BATTERY MODULE

A battery module is provided. In an example embodiment, a battery module includes: a battery cell, a bus bar holder facing the battery cell, a first substrate seated on the bus bar holder, a second substrate extending from the first substrate, and including a first surface facing the battery cell and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a detection member on the second surface and configured to detect a temperature of the battery cell, a support member on the first surface and in contact with the battery cell, and a pressing member connected to the bus bar holder and configured to press the support member toward the battery cell.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0122976, filed on Sep. 15, 2023 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a battery module.

2. Description of the Related Art

Unlike primary batteries that are not designed to be (re) charged, secondary (or rechargeable) batteries are batteries that are designed to be discharged and recharged. Low-capacity secondary batteries may be used in portable, small electronic devices, such as smartphones, feature phones, notebook computers, digital cameras, and camcorders, while large-capacity secondary batteries are widely used as power sources for driving motors in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles and for storing power (e.g., home and/or utility scale power storage). A secondary battery generally includes an electrode assembly composed of a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a case accommodating the same, and electrode terminals connected to the electrode assembly.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is provided for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and, therefore, it may contain information that does not constitute related (or prior) art.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a battery module capable of stably fixing a position of a temperature sensor is provided.

These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be described in or will be apparent from the following description of some embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to one or more embodiments, a battery module includes: a battery cell, a bus bar holder facing the battery cell, a first substrate seated on the bus bar holder, a second substrate extending from the first substrate, and including a first surface facing the battery cell and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a detection member on the second surface and configured to detect a temperature of the battery cell, a support member on the first surface and in contact with the battery cell, and a pressing member connected to the bus bar holder and configured to press the support member toward the battery cell.

The second substrate may be a flexible printed circuit board.

The second substrate may be provided in plural, and the plural second substrates may be arranged in a length direction of the first substrate.

The second substrate may include an extension part of which a first side is connected to the first substrate and a second side protrudes to an outside of the first substrate, and a mounting part connected to the second side of the extension part and configured to support the detection member and the support member.

The bus bar holder may include an insertion hole, and the mounting part may be inserted in the insertion hole.

The detection member may include a temperature sensor fixed to the second surface, and a coating layer surrounding the temperature sensor.

The support member may include a support plate fixed to the first surface, and a contact member protruding from the support plate toward the battery cell and in contact with the battery cell.

The contact member may be elastically deformable.

The contact member may include one or more bridges each including end portions connected to the support plate and a central portion spaced apart from the support plate.

A side surface of the bridge may be spaced from the support plate.

The contact member may include one or more flaps each including an end portion connected to the support plate and another end portion spaced apart from the support plate.

Each of the flaps may be inclined with respect to the support plate.

The contact member may include one or more contact protrusions each including a curved outer surface.

The contact member may include one or more louvers each including a surface having a curved shape and another surface being open.

The support member may further include a slit extending through the support plate and facing the contact member.

The pressing member may include a first pressing body fixed to the bus bar holder, a second pressing body extending from the first pressing body and including an end portion in contact with the second surface, and a receiving hole extending through the end portion of the second pressing body and in which the detection member is inserted.

The second pressing body may have a cross-sectional area that decreases toward the end portion thereof.

A cross-sectional area of the receiving hole may be greater than a cross-sectional area of the detection member.

In a battery module according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a support member can be brought into close contact with a battery cell by a pressing member, such that a relative position of a detection member with respect to the battery cell may be prevented (prevented or substantially prevented) from being arbitrarily changed, and temperature detection accuracy may be improved.

In a battery module according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, due to a height of a contact member itself, a contact state between a support plate and a battery cell can be maintained even when the support plate and the battery cell are spaced apart from each other by a distance (e.g., a predetermined distance).

In a battery module according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, by bringing a contact member having a smaller area than a support plate into contact with the battery cell, a support member can be more firmly brought into close contact with a battery cell.

In a battery module according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a contact member is provided to be elastically deformable, such that adhesion between the contact member and a battery cell may be enhanced, and a contact state between the contact member and the battery cell may be continuously maintained even when an interval between the battery cell and the support plate is changed.

