Cell module assembly and battery pack including the same

Abstract

A cell module assembly according to the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells, a cell frame that houses the plurality of battery cells, a bus bar plate that is disposed on one outer surface of the cell frame and electrically connects the plurality of battery cells to each other, and a sensing unit that is disposed on the other outer surface of the cell frame and is electrically connected to the bus bar plate by wire bonding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0082679, filed on June 24, 2021, and all of the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to battery technology, and more particularly, to a cell module assembly having a simple voltage / temperature sensing structure and excellent durability, and a battery pack including the same.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are highly applicable to a wide range of products and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and electric scooters driven by an electric power source. Such secondary batteries not only have the temporary advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels but also have the advantage of producing no by-products associated with energy use, and thus are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and improved energy efficiency.

[0004] Examples of currently widely used secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel zinc batteries, etc. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell, that is, a unit battery cell, is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, currently, a single secondary battery cell alone cannot obtain sufficient output to drive, for example, an electric scooter. In order to apply a secondary battery as an energy source for an electric scooter, for example, a battery module in which a plurality of lithium-ion battery cells are connected in series and / or in parallel must be configured. Usually, the battery modules are connected in series, and a battery management system (BMS: Battery Management System), a battery disconnect unit (BDU: Battery Disconnection Unit), electrical connection components, etc. that functionally hold this are included to form a battery pack.

[0005] On the other hand, the conventional battery module 1 includes a harness cable to transmit the voltage information of the battery cell to the BMS. The harness cable can be composed of a plurality of cables 2, a cable terminal 3 coupled to one end of each cable 2, and a connector 5 integrally connected to the other ends of all the cables. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the cable terminals 3 are respectively wired to different voltage measurement positions and are respectively connected to a metal plate 4 (also called a bus bar) (connected to the positive or negative electrode of the battery cell) at that position. That is, the terminal 3 of the harness cable is connected to the metal plate 4 of the corresponding battery module, and the connector 5 of the harness cable is connected to the BMS. With such a configuration, the voltage of the battery cells included in the battery module is monitored in real time in the BMS, and charging and discharging are controlled.

[0006] Currently, generally, the operation of connecting the terminal of the cable to the metal plate is performed by methods such as soldering, bolt tightening, and rivet tightening. The methods of soldering, bolt tightening, and rivet tightening have advantages and disadvantages as shown in FIG. 2 in relation to cost, working speed, durability, the possibility of re-work, etc.

[0007] However, all of the above conventional methods have the complexity that the wiring routing operation of the harness cable must be performed. In particular, the more harness cables contain a large number of cables, the more difficult it is to perform the wiring routing operation, and moreover, it becomes complicated, and it is also difficult to perform the connection operation with the metal plate, and there is a problem that it takes a long time.

[0008] Also, in order to perform and fix the wiring routing operation of the harness cable in an appropriate path inside the battery module and the battery pack containing the battery module, a structure further designed for the frame of the battery module, etc. (for example, structures such as cable ties, cable holders, clips or wiring grooves) and the wiring structure of the cables extending complicatedly in various paths make it difficult to simplify and compactify the battery module and the battery pack.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] Therefore, the present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a cell module assembly having a simple connection and assembly structure between components for sensing the voltage or temperature of a battery cell and excellent durability, and a battery pack including the same.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack including a plurality of cell module assemblies having excellent durability and safety.

[0011] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] A cell module assembly according to one aspect of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells, a cell frame that houses the plurality of battery cells, a bus bar plate that is disposed on one surface outside the cell frame and electrically connects the plurality of battery cells to each other, and a sensing unit that is disposed on the other surface outside the cell frame and is wire-bonded to the bus bar plate to be electrically connected.

[0013] The sensing unit may include a printed circuit board that is detachably coupled to the cell frame, a plurality of sensing plates that are coupled to the printed circuit board and wire-bonded to the bus bar plate, and a temperature sensing member that is coupled to the printed circuit board and measures the temperature of one or more of the battery cells that are separated by a predetermined distance.

[0014] The plurality of sensing plates may be provided in a number corresponding one-to-one with the bus bar plates, and may be connected to the corresponding bus bar plates by wire bonding.

[0015] The printed circuit board may be disposed on a side surface portion of the cell frame that intersects one surface outside the cell frame on which the bus bar plate is disposed.

[0016] The side surface portion of the cell frame may be capable of fitting the printed circuit board into it to a predetermined depth so that the printed circuit board is aligned with the side surface portion of the cell frame, and may include a substrate mounting holder that supports the printed circuit board so that the board surface of the printed circuit board is in close contact with the side surface portion of the cell frame.

[0017] The plurality of sensing plates are provided with a structure that is bent at least once. One side is fixedly coupled to the printed circuit board, and the other side can be arranged to line up on one surface outside the self-frame where the bus bar plate is disposed.

[0018] Each of the plurality of sensing plates may include a substrate connection portion attached to the printed circuit board and a frame placement portion extending from the substrate connection portion and disposed at a peripheral portion of one surface outside the self-frame.

[0019] One end of the bus bar plate and the frame placement portion of the sensing plate can be arranged to be alternately adjacent to each other.

[0020] Each bus bar plate and each sensing plate can be connected by two metal wires.

[0021] The battery cell is a cylindrical battery cell including a battery can containing an electrode assembly and a top cap coupled to an upper end portion of the battery can. The battery cell can be accommodated in the self-frame such that upper end portions of the battery cans all face the same direction.

