Battery module

Abstract

To provide a battery module that can reduce stress burden of an electrode lead in a connection part between the electrode lead and a bus bar while increasing the space efficiency in a module case.SOLUTION: In a battery module 11, a plurality of battery cells 20 stacked on each other are accommodated in a module case 16 and the battery cells are electrically connected to each other through a bus bar 30. In the battery cell, a first side surface part 22A, which is an embossed surface forming an accommodation space inside the battery cell, and a second side surface part 22B in a planar shape are disposed facing each other in a stacking direction. An electrode lead 26 is provided projecting from an end part of the battery cell in a width direction along the second side surface art 22B. The second side surface parts 22B of the adjacent battery cells are disposed facing each other and with their electrode leads put close to each other, at least one first connection part 30A connected to the bus bar is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In the battery module described in Patent Document 1 below, a plurality of stacked battery cells and a plurality of bus bars for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells are housed in a housing. In this battery module, the tips of electrode tabs drawn from the plurality of battery cells are connected so as to be stacked on one side of the connected bus bar.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the battery module described in Patent Document 1 above, a plurality of battery cells are stacked in the same orientation. Therefore, the plurality of electrode tabs are drawn out at intervals in the stacking direction and bent toward the connected bus bar.

[0005] If the length of the bus bar is shortened in the stacking direction to improve the space efficiency inside the housing, the bending angle of the electrode tab becomes large in the battery cell far from the bus bar, and due to the expansion of the battery cell that occurs when the battery module swells, etc., there is a risk that the stress burden on the electrode tab increases at the connection part between the electrode tab and the bus bar.

[0006] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a battery module that can reduce the stress burden on the electrode lead at the connection part between the electrode lead and the bus bar while improving the space efficiency inside the module case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A battery module according to the first embodiment houses a plurality of battery cells stacked on top of each other within a module case, and the plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to each other via busbars. In this battery module, each battery cell has a first side surface which is an embossed surface forming an internal housing space and a second side surface which is planar, both facing the stacking direction. Electrode leads are provided protruding from the end of the battery cell in the width direction along the second side surface, and each battery cell has at least one first connection portion where the second side surfaces of two adjacent battery cells face each other, and the electrode leads of each cell are brought close together and connected to the busbar.

[0008] In the first embodiment of the battery module, a plurality of battery cells are housed in a module case, stacked on top of each other. The plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to each other via busbars. Each battery cell has a first side surface, which is an embossed surface forming the internal housing space of the battery cell, and a second side surface, which is planar, arranged facing the stacking direction, forming a so-called single-cup embossed structure. The battery cell has electrode leads that protrude from the ends in the width direction of the battery cell along the second side surface.

[0009] Here, the battery module has a first connection point where the second sides of two adjacent battery cells are placed facing each other, bringing their electrode leads close together before connecting them to the busbar. In this first connection point, the electrode leads of adjacent battery cells are in close proximity, and even when the length of the busbar is shortened along the stacking direction of the multiple battery cells, the bending angle of the electrode leads toward the connecting busbar can be reduced, thereby reducing the stress load on the electrode tabs. As a result, the busbar can be shortened, improving space efficiency within the module case while reducing the stress load on the electrode leads at the connection point between the electrode tabs and the busbar.

[0010] In the second embodiment of the battery module, the first connection portion brings the electrode leads having the same electrical polarity close together, thereby electrically connecting adjacent battery cells in parallel.

[0011] In the battery module of the second embodiment, the first connection part electrically connects electrode leads that have the same electrical polarity. That is, adjacent battery cells are electrically connected in parallel via the first connection part. As a result, the busbar can be shortened at the point where multiple adjacent battery cells are electrically connected in parallel, improving space efficiency within the module case, while reducing the stress on the electrode leads at the connection point between the electrode leads and the busbar.

[0012] A battery module in a third embodiment has at least one second connection point in which two first connection points are electrically connected in series via the busbar, and two adjacent battery cells are arranged with their first side surfaces facing each other between a battery cell connected to one of the two first connection points and a battery cell connected to the other of the two first connection points.

