Battery module and battery pack including the same

Abstract

The battery module according to the present invention includes a battery cell assembly in which two or more battery cells, each having a lead formed on both longitudinal ends, are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction to form a longitudinal unit cell, and the longitudinal unit cells are stacked in two or more rows in a thickness direction of the battery cell, a sensing line electrically connected to an electrode lead of a battery cell included in the battery cell assembly, and a module case that encases and houses the battery cell assembly, and a sensing pin that is led out to the outside of the module case is provided at an end of the sensing line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a battery module configured to be scalable and capable of easily sensing the electrical characteristics between battery modules.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a battery pack including the above battery module.

[0004] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0155933 filed on November 12, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent application are included as part of this specification.

Background Art

[0005] In recent years, rechargeable secondary batteries have been widely used as an energy source for wireless mobile devices. In addition, secondary batteries have also attracted attention as an energy source for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, etc., which are presented as countermeasures to solve air pollution caused by existing gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, etc. that use fossil fuels. Therefore, the types of applications using secondary batteries are very diverse due to the advantages of secondary batteries, and it is expected that secondary batteries will be applied to more fields and products in the future.

[0006] In addition, as a power source for energy storage devices (ESS) and electric vehicles, etc., there is an increasing demand for battery modules that internally accommodate a large number of secondary batteries electrically connected in series or parallel, and battery packs composed of the above battery modules.

[0007] Such battery modules and battery packs are provided with an external housing made of a metal material in order to protect a plurality of secondary batteries from external impacts and store and store them.

[0008] Figure 1(a) is a partial perspective view of a conventional general battery module 1, and Figure 1(b) shows a connection structure of the battery module for sensing between modules of the conventional battery module. Such a conventional battery module has the following problems.

[0009] First, since a single battery cell is stacked only in its thickness direction, the space utilization and design freedom of the battery cell arrangement are low. Therefore, there is a limit to forming a battery pack by bundling such modules. That is, it was not easy to configure a battery module or a battery pack to fit into a limited space such as an automobile or a space of various forms. In addition, since a large number of about several tens of battery cells are stacked in one module, when ignition occurs in one battery cell, the flame is easily propagated to other battery cells, and there is a risk that the module will burn out completely in a short time.

[0010] Second, since the sensing line 2 is connected to the connector 3 as shown in Figure 1(a), and the connector 3 is connected to an external mating connector to sense the electrical characteristics of the battery module, it is necessary to install a connector with a complex structure for each module. In addition, an external connector having a male-female coupling structure is separately required for the connector installed in the module. Since such a connector with a male-female coupling structure has a complex shape, the terminal connection structure (male-female connector structure) for sensing the electrical characteristics of the battery module has become complex. In addition, since a connector with a complex structure is difficult to mold, it has caused an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0011] Thirdly, as shown in Fig. 1(b), for sensing between banks of adjacent battery modules 1, work to connect between the modules with a bus bar 4 and a harness 5 for connecting a sensing connector were required. Therefore, for conventional sensing between modules, work to connect the modules with a complex assembly structure and fix members by laser welding or the like was required.

[0012] Therefore, there is a demand for the development of battery module related technologies that can not only increase the degree of freedom in the design of battery modules and battery packs, but also simplify the sensing between modules with a simple structure, as well as sensing of each unit module.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0013]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0014] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an extensible battery module in which battery cells are connected not only in the thickness direction but also in the longitudinal direction to improve the space utilization of the battery module and the battery pack.

[0015] Also, in the above extensible module, an object is to provide a battery module having a structure capable of direct sensing of the module by omitting a connector having a conventional complex male-female coupling structure.

[0016] Also, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack having a structure capable of easily performing direct sensing without a complex assembly structure when sensing between a plurality of battery modules.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0017] The battery module according to the present invention for solving the above problems includes a battery cell assembly in which battery cells having leads formed at both longitudinal ends are arranged in two or more in a row in the longitudinal direction to form a longitudinal unit cell, and the longitudinal unit cells are stacked in two or more rows in the thickness direction of the battery cells, a sensing line electrically connected to the electrode leads of the battery cells included in the battery cell assembly, and a module case that wraps and houses the battery cell assembly. A sensing pin led out to the outside of the module case is provided at an end of the sensing line.

[0018] As an example, the module case has an opening at a position corresponding to the position of the sensing pin, and the sensing pin can be led out to the outside through the opening.

[0019] As a specific example, the sensing line is electrically connected to the electrode leads of all the battery cells in the battery cell assembly through at least one of a bus bar coupled to the electrode leads of the battery cells included in the battery cell assembly and a sensing member coupled to the bus bar.

[0020] As an example, the bus bar can be at least one of a terminal bus bar connected to an external terminal and an inter-bus bar coupled to the electrode leads of the battery cells to electrically connect the battery cells.

[0021] As an embodiment, the same number of columns of longitudinal unit cells are arranged on both sides with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cells. Among the longitudinal unit cells on one side of the longitudinal unit cells on both sides, the electrode leads of the battery cells facing each other in the longitudinal direction are respectively coupled to the inter-bus bar, and among the longitudinal unit cells on the other side of the longitudinal unit cells on both sides, the electrode leads of the battery cells facing each other in the longitudinal direction can be coupled to the terminal bus bar.

[0022] As a specific example, the sensing line is connected to the inter-bus bar and the terminal bus bar respectively, and the sensing pins of the sensing line can be bent upward or downward from the part of the sensing line connecting the inter-bus bar and the terminal bus bar and led out to the outside of the module case.

[0023] As a more specific example, the terminal bus bar consists of a first terminal bus bar coupled to one of the electrode leads of the battery cells facing each other in the longitudinal direction and a second terminal bus bar coupled to the other electrode lead, and the sensing pins may include a first sensing pin on the first terminal bus bar side and a second sensing pin on the second terminal bus bar side.

