Busbar assembly and battery pack containing it

Abstract

A busbar assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a busbar, an insulating member enclosing the outer surface of the busbar, and a foamed silicone portion located between the outer surface of the busbar and the insulating member, wherein both ends of the insulating member are separated from each other, and the foamed silicone portion is exposed to the outside between both ends of the insulating member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0106185 filed on August 14, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a bus bar assembly and a battery pack including the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bus bar assembly including a bus bar, an insulating member covering an outer surface of the bus bar, and a foamed silicone part positioned between the outer surface of the bus bar and the insulating member, which can prevent arcing and / or occurrence of an electrical short - circuit condition of the bus bar, and can delay thermal propagation or thermal runaway time between adjacent battery modules, and a battery pack including the same.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are highly applicable according to product groups and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are widely applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles driven by an electric drive source, power storage devices, etc. Such secondary batteries are attracting attention not only for their primary advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels but also for being environmentally friendly in that they produce no by - products from energy use and for being a new energy source for improving energy efficiency.

[0004] Current commercially available secondary batteries include nickel - cadmium batteries, nickel - metal hydride batteries, nickel - zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention for their advantages of having almost no memory effect compared to nickel - based secondary batteries, being free from charge - discharge restrictions, having a very low self - discharge rate, and having a high energy density.

[0005] Generally, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into cylindrical or prismatic secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in an aluminum laminate sheet pouch, depending on the shape of the outer casing.

[0006] Recently, with the increasing need for large-capacity secondary battery structures, particularly for their use as energy storage sources, there has been a growing demand for medium-to-large-sized modular battery packs, which are assembled from battery modules with multiple secondary batteries connected in series or parallel. Such battery modules improve capacity and output by forming a battery cell stack through the series or parallel connection of multiple battery cells. Furthermore, multiple battery modules can be assembled together with various control and protection systems, such as a Battery Management System (BMS) and a cooling system, to form a battery pack.

[0007] In particular, the battery pack contains multiple battery modules, and adjacent battery modules can be electrically connected via busbars. However, although the outer surface of the busbars is protected by heat-insulating and insulating materials, there is a problem that when abnormal conditions such as overcurrent, overheating, or thermal runaway occur inside the battery pack, these heat-insulating and insulating materials disappear, exposing the outer surface of the busbars to a high-temperature environment.

[0008] Thus, when the outer surface of the busbar is exposed to the outside, arcing can occur, potentially causing flames to be exposed to the outside of the battery pack. In addition, the exposed outer surface of the busbar may come into contact with other electrical components inside the battery pack 1000, increasing the likelihood of an electrical short circuit. If an electrical short circuit occurs, an electrically closed circuit is formed inside the battery pack, which can accelerate thermal runaway and other problems inside the battery pack.

[0009] This highlights the need to develop a battery pack that can prevent the outer surface of the busbar from being directly exposed to a high-temperature environment even if an abnormal condition occurs inside the battery pack, thereby preventing the occurrence of the aforementioned arcing and / or electrical short-circuit conditions, and delaying the time of thermal propagation or thermal runaway between adjacent battery modules. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a busbar assembly and battery pack that includes a busbar, an insulating member enclosing the outer surface of the busbar, and a foamed silicone portion located between the outer surface of the busbar and the insulating member, which can prevent arcing and / or electrical short-circuit phenomena of the busbar and delay the thermal propagation or thermal runaway time between adjacent battery modules.

[0011] The problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and any problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A busbar assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a busbar, an insulating member enclosing the outer surface of the busbar, and a foamed silicone portion located between the outer surface of the busbar and the insulating member, wherein both ends of the insulating member are separated from each other, and the foamed silicone portion is exposed to the outside between both ends of the insulating member.

[0013] The busbar may be a flexible busbar.

[0014] In a high-temperature environment, the foamed silicone material contained in the foamed silicone portion may expand toward the outside of the busbar, forming a silicone expansion portion.

