Battery module, battery pack and vehicle comprising the battery module

Abstract

A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; and a bus bar frame configured to cover one side of the cell assembly, guide connection between electrode leads of adjacent battery cells, and enable insertion of a bonding jig for supporting the electrode leads when the electrode leads are connected, wherein the bus bar frame may have a supporter portion configured to fix the inserted bonding jig.

Description

Battery module and battery pack including the same and automobile

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile.

[0002] This application is a priority claim application based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0014602 filed on February 5, 2025. All contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said Korean application are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0003] Recently, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has increased rapidly, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites has accelerated, research on high-performance secondary batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging is actively underway.

[0004] Currently commercialized rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. Among these, lithium-ion batteries are gaining attention for their advantages, such as the ability to freely charge and discharge with almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] These lithium secondary batteries primarily use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive and negative active materials, respectively. Additionally, the lithium secondary battery comprises a positive plate and a negative plate coated with these positive and negative active materials, respectively; an electrode assembly in which the positive and negative plates are arranged with a separator in between; and an outer casing that seals and encloses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0006] Meanwhile, lithium secondary batteries can be classified according to the shape of the battery case into can-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch of aluminum laminate sheets. Furthermore, can-type secondary batteries can be further classified into cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries depending on the shape of the metal can.

[0007] Here, the pouch of a pouch-type secondary battery can be broadly divided into a lower sheet and an upper sheet covering it. At this time, an electrode assembly formed by laminating and winding a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator is housed in the pouch. After housing the electrode assembly, the edges of the upper sheet and the lower sheet are sealed by means of heat fusion or the like. Additionally, electrode tabs drawn from each electrode are coupled to electrode leads, and an insulating film may be added to the electrode leads at the portion in contact with the sealing part.

[0008] As such, pouch-type secondary batteries can have the flexibility to be configured in various forms. In addition, pouch-type secondary batteries have the advantage of being able to realize a secondary battery of the same capacity with a smaller volume and mass.

[0009] The above-mentioned lithium secondary battery is utilized as a battery module or battery pack in which multiple battery cells are mounted on the device itself or in a cartridge, overlapped or stacked to form a dense structure capable of providing high voltage and high current, and then electrically connected.

[0010] A conventional battery module is generally configured to include a cell assembly comprising a plurality of battery cells and a busbar assembly covering the cell assembly and for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells. Here, the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to each other through laser welding. At this time, if lifting occurs between the electrode leads during the laser welding process, adhesion may be reduced or holes may occur.

[0011] As a solution to this, as shown in FIG. 1, welding is performed by pressing the electrode leads (L) using a pressurizing jig (J) so that the electrode leads (L) are in close contact with each other. At this time, in order to prevent the electrode leads (L) from being pushed forward (+Y-axis), a joining jig (J1) is inserted between the electrode leads (155) and the busbar frame (P), and the electrode leads (L) are pressed while being supported by the joining jig (J1).

[0012] However, the above-mentioned joining jig (J1) is a cantilever beam structure with only its lower end fixed. Therefore, the joining jig (J1) is pushed in the Y-axis direction (more precisely, bent in the Y-axis direction) by the external force applied by the pressurizing jig (J), and consequently, there is a problem in that the welding condition of the electrode leads (L) becomes poor.

[0013] The objective of the present invention is to provide a battery module with a structurally improved structure that prevents the bonding jig supporting the electrode leads from bending during welding of the electrode leads, thereby improving the adhesion between the electrode leads or between the electrode leads and the sensing plate, and thus improving the welding quality of the electrode leads.

[0014] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below.

[0015] To solve the above objective, a battery module according to the present invention comprises: a cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; and a busbar frame that covers one side of the cell assembly, guides the connection between the electrode leads of adjacent battery cells, and is configured to allow the insertion of a bonding jig to support the electrode leads when the electrode leads are connected; wherein the busbar frame may be provided with a supporter portion configured to fix the inserted bonding jig.

[0016] Here, the electrode lead is supported on one side of the bonding jig, and the supporter part can support the bonding jig so that the bonding jig does not bend in the direction opposite to the electrode lead.

