Battery module and battery pack including same

Abstract

A battery module according to the present invention is characterized by including: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module case for accommodating the battery cell stack; a terminal bus bar disposed on one side of the battery cell stack; an insulating cover disposed on one side of the module frame and having one end portion of the terminal bus bar positioned thereon; and a rib disposed on the insulating cover and protruding upward from the outside of the one end portion of the terminal bus bar.

Description

Battery module and battery pack including same

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module and a battery pack including the same that can ensure the safety of workers during the manufacture of battery modules and packs.

[0002] Secondary batteries, unlike primary batteries that cannot be recharged, are batteries that can be charged and discharged. They are used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by electrical power sources.

[0003] 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 these unit secondary battery cells, i.e., unit battery cells, is approximately 2.5 V to 4.6 V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells are connected in series to form a battery pack. Furthermore, depending on the charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack, multiple battery cells are connected in parallel to form a battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be set in various ways depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0004] When configuring a battery pack by connecting multiple battery cells in series or parallel, it is common to first configure a battery module comprising at least one battery cell, preferably multiple battery cells, and then use at least one such battery module and add other components to configure the battery pack. Here, a battery module refers to a component in which multiple battery cells are connected in series or parallel, and a battery pack refers to a component in which multiple battery modules are connected in series or parallel to increase capacity and output, etc.

[0005] A battery module is composed of multiple cells electrically connected using a busbar.

[0006] Such a conventional battery module is illustrated in Fig. 1. The battery module (10) illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a battery cell stack, a module case (11) accommodating the battery cell stack, a bus bar frame arranged on the front and / or rear of the battery cell stack, an end plate (13) arranged on the front and rear of the module case (11), and a terminal bus bar (15).

[0007] A battery cell stack is composed of a plurality of electrically connected battery cells stacked along one direction and housed within a module case (11). A busbar frame is arranged on the front and / or rear of the battery cell stack. The battery cells in the battery cell stack may be pouch-type battery cells.

[0008] A battery cell stack is accommodated inside the module case (11), and end plates (13) are combined on the front and back of the module case (11) to cover the front and back of the module case (11).

[0009] The terminal bus bar (15) is for electrically connecting one battery module (10) to another battery module (10), and a part of the terminal bus bar (15) is exposed to the outside of the end plate (13) in order to be connected to another battery module (10).

[0010] However, in this battery module (10), one end of the terminal bus bar (15) is exposed to the outside for connection with another battery module (10) as described above, and there is a risk that a worker's hand may come into contact with the end of the exposed terminal bus bar (15), which may result in a safety accident.

[0011] The present invention is intended to solve the problems described above, and aims to provide a battery module capable of preventing safety accidents of workers and a battery pack including the same.

[0012] A battery module according to the present invention is characterized by including: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module case for accommodating the battery cell stack; a terminal bus bar arranged on one side of the battery cell stack; an insulating cover arranged on one side of the module frame and having one end of the terminal bus bar positioned thereon; and a rib arranged on the insulating cover and protruding upward from the outside of one end of the terminal bus bar.

[0013] Additionally, the rib is formed integrally with the insulating cover.

[0014] Additionally, the rib is arranged on an edge extending along the length of the battery module from the insulating cover.

[0015] Additionally, the ribs are formed to slope upward.

[0016] Additionally, the ribs are formed flexibly.

[0017] Additionally, the insulating cover includes a mounting portion on which one end of the terminal bus bar is mounted.

[0018] Additionally, the ribs are arranged at the edges of the mounting portion.

[0019] In addition, the mounting portion includes a mounting surface portion on which one end of the terminal bus bar is mounted, and an edge portion disposed on the outside of the mounting surface portion.

[0020] In addition, the edge portion of the mounting portion includes a first edge portion located at a side edge of the mounting portion; and a second edge portion located at a front edge of the mounting portion.

[0021] Additionally, the rib is arranged on the first edge portion.

[0022] In addition, it further includes a terminal cover portion covering one end of the terminal bus bar.

[0023] Additionally, the terminal cover portion is arranged to be openable.