[0015] Both ends of the insulating member can extend from one surface of the busbar along the length of the busbar.

[0016] Both ends of the insulating member may protrude outwards from the busbar.

[0017] The silicon expansion portion may be formed along the direction in which both ends of the insulating member protrude.

[0018] The foamed silicone portion can be configured in at least one of the following forms: tube type, tape type, and liquid silicone injection type.

[0019] The insulating member can be made of a material having a heat resistance temperature of 120 degrees Celsius or higher and 150 degrees Celsius or lower.

[0020] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention is a battery pack comprising at least one of the busbar assemblies described above, comprising a pack frame for housing a plurality of battery modules, wherein the busbar assembly electrically connects adjacent pairs of battery modules to each other, the ends of the busbars are exposed to the outside, and the ends of the busbars may be electrically connected to the adjacent pairs of battery modules, respectively.

[0021] The busbar assembly is located above the pair of adjacent battery modules, and the busbar assembly may be positioned so that both ends of the insulating member face downwards toward the bottom of the pack frame.

[0022] In the high-temperature environment inside the pack frame, the foamed silicone portion exposed between both ends of the insulating member can expand toward the bottom of the pack frame.

[0023] In the bus bar assembly, both ends of the insulating member can extend along between the pair of adjacent battery modules.

[0024] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention is a battery pack including at least one of the above-described bus bar assemblies, and includes a pack frame that houses at least one metal structure. The bus bar assembly extends along between the metal structure and the pack frame. Both ends of the insulating member of the bus bar assembly are arranged in a direction toward the metal structure. The metal structure may be at least one of a battery module, an electrical component, and a fixing member.

[0025] In a high-temperature environment inside the pack frame, the foamed silicon portion exposed between both ends of the insulating member can expand in a direction toward the metal structure.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] According to an embodiment, the bus bar assembly of the present invention and a battery pack including the same include a bus bar, an insulating member that wraps an outer surface of the bus bar, and a foamed silicon portion located between the outer surface of the bus bar and the insulating member, and can prevent the occurrence of arcing and / or electrical short-circuit phenomena of the bus bar.

[0027] At the same time, in the bus bar assembly of the present invention and a battery pack including the same, the foamed silicon portion can delay the thermal propagation or thermal runaway time between adjacent battery modules.

[0028] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the attached drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] This is a drawing showing one side of a busbar assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a drawing showing another side of the busbar assembly shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the busbar assembly shown in Figure 1, cut along the a-a' axis under normal conditions. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the busbar assembly shown in Figure 1, cut along the a-a' axis in a high-temperature environment. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing a busbar assembly, as shown in Figure 1, arranged between adjacent battery modules in a battery pack under normal conditions according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing the battery pack in a high-temperature environment (Figure 5). [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a battery pack in a normal environment according to another embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view showing the busbar assembly of Figure 1 extending along the space between the metal structure and the pack frame. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing the battery pack in a high-temperature environment (Figure 7). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, so that they can be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. The present invention can be implemented in several different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0031] To clearly explain the present invention, irrelevant parts have been omitted, and the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0032] Furthermore, the dimensions and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily indicated for the sake of explanation, and therefore the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown. In the drawings, the thicknesses are shown enlarged to clearly represent multiple layers and regions. Also, in the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are shown exaggerated for the sake of explanation.

[0033] Furthermore, throughout this specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, unless otherwise stated, it means that it may include other components rather than excluding them.

[0034] Furthermore, throughout the specification, "on a plane" means when the subject is viewed from above, and "on a cross-section" means when the cross-section obtained by cutting the subject perpendicularly is viewed from the side.

[0035] The following describes a busbar assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 1 is a drawing showing one side of a busbar assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a drawing showing the other side of the busbar assembly of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the busbar assembly of Figure 1 cut along the a-a' axis in a normal environment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the busbar assembly of Figure 1 cut along the a-a' axis in a high-temperature environment.