[0024] As an example, between the columns of the same number of longitudinal unit cells, a bending plate is installed extending longitudinally of the battery cells across the front end and the rear end of the module case, with a venting channel formed inside, and the terminal bus bar, the inter-bus bar, and the sensing line can be supported by the bending plate.

[0025] In another embodiment, an inter-bus bar coupled to the electrode leads led out from the battery cells at the front end and the rear end of the longitudinal unit cell is installed at the front end and the rear end of the longitudinal unit cell, the sensing line is coupled to the inter-bus bar, and the sensing pins of the sensing line can be led out to the outside through at least one of the front end plate and the rear end plate of the module case.

[0026] As a specific example, the same number of columns of longitudinal unit cells are arranged on both sides with reference to the longitudinal direction of the battery cells, and between the columns of the same number of longitudinal unit cells, a bending plate is installed extending longitudinally of the battery cells across the front end and the rear end of the module case, with a venting channel formed inside, and the inter-bus bar and the sensing line can be supported by the bending plate.

[0027] As another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack includes a battery module laminate formed by laminating a plurality of battery modules in the thickness direction of the battery cells, and a sensing block extending in the thickness direction of the battery cells and coupled to sensing pins led out to the outside of the battery module, respectively.

[0028] As an example, a coupling groove into which the sensing pin is fitted may be formed on a coupling surface of the sensing block facing the sensing pin.

[0029] Another example of the battery pack may include a battery module laminate formed by laminating a plurality of battery modules in the thickness direction of the battery cells, and a sensing block extending in the thickness direction of the battery cells and coupled to sensing pins bent upward or downward from a sensing line in the battery module and led out to the outside of the module case, respectively.

[0030] Another example of the battery pack may include a battery module laminate formed by laminating a plurality of battery modules in the thickness direction of the battery cells, and a first sensing block and a second sensing block extending in the thickness direction of the battery cells and coupled to a first sensing pin and a second sensing pin of the battery module, respectively.

[0031] Another battery pack of the present invention may include a battery module laminate formed by laminating a plurality of battery modules in the thickness direction of the battery cells, and a side sensing block extending in the thickness direction of the battery cells and coupled to a sensing pin of a sensing line led out to the outside through a front end plate or a rear end plate of the module case.

Advantages of the Invention

[0032] According to the present invention, an extensible battery module can be obtained by connecting battery cells not only in the thickness direction but also in the longitudinal direction, improving the space utilization of the battery module and the battery pack.

[0033] Further, the present invention can realize a direct sensing structure suitable for such an extensible battery module.

[0034] Further, the present invention can provide a battery pack having a structure that enables direct sensing easily without a complicated assembly structure when sensing between a plurality of battery modules.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035]

Figure 1(a)

Figure 1(b)

Figure 2

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] 〔Description of Reference Numerals〕 10: Battery cell 11, 12: Lead 100: Battery cell assembly 110: Longitudinal unit cell 200: Sensing line 210, 210’: Sensing pin 220, 220’: Reinforcing member 300: Module case 310: C-shaped wall 311: Opening 320: I-shaped wall 330: Front end plate 330S: Opening 340: Rear end plate 400: Venting plate 410: Body part 411, 416: Venting channel 410C: Partition 412, 412’: Long hole for inter-bus bar connection 413, 413’: Long hole for inter-bus bar sensing member connection 414, 414’: Long hole for venting 415: Support block connection hole 417: Connection hole 420: Heat transfer prevention plate 421: Long hole for inter-bus bar connection 510: Inter-bus bar 520, 520’: Terminal bus bar 610, 610’: Inter-bus bar support block 620, 620’: Terminal bus bar sensing member 630: Inter-bus bar sensing member 700, 700’: Sealing member 800: Insulating elastic member 1000: Battery module 1000’: Battery module stack 1100, 1100’: Sensing block 1100”: Side sensing block

[0037] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. Before that, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to explain his own invention in the best way.

[0038] The terms such as "including" and "having" used throughout the specification of the present invention are intended to specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the presence or addition possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0039] Also, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is "above" another part, this includes not only the case where it is directly above the other part but also the case where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is "below" another part, it includes not only the case where it is directly below the other part but also the case where there is another part in between. Further, in the specification of the present invention, being "disposed above" can include not only the upper part but also the case of being disposed below.

[0040] [Battery Module] The battery module according to the present invention includes a battery cell assembly in which battery cells having leads formed at both longitudinal ends are arranged in two or more rows in the longitudinal direction to form a longitudinal unit cell, and the longitudinal unit cells are stacked in two or more rows in the thickness direction of the battery cells, a sensing line electrically connected to the electrode leads of the battery cells included in the battery cell assembly, and a module case that wraps and houses the battery cell assembly. A sensing pin led out to the outside of the module case is provided at an end of the sensing line.

[0041] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the venting plate included in the battery module of FIG. 2.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention includes a battery cell assembly 100 including a longitudinal unit cell 110 and a module case 300 in which the battery cell assembly 100 is housed. In FIG. 2, taking a normal pouch-type battery cell 10 having leads 11 and 12 formed at both ends and extending long in the longitudinal direction as a reference, the X direction is the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 10 or the module case 300, the Y direction is the thickness direction (the stacking direction of the battery cells) of the battery cell 10 or the module case 300, and the Z direction is the vertical direction.

[0043] The battery cell 10 of the present invention is targeted at a battery cell (so-called two-way battery cell (two-way pouch cell)) having electrode leads 11 and 12 formed at both longitudinal ends. According to such a configuration, since the positive electrode lead 11 and the negative electrode lead 12 are respectively led out and formed at both ends in one battery cell 10, interference between the leads is eliminated and the area of the electrode leads can be increased, and the bonding operation between the electrode leads 11, 12 and the bus bar can be performed more easily.