[0013] In the third embodiment of the battery module, there is a second connection section in which two first connection sections are electrically connected in series via a busbar. Furthermore, between a battery cell connected to one of the two first connection sections and a battery cell connected to the other of the two first connection sections, two adjacent battery cells are arranged with their first side surfaces, which are embossed surfaces, facing each other. As a result, a gap is provided between the two first connection sections corresponding to the thickness of the embossed surfaces of the two adjacent battery cells. Therefore, the length of the busbar constituting the second connection section can be designed according to the thickness of the embossed surfaces of the two adjacent battery cells, thereby simplifying the design.

[0014] In the fourth embodiment of the battery module, the electrode leads protrude from the center of the battery cell in the height direction, as in the first or second embodiment.

[0015] In the fourth embodiment of the battery module, the electrode leads of each battery cell protrude from the ends in the width direction and the center in the height direction of the battery cell. Therefore, the position of the electrode leads within the module case remains unchanged even when the battery cell is inverted horizontally in the width direction or vertically in the height direction. This allows, for example, when connecting two electrode leads with different electrical polarities to a busbar in close proximity, the orientation of one of the two adjacent battery cells can be reversed horizontally in the width direction, so that their second sides face each other. Similarly, when connecting two electrode leads with the same electrical polarity to a busbar in close proximity, the orientation of one of the two adjacent battery cells can be reversed vertically in the height direction, so that their second sides face each other. In other words, in the fourth embodiment, the orientation of the battery cells can be freely changed within the module case, and multiple battery cells can be connected in a space-efficient manner. As a result, the battery module has a highly versatile structure, and design changes that take into account the space efficiency within the module case are easily made. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the battery module according to the present invention can improve space efficiency within the module case while reducing the stress burden on the electrode leads at the connection point between the electrode leads and the busbar. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a schematic plan view showing the main parts of a vehicle to which the battery pack according to the embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view of the battery module according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of a battery module according to an embodiment, with the top cover of the module case removed. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing a battery cell housed in a battery module, viewed from the thickness direction. [Figure 5] This is a schematic plan view showing a partially enlarged view of multiple battery cells housed in a module case. [Figure 6] It is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 5 showing a modification of the method for stacking a plurality of battery cells according to the embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0019] (Overall Configuration of Vehicle 100) FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a main part of a vehicle 100 to which a battery pack 10 according to the embodiment is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) in which the battery pack 10 is mounted under the floor. In addition, arrows UP, FR and arrow LH in each figure indicate the upper side in the vehicle up-down direction, the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the left side in the vehicle width direction, respectively. When explaining using the directions of front, rear, left, right, up, and down, unless otherwise specified, the front and rear in the vehicle front-rear direction, the left and right in the vehicle width direction, and the up and down in the vehicle up-down direction are shown.

[0020] As an example, in the vehicle 100 of the present embodiment, a DC / DC converter 102, an electric compressor 104, and a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater 106 are arranged on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the battery pack 10. Also, on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the battery pack 10, a motor 108, a gearbox 110, an inverter 112, and a charger 114 are arranged.

[0021] The direct current output from the battery pack 10 is supplied to the electric compressor 104, the PTC heater 106, the inverter 112, etc. after the voltage is adjusted by the DC / DC converter 102. Further, by supplying power to the motor 108 via the inverter 112, the rear wheels rotate to make the vehicle 100 travel.

[0022] A charging port 116 is provided on the right side of the rear of the vehicle 100. By connecting a charging plug from an external charging device (not shown) to the charging port 116, power can be stored in the battery pack 10 via the onboard charger 114.

[0023] The arrangement and structure of the components constituting the vehicle 100 are not limited to the configuration described above. For example, it may be applied to a hybrid vehicle (HV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) equipped with an engine. In this embodiment, the motor 108 is mounted at the rear of the vehicle and it is a rear-wheel drive vehicle, but it is not limited to this, and it may be a front-wheel drive vehicle with the motor 108 mounted at the front of the vehicle, or a pair of motors 108 may be mounted at the front and rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, it may be a vehicle equipped with in-wheel motors for each wheel.

