pair of side frames that support both sides of the cell stack. The upper frame can include a plurality of opening holes.

[0027] The cell assembly further includes a pair of support frames that support the cell stack on both sides of the cell stack. In the adjacently arranged cell assemblies, the support frames at positions facing each other are joined to form a separation beam, and the connection bus bar can be located above the separation beam.

[0028] The bus bar cap can be joined to the upper end of the separation beam so that the connection bus bar located on the separation beam is not exposed to the outside.

Effect of the Invention

[0029] According to the present invention, by applying a bus bar with a deformed shape, it is possible to provide a battery pack that reduces the probability of spark discharges generated in the thermal runaway situation of the cell assembly from contacting the bus bar and improves safety.

[0030] Further, according to the present invention, by using a bus bar cap configuration that covers the upper part of the bus bar, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon that the bus bar directly contacts spark discharges.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a conventional battery pack. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of a battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view of a cell assembly included in the battery pack of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of a battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pair of cell assemblies and connecting busbars included in the battery pack. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing a pair of cell assemblies joined together by a connecting busbar. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cell assembly and the connecting busbars and busbar caps. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing a modified crossbeam included in the pack case. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the connecting busbar, covering member, and busbar cap. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a plan view of a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a pair of cell assemblies and connecting busbars included in the battery pack. [Figure 13] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the assembled cell assemblies. [Figure 14] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the cell assembly with connecting busbars attached. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view showing a modified cell assembly included in a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] Figure 15 is a plan view of the cell assembly. [Figure 17] This is a plan view of the paired cell assemblies shown in Figure 16. [Figure 18] This is a perspective view of a pair of support frames and connecting busbars included in a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] Figure 18 is a perspective view showing the combined support frames. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. As a premise, terms and words used herein and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their general or dictionary meanings, but rather in a manner consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that inventors may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their own invention.

[0033] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings represent only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention; there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can substitute for them at the time of filing.

[0034] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0035] Since embodiments of the present invention are provided to give a more complete explanation to an ordinary person, the shapes and sizes of the components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for the sake of clarity. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect the actual sizes and proportions.

[0036] The present invention relates to a battery pack housing a plurality of cell assemblies. More specifically, the battery pack of the present invention is characterized by having a structure that can effectively protect the busbars electrically connecting each cell assembly from spark ejection that may be generated by a short circuit.

[0037] Figures 2 to 9 relate to a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 10 to 19 relate to a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Specific embodiments of the battery pack of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. For reference, the forward / backward and up / down / left / right directions used in the following description to specify relative positions are for the purpose of aiding the understanding of the invention, and unless otherwise defined, the directions shown in the drawings shall be used as the reference.

[0039] Here, the width direction of the cell assembly refers to the direction in which the cells are stacked, and the longitudinal direction of the cell assembly is defined as the direction perpendicular to the width direction of the cell assembly, that is, the direction connecting the two sides to which the end plates are joined.

[0040] Furthermore, the width direction D2 of the battery pack refers to the longitudinal direction of the cell assembly housed in the battery pack, and the longitudinal direction D1 of the battery pack refers to the width direction of the cell assembly housed in the battery pack.

[0041] (First Embodiment) Figure 2 is a perspective view of a battery pack 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cell assembly 100 included in the battery pack 1 of Figure 2.

[0042] The battery pack 1 of the present invention includes a pack case 1000 and a plurality of cell assemblies 100 that are attached to the pack case 1000.

[0043] Referring to Figure 2, the pack case 1000 houses a plurality of cell assemblies 100, each containing a pair of external terminals 131 on one side.

[0044] The cell assembly 100 includes a cell stack 110 in which a plurality of cells (not shown) from which electrode leads are led out are stacked in one direction.

[0045] Each of the above cells includes an electrode assembly in which electrodes and a separation membrane are alternately stacked, electrode leads connected to the electrodes, a case enclosing the electrode assembly such that the electrode leads are led out to the outside, and an electrolyte filled together with the electrode assembly within the case.

[0046] The above electrode may be a positive electrode in which a slurry of positive electrode active material, binder resin, conductive material, and other additives is applied to at least one surface of the current collector, or a negative electrode in which a slurry of negative electrode active material, binder resin, conductive material, and other additives is applied to at least one surface of the current collector. Therefore, the above electrode assembly is constructed by alternately stacking positive electrodes, separator films, and negative electrodes.

[0047] The positive electrode active material may include a lithium-containing transition metal oxide, and the negative electrode active material may include lithium metal, carbon material, and metal compounds or mixtures thereof, in which lithium ions can be intercalated and released.