[0022] The self-frame is provided in a box shape with one surface open, forms a space capable of accommodating the battery cells upright, and includes an accommodation portion provided to have a height corresponding to the length of the battery cells, a top plate portion positioned in the direction of the upper end portion of the battery can, and an open portion positioned in the direction of the lower end portion of the battery can. The top plate portion may be provided with a terminal connection hole for partially exposing the upper end portion of the battery can.

[0023] The plurality of bus bar plates are attached to an outer surface of the top plate portion of the self-frame, and the plurality of bus bar plates can be wire-bonded to the top cap of each battery cell or the upper end of the battery can exposed through the terminal connection hole.

[0024] The temperature sensing member includes a first temperature sensing member with one end inserted and disposed inside the self-frame. The first temperature sensing member includes a first cable extending from the printed circuit board by a length corresponding to a predetermined length, and a first thermistor coupled to the end of the first cable. The first thermistor may be inserted and disposed in the accommodating portion through a temperature sensing hole formed in the top plate portion of the self-frame so as to contact the battery cell.

[0025] The battery cell contacted by the first thermistor may be one of the battery cells in the central region inside the self-frame.

[0026] The top plate portion of the self-frame may include a plurality of cable guide ribs protruding on the linear wiring path of the first cable so as to be linearly wired from the printed circuit board to the temperature sensing hole.

[0027] The plurality of cable guide ribs may include retraction portion support ribs that support a portion of the first cable immediately before being drawn into the temperature sensing hole at a predetermined height away from the surface of the top plate portion of the self-frame.

[0028] The temperature sensing member includes a second temperature sensing member with one end extending to a side cutout hole formed in the other outer surface of the self-frame intersecting the top plate portion of the self-frame. The second temperature sensing member includes a second cable extending from the printed circuit board by a length corresponding to a predetermined length, and a second thermistor coupled to the end of the second cable. The second thermistor may be disposed so as to contact the side of the battery cell located at the outermost periphery in the accommodating portion through the side cutout hole.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, there can be provided a battery pack including the cell module assembly described above, the battery pack including: two of the cell module assemblies in which the cell frames are combined such that the top caps of the battery cells face each other; a battery management system (BMS) assembly coupled to one side of the two cell module assemblies; and a pack case that integrally houses the two cell module assemblies and the battery management system (BMS) assembly.

[0030] Of the two cell frames facing each other, the top plate portion of one of the cell frames may be provided with one or more protrusions protruding in the combination direction, and the top plate portion of the other remaining cell frame may be provided with one or more spacing columns protruding in the combination direction and configured to fit the protrusions therein.

[0031] The bus bar plate may be disposed on the top plate portion of the cell frame of the two cell module assemblies, and the sensing unit may be disposed on a side portion of the cell frame intersecting the top plate portion of the cell frame.

[0032] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there can be provided an electric scooter including the battery pack described above.

[0033] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there can be provided an electric vehicle including the battery pack described above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0034] According to one aspect of the present invention, there can be provided a cell module assembly and a battery pack including the same, which have a simple connection and assembly structure between components for sensing the voltage or temperature of battery cells and excellent durability.

[0035] Also, according to one aspect of the present invention, in a cell module assembly including a plurality of battery cells, a thermistor can be effectively and stably disposed at a location where a battery cell having a high rate of temperature rise during charging and discharging of the battery cell is located.

[0036] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, it becomes possible to accommodate in a pack case two cell module assemblies in which the cell frames are assembled such that the top caps of the battery cells face each other.

[0037] Therefore, in a battery pack according to one aspect of the present invention, components for electrical connection and components for voltage / temperature sensing are located in the central region inside the pack case, so that durability against external impacts and electrical safety can be increased. Also, since the bottom surfaces of all the battery cells are located on the wall side of the pack case, heat dissipation can be effectively performed.

[0038] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other 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 accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0039]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0040] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims are not to be construed as limited to ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather, in accordance with the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to explain the invention in the best way, they are to be construed in meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical idea of the present invention.

[0041] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, and thus there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the battery pack of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing two cell module assemblies and a BMS assembly in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, a battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cell module assembly 100, a BMS assembly 200, and a pack case 300.

[0044] The pack case 300 includes a middle case 310, an upper cover 320, and a lower cover 330. The middle case 310 may be configured in a hollow shape with open upper and lower ends, and the cell module assembly 100 and the BMS assembly 200 coupled to the lower side thereof can be integrally inserted therein in a sliding manner. The upper cover 320 and the lower cover 330 may be coupled to the open upper and lower ends of the middle case 310, respectively, and may be configured to cover the upper and lower ends of the middle case 310. In the case of the middle case 310, it can be made of a material with high mechanical rigidity so as to protect the cell module assembly 100 and the BMS assembly 200 from external impacts, and moreover, it has excellent heat dissipation properties, and can be provided, for example, from a metal material such as aluminum (Al).

[0045] The battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured such that two cell module assemblies 100 can be coupled and stored in the pack case 300 as shown in FIG. 5. Each of the two cell module assemblies 100 includes a plurality of battery cells 110. Here, the battery cell 110 may be a cylindrical secondary battery. The cylindrical battery cell 110 may be formed by placing an electrolytic solution and an electrode assembly in a cylindrical battery can, arranging a top cap 112 at the open end of the upper part of the battery can, and crimping and sealing the open end of the upper part of the battery can. The cylindrical battery cell 110 may have an electrode assembly in which a separator is sandwiched between a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate and wound in a jelly-roll shape. A positive electrode tab may be attached to the positive electrode plate, and the positive electrode tab may be connected to the top cap 112. A negative electrode tab may be attached to the negative electrode plate, and the negative electrode tab may be connected to the battery can.

