Battery pack

Abstract

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes: a first battery cell assembly including a first positive electrode terminal and a first negative electrode terminal; a second battery cell assembly spaced apart from the first battery cell assembly in a first direction, and including a second positive electrode terminal and a second negative electrode terminal; and a first inter-bus bar connecting the first negative electrode terminal with the second positive electrode terminal, wherein the first inter-bus bar has a Z-shape.

Description

battery pack

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack. This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2023-0176186, filed December 7, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. They are widely used as a power source for various wireless devices, including handsets, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, improved energy density and economies of scale have dramatically reduced the per-unit manufacturing cost of secondary batteries. Furthermore, as the range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to match that of fuel-powered vehicles, the primary use of secondary batteries is shifting from mobile devices to mobility.

[0003] The technological development trend in secondary batteries for mobility is improving energy density and safety. The energy density of a secondary battery is defined as the maximum electrical energy it can store divided by its mass. High energy density in secondary batteries is directly linked to driving efficiency and range in mobility, and therefore, various studies are being conducted to improve the energy density of secondary batteries.

[0004] The technical idea of ​​the present invention aims to solve a problem by providing a battery pack with enhanced safety by preventing internal short circuit in a thermal runaway event.

[0005] According to exemplary embodiments for solving the above-described problem, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes: a first battery cell assembly including a first positive terminal and a first negative terminal; a second battery cell assembly spaced apart from the first battery cell assembly in a first direction and including a second positive terminal and a second negative terminal; and a first inter-bus bar connecting the first negative terminal and the second positive terminal, wherein the first inter-bus bar has a Z shape.

[0006] The first inter-bus bar includes a first negative contact connected to the first negative terminal; a first positive contact connected to the second positive terminal; and a first connecting portion connecting the first positive contact and the first negative contact.

[0007] The first connecting portion extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0008] A third battery cell assembly spaced apart from the second battery cell assembly in the first direction and including a third positive terminal and a third negative terminal; and a second inter-bus bar connecting the second negative terminal and the third positive terminal, wherein the second inter-bus bar has a Z shape.

[0009] The second inter-bus bar has an arrangement that is reversed from that of the first inter-bus bar.

[0010] The second inter-bus bar includes a second negative contact connected to the second negative terminal; a second positive contact connected to the third positive terminal; and a second connecting portion connecting the second positive contact and the second negative contact.

[0011] The first positive electrode contact overlaps the second negative electrode contact in the first direction, and the first negative electrode contact overlaps the second positive electrode contact in the first direction.

[0012] According to exemplary embodiments, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a first battery cell assembly including a first positive terminal and a first negative terminal; a second battery cell assembly spaced apart from the first battery cell assembly in a first direction and including a second positive terminal and a second negative terminal; and a first inter-bus bar connecting the first negative terminal and the second positive terminal, wherein the first inter-bus bar includes a first negative contact connected to the first negative terminal, a first positive contact extending in the first direction, and a first connecting portion connecting the first positive contact and the first negative contact and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0013] The first negative terminal and the second positive terminal are aligned in the first direction.

[0014] Each of the first positive electrode contact and the first negative electrode contact extends in the first direction.

[0015] The first positive terminal and the first negative terminal are spaced apart in the second direction.

[0016] The second positive terminal and the second negative terminal are spaced apart in the second direction.

[0017] The first negative terminal is adjacent to the center in the second direction, and the second positive terminal is adjacent to the edge in the second direction.

[0018] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the positive and negative terminals of the plurality of battery cell assemblies of a battery pack can be distributed. Accordingly, in the event of a thermal runaway event in the battery pack, internal short circuits of the plurality of battery cell assemblies can be prevented, thereby enhancing the safety of the battery pack.

[0019] The effects that can be obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure pertain from the following description. In other words, unintended effects resulting from practicing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a battery pack according to exemplary embodiments.

[0021] Figure 2 is an enlarged partial plan view of a portion of Figure 1.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a battery pack according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0026] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for clearer explanation. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect the actual sizes or proportions.

[0027]

[0028] (Example 1)

[0029] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a battery pack (100) according to exemplary embodiments.

[0030] Figure 2 is a partial plan view showing a part of Figure 1.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery pack (100) may include a pack housing (110), a plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126), exhaust devices (130), and inter-bus bars (141, 142, 143, 144, 145). The battery pack (100) is the final form of a battery system mounted on mobility, etc.