[0044] The battery cell assembly 100 of the present invention includes, as a longitudinal unit cell 110, a bundle of battery cells 10 in which two or more such two-way battery cells 10 are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction and the electrode leads of the battery cells 10 facing each other in the longitudinal direction are electrically connected. In FIG. 2, two battery cells 10 are connected in the longitudinal direction to form a longitudinal unit cell 110, but two or more battery cells can also be connected in the longitudinal direction. As long as the space of the battery pack where the battery module case 300 or the battery module 1000 is installed permits, the number of battery cells 10 connected in the longitudinal direction is not limited in principle. However, since there is a limit to the space of the battery module 1000 and the battery pack that can be actually installed in an automobile or the like, it is preferable to connect about 2 to 4 battery cells 10 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the number of battery cells 10 connected in the longitudinal direction can be varied according to the size (length) of the connected battery cells 10. As described above, in this specification, a combination of battery cells 10 formed by arranging two or more battery cells 10 having leads 11 and 12 formed at both longitudinal ends in a row and electrically connecting the leads 11 and 12 at the battery cell ends facing each other is referred to as a longitudinal unit cell 110.

[0045] The battery cell assembly 100 included in the battery module 1000 of the present invention is formed by stacking two or more rows of the longitudinal unit cells 110 again in the thickness direction (Y direction) of the battery cell 10. The number of rows in which the longitudinal unit cells 110 are stacked also depends on the allowable space of the battery module 1000 and the battery pack, the size of the battery cell 10, and the like. Further, the number of battery cells in the longitudinal direction and the number of rows of the battery cell 10 can be determined in consideration of the required capacity of the electrical device to be used. Thus, since the present invention can adjust the number of battery cells in the longitudinal direction and the number of rows of the battery cell assembly 100 accommodated in the module case 300, the degree of design freedom is improved. Further, if the battery cell assembly 100 is stacked, for example, about 2 to 4 in the longitudinal direction and about 2 to 6 rows in the thickness direction of the battery cell without stacking dozens of them as in the conventional case, the battery cell assembly 100 can be configured more compactly. Further, the battery cell assemblies 100 each composed of such a small number of battery cells 10 are accommodated in separate module cases 300, and the battery module 1000 including such module cases 300 is stacked in the longitudinal direction or the thickness direction of the battery cell 10 like Lego blocks, so that the battery pack can be freely configured in consideration of the space where the battery module 1000 is installed or the installation space of the battery pack. For example, when the battery modules 1000 are stacked in the longitudinal direction, the same effect can be achieved without further connecting the battery cells of the longitudinal unit cells 110 longer in the longitudinal direction. Thereby, an individual battery module (unit module) can be configured more compactly. Further, by stacking the battery modules 1000 as many as necessary in the thickness direction of the battery cell, the degree of design freedom can be improved. As shown in FIG. 1, in a structure in which dozens of battery cells are stacked in one module case, it is difficult to configure the battery pack as desired. That is, since the minimum unit of the battery cells included in the battery modules constituting the battery pack is different, the degree of design freedom of the conventional battery module 1 inevitably decreases.

[0046] In addition, for example, when ignition occurs in some of the battery cells included in the battery module, the battery module 1 in FIG. 1 is likely to have the flame propagated to the adjacent battery cells. However, in the structure of the battery module 1000 in FIG. 2 or the battery pack disclosed in FIG. 11 described later, since a small number of battery cell assemblies 100 are separately accommodated in the battery module 1000, even if ignition occurs in the battery cells 10 in one battery module 1000, it is difficult for the ignition to be propagated to other battery modules 1000.

[0047] From the above, the battery cell assembly 100 of the present invention is connected in the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction of the battery cell, and the battery cell assembly 100 composed of a specific number of battery cells 10 is accommodated in each module case 300. Therefore, depending on the stacking (design) method of the battery module 1000 including such a battery cell assembly 100, battery packs in various forms can be manufactured in any number. Thus, the battery module 1000 of the present invention can be referred to as an expandable module.

[0048] The battery cell assembly 100 of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2 is configured such that two battery cells 10 are connected in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal unit cells 110 are stacked in four rows, and the battery cell assembly 100 is composed of a total of eight battery cells 10 as a so-called 2P4S connection structure.

[0049] However, by varying the number of rows of the longitudinal unit cells 110 connected in the longitudinal direction, battery cell assemblies such as two-row stacking (1P4S), six-row stacking (3P4S), and eight-row stacking (4P4S) of even-numbered rows are also possible. In addition to the structure in which three (1P6S, 2P6S, 3P6S,...) or four (1P8S, 2P8S, 3P8S,...) battery cells are connected instead of two in the longitudinal direction, structures in which more battery cells are connected are also possible. In short, according to the design requirements of the battery module 1000 and the battery pack described above, the stacking structure of the longitudinal unit cell 110 and the battery cell assembly 100 can be varied and made expandable, which is an advantage of the present invention.

[0050] Although not shown, a heat insulating plate, an insulating sheet, or the like can be installed between the columns of the longitudinal unit cells 110. In one embodiment of the present invention, a bending plate 400 is installed between the columns of the longitudinal unit cells 110 instead of a heat insulating plate.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 3, between the columns of the longitudinal unit cells 110 that make up the battery cell assembly 100, a bending plate 400 is installed extending in the longitudinal direction of the battery cells 10 from the front end to the rear end of the module case 300. The same number of columns of longitudinal unit cells 110 are arranged on both sides of the bending plate 400.

