Specification
Title of the invention: Battery module, battery pack comprising such battery module and automobile
technical field
[One]
The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack comprising such a battery module, and a vehicle.
[2]
This application is a priority claim application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0019307 filed on February 17, 2020, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated herein by reference.
background
[3]
Secondary batteries that are easy to apply according to product groups and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density are not only portable devices, but also electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid vehicles (HEVs) driven by an electric drive source. It is universally applied. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency in that not only the primary advantage of being able to dramatically reduce the use of fossil fuels, but also the fact that no by-products are generated from the use of energy.
[4]
The types of secondary batteries currently widely used include a lithium ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel hydride battery, a nickel zinc battery, and the like. The unit secondary battery cell, that is, the operating voltage of the unit battery cell is about 2.5V ~ 4.5V. Accordingly, when a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells are connected in series to form a battery pack. In addition, a plurality of battery cells may be connected in parallel to form a battery pack according to the charge/discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Accordingly, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack may be variously set according to a required output voltage or charge/discharge capacity.
[5]
On the other hand, when configuring a battery pack by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series/parallel, a battery module including at least one battery cell is first configured, and other components are added using the at least one battery module. A method of configuring the battery pack is common.
[6]
In the case of a conventional battery module, when exposed to environmental changes such as temperature change, condensation may occur inside the battery module. The water condensed by the dew condensation phenomenon may be filled to a predetermined height inside the battery module. In addition, there is a risk that a short circuit occurs between sensing busbars inside the battery module due to the condensed water caused by the dew condensation.
[7]
Therefore, it is required to find a way to prevent the short circuit of the sensing bus bar when condensation occurs inside the battery module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
technical challenge
[8]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of preventing a short circuit of a sensing bus bar when dew condensation occurs inside the battery module, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle.
means of solving the problem
[9]
In order to solve the above object, the present invention, as a battery module, a plurality of battery cells; a module case accommodating the plurality of battery cells; and a bus bar assembly provided in the module case and electrically connected to electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the bus bar assembly includes a bus bar frame disposed on at least one side of the plurality of battery cells ; a plurality of lead slots provided in the bus bar frame and penetrating the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells; a plurality of sensing bus bars disposed opposite to the plurality of lead slots and connected to electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells; and a plurality of short circuit preventing units covering at least one end of the plurality of sensing bus bars and surrounding the at least one end of the plurality of sensing bus bars.
[10]
The plurality of short circuit preventing units may be provided on the bus bar frame to cover lower ends of the plurality of sensing bus bars.
[11]
The plurality of short-circuit preventing units may have a predetermined accommodating space capable of accommodating a lower end of each sensing bus bar.
[12]
The plurality of sensing bus bars may be inserted into the plurality of short circuit preventing units while sliding from the upper end to the lower end of the bus bar frame.
[13]
The plurality of short circuit preventing units may be integrally formed with the bus bar frame.
[14]
The plurality of short circuit preventing units may be provided between a lower end of the bus bar frame and the plurality of lead slots.
[15]
The plurality of short circuit preventing units may include an insulating material.
[16]
The plurality of short circuit prevention parts may be made of a rubber material.
[17]
And, the present invention, as a battery pack, at least one battery module according to the above-described embodiments; and a pack case for packaging the at least one battery module.
[18]
In addition, the present invention provides a vehicle comprising, as a vehicle, at least one battery pack according to the above-described embodiment.
Effects of the Invention
[19]
According to various embodiments as described above, it is possible to provide a battery module capable of preventing a short circuit of a sensing bus bar when condensation occurs inside the battery module, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle.
Brief description of the drawing
[20]
The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and serve to further understand the technical spirit of the present invention together with the detailed description of the present invention to be described later, so the present invention is described in such drawings should not be construed as being limited only to
[21]
1 is a view for explaining a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[22]
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of FIG. 1 ;
[23]
FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a bus bar assembly of the battery module of FIG. 1 .
[24]
4 and 5 are views for explaining a main part of the bus bar assembly of FIG. 3 .
[25]
6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining prevention of short circuit of the sensing bus bar when dew condensation occurs in the battery module of FIG. 1 .