[0037] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a busbar assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a busbar 110, an insulating member 120 that encloses the outer surface of the busbar 110, and a foamed silicone portion 130 located between the outer surface of the busbar 110 and the insulating member 120.

[0038] In the busbar assembly 100, both ends of the busbar 110 can be exposed to the outside. That is, both ends of the busbar 110 can be electrically connected to internal components such as electrical components or battery modules housed inside the battery pack 1000 (Figure 5). More specifically, the busbar 110 is a flexible busbar and can have a form in which part of it is bent to conform to the empty space inside the battery pack 1000 (Figure 5).

[0039] For example, the busbar 110 can be a metal plate material such as copper (Cu). However, the material of the busbar 110 is not limited to this; any electrically conductive metal plate material can be applied to this embodiment.

[0040] As a result, in the busbar assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the busbar 110 can electrically connect battery modules to each other in the complex and narrow space between adjacent battery modules.

[0041] The insulating member 120 can enclose the outer surface of the busbar 110. More specifically, the insulating member 120 encloses the outer surface of the busbar 110, and both ends 120P of the insulating member 120 can be located on one surface of the busbar 110.

[0042] For example, the insulating member 120 can be made of a thermoplastic rubber such as Santoprene or TPV (Thermoplastic Vulcanizate). As another example, the insulating member 120 can be made of a material having a heat resistance temperature of 120 degrees Celsius or higher to 150 degrees Celsius or lower.

[0043] As a result, in the busbar assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the insulating member 120 encloses the outer surface of the busbar 110, forming an insulating structure for the busbar 110 from the external environment, and temporarily preventing arcing of the busbar 110 and / or electrical short circuits with other electrical components.

[0044] The foamed silicone portion 130 can be located on the outer surface of the busbar 110 and the insulating member 120. More specifically, the foamed silicone portion 130 can enclose the entire outer surface of the busbar 110, and the insulating member 120 can enclose the outer surface of the busbar 110 while it is enclosed by the foamed silicone portion 130.

[0045] The foamed silicone portion 130 can be in at least one form from a tube type, a tape type, and a liquid silicone injection type. For example, if the foamed silicone portion 130 is configured in a tube type, the inside of the foamed silicone portion 130 is hollow, and the bus bar 110 can be inserted into the inside of the foamed silicone portion 130. As another example, if the foamed silicone portion 130 is configured in a tape type, a pair of foamed silicone portions 130 can be attached to each other with the bus bar 110 in between. As yet another example, if the foamed silicone portion 130 is configured in a liquid silicone injection type, it can be formed by injecting liquid foamed silicone material between the outer surface of the bus bar 110 and the inner surface of the insulating member 120. However, the form of the foamed silicone portion 130 is not limited to these, and any form that can form the foamed silicone portion 130 between the bus bar 110 and the insulating member 120 can be applied to this embodiment.

[0046] More specifically, when the foamed silicone portion 130 is directly exposed to high-temperature environments such as flames or fires, the foamed silicone material contained in the foamed silicone portion 130 can be ceramicized. At this time, the ceramicized foamed silicone can expand to about 4 to 5 times its original volume. Furthermore, the ceramicized foamed silicone has a relatively very low hardness, and even if its volume becomes relatively large, it can not damage other components inside the battery pack 1000 (Figure 5).

[0047] As an example, the foamed silicone portion 130 is formed of foamed silicone containing glass fiber. Here, foamed silicone can mean a silicone composition that includes a blowing agent. However, it is not limited to this, and any material that can expand in a high-temperature environment such as a flame or fire that occurs inside the battery pack 1000 (Figure 5) can be applied to this embodiment.