[0052] The bending plate 400 can function to prevent heat transfer between the longitudinal unit cells 110 when a flame occurs due to overheating or ignition. In particular, the bending plate 400 has a hollow structure in which bending channels 411 and 416 for discharging gas and flame can be formed inside. The bending channels 411 and 416 are composed of longitudinal channels 411 divided into a plurality by partition walls 410C and widthwise channels 416 extending from the longitudinal channels 411, so that gas and flame generated in the module can be discharged to the outside of the module. The bending plate 400 has a size and length such that it can completely cover the longitudinal unit cells 110 so as to discharge gas and flame generated from the battery cells 10, particularly the electrode lead portions. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 410 of the bending plate 400 is formed to be as long as spanning the front end and the rear end of the module case 300. The bending plate 400 can also serve as an installation base on which bus bars, electrode leads, or support members for supporting bus bars and electrode leads, which will be described later, can be installed. For this purpose, the bending plate 400 in FIG. 3 is provided with installation holes in which various members can be installed. Further, at the center of the main body 410 of the bending plate 400, a heat transfer prevention plate 420 for supporting the electrode leads of the battery cells 10 facing each other in the longitudinal direction and the bus bars coupled thereto is formed perpendicular to the main body 410. The heat transfer prevention plate 420 serves to prevent heat from being transferred between the battery cells 10 in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, long holes 412 and 412' for inter-bus bar connection and long holes 413 and 413' for sensing member connection are respectively formed at the front end portion and the rear end portion of the main body 410 of the bending plate 400, and behind the long holes 412 and 412'. Also, bending long holes 414 and 414' having a size similar to that of the long holes 413 and 413' for sensing member connection are respectively formed on the left and right sides of the heat transfer prevention plate 420 at the center portion of the main body 410. Since such long holes communicate with the bending channels 411 described above, gas and flame generated from the electrode lead portion can be introduced into the bending channels 411 and discharged to the outside.Between the heat dissipation prevention plate 420 at the center of the main body portion 410 and the bending long holes 414 and 414', there are formed coupling holes 417 where a sensing member 620 to which terminal bus bars 520 and 520' described later are coupled can be coupled, and coupling holes 415 for coupling an inter-bus bar support block 610, respectively.

[0053] On the other hand, in the heat dissipation prevention plate 420, a through hole (long hole) 421 to which an inter-bus bar 510 to which electrode leads facing each other in the longitudinal direction are coupled is formed.

[0054] In the expandable battery module of the present invention, if a bending plate 400 having the above-described structure is installed between the longitudinal unit cells 110, it is possible to facilitate gas and flame discharge as described above, and there is an advantage that the installation of the bus bar and the electrode lead can be easily performed. In particular, as will be described later, the bending plate 400 can function to support the sensing line 200 according to the present invention and the sensing pins 210 and 210' at its ends.

[0055] The present invention also includes a sensing line 200 electrically connected to the electrode leads of the battery cells 10 included in the battery cell assembly 100. The sensing line 200 can be a conductive sensing metal wire or a sensing cable having a predetermined coating on the sensing metal wire. Preferably, the sensing line 200 is preferably flexible, and more preferably, the sensing line 200 can be bent or folded, and is a plastically deformable sensing cable that maintains its form in a bent state. By adopting a sensing line 200 of such a material, the path of the sensing line 200 connected to the electrode lead portion or the bus bar or the sensing member connected thereto in the battery module can be freely changed to conform to the space in the module and led out to the outside of the module case 300.

[0056] The sensing line 200 of the present invention is for sensing the electrical characteristics of the battery module, i.e., voltage, current, resistance, etc. Therefore, the sensing line 200 can be connected to a sensing device outside the module, such as a sensing block described later, and ultimately connected to a BMS, ECU, or a predetermined controller installed in the battery pack, and can measure the electrical characteristics between a unit battery module or a plurality of battery modules. In order to measure the electrical characteristics between battery modules, the sensing line 200 needs to be electrically connected to the electrode leads of all the battery cells 10 included in the battery cell assembly 100. However, it is not always necessary to directly connect the sensing line 200 to each electrode lead, and it is sufficient to be electrically connected to the electrode lead via at least one of a bus bar coupled to the electrode lead and a sensing member coupled to the bus bar.

[0057] A characteristic point of the present invention is that sensing pins 210, 210' that are led out to the outside of the module case 300 are provided at the ends of the sensing line 200. That is, unlike a conventional battery module, a connector with a male-female coupling structure is not installed for sensing, and the sensing line 200 connected to all the battery cells 10 inside the module is redirected outward, and the sensing pins 210, 210' are installed at the ends of the sensing line 200, and these sensing pins 210, 210' are positioned outside the module case 300. In this way, since the sensing pins 210, 210' of the present invention are not in a connector structure but in a simple pin form, electrical coupling with an external terminal is very easy. Also, since the coupling structure is in a very simple pin form, if an external connection mechanism is configured in a form that can be coupled to the sensing pins 210, 210' of several battery modules at once, sensing between modules will also become very easy. The form of a preferred external connection mechanism coupled to the sensing pins 210, 210' will be described later.

[0058] The present invention includes a module case 300 that wraps and houses the battery cell assembly 100. The module case 300 has a hexahedron structure that is elongated in the longitudinal direction so as to accommodate the battery cell assembly 100 unique to the present invention. In FIG. 2, the module case 300 is composed of the combination of a C-shaped wall 310 and an I-shaped wall 320, but is not limited thereto. For example, a form in which two C-shaped walls arranged left and right or up and down are combined is also possible, and a form in which the upper, lower, left, and right cases are separated and joined by welding, hooking, or fastening members is also possible. Further, the module case 300 of the present invention includes a front end plate 330 and a rear end plate 340. The front end plate 330 and the rear end plate 340 are respectively joined to the C-shaped wall 310-I-shaped wall 320 combination to close the front and rear of the module.