[0032] The pack housing (110) may include a base plate (110B) and side walls (110S). Here, two directions substantially parallel to the mounting surface of the base plate (110B) are defined as the X direction and the Y direction, and a direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface of the base plate (110B) is defined as the Z direction. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction may be substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0033] The base plate (110B) may have a flat shape. The side walls (110S) may be substantially perpendicular to the base plate (110B). The side walls (110S) may be adjacent to edge portions of the base plate (110B). The side walls (110S) may be joined to edge portions of the base plate (110B).

[0034] The base plate (110B) may further include a center beam. The center beam may be surrounded by side walls (110S). Accordingly, the center beam may divide the space defined by the pack housing (110).

[0035] Each of the base plate (110B) and the side walls (110S) may be provided by an extrusion process. The base plate (110B) may include a plurality of plates joined by friction stir welding. The center beam may be included in one of the plurality of plates of the base plate (110B) and formed together with one of the plurality of plates by an extrusion process, or may be welded to one of the plurality of plates of the base plate (110B).

[0036] A plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) may be arranged on a mounting surface of a base plate (110B) of a pack housing (110). The battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123) may be arranged in the X direction. The battery cell assemblies (124, 125, 126) may be arranged in the X direction. The battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123) may be spaced apart from the battery cell assemblies (124, 125, 126) in the Y direction.

[0037] The base plate (110B) can support a plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126). The side walls (110S) can horizontally surround the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126).

[0038] According to exemplary embodiments, the battery pack (100) is of a modular type, and each of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) may not include a module frame. According to exemplary embodiments, the battery pack (100) is of a module type, and each of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) may include a module frame.

[0039] Each of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) may include a cell stack including a plurality of battery cells, a positive terminal (PT), and a negative terminal (NT).

[0040] A cell stack may include multiple battery cells. A battery cell is the basic unit of a lithium-ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. A battery cell may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a case.

[0041] The battery cell may be any one of a cylindrical battery cell, a prismatic battery cell, and a pouch-type battery cell. The electrode assembly of the cylindrical battery cell is housed in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of the prismatic battery cell is housed in a prismatic metal can. The electrode assembly of the pouch-type battery cell is housed in a pouch case containing an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0042] The electrode assembly includes an anode, a cathode, and a separator interposed between the anode and the cathode. A jelly roll type electrode assembly is formed by winding an anode, a cathode, and a separator interposed between them. A stack type electrode assembly includes a plurality of sequentially stacked anodes, a plurality of cathodes, and a plurality of separators interposed between them.

[0043] According to exemplary embodiments, a plurality of battery cells of a cell stack may constitute a plurality of banks. The plurality of banks may include one or more parallel-connected battery cells. The plurality of banks may be connected to each other in series. The number of battery cells included in each of the plurality of banks and the number of banks of the cell stack may be determined according to the voltage and current to be output through the battery cell assembly (120).

[0044] According to exemplary embodiments, the cell stack may further include a plurality of separators. The plurality of separators may prevent swelling of the plurality of battery cells by horizontally supporting the plurality of battery cells. According to exemplary embodiments, the plurality of separators may be thermal barriers. According to exemplary embodiments, each of the plurality of separators may have a high melting temperature and low thermal conductivity. According to exemplary embodiments, each of the plurality of separators may include a flame retardant material, such as a ceramic or coated glass material. According to exemplary embodiments, the plurality of separators may be configured to release a fire retardant material and a fire extinguishing agent when a thermal runaway event occurs.

[0045] According to exemplary embodiments, the positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) may be configured to be electrically connected to the cell stack. According to exemplary embodiments, the positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) may be configured to output a voltage of the cell stack. The resulting power (i.e., voltage and / or current) due to the electrical configuration of the cell stack may be output through the positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT).

[0046] In this example, the positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of each of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) may be aligned in the X direction. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (121) may be spaced apart from each other and overlapped in the X direction. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (122) may be spaced apart from each other and overlapped in the X direction. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (123) may be spaced apart from each other and overlapped in the X direction. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (124) may be spaced apart from each other and overlapped in the X direction. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (125) may be spaced apart from each other and overlapped in the X direction. The positive terminal (PT) and negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (126) may be spaced apart from each other and overlapped in the X direction.

[0047] Each of the positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (121) may be spaced apart from each of the positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (122) in the Y direction. Each of the positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (122) may be spaced apart from each of the positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (123) in the Y direction. Each of the positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (124) may be spaced apart from each of the positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (125) in the Y direction. Each of the positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (125) may be spaced apart from each of the positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (126) in the Y direction.