[0017] In addition, the supporter part may be in contact with the opposite side of the one side of the joining jig to support the joining jig.

[0018] In addition, the supporter part can support at least a portion of the upper part of the joining jig based on the direction in which the joining jig is inserted.

[0019] In addition, the supporter portion may be formed at an angle with respect to the insertion direction of the joining jig and may have an inclined surface that guides the joining jig.

[0020] In addition, the above support part can be manufactured through injection molding.

[0021] Additionally, the busbar frame comprises a frame body covering at least one side of the cell assembly, a plurality of lead slots formed in the frame body and passing the electrode leads through, and a guide groove formed between the plurality of lead slots and into which the bonding jig is inserted, and the supporter portion can support the bonding jig inserted into the guide groove.

[0022] Additionally, on one side of the bonding jig, a welding groove is provided for forming a gap with the electrode lead, and the supporter may include a main support member that supports the opposite side of the bonding jig and an auxiliary support member that is inserted into the welding groove to support the bonding jig.

[0023] In addition, the busbar frame may be provided with a fixing portion into which a fixing pin is inserted to fix the busbar frame when the electrode leads are joined.

[0024] In addition, the fixed portion may be formed on the opposite side of the guide groove portion based on the insertion direction of the joining jig.

[0025] In addition, the electrode leads can be connected by direct welding.

[0026] Additionally, it may further include a sensing plate that is seated on the busbar frame and is positioned between the bonding jig and the electrode leads when the electrode leads are connected.

[0027] And, the present invention provides a battery pack characterized by comprising, as a battery pack, at least one battery module according to the embodiments described above; and a pack case that accommodates the at least one battery module.

[0028] In addition, the present invention provides a vehicle characterized by including at least one battery pack according to the above-described embodiment.

[0029] According to the various embodiments described above, bending of the joining jig during welding of the electrode leads can be prevented. Accordingly, the adhesion between the electrode leads and / or between the electrode leads and the sensing plate can be improved. As a result, the welding quality of the electrode leads can be improved.

[0030] In addition, various other additional effects may be achieved by various embodiments of the present invention. These various effects of the present invention are described in detail in each embodiment, or the description of effects that are easily understood by those skilled in the art is omitted.

[0031] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention provided below; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the conventional process of welding electrode leads.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 is a plan view of the battery module shown in Figure 2, viewed from the front (+Y direction).

[0035] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery module shown in FIG. 2 with some components separated.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the combined state of the configuration shown in FIG. 4.

[0037] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view in the AA' direction of Figure 5.

[0038] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view in the BB' direction of Figure 5.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a supporter part according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 9 is a plan view illustrating the process of connecting electrode leads to each other.

[0041] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of some configurations to explain the process of connecting electrode leads in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of some configurations to explain the process of connecting electrode leads in a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a supporter part according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining an automobile 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, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention.

[0047] Therefore, 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; thus, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0048] Additionally, in this specification, terms indicating direction such as internal or external may be used; unless otherwise specifically stated, internal refers to the direction toward the central part of the battery module, and external refers to the opposite direction.

[0049] In addition, this specification includes various embodiments. Detailed descriptions of identical or similar parts regarding other embodiments are omitted, and the description focuses on the parts where each embodiment differs.

[0050] Meanwhile, although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back may be used in this specification, these terms are used merely for convenience of explanation and may vary depending on the location of the object or the position of the observer, it is obvious to those skilled in the art of the present invention.

[0051] In an embodiment of the present invention, the X-axis direction shown in the drawing may refer to the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction may refer to the front-back direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction on the horizontal plane (XY plane), and the Z-axis direction may refer to the up-down direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Additionally, in the orthogonal coordinates shown in the drawing, each axis has a + and - direction, and X, Y, and Z indicated in the drawing may refer to the + direction, while the opposite direction may refer to the - direction.

[0052]

[0053] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the battery module shown in FIG. 2 viewed from the front (+Y direction). FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the battery module shown in FIG. 2 with some components separated, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the components shown in FIG. 4 combined.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the battery module (10) according to the present embodiment includes a cell assembly (100) and a busbar frame (200).

