Battery module, battery pack, and automobile including the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle including the same, which have improved space utilization. The battery module according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells each including an electrode assembly and a cell case that houses the electrode assembly therein, a plurality of electrode leads connected to the electrode assemblies of the plurality of battery cells, the electrode leads being extended to a predetermined length outside the cell case and configured to have respective ends overlapping and coupled to each other, and a bus bar configured to be coupled to any one of the plurality of electrode leads coupled to each other in an overlapping manner.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0084491, filed on July 8, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings thereof.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle including the same, and more particularly to a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle including the same with improved space utilization. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are easily applicable to various products and have electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which are powered by electric sources. These secondary batteries have the main advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, as well as the advantage of not producing any by-products from energy use, and are therefore attracting attention as a new energy source that is environmentally friendly and improves energy efficiency.

[0004] Currently widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such unit secondary battery cells, i.e., unit battery cells, is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack may be configured by connecting multiple battery cells in series. Alternatively, a battery pack may be configured by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel depending on the required charge / discharge capacity of the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack may be variously set depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] When a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series / parallel, a common method is to first construct a battery module including at least one battery cell, and then add other components to the battery module to construct the battery pack.

[0006] On the other hand, in the case of a conventional battery module, electrode leads drawn from a plurality of battery cells are connected in an overlapping manner, and a bus bar for electrically connecting the battery cells is configured to overlap all of the portions where the plurality of electrode leads are connected in an overlapping manner.

[0007] In such a conventional battery module, the width of the bus bar is excessively wide, which reduces the space utilization within the battery module. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle including the same, which have improved space utilization.

[0009] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A battery module according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells each having an electrode assembly and a cell case that houses the electrode assembly therein; a plurality of electrode leads connected to the electrode assemblies of the plurality of battery cells, pulled out to a predetermined length outside the cell case, and configured such that ends of the electrode leads are overlapped and coupled to each other in order; and a bus bar configured to be coupled to any one of the plurality of electrode leads coupled to each other in an overlapping manner.

[0011] In one embodiment, the bus bar may be configured to be coupled to any one of the plurality of electrode leads so as not to overlap portions where the plurality of electrode leads are coupled together.

[0012] In one embodiment, the bus bar may be configured to couple to an electrode lead of the plurality of electrode leads adjacent to the bus bar.

[0013] In one embodiment, the plurality of electrode leads include a first lead coupled to the bus bar, a second lead coupled to overlap a portion of the first lead, and a third lead coupled to overlap a portion of the second lead, and the first lead may be configured not to overlap the third lead.

[0014] In one embodiment, the cell case may include a receiving portion that receives the electrode assembly therein, the receiving portion may be formed biased toward one side of the cell case, and each of the plurality of battery cells may be configured by stacking one on top of the other such that a side of the cell case where the receiving portion is not formed faces the bus bar.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least two of the plurality of electrode leads may be configured such that the bending angle decreases as the electrode leads approach the bus bar side.

[0016] In one embodiment, the plurality of battery cells are stacked on one another to form a cell assembly, and the cell assembly includes a first assembly and a second assembly stacked on the first assembly, and an electrode lead coupled to the bus bar in the first assembly and an electrode lead coupled to the bus bar in the second assembly may be configured to incline toward each other.

[0017] In one embodiment, the cell case includes a receiving portion that receives the electrode assembly therein, and the receiving portion may be formed biased toward one side of the cell case, and the first assembly and the second assembly may be arranged such that sides of the cell case where the receiving portion is not formed face each other.

[0018] In one embodiment, the lengths of the plurality of electrode leads may be configured to become shorter as they approach the bus bar side.

[0019] A battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention includes at least one battery module according to the above-described aspect of the present invention.

[0020] Furthermore, a vehicle according to yet another aspect of the present invention includes at least one battery pack according to the other aspect of the present invention as described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the size of a bus bar for electrically connecting a plurality of battery cells can be reduced, thereby securing additional space within a battery module, thereby improving space utilization within the battery module.

[0022] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when additional battery cells are mounted in the additional space secured in this manner, there is an advantage that the energy density of the battery module can be improved for the same volume.

[0023] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the size of the bus bar can be reduced, which is advantageous in that the manufacturing cost and overall weight of the battery module can be reduced.

[0024] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the number of electrode leads that are coupled to the bus bar so as to overlap with each other can be minimized, and the coupling at the coupling points between the bus bar and the electrode lead can be maintained stably.

