Battery module, and battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module comprising: multiple battery cells, each of which is provided with an electrode lead; a busbar frame including lead slots and stepped parts, the lead slots being positioned at a side part thereof on which the electrode leads of the multiple battery cells are provided and being provided to allow the electrode leads of the multiple battery cells to pass therethrough, the stepped parts being formed on portions where the electrode leads having passed through the lead slots are provided; and at least one damage prevention member provided between the electrode leads and the stepped parts.

Description

Battery modules and battery packs and vehicles containing the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module including a plurality of pouch-type battery cells and having improved connection portions between electrode leads, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the same.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0121168, filed on September 12, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0003] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0001588, filed on January 4, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0004] Secondary batteries, which boast high electrical properties such as high energy density and easy applicability across a wide range of product categories, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by electrical power sources. These batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency, not only because they can dramatically reduce fossil fuel use, but also because they produce no byproducts from energy use.

[0005] 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. Among them, lithium-ion batteries primarily use lithium oxide and carbon materials as positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively. Lithium secondary batteries are equipped with an electrode assembly comprising positive and negative plates coated with positive and negative active materials, respectively, with a separator interposed between them, and an outer case, i.e., a battery case, that seals and houses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0006] In general, secondary batteries can be classified into can-type batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a metal can and pouch-type batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a pouch of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the outer packaging material.

[0007] When high output voltages are required, multiple battery cells are connected in series to form a battery module or battery pack. Furthermore, to increase charge / discharge capacity, multiple battery cells are connected in parallel to form a battery module or battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in a battery module or pack can vary depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0008] In conventional battery modules comprising multiple pouch-shaped battery cells, electrode leads are arranged to pass through lead slots in a busbar frame, bend, and then be stacked on top of each other. The stacked electrode leads are then joined by laser welding. However, laser welding between electrode leads can cause damage to the busbar frame located behind the electrode leads.

[0009] Accordingly, the need to develop a separate structure to improve weldability by preventing damage to the busbar frame located at the rear of the electrode leads during laser welding between electrode leads has arisen.

[0010] Furthermore, conventional battery modules incorporate a separate structure to sense the voltage of the electrode leads to prevent battery cells from being used in environments with higher than optimal voltage levels during charging and discharging. However, the inclusion of these separate components can increase the cost and time required to manufacture each component, and complicate the manufacturing process.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need to develop a structure that can reduce cost and time by not only preventing damage to the busbar frame when welding between electrode leads but also simultaneously sensing the voltage of the electrode leads.

[0012] Accordingly, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery module that can prevent other components from being damaged when welding between electrode leads of a battery cell.

[0013] In addition, another problem that the present invention seeks to solve is to provide a battery module that can reduce cost and time and improve productivity when manufacturing a battery module.

[0014] Another problem that the present invention seeks to solve is to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including such a battery module.

[0015] However, the problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0016] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells each having an electrode lead; a lead slot provided at a side where the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells are provided so that the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells pass through it; a bus bar frame having a step formed at a portion where the electrode leads passing through the lead slot are provided; and at least one damage prevention member provided between the electrode leads and the step.

[0017] The height direction length of the above damage prevention member may be provided to be longer than the height direction length of the above electrode lead.

[0018] The above damage prevention member is provided in multiple pieces, and the multiple damage prevention members can be provided individually and spaced apart from each other.

[0019] The above-mentioned step portion may include a first surface that is provided flatly, and a second surface that is provided to extend inwardly from the first surface in a stepwise manner.

[0020] The above damage prevention member is provided with a shape corresponding to the shape of the step portion and can be installed on the step portion.

[0021] The above damage prevention member may include a contact portion that is provided to be seated on the first surface and come into contact with the electrode lead, and a receiving portion that is provided to extend from the contact portion in a stepwise manner and be spaced apart from the electrode lead.

[0022] The above damage prevention member may include a connecting portion provided to connect the contact portion and the support portion.

[0023] The above-mentioned support portion and contact portion may have a groove formed inwardly adjacent to the above-mentioned connecting portion.