[0055]

[0056] The cell assembly (100) may include a plurality of battery cells (150). The plurality of battery cells (150) may be provided as secondary batteries, such as pouch-type secondary batteries, prismatic secondary batteries, or cylindrical secondary batteries. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the description is limited to the case where the plurality of battery cells (150) are provided as pouch-type secondary batteries.

[0057] The plurality of battery cells (150) are arranged to be stacked on top of each other and can be electrically connected to each other through the electrical connection of electrode leads (155).

[0058] A connecting member (160) may be electrically connected to the cell assembly (100). The connecting member (160) may electrically connect the front and rear sides of the cell assembly (100) and transmit data such as voltage or temperature measured at the electrode lead (155). The connecting member (160) may be implemented in a form such as an FPCB.

[0059]

[0060] The busbar frame (200) is intended to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells (150) of the cell assembly (100) and can cover at least one side of the cell assembly (100). The busbar frame (200) can be configured to guide the connection between the electrode leads (155) of adjacent battery cells (150).

[0061] The busbar frame (200) may be configured to allow the insertion of a bonding jig (400) for supporting the electrode leads (155) when connecting the electrode leads (155). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the bonding jig (400) may be formed to be long in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the bonding jig (400) may be inserted into the busbar frame (200). As shown in FIG. 4, when the bonding jig (400) is inserted, the bonding jig (400) may support the electrode leads (155) that are placed overlappingly on the busbar frame (200). Meanwhile, the bonding jig (400) is inserted during the process of connecting the electrode leads (155) to each other, and may be separated from the busbar frame after the electrode leads (155) are connected.

[0062] In particular, the busbar frame (200) may have a supporter part (300). The supporter part (300) may be configured to fix a bonding jig (400) that supports the electrode lead (155) when the electrode lead (155) is connected. At this time, fixing may mean preventing the bonding jig (400) from moving, as well as preventing the bonding jig (400) from bending. Specifically, the supporter part (300) may be coupled to one side of the busbar frame (200). The supporter part (300) may fix the bonding jig (400) by contacting the inserted bonding jig (400) and supporting the bonding jig (400).

[0063]

[0064] According to the embodiment of the above configuration, the bonding jig (400) inserted during the electrode lead (155) connection process can be fixed by the supporter part (300). That is, during the process of connecting the electrode leads (155), it is possible to prevent the bonding jig (400) from being pushed forward (+Y) or bent as in the conventional method. Therefore, during the connection of the electrode leads (155), i.e., the welding process, the electrode leads (155) can maintain a state of close contact with each other, and as a result, the welding quality, i.e., the connection state between the electrode leads (155), can be excellent.

[0065]

[0066] Meanwhile, to prevent the bonding jig (400) from bending, a method of additionally inserting an auxiliary jig between the bonding jig (400) and the busbar frame (200) may be considered. In this case, the auxiliary jig may be inserted in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the bonding jig (400), that is, downward from the upper end of the busbar frame (200). However, this method may be limited by other components constituting the battery module, such as the FPCB coupled to the upper side of the cell assembly (100) as shown in FIG. 2.

[0067] However, in this embodiment, the bonding jig (400) can be fixed without the help of an additional auxiliary jig inserted from the outside, so the bonding jig (400) can be fixed without limitations due to the configuration (structure) of the battery module (10).

[0068]

[0069] The electrode lead (155) can be supported by one side of the bonding jig (400). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the bonding jig (400) can be inserted between the electrode lead (155) and the busbar frame (200). The front side (+Y-axis direction) of the electrode lead (155) can be supported in close contact with one side of the bonding jig (400), namely the rear side (-Y-axis direction) (401).