[0048] As a result, the busbar assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a foamed silicone material in the foamed silicone portion 130 that can expand in high-temperature environments, allowing the busbar assembly 100 to maintain its insulating structure even in high-temperature environments such as flames and fires. In particular, the hardness of the foamed silicone material expanded in the foamed silicone portion 130 is relatively low, allowing the busbar assembly 100 to maintain its insulating structure without damaging other components outside the busbar assembly 100.

[0049] In particular, in a high-temperature environment where phenomena such as overcurrent, overheating, and thermal runaway occur inside the battery pack 1000 (Figure 5), as mentioned above, the insulating member 120 has a heat resistance temperature of 120 degrees Celsius or higher and 150 degrees Celsius or lower, and the insulating member 120 can be destroyed in the aforementioned high-temperature environment.

[0050] As a result, in the busbar assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, even if the insulating member 120 disappears in a high-temperature environment, the foamed silicone portion 130 encloses the outer surface of the busbar 110, allowing the busbar 110 to maintain its insulating structure between other components even in high-temperature environments such as flames or fires, and secondarily preventing arcing of the busbar 110 and / or electrical short circuits with other electrical components.

[0051] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the ends 120P of the insulating member 120 can be positioned spaced apart from each other. That is, in the busbar assembly 100, the foamed silicone portion 130 can be exposed to the outside between the ends 120P of the insulating member 120. In other words, in the busbar assembly 100, the foamed silicone portion 130 can be exposed to the outside through the space in which the ends 120P of the insulating member 120 are spaced apart from each other.

[0052] In the busbar assembly 100, both ends 120P of the insulating member 120 can extend from one surface of the busbar 110 along the length direction (x-axis direction) of the busbar 110. For example, both ends 120P of the insulating member 120 can each extend linearly along the length direction of the busbar 110 as shown in Figure 2. However, it is not limited to this, and both ends 120P of the insulating member 120 can each extend in a curved shape along the length direction of the busbar 110, different from Figure 2.

[0053] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the busbar assembly 100 can be exposed to a high-temperature environment, and the foamed silicone portion 130 exposed between both ends 120P of the insulating member 120 can expand outward. That is, in a high-temperature environment, the foamed silicone material contained in the foamed silicone portion 130 can expand outward from the busbar 110, forming a silicone expansion portion 130P.

[0054] More specifically, both ends 120P of the insulating member 120 may protrude outwards from the busbar 110. In this case, in a high-temperature environment, the foamed silicone portion 130 exposed between both ends 120P of the insulating member 120 can expand along the direction in which both ends 120P of the insulating member 120 protrude. In other words, the expanded silicone portion 130P can be formed along the direction in which both ends 120P of the insulating member 120 protrude.

[0055] As a result, in the busbar assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, both ends 120P of the insulating member 120 can guide the expansion direction of the foamed silicone portion 130 in a high-temperature environment. However, when considering the heat resistance temperature of the insulating member 120, both ends 120P of the insulating member 120 may disappear due to heat after temporarily guiding the expansion direction of the foamed silicone portion 130.

[0056] For example, in a high-temperature environment, the silicon expansion portion 130P of the busbar assembly 100 can be positioned to prevent electrical contact between components inside the battery pack 1000 (Figure 5), thereby maintaining the insulating distance between components inside the battery pack 1000 (Figure 5).

[0057] As another example, in a high-temperature environment, the silicon expansion portion 130P of the busbar assembly 100 is positioned to physically block the propagation of overcurrent, overheating, thermal runaway phenomena, etc., generated inside the battery pack 1000 (Figure 5) to other components, thereby preventing or delaying heat propagation or additional thermal runaway phenomena inside the battery pack 1000 (Figure 5).

[0058] The following describes battery packs 1000 and 1001 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack in a normal environment according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing the busbar assembly of Figure 1 positioned between adjacent battery modules. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack of Figure 5 in a high-temperature environment.

[0060] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, another embodiment of the present invention is a battery pack 1000 comprising at least one busbar assembly 100 and a pack frame 2000 that houses a plurality of battery modules 200.