[0024] Here, the battery pack 10 is composed of multiple battery modules 11. In one example of the configuration, ten battery modules 11 are provided. Specifically, five battery modules 11 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on the right side of the vehicle 100, and five battery modules 11 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on the left side of the vehicle 100. Furthermore, each battery module 11 is electrically connected.

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the battery module 11. As shown in Figure 2, the battery module 11 includes a module case 16 that forms the outer shell. The module case 16 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the vehicle width direction as its longitudinal direction. The module case 16 is also formed of an aluminum alloy. For example, the module case 16 is formed by joining aluminum die-cast parts to both ends of an aluminum alloy extruded material by laser welding or the like.

[0026] A pair of voltage terminals 12 and a connector 14 are provided at both ends of the battery module 11 in the vehicle width direction. A flexible printed circuit board 21, which will be described later, is connected to the connector 14. In addition, bus bars 30 (see Figure 4) are welded to both ends of the battery module 11 in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] The length MW of the battery module 11 in the vehicle width direction is, for example, 350 mm to 600 mm, the length ML in the vehicle longitudinal direction is, for example, 150 mm to 250 mm, and the height MH in the vehicle vertical direction is, for example, 80 mm to 110 mm.

[0028] Figure 3 is a plan view of the battery module 11 with the top cover removed. As shown in Figure 3, battery cells 20 are housed inside the module case 16. As an example, multiple battery cells 20 are housed inside the module case 16 in an arranged (stacked) state. In this embodiment, 24 battery cells 20 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and bonded to each other.

[0029] For the sake of clarity, in Figures 3 to 5, the direction indicated by arrow W represents the width direction of the battery cell 20, the direction indicated by arrow H represents the height direction (up and down direction) of the battery cell 20, and the direction indicated by arrow D represents the thickness direction of the battery cell 20. The width direction of the battery case 22, as described later, coincides with the width direction W of the battery cell 20. The height direction of the battery case 22 coincides with the height direction H of the battery cell 20. The thickness direction of the battery case 22 coincides with the thickness direction D of the battery cell 20.

[0030] On top of the battery cell 20 is a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). A flexible printed circuit board 21 is positioned. The flexible printed circuit board 21 is formed in a strip shape with the vehicle width direction as its longitudinal direction, and thermistors 23 are provided at both ends of the flexible printed circuit board 21. The thermistors 23 are not bonded to the battery cell 20, but are pressed toward the battery cell 20 by the upper cover of the battery module 11.

[0031] Furthermore, one or more cushioning materials (not shown) are housed inside the module case 16. For example, the cushioning material is a thin, elastically deformable plate-like member, and is placed between adjacent battery cells 20 with the arrangement direction of the battery cells 20 as the thickness direction. In this embodiment, as an example, cushioning material is placed at both ends in the longitudinal direction and in the longitudinal center of the module case 16.

[0032] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a battery cell 20 housed in a battery module 11, viewed from the thickness direction D. As shown in Figure 4, the battery cell 20 is formed in the shape of a long rectangular plate with the width direction W as the longitudinal direction, and is equipped with a battery case 22 that forms the outer shell. Inside the battery case 22 are the electrode bodies 40. The electrode bodies 40 consist of a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The separator is constructed by laminating the battery case 22 and the electrode body 40.

[0033] The battery case 22 is embossed on at least one side in the thickness direction. The embossing creates a recessed housing portion 221 on the side where the electrode body 40 is housed, and an outer end portion 223 provided outside the housing portion 221. The battery case 22 can employ either a single-cup embossed structure with one embossed area or a double-cup embossed structure with two embossed areas, but in this embodiment, it is a single-cup embossed structure with a recess depth of approximately 8 mm to 10 mm. Therefore, one first side portion 22A in the thickness direction of the battery case 22 is an embossed surface, and the other second side portion 22B (see Figure 5) in the thickness direction is a non-embossed surface.

[0034] The upper end of the battery case 22 in the width direction is bent, the corners are chamfered, and it has a roughly trapezoidal shape. In addition, the upper end of the battery case 22 is bent, and fixing tape 24 is wrapped around the upper end of the battery case 22 along the width direction.