[0046] In the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the two cell module assemblies 100 may be configured such that the top caps 112 of the cylindrical battery cells 110 face each other. Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the two cell module assemblies 100 may be configured such that the top caps 112 of each battery cell 110 face the central portion of the battery pack 10, and the bottom surfaces of the battery cans of each battery cell 110 face the outer portion of the battery pack 10. More specifically, the two cell module assemblies 100 include a first cell module assembly 100A on the left side and a second cell module assembly 100B on the right side in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6, in the first cell module assembly 100A, the top caps 112 of all the cylindrical battery cells 110 included therein may face the right side, and the bottom surfaces of the battery cans may face the left side. And in the second cell module assembly 100B, the top caps 112 of all the cylindrical battery cells 110 included therein may face the left side, and the bottom surfaces of the battery cans may face the right side.

[0047] According to such a configuration, in the battery pack 10 according to the present invention, components for electrical connection and components for voltage / temperature sensing are located in the central region of the battery pack 10, so that the durability against external impacts and electrical safety can be increased. Also, the bottom surfaces of all the cylindrical battery cells 110 included in the two cell module assemblies 100 can be arranged to face closely to the wall surface of the middle case 310, and the heat of the cylindrical battery cells 110 can be easily dissipated to the middle case 310. Further, a heat conductive material or a heat dissipation pad 170 can be arranged in the space between the bottom surface of the cylindrical battery cell 110 and the middle case 310 so that the heat can escape more quickly from the cylindrical battery cell 110 to the middle case 310. The battery pack 10 according to the present invention is very effective although the heat dissipation structure of the battery cell 110 is simple.

[0048] Hereinafter, the cell module assembly 100 according to the present invention included in the battery pack 10 as described above will be described in more detail.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first cell module assembly 100A of FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is a view showing the cell frame 120 of the first cell module assembly 100A of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a view showing an implementation configuration in which the battery cells 110 are housed in the cell frame 120 of FIG. 8.

[0050] Since the first cell module assembly 100A and the second cell module assembly 100B included in the battery pack 10 of the present invention have substantially the same main configuration, the description of the first cell module assembly 100A regarding the main configuration shall replace the description of the second cell module assembly 100B.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, a cell module assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells 110, a cell frame 120, a bus bar plate 130, and a sensing unit 140.

[0052] As described above, the plurality of battery cells 110 are cylindrical secondary batteries in which a top cap 112 is coupled to the upper end of the battery can, and the upper ends of the battery cans, that is, the top caps 112, are all housed in the cell frame 120 so as to face the same direction. Each of the battery cells 110 can be erected and disposed inside the cell frame 120 in a state where the upper end of the battery can is partially fitted and held in the cell holder 121a inside the cell frame 120.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 8, the cell frame 120 can be provided in a substantially box shape with one surface open. Such a cell frame 120 includes a housing portion 121 that forms a space capable of housing the battery cells 110 upright, a top plate portion 122 located in the direction of the upper end of the battery can, an open portion 123 located in the direction of the lower end of the battery can, and side surface portions 124 that form four side walls.

[0054] The accommodating portion 121 means the internal space of the self-frame 120 surrounded by the top plate portion 122 and the side surface portion 124, and may be configured to have a height corresponding to the length (or height) of the battery cell 110. In other words, the self-frame 120 of this embodiment may be provided in a shape in which the four side surface portions 124 extend by an amount corresponding to the length of the cylindrical battery cell 110.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9 together, the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame is the plate surface of the self-frame 120 that supports the battery cell 110 from below when the top cap 112 is erected downward, and is provided with terminal connection holes 122a. The terminal connection holes 122a may be configured such that the upper end portions of the battery cans of all the battery cells 110 are partially exposed outside the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame. Through such terminal connection holes 122a, all the battery cells 110 are accommodated inside the self-frame 120, and the top cap 112 and the upper end peripheral edge 111a of the battery can of each battery cell 110 may be partially exposed outside the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame.

[0056] In the case of a cylindrical battery cell, a positive electrode tab connected to the electrode assembly inside is connected to the top cap 112, and a negative electrode tab is connected to the bottom surface of the battery can. The top cap 112 functions as the positive electrode terminal of the battery cell 110, and the battery can functions as the negative electrode terminal (for reference, there may be a case where the battery can is wrapped with an insulating sheet so that only the bottom surface or the upper end peripheral edge of the battery can functions as the negative electrode terminal). Therefore, if the top cap 112 or the upper end peripheral edge 111a of the battery can of each battery cell 110 is connected to the bus bar plate 130 disposed on the outer surface of the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame according to a predetermined pattern, the battery cells can be connected in series and / or in parallel. Details of the electrical connection configuration of the battery cell 110 will be described later.

[0057] The opening portion 123 of the self-frame is provided on the side opposite to the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame. As shown in FIG. 8, only the edge portion of the outer contour remains, and the inner region is provided in a completely open shape. According to such an opening portion 123 of the self-frame, in the process of assembling the cylindrical battery cell 110, the opening portion 123 of the self-frame 120 is directed upward, and the cylindrical battery cell 110 can be integrally inserted into the self-frame 120 by using a cell insertion jig (not shown).