[0061] Here, the pack frame 2000 may include a lower pack frame (not shown) on which a plurality of battery modules 200 are mounted, and an upper pack frame (not shown) located above the battery modules 200. More specifically, the upper pack frame can cover the upper part of the lower pack frame when the plurality of battery modules 200 are mounted on the lower pack frame. Here, the lower pack frame and the upper pack frame can be joined to each other by methods such as welding or bonding to seal the inside of the battery pack 1000.

[0062] For example, the pack frame 2000 can be made of an insulating material. For example, the pack frame 2000 can be made of an aluminum extruded structure. As another example, the pack frame 2000 may be made of a dissimilar metal jointing material such as clad metal, or a structure containing an insulating material such as aerogel or EPP (Expanded Polypropylenes) foam. As yet another example, the pack frame 2000 may be a structure containing materials such as silicon foam, mica, or glass fiber pads. However, it is not limited to these, and the pack frame 2000 can be used without limitation as long as it is made of an insulating material with a predetermined rigidity.

[0063] The battery module 200 includes a battery cell stack (not shown) in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, and a module frame (not shown) that houses the battery cell stack (not shown).

[0064] The battery cell is preferably a pouch-type battery cell. For example, the battery cell can be manufactured by housing an electrode assembly in a pouch case made of a laminate sheet containing a resin layer and an intermediate layer, and then heat-sealing the pouch case. The battery cell can be formed in a rectangular sheet-type structure. The battery cell is composed of multiple cells, and the multiple battery cells are stacked so as to be electrically connected to each other to form a battery cell stack (not shown). Here, the number of battery cells constituting the battery cell stack (not shown) can be adjusted as needed.

[0065] The module frame (not shown) may include an upper cover and a U-shaped frame. Here, the U-shaped frame may include a bottom and two side portions extending upward from both ends of the bottom. In this case, the bottom can cover the lower surface of the battery cell stack (not shown), and the side portions can cover the sides of the battery cell stack (not shown). The upper cover and the U-shaped frame can be joined by welding or other means with their corresponding corner portions in contact, forming a structure that covers the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the battery cell stack (not shown). For this reason, the upper cover and the U-shaped frame can be made of a metal material having a predetermined strength.

[0066] However, the structure of the modular frame (not shown) is not limited to this, and in other embodiments, the modular frame (not shown) may have a monoframe structure. Here, the monoframe may be in the form of a metal plate in which the top surface, bottom surface and both sides are integrated. The monoframe can be manufactured by extrusion molding. Furthermore, the structure of the modular frame (not shown) may be provided as an L-shaped frame structure in addition to a monoframe or U-shaped frame, and may also be provided in various structures not described in the examples above.

[0067] The battery module 200 further includes busbar frames located on the front and rear surfaces of a battery cell stack (not shown), and end plates covering the busbar frames. Busbars (not shown) electrically connected to the battery cell stack (not shown) can be located on the busbar frames. The end plates can then physically protect the battery cell stack (not shown) and other electrical components from external impacts.

[0068] Referring to Figure 5, the busbar assembly 100 can electrically connect two adjacent battery modules 200 to each other. More specifically, in the busbar assembly 100, both ends of the busbar 110 are exposed to the outside, and both ends of the busbar 110 can be electrically connected to two adjacent battery modules 200, respectively.

[0069] As a result, in a battery pack 1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the busbar assembly 100 described above electrically connects a pair of adjacent battery modules 200 to each other, preventing the busbar 110 from being exposed to the outside in the high-temperature environment inside the battery pack 1000. Along with this, the battery pack 1000 according to this embodiment prevents the busbar 110 from being exposed to the outside in the high-temperature environment inside the battery pack 1000, and prevents flames from being exposed to the outside of the battery pack 1000 or the rate of heat propagation from being accelerated due to arcing of the busbar 110 and / or electrical short circuits with other electrical components.

