Battery assembly and device comprising same

Abstract

A battery assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a plurality of battery cells; a housing receiving the battery cells therein; an inlet and an outlet for circulating a refrigerant into the housing; and a terminal assembly electrically connected to the battery cells and having at least a portion thereof positioned in the housing. The terminal assembly comprises: a terminal busbar electrically connected to the battery cells; a HV terminal having at least a portion thereof exposed to the outside of the housing; and a connection member passing through each of the terminal busbar and the HV terminal.

Description

Battery assembly and device including the same

[0001] Cross-citation with related application(s)

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0002035 dated January 7, 2025, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0003] The present invention relates to a battery assembly and a device including the same, and more specifically, to a battery assembly with improved thermal management performance and electrical connection stability and a battery system including the same.

[0004] In modern society, the use of secondary batteries is increasing in various fields, including electric vehicles, energy storage systems (ESS), and portable electronic devices. In particular, as eco-friendly modes of transportation such as electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) gain attention, the need for the development of high-performance secondary battery technology is growing even further.

[0005] Currently commercialized rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and lithium-ion batteries; among these, lithium-ion batteries are widely used due to their advantages, such as high energy density, excellent charge-discharge efficiency, and low self-discharge rate. These lithium-ion batteries are manufactured in various forms, including pouch, prismatic, and cylindrical types, and electrical connectivity and thermal management performance are considered important factors.

[0006] When used in medium to large-sized devices such as electric vehicles, secondary batteries form a battery assembly by stacking multiple battery cells, thereby enhancing output and capacity. Such a battery assembly includes a housing, cooling system, and electrical connections to ensure the safe operation of the internal battery cells, and must be able to withstand various environmental factors such as high temperatures, vibration, and external shocks.

[0007] Thermal management and electrical connection stability of battery assemblies are critical factors determining the performance and lifespan of a battery system. However, current battery assemblies have limitations in terms of battery cell heat dissipation efficiency and electrical connection stability, and improvements are required to address these issues. Accordingly, there is a growing technical need for battery assemblies designed to enable efficient thermal management and electrical connections while maintaining the structural stability of battery cells.

[0008] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to resolve thermal management issues and electrical connection instability that may occur within a battery assembly. Specifically, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a battery assembly and a device including the same that can effectively manage the heat of a battery cell through refrigerant circulation and enhance the electrical connection stability of a terminal assembly.

[0009] However, the problems that the embodiments of the present invention aim to solve are not limited to the problems described above and can be expanded in various ways within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention.

[0010] A battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of battery cells; a housing in which the battery cells are housed; an inlet and an outlet for circulating a refrigerant into the housing; and a terminal assembly electrically connected to the battery cells and having at least a portion located in the housing. The terminal assembly comprises: a terminal busbar electrically connected to the battery cells; an HV terminal having at least a portion exposed to the outside of the housing; and a connecting member penetrating the terminal busbar and the HV terminal, respectively.

[0011] As the above connecting member is coupled to the terminal busbar and the HV terminal, the battery cells, the terminal busbar, and the HV terminal can be electrically connected.

[0012] The above connecting member may include: a first part penetrating the terminal busbar; a second part protruding oppositely to the first part and penetrating the HV terminal; and an intermediate part connecting the first part and the second part.

[0013] The above middle portion may have a wider width than the above first portion and the above second portion.

[0014] The terminal assembly may further include a sealing member located between the intermediate portion and the HV terminal.

[0015] Each of the first part and the second part may be in the shape of a bolt having screw threads.

[0016] The terminal assembly may include a first nut coupled to the first part and a second nut coupled to the second part.

[0017] A portion of the terminal busbar may be located between the first nut and the intermediate portion.

[0018] A part of the HV terminal may be located between the second nut and the intermediate part.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a device including the battery assembly is provided.

[0020] According to embodiments of the present invention, by improving the refrigerant circulation structure within the battery assembly and the electrical connection structure of the terminal assembly, heat from the battery cell can be effectively dissipated and the stability of the electrical connection can be enhanced. This prevents performance degradation of the battery assembly and enables stable operation even in extreme environments such as high temperature, vibration, and shock.