[0058] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, by inserting all the cylindrical battery cells 110 into the self-frame 120 such that the bottom surface of the battery can faces the opening portion 123 of the self-frame, the entire part of the bottom surface of all the battery cells 110 can be exposed to the outside of the self-frame 120 through the opening portion 123, and it is easy to apply a heat dissipation configuration or structure for dissipating the heat of the battery cell on the bottom surface side of the battery can.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a cell module assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a cell spacer 150. The cell spacer 150 is a component applied to prevent the floating of the lower end portion of the battery cell 110 housed in the self-frame 120 and to maintain the interval.

[0060] The battery cell 110 housed in the self-frame 120 is vertically arranged inside the self-frame 120 in a state where the upper end portions of the respective battery cans are partially fitted and held in the cell holder 121a in the accommodating portion 121, and the lower end portions of the respective battery cans can be held by the cell spacer 150. More specifically, the cell spacer 150 is made of an insulating material and has a shape of a detachable plate-like body at the edge portion of the outer contour forming around the opening portion 123 of the self-frame, and as shown in FIG. 10, includes a plurality of spacer holes 151. The spacer holes 151 have a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the battery can and can be formed so as to surround the periphery of the lower end portion of the battery can.

[0061] By mounting such a cell spacer 150 on the opening 123 of the self-frame as shown in FIG. 11, for example, even if an external impact or vibration is applied to the self-frame 120, the floating of the battery cells 110 can be prevented so that the lower ends of the battery cans do not come into contact with or collide with each other.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 12, a cell module assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a heat transfer member that covers the cell spacer 150 and the lower ends of the battery cans and is coupled to the opening 123 of the self-frame 120. The heat transfer member may be composed of a heat dissipation pad 170 and / or a heat dissipation sheet. The heat transfer member (see FIG. 4) may be configured to contact the wall surface of the middle case 310 when the cell module assembly 100 and the middle case 310 are assembled. According to such a configuration, the heat of the battery cells 110 can be effectively dissipated to the middle case 310 through the heat transfer member.

[0063] FIG. 13 is a view of the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame on the opposite side of the implementation configuration of FIG. 12, FIG. 14 is a view showing a part of the top plate portion 122 and the side surface portion 124 of the self-frame in the first cell module assembly 100A of FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a view of the top plate portion 122 and the side surface portion 124 of the self-frame in FIG. 14 viewed from another angle.

[0064] Next, based on FIGS. 13 to 15, the electrical connection configuration and the voltage / temperature sensing configuration of the battery cells 110 provided on the top plate portion 122 and the side surface portion 124 side of the self-frame in the cell module assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of bus bar plates 130 can be arranged on one surface outside the self-frame 120, in other words, on the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame. For example, the positive electrode bus bar plate 130(+) is arranged at the end in the +Z direction in FIG. 13, the negative electrode bus bar plate 130(-) is arranged at the end in the -Z direction, and bus bar plates 130 can be arranged at predetermined intervals in the ±Z direction between the positive electrode bus bar plate 130(+) and the negative electrode bus bar plate 130(-). Further, the bus bar plate 130 can be provided in a shape extending linearly or staggeredly in the ±Y direction in order to avoid the position of the terminal connection hole 122a or the position of the protrusion 122f formed in the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame. Such a plurality of bus bar plates 130 are wire-bonded to the top cap 112 of the battery cell 110 or the upper end periphery 111a of the battery can exposed through the terminal connection hole 122a to electrically connect the battery cell 110. Here, wire bonding means crimping both ends of the metal wire W to the object to be joined by ultrasonic waves. However, ultrasonic waves are not necessarily applied to wire bonding, and other joining techniques, for example, laser welding, may be applied.

[0066] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, for the six battery cells 110 indicated by "C1" in FIG. 11, the top cap 112 is wire-bonded to the positive electrode bus bar plate 130(+), and the upper end peripheral edge 111a of the battery can is wire-bonded to the second bus bar plate 130 adjacent to the positive electrode bus bar plate 130(+) in the -Z direction. And for the six battery cells 110 indicated by "C2" in FIG. 11, the top cap 112 is wire-bonded to the second bus bar plate 130, and the upper end peripheral edge 111a of the battery can is wire-bonded to the third bus bar plate 130 in the -Z direction. Wire-bond the top cap 112 of the battery cell 110 or the upper end peripheral edge 111a of the battery can to the corresponding bus bar plate 130 according to such a pattern. Finally, if the upper end peripheral edge 111a of the battery can of the last six battery cells 110 indicated by "C7" in FIG. 11 is wire-bonded to the negative electrode bus bar plate 130(-), the battery cells 110 included in the cell module assembly 100 can be connected in series and in parallel in a 7S6P form. And the positive electrode bus bar plate 130(+) functions as the positive electrode terminal of the cell module assembly 100, and the negative electrode bus bar plate 130(-) can function as the negative electrode terminal of the cell module assembly 100.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 14 to 17, a sensing unit 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a printed circuit board 141, a plurality of sensing plates 142, and a temperature sensing member 143. And the sensing unit 140 is disposed on the other outer surface of the cell frame 120 that intersects the top plate portion 122 of the cell frame whose electrical connection to the battery cell 110 is configured as described above, and is electrically connected by wire bonding to the bus bar plate 130 to sense the voltage information of the battery cell 110.