In a battery module according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a space, in which a partial section of a contact member can be inserted into a support plate when the contact member is elastically deformed, can be provided by a slit, such that an interval between the support plate and a battery cell may be prevented (prevented or substantially prevented) from being excessively increased, and temperature sensor accuracy may be further improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Herein, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described, in further detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to the usual or dictionary meaning and should be interpreted to have a meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present disclosure based on the principle that the inventor can be his/her own lexicographer to appropriately define the concept of the term.

The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are provided as some example embodiments of the present disclosure and do not necessarily represent all of the technical ideas, aspects, and features of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is to be understood that there may be various equivalents and modifications that may replace or modify the embodiments described herein at the time of filing this application.

When an arbitrary element is referred to as being disposed (or located or positioned) on the “above (or below)” or “on (or under)” a component, it may mean that the arbitrary element is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component and may also mean that another component may be interposed between the component and any arbitrary element disposed (or located or positioned) on (or under) the component.

In addition, it is to be understood that when an element is referred to as being “coupled,” “linked,” or “connected” to another element, the elements may be directly “coupled,” “linked,” or “connected” to each other, or one or more intervening elements may be present therebetween, through which the element may be “coupled,” “linked,” or “connected” to another element. In addition, when a part is referred to as being “electrically coupled” to another part, the part may be directly electrically connected to another part or one or more intervening parts may be present therebetween such that the part and the another part are indirectly electrically connected to each other.

FIG.1is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;FIG.2is an enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;FIG.3is a side view schematically illustrating the configuration of the battery module illustrated inFIG.2;FIG.4is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of the battery module illustrated inFIG.2; andFIG.5is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the battery module illustrated inFIG.4from a different viewpoint from that ofFIG.4.

Referring toFIGS.1to5, a battery module according to an embodiment includes a battery cell100, a bus bar holder200, a first substrate300, a second substrate400, a detection member500, a support member600, and a pressing member700.

The battery cell100may function as a unit structure for storing and supplying power in the battery module. The battery cell100may be, as an example, a prismatic secondary battery in which an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate (not shown) and a negative electrode plate (not shown) on both sides of a separator (not shown) is disposed inside a cell case and is capable of charging and discharging an amount (e.g., a predetermined amount) of power. The electrode assembly may be formed in a wound type in which a separator, a positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode plate are wound in the form of a roll, or in a stacked type in which a separator, a positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode plate are stacked with respect to each other.

A pair of cell terminals101, which are electrically connected to the electrode assembly, and a vent102, which is opened as an internal pressure of the battery cell100is increased, may be formed in an upper surface of the battery cell100. The pair of cell terminals101may be formed to have different polarities.

A plurality of battery cells100may be provided. The plurality of battery cells100may be arranged in a direction, for example, in a direction parallel to a Y-axis based onFIG.1. The adjacent battery cells100may be disposed such that respective front and rear surfaces thereof face each other in parallel. However, a number of the battery cells100is not limited to that shown inFIG.1, and various design changes are possible according to a size of the battery module.

The battery cell100may be disposed inside a module housing10including a housing body11having a box shape with an empty interior and an open upper surface, and a housing cover12configured to cover the upper surface of the housing body11. The module housing10may perform a function of protecting the battery cell100from external foreign substances, impacts, and the like. However, a specific shape of the module housing10is not limited to that shown inFIG.1, and various design changes are possible within a technical concept of a shape that can accommodate the battery cell100.

The bus bar holder200may function as a component that supports (e.g., entirely supports) a bus bar B and the first substrate300on the battery cell100. In an embodiment, the bus bar holder200may be formed to have a substantially flat plate shape. A lower surface of the bus bar holder200may be disposed to face the battery cell100, and, more specifically, the upper surface of the battery cell100, in which the cell terminals101and the vent102are formed. In an embodiment, an area of the bus bar holder200may be greater than a sum of areas of the upper surfaces of the plurality of battery cells100. The bus bar holder200may be supported by being coupled to the housing body11or the housing cover12. In the following description, a length direction of the bus bar holder200may refer to a direction in which the plurality of battery cells100are arranged, that is, a direction parallel to a Y-axis direction based onFIG.1, and a width direction of the bus bar holder200may refer to a direction parallel to an X-axis direction based onFIG.1.

The bus bar B configured to electrically interconnect the plurality of battery cells100may be installed in the bus bar holder200. The bus bar B may be, for example, any of various types of bus bars that are in contact with the cell terminals101of the battery cells100and are electrically connectable with the cell terminals101.