[0024] Additionally, the terminal cover portion is arranged to be rotatable around a rotation axis.

[0025] Additionally, the rotation axis is arranged parallel to the width direction of the battery module.

[0026] In addition, the insulating cover further includes an opening disposed between a side edge extending along the longitudinal direction of the battery module and the terminal cover portion.

[0027] Additionally, the rib is formed to protrude through the opening.

[0028] Additionally, a pack bus bar inserted through the above opening is connected to one end of the terminal cover portion.

[0029] Additionally, the insulating cover includes an opening through which one end of the terminal bus bar is exposed.

[0030] In addition, the module case further includes an end plate disposed on the front or rear side, and the end plate is disposed on the outside of the insulating cover.

[0031] Additionally, the battery pack according to the present invention includes one or more battery modules as described above.

[0032] The battery module and pack according to the present invention can ensure the safety of workers by preventing workers' fingers from approaching the terminal bus bar during product assembly or A / S work, and has the effect of stably maintaining the quality of the battery module.

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional battery module,

[0034] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a battery module according to the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a battery cell in the present invention.

[0037] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a terminal bus bar in the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the insulating cover and end plate in the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a portion exposed from the insulating cover through an opening of the end plate in the present invention.

[0040] Figure 8 is a side view of Figure 7,

[0041] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing that access of a worker's fingers is prevented in a battery module according to the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a pack bus bar connected to a battery module according to the present invention.

[0043] The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided only to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Accordingly, in some embodiments, well-known process steps, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques are not specifically described to avoid ambiguity in the interpretation of the present invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[0044] In order to clearly represent multiple layers and regions in the drawings, the thickness may be enlarged. Similar parts are designated by the same drawing reference numerals throughout the specification. When an element such as a layer, film, region, or plate is said to be "over" another element, this includes not only the case where it is "directly over" that element but also the case where there are other elements in between. Conversely, when an element is said to be "directly over" another element, this means that there are no other elements in between. Furthermore, when an element such as a layer, film, region, or plate is said to be "under" another element, this includes not only the case where it is "directly under" that element but also the case where there are other elements in between. Conversely, when an element is said to be "directly under" another element, this means that there are no other elements in between.

[0045] The battery module (1000) according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery module according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery cell in the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a terminal bus bar in the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an insulating cover and an end plate in the present invention, FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion exposed from the insulating cover through an opening of the end plate in the present invention, FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating that access of a worker's fingers is prevented in a battery module according to the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating that a pack bus bar is assembled to a battery module according to the present invention.

[0047] A battery module (1000) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery cell stack (100) in which a plurality of battery cells (110) are stacked, a module case (200) that accommodates the battery cell stack (100), a bus bar frame (300) positioned on the front and / or rear surface of the battery cell stack (100), an end plate (400) that covers the front and / or rear surface of the battery cell stack (100), and bus bars (310, 320) mounted on the bus bar frame (300).

[0048] The above battery cell stack (100) may be formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells (110) along one direction, and the plurality of battery cells (110) may be electrically connected. The direction in which the plurality of battery cells (110) are stacked may be the X-axis direction (or -X-axis direction) in FIG. 3.

[0049] The direction from the front to the rear of the battery cell stack (100), or the opposite direction, may be defined as the longitudinal direction of the battery cell stack (100), and may be the Y-axis direction in the drawing. In addition, the direction from the upper surface to the lower surface of the battery cell stack (100), or the opposite direction, may be defined as the width direction of the battery cell stack (100), and may be the Z-axis direction in the drawing.

[0050] The longitudinal direction of the battery cell stack (100) may be substantially the same as the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (110). The electrode leads (111, 112) of the battery cell (110) may be positioned on the front and rear sides of the battery cell stack (100), and the bus bars (310, 320) of the battery module (1000) may be positioned close to the front and rear sides of the battery cell stack (100) to easily form an electrical connection with the electrode leads (111, 112).