[0068] As the printed circuit board 141, a rigid printed circuit board 141 or a flexible printed circuit board 141 can be adopted. The cell module assembly 100 in this embodiment includes a rigid printed circuit board 141 for enhancing durability, and the printed circuit board 141 is provided with a circuit pattern for transmitting voltage information or temperature information of the battery cell 110. Further, the printed circuit board 141 can be detachably configured on the side surface portion 124 of the cell frame 120. More specifically, as shown in the embodiment configurations of FIGS. 14 to 15, the printed circuit board 141 can be disposed on the side surface portion 124 of the cell frame 120 that intersects the top plate portion 122 of the cell frame where the bus bar plate 130 is disposed. At this time, the printed circuit board 141 can be configured such that the board surface faces the side surface portion 124 of the cell frame 120, and the edge portion at the upper end of the printed circuit board 141 is located at the same height as the top plate portion 122 of the cell frame.

[0069] In this way, so that the printed circuit board 141 is disposed on the side surface portion 124 of the cell frame 120, the side surface portion 124 of the cell frame 120 can fit the printed circuit board 141 into a predetermined depth so as to be aligned with the side surface portion 124 of the cell frame 120, and includes a board mounting holder 127 that supports the printed circuit board 141 such that the board surface of the printed circuit board 141 is in close contact with the side surface portion 124 of the cell frame 120.

[0070] The board mounting holder 127 is provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction (Z direction) of the cell frame 120, and can be provided on the side surface portion 124 of the cell frame 120 so as not to interfere with the temperature sensing member 143 or the cable connector 146 in the printed circuit board 141.

[0071] The plurality of sensing plates 142 are components connected to the bus bar plate 130 by wire bonding to sense the voltage for each bank (battery cells 110 connected in parallel) of the battery cells 110. The plurality of sensing plates 142 are provided in a number corresponding one-to-one with the bus bar plates 130, and each can be connected to the corresponding bus bar plate 130 by wire bonding. The sensing plate 142 may be made of a metal having electrical conductivity such as nickel, copper (Cu), silver (Ag), etc.

[0072] The plurality of sensing plates 142 are provided in a structure bent at least once or more. One side can be fixedly coupled to the printed circuit board 141, and the other side can be arranged to line up on the surface of the top plate portion 122 of the cell frame 120 where the bus bar plate 130 is disposed.

[0073] For example, the plurality of sensing plates 142 are made of an electrically conductive metal material and are generally provided in a shape like a "┐" or an "L", and can be coupled to the printed circuit board 141 as in the implementation configurations of FIGS. 16 to 17. More specifically described, the sensing plate 142 includes a substrate connection portion 142a facing the plate surface of the printed circuit board 141, and a frame placement portion 142b that is bent and extends from the substrate connection portion 142a and is arranged to face the peripheral edge of one surface outside the cell frame 120. According to such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 15, when the printed circuit board 141 is inserted into the substrate mounting holder 127 so as to line up with the side surface portion 124 of the cell frame, the frame placement portion 142b of the sensing plate 142 can be arranged to face the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 122 of the cell frame.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the frame placement portion 142b of the sensing plate 142 can be alternately arranged on the peripheral edge of the cell frame 120 with one end of the bus bar plate 130. According to the above configuration, without interfering with the wire bonding region connecting the bus bar plate 130 and the battery cell 110 widely distributed in the region inside the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 122 of the cell frame, it can be arranged immediately adjacent to one end of the corresponding bus bar plate 130, and the sensing plate 142 and the bus bar plate 130 can be connected with a metal wire W of any length even if it is short. Further, the bus bar plate 130 and the sensing plate 142 can be connected by two metal wires W. In this case, even if one of the metal wires W2 is short-circuited, voltage sensing can be performed, and the reliability and durability of voltage sensing can be increased.

[0075] The metal wire W connecting the battery cell 110 and the bus bar plate 130 or the sensing plate 142 and the bus bar plate 130 according to this embodiment can have a diameter of 0.12 mm to 0.8 mm, a length of 5 mm to 10 mm, and can be provided from an aluminum material. According to the above configuration, the metal wire W can operate as a fuse when there is a short circuit outside the battery pack 10. For example, in the cell module assembly 100 according to this embodiment, the metal wire W is configured as described above. For example, when a current of 47.4 A or more flows, all the metal wires W of at least one bank of battery cells 110 are broken, and the flow of current to the cell module assembly 100 can be blocked. On the other hand, it should be noted that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the diameter, length, and material of the metal wire W. The metal wire W can be appropriately selected in terms of diameter and length as needed, and metals such as copper and nickel can be adopted as its material.

[0076] On the one hand, as shown in FIG. 16, the temperature sensing member 143 includes two temperature sensing members 143A and 143B having different lengths. Among the two temperature sensing members 143A and 143B, the relatively longer temperature sensing member 143 is the first temperature sensing member 143A used for measuring the temperature at the center of the cell module assembly 100, and the relatively shorter temperature sensing member is the second temperature sensing member 143B used for measuring the temperature of the outer contour of the cell module assembly 100.

[0077] The first temperature sensing member 143A includes a first cable 144a extending from the printed circuit board 141 by a length corresponding to a predetermined length, and a first thermistor 144b coupled to the end of the first cable 144a. The second temperature sensing member 143B includes a second cable 145a extending from the printed circuit board 141 by a length corresponding to a predetermined length, and a second thermistor 145b coupled to the end of the second cable 145a. The first cable 144a is longer than the second cable 145a, and the first cable 144a and the second cable 145a are arranged to extend in opposite directions.

[0078] The battery pack 10 needs to accurately sense the heat generated from the battery cell 110 during charging and discharging, and based on this, manage charging and discharging or perform cooling. Otherwise, the degradation rate of the battery cell 110 will increase and the performance will decrease.