[0070] The busbar assembly 100 may be located above a pair of adjacent battery modules 200. Here, the busbar assembly 100 may be positioned so that both ends 120P of the insulating member 120 are toward the bottom of the pack frame 2000 (-z axis direction). More specifically, in the busbar assembly 100, both ends of the insulating member 120 may extend along the space between the pair of adjacent battery modules 200.

[0071] In the high-temperature environment inside the pack frame 2000, as shown in Figure 6, the foamed silicone portion 130 exposed between both ends 120P of the insulating member 120 can expand in the direction toward the bottom of the pack frame 2000 (-z axis direction). More specifically, the expanded silicone portion 130P can be formed when the foamed silicone material contained in the foamed silicone portion 130 expands toward the bottom of the pack frame 2000. Here, the expanded silicone portion 130P can extend along the space between an adjacent pair of battery modules 200.

[0072] Here, the high-temperature environment inside the pack frame 2000 can refer to an environment in which the temperature inside the pack frame 2000 rises due to phenomena such as overcurrent, overheating, and thermal runaway in the multiple battery modules 200 that are installed together inside the battery pack 1000 (Figure 3). More specifically, the high-temperature environment inside the pack frame 2000 can refer to an environment in which a fire occurs through a cell event such as thermal runaway in a battery cell located inside the battery pack 1000, and some of the internal components of the pack frame 2000 are exposed to flames. As an example, the high-temperature environment inside the pack frame 2000 can refer to an environment in which the temperature is heated to such a high level that some of the internal components of the pack frame 2000 are destroyed by flames. In other words, the high-temperature environment inside the pack frame 2000 can refer to an ultra-high temperature environment in which the temperature has risen rapidly to over 1200 degrees Celsius.

[0073] As a result, in another embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 1000 has a silicon expansion portion 130P of the busbar assembly 100 formed between adjacent battery modules 200 in the high-temperature environment inside the pack frame 2000, and can maintain an insulating distance between the pair of battery modules 200 or between the battery modules 200 and other components.

[0074] In addition, in a high-temperature environment, the silicon expansion portion 130P of the busbar assembly 100 is formed between a pair of adjacent battery modules 200, physically blocking the propagation of phenomena such as overcurrent, overheating, and thermal runaway that occur inside the battery pack 1000 between the adjacent battery modules 200, thereby preventing or delaying heat propagation or additional thermal runaway phenomena inside the battery pack 1000.

[0075] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a battery pack in a normal environment according to another embodiment of the present invention, and shows the busbar assembly of Figure 1 extending along the space between the metal structure and the pack frame. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the battery pack of Figure 7 in a high-temperature environment.

[0076] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, another embodiment of the present invention is a battery pack 1001 comprising at least one busbar assembly 101 and a pack frame 2001 housing at least one metal structure 301. Hereinafter, the pack frame 2001 can be described in the same manner as the pack frame 2000 described in Figures 5 and 6.

[0077] The metal structure 301 may be at least one of a battery module, electrical components, and fixing members. Here, the battery module can be described in the same way as the battery module 200 described in Figures 5 and 6. The electrical components may be components for electrical connections between components inside the battery pack 1000, and the fixing members may be members that fix the components inside the battery pack 1000 to each other or to the pack frame 2001.

[0078] The busbar assembly 101 can be described in the same way as the busbar assembly 100 described in Figures 1 to 4, and only the differences from the busbar assembly 100 described in Figures 5 and 6 will be described later.

[0079] The busbar assembly 101 can extend along the space between the metal structure 301 and the pack frame 2001. More specifically, the busbar assembly 101 can be positioned so that both ends 121P of the insulating member 121 face toward the metal structure 301. Here, the silicon expansion portion 130P can extend along the outer surface of the metal structure 301.

[0080] In the high-temperature environment inside the pack frame 2001, the foamed silicone portion (not shown) exposed between both ends 121P of the insulating member 121 can expand toward the metal structure 301. More specifically, the expanded silicone portion 131P allows the foamed silicone material contained in the foamed silicone portion (not shown) to expand toward the metal structure 301.

