Patent Publication Number: US-2022238963-A1

Title: Connector and Battery Module Including the Same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/451,379, filed Jun. 25, 2019, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to electrical connectors. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to electrical connectors for battery cells and modules. 
     Batteries may be used in apparatuses such as automobiles, robots, satellites, portable electronics, such as notebook computers, cameras, mobile phones, MP3 players, etc. Batteries may be classified into primary batteries and secondary batteries, were secondary batteries are rechargeable and capable of storing energy as well as repeated charging and discharging. Existing commercially available secondary batteries may be nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydride batteries, zinc batteries, lithium batteries, and the like. Among them, lithium secondary batteries may have a low self-discharging rate and high energy density. 
     Lithium secondary batteries may contain a lithium-based oxide and a carbon-based material as a negative electrode active material and a positive electrode active material, respectively. The lithium secondary batteries may include an electrode assembly such as a positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode current collector. The current collectors may be respectively coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, and may be disposed with a separator interposed therebetween. An outer casing may hermetically seal therein the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte solution. Lithium secondary batteries may be classified into different types, such as a lithium ion battery (LIB), a polymer lithium ion battery (PLIB), or the like, depending on the types of the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material used therein. Typically, the electrodes of lithium secondary batteries may be formed by applying a positive electrode or negative electrode active material to a current collector such as an aluminum or copper sheet, a mesh, a film, or a foil, and then drying the active material. 
     A single battery cell may be used as a secondary battery, or two or more battery cells may be connected in series and/or in parallel in a single battery module. The battery module may output higher power or store more energy than a single cell. Battery systems may be used in large-sized equipment with suitable large size or number of battery modules. Since it is necessary for the battery system of large equipment to output high power and/or to have a large capacity, a plurality of battery cells may be used connected in series and/or in parallel. 
     Conventionally, the battery cells may be electrically connected to each other through a welding or bolting method, after bending electrode leads of respective battery cells and bringing the electrode leads into contact with each other. However, in the case of the welding method, a weld defect may occur, and when damage or an abnormal phenomenon occurs in any one or more of the plurality of welded and connected battery cells, it may not be possible to field repair the damage. In the case of a bolting method, time is needed to disassemble the module, remove the damaged cell, and rebuild the module. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following summary is a short summary of some of the inventive concepts for illustrative purposes only and is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key or critical elements, or to limit or constrain the inventions and examples in the detailed description. One skilled in the an may recognize other novel combinations and features from the detailed description. 
     The present disclosure may provide a connector capable of easily interconnecting a plurality of battery cells electrically, and a battery module including the same. 
     In addition, the present disclosure provides a connector capable of supporting a plurality of battery cells, and a battery module including the sane. The connector may allow removing old battery cells and/or connected new battery cells to the module, such as when a defect or damage has occurred in a cell, only that cell may be replaced. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector configured to electrically interconnect electrode leads of neighboring battery cells. The connector includes: a main body having a conductive material and comprising contact portions provided to face each other such that the leads of the neighboring battery cells may be brought into contact with the contact portions, respectively; a pair of push members disposed to be movable and to be spaced apart from each other between the contact portions so as to bring each of the electrode leads into contact with a corresponding contact portion among the contact portions; a core member disposed to be movable between the pair of push members so as to bring the push members into close contact with corresponding contact portions, respectively; and a movement mechanism configured to move the core member in a second direction crossing a first direction in order to cause the push members in the first direction for close contact. 
     The pair of push members may be disposed to face each other. 
     The core member may simultaneously bring the pair of push members into close contact with opposite portions. 
     The movement module may include at least one first fastening hole formed in the main body, at least one second fastening hole forted in the core member, and a bolt member inserted into the first fastening hole and the second fastening hole and passing through a space between the pair of push members. The movement module may be any other mechanism that causes movement of the core member in a second direction crossing a first direction in order to cause the push members in the first direction for close contact such as, but not limited to threaded bolts, partially threaded or unthreaded bolts, screws, magnets, solenoids, springs, latches, engagement handles, clasps, fasteners, rods, pins, nails, or motors such as stepper motors. 