[0048] The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (121) may be closer to the center of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction than to the edge of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction (i.e., the edge parallel to the X direction). The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (122) may be closer to the edge of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction (i.e., the edge parallel to the X direction) than to the center of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (123) may be closer to the center of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction than to the edge of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction (i.e., the edge parallel to the X direction). The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (124) may be closer to the center of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction than to the edge of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction (i.e., the edge parallel to the X direction). The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (125) may be closer to the edge of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction (i.e., the edge parallel to the X direction) than to the center of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (126) may be closer to the center of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction than to the edge of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction (i.e., the edge parallel to the X direction).

[0049] The exhaust devices (130) may be coupled to any one of the side walls (110S). The side walls (110S) coupled to the exhaust devices (130) may include exhaust paths connected to the exhaust devices (130). The exhaust devices (130) may be configured to delay thermal propagation by releasing high-temperature gas inside the battery pack (100) to the outside when at least one of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) is in a thermal runway state.

[0050] Here, thermal runaway of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) is an uncontrollable positive feedback in which a temperature change of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) further accelerates the temperature change. The plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) in a thermal runaway state exhibit a rapid temperature increase and emit a large amount of high-pressure gas and combustion debris.

[0051] Inter-bus bars (141, 142, 143, 144, 145) can connect a plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) to each other. The plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) can be electrically connected in series by the inter-bus bars (141, 142, 143, 144, 145).

[0052] An inter-bus bar (141) may be interposed between battery cell assemblies (121, 122). The inter-bus bar (141) may be configured to be electrically connected to the battery cell assemblies (121, 122). The inter-bus bar (141) may be connected to a negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (121) and a positive terminal (PT) of the battery cell assembly (122).

[0053] An inter-bus bar (142) may be interposed between battery cell assemblies (122, 123). The inter-bus bar (142) may be configured to be electrically connected to the battery cell assemblies (122, 123). The inter-bus bar (142) may be connected to a negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (122) and a positive terminal (PT) of the battery cell assembly (123).

[0054] An inter-bus bar (143) may be interposed between battery cell assemblies (123, 124). The inter-bus bar (143) may be configured to be electrically connected to the battery cell assemblies (123, 124). The inter-bus bar (143) may be connected to a negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (123) and a positive terminal (PT) of the battery cell assembly (124).

[0055] An inter-bus bar (144) may be interposed between battery cell assemblies (124, 125). The inter-bus bar (144) may be configured to be electrically connected to the battery cell assemblies (124, 125). The inter-bus bar (144) may be connected to a negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (124) and a positive terminal (PT) of the battery cell assembly (125).

[0056] An inter-bus bar (145) may be interposed between battery cell assemblies (125, 126). The inter-bus bar (145) may be configured to be electrically connected to the battery cell assemblies (125, 126). The inter-bus bar (145) may be connected to a negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (125) and a positive terminal (PT) of the battery cell assembly (126).

[0057] Each of the inter-bus bars (141, 142, 144, 145) may have a Z shape. The inter-bus bar (143) may have a straight bar shape. The inter-bus bars (141, 142) may have an arrangement that is inverted from each other. The planar shape of the inter-bus bar (141) may be substantially the same as the inversion of the planar shape of the inter-bus bar (142). The inter-bus bars (144, 145) may have an arrangement that is inverted from each other. The planar shape of the inter-bus bar (144) may be substantially the same as the inversion of the planar shape of the inter-bus bar (145). The inter-bus bars (141, 145) may have an arrangement that is inverted from each other. The planar shape of the inter-bus bar (141) may be substantially the same as the inversion of the planar shape of the inter-bus bar (145). The inter-bus bars (142, 144) may have an arrangement that is inverted from each other. The planar shape of the inter-bus bar (142) may be substantially identical to the inverse of the planar shape of the inter-bus bar (144).

[0058] The planar shape of the inter-bus bar (141) may be substantially the same as the planar shape of the inter-bus bar (144). The planar shape of the inter-bus bar (142) may be substantially the same as the planar shape of the inter-bus bar (145).

[0059] Each of the inter-bus bars (141, 142, 144, 145) may include a negative contact (NC) extending in the X direction, a positive contact (PC) extending in the X direction, and a connection (CP) connecting the negative contact (NC) and the positive contact (PC). The connection (CP) may extend in the Y direction. The connection (CP) may be substantially perpendicular to each of the negative contact (NC) and the positive contact (PC).

[0060] The shapes of the negative contact (NC) and the positive contact (PC) may be substantially the same. Each of the inter-bus bars (141, 142, 144, 145) may have a symmetrical shape centered on the connection portion (CP). As the connection method of the inter-bus bars (141, 142, 144, 145) changes, the directions of the inter-bus bars (141, 142, 144, 145) may change, and accordingly, the negative contact (NC) may become the positive contact, and the positive contact (PC) may become the negative contact.