[0025] Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to minimize overlap between adjacent electrode leads, thereby maintaining stable connection at the connection points of adjacent electrode leads.

[0026] In addition, since the overlap between adjacent electrode leads is minimized, stress applied to each electrode lead when the adjacent electrode leads are coupled can be minimized. As a result, in a structure in which a plurality of electrode leads are coupled in an overlapping manner, a battery module can be constructed without being limited by the number of overlapping electrode leads.

[0027] Furthermore, various other additional effects can be achieved by various embodiments of the present invention. These various effects of the present invention will be described in detail in each embodiment, or the description of effects that can be easily understood by those skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0028] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical concepts of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] An enlarged front view of the battery module in Figure 1. [Figure 3]A top view of the front part of the battery module in Figure 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of battery cells in the battery module of FIG. 1; [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration in which a module case is included in the battery module of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a portion of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and phrases used in the specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but should be construed as having meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventors themselves can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe the invention.

[0031] Therefore, it should be understood that the configurations shown in the embodiments described in this specification are merely the most desirable embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor at the time of this application.

[0032] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view of the battery module 10 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a view of the front portion of the battery module 10 of Fig. 1 viewed from above. In this regard, coupling points between electrode leads 200 and coupling points between the electrode leads 200 and bus bars 300, which will be described later in Fig. 2, are indicated by the reference symbol "W."

[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the X-axis direction shown in the drawings may refer to the front-to-rear direction of the battery module 10, the Y-axis direction may refer to the left-to-right direction of the battery module 10 that is perpendicular to the X-axis direction on a horizontal plane (XY plane), and the Z-axis direction may refer to the up-down direction that is perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0034] 1 to 3, a battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells 100, a plurality of electrode leads 200, and a bus bar 300.

[0035] The plurality of battery cells 100 may represent secondary batteries. For example, the battery cells 100 may be pouch-type battery cells.

[0036] Such a battery cell 100 may include an electrode assembly 110 and a cell case 120 .

[0037] Although not shown in detail, the electrode assembly 110 may include a first electrode plate having a first polarity, a second electrode plate having a second polarity, and a separator interposed between the first and second electrode plates. For example, the first electrode plate may be a positive electrode plate coated with a positive active material or a negative electrode plate coated with a negative active material, and the second electrode plate may be an electrode plate having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode plate.

[0038] The cell case 120 may accommodate the electrode assembly 110 therein. That is, the cell case 120 may include an accommodation space for accommodating the electrode assembly 110 therein. In this case, the cell case 120 may accommodate an electrolyte therein and accommodate the electrode assembly 110 therein in a state in which the electrode assembly 110 is impregnated with the electrolyte. For example, the cell case 120 may be a pouch film including a layer of a metal material (e.g., aluminum (Al)), but is not limited thereto.

[0039] The plurality of electrode leads 200 may be connected to the respective electrode assemblies 110 of the plurality of battery cells 100. The electrode leads 200 may be configured to be pulled out to a predetermined length outside the cell casing 120, and their respective ends may be coupled in an overlapping manner. In this case, the respective ends of the plurality of electrode leads 200 may be coupled in an overlapping manner in a bent state.

[0040] As an example, the multiple electrode leads 200 can be connected in order by welding (see the "W" portion in FIG. 2) as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the ends of the multiple electrode leads 200 can be welded and connected so that they overlap in order in a folded state. Although FIGS. 1 and 2 show the welded portion W of each electrode lead 200 as having a dot or circle shape, in another embodiment, the welded portion of the electrode lead 200 can also have a linear shape.

[0041] The bus bar 300 may be configured to be coupled to any one of a plurality of electrode leads 200 coupled to one another so as to overlap each other. Such a bus bar 300 may be provided for electrical connection between a plurality of battery cells 100.

[0042] As an example, the bus bar 300 may be coupled to any one of the plurality of electrode leads 200 by welding (see the "W" portion of FIG. 2) as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the bus bar 300 may be coupled to any one of the plurality of electrode leads 200 that are coupled to overlap each other by welding.

[0043] In particular, the bus bar 300 can be coupled to only one of the electrode leads 200 that are coupled in an overlapping manner.

[0044] In this way, the bus bar 300 of the present invention is coupled to only one of the electrode leads 200, and therefore can be made smaller in size than a conventional bus bar that is coupled to a plurality of electrode leads in an overlapping manner.