[0070] The supporter part (300) can support the bonding jig (400) so that it does not bend in the opposite direction of the electrode lead (155). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the bonding jig (400) may have a cantilever structure in which only its lower part is fixed to the frame (410). While the bonding jig (400) supports the electrode lead (155), an external force may be applied to the electrode lead (155) in the +Y-axis direction, i.e., forward, to bring the electrode leads (155) into close contact with each other. Then, this external force is transmitted through the electrode lead (155) to the rear surface (401) of the bonding jig (400), i.e., the surface supporting the electrode lead (155), and accordingly, the bonding jig (400) may bend forward (in the +Y-axis direction). Here, the supporter part (300) can support the joining jig (400), and in particular, can support it in the opposite direction of the external force, that is, in the rear (-Y-axis direction), thereby preventing the joining jig (400) from bending.

[0071] According to the present embodiment, the bonding jig (400) can be prevented from bending due to the external force applied to bond the electrode leads (155) during the bonding process of the electrode leads (155). Therefore, the electrode leads (155) can be bonded more stably, and as a result, the welding quality of the electrode leads (155) can be improved.

[0072]

[0073] In particular, the supporter part (300) can support the joining jig (400) by contacting the opposite side of the one side of the joining jig (400). Hereinafter, it will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 7. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view in the AA' direction of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view in the BB' direction of FIG. 5.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 6, the supporter part (300) can be positioned between the bonding jig (400) and the busbar frame (200). The rear side (401) of the bonding jig (400) can support the electrode lead (155). Then, the opposite side of the rear side (401), i.e., the front side (402) of the bonding jig (400), can be supported by contacting the supporter part (300). And, the supporter part (300) can be supported by the busbar frame (200).

[0075] According to the embodiment of the above configuration, the front surface of the joining jig (400) is supported by the supporter part (300), so that the joining jig (400) is prevented from bending forward due to an external force applied forward (+Y-axis direction). In particular, since the supporter part (300) contacts the entire front surface (402) of the joining jig (400), the joining jig (400) can be stably supported. Accordingly, the electrode leads (155) can be more stably attached, and as a result, the welding quality of the electrode leads (155) can be improved.

[0076]

[0077] The above supporter part (300) can support at least a portion of the upper part of the joining jig (400) based on the direction in which the joining jig (400) is inserted.

[0078] Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bonding jig (400) can be inserted into the busbar frame (200) in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). At this time, the vertical direction can be defined as the width direction of the electrode lead (155). Also, the front-back direction (Y-axis direction) in FIG. 2 can be defined as the length direction of the electrode lead (155). This is because, when referring to FIG. 2, the electrode lead (155) extends from inside the battery cell (150) to the rear (-Y-axis direction) and is bent onto the busbar frame (200), and taking this into account, the length direction and width direction of the electrode lead (155) can be defined as above.

[0079] And, the supporter part (300) can be attached to the upper part of the busbar frame (200). When connecting the electrode lead (155), the bonding jig (400) can be inserted upward from the bottom of the busbar frame (200). As shown in FIG. 7, when the bonding jig (400) is fully inserted, the upper part of the bonding jig (400) can be supported by being in close contact with the supporter part (300).

[0080] According to the embodiment of the configuration described above, bending of the joining jig (400) can be prevented more efficiently. Specifically, the joining jig (400) is a cantilever structure with its lower end fixed, and thus can bend around the fixed lower end when an external force is applied. In particular, the further away from the lower end of the joining jig (400), the more the displacement of the joining jig (400) bending can be superimposed and further increased. In addition, from the perspective of the moment causing bending in the joining jig (400), since moment = distance × force, it may be advantageous to support the upper end far from the lower end of the joining jig (400).

[0081]

[0082] The supporter part (300) can be manufactured through injection molding. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the supporter part (300) is manufactured separately from the busbar frame (200) and is shown as having a structure that is inserted into the busbar frame (200). However, this may be shown separately for convenience of explanation. Alternatively, the supporter part (300) can be formed integrally with the busbar frame (200). For example, the busbar frame (200) is made of a polymer material and can be manufactured through injection molding. In this case, the supporter part (300) can be manufactured integrally with the busbar frame (200) through injection molding.

[0083] According to the present embodiment, a busbar frame (200) with a supporter part (300) can be manufactured by partially modifying the mold structure of the busbar frame (200). Therefore, the supporter part (300) can be manufactured easily and economically. Furthermore, if the supporter part (300) is formed integrally with the busbar frame (200), the process of joining the supporter part (300) to the busbar frame (200) can be omitted, thereby simplifying the assembly process of the battery module.