     The push members may be formed with first inclined portions, respectively, and the core member, which comes into contact with the push members, may be formed with second inclined portions corresponding to the first inclined portions. 
     The core member may be brought into contact with the push members on a lower side of the push members, and the bolt member may be coupled to the core member from an upper side of the core member. 
     Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery module including the connector, and a plurality of cells electrically interconnected by the connector. 
     The battery module may further include a cell cartridge configured to support the plurality of battery cells in order to stack a plurality of battery cells one on another, and the connector may be coupled to the cell cartridge. 
     Meanwhile, according to still another aspect, there is provided a battery pack including the battery module described above. In addition, there is provided a vehicle including the battery module. 
     According to aspects of the present disclosure, it may be possible to easily interconnect a plurality of battery cells electrically through a connector. 
     In addition, the plurality of battery cells may be interconnected and supported by the connector. 
     In addition, when a defect or damage has occurred in at least one of the battery cells, it may be possible to release the connection of the connector, replace only the battery in which the defect or damage has occurred, and then connect the connector again. Thus, it may be possible to facilitate replacement of the battery cells. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure may become better understood with regard to the following description, claims, and drawings. The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not limited by, the accompanying figures. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connector according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connector according to an aspect of the present disclosure in the assembled state; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which electrode leads of battery cells may be coupled to the connector according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating a main body in the connector according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the lower side of the main body of the connector according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are cross-sectional views illustrating a process of coupling electrode leads of battery cells to a connector according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery module according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view illustrating the state in which a connector is coupled to battery cells in the battery module of  FIG. 8  according to an aspect of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which a connector is coupled to a cell cartridge included in the battery module of  FIG. 8  according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, aspects of the present disclosure may be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The tenor and words used in the specification and claims shall not be construed to be limited to an ordinary or dictionary meaning, but shall be interpreted in a meaning and concept according to the technical idea of the present disclosure based on a principle that the inventor is able to properly define a concept of a term in order to describe his/her invention in the best way. In addition, it shall be noted that because the aspects described in the specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely illustrative aspects of the present disclosure, and do not represent all the technical ideas of the present disclosure, there may be various equivalents and modifications that may replace the aspects at the time of filing the present application. 
     In the drawings, the size of each element or a specific portion constituting the element may be exaggerated, omitted or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of description. Accordingly, the size of each component may not completely reflect the actual size. In the following description, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations incorporated herein may be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present disclosure rather unclear. 
     The term “coupling” or “connection” used herein is intended to cover not only a case in which one member and another member may be directly coupled or directly coupled, but also a case in which one member is indirectly coupled or connected to another member through a coupling member. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connector according to a first aspect of the present disclosure,  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connector according to the first aspect of the present disclosure in the assembled state,  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which electrode leads of battery cells may be coupled to the connector according to a first aspect of the present disclosure,  FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating a main body in the connector according to the fast aspect of the present disclosure, and  FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the lower side of the main body of the connector according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. 