[0021] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description in the claims.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the battery assembly of Figure 1.

[0024] Figure 3 is a plan view showing the battery assembly of Figure 1.

[0025] Figure 4 is a plan view showing the battery assembly of Figure 1 viewed from a different angle than that of Figure 3.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a terminal assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the terminal assembly of FIG. 5 viewed from a different angle.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a cross section cut along the cutting line A-A' of FIG. 4.

[0029] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of Figure 7.

[0030] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section cut along the cutting line B-B' of Figure 4.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the terminal assembly of FIG. 5.

[0033] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the terminal assembly of FIG. 11 viewed from a different angle.

[0034] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0035] To clearly explain the present invention, parts unrelated to the explanation have been omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0036] Furthermore, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are depicted arbitrarily for convenience of explanation, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is illustrated. Thicknesses have been enlarged in the drawings to clearly represent various layers and regions. Additionally, for convenience of explanation, the thickness of some layers and regions has been exaggerated in the drawings.

[0037] Furthermore, when a part such as a layer, membrane, region, or plate is said to be "on" or "on" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly above" the other part, but also the case where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part is said to be "directly above" another part, it means that there is no other part in between. Also, saying that a part is "on" or "on" a reference part means that it is located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean that it is located "on" or "on" facing the opposite direction of gravity.

[0038] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a part is described as "including" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0039] Additionally, throughout the specification, "planar" means when the subject part is viewed from above, and "cross-sectional" means when the cross-section obtained by vertically cutting the subject part is viewed from the side.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery assembly (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the battery assembly (100) of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the battery assembly (100) of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the battery assembly (100) of FIG. 1 viewed from an angle different from FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a terminal assembly (150) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the terminal assembly (150) of FIG. 5 viewed from an angle different from FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section cut along the cutting line A-A' of FIG. 4.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, a battery assembly (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of battery cells (110); a housing (120) in which the battery cells (110) are housed; an inlet (130) and an outlet (140) for circulating a refrigerant into the housing (120); and a terminal assembly (150) electrically connected to the battery cells (110) and having at least a portion located in the housing (120). The terminal assembly (150) comprises a terminal busbar (151) electrically connected to the battery cells (110); an HV terminal (152) having at least a portion exposed to the outside of the housing (120); and a connecting member (153) penetrating the terminal busbar (151) and the HV terminal (152), respectively.

[0042] The battery cell (110) according to the present embodiment may be of various types of battery cells (110), for example, a pouch-type battery cell (110), a prismatic battery cell (110), or a cylindrical battery cell (110). The battery cell (110) according to the present embodiment may be a pouch-type battery cell (110). Although the following description focuses on a pouch-type battery cell (110), the battery cell (110) according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and various types of battery cells (110) may be applied.

[0043] In the battery assembly (100) according to the present embodiment, battery cells (110) may be provided in plurality. For example, a plurality of battery cells (110) may be stacked along one direction so as to be electrically connected to each other to form a battery cell (110) stack.

[0044] The housing (120) according to the present embodiment houses the battery cells (110) and has a structure that can protect the battery cells (110) from external shocks and the environment. Additionally, the battery cells (110) can be fixed inside the housing (120) and maintained stably. By stably fixing the battery cells (110) to the housing (120), positional changes of the battery cells (110) can be minimized. This protects the battery cells (110) from external shocks or vibrations, thereby preventing performance degradation of the battery assembly (100) and extending the lifespan of the battery cells (110). Furthermore, the fixing structure of the battery cells (110) is simple, which can reduce manufacturing costs and facilitate maintenance of the battery assembly (100).

[0045] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the housing (120) may be formed as an integral structure with both sides open. In this case, a battery cell stack composed of a plurality of battery cells (110) may be seated on the housing (120) along both sides of the open housing (120). That is, the battery cell stack may be seated on the housing (120) along the Y-axis direction of FIG. 2. This allows the battery cells (110) to be stably positioned while simplifying the assembly process.