[0059] The module case 300 of the present invention may be provided with openings 311 and 330S at positions corresponding to the positions of the sensing pins. Through these openings 311 and 330S, the sensing pins can be led out to the outside of the module case 300. As will be described later, the sensing pins can be led out from the middle position of the longitudinal unit cell 110, or from the front end or the rear end position. Therefore, the openings 311 and 330S of the module case 300 can be formed at the upper or lower part of the middle of the module case 300 as shown in FIG. 2, or at predetermined positions of the front end plate 330 and the rear end plate 340.

[0060] However, if the sensing pins can be suitably led out to the outside of the module case 300, it is not always necessary to form an opening. For example, the sensing pins 210, 210' can be drawn out between the module cases 300 separated left and right and positioned outside the module case 300, and then the left and right module cases 300 can be assembled, and as a result, the sensing pins can be positioned outside the module case 300. However, in this case, since the sensing line 200 connected to the sensing pins 210, 210' may be fitted between the module cases 300 and damaged, or a gap may be formed between the module cases 300 by the sensing line 200, it is necessary to couple the module cases 300 while suitably considering the fastening pressure between the cases, the sealing margin, etc.

[0061] As described above, the sensing line 200 needs to be electrically connected to the electrode leads of all the battery cells 10 of the battery cell assembly 100 via a bus bar or a sensing member. Under such a premise, looking at the structure of a bus bar or the like of an embodiment applicable to the battery module of the present invention, the specific structure of the related sensing line and sensing pins will be described.

[0062] (First Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a rear view and a front view showing a coupling structure of a terminal bus bar sensing member and an inter-bus bar support block according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a sensing pin coupling structure of a sensing line according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the sensing pin coupling structure of the sensing line viewed from the opposite side of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a coupling structure of the sensing line, the sensing pins and the battery cell assembly 100 viewed from above.

[0063] The sensing line 200 of the present invention can be electrically connected to the battery cells of the battery cell assembly 100 via a bus bar. The bus bar can be at least one of terminal bus bars 520, 520' connected to an external terminal and an inter-bus bar 510 coupled to the electrode leads of the battery cells 10 to electrically connect the battery cells.

[0064] Figs. 5 to 7 show embodiments in which the terminal bus bars 520, 520' and the inter-bus bar 510 are connected to the sensing line 200.

[0065] Prior to the description of Figs. 5 to 7, an example of the structure of a terminal bus bar sensing member and an inter-bus bar support block for installing the terminal bus bar and the inter-bus bar in the battery module of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

[0066] Referring to Fig. 4, terminal bus bar sensing members 620, 620' having hooks 622, 622' into which the terminal bus bars 520, 520' are fitted are provided. The terminal bus bar sensing members 620, 620' are provided with sensing pin portions on the front surface facing the terminal bus bars 520, 520', and coupling hook portions 622, 622' into which the terminal bus bars 520, 520' are fitted are provided at the upper and lower ends of the sensing pin portions. Therefore, when the terminal bus bars 520, 520' are fitted and coupled to the coupling hook portions 622, 622', the terminal bus bars 520, 520' are brought into contact with the sensing pin portions, and the terminal bus bar sensing members 620, 620' and the terminal bus bars 520, 520' are electrically connected.

[0067] The terminal bus bar sensing members 620 and 620' of this embodiment are formed with coupling protrusions 621 and 621' that are coupled to the coupling holes 417 of the bending plate main body 410 on the upper side of the rear surface. Also, on the lower side of the rear surface of the terminal bus bar sensing members 620 and 620', inter-bus bar support blocks 610 and 610' that are coupled to the coupling holes 415 of the main body 410 are formed. The inter-bus bar support blocks 610 and 610' firmly fasten the terminal bus bar sensing members 620 and 620' to the bending plate 400. Further, hooks 611 and 611' are also formed at the upper and lower ends of the inter-bus bar support blocks 610 and 610', and an inter-bus bar 510 located on the rear surface side of the terminal bus bar sensing members 620 and 620' is fastened to the hooks 611 and 611'. In this way, since the terminal bus bar sensing members 620 and 620' of this embodiment are provided with fastening portions for coupling to the bending plate 400 and the inter-bus bar 510, the rigidity of the coupling structure of the longitudinal unit cells can be further improved.

[0068] Since the battery cell assembly 100 of the present invention has a structure in which two or more longitudinal unit cells 110 are stacked, in the electrode leads of the battery cells 10 facing each other in the longitudinal unit cell 110, as described above, both the terminal bus bars 520 and 520' and the inter-bus bar 510 can be applied. For example, when the battery cell assembly 100 is configured with 2P4S, the same number of columns (two columns each) of longitudinal unit cells 110 can be arranged on both sides with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cells. In the case of a 1P4S structure, one column of longitudinal unit cells 110 can be arranged on each side.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the above-described bending plate 400 can be installed between the same number of longitudinal unit cells 110. The electrode leads 11 and 12 of the battery cells 10 facing each other in the longitudinal direction in the longitudinal unit cells 110 on one side (the front side in FIG. 5) based on the longitudinal direction of the battery cells 10 are respectively coupled to the inter-bus bar 510. In order to support the inter-bus bar 510, the inter-bus bar support blocks 610 and 610' are installed on the rear surface of the inter-bus bar 510.

[0070] The electrode leads 11 and 12 of the battery cells 10 facing each other in the longitudinal direction can be respectively coupled to the left and right sides of the inter-bus bar 510 (see FIG. 7). In order to more securely fix the inter-bus bar, a long hole 421 for coupling the inter-bus bar is formed in the heat dissipation prevention plate 420 disposed perpendicular to the main body 410 of the bending plate 400 (see FIG. 3), and the inter-bus bar 510 can be coupled to the heat dissipation prevention plate 420 through this long hole 421 (see FIG. 4). In order to more securely fix the inter-bus bar 510, the insulating elastic members 800 can be fitted on the left and right of the heat dissipation prevention plate 420. However, the bending plate 400 is not essential for the coupling of the electrode lead and the inter-bus bar 510. For example, it is of course possible to fix and position the inter-bus bar 510 between the electrode leads 11 and 12 of the opposing battery cells 10 by welding the inter-bus bar 510 to the electrode leads of the opposing battery cells 10. However, if there is a bending plate 400, it is not only advantageous for fixing the inter-bus bar 510 but also for supporting the sensing line 200, so it is preferable to have a bending plate 400.