[26]
8 is a view for explaining a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[27]
9 is a view for explaining a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Modes for carrying out the invention
[28]
The present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are illustratively shown to aid understanding of the invention, and that the present invention may be implemented with various modifications different from the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to help the understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, but dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.
[29]
1 is a view for explaining a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of FIG. 1 , and FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a bus bar assembly of the battery module of FIG. 1 4 and 5 are views for explaining the main part of the bus bar assembly of FIG. 3 .
[30]
1 to 5 , the battery module 10 may include a battery cell 100 , a module case 200 , an insulating cover 300 , and a bus bar assembly 500 .
[31]
The battery cell 100 is a secondary battery, and may be a pouch-type secondary battery, a prismatic secondary battery, or a cylindrical secondary battery. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the battery cell 100 is limited to a pouch-type secondary battery.
[32]
The battery cells 100 may be provided in plurality and may be electrically connected to each other. Each of the plurality of battery cells 100 may include a pair of electrode leads 150 .
[33]
The pair of electrode leads 150 may be provided at both ends of the battery cell 100 . The pair of electrode leads 150 may be electrically connected to each other through a bus bar assembly 300 to be described later.
[34]
The module case 200 may accommodate the plurality of battery cells 100 . To this end, an accommodation space for accommodating the plurality of battery cells 100 may be provided in the module case 200 .
[35]
The module case 200 may include a base plate 210 , an end plate 230 , a top plate 250 , and a side plate 270 .
[36]
The base plate 210 may form a bottom of the module case 200 and support the plurality of battery cells 100 . To this end, the base plate 210 may have an area capable of supporting the lower portions of the plurality of battery cells 100 .
[37]
The end plate 230 forms the front and rear of the module case 200, and may be provided as a pair. The end plate 230 may be coupled to the base plate 210 .
[38]
The top plate 250 may form an upper portion of the module case 200 and cover upper sides of the plurality of battery cells 100 . The top plate 250 may be coupled to at least one of the pair of end plates 230 and a pair of side plates 270 to be described later.
[39]
The side plate 270 forms both sides of the module case 200 and may be provided as a pair. The side plate 270 may be coupled to the base plate 210 , the pair of end plates 230 , and the top plate 250 .
[40]
The insulating cover 300 may be disposed between the pair of end plates 230 and a bus bar assembly 500 to be described later. In addition to the insulating function, the insulating cover 300 may also serve to buffer the shock of the plurality of battery cells 100 from external shocks.
[41]
The bus bar assembly 500 is provided in the module case 200 and may be electrically connected to the electrode leads 150 of the plurality of battery cells 100 . The bus bar assembly 500 may sense voltages of the plurality of battery cells 100 .
[42]
The bus bar assembly 500 may include a bus bar frame 510 , a lead slot 530 , a sensing bus bar 550 , and a short circuit preventing unit 570 .
[43]
The bus bar frame 510 may be disposed on at least one side of the plurality of battery cells 100 . Specifically, the bus bar frame 510 may be disposed on at least one of the front and rear sides of the plurality of battery cells 100 .
[44]
The lead slots 530 are provided in the bus bar frame 510 and may be provided in plurality. The plurality of lead slots 530 may penetrate the electrode leads 150 of the plurality of battery cells 100 along the front and rear directions of the bus bar frame 510 .
[45]
The sensing bus bar 550 may be provided in plurality. The plurality of sensing bus bars 550 are disposed opposite to the plurality of lead slots 530 , and electrode leads 150 of the plurality of battery cells 100 passing through the plurality of lead slots 530 . can be connected with
[46]
The short circuit preventing part 570 may be provided in plurality. The plurality of short circuit preventing units 570 may cover at least one end of the plurality of sensing bus bars 550 and surround the at least one end of the plurality of sensing bus bars 550 .
[47]
Specifically, the plurality of short circuit preventing units 570 may be provided on the bus bar frame 510 to cover the lower ends of the plurality of sensing bus bars 550 . The plurality of short circuit preventing units 570 may have a predetermined accommodating space capable of accommodating the lower end of each sensing bus bar 550 . Here, the plurality of sensing bus bars 550 may be inserted into the plurality of short circuit preventing units 570 while sliding from the top to the bottom of the bus bar frame 510 .