[0024] The above damage prevention member may include a main plate provided to face the electrode lead, and a joining plate configured to be bent toward the bus bar frame on both sides of the main plate.

[0025] At least one hole may be formed in the above-mentioned joining plate.

[0026] The above damage prevention member can be formed integrally with the busbar frame by insert injection molding.

[0027] Among the above electrode leads, two adjacent electrode leads are bent through the lead slot and overlap each other, and the overlapped electrode leads can be joined by laser welding.

[0028] The contact portion may be joined to at least a portion of the electrode lead by laser welding, and the support portion may be configured to protect the busbar frame from heat resulting from laser welding.

[0029] In addition, the present invention provides a battery pack characterized by including a battery module according to the present invention.

[0030] And, the present invention provides an automobile characterized by including a battery module according to the present invention or a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0031] According to one aspect of the present invention, damage to other components can be prevented during welding between electrode leads of a battery cell. In particular, according to this aspect of the present invention, weldability between electrode leads can be improved.

[0032] In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, damage to other components is prevented when welding between electrode leads of a battery cell, and the voltage of the electrode leads can be sensed at the same time.

[0033] Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, the battery module manufacturing process can be simplified by integrating multiple components. This reduces costs and time, and improves productivity.

[0034] In addition, the present invention may have various other effects, which will be described in each embodiment configuration, or an explanation of effects that can be easily inferred by a person skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0035] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main components of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a front view of a busbar frame included in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a busbar frame included in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a busbar frame included in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a damage prevention member included in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a damage prevention member included in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention coupled to a busbar frame.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a welding portion of an electrode lead in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack including a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle including a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best explain his or her invention, they should be interpreted in a way that aligns with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0047] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0048] Furthermore, the present invention includes various embodiments. For each embodiment, redundant descriptions of substantially identical or similar components will be omitted, and the differences will be described.

[0049] Meanwhile, in the present invention, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back may be used, but it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms are only for convenience of explanation and may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer.

[0050] For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the X-axis direction shown in the drawing may mean a left-right direction, the Y-axis direction may mean a front-back direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction on a horizontal plane (XY plane), and the Z-axis direction may mean an up-down direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main components of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, FIG. 3 is a front view of a busbar frame included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the busbar frame included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a battery module (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell (100), a busbar frame (300), and a damage prevention member (400).

[0053] Referring primarily to FIGS. 2 and 3, the battery cell (100) may be provided in multiple units. The multiple battery cells (100) may be, for example, pouch-type secondary batteries. Each of the multiple battery cells (100) may be provided with an electrode lead (120).

[0054] Specifically, the plurality of battery cells (100) may include an electrode assembly, a cell case (110) that accommodates the electrode assembly, and an electrode lead (120) that is connected to the electrode assembly and extends outward from the cell case (110) to function as an electrode terminal. The cell case (110) may accommodate the electrode assembly in a receiving portion, and a border around the receiving portion may be heat-sealed to form a sealing portion.

[0055] The electrode leads (120) may be provided as a pair, and the pair of electrode leads (120) may be extended from both ends of the battery cell (100), i.e., in the longitudinal direction (±Y direction). At this time, the pair of electrode leads (120) may be a positive lead and a negative lead. If necessary, the battery cell (100) may have a form in which the two electrode leads (120) are positioned only at one end in the Y-axis direction, for example, only at the end in the +Y-axis direction.

[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of battery cells (100) can be arranged in a vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and in a parallel manner in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). At this time, each battery cell (100) can have its sealing portion facing the front-back direction (Y-axis direction) and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction), and its storage portion facing the left-right direction (X-axis direction).

[0057] Meanwhile, the battery module (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a blocking member (not shown). The blocking member may be provided between the battery cells (100). In particular, a plurality of blocking members may be included. The blocking member (500) may be provided in a form in which it is arranged for at least one battery cell (100). According to the above-described exemplary configuration of the present invention, the battery cells (100) are partitioned or separated by the blocking member, thereby preventing gas, flames, etc. from spreading to other blocking members adjacent to the blocking member.