[0046] The refrigerant according to the present embodiment may be introduced into the housing (120) through the inlet (130) and then discharged outside the battery assembly (100) through the outlet (140). At this time, the refrigerant may be a fluid. For example, the refrigerant may be cooling oil, insulating oil, or cooling water. However, since the refrigerant comes into direct contact with the battery cells (110), other electrical components, and terminal assembly (150), etc., within the battery assembly (100), it may be electrically insulating. The refrigerant may be insulating oil as a material having insulating properties.

[0047] The battery assembly (100) according to the present embodiment can effectively manage the heat of the battery cells (110) by circulating a refrigerant inside the housing (120). The refrigerant can be introduced into the housing (120) through the inlet (130), come into contact with the battery cells (110), and then be discharged to the outside of the battery assembly (100) through the outlet (140). By circulating the refrigerant in direct contact with the battery cells (110), the heat of the battery cells (110) can be efficiently released.

[0048] The terminal assembly (150) according to the present embodiment is a component that is electrically connected to the battery cells (110) and an external power supply or battery management system (BMS) to allow current to flow stably. The terminal assembly (150) according to the present embodiment may be a component that guides the electrical connection of the battery assembly (100). The terminal assembly (150) may be designed to efficiently maintain the electrical connection with the battery cells (110).

[0049] When the terminal assembly (150) according to the present embodiment is coupled to the housing (120), the structure may be such that the passage for electrical connection between the battery cells (110) and the outside is protected from the outside of the housing (120). At this time, the terminal busbar (151), which is a main component of the terminal assembly (150), is connected to the electrode lead of the battery cell (110) to allow current to flow smoothly and may be arranged in a manner that minimizes electrical contact resistance.

[0050] A gasket resistant to high temperatures and vibration is applied to the joint of the housing (120) to which the terminal assembly (150) is attached, thereby preventing the insulating oil inside the battery assembly (100) from leaking out. Additionally, the gasket can function to ensure airtightness so that the electrical connection is protected from external moisture or dust. The gasket can be made of highly durable materials such as FKM (fluoroelastomer), silicone, PTFE (Teflon), or EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber), so it can provide stable performance even in high temperature and high pressure environments. In particular, FKM material has excellent resistance to high temperatures and various chemicals, so the sealing characteristics of the gasket can be stably maintained even with changes in the external environment.

[0051] That is, by coupling the terminal assembly (150) to the housing (120), the electrical connection between the battery cells (110) and the external device can be established stably and efficiently. This structure can protect the terminal assembly (150) from the external environment, thereby extending the lifespan of the electrical connection and contributing to increasing the reliability of the battery system.

[0052] The terminal busbar (151) according to the present embodiment may be electrically connected to the electrode lead or electrode terminal of the battery cell (110). The terminal busbar (151) may be electrically connected to the battery cells (110) and serve to transmit the current of the battery cells (110) to the HV terminal (152). The HV terminal (152) is connected to an external electrical system and may have a portion exposed outside the housing (120). Each of the terminal busbar (151) and the HV terminal (152) may include an electrically conductive material, and may include, for example, a metal material.

[0053] The connecting member (153) according to the present embodiment is coupled to the terminal busbar (151) and the HV terminal (152), so that the battery cells (110), the terminal busbar (151), and the HV terminal (152) can be electrically connected. The connecting member (153) may be a component that guides the electrical connection between the battery cells (110), the terminal busbar (151), and the HV terminal (152). The connecting member (153) can simultaneously provide electrical connection and structural fixation in the terminal assembly (150). The high-conductivity structure of the connecting member (153) minimizes electrical resistance, thereby maintaining a stable electrical connection even in a high-current environment.

[0054] The connecting member (153) in this embodiment can reduce the number of management points and provide stable airtightness by reducing the sealing area to one. Specifically, in the structure of a conventional terminal assembly, airtightness had to be secured in two areas, one between the HV terminal and the terminal busbar, and the other between the HV terminals, which increased the number of management points and the possibility of refrigerant leakage. On the other hand, the connecting member (153) in this embodiment can reduce the possibility of refrigerant leakage by reducing the sealing area to one, and can increase the reliability of the battery assembly (100). In addition, reducing the number of management points can facilitate quality control and maintenance.