[0051] The battery cell (110) may be provided as a pouch-shaped battery cell, and the number of pouch-shaped battery cells stacked per unit area may be maximized. However, the battery cell (110) does not necessarily have to be provided as a pouch-shaped battery cell, and may be provided in a square, cylindrical, or other various shapes.

[0052] A battery cell (110) provided in a pouch type may include an electrode assembly and a cell case (115) that accommodates the electrode assembly (see FIG. 4).

[0053] The cell case (115) of the battery cell (110) may be a pouch-type cell case (115) for accommodating the electrode assembly. The cell case (115) includes a lower case and an upper case covering the lower case, and the upper and lower cases may be formed as a single piece. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the connecting portions of the upper and lower cases may be formed in a structure in which they are bent and folded. In addition, as illustrated, the upper case may completely cover the lower case, and a sealing portion (114) may be formed at the periphery.

[0054] Both the upper and lower cases can be formed of a laminate structure including an inner covering layer, a metal layer, and an outer covering layer. The inner covering layer is located on the inside of the cell case (115) based on the metal layer and is in direct contact with the electrode assembly, so it must have insulation and electrolytic resistance. In addition, in order to seal it from the outside, the sealing portion where the inner layers are thermally bonded must have excellent thermal bonding strength. The metal layer is located between the inner covering layer and the outer covering layer and serves as a barrier layer that prevents moisture or various gases from penetrating into the battery from the outside. A preferable material for the metal layer in contact with the inner covering layer is an aluminum (Al) thin film that is lightweight and has excellent formability. The outer covering layer is located on the outside of the cell case (115) based on the metal layer, and this outer covering layer can use a heat-resistant polymer with excellent tensile strength, moisture permeability, and air permeability to protect the electrode assembly while ensuring heat resistance and chemical resistance. For example, nylon or polyethylene terephthalate can be used.

[0055] A receiving groove (116) can be formed in each of the upper and lower cases, and an electrode assembly can be accommodated in the receiving groove (116) of the upper and lower cases.

[0056] The electrode assembly housed in the cell case (115) may be one of a group consisting of a jelly-roll type electrode assembly having a structure in which a separator is interposed between long sheet-shaped positive and negative electrodes and then rolled up, a stack type electrode assembly having unit cells having a structure in which rectangular positive and negative electrodes are stacked with a separator interposed between them, a stack-folding type electrode assembly in which the unit cells are rolled up by a long separator film, and a lamination-stack type electrode assembly in which the unit cells are stacked with a separator interposed between them and attached to each other.

[0057] Additionally, the electrode assembly may include two electrode tabs and two electrode leads (111, 112) each connected to the electrode tabs by a weld.

[0058] One of the two electrode leads (111, 112) may be a positive lead connected to the positive tab, and the other electrode lead (111, 112) may be a negative lead connected to the negative tab.

[0059] A lead film (113) may be attached to each of the electrode leads (111, 112). The lead film (113) coupled to the electrode leads (111, 112) is positioned between the electrode leads (111, 112) and the cell case (115), thereby preventing a short circuit from occurring between the electrode leads (111, 112) and the cell case (115) and improving the sealing force, thereby preventing leakage of the electrolyte, etc.

[0060] The two electrode leads (111, 112) are shown as being arranged on each side of the electrode assembly, but may be arranged on only one side of the electrode assembly depending on the arrangement of the electrode tabs.

[0061] The above module case (200) may be for protecting the battery cell stack (100) and electrical components connected thereto from external physical impact, and the module case (200) may accommodate the battery cell stack (100) and electrical components connected thereto in the internal space of the module case (200).

[0062] The structure of the module case (200) may vary, and for example, the structure of the module case (200) may be a mono-frame structure. Here, the mono-frame may be in the form of a metal plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and both side surfaces that are integrated. The mono-frame may be manufactured by extrusion molding. As another example, the structure of the module case (200) may be a structure in which a U-shaped frame and an upper plate (upper surface (201)) are combined. In the case of a structure in which a U-shaped frame and an upper plate are combined, the structure of the module case (200) may be formed by combining an upper plate on the upper side of a U-shaped frame, which is a metal plate having a lower surface and both side surfaces that are combined or integrated, and each frame or plate may be manufactured by press molding. In addition, the structure of the module case (200) may be provided as an L-shaped frame structure in addition to a mono-frame or a U-shaped frame, and may be provided as various structures not described in the above-described examples.