[0045] According to this embodiment of the present invention, the size of the bus bar 300 for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells 100 can be reduced, thereby making it possible to secure additional space within the battery module 10. As a result, the space utilization within the battery module 10 can be improved.

[0046] Furthermore, when the battery cells 100 are further mounted in the additional space secured in this manner, there is an advantage that the energy density of the battery module 10 can be improved for the same volume.

[0047] Furthermore, since the size of the bus bar 300 is reduced, there is an advantage that the manufacturing cost and the overall weight of the battery module 10 can be reduced.

[0048] In addition, the number of electrode leads 200 that are coupled to the bus bar 300 in an overlapping manner can be minimized, and the coupling at the coupling points between the bus bar 300 and the electrode leads 200 can be maintained stably.

[0049] The battery module 10 of the present invention will now be discussed in more detail.

[0050] 2 and 3, the bus bar 300 may be configured to be coupled to any one of the plurality of electrode leads 200 so as not to overlap the portions where the plurality of electrode leads 200 are coupled together.

[0051] That is, the bus bar 300 may not overlap with other electrode leads 200 other than the electrode lead 200 coupled to the bus bar 300 .

[0052] 2 and 3, the bus bar 300 may be directly coupled to the first lead 210 located at the innermost left end. In this case, the bus bar 300 may not overlap in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) with the two electrode leads 200 located outside the first lead 210, i.e., the second lead 220 and the third lead 230, as shown in FIG.

[0053] According to this embodiment, the size of the bus bar 300 can be made smaller, thereby further improving the space utilization within the battery module 10.

[0054] Furthermore, since busbar 300 overlaps only electrode lead 200 that is coupled to busbar 300, the coupling between busbar 300 and electrode lead 200 at the coupling point can be maintained more stably.

[0055] In particular, the bus bar 300 may be configured to couple with an electrode lead 200 adjacent to the bus bar 300 among the plurality of electrode leads 200 .

[0056] That is, the bus bar 300 does not overlap with any other electrode leads 200 other than the electrode lead 200 coupled to the bus bar 300 , and can be coupled only to the electrode leads 200 adjacent to the bus bar 300 .

[0057] According to this embodiment, the size of the bus bar 300 can be made smaller, thereby further improving the space utilization within the battery module 10.

[0058] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of electrode leads 200 may include a first lead 210, a second lead 220, and a third lead 230.

[0059] The first lead 210 may be coupled to the bus bar 300. As an example, the bus bar 300 may be coupled to the first lead 210 by welding (see the "W" portion in FIG. 2), as shown in FIG.

[0060] The second lead 220 may be coupled to overlap a portion of the first lead 210. As an example, the second lead 220 may be coupled to the first lead 210 by welding (see the "W" portion in FIG. 2), as shown in FIG.

[0061] The third lead 230 may be coupled to overlap a portion of the second lead 220. As an example, the third lead 230 may be coupled to the second lead 220 by welding (see the "W" portion in FIG. 2), as shown in FIG.

[0062] At this time, the first lead 210 may be configured not to overlap with the third lead 230. In other words, the overlapping portion of the first lead 210 and the second lead 220 may be configured not to overlap with the overlapping portion of the second lead 220 and the third lead 230.

[0063] Therefore, when a plurality of electrode leads 200 are overlapped and coupled in order, the electrode leads 200 may not overlap three or more times.

[0064] According to this embodiment, it is possible to minimize the overlap between adjacent electrode leads 200. This allows the connection at the connection points of the adjacent electrode leads 200 to be maintained stably.

[0065] In addition, since the overlap between adjacent electrode leads 200 is minimized, it is possible to minimize stress applied to each electrode lead 200 when the adjacent electrode leads 200 are coupled together. As a result, in a structure in which a plurality of electrode leads 200 are coupled together in an overlapping manner, it is possible to configure a battery module 10 without being limited by the number of electrode leads 200 that overlap each other.

[0066] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cell casing 120 may include a receiving portion 122 and a sealing portion 124.

[0067] The receiving portion 122 may be configured to receive the electrode assembly 110 therein.

[0068] The sealing portion 124 may have a shape that extends outward from the periphery of the receiving portion 122 for a certain length.