[0055] In addition, the connecting member (153) can significantly improve the stability of the electrical connection. In the existing structure, current was supplied through the insertion of a terminal busbar, but this method had a limited contact area and there was a possibility that the connection would become unstable in vibration or shock environments. The connecting member (153) of the present embodiment implements a current supply path using a full contact method, thereby expanding the contact area and minimizing electrical resistance. This suppresses the increase in resistance that may occur during the charging and discharging process and increases energy transfer efficiency.

[0056] The connecting member (153) may be made of a highly conductive metal, for example, a copper alloy or an aluminum alloy, thereby maximizing the efficiency of current transmission. Additionally, the surface of the connecting member (153) may be treated with a special coating to prevent oxidation and enhance durability.

[0057] That is, the connecting member (153) can stably maintain an electrical connection between the terminal busbar (151) and the HV terminal (152) and minimize electrical resistance even in an environment where high current flows. This can improve the electrical performance of the battery assembly (100) and maintain reliability even during long-term use.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of FIG. 7. Specifically, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of the terminal assembly in the battery assembly (100) of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section cut along the cutting line B-B' of FIG. 4.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, the connecting member (153) may include a first part (153a) penetrating the terminal busbar (151); a second part (153b) protruding oppositely to the first part (153a) and penetrating the HV terminal (152); and an intermediate part (153c) connecting the first part (153a) and the second part (153b).

[0060] According to the present embodiment, the first part (153a) penetrates the terminal busbar (151) and can be stably coupled with the terminal busbar (151). The second part (153b) protrudes in the opposite direction to the first part (153a) and penetrates the HV terminal (152) to form a fixed and electrical connection with the HV terminal (152). The middle part (153c) connects the first part (153a) and the second part (153b) and can be designed to have a wider width than the first part (153a) and the second part (153b). This design can expand the contact area between the terminal busbar (151) and the HV terminal (152), thereby improving electrical connection stability and reducing resistance when current flows. The middle part (153c) can be made of a high-strength metal (e.g., copper alloy or aluminum alloy) to maintain structural stability even under strong pressure and current.

[0061] In the connecting member (153) according to the present embodiment, the middle portion (153c) may have a wider width than the first portion (153a) and the second portion (153b). The extended width of the middle portion (153c) according to the present embodiment optimizes the electrical connection area between the terminal busbar (151) and the HV terminal (152), thereby maintaining a stable connection even under high current conditions. Additionally, the middle portion (153c) can perform the function of effectively dissipating heat generated at the electrical connection portion.

[0062] The intermediate portion (153c) according to the present embodiment may be designed so as not to deform even under strong impact or vibration. To this end, the surface of the intermediate portion (153c) may be coated with a special coating to enhance wear resistance and corrosion resistance. The extended width of the intermediate portion (153c) increases structural strength and can contribute to effectively dispersing thermal and mechanical loads that may occur inside the housing (120) by the connecting member (153). Additionally, the extended width of the intermediate portion (153c) can increase the contact area between the terminal busbar (151) and the HV terminal (152), thereby enhancing the reliability of the electrical connection. As a result, electrical resistance generated during current transmission is reduced, and electrical stability can be maintained even under high current conditions.

[0063] That is, the wide width of the middle section (153c) serves to effectively disperse heat generation, thereby preventing performance degradation of the battery assembly (100) even in high-temperature environments. This can contribute to reducing damage to the battery cell (110) caused by heat and extending the lifespan of the entire system.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first part (153a), the second part (153b), and the intermediate part (153c) may all be integral. Although the first part (153a), the second part (153b), and the intermediate part (153c) have been described separately for convenience of explanation, the connecting member (153) according to the present embodiment may be in a form where the first part (153a), the second part (153b), and the intermediate part (153c) are all integral.

