BATTERY MODULE INCLUDING CONNECTION TERMINALS DISPOSED IN ZIGZAG

Abstract

A battery module includes a case and a connection terminal including at least one pair of a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal disposed at a middle part of each of opposite side surfaces of the case. Each of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal protrudes outwards. The positive electrode terminal, a gap between the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are disposed at equal intervals based on the center of the case.

Claims

1. A battery module comprising: a case; and a connection terminal comprising at least one pair of a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal disposed at a middle part of each of opposite side surfaces of the case, wherein each of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal protrudes outwards, and wherein the positive electrode terminal, a gap between the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are disposed at equal intervals based on a center of the case.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a width of a protruding portion of each of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal is less than the gap between the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are symmetric with respect to the center of the case.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein outwardly protruding distances of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal from each opposite side surface of the case are equal to each other.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the opposite side surfaces of the case includes a concave-convex portion.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein an insulator is disposed outside each of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal.

7. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein protruding shapes of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal and an external shape of the case between the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are configured to be engagable with a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal of an adjacent battery module.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein only a single pair of the at least one pair of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal is disposed at each of the opposite side surfaces of the case.

9. A battery pack comprising at least two battery modules according to claim 1, wherein the battery modules are coupled to each other.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein adjacent battery modules of the at least two battery modules form a coupling portion at which the connection terminals are coupled to each other.

11. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein one positive electrode terminal of one of the battery modules of the at least two battery modules and one negative electrode terminal of another battery module of the at least two battery modules closest thereto are electrically connected to each other via an inter-busbar.

12. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein only one positive electrode terminal of one of the battery modules of the at least two battery modules and one negative electrode terminal of another battery module of the at least two battery modules closest thereto is electrically connected to each other via an inter-busbar.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a connection terminal of the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the coupling shape of two adjacent battery modules according to the first embodiment of the present invention with an enlarged view of a coupling portion.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a view showing various modifications of a coupling portion according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connection terminal of the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a front view showing the coupling portion at which the connection terminals of the two adjacent battery modules according to the first embodiment of the present invention are coupled to each other in a concave-convex shape.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a top view showing the state in which the connection terminals of the two adjacent battery modules according to the first embodiment of the present invention are coupled to each other in the concave-convex shape and are electrically connected to each other using an inter-busbar.

[0036] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing an example in which the connection terminals of the two adjacent battery modules according to the first embodiment of the present invention are electrically connected to each other using the inter-busbar.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a view showing various modifications of an inter-busbar according to the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the coupling shape of two adjacent battery modules having concave-convex portions according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE

[0039] Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings such that the preferred embodiments of the present invention can be easily implemented by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. In describing the principle of operation of the preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail, however, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when the same may obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

[0040] In addition, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to parts that perform similar functions or operations. In the case in which one part is said to be connected to another part throughout the specification, not only may the one part be directly connected to the other part, but also, the one part may be indirectly connected to the other part via a further part. In addition, that a certain element is included does not mean that other elements are excluded, but means that such elements may be further included unless mentioned otherwise.

[0041] In addition, a description to embody elements through limitation or addition may be applied to all inventions, unless particularly restricted, and does not limit a specific invention.

[0042] Also, in the description of the invention and the claims of the present application, singular forms are intended to include plural forms unless mentioned otherwise.

[0043] Also, in the description of the invention and the claims of the present application, “or” includes “and” unless mentioned otherwise. Therefore, “including A or B” means three cases, namely, the case including A, the case including B, and the case including A and B.

[0044] In addition, all numeric ranges include the lowest value, the highest value, and all intermediate values therebetween unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a connection terminal of the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a front view showing the coupling shape of two adjacent battery modules according to the first embodiment of the present invention with an enlarged view of a coupling portion.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes one or more battery cells (not shown) received in a case, wherein connection terminals 200A and 200B, each of which includes at least one positive electrode terminal and/or at least one negative electrode terminal, may be located respectively at opposite side surfaces of the case.

[0048] In the case, the battery cells may be stably disposed by a cartridge, a stacking frame, etc. Here, each battery cell includes an electrode assembly, a battery case, and an electrode lead and/or an electrode tab. An electrolytic solution may be received in the battery case of the battery cell. Here, the electrode lead may include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead. The positive electrode lead may be connected to a positive electrode tab of the electrode assembly, and the negative electrode lead may be connected to a negative electrode tab of the electrode assembly.