[0063] The structure of the module case (200) may be provided in an open form along the longitudinal direction of the battery cell stack (100). The front and rear sides of the battery cell stack (100) may not be covered by the module case (200). The electrode leads (111, 112) of the battery cells (110) may not be covered by the module case (200). The front and rear sides of the battery cell stack (100) may be covered by a bus bar frame (300), an end plate (400), or bus bars (310, 320) to be described later, and through this, the front and rear sides of the battery cell stack (100) may be protected from external physical impacts, etc.

[0064] A compression pad (150) may be positioned between one side of the inner surface of the battery cell stack (100) and the module case (200).

[0065] The compression pad (150) can be arranged to face the battery cell (110) at the outermost end of the battery cell stack (100) in the X-axis direction in the drawing.

[0066] Also, although not shown, a thermally conductive resin may be injected between the inner surface of the battery cell stack (100) and the module case (200), and a thermally conductive resin layer (not shown) may be formed between one side of the inner surface of the battery cell stack (100) and the module case (200) by the injected thermally conductive resin. At this time, the thermally conductive resin layer may be positioned on the Z-axis of the battery cell stack (100), and the thermally conductive resin layer may be formed between the battery cell stack (100) and the bottom surface positioned on the -Z-axis of the module case (200).

[0067] The above busbar frame (300) is positioned on one side of the battery cell stack (100), and can cover one side of the battery cell stack (100) and simultaneously guide the connection between the battery cell stack (100) and an external device. Specifically, the busbar frame (300) can be positioned on the front or rear side of the battery cell stack (100) as illustrated. At least one of a busbar (310, 320) and a module connector can be mounted on the busbar frame (300). As illustrated in FIG. 3, one side of the busbar frame (300) is connected to the front or rear side of the battery cell stack (100), and the other side of the busbar frame (300) can be connected to the busbar (310, 320).

[0068] The busbar frame (300) may include an electrically insulating material. The busbar frame (300) may limit contact between the busbars (310, 320) and other parts of the battery cells (110) other than the parts where the busbars are connected to the electrode leads (111, 112), thereby preventing electrical short circuits from occurring.

[0069] The busbar frame (300) may be positioned on the front and rear sides of the battery cell stack (100), respectively.

[0070] The busbar (310, 320) is mounted on one side of the busbar frame (300) and may be used to electrically connect the battery cell stack (100) or battery cells (110) and an external device circuit. The busbar (310, 320) is positioned between the battery cell stack (100) or busbar frame (300) and the end plate (400), thereby being protected from external impacts, etc., and minimizing deterioration in durability due to external moisture, etc.

[0071] The busbar (310, 320) can be electrically connected to the battery cell stack (100) through the electrode leads (111, 112) of the battery cell (110).

[0072] Specifically, the electrode leads (111, 112) of the battery cells (110) can be bent and connected to the bus bars (310, 320) after passing through the lead slits formed in the bus bar frame (300). The battery cells (110) constituting the battery cell stack (100) can be connected in series or in parallel by the bus bars (310, 320).

[0073] The busbars (310, 320) may include terminal busbars (320) for electrically connecting one battery module (100) to another battery module (100). At least a portion of the terminal busbars (320) may be exposed to the outside of the end plate (400) to be connected to another battery module (100), and the end plate (400) may be provided with terminal openings (410) for this purpose.

[0074] The terminal bus bar (320) can have one end (second part (322)) exposed through the opening (510) of the insulating cover (500) and the terminal opening (410) of the end plate (400).

[0075] As illustrated in Fig. 5, the terminal bus bar (320) may include a first portion (321) connected to the electrode leads (111, 112) of the battery cell (110) and a second portion (322) exposed to the outside through a terminal opening (410). In addition, the terminal bus bar (320) may further include a bending portion (323) formed between the first portion (321) and the second portion (322).