[0065] In another embodiment of the present invention, the first part (153a), the second part (153b), and the intermediate part (153c) are all separate members, but the first part (153a) may be joined or attached to one side of the intermediate part (153c), and the second part (153b) may be joined or attached to the other side of the intermediate part (153c). A connecting member (153) according to another embodiment of the present invention may be manufactured by attaching the individually manufactured first part (153a), second part (153b), and intermediate part (153c) to each other.

[0066] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal assembly (150) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6 and FIG. 10, the terminal assembly (150) may further include a sealing member (154) located between the intermediate portion (153c) and the HV terminal (152).

[0068] The sealing member (154) according to the present embodiment can play an important role in sealing the joint between the HV terminal (152) and the intermediate part (153c) to prevent refrigerant leakage and maintaining the airtightness inside the battery assembly (100).

[0069] The sealing member (154) can be made of a material with excellent high temperature resistance and chemical durability, such as FKM, silicone, PTFE, or EPDM. Such a material can prevent damage caused by the physical and chemical properties of the refrigerant and maintain a stable seal even during long-term use.

[0070] The sealing member (154) can be manufactured in the form of an O-ring or a flat gasket and can provide a complete seal through compressive force when assembling the terminal assembly (150). Additionally, the sealing member (154) can maximize the sealing effect by compensating for the irregular surface of the joint between the intermediate part (153c) and the HV terminal (152).

[0071] During the assembly process of the terminal assembly (150), a sealing member (154) can be inserted between the intermediate part (153c) and the HV terminal (152). This ensures that the refrigerant does not leak out even under high pressure conditions in the assembled state. In particular, it is designed to maintain sealing performance even in high-temperature environments or under continuous shock and vibration conditions. That is, the sealing member (154) can prevent the intrusion of air or external contaminants by completely sealing the gap between the intermediate part (153c) and the HV terminal (152) during the assembly process. As a result, the internal components of the battery assembly (100) are protected from contamination, and the reliability of the system can be improved in the long term.

[0072] Additionally, the sealing member (154) prevents the refrigerant from leaking out through the joint between the intermediate part (153c) and the HV terminal (152), thereby ensuring the stability of the cooling system inside the battery assembly (100). This increases the thermal management efficiency of the battery cell (110) and prevents system performance degradation due to refrigerant loss.

[0073] According to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the first part (153a) and the second part (153b) may be in the shape of a bolt having screw threads. The first part (153a) according to the present embodiment penetrates the terminal busbar (151) and can be coupled to the terminal busbar (151) through a structure with screw threads. The second part (153b) penetrates the HV terminal (152) and can be fixed to the HV terminal (152) through screw threads. Such bolt shapes facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the connecting member (153) and can contribute to maintaining the stability of the electrical connection.

[0074] Separate coating treatments, such as anti-loosening coatings or antioxidants, may be applied to the first part (153a) and the second part (153b). This effectively prevents problems such as loosening of the fastening part and reduced electrical contact that may occur due to external impact, vibration, moisture, or oxidizing environments. For example, the anti-loosening coating increases the frictional force between the screw threads during fastening to suppress loosening of the fastening part, and the antioxidant reduces the formation of an oxide film on the metal surface, thereby maintaining a stable fastening state even during long-term use.

[0075] The threads of the first part (153a) and the second part (153b) can be designed as standard threads or custom threads to allow for fine adjustment. This allows the fastening strength of the terminal assembly (150) to be adjusted to suit the user environment. The surface of the threads may be coated with a special coating (e.g., hard chrome plating or Teflon coating) to increase durability. The coating applied to the surface of the threads prevents wear of the threads and maintains the durability of the connecting member (153) even with repeated fastening and unfastening operations.

[0076] The threaded structure stably maintains the connection between the terminal busbar (151) and the HV terminal (152), thereby ensuring the reliability of the electrical connection. This allows the electrical connection to be maintained even under high current conditions, thereby improving the performance of the battery assembly (100). Additionally, the fastening method using threads simplifies the assembly and disassembly of the connecting member (153), making maintenance and repair work on the battery assembly (100) easier. This can contribute to reducing maintenance costs and increasing operational efficiency.