[0058] These blocking members may be made of materials with excellent heat resistance and / or fire resistance, such as silicone or aerogel. According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the blocking members may contribute to the structural rigidity of the battery cells (100) by compressing the battery cells (100) when the battery cells (100) are swollen.

[0059] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery module (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a module case (200). The module case (200) may be configured to have an internal space (O) formed therein and accommodate battery cells (100) in the internal space (O). The module case (200) according to the present embodiment may include a case body (210) and an end plate (220).

[0060] The case body (210) may be provided as a monoframe. The case body (210) may be configured in the form of a square tube having an upper surface, a lower surface, a left surface, and a right surface, and having an open front and back. In addition, the upper surface, the lower surface, the left surface, and the right surface may be configured in an integrated form. The case body (210) may be configured with a metal material having rigidity and heat resistance to physically or chemically protect the battery cell (100) contained therein.

[0061] In addition, the case body (210) may be formed in various other shapes. For example, the case body (210) may be formed in a form in which the left side plate, the right side plate, and the lower side plate are integrated with each other. In this case, the integrated case portion may be referred to as a U-frame. The U-frame may be formed in a tubular shape by welding a top plate to the upper surface.

[0062] At this time, the case body (210) may be arranged so that the battery cells (100) can be inserted inside along one direction. For example, the battery cells (100) may be inserted inside along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). That is, the case body (210) may be configured so that the battery cells (100) can be inserted inside thereof in a sliding or force-fit manner. For force-fitting, there may be almost no gap between the upper and lower surfaces of the case body (210) and the upper and lower ends of the battery cells (100), and there may also be almost no gap between both side surfaces of the case body (210) and both side portions of the battery cells (100).

[0063] Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawing, the case body (210) may be provided with venting holes, and directional venting in one direction may be possible. For example, a plurality of venting holes may be formed on the lower surface of the case body (210), and directional venting of the battery module (10) downward may be possible through the venting holes.

[0064] The end plate (220) may be provided on the open front and rear surfaces of the case body (210). The end plate (220) may be welded and joined to the case body (210). Meanwhile, although not shown for convenience, the end plate (220) may have, for example, an inner surface made of an insulating material and an outer surface made of a metal material. In addition, the end plate (220) may be partially provided with holes or slits to expose components that need to be exposed to the outside, such as a positive terminal and a negative terminal of a battery module (10) or a connector.

[0065] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 2, the busbar frame (300) may be provided inside the module case (200) to cover at least one side of the battery cells (100). In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the busbar frame (300) may be provided in a plate shape to cover both ends of the battery cells (100), the front (-Y direction) or the rear (+Y direction) of the battery cells (100). This busbar frame (300) may be made of an electrically insulating material such as plastic and may be injection-molded.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 3, the busbar frame (300) may include a lead slot (310). The lead slot (310) may be provided so that at least a portion of the electrode leads (120) of the plurality of battery cells (100) pass through it. The lead slot (310) may be provided so that the plurality of electrode leads (120) may pass through it in the front-back direction (+Y-axis or -Y-axis direction). To this end, the lead slot (310) may be located on a side where the electrode leads (120) of the plurality of battery cells (100) are provided, and a plurality of lead slots (310) may be provided so as to be spaced apart from each other along the stacking direction (X-direction) of the battery cells (100).

[0067] At this time, a plurality of electrode leads (120) passing through the lead slot (310) may be arranged to be bent and stacked on each other. By this stacking structure, a plurality of battery cells (100) in which the electrode leads (120) are in contact with each other can be electrically connected to each other.

[0068] In addition, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the busbar frame (300) may include a step portion (320). The step portion (320) may be formed by a portion of the busbar frame (300) being sunken inward (rearward, in the +Y direction). A plurality of the step portions (320) may be provided at each position where the electrode lead (120) passing through the lead slot (310) is provided. The step portions (320) may be formed to correspond to the portion where the electrode lead (120) passing through the lead slot (310) is provided. As a result, a space may be formed between the step portion (320) and the electrode lead (120).