[0061] The negative contact (NC) can be connected to the negative terminal (NT) of any one of the plurality of battery cells (121, 122, 124, 125). The negative contact (NC) can be joined to the negative terminal (NT) of any one of the plurality of battery cells (121, 122, 124, 125). The negative contact (NC) can be fixed to the negative terminal (NT) of any one of the plurality of battery cells (121, 122, 124, 125) by a method such as welding.

[0062] The positive contact (PC) can be connected to the positive terminal (PT) of any one of the plurality of battery cells (122, 123, 125, 126). The positive contact (PC) can be joined to the positive terminal (PT) of any one of the plurality of battery cells (122, 123, 125, 126). The positive contact (PC) can be fixed to the positive terminal (PT) of any one of the plurality of battery cells (122, 123, 125, 126) by a method such as welding.

[0063] According to exemplary embodiments, the positive terminals (PT) and negative terminals (NT) of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) can be distributed by the Z-shaped inter-bus bars (141, 142, 144, 145). Accordingly, when a thermal runaway event occurs in the battery pack (100), internal short circuits of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) due to the thermal runaway event can be mitigated or prevented, and the safety of the battery pack (100) can be improved.

[0064] The battery pack (100) may further include electrical components. The electrical components may be arranged on the pack housing (110). The electrical components may be arranged between any one of the side walls (110S) on which the exhaust devices are installed and the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126).

[0065] The electrical components may include, for example, a BMS. The BMS may be configured to monitor, balance, and control the battery pack. Monitoring of the battery pack (100) may include measuring voltage and current of specific nodes within a plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) and measuring temperature of set locations within the battery pack (100). The battery pack (100) may include measuring instruments for measuring the voltage, current, and temperature described above.

[0066] Balancing of a battery pack (100) is an operation of reducing the deviation between a plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126). Control of the battery pack (100) includes preventing the occurrence of overcharge, overdischarge, and overcurrent. Through monitoring, balancing, and control, the battery pack (100) can operate under optimal conditions, and thus shortening of the lifespan of each of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) can be prevented.

[0067] The electrical components may further include a cooling device, a PRA (Power Relay Assembly), a safety plug, etc. The cooling device may include a cooling fan. The cooling fan may prevent overheating of each of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) by circulating air inside the battery pack (100). The PRA may be configured to supply or cut off power from the high-voltage battery to an external load (e.g., a vehicle motor). The PRA may protect the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) and the external load (e.g., a vehicle motor) by cutting off power supply to the external load (e.g., a vehicle motor) in a situation where an abnormal voltage such as a voltage surge occurs.

[0068] The battery pack (100) may further include a lead plate coupled to the side walls (110S). The lead plate may cover elements disposed within the battery pack (100), such as battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) and electrical components. The lead plate may be secured to the battery pack (100) by a mechanical fastening means, such as a bolt.

[0069]

[0070] (Example 2)

[0071] FIG. 3 illustrates a battery pack (101) according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 3, a battery pack (101) may include a pack housing (110), a plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126), exhaust devices (130), and inter-bus bars (141, 142, 143', 144, 145).

[0073] In this example, the positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of each of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121', 122', 123', 124', 125', 126') may not be aligned in the X direction. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (121') may be spaced apart from each other in the X direction and the Y direction. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (121') may be arranged diagonally (i.e., obliquely with respect to each of the X direction and the Y direction). The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (122') may be spaced apart from each other in the X direction and the Y direction. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (122') may be arranged diagonally. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (123') may be spaced apart from each other in the X direction and the Y direction. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (123') may be arranged diagonally. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (124') may be spaced apart from each other in the X direction and the Y direction. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (124') may be arranged diagonally. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (125') may be spaced apart from each other in the X direction and the Y direction. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (125') may be arranged diagonally. The positive terminal (PT) and the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (126') may be spaced apart from each other in the X direction and the Y direction. The positive terminal (PT) and negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (126') can be arranged diagonally.

[0074] The positive terminals (PT) of the battery cell assemblies (121', 122', 123') may overlap in the X direction. The positive terminals (PT) of the battery cell assemblies (121', 122', 123') may be aligned in the X direction. The positive terminals (PT) of the battery cell assemblies (124', 125', 126') may overlap in the X direction. The positive terminals (PT) of the battery cell assemblies (124', 125', 126') may be aligned in the X direction.