[0079] FIG. 18 is a reference diagram for explaining the distribution of the measured temperatures during discharge of the battery cell 110 included in the first cell module assembly 100A according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Tables 1 and 2 summarize the result values according to FIG. 18.

[0080]

Table 1

[0081] When measuring the temperature of the battery cell 110 during discharge, as shown in FIG. 18, comparing the battery cells 110 numbered 5 to 8 distributed in the central region inside the cell frame 120 with the battery cells 110 numbered 1 to 3 or 9 to 10 distributed in the outer region inside the cell frame 120, it can be seen that after a certain period of time, the temperature of the battery cells 110 numbered 5 to 8 is relatively higher.

[0082]

Table 2

[0083] Also, referring to Table 2, in the case of the battery cell 110 located in the central region inside the cell frame 120, it takes approximately 639 seconds to reach 70°C from the temperature at the start of discharge. In the case of the battery cell 110 located in the outer region inside the cell frame 120, it takes approximately 793 seconds to reach 70°C from the temperature at the start of discharge. That is, it can be seen that the battery cell 110 located in the central region inside the cell frame 120 has a higher temperature rise rate than the battery cell 110 located in the outer region.

[0084] Therefore, in order to effectively manage the heat of the battery cells 110 included in the cell module assembly 100, it is necessary to accurately grasp the temperature of the battery cell 110 with the highest temperature and the temperature of the battery cell 110 with the lowest temperature among the battery cells 110.

[0085] Therefore, based on the test results as described above, the cell module assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the temperature of the fifth cell 110 with the highest temperature (see FIG. 18) among the battery cells 110 included in the cell module assembly 100 can be measured by the first temperature sensing member 143A. For example, among the battery cells 110 distributed in the central region inside the cell frame 120, a temperature sensing hole 122b is formed on the surface of the top plate portion 122 of the cell frame so that a predetermined battery cell 110 (the fifth battery cell 110 in this embodiment) comes into contact with the first thermistor 144b, and the first thermistor 144b can be inserted from the outside to the inside of the cell frame 120.

[0086] More specifically, referring to FIGS. 19 to 20 in conjunction with FIG. 18, a temperature sensing hole 122b is provided in the top plate portion 122 of the cell frame corresponding to the position of the fifth cell 110. The first thermistor 144b of the first temperature sensing member 143A is inserted and disposed inside the cell frame 120, that is, in the accommodating portion 121 of the cell frame 120 through the temperature sensing hole 122b and contacts the outer peripheral edge of the fifth cell 110 to sense its temperature.

[0087] At this time, a part of the first cable 144a of the first temperature sensing member 143A is wired from the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame to the position of the temperature sensing hole 122b. In the case of this embodiment, a plurality of cable guide ribs 122c, 122d, 122e project from the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame, and the first cable 144a can be wired linearly without the need to bend it from the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame to the temperature sensing hole 122b. Such a plurality of cable guide ribs 122c, 122d, 122e can be configured in a shape protruding above the linear wiring path of the first cable 144a as in the embodiment configuration of FIG. 20. In particular, the plurality of cable guide ribs 122c, 122d, 122e include a recessed portion support rib 122e provided in the vicinity around the temperature sensing hole 122b. The recessed portion support rib 122e serves to support a portion K1 of the first cable 144a immediately before being drawn into the temperature sensing hole 122b at a predetermined height away from the surface of the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame.

[0088] According to the above configuration, there is no need to bend the first cable 144a in order to avoid interference with the upper end portion of the battery cell 110, the bus bar plate 130, or the metal wire W, etc., which are exposed on the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame. That is, the first cable 144a can be wired linearly above the upper end portion of the battery cell 110, the bus bar plate 130, or the metal wire W away from the surface of the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame by the plurality of cable guide ribs 122c, 122d, 122e. Further, since the plurality of cable guide ribs 122c, 122d, 122e prevent the left and right movement of the first cable 144a, there is an effect that the first thermistor 144b can be prevented from detaching from the fixed position.

[0089] On the other hand, the second temperature sensing member 143B can be configured to measure the temperature of any one of the battery cells 110 located in the outer peripheral region of the cell module assembly 100.

[0090] Returning to FIG. 15, the side surface portion 124 of the self-frame 120 that intersects the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame is provided with a side cutout hole 128 that is drilled. The battery cell 110 located at the outermost periphery within the self-frame 120, that is, in the accommodation portion 121, can have the side portion of the battery cell 110 exposed to the outside through the side cutout hole 128.

[0091] The second cable 145a of the second temperature sensing member 143B extends from the printed circuit board 141 to the position of the side cutout hole 128, and the second thermistor 145b can be configured to contact the side portion of the battery cell 110 exposed through the side cutout hole 128. At this time, a thermally conductive adhesive (not shown) can be used to stably fix the second thermistor 145b to the side portion of the battery cell 110.

[0092] According to the above configuration, it is possible not only to measure the temperatures of the battery cells 110 located in the central region and the outer peripheral region among the battery cells 110 included in the cell module assembly 100, but also to make the assembly of the first and second temperature sensing members 143B very easy and simple.

[0093] With the voltage sensing and temperature sensing configurations as described above, the voltage information and temperature information of the battery cells 110 included in the cell module assembly 100 are sensed, and the voltage information and temperature information can be transmitted from the printed circuit board 141 to the BMS assembly 200 via the cable connector 146.