[0076] In the terminal bus bar (320), the first part (321) can be connected to the second part (322) through a bending portion, and one side of the first part (321) and one side of the second part (322) can be perpendicular to each other. That is, by forming a bent bending portion (323) in the terminal bus bar (320), the second part (322) can protrude so that the second part (322) can be seated in the seating portion (530) of the insulating cover (500), and the second part (322) can be electrically connected to the pack bus bar (1100). A joining hole (322a) is formed in the second part (322) constituting one end of the terminal bus bar (320), and the second part (322) of the terminal bus bar (320) is fixed by a pin or bolt inserted into the joining hole (322a).

[0077] The end plate (400) may be used to seal the open surface of the module case (200) to protect the battery cell stack (100) and electrical components connected thereto from external physical impact. To this end, the end plate (400) may be manufactured from a material having a predetermined strength, and for example, the end plate (400) may include a metal such as aluminum or a plastic material.

[0078] A terminal opening (410) may be formed in the end plate (400). The terminal openings (410) may be positioned on each side of the end plate (400), and a portion of the insulating cover (500) and one end (second portion (322)) of the terminal bus bar (320) may be exposed through the terminal openings (410).

[0079] In addition, a connector opening may be located between terminal openings (410) located on both sides of the end plate (400), and a module connector may be exposed to the outside through the connector opening.

[0080] The end plate (400) can be combined with the module case (200) while covering the busbar frame (300) or busbar (310, 320) located on one side of the battery cell stack (100). Each corner of the end plate (400) can be combined with a corresponding corner of the module case (200) by welding, bolting, hooking, or the like.

[0081] The end plates (400) can be positioned on the front and rear sides of the module case (200) to cover the front and rear sides of the battery cell stack (100).

[0082] Additionally, an insulating cover (500) for electrical insulation may be positioned between the end plate (400) and the busbar frame (300). That is, the busbar frame (300), the insulating cover (500), and the end plate (400) may be sequentially positioned outward from the battery cell stack (100). Like the end plate (400), the busbar frame (300) and the insulating cover (500) may each be configured in multiples.

[0083] The insulating cover (500) may include an electrically insulating material and may block the busbar (310, 320) from contacting the end plate (400).

[0084] The insulating cover (500) may include an opening (510) and a mounting portion (530). The openings (510) may be positioned on each of the upper sides of the insulating cover (500), and one end (second portion (322)) of the terminal bus bar (320) may be exposed through the openings (510).

[0085] In addition, a connector opening may be located between the openings (510) located on both sides of the insulating cover (500), and the module connector may be exposed to the outside through the connector opening.

[0086] The insulating cover (500) may be positioned on the inner surface of the end plate (400) and may be in close contact with the inner surface of the end plate (400), but this is not necessarily the case.

[0087] As described above, one end (second part (322)) of the terminal bus bar (320) can be exposed through the opening (510), and this exposed end end of the terminal bus bar (320) can be seated on the mounting portion (530). Accordingly, the mounting portion (530) can be positioned adjacent to the opening (510) and can be positioned on the upper outer surface.

[0088] The second part (322) of the terminal bus bar (320) can be secured to the upper surface of the mounting portion (530), and thus the upper surface of the mounting portion (530) can form a mounting surface. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the mounting portion (530) can include a fixing portion (531) that fixes the second part (322) of the terminal bus bar (320). The fixing portion (531) can include a fixing groove (531a), and a pin or bolt, etc. inserted into a joining groove (322a) formed in the second part (322) of the terminal bus bar (320) is fixed by being coupled to the fixing groove (531a), so that the second part (322) of the terminal bus bar (320) together with the pack bus bar (1100) can be fixed to the fixing portion (531).

[0089] The mounting portion (530) can be exposed to the outside through the terminal opening (410) of the end plate (400) together with the opening (510). The mounting portion (530) can be formed integrally with the insulating cover (500), or can be combined in a separate form with the insulating cover (500).

[0090] In addition, a terminal cover portion (540) covering one end of the exposed terminal bus bar (320) can be placed on the insulating cover (500).