The bus bar B is illustrated inFIG.1as being formed as a single bus bar, but is not limited thereto, and a plurality of bus bars B may be formed. In this case, the plurality of bus bars B may have various numbers and arrangement forms according to the number of the plurality of battery cells100, serial and parallel structures between the plurality of battery cells100, and the like.

An insertion hole201for forming a contact path between the battery cell100and the detection member500may be formed in the bus bar holder200. The insertion hole201may be formed to have a hole shape vertically passing through the bus bar holder200. A plurality of insertion holes201may be provided. Each of the insertion holes201may be disposed to individually face the upper surfaces of the battery cells100. The number of the insertion holes201may be less than the number of the battery cells100, or may be the same as the number of the battery cells100.

The first substrate300may be seated on an upper surface of the bus bar holder200. In an embodiment, the first substrate300may be a flexible printed circuit board including conductive patterns (not shown) for conducting electrical current and a flexible insulating film (not shown) for insulating the conductive patterns (not shown). In some examples, the flexible printed circuit board may be referred to as a flexible printed circuit board assembly (FPCA) or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). An area of the first substrate300may be less than the area of the bus bar holder200. A length direction of the first substrate300may be disposed parallel to the length direction of the bus bar holder200. The first substrate300may be fixed to the upper surface of the bus bar holder200by any of various types of fixing means, such as an adhesive, a double-sided tape, a bolt, a hook, and the like. In an embodiment, the first substrate300may be connected to an external control system such as a battery management system (BMS) through a separate connector (not shown) or the like.

The second substrate400may extend from the first substrate300and may support the detection member500. Similar to the first substrate300, the second substrate400may be a flexible printed circuit board including conductive patterns (not shown) for conducting electrical current and a flexible insulating film (not shown) for insulating the conductive patterns (not shown). The second substrate400may have a partial region inserted into the insertion hole201, and may be disposed to directly face the upper surface of the battery cell100. The second substrate400may include a first surface401facing the battery cell100and a second surface402opposite to the first surface401. In an example, based onFIGS.1to5, the first surface401may be a lower surface of the second substrate400, and the second surface402may be an upper surface of a second substrate400.

A plurality of second substrates400may be provided. The plurality of second substrates400may be arranged at an interval (e.g., a predetermined interval) in the length direction of the first substrate300. A number of the plurality of second substrates400may be the same as the number of the insertion holes201. The interval between the adjacent second substrates400may be the same as an interval between the adjacent insertion holes201.

The second substrate400may include an extension part410and a mounting part420. A first surface401and a second surface402of each of the extension part410and the mounting part420may refer to the same surfaces as the first surface401and the second surface402of the second substrate400, respectively.

The extension part410may have a first side connected to the first substrate300and a second side protruding to an outside of the first substrate300. The extension part410may be formed to have a band shape in which an extending direction thereof may be freely changed. A length of the extension part410may be greater than a distance between an edge of the first substrate300and one insertion hole201. Accordingly, the extension part410may guide the mounting part420, which will be described later, to be smoothly inserted into the insertion hole201.

The mounting part420may be connected to the second side of the extension part410and may support the detection member500and the support member600, which will be described below. That is, the mounting part420may refer to a region of the second substrate400in which the detection member500and the support member600are mounted among the entire region of the second substrate400. The mounting part420may be formed to have a substantially flat plate shape. The mounting part420may be inserted into the insertion hole201. In this case, the first and second surfaces401and402of the mounting part420may be disposed to face the upper surface of the battery cell100and the lower surface of the bus bar holder200, respectively. An area of the mounting part420may be less than an area of the insertion hole201.

The detection member500is installed on the second substrate400, and, in an embodiment, on the second surface402of the mounting part420, and may detect the temperature of the battery cell100.

FIG.6is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of the detection member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.6, in an embodiment, the detection member500may include a temperature sensor510and a coating layer520.

In an embodiment, the temperature sensor510may be a thermistor, such as a positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC) or negative temperature coefficient thermistor (NTC), that measures temperature using the property that resistance thereof increases or decreases according to a temperature. The temperature sensor510may be fixed to the second surface402of the mounting part420. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor510may be solderably coupled to the second surface402of the mounting part420. A detected signal of the temperature sensor510may be transmitted to the first substrate300sequentially via the mounting part420and the extension part410, and then transmitted to the battery management system (BMS) via the first substrate300.