[0048] The above-mentioned separation membrane can be made from a conventional porous polymer film used in lithium-ion batteries.

[0049] In the above case, the sheet material is processed into a predetermined shape. In this case, the sheet material is composed of a multilayer structure in which an outermost resin layer made of an insulating material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or nylon is laminated, a metal layer made of aluminum that maintains mechanical strength and prevents the penetration of moisture and oxygen is laminated, and an inner resin layer made of a polyolefin-based material that has heat adhesion and acts as a sealant is laminated.

[0050] In the sheet material forming the above case, a predetermined adhesive resin layer may be interposed between the internal resin layer and the metal layer, and between the external resin layer and the metal layer, as needed. The adhesive resin layer is for smooth adhesion between dissimilar materials and is formed in single or multilayer form. The material used is usually a polyolefin resin, or a polyurethane resin may be used for smooth processing, and mixtures thereof can also be used.

[0051] The above-mentioned cells can be classified into rectangular, pouch-type, and cylindrical types depending on the form of the electrode assembly and case. However, in the detailed description and drawings of the present invention, a pouch-type cell will be used as an example for ease of understanding.

[0052] End plates 130, configured to protect and support the cell stack 110, can be attached to the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack 110.

[0053] The cell assembly 100 further includes external terminals 131 that are electrically connected to electrode leads led out to the cell stack 110.

[0054] The external terminal 131 is formed on the end plate 130, but one end of it is formed to be exposed to the outside of the end plate 130.

[0055] Specifically, the external terminal 131 is formed on one of a pair of end plates 130 located on the front and rear surfaces of the cell assembly 100, and is connected to the end plate 130 at a position corresponding to the electrode leads of the cell stack 110.

[0056] Referring to Figure 3, an external terminal 131 is formed on the end plate 130 located on the front of the cell assembly 100.

[0057] The cell assembly 100 included in the battery pack 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes a module frame 120 that surrounds the cell stack 110 and connects to the end plate 130, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0058] The module frame 120 includes a lower frame (not shown) that supports the lower part of the cell stack 110, an upper frame 121 that supports the upper part of the cell stack 110, and a pair of side frames 122 that support both sides of the cell stack 110.

[0059] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the upper frame 121 of the present invention includes an opening hole 121a that allows for the rapid discharge of gas, flames, and spark particles in the event of a thermal runaway phenomenon occurring inside the cell assembly 100 due to a short circuit or other cause. Therefore, if the cell stack 110 surrounded by the module frame 120 experiences a thermal runaway, gas and spark particles can be discharged upward through the opening hole 121a.

[0060] The battery pack 1 of the present invention may further include an upper case (not shown) that is coupled to the pack case 1000 so as to cover the upper part of the cell assembly 100 housed in the pack case 1000. However, since the upper case deviates from the features of the present invention, a detailed description is omitted.

[0061] The pack case 1000 of the present invention includes a plate-shaped base plate 300 that supports the lower part of the cell assembly 100, and side beams 400 that are coupled to the base plate 300 along the edge of the base plate 300 so as to support the sides of the cell assembly 100 which is fixed onto the base plate 300.

[0062] Furthermore, the battery pack 1 of the present invention according to the first embodiment further includes, as shown in Figure 2, a crossbeam 500 interposed between any pair of cell assemblies 100 arranged adjacent to each other with respect to the longitudinal direction D1 of the battery pack 1, thereby separating each cell assembly 100.

[0063] The cross beam 500 may serve to separate the sides of each cell assembly 100 so that they do not come into contact, or it may serve to support the sides of each cell assembly 100.

[0064] As shown in Figure 2, the pack case 1000 of the present invention includes busbars connecting the external terminals 131 of each cell assembly 100, and further includes busbar caps 600 formed to correspond to the shape of the busbars and covering the upper part of the busbars.

[0065] As shown in Figure 2, the cell assemblies 100 that are attached to the pack case 1000 are arranged such that the positions of any pair of adjacent external terminals 131 are opposite to each other with respect to the longitudinal direction D1 of the battery pack 1. That is, adjacent pairs of cell assemblies 100 are arranged such that the positions of the external terminals 131 are reversed with respect to the width direction D2 of the battery pack 1.

[0066] Therefore, the busbars that electrically connect the two adjacent cell assemblies 100 are also formed in accordance with the arrangement shape of the cell assemblies 100.

[0067] Specifically, the busbar includes a connecting busbar 210 that is bent to connect a pair of cell assemblies 100 whose external terminals 131 are located opposite each other.