     A connector  300  according to a first aspect of the present disclosure electrically interconnects the electrode leads  110  of neighboring battery cells  100 . In this regard, the battery cell(s)  100  may be described first. The battery cell  100  may include a positive electrode plate, a separator, a negative electrode plate, electrode tabs, an electrode lead  110 , an active material, an electrolytic solution, an aluminum film layer, and the like, and may be configured in a structure capable of charging and discharging electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction between the constituent elements thereof. The positive electrode plate may be formed, for example, by applying a positive electrode active material to a current collector plate having aluminum (Al). Time negative electrode plate may be formed, for example, by applying a negative electrode active material to a current collector plate having copper (Cu). The separator may be interposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. Each of the electrode tabs may be integrally formed with an electrode plate, that is, the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate, and corresponds to an uncoated area in which the electrode active material may not be applied in the electrode plate. That is, the electrode tabs include a positive electrode tab corresponding to an area which may not be coated with the positive electrode active material in the positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode tab corresponding to an area which may not be coated with the negative electrode active material in the negative electrode plate. The electrode leads  110  may be thin metal plates and may be attached to the electrode tabs to extend to the outside of the electrode assembly. The electrode leads  110  include a positive electrode lead attached to the positive electrode tab and a negative electrode lead attached to the negative electrode tab. In addition, the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may extend in the same direction or in opposite directions depending on the formation positions of the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab. However, hereinafter, the aspects may be described mainly with reference to the case in which the electrode leads  110  extend in the same direction for convenience of description. The plurality of battery cells  100  may be variously arranged, and the connector  300  electrically interconnects the electrode leads  110  of respective battery cells  100 . Here, the plurality of battery cells  100  may be connected in various manners such as, for example, in serial, in parallel, and in serial and parallel. In order to interconnect the plurality of battery cells  100  as described above, a cell cartridge  200  described later may support the plurality of battery cells  100  in order to interconnect the battery cells  100 . That is, each of the battery cells  100  may be accommodated in the cell cartridge  200 , or may be simply brought into contact with and supported by the cell cartridge  200 . In addition, a cartridge assembly having the plurality of cell cartridges  200  may be provided. Meanwhile, as described above, the connector  300  according to the first aspect of the present disclosure electrically interconnects the electrode leads  110  of neighboring battery cells  100 , which may be described in detail below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the connector  300  according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a main body  310 , a pair of push members  320   a  and  320   b , a core member  330 , and a movement mechanism  340 . 
     The respective electrode leads  110  of neighboring battery cells  100  may come into contact with the main body  310 . For example, when the electrode leads  110  of the same polarity of two battery cells  100  are connected to the main body  310 , the battery cells  100  may be connected in parallel, and when the electrode leads  110  of different polarities are connected to the main body  310 , the battery cells  100  may be connected in series. The main body  310  includes a conductive material such as aluminum or copper for electrically interconnecting the plurality of battery cells  100 . However, the material of the main body  310  is not limited thereto, and the main body  310  may include other materials as long as the materials may be conductive. The main body  310  may be provided with contact portions  313  (see  FIG. 5 ) provided to face each other. The electrode leads  110  come into contact with the respective contact portions  313  of the main body  310  so as to be electrically connected. An accommodation space  312  may be formed in the main body  310  to accommodate push members  320  (see  FIG. 5 ). One or more accommodation spaces  312  may be formed in the main body  310 . Although two accommodation spaces  312  may be formed in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As in the second aspect described below, one accommodation space  312  may be provided or three or more accommodation spaces may be provided. However, the first aspect may be described mainly with reference to the case in which two accommodation spaces  312  may be formed in the main body  310  for convenience of description. 
     The push members  320  may be provided in a pair and accommodated in the accommodation spaces  312  formed in the main body  310 . In addition, a pair of push members  320   a  and  320   b  may be arranged to face each other in the accommodation space  312 . The pair of push members  320   a  and  320   b  may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the accommodation space  312  and may be movable between the contact portions  313  formed in the main body  310 . While the pair of push members  320   a  and  320   b  moves between the contact portions  313   a  and  313   b  as described above, the electrode leads  110  may be brought into close contact with the corresponding contact portions  313   a  and  313   b , respectively (see  FIG. 3 ). That is, one push member  320   a  pushes the electrode lead  110   a  of one of neighboring battery cells  100  to bring the electrode lead  110   a  into close contact with one contact portion  313   a  of the main body  310 , and the other push member  320   b  pushes the electrode lead  110   b  of the other battery cell  100  of the neighboring battery cells  100  to bring the electrode lead  110   b  into close contact with the remaining contact portion  313   b  of the main body  310 . 