The coating layer520may be disposed to surround the temperature sensor510, and may protect the temperature sensor510from external moisture, foreign substances, impacts, and the like. In an embodiment, the coating layer520may be formed to have a substantially dome shape, and may be disposed to surround, or entirely surround, an upper space of the temperature sensor510. The coating layer520may be formed of a material such as an epoxy resin, acrylic, polyurethane, silicone, parylene, or the like to completely seal the temperature sensor510from an external space. The coating layer520may be applied to the temperature sensor510by a method such as spray, dip coating, or the like.

The support member600may be installed on the second substrate400, more specifically, on the first surface401of the mounting part420. The support member600may function as a component that structurally supports the mounting part420by its own rigidity in a process in which the temperature sensor510is mounted on the second surface402of the mounting part420. In addition, the support member600may function as a component that is brought into contact with the battery cell100to support the mounting part420with respect to the battery cell100, and, at the same time, transfer heat generated from the battery cell100to the temperature sensor510. Accordingly, the support member600may be formed of a metal material having high thermal conductivity and rigidity, such as aluminum, nickel, or the like. The support member600may be brought into close contact with and fixed to the battery cell100by a pressing force applied from the pressing member700to be described later.

FIG.7is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of the support member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.8is a bottom perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of the support member shown inFIG.7.

Referring toFIGS.1to8, the support member600may include a support plate610and a contact member620.

The support plate610may be formed to have a substantially flat plate shape. The support plate610may be disposed between the first surface401of the mounting part420and the upper surface of the battery cell100. An upper surface of the support plate610may be fixed to the first surface401of the mounting part420. In this case, the support plate610may be fixed to the first surface401of the mounting part420by any of various types of fixing means, such as an adhesive, double-sided tape, a bolt, a hook, and the like.

The contact member620may protrude from the support plate610toward the battery cell100, and may be in contact with the upper surface of the battery cell100. Accordingly, the support member600may maintain a contact state with the battery cell100even when the support plate610and the battery cell100are spaced apart from each other by a distance (e.g., a predetermined distance) due to the height of the contact member620itself. In addition, as the contact member620having a smaller area than the support plate610is brought into contact with the battery cell100, a magnitude of the pressure per unit area acting between the support member600and the battery cell100is increased, and the support member600may be brought into close contact with the battery cell100more firmly.

The contact member620may be provided to be elastically deformable. Accordingly, the contact member620may be elastically deformed by a pressing force applied from the pressing member700to be described later, and may be brought into close contact with the battery cell100more firmly, and a contact state between the contact member620and the battery cell100may be continuously maintained even when an interval between the battery cell100and the support plate610is changed.

In an embodiment, the contact member620may include a bridge621.

The bridge621may have both, or opposite, end portions connected to the support plate610, and a central portion spaced apart from the support plate610. A side surface of the bridge621may be separated from the support plate610. Both sides of the bridge621may extend to be inclined toward the support plate610with respect to the central portion of the bridge621. In an embodiment, the bridge621may be formed to have a substantially trapezoidal or arc shape. The central portion of the bridge621may be in contact with the upper surface of the battery cell100. A contact surface of the central portion of the bridge621, which is directly brought into contact with the battery cell100, may have a planar shape parallel to the upper surface of the battery cell100.

In an embodiment, a plurality of bridges621may be provided. The plurality of bridges621may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other. For example, as shown inFIGS.7and8, the bridges621may be formed in a pair, and the pair of bridges621may be disposed parallel to each other.

The support member600may further include a slit630.

The slit630may be formed to have a hole shape vertically passing through the support plate610. The slit630may be disposed to face the contact member620, more specifically, the bridge621. The slit630may be disposed such that a length direction thereof is parallel to a straight line connecting both end portions of the bridge621. That is, both end portions of the bridge621may be disposed on inner sides of both end portions of the slit630, respectively. A number of the slits630may be the same as the number of the bridges621. Each of the slits630may be disposed to individually face respective bridges621. Accordingly, the slit630may prevent or substantially prevent an interval between the support plate610and the battery cell100from excessively increasing, and further improve the accuracy of the temperature sensor510, by providing a space, in which a partial section of the bridge621can be inserted when the bridge621is elastically deformed, in the support plate610.