[0049] In the present invention, the battery cell may be a pouch-shaped secondary battery. For the pouch-shaped secondary battery, the battery case may be a pouch sheathing member. The pouch sheathing member may be configured to have a structure in which metal foil, such as aluminum, is interposed between insulating layers. When the battery cell is constituted by a pouch-shaped battery, as described above, connection between a plurality of battery cells may be more easily achieved.

[0050] In the battery cell, the two electrode leads or tabs, i.e. the positive electrode lead or the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode lead or the negative electrode tab, may be provided so as to protrude in opposite directions or in the same direction.

[0051] A busbar configured to electrically connect the electrode leads or tabs of the battery cells stacked in the module case to each other may be included, and a connection board assembly including an inner terminal connected to the busbar may be included. The connection board assembly may be separately located in the module case or may be one side surface of the module case. Specifically, in the present invention, when the connection board assembly is separately located in the module case, the connection board assembly may be located in tight contact with one side surface of the module case, and the connection board assembly may include an electrode terminal 2100 (see FIG. 5), a description of which will follow, which is electrically connected to the inner electrode terminal located at the connection board assembly via the busbar. The inner electrode terminal and the electrode terminal 2100 (see FIG. 5) may be formed at corresponding positions, or may be formed at different positions. The electrode terminal 2100 (see FIG. 5) may perform a function of changing the position of the electrodes of the battery module 100. That is, the electrode terminal 2100 (see FIG. 5) performs a function of changing the position and/or direction of the electrodes of the battery module, and provides an electrode configured to connect the battery module 100 to the outside.

[0052] The connection terminals 200 (see FIG. 5) are provided at middle positions of opposite side surfaces of the module case of the battery module 100. In FIG. 1, the connection terminals are shown as the connection terminals 200A located at the left side surface and the connection terminals 200B located at the right side surface. However, division therebetween is made for convenience of describing the present invention and making the drawings.

[0053] The connection terminals 200A and 200B according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 together with the description of FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows the connection terminals of the two battery modules located adjacent to each other, as shown in FIG. 3, in an enlarged state.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the connection terminals 200A and 200B may include an electrode terminal protruding from one side surface of a corresponding one of the battery modules in an external direction (x-axis direction). The electrode terminal may include a first electrode terminal 2110 and a second electrode terminal 2120. In the present invention, the first electrode terminal may be a positive electrode or a negative electrode, and the second electrode terminal may be a negative electrode or a positive electrode. The first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal are electrode terminals having opposite electrical properties.

[0056] Each of the connection terminals 200A and 200B includes an electrode terminal 2100 including a first electrode terminal 2110 and a second electrode terminal 2120 and a seating portion 2200 including a first seating portion 2210 and a second seating portion 2220.

[0057] Specifically, the electrode terminal 2100 includes a first electrode terminal 2110 and a second electrode terminal 2120 located spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the seating portion 2200 includes a first seating portion 2210 formed between the first electrode terminal 2110 and the second electrode terminal 2120 and a second seating portion 2220 located adjacent to one of the first electrode terminal 2110 and the second electrode terminal 2120. That is, the first electrode terminal 2110/first seating portion 2210/second electrode terminal 2120/second seating portion 2220 constitute one connection terminal 200.

[0058] In FIG. 2, reference symbols are denoted in order to distinguish between a first electrode terminal 2110A, a second electrode terminal 2120A, a first seating portion 2210A, and a second seating portion 2220A constituting the connection terminal 200A and a first electrode terminal 2110B, a second electrode terminal 2120B, a first seating portion 2210B, and a second seating portion 2220B constituting the connection terminal 200B; however, a description of structural elements having the same names may be commonly applied.

[0059] In FIG. 2, the electrode terminals of the battery module 100A are located in and coupled to the seating portions of the battery module 100B, and the electrode terminals of the battery module 100B are located in and coupled to the seating portions of the battery module 100A. In FIG. 2, for convenience of description, a gap is shown as being defined between the outermost side surface of each of the electrode terminals and the innermost side surface of a corresponding one of the seating portions. Actually, however, each of the electrode terminals and a corresponding one of the seating portions may be coupled to each other in tight contact with each other.