     The core member  330  may be disposed to be movable between the pair of push members  320   a  and  320   b , and may bring the push members  320  into close contact with the contact portions  313  formed in the main body  310 . Here, the core member  330  may simultaneously bring the pair of push members  320   a  and  3201  into close contact with opposite portions (see arrows B and C in  FIG. 3 ). That is, one push member  320   a  may be brought into close contact with one contact portion  313   a  of the main body  310  by the core member  330 , and the other push member  320   b  may be brought into close contact with the other contact portion  313   b  of the main body  310 . 
     The movement mechanism  340  moves the core member  330  to cause the movement of the push members  320 . For example, when the core member  330  moves upward and presses the push members  320  by the movement mechanism  340 , the push members  320  may move in the lateral direction which crosses the vertical direction, thereby compressively sandwiching the electrode leads  110  between the push members  320  and the contact portions  313  of the main body  310 . That is, in order to move the push members  320  in a first direction for close contact (e.g., in the left-and-right direction with reference to  FIG. 2 ), the movement mechanism  340  moves the core member  330  in a second direction (e.g., in the vertical direction) crossing the first direction. Here, the core member  330  may be movable in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the push members  320 . 
     The movement mechanism  340  may include one or more first fastening holes  311  formed in the main body  310 , one or more second fastening holes  331  formed in the core member  330 , and one or more bolt members  341  in order to cause the movement of the push members  320   a  and  320   b  through the movement of the  330  as described above (see  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). In addition, a first inclined portion  321  may be formed on the inner side of each of the push members  320 , and a second inclined portion  322  corresponding to the first inclined portion  321  may be formed on the outer side of the core member  330 , which comes into contact with the inner side of the push members  320  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). In addition, the core member  330  may come into contact with the push members  320  at the lower side of the push members  320 , and the bolt members  341  may be coupled to the core member  330  from the upper side of the core member  330  located at the lower side of the main body  310 . The bolt members  341  may pass through the fast fastening holes  311  formed in the main body  310 , may pass through a space between the push members  320  interposed between the main body  310  and the core member, and may then be inserted into the second fastening holes  331  in the core member  330 . When the bolt members  341  are rotated in the direction of tightening the core member  330  (see arrows A′ and A″ in  FIG. 3 ), the core member  330  may move upward with reference to  FIG. 2  so that the second inclined portions formed on the outer side of the core member  330  come into contact with and press the first inclined portions  321  formed on the inner sides of the push members  320  so as to bring the push members  320  into close contact with the left and right portions (see arrows B and C in  FIG. 3 ). When the bolt members  341  is rotated in the direction of loosening the core member  330 , the core member  330  may move downward with reference to  FIG. 2  so that the second inclined portions formed on the outer side of the core member  330  may be released from the contact state with the first inclined portions  321  formed on the inner sides of the push members  320  and the push members  320  may be released from the close contact state with the contact portions  313  of the main body  310 . Here, the electrode leads  110  moves from the lower side to the upper side of the main body  310 , and may be inserted between the main body  310  and the push members  320 , and when the push members  320  move in the left-and-right direction, the electrode leads  110  may be compressively sandwiched between the main body  310  and the push members  320 . 
     Hereinafter, the operation and effects of the connector  300  according to the first aspect of the present disclosure may be described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the main body  310  may be formed with two accommodation spaces  312 , two electrode leads  110   a  and  110   b  may be electrically coupled to the left accommodation space  312 , two electrode leads  110   c  and  110   d  may be electrically coupled to the right accommodation space  312 . The left two electrode leads  110   a  and  110   b  and the tight two electrode leads  110   c  and  110   d , that is, four electrode leads  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , and  110   d  may be all electrically connected to each other. Here, both of the two electrode leads  110   a  and  110   b  in the left accommodation space  312  may be, for example, the positive pole, and both of the two electrode leads  110   c  and  110   d  in the right accommodation space  312  may be, for example, the negative pole. However, the electrical connection is not limited thereto, and may be more diversified. 