[0075] The negative terminals (NT) of the battery cell assemblies (121', 122', 123') may overlap in the X direction. The negative terminals (NT) of the battery cell assemblies (121', 122', 123') may be aligned in the X direction. The negative terminals (NT) of the battery cell assemblies (124', 125', 126') may overlap in the X direction. The negative terminals (NT) of the battery cell assemblies (124', 125', 126') may be aligned in the X direction. The positive terminal (PT) of each of the battery cell assemblies (121', 122', 123') may be closer to the center of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction than to the edge of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction (i.e., the edge parallel to the X direction). The negative terminal (NT) of each of the battery cell assemblies (124', 125', 126') may be closer to the center of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction than to the edge of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction (i.e., the edge parallel to the X direction). The negative terminal (NT) of each of the battery cell assemblies (121', 122', 123') may be closer to the edge of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction (i.e., the edge parallel to the X direction) than to the center of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction. The positive terminal (PT) of each of the battery cell assemblies (124', 125', 126') may be closer to the edge of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction (i.e., the edge parallel to the X direction) than to the center of the pack housing (110) in the Y direction.

[0076] Each of the inter-bus bars (141, 142) may have an arrangement that is inverted from each of the inter-bus bars (144, 145). The planar shape of each of the inter-bus bars (141, 142) may be substantially the same as the inversion of the planar shape of the inter-bus bars (144, 145). The arrangements of the inter-bus bars (141, 142) may be the same, and the arrangements of the inter-bus bars (144, 145) may be the same.

[0077] The inter-bus bar (141) can connect the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (121') to the positive terminal (PT) of the battery cell assembly (122'). The inter-bus bar (142) can connect the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (122') to the positive terminal (PT) of the battery cell assembly (123'). The inter-bus bar (144) can connect the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (124') to the positive terminal (PT) of the battery cell assembly (125'). The inter-bus bar (145) can connect the negative terminal (NT) of the battery cell assembly (125') to the positive terminal (PT) of the battery cell assembly (126').

[0078] An inter-bus bar (143') can connect a negative terminal (NT) of a battery cell assembly (123') to a positive terminal (PT) of a battery cell assembly (124'). The inter-bus bar (143') can have a straight bar shape.

[0079]

[0080] The present invention has been described in more detail through drawings and examples. However, the configurations described in the drawings or examples described in this specification are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modified examples may exist as of the time of this application.

Claims

1. A first battery cell assembly including a first positive terminal and a first negative terminal; a second battery cell assembly spaced apart from the first battery cell assembly in the first direction and including a second positive terminal and a second negative terminal; and Including a first inter-bus bar connecting the first negative terminal and the second positive terminal, A battery pack, characterized in that the first inter-bus bar has a Z shape.

2. In paragraph 1, The above first inter-bus bar, A first negative contact connected to the first negative terminal; a first positive contact connected to the second positive terminal; and A battery pack comprising a first connector connecting the first positive contact and the first negative contact.

3. In paragraph 2, A battery pack, characterized in that the first connecting portion extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

4. In paragraph 2, a third battery cell assembly spaced apart from the second battery cell assembly in the first direction and including a third positive terminal and a third negative terminal; and Including a second inter-bus bar connecting the second negative terminal and the third positive terminal, A battery pack, characterized in that the second inter-bus bar has a Z shape.

5. In paragraph 4, A battery pack, characterized in that the second inter-bus bar has an arrangement that is reversed with respect to the first inter-bus bar.

6. In paragraph 4, The above second inter-bus bar, A second negative contact connected to the second negative terminal; a second positive contact connected to the third positive terminal; and A battery pack comprising a second connector connecting the second positive contact and the second negative contact.

7. In paragraph 6, The first positive electrode contact overlaps the second negative electrode contact in the first direction, and A battery pack, characterized in that the first negative contact overlaps the second positive contact in the first direction.

8. A first battery cell assembly including a first positive terminal and a first negative terminal; a second battery cell assembly spaced apart from the first battery cell assembly in the first direction and including a second positive terminal and a second negative terminal; and Including a first inter-bus bar connecting the first negative terminal and the second positive terminal, A battery pack, characterized in that the first inter-bus bar includes a first negative contact connected to the first negative terminal, a first positive contact extending in the first direction, and a first connecting portion connecting the first positive contact and the first negative contact and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

9. In paragraph 8, A battery pack, characterized in that the first negative terminal and the second positive terminal are aligned in the first direction.

10. In paragraph 8, A battery pack, wherein each of the first positive contact and the first negative contact extends in the first direction.

11. In paragraph 10, A battery pack, characterized in that the first positive terminal and the first negative terminal are spaced apart in the second direction.

12. In paragraph 10, A battery pack, characterized in that the second positive terminal and the second negative terminal are spaced apart in the second direction.

13. In paragraph 10, The first negative terminal is adjacent to the center in the second direction, and A battery pack, characterized in that the second positive terminal is adjacent to an edge in the second direction.

Images