[0060] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the width d9 of each of the first electrode terminals 2110A and 2110B and the width of each of the second electrode terminals 2120A and 2120B are equal to each other, and the width d10 of each of the first seating portions 2210A and 2210B and the width of each of the second seating portions 2220A and 2220B are equal to each other. The connection terminals 200A and 200B coupled to each other at the battery module 100A and the battery module 100B have a symmetrical structure of the first electrode terminal 2110/first seating portion 2210/second electrode terminal 2120/second seating portion 2220 or the second seating portion 2220/second electrode terminal 2120/first seating portion 2210/first electrode terminal 2110.

[0061] In the state in which the electrode terminals of the battery module 100A and the electrode terminals of the battery module 100B are completely coupled to each other, a predetermined gap is defined between the electrode terminals coupled to each other so as to be engaged with each other.

[0062] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the second electrode terminal 2120B of the connection terminal 200B of the battery module 100B is located in the first seating portion 2210A of the connection terminal 200A of the battery module 100A, a predetermined gap d12 is defined between opposite surfaces of the second electrode terminal 2120B and the first electrode terminal 2110A, and a predetermined gap d23 is defined between opposite surfaces of the second electrode terminal 2120B and the second electrode terminal 2120A. In the present invention, as described above, adjacent electrode terminals are disposed spaced apart from each other by the predetermined gaps d12 and d23 at the coupling portion, and therefore the battery modules may be easily coupled to each other.

[0063] In FIG. 2, each of d2 and d6 indicates the length from the center of the predetermined gap d12 to the center of the predetermined gap d23, and d1 to d8 are values designed so as to have the same value.

[0064] Meanwhile, the center line between d2 and d3 and the center line between d6 and d7 are located so as to pass through the center of the electrode terminal 2100 in a y-axis direction.

[0065] The protruding heights (x-axis direction) of the electrode terminals 2100 protruding outwards from the battery module case are equal to each other. This is advantageous to stable coupling between the connection terminals 200, improvement in space efficiency of the coupling portion, and mounting of an inter-busbar 3000 for electrical connection, a description of which will follow, without external stress due to distortion or deformation.

[0066] FIG. 4 is a view showing various modifications of a coupling portion 400 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] In the present invention, the coupling portion, at which the protruding shape of the electrode terminals 2100 constituting the connection terminal 200 and/or the concave shape of the seating portions 2200 are coupled to each other, may be formed as a triangular coupling portion 400A, a trapezoidal coupling portion 400B, or a wavy coupling portion 400C. When the shape of the portion from which the electrode terminal actually protrudes is triangular or wavy, the width of the portion from which the electrode terminal actually protrudes may be equal to the distance between the electrode terminals.

[0068] In addition, as another unrestricted example, the width of the portion from which the electrode terminal actually protrudes may not be uniform. The width of the outermost side portion may be largest, and the width may be gradually decreased toward the module case of the battery module. On the contrary, the width of the outermost side portion may be smallest, and the width may be gradually increased toward the module case. In the structure in which the width of the outermost side portion is largest and the width is gradually decreased toward the module case, the force of coupling between the battery module and another battery module adjacent thereto is further increased after coupling therebetween is performed, which is advantageous to improving stability of the battery modules connected to each other.

[0069] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connection terminal of the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 5, the connection terminal 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in the sequence of the first electrode terminal/first seating portion/second electrode terminal/second seating portion; however, the connection terminal may be disposed in the sequence of the second electrode terminal/first seating portion/first electrode terminal/second seating portion.

[0071] The connection terminal 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is located so as to correspond to the center of each of the opposite side surfaces of the battery module. In addition, the connection terminal may be located at the center of the battery module in a thickness direction (z-axis direction). In addition, even though the battery module 100 is rotated 180 degrees in a vertical direction (y-axis direction) or even though the battery module is rotated 180 degrees about the x-axis, i.e. the battery module is turned inside out in the forward-rearward direction (based on the surface of paper), there is no change in position of the connection terminal 200 at the opposite side surfaces of the battery module case based on the front surface (xy plane). In this case, there is an advantage in that, when adjacent battery modules are coupled to each other, the side surfaces of the battery module cases at which the connection terminals 200 are located can be adjacent to and coupled to each other without consideration of the disposition direction of the battery modules.