[0077] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the terminal assembly (150) of FIG. 5. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the terminal assembly (150) of FIG. 11 viewed from a different angle.

[0078] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 9, FIGS. 11, and FIGS. 12, the terminal assembly (150) may include a first nut (155) coupled to a first part (153a) and a second nut (156) coupled to a second part (153b).

[0079] The first nut (155) according to the present embodiment can secure the terminal busbar (151) by engaging with the threads formed on the first part (153a) of the connecting member (153). The second nut (156) can secure the HV terminal (152) by engaging with the threads formed on the second part (153b) of the connecting member (153). This structure can simultaneously provide electrical connection and mechanical stability of the terminal assembly (150).

[0080] The first nut (155) and the second nut (156) may be made of high-strength metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum alloy) and may be designed so as not to deform even with repeated fastening and unfastening operations. The nut surface may be treated with a special coating, such as chrome plating or nickel plating, to enhance wear resistance and corrosion resistance.

[0081] Additionally, the contact area between the first nut (155) and the terminal busbar (151), and between the second nut (156) and the HV terminal (152), can be designed to minimize heat generation and electrical resistance. This allows electrical stability to be maintained even under conditions where high current flows. The fastening strength of the nuts can be adjusted so that the connection is maintained even in the operating environment of the battery assembly (100), such as vibration or shock.

[0082] The first nut (155) and the second nut (156) are respectively coupled to the first part (153a) and the second part (153b) of the connecting member (153), thereby stably maintaining the electrical connection between the terminal busbar (151) and the HV terminal (152). The first nut (155) and the second nut (156) reinforce the fastening strength of the connecting member (153), thereby stably maintaining the coupled state even under external shocks and vibrations. Through this, the durability and stability of the battery assembly (100) can be improved.

[0083] In addition, the fastening structure between the first nut (155) and the second nut (156) and the connecting member (153) facilitates assembly and disassembly, thereby increasing the efficiency of maintenance and repair work. This can contribute to reducing maintenance costs and improving the overall operational efficiency of the system.

[0084] Referring again to FIGS. 1 through 9, FIGS. 11, and FIG. 12, a portion of the terminal busbar (151) may be positioned between the first nut (155) and the middle portion (153c). The portion of the terminal busbar (151) may be positioned between the first nut (155) and the middle portion (153c) and may be fixed between the first nut (155) and the middle portion (153c).

[0085] The first nut (155) according to the present embodiment stably fixes the terminal busbar (151) to the middle portion (153c) and can maintain connection strength by engaging with the threads of the connecting member (153). The position of the terminal busbar (151) can be designed to ensure the stability of the electrical connection by making the contact area between the first nut (155) and the middle portion (153c) uniform. A sealing gasket may be inserted into the joint between the terminal busbar (151) and the first nut (155), which can contribute to preventing refrigerant leakage and maintaining sealing performance.

[0086] The terminal busbar (151) can be precisely manufactured to fit the structure of the middle section (153c). For example, grooves or protrusions may be designed to allow for fine positional alignment when the middle section (153c) and the terminal busbar (151) are connected. This design provides ease of assembly and can optimize the connection state.

[0087] The terminal busbar (151) is positioned between the first nut (155) and the middle section (153c), thereby ensuring a stable electrical connection. This maximizes the contact area between the terminal busbar (151) and the middle section (153c), increasing current transfer efficiency and enabling stable operation even in high-current environments.

[0088] By firmly securing the terminal busbar (151) between the first nut (155) and the middle part (153c) of the connecting member (153), positional displacement due to external shock or vibration can be prevented. This improves the durability of the battery assembly (100) and prevents performance degradation even with long-term use.

[0089] Referring again to FIGS. 1 through 9, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12, a part of the HV terminal (152) may be positioned between the second nut (156) and the middle part (153c). A part of the HV terminal (152) may be positioned between the second nut (156) and the middle part (153c) and may be fixed between the second nut (155) and the middle part (153c).

[0090] The second nut (156) according to the present embodiment can serve to firmly secure the HV terminal (152) to the middle section (153c). The position of the HV terminal (152) between the second nut (156) and the middle section (153c) can be designed to maximize the bonding strength and the reliability of the electrical connection.

