Patent Publication Number: US-2015064524-A1

Title: Battery pack

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0104500, filed on Aug. 30, 2013, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and entitled: “Battery Pack,” is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     One or more embodiments relates to a battery pack. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable. Secondary batteries are used as energy sources of devices such as mobile devices, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, electric bicycles, and uninterruptible power supplies. Single-cell secondary batteries or multi-cell secondary batteries (secondary battery packs), in which a plurality of cells are connected, are used according to the types of external devices using the secondary batteries. 
     For example, small mobile devices, e.g., cellular phones, may be operated for a certain period of time using single-cell secondary batteries. In another example, battery packs having high-output, high-capacity features may be suitable for devices having long operating times and consuming large amounts of power, e.g., electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. The output voltages or currents of the battery packs may be increased by adjusting the number of battery cells included in the battery packs. Such battery packs may include terminals to measure state variables, e.g., temperatures and voltages of the battery cells, for detecting abnormal operations, e.g., overheating, overcharging, and over-discharging, and for controlling charging and discharging operations of the battery packs. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one or more embodiments, a battery pack includes at least one battery cell, a connector on the at least one battery cell, the connector including first and second connection parts integral with each other, and first and second sensing terminals insertable into the first and second connection parts, respectively, the first and second sensing terminals being configured to measure a temperature and a voltage of the battery cell, respectively. 
     The first and second sensing terminals may be inserted into the first and second connection parts through sliding motions, respectively. 
     The battery pack may further include at least one additional battery cell, and a bus bar electrically connecting the battery cells. 
     The connector may be disposed on the bus bar, and the connector may further include a coupling part coupled to the bus bar. 
     The coupling part and the first and second connection parts may be formed in one piece. 
     The coupling part may be disposed at an outer side of the bus bar relatively distant from a center line of the battery cells, and the first and second connection parts may be disposed at an inner side of the bus bar relatively close to the center line of the battery cells. 
     The first connection part may form an accommodation space together with the bus bar to receive the first sensing terminal. 
     The first connection part may be configured to press the first sensing terminal against the bus bar. 
     The first connection part may include a cantilever member having a fixed end connected to the coupling part and an opposite free end not connected to the coupling part. 
     Slots may be formed in the first connection part along both sides of the cantilever member to separate the cantilever member from other portions of the first connection part. 
     The first sensing terminal may be assembled through a sliding motion by inserting the first sensing terminal between the cantilever member and the bus bar via the free end and sliding the first sensing terminal to the fixed end. 
     The cantilever member may include a pressing part protruding toward the bus bar to fix the first sensing terminal by pressure. 
     The pressing part may be closer to the free end than the fixed end. 
     The cantilever member may include a pressure adjusting part protruding toward the bus bar. 
     The pressure adjusting part may have a stepped shape facing the bus bar. 
     The second connection part may have a fixed end connected to the coupling part and an opposite free end not connected to the coupling part. 
     The second connection part may extend in an oblique direction so that a distance between the second connection part and the bus bar increases in a direction from the fixed end to the free end of the second connection part. 
     The second connection part may include an assembling hole in which a protrusion of the second sensing terminal is inserted when the second sensing terminal is assembled to the second connection part through a sliding motion. 
     The second sensing terminal may include a pair of guide rails as sliding guides for assembling, and the protrusion may be formed on a pressing plate between the guide rails. 
     A catch jaw may be formed on an end of the pressing plate for alignment with an assembling position of the second connection part. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement of the battery cells depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of how first and second sensing terminals are connected to the battery cells to measure temperatures and voltages of the battery cells; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate perspective views of connection structures of the first and second sensing terminals; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate cross-sectional views along line VI-VI of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , respectively; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a plan view of the second sensing terminal; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of connection structures of first and second sensing terminals as comparative examples. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the present embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of exemplary implementations. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. 