[0071] Since the above inter-bus bar support blocks 610 and 610' are integrally formed with terminal bus bar sensing members 620 and 620' that are coupled to the terminal bus bars 520 and 520', the coupling structure of the terminal bus bars 520 and 520', the bending plate 400, the inter-bus bar 510, and the sensing line 200 can be formed more strongly. Referring to FIG. 6, it is illustrated that the terminal bus bar sensing members 620 and 620' are coupled to the bending plate 400 on the opposite side surface of the bending plate 400.

[0072] FIG. 5 shows a view from the left side centered on the heat dissipation prevention plate 420. However, on the right side, the same inter-bus bar support block 610', terminal bus bar 520', and terminal bus bar sensing member 620' as on the left side are also coupled to the bending plate 400. The terminal bus bars 520 and 520' can be easily coupled to the terminal bus bar sensing members 620 and 620' by fitting connection with hooks or the like (see FIG. 6). FIG. 5(a) shows the state before the coupling of the terminal bus bars 520 and 520', and FIG. 5(b) shows the state in which the terminal bus bars 520 and 520' are coupled to the terminal bus bar sensing members 620 and 620'. In FIG. 5(b), sealing members 700 and 700' that are fitted to the upper ends of the terminal bus bars are shown on the upper parts of the terminal bus bars 520 and 520'. Fitting grooves 710 and 710' into which the heads of the terminal bus bars are fitted are formed in the sealing members 700 and 700'. In FIGS. 6 and 7, for the sake of illustration convenience, the illustration of the sealing members 700 and 700' is omitted.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the terminal bus bars 520 and 520' are coupled to the front surfaces of the terminal bus bar sensing members 620 and 620', and electrode leads 11 and 12 led out from the battery cells 10 of the battery cell assembly 100 are respectively coupled to the front ends of the terminal bus bars 520 and 520'.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 5, the sensing line 200 according to the present invention includes a portion 211 connected to the upper part of the inter-bus bar 510, and a portion 212 that passes through the long holes 414, 414' of the bending plate 400 from there and extends to the opposite side surface of the bending plate 400. The sensing line 200 is led upward between the connected portion 211 and the extended portion 212, and sensing pins 210, 210' are formed on the sensing line at the end of the upwardly led portion 213. Coating parts or reinforcing members 220, 220' are installed at the ends of the sensing pins 210, 210'. The sensing pins 210, 210' are led out to the outside of the module case 300 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0075] On the other hand, referring to FIG. 6, the sensing line 200 further includes a portion 212 extending to the opposite side surface of the bending plate 400, a terminal bus bar contact portion 214 connected from there, and a longitudinal sensing line 215 connected from the terminal bus bar contact portion 214 to both ends of the longitudinal unit cell 110. The longitudinal sensing line 215 extends in the longitudinal direction and is connected to the electrode leads of the battery cells 10 at both ends of the longitudinal unit cell 110. That is, as described above, since the sensing line 200 of the present invention is connected to the electrode leads of all the battery cells included in the battery cell assembly 100, the sensing pins 210, 210' of the sensing line 200 can measure the electrical characteristics of the entire battery module 1000, that is, between the modules.

[0076] In FIGS. 5 and 7, the sensing pins 210, 210' are bent upward from the portion 213 of the sensing line connecting the inter-bus bar 510 and the terminal bus bars 620, 620', but it is also possible to bend them downward and lead them out to the outside of the module case 300. In this case, openings 311, 311' through which the sensing pins 210, 210' can pass can be formed in the upper or lower part of the module case 300 corresponding to the positions of the sensing pins 210, 210'.

[0077] FIG. 8 shows that two sensing pins 210 and 210' are led out to the outside of the module case 300. FIG. 8 also shows that the above-described terminal busbars 520 and 520' and the sealing members 700 and 700' for sealing the terminal busbars are also exposed to the outside of the module case 300. The terminal busbars 520 and 520' can be connected to external terminals.

[0078] Since the sensing line 200 is electrically connected to all the battery cells of the present invention, the sensing pins 210 and 210' may be installed on only one of the left and right sides instead of being installed in two as shown in FIG. 8, without any problem in sensing the electrical characteristics between the modules. However, when the battery module 1000 having the structure of the present invention is stacked in the thickness direction of the battery cell 10, for example, to form a battery pack, the electrical polarity directions of the battery cells 10 or the battery cell assemblies 100 included in the battery module 1000 may be alternately arranged differently. In this case, the polarities of the electrode leads of the battery cells 10 facing each other in the longitudinal unit cell 110 also change alternately. Therefore, in view of such a case, in terms of facilitating sensing in the battery pack unit, as shown in FIG. 8, a sensing pin (first sensing pin 210) led out from one of the electrode leads of the battery cells 10 facing each other in the longitudinal direction or from the side of the terminal busbar (first terminal busbar 520) coupled to the electrode lead, and a sensing pin (second sensing pin 210') led out from the side of the other electrode lead or the terminal busbar (second terminal busbar 520') coupled to the electrode lead can be configured as a pair of sensing pins.