The pressing member700may be connected to the bus bar holder200and may press the support member600toward the battery cell100. Accordingly, the pressing member700can prevent or substantially prevent a relative position of the detection member500with respect to the battery cell100from being changed, by bringing the support member600into close contact with the battery cell100.

The pressing member700may include a first pressing body710, a second pressing body720, and a receiving hole730.

The first pressing body710may form an upper exterior of the pressing member700, and may be fixed to the bus bar holder200. The first pressing body710may be formed to have a substantially plate shape and disposed to face the insertion hole201. The first pressing body710may be disposed above the insertion hole201, and may also be disposed inside the insertion hole201. The first pressing body710may be directly fixed to the bus bar holder200by welding, bolting, adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like, or may be indirectly fixed to the bus bar holder200through a separate bracket (not shown) or the like.

The second pressing body720may extend downward from a lower surface of the first pressing body710toward the battery cell100. An end portion of the second pressing body720may be in contact with the second substrate400, more specifically, the second surface402of the mounting part420. As the bus bar holder200is seated on an upper side of the battery cell100, the second pressing body720may press the mounting part420toward the battery cell100and may bring the support member600into close contact with the battery cell100. In an embodiment, the second pressing body720may be formed to have a narrower cross-sectional area toward the end portion thereof. Accordingly, the second pressing body720can increase a magnitude of a pressure per unit area applied to the mounting part420to more strongly bring the support member600into close contact with the battery cell100. A cross-sectional shape of the second pressing body720may be changed in design to any of various shapes, such as a circular shape, a quadrangular shape, a polygonal shape, and an elliptical shape. An upper surface of the second pressing body720may be formed to be open as shown inFIG.4, or may be formed to be closed.

The receiving hole730may be formed to have a hole shape passing through the end portion of the second pressing body720. An area of the receiving hole730may be greater than a cross-sectional area of the detection member500, and, in an embodiment, the coating layer520. The detection member500may be inserted into the receiving hole730as the end portion of the second pressing body720is brought into contact with the second surface402of the mounting part420. Accordingly, the receiving hole730may prevent or substantially prevent the detection member500from being damaged in a process of pressing the mounting part420by the second pressing body720.

Herein, an operation process of the battery module according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIGS.9and10are views schematically illustrating an operation process of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.9and10, after the plurality of battery cells100are installed inside the housing body11, the bus bar holder200may be seated on the upper sides of the battery cells100.

In this process, the mounting part420may be inserted into the insertion hole201, and a lower surface of the central portion of the bridge621may be brought into contact with the upper surface of the battery cell100.

Thereafter, the bus bar holder200is moved toward the upper surface of the battery cell100, and, thus, the end portion of the second pressing body720presses the second surface402of the mounting part420toward the battery cell100.

A pressing force applied to the mounting part420by the second pressing body720is transmitted to the bridge621sequentially via the mounting part420and the support plate610, and the bridge621is elastically deformed in a direction, in which the central portion thereof moves upward, by the pressing force.

The bridge621is elastically deformed and strongly brought into close contact with the upper surface of the battery cell100by an accumulated elastic restoring force, and the position of the temperature sensor510with respect to the battery cell100may be fixed by a frictional force applied between the bridge621and the battery cell100.

Herein, a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

The battery module according to the present embodiment may be configured by differing a detailed structure of the contact member620from the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure described with reference toFIGS.1to10.

Accordingly, in describing the battery module according to the present embodiment, the detailed structure of the contact member620different from the battery module according to the embodiment shown inFIGS.1to10will be described. For the remaining components of the battery module according to the present embodiment, the description of the battery module according to the embodiment shown inFIGS.1to10may be applied.

FIG.11is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of a contact member according to the present embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.12is a bottom perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of the contact member shown inFIG.11.

Referring toFIGS.11and12, a contact member620according to the present embodiment may include a flap622.

The flap622may have a first end portion connected to a support plate610, and a second end portion spaced apart from the support plate610. A side surface of the flap622may be separated from the support plate610. The flap622may be disposed to be inclined with respect to the support plate610. That is, the flap622may be formed to have a plate shape extending to be inclined at an angle (e.g., a predetermined angle) downward from the support plate610. The second end portion of the flap622may be in contact with the upper surface of the battery cell100. The flap622may be rotated in a direction toward a slit630by a pressing force applied from the pressing member700, and an area of the flap622brought into contact with the upper surface of the battery cell100may be gradually increased.