[0035] Here, the battery cell 20 is provided with electrode leads 26 that protrude from the ends of the battery cell 20 (battery case 22) in the width direction W. Since the battery cell 20 has a single cup embossed structure, the electrode leads 26 extend along the second side portion 22B which constitutes the non-embossed surface of the battery cell 20.

[0036] The electrode lead 26 consists of a positive electrode lead 26A protruding from one end of the battery cell 20 in the width direction W, and a negative electrode lead 26B protruding from the other end of the battery cell 20 in the width direction W. The positive electrode lead 26A is connected to the positive electrode current collector (not shown) of the electrode body 40 inside the battery case 22. The negative electrode lead 26B is connected to the negative electrode current collector (not shown) of the electrode body 40 inside the battery case 22.

[0037] As an example, the electrode lead 26 protrudes from the center of the battery cell 20 in the height direction H. Therefore, the battery cell 20 is structured so that the position of the electrode lead 26 within the module case 16 remains unchanged whether the battery cell 20 is inverted left to right in the width direction W or inverted up to down in the height direction H.

[0038] The electrode leads 26 of each battery cell are electrically joined to the busbar 30, which will be described later, via a welded joint 50 (see Figure 5). The electrode leads 26 are connected to the external wiring of the battery module 11 via the busbar 30. While known welding methods can be appropriately employed for welding the electrode leads 26 to the busbar 30, in one example of this embodiment, the electrode leads 26 and the busbar 30 are joined by laser welding.

[0039] The length CW1 of the battery cell 20 in the vehicle width direction is, for example, 530mm~600mm, 600mm~700mm, 700mm~800mm, 800~900mm, and 1000mm or more. The length CW2 of the area where the electrode body is housed is, for example, 500mm~520mm, 600mm~700mm, 700mm~800mm, 800~900mm, and 1000mm or more. The height CH of the battery cell 20 is, for example, 80mm~110mm and 110mm~140mm. The thickness of the battery cell 20 is 5.0mm~7.0mm, 7.0mm~9.0mm, and 9.0mm~11.0mm. The height TH of the terminal 26 is 40mm~50mm, 50mm~60mm, and 60mm~70mm.

[0040] For the sake of explanation, one end of the battery cell 20 in the height direction H will be referred to as the upper end 20A, and the other end of the battery cell 20 in the height direction H will be referred to as the lower end 20B.

[0041] Figure 5 is a schematic plan view showing a partially enlarged view of multiple battery cells 20 housed in a module case 16. As shown in Figure 5, within the module case 16, the ends 261 of the electrode leads 26 protrude from the ends in the width direction W of the multiple battery cells 20 that are stacked on top of each other. In addition, multiple busbars 30 are arranged on both one side and the other side in the width direction W of the battery cells 20.

[0042] Note that Figure 5 illustrates a state in which there is a gap between adjacent battery cells 20 for the sake of explanation. However, in reality, the stacked battery cells 20 are in contact with each other either via a buffer material or directly, and are constrained together with a predetermined restraining pressure applied along the stacking direction (thickness direction D).

[0043] The busbar 30 extends along the stacking direction (thickness direction D) of the battery cell 20, with the width direction W of the battery cell 20 being the thickness direction. In addition, the busbar 30 has slot-shaped through holes 32 that penetrate through the busbar 30 in the thickness direction.

[0044] The electrode leads 26 protruding from the widthwise end W of the battery cell 20 are inserted into through holes 32 of the busbar 30, and the ends 261 protruding from the through holes 32 are folded back towards the busbar 30 and overlapped on the surface of the busbar 30. The busbar 30 is provided with a first connection part 30A that electrically connects adjacent battery cells in parallel, and a second connection part 30B that electrically connects the two first connection parts 30A in series.

[0045] (Regarding the stacking method of battery cells) As shown in Figure 5, within the module case 16, for example, multiple stacked battery cells are electrically connected in parallel to form a parallel stack 20PC. In this embodiment, two adjacent battery cells constitute one parallel stack 20PC.

[0046] In the parallel stack 20PC, two adjacent battery cells 20 are arranged with their non-embossed second side portions 22B facing each other. Therefore, in the parallel stack 20PC, at the ends in the width direction W, the electrode leads 26 of each cell are brought out towards the busbar 30 in close proximity.