[0079] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a sensing pin coupling structure of a sensing line according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view, a front view, and a plan view showing the structure of an inter-busbar sensing member according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] As described above, in this embodiment, on the premise that the longitudinal sensing line 215 is electrically connected to the electrode leads of the battery cells 10 of the longitudinal unit cells 110 facing each other, the sensing line 200 has a structure in which it is electrically connected to the battery cells 10 at the front end and the rear end of the longitudinal unit cell 110.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 9, an inter-bus bar 510 is installed which is coupled to the electrode leads 11 and 12 led out from the battery cells 10 at the front end and the rear end of the longitudinal unit cell 110. The same number of columns of longitudinal unit cells 110 are arranged on both sides of the inter-bus bar 510, and the battery cell leads 11 and 12 at the ends of the unit cells 110 on both sides are bent and coupled to the inter-bus bar 510. Therefore, when the longitudinal sensing line 215 is coupled to the inter-bus bar 510, the sensing line 215 is electrically connected to the battery cell leads 11 and 12 at the ends. The sensing line connected to the inter-bus bar 510 is led out toward the outside, and when the sensing pins 210 at the ends of the led-out portion 216 are led out to the outside of the module case 300, the sensing pins 210 can be positioned outside the module case 300 at a position different from that in FIG. 8. In FIG. 9, in order to lead out the sensing pins 210 at the ends to the outside, an opening 330S through which the sensing pins 210 can pass is formed in the front end plate 330 coupled in front of the inter-bus bar 510. Although not shown, a rear end plate 340 having the same structure of sensing pins 210 and an opening can also be installed at the rear end of the module case 300.

[0082] Also in this embodiment, when the above-described venting plate 400 is installed between the same number of columns of longitudinal unit cells 110, the inter-bus bar 510 can be easily installed in the long hole 412 provided at the front end of the venting plate 400. In order to ensure the fixation of the inter-bus bar 510, insulating elastic members 800 can be fitted on the left and right side surfaces of the venting plate 400.

[0083] In addition, an inter-bus bar sensing member 630 can be installed at the rear end of the inter-bus bar 510. The longitudinal sensing line 215 can be connected to the inter-bus bar 510 to sense the electrical characteristics of the battery cells, but sensing is also possible when connected to the inter-bus bar sensing member 630.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 10, the inter-bus bar sensing member 630 of the present embodiment has main body portions facing each other on both sides, and has a substantially U-shaped configuration in which the opposing main body portions are connected to each other (see the plan view of FIG. 10). First hook portions 631 into which the inter-bus bar 510 can be fitted are formed to protrude at the upper and lower ends of the front surface of the main body portion, and a plurality of sensing pins 632 are formed on the front surface of the main body portion between the first hook portions 631. Accordingly, the inter-bus bar 510 is fitted between the first hook portions 631 and comes into contact with the sensing pins 632 to be electrically connected to the inter-bus bar sensing member 630. Further, the inter-bus bar sensing member 630 includes second hook portions 633 at the upper and lower portions of the main body portion. The second hook portions 633 are portions where the inter-bus bar sensing member 630 is fitted and coupled to the edge of the through portion (inter-bus bar sensing member coupling elongated holes 413, 413') of the bending plate 400 when the inter-bus bar sensing member 630 is coupled to the bending plate 400 described above (see FIG. 3).

[0085] [Battery Pack] (First Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a coupling process of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the battery pack according to the embodiment of FIG. 11 in more detail.

[0086] In FIG. 11, it is illustrated that three battery modules 1000 of the present invention are stacked in the thickness direction of the battery cells to form a battery module stacked body 1000'.

[0087] The battery module 1000 is the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, and a pair of sensing pins 210 and 210' are led out from the upper part of the module case 300. Referring to FIG. 12, by coupling sensing blocks 1100 and 1100' extending in the thickness direction of the battery cell to the sensing pins 210 and 210', the sensing pins 210 and 210' of a plurality of battery modules 1000 can be connected all at once. That is, coupling grooves 1100S into which the sensing pins 210 and 210' are fitted are formed on the coupling surfaces of the sensing blocks 1100 and 1100' facing the sensing pins 210 and 210', so that the sensing pins 210 and 210' can be easily coupled to the sensing blocks 1100 and 1100'. To strengthen the coupling of the sensing blocks 1100 and 1100', the sensing blocks 1100 and 1100' can also be separately coupled to the module case 300 of the battery module 1000 or the battery module stack 1000'. In this way, by arranging the sensing blocks 1100 and 1100 in the thickness direction of the battery cell and coupling the sensing pins 210 and 210' to the lower part thereof all at once, inconveniences such as forming a connector as in the prior art or installing an inter-bus bar or a harness between modules can be eliminated. The coupling of the sensing unit can be simply completed by just fitting and coupling the sensing blocks 1100 and 1100' to the lower sensing pins 210 and 210' at the upper part. The sensing blocks 1100 and 1100 are, for example, conductive metal blocks and can be connected to the BMS of the battery pack or the like by a cable.

[0088] In FIG. 12, the sensing blocks 1100 and 1100' are installed on the upper module case 300 side. However, when the sensing pins are bent downward from the sensing line 200 in the battery module and led out to the outside, the sensing blocks 1100 and 1100' can be coupled to the lower part of the module case 300.

[0089] In addition, since the sensing line 200 is connected to all the battery cells, it is not always necessary to have both the left and right sensing blocks 1100 and 1100'. However, as described above, in view of the case where the battery modules are stacked with different polarities of the electrode leads between the battery modules, it is preferable to include all of the first sensing block 1100 and the second sensing block 1100' that are respectively coupled to the first sensing pin 210 and the second sensing pin 210' of the battery module 1000.

[0090] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] The battery pack of this embodiment shows the case where three battery modules of FIG. 9 are stacked in the thickness direction of the battery cells.