[0081] As a result, in another embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 1001 has the silicon expansion portion 131P of the busbar assembly 101 formed on the outer surface of the metal structure 301 in the high-temperature environment inside the pack frame 2001, and the insulation distance between the busbar assembly 101 and the metal structure 301 can be maintained.

[0082] In addition, even if a part of the structure of the insulating member 121 or the metal structure 301 is lost due to phenomena such as overcurrent, overheating, or thermal runaway occurring inside the battery pack 1000, the insulation distance between the busbar assembly 101 and the metal structure 301 can be maintained.

[0083] The aforementioned battery pack can be applied to a variety of devices. Such devices include means of transportation such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles, but the present invention is not limited to these, and is applicable to a variety of devices that can use battery modules and battery packs containing them, and this also falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0084] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art, utilizing the basic concepts of the present invention as defined in the following claims, also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 100, 101 Busbar Assembly 110, 111 bus bars 120, 121 Insulating material 120P, 121P Insulating members at both ends 130, 131 Foamed silicone part 200 Battery Modules 301 Metal structures 1000, 1001 battery pack 2000, 2001 Pack Frame

Claims

1. Bus bar, An insulating member that encloses the outer surface of the busbar, and It includes a foamed silicone portion located between the outer surface of the busbar and the insulating member, The ends of the insulating member are spaced apart from each other, and the foamed silicone portion is exposed to the outside between the ends of the insulating member in the busbar assembly.

2. The busbar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the busbar is a flexible busbar.

3. The busbar assembly according to claim 1, wherein in a high-temperature environment, the foamed silicone portion exposed between both ends of the insulating member expands outward.

4. The busbar assembly according to claim 3, wherein in a high-temperature environment, the foamed silicone material contained in the foamed silicone portion expands toward the outside of the busbar, forming a silicone expansion portion.

5. The busbar assembly according to claim 4, wherein both ends of the insulating member extend from one surface of the busbar along the length of the busbar.

6. The busbar assembly according to claim 4, wherein both ends of the insulating member protrude outward from the busbar.

7. The busbar assembly according to claim 5, wherein the silicon expansion portion is formed along the direction in which both ends of the insulating member protrude.

8. The busbar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the foamed silicone portion comprises at least one form from a tube type, a tape type, and a liquid silicone injection type.

9. The busbar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the insulating member is made of a material having a heat resistance temperature of 120 degrees Celsius or higher and 150 degrees Celsius or lower.

10. A battery pack comprising at least one busbar assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, Includes a pack frame that houses multiple battery modules, The busbar assembly electrically connects a pair of adjacent battery modules among a plurality of battery modules, The ends of the busbar are exposed to the outside, and the ends of the busbar are electrically connected to the pair of adjacent battery modules, respectively, in this battery pack.

11. The busbar assembly is located on top of the adjacent pair of battery modules, The battery pack according to claim 10, wherein the busbar assembly is arranged such that both ends of the insulating member are positioned toward the lower part of the pack frame.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein, in the high-temperature environment inside the pack frame, the foamed silicone portion exposed between both ends of the insulating member expands toward the bottom of the pack frame.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein both ends of the insulating member in the busbar assembly extend along the space between the adjacent pair of battery modules.

14. A battery pack comprising at least one busbar assembly as described in claim 1, Includes a pack frame that houses at least one metal structure, The busbar assembly extends along the space between the metal structure and the pack frame, The busbar assembly is configured such that both ends of the insulating member are positioned toward the metal structure. The aforementioned metal structure is a battery pack comprising at least one of a battery module, electrical components, and fixing members.

15. The battery pack according to claim 14, wherein in the high-temperature environment inside the pack frame, the foamed silicone portion exposed between both ends of the insulating member expands toward the metal structure.

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