In an embodiment, a plurality of flaps622may be provided. The plurality of flaps622may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other. For example, as shown inFIGS.11and12, the flaps622may be formed in a pair, and, in an embodiment, the pair of flaps622may extend to be inclined in different directions from a lower end portion of the support plate610.

Herein, an operation process of the battery module according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIGS.13and14are views schematically illustrating an operation process of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.13and14, after the plurality of battery cells100are installed inside the housing body11, the bus bar holder200may be seated on the upper sides of the battery cells100.

In this process, the mounting part420may be inserted into the insertion hole201, and the second end portion of the flap622may be in contact with the upper surface of the battery cell100.

Thereafter, as the bus bar holder200is moved toward the upper surface of the battery cell100, the end portion of the second pressing body720presses the second surface402of the mounting part420toward the battery cell100.

A pressing force applied to the mounting part420by the second pressing body720is transmitted to the flap622sequentially via the mounting part420and the support plate610, and the flap622is elastically deformed in a direction in which the second end portion thereof faces the slit630.

As the flap622is elastically deformed in a direction in which the second end portion thereof faces the slit630, an area of the flap622in contact with the upper surface of the battery cell100may gradually increase.

The flap622is elastically deformed and strongly brought into close contact with the upper surface of the battery cell100by an accumulated elastic restoring force, and the position of the temperature sensor510with respect to the battery cell100may be fixed by a frictional force applied between the flap622and the battery cell100.

Herein, a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

The battery module according to the present embodiment may be configured by differing a structure of the contact member620from the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure described with reference toFIGS.1to10.

Accordingly, in describing the battery module according to the present embodiment, the detailed structure of the contact member620different from the battery module according to the embodiment shown inFIGS.1to10will be described. For the remaining components of the battery module according to the present embodiment, the description of the battery module according to the embodiment shown inFIGS.1to10may be applied.

FIG.15is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of the contact member according to the present embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.16is a bottom perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of the contact member ofFIG.15.

Referring toFIGS.15and16, a contact member620according to the present embodiment may include a contact protrusion623.

The contact protrusion623may convexly protrude toward the upper surface of the battery cell100from a lower surface of a support plate610. An outer surface of the contact protrusion623facing the battery cell100may have a curved shape. The contact protrusion623may extend such that a length direction thereof is parallel to an arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells100or a width direction of the battery cell100. A lower end portion of the contact protrusion623may be in contact with the upper surface of the battery cell100. The contact protrusion623may be formed such that a cross-sectional area thereof gradually decreases toward an end portion thereof, that is, toward the battery cell100. Accordingly, the contact protrusion623may further enhance adhesion with the battery cell100.

Herein, a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

The battery module according to the present embodiment may be configured by differing a detailed structure of the contact member620from the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure described with reference toFIGS.1to10.

Accordingly, in describing the battery module according to the present embodiment, the detailed structure of the contact member620different from the battery module according to the embodiment shown inFIGS.1to10will be described. For the remaining components of the battery module according to the present embodiment, the description of the battery module according to the embodiment shown inFIGS.1to10may be applied.

FIG.17is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of the contact member according to the present embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG.18is a bottom perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of the contact member ofFIG.17.

Referring toFIGS.17and18, a contact member620according to the present embodiment may include a louver624.

The louver624may convexly protrude toward the upper surface of the battery cell100from a lower surface of a support plate610. A first side of an outer surface of the louver624facing the battery cell100may have a curved shape. A second side of the outer surface of the louver624facing the battery cell100may be formed to be open. Accordingly, the louver624may further improve a measurement accuracy of the temperature sensor510by preventing or substantially preventing air in an interior space from overheating. The louver624may extend such that a length direction thereof is parallel to the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells100or the width direction of the battery cell100. A lower end portion of the louver624may be in contact with the upper surface of the battery cell100. The louver624may be formed such that a cross-sectional area thereof gradually decreases toward an end portion thereof, that is, toward the battery cell100. Accordingly, the louver624may further enhance adhesion with the battery cell100.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that these are merely examples and various modifications and equivalents thereof can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Accordingly, the scope of protection of the present disclosure should be defined by the claims.