[0092] Other battery packs of the present invention include a battery module laminate 1000' in which a plurality of battery modules 1000 are stacked in the thickness direction of battery cells, and a side sensing block 1100" that extends in the thickness direction of the battery cells and is coupled to a sensing pin 210 of a sensing line led to the outside through a front end plate 330 or a rear end plate 340 of the module case 300. An opening 330S through which the sensing pin 210 led to the outside through the front end plate 330 or the rear end plate 340 can pass is formed in the front end plate 330 or the rear end plate 340, and the sensing pin 210 led to the outside through the opening 330S is coupled to the side sensing block 1100" that extends in the thickness direction of the battery cells at the front end plate 330 or the rear end plate 340 of the module case 300. Since the sensing lines in the module are all connected to the battery cells 10, even if there is only one of the front end or the rear end of the side sensing block 1100", sensing between modules is possible. However, when the directions of the electrical polarities of the battery cells 10 of the stacked modules are alternately arranged, when the side sensing block 1100" is installed only at the front end or the rear end, sensing between modules or sensing of the battery pack unit may be difficult. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, it is preferable to install side sensing blocks 1100" on the front end plate 330 and the rear end plate 340 of the module case 300, respectively.

[0093] As described above, the drawings disclosed in the present invention are for explanation purposes rather than for limiting the technical idea of the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by such drawings. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted according to the scope of the claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

[0094] Note that terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear are used in this specification, but these terms are for convenience of explanation and it is obvious that they can vary depending on the position of the object to be described and the position of the observer.

Claims

1. A battery cell assembly in which two or more battery cells are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction to form a longitudinal unit cell, and the longitudinal unit cells are stacked in two or more rows in the thickness direction of the battery cell, A sensing line electrically connected to the electrode leads of the battery cells included in the battery cell assembly, A module case that wraps and houses the battery cell assembly, A battery module including: At the end of the sensing line, there is a pin-shaped sensing pin for electrical coupling with an external terminal, and a sensing pin led out to the outside of the module case is provided, On both sides with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell, the same number of rows of longitudinal unit cells are arranged respectively, The sensing line includes a leading-out portion extending between the longitudinal unit cells on both sides, and the end of the leading-out portion forms the sensing pin, a battery module.

2. The module case is provided with an opening at a position corresponding to the position of the sensing pin, and the sensing pin is led out to the outside through the opening, the battery module according to claim 1.

3. The sensing line is electrically connected to the electrode leads of all the battery cells of the battery cell assembly through at least one of a bus bar coupled to the electrode leads of the battery cells included in the battery cell assembly and a sensing member coupled to the bus bar, the battery module according to claim 1.

4. The bus bar is at least one of a terminal bus bar connected to an external terminal and an inter-bus bar coupled to the electrode leads of the battery cells to electrically connect the battery cells, the battery module according to claim 3.

5. The electrode leads of the battery cells facing each other in the longitudinal direction in one of the longitudinal unit cells on both sides are respectively coupled to an inter-bus bar, The electrode leads of the battery cells facing each other in the longitudinal direction in the other longitudinal unit cell on both sides are coupled to a terminal bus bar, the battery module according to claim 4.

6. The sensing line is respectively connected to the inter-bus bar and the terminal bus bar, The lead-out portion forming the sensing pins of the sensing line is bent upward or downward from the portion of the sensing line connecting the inter-bus bar and the terminal bus bar and led out to the outside of the module case, the battery module according to claim 5.

7. The terminal bus bar includes a first terminal bus bar coupled to one of the electrode leads of the battery cells facing each other in the longitudinal direction and a second terminal bus bar coupled to the other electrode lead. The sensing pins include a first sensing pin on the first terminal bus bar side and a second sensing pin on the second terminal bus bar side, the battery module according to claim 6.

8. A bending plate is installed between the longitudinal unit cells on both sides, extending in the longitudinal direction of the battery cells across the front end and the rear end of the module case, and having a bending channel formed therein. The terminal bus bar, the inter-bus bar, and the sensing line are supported by the bending plate, the battery module according to claim 6.

9. An inter-bus bar is installed at the front end and the rear end of the longitudinal unit cell, coupled to the electrode leads led out from the battery cells at the front end and the rear end of the longitudinal unit cell. The sensing line is coupled to the inter-bus bar, and the lead-out portion forming the sensing pins of the sensing line is led out to the outside through at least one of the front end plate and the rear end plate of the module case, the battery module according to claim 3.

10. A bending plate is installed between the longitudinal unit cells on both sides, extending in the longitudinal direction of the battery cells across the front end and the rear end of the module case, and having a bending channel formed therein. The inter-bus bar and the sensing line are supported by the bending plate, the battery module according to claim 9.

11. A battery module stack formed by stacking a plurality of the battery modules according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in the thickness direction of the battery cells, A sensing block respectively coupled to the sensing pins extended in the thickness direction of the battery cells and led out to the outside of the battery module. A battery pack including

12. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein a coupling groove into which the sensing pin is fitted is formed on a coupling surface of the sensing block facing the sensing pin.

13. A battery module according to claim 6, a battery module laminate formed by laminating a plurality of battery modules in the thickness direction of the battery cell, and A sensing block that extends in the thickness direction of the battery cell, is bent upward or downward from a sensing line in the battery module, and is respectively coupled to sensing pins led out to the outside of the module case. A battery pack including

14. A battery module according to claim 7, a battery module laminate formed by laminating a plurality of battery modules in the thickness direction of the battery cell, and A first sensing block and a second sensing block that extend in the thickness direction of the battery cell and are respectively coupled to the first sensing pin and the second sensing pin of the battery module. A battery pack including

15. A battery module according to claim 9, a battery module laminate formed by laminating a plurality of battery modules in the thickness direction of the battery cell, and A side sensing block that extends in the thickness direction of the battery cell and is coupled to a sensing pin of a sensing line led out to the outside through a front end plate or a rear end plate of the module case. A battery pack including

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