[0069] The battery module (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a damage prevention member (400). At least one damage prevention member (400) may be provided. The damage prevention member (400) may be provided between the electrode lead (120) and the step portion (320) of the bus bar frame (300). That is, the electrode lead (120) may be provided to be spaced apart from at least a portion of the damage prevention member (400).

[0070] Accordingly, a space is formed between the electrode lead (120) and the damage prevention member (400), thereby preventing heat generated by welding the electrode lead (120) from being transferred to the busbar frame (300). Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, damage to the busbar frame (300) can be prevented when welding between the electrode leads (120) of the battery cell (100). In particular, according to this aspect of the present invention, weldability between the electrode leads (120) can be improved.

[0071] Previously, a separate structure was required to improve weldability by preventing damage to the busbar frame located behind the electrode leads during laser welding between electrode leads. However, the present invention can improve weldability by utilizing the stepped portion (320) of the busbar frame (300) without the need for a separate structure. Furthermore, the damage prevention member (400) can prevent damage to the busbar frame (300) due to welding.

[0072] Additionally, the damage prevention member (400) may be made of a metal material. At this time, at least a portion of the damage prevention member (400) may be configured to be in contact with the electrode lead (120). At least a portion of the damage prevention member (400) may be provided by being joined to the electrode lead (120) by laser welding.

[0073] Accordingly, the damage prevention member (400) can be configured to prevent damage to the busbar frame (300) during welding between electrode leads (120) and to sense the voltage of the electrode leads (120). Although not shown in the drawing, a battery module (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a voltage sensing unit, and a voltage measuring unit is connected to the damage prevention member (400), thereby sensing the voltage of the electrode leads (120).

[0074] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, even if a component for sensing the voltage of the electrode lead (120) is not separately provided, the damage prevention member (400) senses the voltage of the electrode lead (120), thereby enabling a single component to have multiple functions, thereby simplifying the process for manufacturing a battery module. Accordingly, in manufacturing a battery module (10), since multiple components are manufactured in an integrated manner, material costs and component preparation or assembly time can be reduced, and productivity can be improved.

[0075] More specifically, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the length of the damage prevention member (400) in the height direction (Z-axis direction) may be provided longer than the length of the electrode lead (120) in the height direction (Z-axis direction). That is, the damage prevention member (400) and the laminated electrode lead (120) may be provided to overlap in the front-back direction, and at the same time, may be provided to completely overlap in the height direction. Accordingly, regardless of which part of the electrode lead (120) is welded, the damage prevention member (400) located at the rear side can prevent the busbar frame (300) from being damaged due to welding.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 3, the damage prevention member (400) may be provided in multiple pieces. At this time, the multiple damage prevention members (400) may be provided individually and spaced apart from each other. That is, the multiple damage prevention members (400) may be provided at each location where the stacked electrode leads (120) are located. According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the voltage of each stacked electrode lead (120) is individually sensed, thereby enabling the BMS (Battery Management System) to manage voltage information of each battery cell 100), thereby further securing the safety of the battery module (10). Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawing, the multiple damage prevention members (400) may sense the voltage of each stacked electrode lead (120) and transmit the information to one location.

[0077] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a busbar frame included in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a damage prevention member included in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 5, the step portion (320) may include a first portion (321) that is formed flat, and a second portion (322) that is formed to extend inwardly from the first portion (321). In FIG. 5, the step between the first portion (321) and the second portion (322) is formed to be inclined, but may also be formed to form a right angle. The first portion (321) may be formed to protrude outwardly (from the inside to the outside of the battery module (10)) more than the second portion (322). Accordingly, the second portion (322) may be formed to be completely spaced apart from the stacked electrode leads (120).

[0079] Meanwhile, the damage prevention member (400) may be provided with a shape corresponding to the shape of the step portion (320) and may be mounted on the step portion (320). In other words, the damage prevention member (400) may be provided to completely cover the step portion (320). According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, when welding the electrode lead (120), the damage prevention member (400) may be prevented from being damaged by heat caused by welding to the busbar frame (300).