[0084]

[0085] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a supporter part according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 8, the supporter portion (300A) may have inclined surfaces (311, 321) that are formed at an angle with respect to the insertion direction of the joining jig (400) and guide the joining jig (400). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, inclined surfaces (311, 321) may be provided at the lower end of the supporter portion (300A). At this time, these inclined surfaces (311, 321) may be formed at an angle with respect to the insertion direction of the joining jig (400), that is, the up and down direction.

[0087] According to the embodiment of the above configuration, when the bonding jig (400) is inserted, the upper part of the bonding jig (400) comes into contact with the inclined surface (311, 321) and then slides along the inclined surface (311, 321) to be inserted into its proper position, more specifically, into its proper position in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). In particular, when inserting the bonding jig (400), considering the situation where the bonding jig (400) is obscured and not visible by the electrode lead (155), the inclined surface (311, 321) can facilitate the insertion of the bonding jig (400).

[0088]

[0089] Hereinafter, the busbar frame (200) and the supporter part (300) will be described in more detail. Again, referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the busbar frame (200) may have a frame body (210), a lead slot (220), and a guide groove part (230).

[0090] The frame body (210) can cover at least one side of the cell assembly (100). Specifically, the frame body (210) is formed in a plate shape overall and can be joined to cover the rear end of the cell assembly (100). The frame body (210) can be manufactured using a polymer material by means such as injection molding.

[0091] The lead slot (220) may be a passage through which the electrode lead (155) of the battery cell (150) passes. The lead slot (220) may be formed by penetrating the frame body (210), and may be formed by penetrating the frame body in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The lead slot (220) may be provided in multiple numbers, and the multiple lead slots (220) may be spaced apart in the direction in which the battery cells (150) are stacked, i.e., in the left-right direction. Additionally, each lead slot may be formed to be long in the width direction of the electrode lead (155), i.e., in the vertical direction.

[0092] The guide groove (230) is a space into which the bonding jig (400) is inserted, and can be formed between a plurality of lead slots (220). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the frame body (210) may be provided with a guide plate (231) for guiding the electrode lead (155). The guide plate (231) may be formed to protrude rearward (in the -Y-axis direction) from the frame body (210). The guide plate (231) may be provided in multiple numbers, and a pair of guide plates (231) may be placed between a pair of lead slots (220). The guide groove (230) may be formed between these guide plates (231). More specifically, the empty space between a pair of guide plates (231) may become the guide groove (2320). And, the electrode leads (155) that have passed through each of the pair of lead slots (220) can be bent and supported by overlapping each other on the guide plate (231).

[0093] The supporter portion (300) may be positioned between the guide groove portion (230), that is, between a pair of guide plates (231). At this time, the supporter portion (300) may be formed integrally with the busbar frame (200) and the guide plates (231).

[0094] In the battery module (10) configured in this manner, when connecting the electrode leads (155), the bonding jig (400) can be inserted into the guide groove (230). The inserted bonding jig (400) supports the electrode leads (155) that are overlapped with each other, and at the same time, is in close contact with the supporter part (300) and can be supported by the supporter part (300).

[0095]

[0096] The above supporter part (300) may include a main support part (310) and an auxiliary support part (320). Specifically, a welding groove (403) may be provided on one side of the joining jig (400), more specifically on the rear side (401) that supports the electrode lead (155). In relation to the welding groove (403), the electrode leads (155) may be connected to each other by laser welding, but welding may occur between the electrode lead (155) and the joining jig (400) that supports it, or the joining jig may be damaged by the heat generated during welding. To prevent this, a certain gap may be formed between the electrode lead (155) and the joining jig (400), and the welding groove (403) may be what forms this gap. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the welding groove (403) can be formed concavely from the rear surface (401) of the joining jig (400) toward the front, and thus the horizontal cross-section (cross-section in the XY plane) of the joining jig (400) can have a 'U' shape. The welding groove (403) can be formed long along the length direction of the joining jig (400), that is, the vertical direction.