[0072] The first electrode terminal 2110 includes a first electrode busbar 2111, a first electrode busbar through-hole 2112, and a first electrode cover 2113, and the second electrode terminal 2120 includes a second electrode busbar 2121, a second electrode busbar through-hole 2122, and a second electrode cover 2123. Here, the first electrode busbar through-hole 2112 and the second electrode busbar through-hole 2122 may fix the first electrode busbar 2111 and the second electrode busbar 2121 using separate fixing means, respectively, or may be used as regions to which inter-busbars are fixed. In addition, the first electrode cover 2113 covers the first electrode busbar 2111 and the first electrode busbar through-hole 2112, and the second electrode cover 2123 covers the second electrode busbar 2121 and the second electrode busbar through-hole 2122. Each of the first electrode cover 2113 and the second electrode cover 2123 is located so as to wrap the side surface (xz plane) of the electrode terminal and the side surface (yz plane) of the electrode terminal located so as to be opposite the battery module, and is made of an insulating material. Additionally, when the battery modules are stacked, the xy plane may be wrapped. The protruding shape of the electrode terminal 2100 and the external shape of the electrode cover between the electrode terminals 2100 may be engaged with each other.

[0073] A protrusion (not shown) protruding while having a predetermined thickness (x-axis direction) may be formed on the surface of the second seating portion 2220 opposite the second electrode terminal 2120. The protrusion may be formed as the result of extension of a part of the module case of the battery module. The protrusion is advantageous to stable disposition of electrode terminals of adjacent battery modules located in the second seating portion 2220.

[0074] FIG. 6 is a front view showing the coupling portion at which the connection terminals of the two adjacent battery modules according to the first embodiment of the present invention are coupled to each other in a concave-convex shape, FIG. 7 is a top view showing the state in which the connection terminals of the two adjacent battery modules according to the first embodiment of the present invention are coupled to each other in the concave-convex shape and are electrically connected to each other using an inter-busbar, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing an example in which the connection terminals of the two adjacent battery modules according to the first embodiment of the present invention are electrically connected to each other using the inter-busbar.

[0075] The coupling portion at which the connection terminals of the two adjacent battery modules are coupled to each other in the concave-convex shape will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The connection terminals 200A and 200B of the two adjacent battery modules are coupled to each other in the concave-convex shape to form the coupling portion 400. That is, the first electrode terminal 2110A and the second electrode terminal 2120A of the connection terminal 200A may be located at and coupled to the second seating portion 2220 and the first seating portion 2210 of the connection terminal 200B of the battery module adjacent thereto.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 7, the electrode terminals 2100 located at the coupling portion 400 are electrically connected to each other using the inter-busbar 3000. In FIG. 7, the electrode terminals of the connection terminal 200A of the battery module, under a continuous broken line, and the connection terminal 200B of the battery module adjacent thereto, above a continuous solid line, are coupled to each other in a concave-convex shape, and a first electrode busbar 2111A and a second electrode busbar 2121A of the connection terminal 200A are electrically connected to a second electrode busbar 2121B and a first electrode busbar 2111B of the connection terminal 200B adjacent thereto via the inter-busbar 3000. In the present invention, two inter-busbars 3000 may be mounted, or only one inter-busbar 3000 may be mounted.

[0077] Although the inter-busbar 3000 connects a positive electrode and a negative electrode to each other in FIG. 7, parallel connection between a positive electrode and another positive electrode or between a negative electrode and another negative electrode is also possible as needed.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 8, an inter-busbar 3000A may be formed in the shape of “[”, and may include an inter-busbar horizontal portion 3100A and inter-busbar vertical portions 3200A bent from opposite sides of the inter-busbar horizontal portion 3100A. Here, the two inter-busbar vertical portions 3200A are inserted respectively through a first electrode busbar through-hole 2112B and a second electrode busbar through-hole 2122A to electrically connect the connection terminal 200A and the connection terminal 200B to each other. In FIG. 8, an integrated inter-busbar 3000 having bent opposite ends is shown; however, the inter-busbar horizontal portion and the inter-busbar vertical portions may be separated from each other. As an example, holes may be formed in opposite ends of the inter-busbar horizontal portion, the inter-busbar vertical portions may be coupled to the holes of the inter-busbar horizontal portion, and the inter-busbar vertical portions may be coupled to the electrode terminals. For the separable inter-busbar 3000, the inter-busbar horizontal portion and the inter-busbar vertical portions may be different in standards from each other, which is advantageous to connection between battery modules having various standards.

[0079] In the present invention, the inter-busbar vertical portions 3200A of the inter-busbar 3000 may be mounted in the electrode busbar through-holes, and an additional fixing member configured to prevent separation of the inter-busbar 3000 mounted therein due to vibration may be included.