[0047] Furthermore, in the parallel stack 20PC, the orientation of one of two adjacent battery cells 20 is reversed vertically in the height direction H. Therefore, the upper end 20A of one battery cell 20 and the lower end 20B of the other battery cell 20 face each other in the stacking direction (thickness direction D in Figure 5). As a result, in the parallel stack 20PC, electrode leads with the same electrical polarity (positive or negative) are in close proximity on one side and the other side in the width direction W.

[0048] Two electrode leads 26 that are in close proximity to each other on one side and the other side in the width direction W of the parallel stacked body 20PC have their ends 261, which have passed through the through hole 32 of the busbar 30, folded back towards the busbar 30 and overlapped on the surface of the busbar 30. On the surface of the busbar 30, the overlapping portions of the two electrode leads 26 are joined by a weld 50.

[0049] Two parallel stacked units 20PC, aligned in the stacking direction, are electrically connected in series via a second connection portion 30B of a busbar 30 that extends in the stacking direction between the two parallel stacked units 20PC. In other words, the second connection portion 30B electrically connects the two first connection portions 30A in series.

[0050] On the side of the second connection section 30B, a battery cell 20 connected to one of the two first connection sections 30A and a battery cell 20 connected to the other of the two first connection sections 30A are adjacent to each other. These two adjacent battery cells 20 are positioned with their embossed first side portions 22A facing each other. Therefore, a gap is provided between the two first connection sections 30A corresponding to the thickness of the embossed surfaces of the two adjacent battery cells 20. Accordingly, the length of the busbar 30 constituting the second connection section 30A is set to correspond to the thickness of the embossed surfaces of the two adjacent battery cells 20.

[0051] (Mechanism of action and effect) As described above, in the battery module 11 according to this embodiment, a plurality of battery cells 20 are housed in a module case 16, stacked on top of each other. The plurality of battery cells 20 are electrically connected to each other via busbars 30. The battery cell 20 has a first side surface portion 22A, which is an embossed surface that forms the internal housing space of the battery cell 20, and a second side surface portion 22B, which is planar, arranged facing the stacking direction, forming a so-called single-cup embossed structure. The battery cell 20 has electrode leads 26 that protrude from the end of the battery cell 20 in the width direction W along the second side surface portion 22B.

[0052] Here, the battery module 11 has a first connection section 30A in which the second side portions 22B of two adjacent battery cells 20 are placed facing each other, bringing their electrode leads 26 close together and connecting them to the bus bar 30. In this first connection section 30A, the electrode leads 26 of adjacent battery cells 20 are in close proximity, and even if the length of the bus bar 30 is shortened along the stacking direction of the multiple battery cells 20, the bending angle of the electrode leads 26 toward the connecting bus bar 30 can be reduced, thereby reducing the stress burden on the electrode leads 26. As a result, the bus bar can be shortened, improving space efficiency within the module case while reducing the stress burden on the electrode leads 26 at the connection between the electrode tab and the bus bar.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first connection section 30A electrically connects electrode leads 26 that have the same electrical polarity. That is, adjacent battery cells 20 are electrically connected in parallel via the first connection section 30A. As a result, the busbar 30 can be shortened at the point where multiple adjacent battery cells 20 are electrically connected in parallel, thereby improving space efficiency within the module case and reducing the stress on the electrode leads at the connection point between the electrode leads 26 and the busbar 30.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is a second connection section 30B in which two first connection sections 30A are electrically connected in series via a busbar 30. In addition, between a battery cell 20 connected to one of the two first connection sections 30A and a battery cell 20 connected to the other of the two first connection sections 30A, two adjacent battery cells 20 are arranged with their first side surfaces 22A, which are embossed surfaces, facing each other. As a result, a gap is provided between the two first connection sections 30A corresponding to the thickness of the embossed surfaces of the two adjacent battery cells 20. Therefore, the length of the busbar 30 constituting the second connection section 30B can be designed according to the thickness of the embossed surfaces of the two adjacent battery cells 20, making the design easier.