     When the electrode leads  110   c  and  110   d  may be interposed between the contact portions  313  of the main body  310  and the push members  320  as in the housing space  312  on the right side of the main body  310 , the bolt members  341  may be inserted into the second fastening holes  331  of the core member  330 , and the bolt members  341  may be rotated to tighten the core member  330 , the core member  330  moves upward so that the inclined portions  332  of the core member  330  may be brought into contact with the first inclined portions  321  of the push members  320 . In addition, as the core member  330  moves upward, the push members  320  may be moved in the left-and-right direction, and as in the left accommodation space  312  of the main body  310 , the push members  320  bring the leads  110   a  and  110   b  into close contact with the contact portions  313  of the main body  310  having a conductive material so as to electrically connect the electrode leads  110   a  and  110   b  to each other. 
     In addition, when the bolt members  341  are rotated in the direction opposite to the direction in which the core member  330  are tightened so as to loosen the core member  330 , the core member  330  may be capable of moving downward so as to cause the push members  320  to be released from the contact with the electrode leads  110   a  and  110   b  or  110   c  and  110   d , and so as to cause the main body  310  to be disengaged from the electrode leads  110   a  and  110   b  or  110   c  and  110   d . As described above, since the electrode leads  110  may be capable of being easily connected electrically using the connector  300  according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, when a defect or damage has occurred in any one of the plurality of battery cells  100 , it may be possible to release the connector  300 , remove only the battery cell  100  in which the defect or damage has occurred, and replace the battery cell  100  with a new battery cell  100 , and electrically connect the battery cells  100  again through the connector  300 , thereby facilitating the electrical connection and replacement of the battery cells  100 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are cross-sectional views illustrating a process of coupling electrode leads of battery cells to a connector according to a second aspect of the present disclosure. 
     Hereinafter, a connector  300  according to a second aspect of the present disclosure may be described with reference to the drawings. However, the portions common to those of the connector  300  according to the first aspect of the present disclosure are not redundantly described. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the second aspect of the present invention differs from the first aspect in that the main body  310  may be provided with one accommodation space  312 . However, since the electrical connection and release processes of the electrode leads  110  may be common to those in the first aspect, a redundant description thereof may be omitted. 
     Since the number of cases of serial, parallel, or serial-parallel connection may be further increased by using only the first connector  300  of the first aspect, using only the connector  300  of the second aspect, or using both the connector  300  of the first aspect and the connector  300  of the second aspect, it may be possible to connect battery cells  100  having different voltages. 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery module or pack according to an aspect of the present disclosure.  FIG. 9  is a side view illustrating the state in which a connector may be coupled to battery cells in the battery module of  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 10  is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the state in a connector may be coupled to a cell cartridge included in the battery module of  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 9  illustrates the inside of a battery module from which a cover may be detached. As used herein, the term battery module means a group of battery cells enclosed in a housing and comprising external terminals to the housing for electrically connecting the battery module(s) inside the housing to voltage sources and/or loads outside the housing, such as the electrical system of a vehicle, building, grid-tied storage battery system, and/or the like. Other packages of battery cells may be called cell packs, battery packs, cell modules, or the like, and the herein the term battery module or module will be used to mean any group or collection battery cells incorporated therein. 
     Hereinafter, a battery module  10  according to an aspect of the present disclosure may be described with reference to the drawings. In the battery module  10  according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a plurality of battery cells  100  may be electrically connected to each other by the connector  300  described above. The connector  300  may be provided in various types, and a plurality of battery cells  100  may be connected in series, in parallel, or in series and parallel using various connectors  300  to finally generate a desired voltage. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , for example, the battery cells  100  in  FIGS. 8 and 9  may be connected in series using both the connector  300   a  of the first aspect and the connector  300   b  of the second aspect. 