     A battery pack will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the battery pack may include a plurality of battery cells  10  arranged in an arrangement direction Z1, and side plates  140  and end plates  150  surrounding the battery cells  10 . The battery pack may further include wires  85  and  95  arranged above the battery cells  10 . 
     The wires  85  and  95  may include temperature measuring wires  85  and voltage measuring wires  95  extending from first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  connected to connectors  130  formed on bus bars  15 . Information about states of the battery cells  10  obtained through the wires  85  and  95  may include a temperature measuring signal and a voltage measuring signal. Such state information of the battery cells  10  is transmitted to a battery management system (BMS) (not shown) for detecting abnormal operations of the battery cells  10 , e.g., overheating, overcharging, and over-discharging, and for monitoring charging and discharging states, e.g., a fully-charged state of the battery cells  10 . For example, the temperature measuring wires  85  and the voltage measuring wires  95  may extend to a connection part  97  from the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  configured to be connected to the connectors  130 . The connection part  97  may be connected to a circuit board (not shown) functioning as a BMS. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the battery cells  10  in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the battery cells  10  may be secondary battery cells, e.g., lithium ion battery cells. The battery cells  10  may have any suitable shape, e.g., a cylindrical shape and a prismatic shape. In addition, the battery cells  10  may be any type of battery cells, e.g., polymer battery cells. 
     For example, each of the battery cells  10  may include a case  10   b , an electrode assembly (not shown) disposed in the case  10   b , and electrode terminals  10   a  electrically connected to the electrode assembly and exposed to the outside of the case  10   b . For example, the electrode terminals  10   a  may be exposed to the outside of the case  10   b  and may form portions of the top side of the case  10   b . Although not shown, the electrode assembly may include a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode. The electrode assembly may be a jelly-roll or a stack type electrode assembly. The case  10   b  accommodates the electrode assembly, and the electrode terminals  10   a  are exposed to the outside of the case  10   b  for electric connection with an external circuit. 
     For example, neighboring battery cells  10  may be electrically connected to each other by connecting electrode terminals  10   a  of the neighboring battery cells  10 . In detail, neighboring battery cells  10  may be electrically connected in series or parallel to each other by connecting electrode terminals  10   a  of the neighboring battery cells  10 . 
     A safety vent  10 ′ may be formed in the case  10   b . The safety vent  10 ′ is relatively weak so that if the inside pressure of the case  10   b  becomes equal to or higher than a preset critical value, the safety vent  10 ′ may be fractured to release gas from the inside of the case  10   b.    
     Spacers  50  may be disposed between neighboring battery cells  10 . The spacers  50  may insulate the neighboring battery cells  10  from each other. For example, the cases  10   b  of the battery cells  10  may have electric polarities, and the spacers  50  formed of an insulation material and disposed between the cases  10   b  may prevent electric interference between neighboring pairs of the battery cells  10 . 
     In addition, the spacers  50  may function as heat-dissipating paths between the battery cells  10 . To this end, heat-dissipating holes  50 ′ may be formed in the spacers  50 . Heat-dissipating holes  140 ′ (refer to  FIG. 1 ) may be formed in the side plates  140  (described later). The heat-dissipating holes  140 ′ of the side plates  140  may be aligned with the heat-dissipating holes  50 ′ of the spacers  50  to form heat-dissipating paths between the battery cells  10 . 
     The spacers  50  may be disposed between the battery cells  10  and prevent thermal expansion (swelling) of the battery cells  10 . The cases  10   b  of the battery cells  10  are formed of a deformable, e.g., thermally expandable, material, e.g., metal. Thus, the spacers  50  may be formed of a less deformable, e.g., resilient, material, e.g., polymer, to suppress swelling of the battery cells  10 . 
     The spacers  50  may be disposed on outermost sides of the battery cells  10  in the arrangement direction Z1 as well as between the battery cells  10 . That is, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the end plates  150  may be disposed on both ends of the battery cells  10  in the arrangement direction Z1, and spacers  50  may be disposed between the end plates  150  and the outermost battery cells  10 . 