[0055] In this embodiment, the electrode leads 26 of each battery cell 20 protrude from the end in the width direction W and from the center in the height direction H of the battery cell 20. Therefore, even if the battery cell 20 is inverted left to right in the width direction W or inverted up to down in the height direction H, the position of the electrode leads 26 within the module case 16 remains unchanged. This means that, for example, when connecting two electrode leads 26 with different electrical polarities close together to the bus bar 30, one of the two adjacent battery cells 20 can be inverted left to right in the width direction W, and their second side portions 22B can face each other. Alternatively, when connecting two electrode leads 26 with the same electrical polarity close together to the bus bar 30, one of the two adjacent battery cells 20 can be inverted up to down in the height direction H, and their second side portions 22B can face each other. In other words, in this embodiment, the orientation of the battery cells 20 can be freely changed within the module case 16, and multiple battery cells 20 can be connected in a space-efficient manner. Therefore, the battery module 11 has a highly versatile structure, making it easy to modify the design to take into account the space efficiency within the module case 16.

[0056] Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from its spirit. Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Hereinafter, modifications that can be substituted or combined with the configuration of the above embodiment will be described.

[0057] (Regarding variations in the stacking method of battery cells) In the above embodiment, two adjacent battery cells 20 are electrically connected in parallel via the first connection part 30A. However, as shown in Figure 6, three or more battery cells 20 may be electrically connected in parallel via the first connection part 30A.

[0058] In Figure 6, the first battery cell 201, the second battery cell 202, the third battery cell 203, and the fourth battery cell 204 are electrically connected in parallel via the first connection part 30A, forming a parallel stack 200PC. Since the configuration of the first to fourth battery cells 201 to 204 is the same as that of the battery cell 20 in the above embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0059] The first battery cell 201 and the second battery cell 202 are adjacent to each other along the stacking direction (thickness direction D in Figure 6). The first battery cell 201 and the second battery cell 202 are positioned with their non-embossed second side portions 22B facing each other. Furthermore, the second battery cell 202 is positioned in a orientation that is inverted vertically in the height direction H relative to the first battery cell 201.

[0060] The third battery cell 203 is positioned adjacent to the first battery cell 201. The second side portion 22B of the third battery cell 203, which is a non-embossed surface, is positioned facing the first side portion 22A of the first battery cell 201, which is an embossed surface. The fourth battery cell 204 is positioned adjacent to the second battery cell 202. The second side portion 22B of the fourth battery cell 204, which is a non-embossed surface, is positioned facing the first side portion 22A of the second battery cell 202, which is an embossed surface.

[0061] In the above-described parallel stacked structure 200PC, the length of the busbar 30 can be shortened while reducing the stress burden on the electrode leads 26 at the points where multiple adjacent battery cells 20 are electrically connected in parallel.

[0062] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, two adjacent battery cells 20 are electrically connected in parallel via the first connection part 30A, but the configuration is not limited to this. Two adjacent battery cells 20 may also be electrically connected in series via the first connection part 30A. That is, two electrode leads 26 with different electrical polarities may be brought close together, and adjacent battery cells 20 may be electrically connected in series. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 11 Battery Modules 16 Module Cases (Cases) 20 battery cells 22A 1st side part 22B 2nd side part 26 electrode leads

Claims

1. In a battery module in which multiple battery cells stacked on top of each other are housed in a module case and the multiple battery cells are electrically connected to each other via busbars, The battery cell has a first side surface which is an embossed surface forming an internal housing space, and a second side surface which is planar, arranged facing the stacking direction, and electrode leads are provided protruding from the end in the width direction of the battery cell along the second side surface. The configuration includes at least one first connection point where the second side portions of two adjacent battery cells are placed facing each other, and the electrode leads of each cell are brought close together and connected to the busbar. The first connection section brings the electrode leads, which have the same electrical polarity, close together, and electrically connects adjacent battery cells in parallel. Battery module.

2. The two first connection parts are electrically connected in series via the busbar, and there is at least one second connection part. Between the battery cell connected to one of the two first connection parts and the battery cell connected to the other of the two first connection parts, two adjacent battery cells are arranged with their first side surfaces facing each other. The battery module according to claim 1.

3. The electrode leads protrude from the central position in the height direction of the battery cell. The battery module according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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