[0091] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10, the terminal cover part (540) may include an upper cover body (541) positioned on the upper portion of the terminal cover part (540), a front cover body (542) positioned on the front of the terminal cover part (540), and a hinge part (543).

[0092] In the terminal cover part (540), the upper cover body (541) can be positioned spaced upward from one end of the terminal bus bar (320) and can cover one end (second part (322)) of the terminal bus bar (320) from above.

[0093] In the terminal cover portion (540), the front cover body (542) may be formed to extend downward from the front edge of the upper cover body (541) and may be formed integrally with the upper cover body (541). The front cover body (542) may be positioned between the front edge of the upper cover body (541) and the insulating cover (500).

[0094] The terminal cover part (540) can be arranged so as to be openable and closable by being arranged on the upper side of one end (second part (322)) of the exposed terminal bus bar (320), and can be arranged so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis on the insulating cover (500). FIGS. 7 to 9 are drawings illustrating a closed state of the terminal cover part (540), and FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating an open state of the terminal cover part (540).

[0095] The rotation axis around which the terminal cover portion (540) rotates may be arranged parallel to the width direction (X-axis direction) of the battery module. As another example, the rotation axis may be arranged parallel to the length direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery module.

[0096] To this end, in the present embodiment, a hinge portion (543) may be arranged at the rear of the terminal cover portion (540), and the terminal cover portion (540) may be hinge-coupled to the insulating cover (500) by the hinge portion (543). The hinge portion (543) may include a rotation portion (543b) that is coupled to the outer periphery of a hinge pin (543a) arranged on the insulating cover (500) and can rotate around the hinge pin (543a). Here, the hinge pin (543a) may serve as a rotation axis of the terminal cover portion (540). The rotation portion (543b) may have a completely circular shape or may be an arc member in the shape of an arc.

[0097] Additionally, as another example, the hinge portion (543) may include a hinge pin that is inserted into an insertion groove (not shown) of the insulating cover (500) and rotatably coupled, and this hinge pin may be placed in the terminal cover portion (540).

[0098] According to this hinge joint structure, the terminal cover part (540) can be opened and closed, and the terminal cover part (540) can open and close one end of the terminal bus bar (320).

[0099] And, although not specifically illustrated, the terminal cover part (540) according to another embodiment of the present invention may be hinge-joined to the end plate (400), and the terminal opening part (510) may be opened or closed by the terminal cover part (540) depending on the hinge-joining structure.

[0100] Meanwhile, an opening (560) may be arranged in an open shape between the side edge of the upper cover body (541) (the edge extending along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery module (1000)) and the insulating cover (500) (or the mounting portion (530)).

[0101] The opening (560) may be for connecting the pack bus bar (1100) to the terminal bus bar (320) for inter-module connection.

[0102] The pack bus bar (1100) is a member for connecting a battery module (1000) to another battery module (1000) or a BDU (Battery Disconnect Unit), and can be connected to an exposed end (protruding end, second part (322)) of a terminal bus bar (320). For example, the pack bus bar (1100) can be connected by overlapping one end (the upper part of the second part (322)) of the terminal bus bar (320) by a method such as bolting or welding. After the pack bus bar (1100) is connected to the terminal bus bar (320), the terminal cover part (540) can cover one end of the pack bus bar (1100) that is connected to the second part (322) of the terminal bus bar (320).

[0103] The terminal bus bar (320) is connected to the pack bus bar (1100) to form an electrical connection between modules, and at this time, one end of the pack bus bar (1100) inserted through the opening (560) between the upper cover body (541) and the insulating cover (500) is connected to the terminal bus bar (320).

[0104] In addition, the battery module (1000) of the present invention may include a rib (Rib, 550) placed in the opening (560).

[0105] The rib (550) is arranged in the opening (560) to prevent safety accidents, and in this embodiment, it may be configured in the form of a protrusion that protrudes from the upper part of the insulating cover (500) to the opening (560) on the outside of the terminal bus bar (320) exposed through the terminal opening (510).