[0068] Figure 4 is a plan view of a battery pack 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Referring to Figure 4, the multiple cell assemblies 100 arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction D1 of the battery pack 1 have their external terminals 131 facing in opposite directions with respect to the width direction D2 of the battery pack 1. At this time, the connecting busbar 210 connects a pair of cell assemblies 100 arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction D1 of the battery pack 1, as shown in Figure 4.

[0070] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the pair of cell assemblies 100 and the connecting busbar 210 included in the battery pack 1 of Figure 2, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pair of cell assemblies 100 and the connecting busbar 210 joined together.

[0071] The connecting busbar 210, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, includes a first connecting portion 210a that spans between a pair of cell assemblies 100, a second connecting portion 210b that is bent in the width direction D2 of the cell assembly 100 at one end of the first connecting portion 210a, and a third connecting portion 210c that is bent in the width direction D2 of the cell assembly 100 at the other end of the first connecting portion 210a.

[0072] The second connecting portion 210b and the third connecting portion 210c are bent in opposite directions at both ends of the first connecting portion 210a.

[0073] The second connecting portion 210b is connected to the external terminal 131 of one of the pair of cell assemblies 100, and the third connecting portion 210c is connected to the external terminal 131 of the other cell assembly 100 of the pair of cell assemblies 100.

[0074] As shown in the figure, the connecting busbar 210 is located on top of the crossbeam 500 which is situated between the cell assemblies 100.

[0075] According to some embodiments, the lower part of the first connecting portion 210a of the connecting busbar 210 can be supported by the crossbeam 500.

[0076] According to some embodiments, the connecting busbar 210 can be coupled to and fixed to the crossbeam 500.

[0077] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cell assembly 100 and the connecting busbars 210 and busbar caps 600 shown in Figure 6.

[0078] The busbar cap 600 described above covers and protects the top of the busbar.

[0079] The busbar cap 600 covers the busbar and protects it from approaching spark particles, flames, and high-temperature gases from the outside. Therefore, the busbar cap 600 includes a material having at least one of the properties of heat resistance and fire resistance. For example, the busbar cap 600 may include mica.

[0080] Furthermore, the busbar cap 600 may further contain an insulating material. For example, the busbar cap 600 may further contain glass fibers.

[0081] The busbar cap 600, which is connected to the connecting busbar 210, is formed to bend in accordance with the shape of the connecting busbar 210, as shown in Figures 2, 4, and 7.

[0082] Specifically, the busbar cap 600 includes a first cover portion 600a that covers the first connecting portion 210a of the connecting busbar 210, a second cover portion 600b that covers the second connecting portion 210b, and a third cover portion 600c that covers the third connecting portion 210c.

[0083] The first cover portion 600a of the busbar cap 600 crosses between the cell assemblies 100, the second cover portion 600b is bent in the width direction D2 of the cell assemblies 100 at one end of the first cover portion 600a, and the third cover portion 600c is bent in the width direction D2 of the cell assemblies 100 at the other end of the first cover portion 600a.

[0084] According to some embodiments, the busbar cap 600 may be directly connected to the connecting busbar 210, or it may be connected to and fixed to the crossbeam 500. That is, the busbar cap 600 can be connected to the upper end of the crossbeam 500 so that the connecting busbar 210 located on the crossbeam 500 is not exposed to the outside.

[0085] According to some embodiments, the crossbeam 500 may further include an insertion groove 510 into which the connecting busbar 210 is inserted.

[0086] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the crossbeam 500 included in the pack case 1000.

[0087] As shown in Figure 8, the insertion groove 510 at the upper end of the crossbeam 500 is formed to correspond to the shape of the connecting busbar 210 so that the connecting busbar 210 can be inserted into it. Therefore, the connecting busbar 210 can be inserted into the insertion groove 510 of the crossbeam 500 and fixed in place.

[0088] The busbar cap 600 is coupled to the upper end of the crossbeam 500 so as to cover the upper part of the connecting busbar 210 inserted into the insertion groove 510.

[0089] According to some embodiments, the pack case 1000 may further include a covering member 700 located between the busbar and the busbar cap 600, which covers the upper part of the busbar.

[0090] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the connecting busbar 210, the covering member 700, and the busbar cap 600.

[0091] The covering member 700 contains an insulating material and serves to prevent short circuits and static electricity from occurring in a part of the connecting bus bar 210.

[0092] The covering member 700 is formed to correspond to the shape of the connecting bus bar 210, as it is necessary to cover and insulate the entire upper part of the connecting bus bar 210. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the covering member 700 includes a first covering portion 700a that covers the first connecting portion 210a of the connecting bus bar 210, a second covering portion 700b that covers the second connecting portion 210b, and a third covering portion 700 that covers the third connecting portion 210c.