     The electrode leads of a and b, the electrode leads of c and d, and the electrode leads of e and f in  FIG. 9  may be respectively connected by the connectors  300   a  of the first aspect, the electrode leads of g in  FIG. 9  are connected by the connector  300   b  of the second aspect, and the electrode leads of h may be also connected by the connector  300   b  of the second aspect. 
     The two negative electrode leads of a in  FIG. 9  may be brought into close contact with the contact portions  313  of the main body  310  by the push members  320 , and two positive electrode leads  110  of b in  FIG. 9  may be brought into close contact with the contact portions  313  of the main body  310 , and the electrode leads of a and b in  FIG. 9  may be connected to each other by one connector  300   a  of the first aspect (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Like the electrode leads of a and b in  FIG. 9 , the electrodes of c and d in  FIG. 9  may be also connected to each other by one connector  300   a  of the first aspect, and like the electrode leads of a and b in  FIG. 9 , the electrode leads of e and f in  FIG. 9  may be connected to each other by one connecter  300   a  of the first aspect. In addition, since the positive electrode leads  110  of b in  FIG. 9  and the negative electrode leads  110  of c in  FIG. 9  may be the electrode leads  110  formed in one battery cell  100 , electric connection in the order of a-b-c-d-e-f may be passible, and since different polarities may be continuously connected in the state in which the positive and negative electrodes cross according to the above-mentioned order, such as in an alternating pattern, the electrode leads may be connected in series as a whole. In addition, various devices for receiving power from the battery cells  100  may be connected through the electrode leads of g and h in  FIG. 9  disposed at both ends. However, the connection method of  FIG. 9  is merely an example, and the electrode leads  110  of the same polarity may be connected using the connectors  300  to implement parallel connection. 
     Meanwhile, the battery module  10  according to an aspect of the present disclosure may include a cell cartridge  200  in order to stack a plurality of battery cells  100  one on another, and the cell cartridge  200  may be configured to support the plurality of battery cells  100 . The cell cartridge  200  may be manufactured through injection molding of plastic, and a plurality of cell cartridges  200  may be sucked in the state of supporting the battery cells  100 . The cell cartridge  200  may be accommodated in a case  400 , and the battery cells  100  supported by the cell cartridge  200  may be accommodated inside the case  400  to be protected. In addition, the cell cartridge  200  may be provided with connector elements (not illustrated) or terminal elements (not illustrated). The connector elements (not illustrated) may include various types of electrical connection component (not illustrated) or connection members to be connected to, for example, a battery management system (BMS), which may provide, for example, data on the voltage or temperature of the battery cells  100 . In addition, the terminal elements (not illustrated) may include a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal as main terminals connected to the battery cells  100 , and each terminal element may be provided with a terminal element (not illustrated) so as to be electrically connected to the outside. 
     Here, referring to  FIG. 10 , the connector  300  may be coupled to various positions of the cell cartridge  200 , for example, on the upper side of the cell cartridge  200 . That is, the connector  300  may be coupled to and supported on the upper side of the cell cartridge  200  by fastening members  500  such as bolts or screws. 
     Meanwhile, a battery pack (not illustrated) according to an aspect of the present disclosure may include at least one battery module  10  according to an aspect of the present disclosure described above. In addition to the battery module  10 , the battery pack (not illustrated) may further include a case for accommodating the battery module  10 , and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery module  10 , such as a BMS, a current sensor, and a fuse. 
     Meanwhile, a vehicle (not illustrated) according to an aspect of the present disclosure may include the battery module  10  described above or a battery pack (not illustrated), and the battery pack (not illustrated) may include the battery module  10 . In addition, the battery module  10  according to an aspect of the present disclosure may be applied to a vehicle (not illustrated) which may use electricity, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. 
     While the present disclosure has been described above with reference to several aspect s thereof, the present disclosure is not limited by the aspect s, and that various changes and modifications may be made by a person ordinarily skilled in the art without departing from the technical spirit and equivalent scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.