[0106] Specifically, the insulating cover (500) may include an edge portion (532a, 532b) located on the outside of a mounting portion (530) on which one end of the terminal bus bar (320) is mounted at a portion exposed through the terminal opening (510), and the edge portion (532a, 532b) may include a first edge portion (532a) which is a side edge of the mounting portion (530) and a second edge portion (532b) which is a front edge of the mounting portion (530).

[0107] The first edge portion (532a) may be an edge extending along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery module (1000), and the second edge portion (532b) may be an edge extending along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the battery module (1000).

[0108] In this embodiment, the rib (550) may be positioned at the first edge portion (532a) where the opening portion (560) is located. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10, the rib (550) may be formed to protrude upward (in the direction of the opening) from one end of the first edge portion (532a) adjacent to the opening portion (510) and may be formed to slope upward from one end of the first edge portion (532a) to the other end. In addition, the end of the rib (550) may be positioned higher than one end (the second portion (322)) of the terminal bus bar (320) when viewed from the side, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0109] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the upward angle (α) of the rib (550) at which the first edge portion (532a) is inclined upward may be within about 5 to 45 degrees, within 5 to 30 degrees, or within 5 to 15 degrees. In the present embodiment, the first edge portion (532a) and the second portion (322) or the mounting portion (530) of the terminal bus bar (320) may be arranged parallel to each other. Accordingly, the upward angle (α) of the rib (550) may be the same as the angle formed by the rib (550) and the second portion (322) or the mounting portion (530) of the terminal bus bar (320).

[0110] The rib (550) may be formed in a straight shape as shown, or as another example, a portion of the rib (550) may be bent or curved.

[0111] Meanwhile, a pack busbar guide member (590) may be arranged on the second edge portion (532b) as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 10. The pack busbar guide member (590) is formed to protrude upward from the second edge portion (532b) located on the front outer side of one end of the terminal busbar (320), and may be arranged at a position adjacent to the first edge portion (532a) on the second edge portion (532b). Specifically, the distance from the pack busbar guide member (590) to the first edge portion (532a) may be smaller than the distance from the joining hole (322a) of the terminal busbar (320) to the first edge portion (532a).

[0112] This pack busbar guide member (590) can serve to guide or support the pack busbar (1100) when assembling the pack busbar (1100). In addition, when assembling the pack busbar (1100) to the terminal busbar (320) using bolts or the like, the pack busbar (1100) can rotate, and the pack busbar guide member (590) can serve to prevent the rotation of the pack busbar (1100).

[0113] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing that access of an operator's finger is prevented in a battery module according to the present invention. In FIG. 9, the drawing symbol O represents a test finger, which is a finger model (IPXXB) for verifying finger access stability specified in the International Protection Marking (IP) code (IEC60529).

[0114] When assembling a battery module (1000) or pack and during A / S work, a worker's finger may come into contact with the terminal bus bar (320) through the opening (560), which may cause a safety accident. However, in the present invention, a rib (550) is arranged in the opening (560) to prevent the worker's finger from approaching, thereby preventing a safety accident and stably maintaining the quality of the battery module (1000). As shown in the drawing, it is possible to satisfy IPXXB specified in the international protection rating (IP).

[0115] Meanwhile, FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a pack bus bar (1100) connected to a battery module (1000) according to the present invention.

[0116] When connecting the pack bus bar (1100) to the terminal bus bar (320), the terminal cover part (540) can be opened and the pack bus bar (1100) can be connected to the terminal bus bar (320).

[0117] To specifically describe the process of connecting the pack bus bar (1100) to the battery module (1000), first, the terminal cover part (540) is opened by rotating it around the hinge pin (543a).

[0118] Next, one end of the pack bus bar (1100) is placed overlappingly on the second part (322) of the terminal bus bar (320) mounted on the mounting portion (530) as shown. Thereafter, a connecting member (not shown), such as a pin or bolt, is sequentially inserted into the connecting hole (1100a) of the pack bus bar (1100) and the connecting hole (322a) of the second part (322) of the terminal bus bar (320), and then the connecting member is fixed to the fixing groove (531a) of the mounting portion (530), thereby connecting the pack bus bar (1100) to the terminal bus bar (320).