[0094] Next, the assembly structure of two cell module assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0095] FIGS. 21 and 22 are diagrams showing the states before and after the assembly of two cell module assemblies 100A and 100B according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] As described above, the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes two cell module assemblies 100A and 100B.

[0097] The two cell module assemblies 100A and 100B may be configured such that the top plate portions 122 of the cell frames thereof face each other and the cell frames 120 thereof are combined.

[0098] Specifically, referring to FIG. 21, the top plate portion 122 of one of the two cell frames 120 is provided with one or more protrusions 122f protruding in the combination direction, and the top plate portion 122 of the remaining other cell frame is provided with one or more spacing holding columns 122g protruding in the combination direction and configured to be able to fit the protrusions 122f therein. That is, a plurality of the protrusions 122f may be provided on the top plate portion 122 of the cell frame of the first cell module assembly 100A, and the spacing holding columns 122g may be provided on the top plate portion 122 of the cell frame of the second cell module assembly 100B so as to correspond to the number and positions of the protrusions 122f.

[0099] According to such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 22, the protrusion 122f of the first cell module assembly 100A is press-fitted and coupled to the spacing maintaining column 122g of the second cell module assembly 100B. With the protrusion 122f and the spacing maintaining column 122g thus coupled, the first cell module assembly 100A and the second cell module assembly 100B can be combined so as not to relatively float while maintaining a certain spacing between each other, as shown by "D1" in FIG. 22. Therefore, the wire bonding region provided on the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame of the first cell module assembly 100A and the wire bonding region provided on the top plate portion 122 of the self-frame of the second cell module assembly 100B do not contact each other. And, as shown in FIG. 23, the two cell module assemblies 100 physically combined with each other can be directly connected to each other by the interconnection bus bar 180. Here, the interconnection bus bar 180 means a metal plate arranged to contact the positive electrode bus bar plate 130(+) of the first cell module assembly 100A and the negative electrode bus bar plate 130(-) of the second cell module assembly 100B. Therefore, the battery cells 110 included in the battery pack 10 according to this embodiment can be connected in series and in parallel in the form of 14S6P.

[0100] Such two cell module assemblies 100A and 100B can have the BMS assembly 200 coupled to the lower side, be inserted into the middle case 310 in a sliding manner, have the upper cover 320 coupled to the upper end of the middle case 310, and have the lower cover 330 coupled to the lower end of the middle case 310.

[0101] According to the configuration of the battery pack 10 according to the present invention as described above (see FIG. 6), the top cap 112 of the battery cell 110 included in the first cell module assembly 100A faces the central portion of the battery pack 10, and the bottom surface of the battery can faces the outer portion of the battery pack 10. Similarly, for the battery cell 110 included in the second cell module assembly 100B, the top cap 112 faces the central portion of the battery pack 10, and the bottom surface of the battery can faces the outer portion of the battery pack 10.

[0102] Therefore, components such as the bus bar plate 130, the sensing unit 140, and the metal wire W for electrical connection or voltage / temperature sensing are located in the central region of the pack case 300, which makes it possible to increase the durability against external impacts and electrical safety. In addition, since the bottom surfaces of all the cylindrical battery cells 110 included in the two cell module assemblies 100 are located near the wall surface of the pack case 300, the heat of the cylindrical battery cells 110 can be easily dissipated to the middle case 310.

[0103] On the other hand, the battery pack according to the present invention is applicable to moving means such as electric scooters and electric vehicles. That is, an electric scooter or an electric vehicle according to the present invention may include one or more battery packs according to the present invention.

[0104] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the limited embodiments and drawings. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical idea and the claims of the present invention by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs.

[0105] In addition, in this specification, directional terms such as up, down, left, and right are used, but these terms are merely used for ease of explanation and may vary depending on the position of the object to be described and the position of the observer, which is self-evident to those skilled in the art of the present invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0106] 1 Battery module 2 Cables 3 Terminals 4 Metal plate 5 Connector 10 Battery pack 100 Cell module assembly 110 Battery cells, cylindrical battery cells 111 Upper peripheral edge 112 Top cap 120 Cell frame 121 Accommodation part 122 Top plate part 123 Opening part 124 Side part 127 Holder 128 Side cutout hole 130 Bus bar plate 140 Sensing unit 141 Printed circuit board 142 Sensing plate 143 Temperature sensing member 146 Cable connector 150 Cell spacer 151 Spacer hole 170 Heat dissipation pad 180 Interconnection bus bar 200 BMS assembly 300 Pack case 310 Middle case 320 Upper cover 330 Lower cover

Claims

1. A plurality of battery cells, a cell frame for housing the plurality of battery cells, a bus bar plate disposed on one surface outside the cell frame for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells to each other, a sensing unit disposed on the other surface outside the cell frame and wire-bonded to the bus bar plate for electrical connection, comprising: the sensing unit includes a printed circuit board detachably coupled to the cell frame, a plurality of sensing plates coupled to the printed circuit board and wire-bonded to the bus bar plate, a temperature sensing member coupled to the printed circuit board for measuring the temperature of one or more of the battery cells spaced apart by a predetermined distance, comprising: each of the plurality of sensing plates is provided with a structure bent at least once, with one side fixedly coupled to the printed circuit board and the other side arranged to line up with one surface outside the cell frame where the bus bar plate is disposed, a cell module assembly.