[0080] FIG. 9 is a view showing various modifications of the inter-busbar according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, an inter-busbar 3000C may include an inter-busbar horizontal portion 3100C and inter-busbar vertical portions 3200C bent from opposite sides of the inter-busbar horizontal portion 3100C. Distal ends of the two inter-busbar vertical portions 3200C located so as to face each other may be bent. The force of tight contact between the bent distal ends and the inner surfaces of the electrode busbar through-holes is increased, which is advantageous to prevention of separation of the inter-busbar.

[0081] In addition, an inter-busbar 3000D may include an inter-busbar horizontal portion 3100D and inter-busbar vertical portions 3200D bent from opposite sides of the inter-busbar horizontal portion 3100D. The inter-busbar 3000D may include inter-busbar vertical portions extending downwards from opposite sides of the inter-busbar horizontal portion 3100D in a trapezoidal shape. Alternatively, each of the inter-busbar vertical portions may include a pair of inter-busbar vertical portion plates 3210 and 3220 having a distance therebetween gradually increased with an increasing distance from the inter-busbar horizontal portion 3100D. In addition, a bent portion configured to be bent outwards may be located at a predetermined position of each of the pair of inter-busbar vertical portion plates. Although the bent portion is shown as having a gentle curve, it is obvious that the shape of the bent portion is not restricted.

[0082] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the coupling shape of two adjacent battery modules having concave-convex portions according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] The battery module according to the second embodiment of the present invention is identical to the battery module according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 except that concave-convex portions are formed at opposite side surfaces of a case of the battery module, and therefore only the concave-convex portions formed at the side surfaces of the case will be described.

[0084] The battery module according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a concave-convex portion 4000 formed at each of the opposite side surfaces of the case. The concave-convex portion 4000 is located at the remaining region of the side surface of the case excluding the region at which the connection terminal 200 is located. The concave-convex portion 4000 formed at one side surface of the battery module is configured such that concave portions and convex portions are alternately formed and disposed in symmetry so as to correspond to convex portions and concave portions alternately disposed at the other side surface opposite the one side surface. When the battery module is rotated, therefore, the same shape is maintained, which is advantageous to easy coupling between the battery modules. The concave-convex portion 4000 is advantageous to improvement in coupling stability between the battery modules and is advantageous to prevention of separation or deformation of the coupling portion 400.

[0085] The shape of the concave-convex portion 4000 may be a polygon, such as a triangle, a quadrangle, or a pentagon, or a curved waveform. As an unrestricted example of the concave-convex portion, the concave-convex portion may be a dummy terminal that has the same interval and shape as the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal but is not actually electrically connected.

[0086] The concave-convex portion 4000 may be formed integrally with the case of the battery module, and may be made of the same material as the case. In addition, the concave-convex portion 4000 may be separately manufactured, and may then be adhered or stuck to the side surface of the battery module. When the concave portions and the convex portions are separately manufactured, the concave portions and the convex portions may be made of the same material as the module case or an elastic material. When the concave portions and the convex portions are made of an elastic material, the concave portions and the convex portions may absorb external impact to protect the battery module.

[0087] Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will appreciate that various applications and modifications are possible within the category of the present invention based on the above description.

Description of Reference Symbols

[0088] 100, 100A, 100B: Battery modules [0089] 200, 200A, 200B: Connection terminals [0090] 400, 400A, 400B, 400C: Coupling portions [0091] 2100: Electrode terminal [0092] 2110, 2110A, 2110B: First electrode terminals [0093] 2111, 2111A, 2111B: First electrode busbars [0094] 2112, 2112B: First electrode busbar through-holes [0095] 2113: First electrode cover [0096] 2120, 2120A, 2120B: Second electrode terminals [0097] 2121, 2121A, 2121B: Second electrode busbars [0098] 2122, 2122A: Second electrode busbar through-holes [0099] 2123: Second electrode cover [0100] 2200: Seating portion [0101] 2210, 2210A, 2210B: First seating portions [0102] 2220, 2220A, 2220B: Second seating portions [0103] 3000, 3000A, 3000C, 3000D: Inter-busbars [0104] 3100A, 3100C, 3100D: Inter-busbar horizontal portions [0105] 3200A, 3200C: Inter-busbar vertical portions [0106] 3210, 3220: Inter-busbar vertical portion plates [0107] 4000: Concave-convex portion