[0069] Meanwhile, the cell casing 120 may include a first case member and a second case member. The peripheral regions of the first case member and the second case member may contact each other and be joined by heat sealing to form the above-mentioned seal portion 124. A space is formed inside the seal portion 124 due to partial separation of the first case member and the second case member, and this space may be the above-mentioned receiving portion 122. However, the cell casing 120 may also be formed integrally without being divided into the first case member and the second case member.

[0070] In addition, the sealing unit 124 may include a case terrace T. The case terrace T may refer to a region of the entire sealing unit 124 that is located in a direction in which the electrode lead 200 is drawn out of the cell casing 120.

[0071] That is, the case terrace T may be configured to extend a certain length from the housing portion 122 and support the electrode lead 200.

[0072] In an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving portion 122 may be formed biasedly on one side of the cell casing 120. For example, in a configuration in which the edges of a first case member and a second case member are sealed to form the cell casing 120, the receiving portion 122 may be formed in the first case member, but not in the second case member. In this case, the second case member may be formed in a flat sheet shape.

[0073] As a more specific example, referring to the embodiment of FIG. 3 , of the six battery cells 100 stacked in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), the three battery cells 100 located on the left side have the accommodating portions 122 formed so as to be biased to the left. In this case, it can be said that the accommodating portions 122 are formed in the left case member, and the right case member has a flat shape and does not have the accommodating portions 122 formed therein. Also, in the embodiment of FIG. 3 , the three battery cells 100 located on the right side have the accommodating portions 122 formed so as to be biased to the right. In this case, it can be said that the accommodating portions 122 are formed in the right case member, and the accommodating portions 122 are not formed therein. However, the positions at which the accommodating portions 122 are formed in the cell case 120 are not limited to these.

[0074] At this time, each of the multiple electrode leads 200 can be drawn out from a region close to a side surface of the cell case 120 where the accommodation portion 122 is not formed, in each of the multiple battery cells 100. In other words, each of the multiple electrode leads 200 can be drawn out from a case terrace T of each of the multiple battery cells 100.

[0075] Furthermore, each of the plurality of battery cells 100 may be stacked on top of one another such that a side of the cell case 120 on which the receiving portion 122 is not formed faces the bus bar 300. That is, each of the plurality of battery cells 100 may be stacked on top of one another such that a portion from which the electrode lead 200 is drawn faces the bus bar 300.

[0076] 3, of the six battery cells 100 stacked in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), the three battery cells 100 located on the left side may be stacked on top of each other such that the portions from which the electrode leads 200 are drawn face the right side where the bus bar 300 is located. Also, the three battery cells 100 located on the right side may be stacked on top of each other such that the portions from which the electrode leads 200 are drawn face the left side where the bus bar 300 is located.

[0077] According to this embodiment, additional space can be secured on the opposite side of the bus bar 300 in the stacked battery cells 100. This can further improve space utilization within the battery module 10.

[0078] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, at least two of the plurality of electrode leads 200 may be configured such that the bending angle decreases as the electrode leads 200 approach the bus bar 300 side.

[0079] As an example, there may be a case where two of the plurality of electrode leads 200 are bent closer to the bus bar 300 side at a smaller angle. Alternatively, there may be a case where all of the plurality of electrode leads 200 are bent closer to the bus bar 300 side at a smaller angle.

[0080] For example, in the embodiment of Fig. 3, when considering the bending angles of the electrode leads 200 of the three battery cells 100 located on the left side among the six battery cells 100 stacked in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), the bending angle of the first lead 210 with respect to the bus bar 300 may be configured as a substantially acute angle. Also, the bending angle of the second lead 220 with respect to the bus bar 300 may be configured as a substantially right angle. Also, the bending angle of the third lead 230 with respect to the bus bar 300 may be configured as a substantially obtuse angle.

[0081] 3, when considering the bending angles of the electrode leads 200 of the three battery cells 100 located on the right side of the six battery cells 100 stacked in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), the bending angle of the first lead 210 with respect to the bus bar 300 may be configured as a substantially acute angle. Also, the bending angle of the second lead 220 with respect to the bus bar 300 may be configured as a substantially right angle. Also, the bending angle of the third lead 230 with respect to the bus bar 300 may be configured as a substantially obtuse angle.

[0082] According to this embodiment, stress applied to each electrode lead 200 when adjacent electrode leads 200 are coupled can be further minimized.

[0083] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the battery cells 100 in the battery module 10 of FIG.

[0084] 3 and 4, a plurality of battery cells 100 may be stacked together to form a cell assembly A.