[0097] The main support member (310) may be in contact with the front side (402) of the bonding jig (400), that is, the opposite side of the rear side (401) that supports the electrode lead (155) in the bonding jig (400). The main support member (310) may support the front side (402) of the bonding jig (400). The auxiliary support member (320) may be formed to have a narrower width (length in the X-axis direction) than the main support member (310). The auxiliary support member (320) may be spaced rearward from the main support member (310), and as shown in FIG. 4, the auxiliary support member (320) and the main support member (310) may be integrally formed in a structure connected to each other at the top.

[0098] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the joining jig (400) is inserted between the main support member (310) and the auxiliary support member (320), and the auxiliary support member (320) can be inserted into the welding groove (403) of the joining jig (400). At this time, the auxiliary support member (320) can be spaced apart from the electrode lead (155) by a predetermined distance. Then, when welding the electrode lead (155), the electrode lead (155) and the auxiliary support member (320) may not be welded to each other, or the auxiliary support member (320) may be damaged by the heat generated during welding.

[0099] In particular, the auxiliary support member (320) is positioned adjacent to the welding point of the electrode lead (155) and is exposed to a large amount of heat generated during welding, which can cause it to deform. Accordingly, the auxiliary support member (320) may be made of a heat-resistant material. For example, the auxiliary support member (320) may be made of Teflon.

[0100] Meanwhile, if the auxiliary support member (320) is formed integrally with the busbar frame (200), it may not be easy to configure only the material of the auxiliary support member (320) differently. In this case, the surface of the auxiliary support member (320) can be coated with a heat-resistant material, such as Teflon. This prevents the auxiliary support member (320) from being deformed by welding heat.

[0101] According to the embodiment of the above configuration, the joining jig (400) is inserted between the main support member (310) and the auxiliary support member (320) and can be supported from both sides by the main support member (310) and the auxiliary support member (320). Accordingly, the joining jig (400) can be fixed more stably, and as a result, the welding quality of the electrode lead (155) can be improved.

[0102]

[0103] Meanwhile, as described above, when the supporter part (300) is composed of a main support part (310) and an auxiliary support part (320), an inclined surface (311, 321) may be formed on the main support part (310) and the auxiliary support part (320), respectively. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, an inclined surface (311) may be formed on the lower end of the main support part (310), and an inclined surface (321) may also be formed on the lower end of the auxiliary support part (320). At this time, the two inclined surfaces (311, 321) may be formed to be inclined in opposite directions, and accordingly, the gap between the two inclined surfaces (311, 321) may be formed to gradually narrow as it goes up from the lower end. And, when the supporter part (300) is configured in this way, when inserting the joining jig (400), the joining jig (400) first comes into contact with one of the two inclined surfaces (311, 321), and can be inserted between the main support part (310) and the auxiliary support part (320) while sliding along the inclined surface (311, 321).

[0104] FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating the process of connecting electrode leads (155) to each other.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 9, a fixing part (240) may be provided on the busbar frame (200). The fixing part (240) may be for inserting a fixing pin (500) to fix the busbar frame (200) when connecting the electrode lead (155). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the fixing part (240) may be provided on one side of the busbar frame (200), for example, on the side facing the rear. The fixing part (240) may be formed to protrude from the busbar frame (200) in the rear (-Y-axis direction), and a groove may be provided inside it for inserting the fixing pin (500). The fixing part (240) may be provided in multiple numbers, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, two may be provided. The two fixing parts (240) may be spaced apart from each other in the left and right directions.

[0106] According to the embodiment of the above configuration, the bonding jig (400) can be fixed more stably. Specifically, when connecting the electrode lead (155), the bonding jig (400) is inserted into the guide groove (230), and the bonding jig (400) can be supported by the supporter (300). In this state, if an external force is applied to press the electrode lead (155) against the front, the bonding jig (400) may bend forward (+Y-axis direction) together with the entire busbar frame (200). However, in this embodiment, since the busbar frame (200) is supported by the fixing pin (500), the entire busbar frame (200) bending together with the bonding jig (400) as described above can be prevented.