[48]
The plurality of short circuit preventing units 570 may be integrally formed with the bus bar frame 510 . The plurality of short circuit preventing units 570 may be provided between the lower end of the bus bar frame 510 and the plurality of lead slots 530 .
[49]
The plurality of short-circuit prevention units 570 are insulated to prevent short-circuiting of the plurality of sensing bus bars 550 when a predetermined amount of condensed water due to condensation inside the module case 200 is filled. material may be included.
[50]
Specifically, the plurality of short circuit preventing units 570 may be made of a rubber material. On the other hand, the plurality of short-circuit preventing units 570 may be insulatingly coated to surround the lower end of each sensing bus bar 550 .
[51]
Hereinafter, the short circuit prevention mechanism of the sensing bus bar 550 when condensation occurs through the short circuit prevention unit 570 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail.
[52]
6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining prevention of short circuit of the sensing bus bar when dew condensation occurs in the battery module of FIG. 1 .
[53]
6 and 7 , in the case of the battery module 10 , when exposed to environmental changes such as temperature change, dew condensation may occur inside the battery module 10 . Water (W) condensed as the internal water vapor fills up due to this dew condensation phenomenon may be filled in the module case 200 of the battery module 10 to a predetermined height.
[54]
At this time, since the short circuit preventing part 570 according to the present embodiment is an insulating material and surrounds the lower end of the sensing bus bar 550, the short circuit of the sensing bus bar 550 by the condensed water W can be effectively prevented, and the risk of a short circuit between the electrode leads 150 can also be effectively reduced.
[55]
8 is a diagram for explaining a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[56]
8 and 9 , the battery pack 1 may include at least one battery module 10 according to the previous embodiment and a pack case 50 for packaging the at least one battery module 10 . can
[57]
The battery pack 1 may be provided in the vehicle V as a fuel source for the vehicle. By way of example, the battery pack 1 may be provided in the vehicle V in an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, and other ways in which the battery pack 1 may be used as a fuel source.
[58]
Also, of course, the battery pack 1 may be provided in other devices, devices, and facilities, such as an energy storage system using a secondary battery, in addition to the vehicle V.
[59]
As such, the device, apparatus, and equipment including the battery pack 1 and the battery pack 1 such as the vehicle according to the present embodiment include the battery module 10 described above, and the battery module described above. The battery pack 1 having all the advantages due to (10) and the device, apparatus, and equipment such as a vehicle having such a battery pack 1 can be implemented.
[60]
According to various embodiments as described above, the battery module 10 capable of preventing a short circuit of the sensing bus bar 550 when condensation occurs inside the battery module 10 , and a battery pack including the battery module 10 . (1) and automobiles (V) can be provided.
[61]
In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and it is common in the technical field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Various modifications may be made by those having the knowledge of, of course, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

Claims

[Claim 1]
A battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a module case accommodating the plurality of battery cells; and a bus bar assembly provided in the module case and electrically connected to electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the bus bar assembly includes a bus bar frame disposed on at least one side of the plurality of battery cells ; a plurality of lead slots provided in the bus bar frame and penetrating the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells; a plurality of sensing bus bars disposed opposite to the plurality of lead slots and connected to electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells; and a plurality of short circuit preventing units covering at least one end of the plurality of sensing bus bars and surrounding the at least one end of the plurality of sensing bus bars.
[Claim 2]
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of short circuit preventing units are provided on the bus bar frame to cover lower ends of the plurality of sensing bus bars.
[Claim 3]
The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of short-circuit prevention units have a predetermined accommodating space capable of accommodating a lower end of each sensing bus bar.
[Claim 4]
The battery module according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of sensing bus bars are inserted into the plurality of short circuit preventing units while sliding from an upper end to a lower end of the bus bar frame.
[Claim 5]
The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of short circuit preventing units are integrally formed with the bus bar frame.
[Claim 6]
The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of short circuit preventing parts are provided between a lower end of the bus bar frame and the plurality of lead slots.
[Claim 7]
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of short-circuit prevention parts include an insulating material.
[Claim 8]
The battery module according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of short circuit preventing parts are made of a rubber material.
[Claim 9]
at least one battery module according to claim 1; and a pack case for packaging the at least one battery module.
[Claim 10]
A vehicle comprising a; at least one battery pack according to claim 9 .