[0085] The cell assembly A may include a first assembly A1 and a second assembly A2, and the second assembly A2 may be stacked on the first assembly A1.

[0086] In this case, the electrode lead 200 coupled to the bus bar 300 in the first assembly A1 and the electrode lead 200 coupled to the bus bar 300 in the second assembly A2 may be configured to be inclined toward each other.

[0087] That is, the electrode lead 200 coupled to the bus bar 300 in the first assembly A1 and the electrode lead 200 coupled to the bus bar 300 in the second assembly A2 may be arranged as close as possible to each other with the bus bar 300 in between.

[0088] This allows the size of the bus bar 300 that electrically connects the pair of cell assemblies A to each other to be reduced, thereby making it possible to secure additional space within the battery module.

[0089] 3 and 4 , the first assembly A1 and the second assembly A2 may be arranged such that the side surfaces of the cell cases 120 of the battery cells 100 where the receiving portions 122 are not formed face each other. In this case, each of the plurality of electrode leads 200 may be drawn out from a region close to the side surface of the cell case 120 where the receiving portions 122 are not formed, in each of the plurality of battery cells 100. In addition, each of the plurality of electrode leads 200 may be drawn out from a case terrace T of each of the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0090] Specifically, the side of the cell case 120 of the battery cell 100 from which the electrode lead 200 to be coupled to the bus bar 300 in the first assembly A1 is pulled out may be configured to face the side of the cell case 120 of the battery cell 100 from which the electrode lead 200 to be coupled to the bus bar 300 in the second assembly A2 is pulled out.

[0091] According to this embodiment, the sides of the cell cases 120 of the battery cells 100 from which the electrode leads 200 coupled to the bus bars 300 in a pair of cell assemblies A are drawn are configured to face each other, so that the size of the bus bars 300 electrically connecting the pair of cell assemblies A to each other can be made smaller.

[0092] In addition, the electrode leads 200 of a pair of cell assemblies A that are coupled to the bus bar 300 are also configured to face each other as much as possible, thereby minimizing the stress applied to each electrode lead 200 when coupling the bus bar 300 and the electrode lead 200 and when coupling adjacent electrode leads 200 together.

[0093] In addition, it is possible to minimize the stress applied to the case terrace T configured to support the electrode leads 200 when the bus bar 300 and the electrode leads 200 are coupled together and when adjacent electrode leads 200 are coupled together. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the stress applied to the cell casing 120 when the bus bar 300 and the electrode leads 200 are coupled together and when adjacent electrode leads 200 are coupled together.

[0094] 4 again, for example, four cell assemblies A may be stacked together. Specifically, the four cell assemblies A may be in the form of a pair of stacked sets of a first assembly A1 and a second assembly A2 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery module 10.

[0095] As described above, each of the multiple electrode leads 200 may be drawn out from a region near the side surface of the cell casing 120 in each of the multiple battery cells 100 where the receiving portion 122 is not formed.

[0096] Furthermore, each of the plurality of battery cells 100 may be stacked on top of one another such that a side of the cell case 120 on which the receiving portion 122 is not formed faces the bus bar 300. That is, each of the plurality of battery cells 100 may be stacked on top of one another such that a portion from which the electrode lead 200 is drawn faces the bus bar 300.

[0097] This allows additional space to be secured on the side opposite to the bus bar 300 among the stacked battery cells 100 .

[0098] According to this embodiment, when a set of first and second assemblies A1 and A2 stacked on each other is stacked in pairs in the left-right direction of the battery module 10 as shown in Fig. 4, additional space can be secured between one set of first and second assemblies A1 and A2 and another set of first and second assemblies A1 and A2, thereby further improving space utilization within the battery module 10.

[0099] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration in which a module case C is included in the battery module 10 of FIG.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 5, the battery module 10 may further include a module case C.

[0101] The module case C can accommodate the above-mentioned cell assembly A therein. For this purpose, the module case C can be provided with an internal accommodation space for accommodating the cell assembly A therein. Such a module case C can include a material that is heat-resistant and has high rigidity.

[0102] Although not shown in detail, the battery module 10 may further include module terminals provided on the front side of the module case C and connected to the cell assemblies A. For example, the module terminals may include a positive module terminal and a negative module terminal. These module terminals may be electrically connected to electronic control components such as a BMS (Battery Management System), a current sensor, and a fuse.