[0107]

[0108] In particular, the fixing part (240) may be formed on the opposite side of the guide groove part (230) based on the insertion direction of the joining jig (400). Specifically, the joining jig (400) may be inserted upward from the lower end of the busbar frame (200). The guide groove part (230) may also be formed upward from the lower end of the busbar frame (200). Furthermore, the fixing part (240) may be provided on the opposite side of the guide groove part (230), that is, at the upper end of the busbar frame (200). The fixing pin (500) may be inserted downward from the upper end of the fixing part.

[0109] According to the embodiment of the above configuration, the upper part of the busbar frame (200) can be fixed, in particular, by the fixing pin (500). In this regard, the joining jig (400) and the busbar frame (200) may bend around the lower part of the joining jig (400) due to an external force. At this time, if the upper part of the busbar frame (200) is supported, in particular by the fixing part, the busbar frame (200) can be supported more efficiently in terms of moment. Then, bending of the joining jig (400) and the busbar frame (200) can be further prevented, and as a result, the welding quality of the electrode lead (155) can be further improved.

[0110]

[0111] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of some configurations to explain the process of connecting electrode leads in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 10, electrode leads (155) can be bent and placed overlapping each other on a guide plate (231) after passing through a lead slot (220). At this time, the guide plate (231) does not have a configuration such as an additional interbus bar, and the two electrode leads (155) can be directly electrically connected by overlapping each other. A joining jig (400) is inserted between the bus bar frame (200) and the electrode leads (155) to support the electrode leads (155), and at the same time, the joining jig (400) can be supported by a supporter part (300). In this state, the electrode leads (155) can be pressed together by a pressing jig (J) and then the two electrode leads (155) can be connected (welded) using a laser or the like.

[0113] In this embodiment, the busbar frame (200) guides the direct connection between the electrode leads (155) when electrically connecting the electrode leads (155) of the battery cells (150), so that a component such as a busbar for additional electrical connection can be omitted compared to a conventional indirect connection structure using a separate medium for electrical connection of the electrode leads (155).

[0114] Accordingly, in this embodiment, the material cost of the entire battery module is reduced and the weight of the entire battery module can also be reduced by omitting components such as conventional busbars. In addition, in this embodiment, since cell space can be secured more in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery module (10) due to the omission of the aforementioned components such as busbars, the energy density of the entire battery module (10) can also be increased.

[0115]

[0116] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of some configurations to explain when connecting electrode leads in a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 11, a plurality of electrode leads (155), for example, three electrode leads (155) can pass through each lead slot (220). These electrode leads (155) can be bent and overlapped on a guide plate (231). At this time, a sensing plate (250) may be seated on the guide plate (231), and the plurality of electrode leads (155) can be supported on the sensing plate (250). A bonding jig (400) can be inserted between the busbar frame (200) and the sensing plate (250) to support the sensing plate (250). The sensing plate (250) can be positioned between the electrode leads (155) and the bonding jig (400) to support the plurality of electrode leads (155). In this state, the electrode leads (155) can be pressed together by a pressurizing jig (J), and then the electrode leads (155) can be connected to each other using a laser or the like, and the electrode leads (155) can also be connected to the sensing plate (250). Meanwhile, a bus bar or the like may be placed instead of the sensing plate (250).

[0118] According to the embodiment of the above configuration, the voltage, current, and temperature of the battery cell (150) can be measured through the sensing plate (250), and the state of the battery cell (150) can be monitored in conjunction with a battery management system (BMS).

[0119]

[0120] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a supporter part according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] Previously, in FIGS. 3 to 11, the supporter part (300) is depicted as being composed of a main support part (310) and an auxiliary support part (320). Of course, when describing the invention previously, the supporter part (300) was not necessarily described in the form of being composed of a main support part (310) and an auxiliary support part (320), but it is depicted in that way in the drawings. Accordingly, to clarify that the supporter part (300) can be composed of only one support part rather than two support parts, further explanation is provided below.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 12, the supporter part (300B) may be formed to be long in the vertical direction. When the joining jig (400) is inserted, the supporter part (300B) may come into contact with the joining jig (400) and support the joining jig (400). An inclined surface (301) may be provided at the lower end of the supporter part (300B). The supporter part (300B) may be formed integrally with the busbar frame (200). That is, the supporter part (300B) may be formed substantially identically or similarly to the main support part (310) in the supporter part (300) described in FIG. 3 to FIG. 11, and its function may also be similar. According to the present embodiment, the structure of the supporter part (300B) may be simplified, and accordingly, the manufacturing time and manufacturing cost of the busbar frame (200) may be reduced.