[0080] The damage prevention member (400) may be configured in a plate shape with a step. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the damage prevention member (400) may include a contact portion (401) and a receiving portion (402). The contact portion (401) may be provided to be seated on the first portion (321) of the step portion (320) and to be in contact with the electrode lead (120). The receiving portion (402) may be provided to extend in a step from the contact portion (401). At this time, the height, angle, shape, etc. of the step of the contact portion (401) and the receiving portion (402) may be provided to correspond to the step of the first portion (321) and the second portion (322). Accordingly, the support portion (402) may be provided so as to be spaced apart from at least a portion of the electrode lead (120). In addition, the damage prevention member (400) may include a connecting portion (403) provided to connect the contact portion (401) and the support portion (402). The connecting portion (403) may be provided so as to correspond to the shape of the step portion (320), and thus may be provided to be inclined, or may be provided so as to be perpendicular to the contact portion (401) and the support portion (402), respectively.

[0081] At this time, the contact portion (401), the receiving portion (402), and the connecting portion (403) may be configured to be connected to each other by being provided in the shape of plates each having a predetermined area. Accordingly, the damage prevention member (400) may be provided in complete contact with the step portion (320) so as to cover a predetermined area of ​​the step portion (320). According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the second portion (322) can be protected more stably and reliably when welding the electrode lead (120).

[0082] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a damage prevention member included in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention coupled to a busbar frame.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 7, the damage prevention member (400) may be manufactured separately and then coupled to the busbar frame (300). For example, the damage prevention member (400) may be assembled separately to the busbar frame (300). Alternatively, the damage prevention member (400) may be formed integrally with the busbar frame (300) by insert injection molding. That is, when manufacturing the busbar frame (300), the damage prevention member (400) manufactured in advance is inserted into the busbar frame (300) mold, and then a thermoplastic resin is melted, injected into the mold, and cooled, thereby manufacturing the damage prevention member (400) and the busbar frame (300) as integral units.

[0084] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention using insert injection molding, the process of separately assembling the damage prevention member (400) to the busbar frame (300) is omitted, thereby reducing the amount of auxiliary materials, thereby reducing costs and time and improving productivity. In addition, rigidity is secured by the injection molding joint between the busbar frame (300) and the damage prevention member (400), thereby improving stability.

[0085] A groove (430) may be formed in the above damage prevention member (400). Specifically, the groove (430) may be formed by the support portion (402) and the contact portion (401) being recessed inward. The groove (430) may be formed in a portion adjacent to the connection portion (403). According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, when insert injection molding the damage prevention member (400), a thermoplastic resin for forming the busbar frame (300) can penetrate into the groove (430) and be fixed on both sides of the damage prevention member (400). As a result, the bonding force between the damage prevention member (400) and the busbar frame (300) is secured, thereby improving stability.

[0086] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the damage prevention member (400) may include a main plate (410) and a connecting plate (420). The main plate (410) may be provided to face the electrode lead (120). The main plate (410) may be provided in a shape corresponding to the step portion (330). The main plate (410) may be configured such that at least a portion thereof is in contact with the electrode lead (120). The main plate (410) may include a contact portion (401), a receiving portion (402), and a connecting portion (403). That is, the main plate (410) may be provided in a plate shape that extends in the height direction and includes a step portion.

[0087] The above-described joining plate (420) may be configured to be bent toward the busbar frame (300) on both sides of the main plate (410), i.e., inwardly. When the damage prevention member (400) is formed integrally with the busbar frame (300) by insert injection molding, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the joining plate (420) may be inserted into the inside of the busbar frame (300).

[0088] At this time, at least one hole (440) may be formed in the coupling plate (420). As the hole (440) is provided, when the damage prevention member (400) is formed integrally with the busbar frame (300) by insert injection molding, it can help the thermoplastic resin to be injected into the mold. In addition, when the thermoplastic resin filled in the hole (440) hardens, the bonding area between the damage prevention member (400) and the busbar frame (300) further increases, so that the risk of the damage prevention member (400) being accidentally detached from the busbar frame (300) by external force can be reduced. The position and number of holes (440) may be different from the illustrated example.