[0091] The HV terminal (152) can be precisely positioned to maintain stability even in external shock or vibration environments. To this end, the joint between the intermediate part (153c) and the HV terminal (152) may include a positional alignment structure such as a groove or a protrusion. Such a structure can help simplify the assembly process and increase the strength of the joint.

[0092] A portion of the HV terminal (152) contacts the intermediate portion (153c) to expand the area of ​​the electrical connection, thereby increasing current transfer efficiency and minimizing electrical resistance even in a high-voltage environment. This can contribute to improving the electrical stability and energy efficiency of the battery assembly (100).

[0093] The connection between the second nut (156) and the HV terminal (152) can prevent the HV terminal (152) from moving or separating due to external shocks and vibrations. This can improve the durability and reliability of the battery assembly (100).

[0094] The middle portion (153c) of the connecting member (153) has a width that is extended compared to the first portion (153a) and the second portion (153b), thereby reducing the sealing area to one, which can reduce the possibility of refrigerant leakage and provide a means to secure the terminal busbar (151) and the HV terminal (152) as described above. The connecting member (153) having the middle portion (153c) can contribute to maintaining the stability of the electrical connection between the battery cells (110), the terminal busbar (151), and the HV terminal (152).

[0095] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a device including a battery assembly (100) is provided.

[0096] One or more battery assemblies (100) according to the embodiment described above can be mounted together with various control and protection systems, such as a Battery Management System (BMS), a Battery Disconnect Unit (BDU), and a cooling system, to form a device.

[0097] The battery assembly (100) can be applied to various devices. Specifically, it can be applied to means of transportation such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrids, but is not limited thereto and can be applied to various devices capable of using secondary batteries.

[0098] In this embodiment, terms indicating directions such as front, back, left, right, up, and down have been used; however, these terms are for convenience of explanation only and may vary depending on the location of the object or the position of the observer.

[0099] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention as defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0100] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0101] 100: Battery assembly

[0102] 110: Battery cell

[0103] 120: Housing

[0104] 130: Inlet

[0105] 140: Outlet

[0106] 150: Terminal Assembly

[0107] 151: Terminal Bus Bar

[0108] 152: HV Terminal

[0109] 153: Connecting member

[0110] 153a: Part 1

[0111] 153b: Part 2

[0112] 153c: middle part

[0113] 154: Sealing member

[0114] 155: 1st nut

[0115] 156: Second nut

Claims

Multiple battery cells; A housing in which the above battery cells are housed; An inlet and an outlet for circulating refrigerant into the housing; and A terminal assembly electrically connected to the battery cells and having at least a portion located in the housing; comprising The above terminal assembly is, A terminal busbar electrically connected to the above battery cells; HV terminals, at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside of the housing; and A battery assembly comprising a connecting member penetrating the terminal busbar and the HV terminal, respectively. In paragraph 1, A battery assembly in which the battery cells, the terminal busbar, and the HV terminal are electrically connected, wherein the above connecting member is coupled to the terminal busbar and the HV terminal. In paragraph 1, The above connecting member is, A first part penetrating the above terminal busbar; A second part that protrudes oppositely to the first part and penetrates the HV terminal; and A battery assembly comprising an intermediate part connecting the first part and the second part. In Paragraph 3, A battery assembly having a wider width than the first part and the second part, the above middle part. In Paragraph 3, The above terminal assembly further comprises a sealing member located between the intermediate portion and the HV terminal, forming a battery assembly. In Paragraph 3, A battery assembly in which each of the first part and the second part is in the shape of a bolt having screw threads. In Paragraph 3, The above terminal assembly is a battery assembly comprising a first nut coupled to the first part and a second nut coupled to the second part. In Paragraph 7, A battery assembly in which a portion of the terminal busbar is located between the first nut and the intermediate portion. In Paragraph 7, A battery assembly in which a portion of the HV terminal is located between the second nut and the intermediate portion. A device comprising a battery assembly according to paragraph 1.

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