[0093] Preferably, the busbar cap 600 covers the entire covering member 700 that covers the connecting busbar 210.

[0094] The battery pack 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention modifies the structure of the connecting busbar 210 and has a busbar cap 600 configuration that covers the upper part of the connecting busbar 210, so that even if an explosion or flame occurs in one of the cell assemblies 100 due to an internal short circuit or the like, and flying materials such as spark particles are generated, the impact on the other cell assemblies 100 can be minimized.

[0095] (Second Embodiment) The busbar cap 600 of the present invention is also applicable to a battery pack 1 that houses a cell assembly 100 to which a module frame 120 is not applied.

[0096] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a battery pack 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 is a plan view of a battery pack 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a pair of cell assemblies 100 and a connecting busbar 210 included in the battery pack 1 of Figure 10; Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the cell assemblies 100 of Figure 12 joined together; and Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the cell assemblies 100 of Figure 13 joined to the connecting busbar 210.

[0097] The cell assembly 100 included in the battery pack 1 according to the second embodiment further includes a pair of support frames 140 that support the cell stack 110 on both sides of the cell stack 110, as shown in Figures 10 to 14.

[0098] Each of the above-mentioned support frames 140 can be connected to and fixed to the end plates 130 located on the front and rear surfaces of the cell assembly 100.

[0099] In the adjacent cell assemblies 100 described above, the support frames 140 at opposing positions are joined together as shown in Figures 12 and 13 to form a single separating beam 800.

[0100] The separated beam 800 described above can perform the same role as the cross beam 500 of the battery pack 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] The connecting busbar 210 is located above the separating beam 800, as shown in Figures 10, 11, and 14.

[0102] Figure 15 is a perspective view showing a modified cell assembly 100 included in a battery pack 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 16 is a plan view of the cell assembly 100 of Figure 15.

[0103] Since the above-mentioned cell assembly 100 eliminates the configuration of the module frame 120 surrounding the cell stack 110, the internal cell stack 110 is directly exposed to the outside, as shown in Figures 10 to 15.

[0104] The support frames 140 located on both sides of the cell stack 110 can support the sides of the cell stack 110 and protect the cell stack 110 from impacts originating from the sides.

[0105] The busbar cap 600 is connected to the upper end of the separating beam 800 so that the connecting busbar 210, which is located on the separating beam 800, is not exposed to the outside.

[0106] According to some embodiments, the upper end of the support frame 140 includes a second guide portion 140b protruding from the end where the external terminal 131 is located with respect to the longitudinal direction D1 of the cell assembly 100, and a first guide portion 140a protruding from the end opposite to the second guide portion 140b.

[0107] In other words, the first guide portion 140a and the second guide portion 140b are each formed to protrude upward from both ends of the support frame 140.

[0108] The second guide portion 140b described above is a straight line that extends along the width direction D2 of the cell assembly 100.

[0109] The first guide portion 140a extends along the width direction D2 of the cell assembly 100 and has a shape that is bent at a right angle at the end adjacent to the cell stack 110.

[0110] The pair of support frames 140 included in the cell assembly 100 include auxiliary grooves formed at the top by the protrusions of the first guide portion 140a and the second guide portion 140b.

[0111] The auxiliary groove has a shape in which both the side facing the external terminal 131 and the side facing the first guide portion 140a are open.

[0112] The auxiliary grooves formed in the pair of support frames 140 have a symmetrical shape.

[0113] Figure 17 is a plan view of the paired cell assemblies 100 shown in Figure 16.

[0114] A pair of adjacent cell assemblies 100 that are attached to the pack case 1000 of the present invention are arranged in the same configuration as in Figure 17, except that a second guide portion 140b included in the support frame 140 of either cell assembly 100 is connected to a first guide portion 140a of the support frame 140 of the other adjacent cell assembly 100.

[0115] Figure 18 is a perspective view of a pair of support frames 140 and a connecting busbar 210 included in a battery pack 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 19 is a perspective view of the support frames 140 of Figure 18 joined together.

[0116] The auxiliary grooves 141 of each of the above-mentioned support frames 140 form a single connecting groove 810 when a pair of support frames 140 are joined together, as shown in Figures 18 and 19.

[0117] The coupling groove 810 described above can perform the same role as the insertion groove 510 included in the crossbeam 500 of the battery pack 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0118] The coupling groove 810 at the upper end of the separation beam 800 corresponds to the shape of the connecting busbar 210 so that the connecting busbar 210 can be inserted into it. Therefore, the connecting busbar 210 can be inserted into and fixed in the coupling groove 810 of the separation beam 800.