[0089] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a welding portion of an electrode lead in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] As described above, the electrode leads (120) are provided in a plurality as they are respectively provided for the plurality of battery cells (100), and at least some of the plurality of electrode leads (120) may be bent and stacked on each other after passing through the lead slot (310). Accordingly, at least some of the electrode leads (120) may be provided on the outer surface of the busbar frame (300).

[0091] At this time, two adjacent electrode leads (120) among the electrode leads (120) are bent through the lead slot (310) and overlap each other, and the overlapped electrode leads (120) can be joined by welding. The electrode leads (120) can be joined by, for example, spot welding or line welding. In other words, a weld (W) can be formed on the outer surface of the electrode lead (120). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the weld (W) can be formed along the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the electrode lead (120).

[0092] At this time, the contact portion (401) is joined to at least a portion of the electrode lead (120) by laser welding. In addition, the support portion (402) may be configured to be spaced apart from the remaining portion of the electrode lead (120) so as to protect the busbar frame (300) from heat caused by laser welding.

[0093] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack including a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 9, a battery pack (20) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery modules (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention as described above. The battery pack (20) according to the present invention may further include a pack case (21) for accommodating the above-described components, such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc. for integrated control of charging and discharging of one or more battery modules.

[0095] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle including a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 10, a vehicle (30) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention or battery modules (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle (30) according to the present invention may be, for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The vehicle (30) includes a four-wheel vehicle and a two-wheel vehicle. The vehicle (30) operates by receiving power from the battery pack (20) or battery module (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims to be described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Claims

1. A plurality of battery cells, each having an electrode lead; A busbar frame having a lead slot provided on a side provided with electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells so that the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells pass through it, and a step portion formed in a portion provided with the electrode leads passing through the lead slot; and A battery module characterized by comprising at least one damage prevention member provided between the electrode lead and the step portion.

2. In paragraph 1, A battery module characterized in that the height direction length of the above damage prevention member is longer than the height direction length of the above electrode lead.

3. In paragraph 1, The above damage prevention member is provided in multiple pieces, A battery module characterized in that a plurality of the above damage prevention members are individually provided and spaced apart from each other.

4. In paragraph 1, The above step part The first part is equipped flat, A battery module characterized by including a second part that is provided to extend inwardly from the first part.

5. In paragraph 4, A battery module characterized in that the damage prevention member is provided with a shape corresponding to the shape of the step portion and is mounted on the step portion.

6. In paragraph 5, The above damage prevention member A contact portion that is provided to be seated on the first portion and come into contact with the electrode lead; A battery module characterized by including a support portion that extends stepwise from the contact portion and is provided to be spaced apart from the electrode lead.

7. In paragraph 6, The above damage prevention member A battery module characterized by including a connecting portion provided to connect the contact portion and the support portion.

8. In paragraph 7, A battery module characterized in that the support portion and the contact portion have a groove formed inwardly adjacent to the connection portion.

9. In paragraph 1, The above damage prevention member A main plate provided to face the above electrode leads, A battery module characterized by including a joining plate configured to be bent toward the busbar frame on both sides of the main plate.

10. In paragraph 9, A battery module characterized in that at least one hole is formed in the above-mentioned joining plate.

11. In paragraph 1, A battery module characterized in that the above damage prevention member is formed integrally with the busbar frame by insert injection molding.

12. In paragraph 1, Among the above electrode leads, two adjacent electrode leads are bent through the lead slot and overlap each other, A battery module characterized in that the overlapping electrode leads are joined by laser welding.

13. In paragraph 6, The above contact portion is joined to at least a portion of the electrode lead by laser welding, A battery module characterized in that the support member is configured to protect the busbar frame from heat caused by laser welding.

14. In paragraph 1, A battery module, characterized in that the damage prevention member is configured to sense the voltage of the electrode lead.

15. A battery pack comprising a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A vehicle comprising a battery pack according to Article 15.

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