[0103] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a portion of a battery module 12 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Since the battery module 12 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery module 10 of the above embodiment, redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially identical or similar to those of the above embodiment will be omitted, and the following discussion will focus on the differences from the above embodiment.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 6, in the battery module 12, the lengths of the electrode leads 200 may be configured to be shorter as they approach the bus bar 300 side.

[0106] For example, the plurality of electrode leads 200 may include a first lead 210, a second lead 220, and a third lead 230. The first lead 210, the second lead 220, and the third lead 230 may be coupled such that their respective ends overlap each other.

[0107] In this case, first lead 210 coupled to bus bar 300 may be configured to be shorter than second lead 220. Second lead 220 may also be configured to be shorter than third lead 230.

[0108] In this case, when the first lead 210 and the second lead 220 coupled to the bus bar 300 are overlapped, the stress applied to the first lead 210 and the second lead 220 may be reduced compared to when the lengths of the multiple electrode leads 200 are the same. Also, when the second lead 220 and the third lead 230 not coupled to the bus bar 300 are overlapped, the stress applied to the second lead 220 and the third lead 230 may also be reduced.

[0109] According to this embodiment, stress applied to each electrode lead 200 when adjacent electrode leads 200 are coupled can be further minimized.

[0110] Meanwhile, a battery pack may be configured by including at least one battery module 10, 12 according to the present invention. That is, the battery pack according to the present invention may include at least one battery module 10, 12 according to the present invention. The battery pack may further include a pack case for accommodating the battery modules 10, 12 therein, and various devices for controlling charging and discharging of the battery pack, such as a BMS, a current sensor, and a fuse.

[0111] Furthermore, the battery pack according to the present invention can be applied to automobiles such as electric vehicles, that is, the automobile according to the present invention can include at least one battery pack according to the present invention.

[0112] As described above, the present invention has been described using limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and variations within the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the following claims.

[0113] Meanwhile, although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used in the present invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms are used for the convenience of explanation and may vary depending on the position of the target object, the position of the observer, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] Code Name 10, 12 Battery Module 100 battery cells 110 Electrode assembly 120 Cell Case 122 Storage unit 124 Seal part 200 electrode leads 210 1st Lead 220 2nd Lead 230 3rd Lead 300 Busbar A. Cell Assembly A1 First Assembly A2 Second Assembly C module case T Case Terrace W Welded part

Claims

1. a plurality of battery cells each including an electrode assembly and a cell case that houses the electrode assembly therein; a plurality of electrode leads connected to the electrode assemblies of the plurality of battery cells, pulled out to a predetermined length outside the cell casing, and configured such that respective ends are overlapped and coupled in order; a bus bar configured to be coupled to any one of the plurality of electrode leads coupled to one another so as to overlap one another; the bus bar is configured to be coupled to any one of the plurality of electrode leads so as not to overlap with portions where the plurality of electrode leads are coupled to each other in an overlapping manner; the bus bar is disposed closer to the battery cell than an end of the electrode lead to which the bus bar is coupled in a direction perpendicular to a stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells, The plurality of electrode leads include: a first lead coupled to the bus bar; a second lead coupled to and overlapping a portion of the first lead; a third lead coupled to and overlapping a portion of the second lead; The first lead is configured not to overlap with the third lead; A battery module comprising:

2. The bus bar is The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the battery module is configured to be coupled to an electrode lead of the plurality of electrode leads adjacent to the bus bar.

3. The cell casing is a receiving portion that receives the electrode assembly therein; The storage section is The cell case is formed on one side thereof.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of battery cells is stacked on top of one another such that a side surface of the cell case where the receiving portion is not formed faces the bus bar.

4. At least two of the plurality of electrode leads are The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein a bending angle decreases as the battery module approaches the bus bar.

5. The plurality of battery cells stacked together to form a cell assembly; The cell assembly comprises: a first assembly; a second assembly configured by stacking the first assembly and the second assembly together, 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the electrode leads coupled to the bus bars in the first assembly and the electrode leads coupled to the bus bars in the second assembly are configured to be inclined toward each other.

6. The cell casing is a receiving portion that receives the electrode assembly therein; The storage section is The cell case is formed on one side thereof. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein the first assembly and the second assembly are arranged such that sides of the cell cases where the receiving portion is not formed face each other.

7. The lengths of the plurality of electrode leads are: The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the length of the battery becomes shorter as it approaches the bus bar side.

8. A battery pack comprising at least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to claim 8.

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