     The end plates  150  may be provided as a pair on both ends of the battery cells  10  in the arrangement direction Z1 of the battery cells  10 . Sides of the end plates  150  face outer sides of the battery cells  10 . In detail, sides of the end plates  150  may face spacers  50  disposed on outer sides of the battery cells  10 . 
     The end plates  150  combine the battery cells  10  as a unit. During charging and discharging of the battery cells  10 , the end plates  150  prevent expansion of the battery cells  10  and maintain resistance characteristics of the battery cells  10 . Therefore, electric characteristics of the battery cells  10  may not be lowered. 
     Each of the end plates  150  may include a base plate  151 , and flanges  152 ,  153 , and  155  bent from the base plate  151  in a direction opposite to the battery cells  10 . The base plate  151  may have a sufficient area to cover a corresponding side of the battery cells  10 . 
     The flanges  152 ,  153 , and  155  are bent from edges of the base plate  151  in a direction opposite to the battery cells  10 . The flanges  152  may be a pair of lateral flanges  152  formed on both lateral sides of the base plate  151 , and the flanges  153  and  155  may respectively be upper and lower flanges  153  and  155  formed on upper and lower sides of the base plate  151 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the flanges  152 ,  153 , and  155  of the end plates  150  may be coupling positions at which neighboring elements are coupled to the end plates  150 . For example, the flanges  152  and  153  of the end plates  150  may be coupled to edge portions of the side plates  140 . In addition, the flanges  152 ,  153 , and  155  may enhance the mechanical stiffness of the end plates  150 . 
     The lateral flanges  152  of the end plates  150  may be coupling positions at which the side plates  140  are coupled to the end plates  150 . For example, the side plates  140  may be coupled to the end plates  150  by placing end portions of the side plates  140  on the lateral flanges  152  and fastening the edge portions of the side plates  140  and the lateral flanges  152  using screws. For this, a plurality of coupling holes may be formed in the lateral flanges  152 . 
     The side plates  140  may be disposed on both lateral sides of the battery cells  10 . In other words, the side plates  140  may cover both lateral sides of the battery cells  10  arranged in the arrangement direction Z1. The side plates  140  may be provided as a pair on opposite lateral sides of the battery cells  10 . The side plates  140  may extend in the arrangement direction Z1 of the battery cells  10 . Ends of the side plates  140  may be coupled to the end plates  150  disposed on opposite ends of the battery cells  10 . The side plates  140  may be coupled to the lateral flanges  152  formed on lateral edges of the end plates  150  by placing the lateral flanges  152  on the side plates  140 , aligning coupling holes of the lateral flanges  152  and the side plates  140 , and fastening the lateral flanges  152  and the side plates  140  using fasteners  171 , e.g., bolts and nuts. At this time, at least portions of the side plates  140  and the lateral flanges  152  may be in surface contact with each other. 
     The side plates  140  may have a plate shape. The side plates  140  may have catch jaws  140   a  to support portions of the bottom sides of the battery cells  10 . The side plates  140  may be disposed on the opposite lateral sides of the battery cells  10 , and the catch jaws  140   a  may be bent from the side plates  140  to face each other and support the bottom sides of the battery cells  10 . 
     The catch jaws  140   a  may extend along the entire lengths of the side plates  140  in the arrangement direction Z1 of the battery cells  10 , and end portions of the catch jaws  140   a  may be coupled to the lower flanges  153  of the end plates  150  using screws. To this end, coupling holes may be formed in the catch jaws  140   a  and the lower flanges  153 . For example, the side plates  140  and the end plates  150  may be coupled by aligning the coupling holes of the catch jaws  140   a  and the lower flanges  153 , and inserting the fasteners  171  into the coupling holes and tightening the fasteners  171 . The catch jaws  140   a  and the lower flanges  153  may make surface contact with each other at corners of the battery pack. In this way, the side plates  140  may be fastened to the lower flange  153  and the lateral flanges  152  of the end plates  150  to form an accommodation space for receiving the battery cells  10 . 