[0119] The busbar cap 600 is coupled to the upper end of the separating beam 800 so as to cover the upper part of the connecting busbar 210 inserted into the coupling groove 810.

[0120] The battery pack 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention modifies the structure of the connecting busbar 210 and, by configuring a busbar cap 600 that covers the upper part of the connecting busbar 210, even if an explosion or flame occurs in one of the cell assemblies 100 due to an internal short circuit or the like, and flying debris such as spark particles is generated, the impact on the other cell assemblies 100 can be minimized.

[0121] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described herein are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for them at the time of filing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 10: (Conventional Technology) Cell Assembly 20: (Conventional technology) Pack case 1: Battery pack 1000: Pack Case 100: Cell assembly 110: Cell stack 120: Module Frame 121: Upper frame 121a: Opening Hole 122: Side frame 130: End plate 131: External terminals 140: Support frame 140a: First guide section 140b: Second Guide Section 141: Auxiliary groove 210: Connecting busbar 210a: 1st connection part 210b:Second connection part 210c: 3rd connection part 300: Base plate 400: Side beam 500: Crossbeam 510: Insertion groove 600: Busbar cap 600a: First cover section 600b: Second cover section 600c: Third cover section 700: Covering material 700a: First covering section 700b: Second covering section 700c: Third covering section 800: Separation beam 810: Binding groove D1: Longitudinal direction of the battery pack D2: Width direction of the battery pack

Claims

1. In a battery pack that houses a cell assembly including a pair of external terminals on one side, Pack case and Multiple cell assemblies that are fixed to the aforementioned pack case, Includes, The pack case includes busbars that connect the external terminals of each cell assembly, Any pair of cell assemblies arranged adjacent to each other with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery pack are arranged such that the position of the external terminals is reversed with respect to the width direction of the battery pack. The battery pack further includes a busbar cap that is formed to correspond to the shape of the busbar and covers the top of the busbar.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the busbar cap comprises a material having at least one of the properties of heat resistance and fire resistance.

3. The pack case further includes a covering member located between the busbar and the busbar cap, and covering the upper part of the busbar. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the covering member includes an insulating material.

4. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the busbar includes a connecting busbar that is bent in shape to connect a pair of cell assemblies whose external terminals are located opposite each other.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the busbar cap is formed to be bent in accordance with the shape of the connecting busbar.

6. The connecting busbar includes a first connecting portion that crosses between a pair of cell assemblies, a second connecting portion that is bent in the width direction of the cell assembly at one end of the first connecting portion, and a third connecting portion that is bent in the width direction of the cell assembly at the other end of the first connecting portion. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the second connecting portion is connected to the external terminal of any one of the pair of cell assemblies, and the third connecting portion is connected to the external terminal of the other of the pair of cell assemblies.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the busbar cap includes a first cover portion that covers the first connecting portion of the connecting busbar, a second cover portion that covers the second connecting portion, and a third cover portion that covers the third connecting portion.

8. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the second and third connecting portions are bent in opposite directions at both ends of the first connecting portion.

9. The pack case further includes a crossbeam interposed between any pair of cell assemblies arranged adjacent to each other with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery pack, separating each cell assembly. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the connecting busbar is located on the upper part of the crossbeam.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the busbar cap is connected to the upper end of the crossbeam so that the connecting busbar located on the crossbeam is not exposed to the outside.

11. The crossbeam includes an insertion groove formed to correspond to the shape of the connecting busbar so that the connecting busbar can be inserted. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the connecting busbar is inserted into and fixed in the insertion groove of the crossbeam.

12. The aforementioned cell assembly is A cell stack in which multiple cells from which electrode leads are derived are stacked, End plates are attached to the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack, respectively. Includes, The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the external terminal is formed on an end plate that is coupled at a position corresponding to the electrode lead and is electrically connected to the electrode lead.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein the cell assembly further includes a module frame that surrounds the cell stack and connects to the end plate.

14. The aforementioned module frame is A lower frame supporting the lower part of the cell stack, An upper frame that supports the upper part of the cell stack, A pair of side frames supporting both sides of the cell stack, Includes, The battery pack according to claim 13, wherein the upper frame includes a plurality of opening holes.

15. The cell assembly further includes a pair of support frames that support the cell stack on both sides of the cell stack, In the adjacent cell assemblies, the support frames at opposing positions are joined together to form a separation beam. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein the connecting busbar is located above the separating beam.

16. The battery pack according to claim 15, wherein the busbar cap is connected to the upper end of the separation beam so that the connecting busbar located on the separation beam is not exposed to the outside.

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