2. A plurality of battery cells, a cell frame for housing the plurality of battery cells, a bus bar plate disposed on one surface outside the cell frame for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells to each other, a sensing unit disposed on the other surface outside the cell frame and wire-bonded to the bus bar plate for electrical connection, comprising: the sensing unit includes a printed circuit board detachably coupled to the cell frame, a plurality of sensing plates coupled to the printed circuit board and wire-bonded to the bus bar plate, a temperature sensing member coupled to the printed circuit board for measuring the temperature of one or more of the battery cells spaced apart by a predetermined distance, comprising: each of the plurality of sensing plates includes a substrate connection portion attached to the printed circuit board, a frame placement portion extending from the substrate connection portion and disposed at a peripheral portion of one surface outside the cell frame, a cell module assembly.

3. The plurality of sensing plates are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the bus bar plates, and are respectively connected to the corresponding bus bar plates by wire bonding. The cell module assembly according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The printed circuit board is disposed on a side surface portion of the cell frame that intersects with one surface outside the cell frame on which the bus bar plate is disposed. The cell module assembly according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The side surface portion of the cell frame can be fitted with the printed circuit board to a predetermined depth so that the printed circuit board is aligned with the side surface portion of the cell frame, and includes a board mounting holder that supports the printed circuit board so that the board surface of the printed circuit board is in close contact with the side surface portion of the cell frame. The cell module assembly according to claim 4.

6. One end of the bus bar plate and the frame mounting portion of the sensing plate are arranged adjacent to each other alternately. The cell module assembly according to claim 2.

7. Each of the bus bar plates and each of the sensing plates are connected by two metal wires. The cell module assembly according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The battery cell is a cylindrical battery cell including a battery can having an electrode assembly built therein and a top cap coupled to an upper end portion of the battery can. The battery cells are housed in the cell frame such that the upper end portions of the battery cans all face the same direction. The cell module assembly according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The cell frame is provided in a box shape with one surface open. It forms a space capable of storing the battery cells upright, and includes a storage portion provided to have a height corresponding to the length of the battery cells. A top plate portion located in the direction of the upper end portion of the battery can. An open portion located in the direction of the lower end portion of the battery can. Including The top plate portion includes a terminal connection hole that partially exposes the upper end portion of the battery can. The cell module assembly according to claim 8.

10. The bus bar plate is attached to an outer surface of the top plate portion of the cell frame. The bus bar plate is The cell module assembly according to claim 9, wherein each of the top caps of the battery cells or the upper end peripheries of the battery cans exposed through the terminal connection holes are wire-bonded.

11. The temperature sensing member includes a first temperature sensing member having one end inserted and disposed inside the cell frame. The first temperature sensing member includes a first cable extending by a length corresponding to a predetermined length from the printed circuit board, and a first thermistor coupled to the end of the first cable. The first thermistor is inserted and disposed in the accommodating portion through a temperature sensing hole formed in the top plate portion of the cell frame and is in contact with the battery cell. The cell module assembly according to claim 9.

12. The battery cell in contact with the first thermistor is one of the battery cells in the central region inside the cell frame. The cell module assembly according to claim 11.

13. The top plate portion of the cell frame The cell module assembly according to claim 12, including a plurality of cable guide ribs protruding on the linear wiring path of the first cable so that the first cable is linearly wired from the printed circuit board to the temperature sensing hole.

14. The plurality of cable guide ribs The cell module assembly according to claim 13, including a retraction portion support rib that supports a portion of the first cable immediately before being drawn into the temperature sensing hole at a predetermined height from the surface of the top plate portion of the cell frame.

15. The temperature sensing member includes a second temperature sensing member having one end extending to a side cutout hole formed in the other surface outside the cell frame that intersects the top plate portion of the cell frame. The second temperature sensing member includes a second cable extending by a length corresponding to a predetermined length from the printed circuit board, and a second thermistor coupled to the end of the second cable. The second thermistor is disposed so as to contact a side portion of the battery cell located at the outermost periphery in the accommodating portion through the side cutout hole. The cell module assembly according to claim 9. **Claim 16**: A battery pack including a cell module assembly, wherein the cell module assembly includes a plurality of battery cells, a cell frame for housing the plurality of battery cells, a bus bar plate disposed on one surface outside the cell frame for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells to each other, and a sensing unit disposed on the other surface outside the cell frame and wire-bonded to and electrically connected to the bus bar plate. The battery cell is a cylindrical battery cell including a battery can having an electrode assembly therein and a top cap coupled to an upper end of the battery can. The battery cells are housed in the cell frame such that upper ends of the battery cans all face the same direction. Two of the cell module assemblies in which the cell frames are combined such that the top caps of the battery cells face each other. A battery management system (BMS) assembly coupled to one side of the two cell module assemblies. A pack case for integrally housing the two cell module assemblies and the battery management system (BMS) assembly. A battery pack including the above. **Claim 17** The cell frame includes a top plate portion which is a surface facing the top cap of each battery cell. The battery pack according to claim 16, wherein among the two cell frames facing each other, a top plate portion of one of the cell frames has one or more protrusions protruding in the combination direction, and a top plate portion of the other cell frame has one or more spacing holding columns protruding in the combination direction and provided so that the protrusions can be fitted therein. **Claim 18** The cell frame includes a top plate portion which is a surface facing the top cap of each battery cell. In the two cell module assemblies The bus bar plate is disposed on the top plate portion of the cell frame. The battery pack according to claim 16, wherein the sensing unit is disposed on a side portion of the cell frame intersecting the top plate portion of the cell frame. **Claim 19** An electric scooter including the battery pack according to claim 16. **Claim 20** An electric vehicle including the battery pack according to claim 16.

Images