[0119] When the connection between the pack bus bar (1100) and the terminal bus bar (320) is completed in this way, the terminal cover part (540) can be closed again to cover one end of the pack bus bar (1100) connected to the second part (322) of the terminal bus bar (320) with the terminal cover part (540).

[0120] And, in the present invention, the rib (550) can be formed flexibly and have tension. As shown in Fig. 10, when connecting the pack bus bar (1100) to the terminal bus bar (320), even if the pack bus bar (1100) comes into contact with the rib (550), the rib (550) can be bent or curved because it is formed flexibly, and when there is no contact with the pack bus bar (1100), etc., it can be restored to its original state by the restoring force.

[0121] Meanwhile, one or more battery modules (1000) according to the present invention as described above can form a battery pack. The battery pack according to the present invention can accommodate at least one battery module (1000) inside a pack case and can include various control and protection systems such as a BMS (Battery Management System) and a cooling system.

[0122] The battery module (1000) and battery pack according to the present invention, configured as described above, can be applied to various devices. Specifically, they can be applied to transportation vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles, or ESS (Energy Storage Systems), but are not limited thereto and can be applied to various devices capable of using secondary batteries.

[0123] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments as described above, it is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains within a scope that does not depart from the spirit of the present invention.

[0124] The present invention provides a battery module and pack that can ensure the safety of workers by preventing workers' fingers from approaching terminal bus bars during product assembly or A / S work.

Claims

1. A battery cell stack in which multiple battery cells are stacked; A module case for accommodating the above battery cell stack; A terminal bus bar arranged on one side of the above battery cell stack; An insulating cover disposed on one side of the above module frame and on which one end of the terminal bus bar is located; and A rib disposed on the insulating cover and protruding upward from the outer side of one end of the terminal bus bar; A battery module characterized by including:

2. In paragraph 1, A battery module in which the above rib is formed integrally with the above insulating cover.

3. In paragraph 1, A battery module wherein the rib is arranged on an edge extending along the length of the battery module from the insulating cover.

4. In paragraph 1, A battery module in which the above ribs are formed to slope upward.

5. In paragraph 1, The above rib is a battery module formed flexibly.

6. In paragraph 1, A battery module in which the insulating cover includes a mounting portion on which one end of the terminal bus bar is mounted.

7. In paragraph 6, The above rib is a battery module arranged at the edge of the above mounting portion.

8. In paragraph 7, A battery module including a mounting surface on which one end of the terminal bus bar is mounted, and an edge portion disposed on the outside of the mounting surface.

9. In paragraph 8, The edge of the above-mentioned mounting part A first edge portion located on the side edge of the above-mentioned mounting portion; and A second edge portion located at the front edge of the above-mentioned mounting portion; A battery module including:

10. In paragraph 9, The above rib is a battery module arranged on the first edge portion.

11. In paragraph 1, A battery module further comprising a terminal cover portion covering one end of the terminal bus bar.

12. In paragraph 11, The above terminal cover portion is a battery module arranged so as to be openable.

13. In paragraph 12, A battery module in which the terminal cover portion is arranged so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis.

14. In paragraph 13, A battery module in which the above rotation axis is arranged parallel to the width direction of the battery module.

15. In paragraph 11, A battery module further comprising an opening disposed between a side edge extending along the longitudinal direction of the battery module in the insulating cover and the terminal cover portion.

16. In paragraph 15, A battery module in which the above ribs are formed to protrude through the above opening.

17. In paragraph 16, A battery module in which a pack bus bar inserted through the above opening is connected to one end of the terminal cover portion.

18. In paragraph 1, The above insulating cover includes an opening, A battery module in which one end of the terminal bus bar is exposed through the above opening.

19. In paragraph 1, Further comprising an end plate disposed on the front or rear of the above module case, A battery module wherein the end plate is placed on the outside of the insulating cover.

20. A battery pack comprising a battery module according to paragraph 1.

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