[0123]

[0124] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a battery pack (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle (V) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0125] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the battery pack (1) may include at least one battery module (10) of the preceding embodiment and a pack case (50) that accommodates the at least one battery module (10).

[0126] The above battery pack (1) may further include electrical components such as a BMS that controls the at least one battery module (10) or a cooling unit such as a heat sink for cooling the at least one battery module (10).

[0127] In this embodiment, the battery pack (1) is equipped with at least one battery module (10) mentioned above, so that the battery pack (1) can also have a higher energy density while having a slimmer structure and lowering manufacturing costs.

[0128] The above-mentioned battery pack (1) can be provided in a vehicle (V) as a fuel source for the vehicle. For example, the above-mentioned battery pack (1) can be provided in an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, and other vehicles (V) in other ways in which the battery pack (1) can be used as a fuel source.

[0129] In addition, it goes without saying that the battery pack (1) may also be equipped in other devices, mechanisms, and facilities, such as an energy storage system using a secondary battery, in addition to the vehicle (V).

[0130]

[0131] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Various modifications are possible by those skilled in the art without departing from the essence of the invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cell assembly comprising a plurality of battery cells; and A busbar frame that covers one side of the cell assembly, guides the connection between the electrode leads of adjacent battery cells, and is configured to allow the insertion of a bonding jig to support the electrode leads when the electrode leads are connected; A battery module characterized in that the above busbar frame has a supporter portion configured to fix the inserted joining jig.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above electrode lead is supported on one side of the bonding jig, and A battery module characterized in that the supporter part supports the bonding jig so that the bonding jig does not bend in the opposite direction of the electrode lead.

3. In Paragraph 2, A battery module characterized in that the supporter part is in contact with the opposite side of the one side of the bonding jig and supports the bonding jig.

4. In Paragraph 1, A battery module characterized in that the supporter portion supports at least a portion of the upper part of the bonding jig based on the direction in which the bonding jig is inserted.

5. In Paragraph 1, A battery module characterized in that the supporter portion is formed at an angle with respect to the insertion direction of the bonding jig and has an inclined surface that guides the bonding jig.

6. In Paragraph 1, A battery module characterized in that the above-mentioned support member is manufactured through injection molding.

7. In Paragraph 3, The above busbar frame is, A frame body covering at least one side of the cell assembly, and A plurality of lead slots formed in the above-mentioned frame body and passing the electrode leads through them, and It includes a guide groove formed between the plurality of lead slots and into which the joining jig is inserted, A battery module characterized in that the supporter portion supports a bonding jig inserted into the guide groove portion.

8. In Paragraph 7, On one side of the above-mentioned joining jig, a welding groove is provided for forming a gap with the electrode lead, and A battery module characterized in that the supporter part comprises a main support part that supports the opposite side of the joining jig and an auxiliary support part that is inserted into the welding groove to support the joining jig.

9. In Paragraph 7, A battery module characterized in that the above-mentioned busbar frame is provided with a fixing portion into which a fixing pin is inserted to fix the busbar frame when the electrode leads are joined.

10. In Paragraph 9, A battery module characterized in that the above-mentioned fixing part is formed on the opposite side of the guide groove part with respect to the insertion direction of the above-mentioned joining jig.

11. In Paragraph 1, A battery module characterized by the above electrode leads being connected by direct welding.

12. In Paragraph 1, A battery module further comprising a sensing plate that is seated on the busbar frame and disposed between the bonding jig and the electrode leads when the electrode leads are connected.

13. At least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and A battery pack characterized by including a pack case that accommodates at least one battery module.

14. An automobile characterized by including at least one battery pack according to paragraph 13.

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