     The heat-dissipating holes  140 ′ may be formed in the side plates  140 . For example, the heat-dissipating holes  140 ′ may be formed at regular intervals in the arrangement direction Z1 of the battery cells  10 . Air may flow to the battery cells  10  through the heat-dissipating holes  140 ′, and thus heat may be rapidly dissipated from the battery cells  10  during operation of the battery cells  10 . 
     The bottom sides of the battery cells  10  may be exposed except for the portions supported by the catch jaws  140   a  of the side plates  140 . Thus, air may flow between the battery cells  10  through the bottom sides of the battery cells  10  to cool the battery cells  10 . 
     Boss members  145  may be formed on the side plates  140  to attach a circuit board (not shown) to the boss members  145 . For example, the circuit board may be a BMS board. For example, first surfaces of the side plates  140  may face the battery cells  10 , and the circuit boards may be attached to second, e.g., outer, surfaces of the side plates  140 . For example, the circuit board may monitor and control charging and discharging of the battery cells  10 . 
     For example, the boss members  145  may be disposed at four positions corresponding to the rectangular or square shape of the circuit board. In another example, the number of boss members  145  may be multiples of four, and a plurality of circuit boards may be attached to the boss members  145 . The circuit boards may have coupling holes (not shown), and screws may be inserted in the coupling holes of the circuit boards and the boss members  145  of the side plates  140  to fix the circuit boards to the side plates  140 . 
     The battery cells  10  forming the battery pack may be electrically connected to each other through the bus bars  15 . For example, the battery cells  10  may be electrically connected in series. Each of the bus bars  15  may electrically connect a pair of the battery cells  10 . The electrode terminals  10   a  of the battery cells  10  may be inserted into or welded to the bus bars  15 . The bus bars  15  may be disposed on the left and right sides when viewed in the directions ±Z3, so as to sequentially connect the battery cells  10  arranged in the arrangement direction Z1. 
     The wires  85  and  95  of the battery pack may extend from the bus bars  15 . For example, the wires  85  and  95  may extend to transmit information about measured voltages and temperatures of the battery cells  10  to a BMS. For example, first ends of the wires  85  and  95  may be connected to the connectors  130  formed on the bus bars  15 , and second ends of the wires  85  and  95  may be connected to the BMS. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a view of a connection of the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  to the battery cells  10  to measure temperatures and voltages of the battery cells  10 .  FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged, partial view of  FIG. 3 . 
     According to embodiments, in a monitoring mode, the battery pack may collect information, e.g., temperatures and voltages of the battery cells  10 , so as to detect abnormal operations of the battery cells  10 , e.g., overheating, over-current, overcharging, and over-discharging, and to control charging and discharging of the battery cells  10 . The battery pack may include the wires  85  and  95  extending from the battery cells  10  to transmit such information about the battery cells  10 . 
     In detail, the wires  85  and  95  may include the temperature measuring wires  85  and the voltage measuring wires  95  to transmit temperature signals and voltage signals, respectively. The first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  forming, e.g., defining, ends of the temperature measuring wires  85  and the voltage measuring wires  95  may be respectively connected to the connectors  130  formed on the bus bars  15 . 
     The connectors  130  may accommodate both the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  of the temperature measuring wires  85  and the voltage measuring wires  95 , and may fix the positions of the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  on the bus bars  15 . That is, the connectors  130  may function as temperature and voltage measuring positions. 
     The connectors  130 , e.g., each connector  130 , may have a plate shape extending in parallel to the bus bars  15 . The connectors  130  may include first and second connection parts  110  and  120  for connection with the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90 , respectively. Since the connectors  130  function as contact points to which the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  are connected to measure temperatures and voltages, after the connectors  130  are formed on the bus bars  15  through a single process, the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  may be simply connected. 
     In detail, once the connectors  130  are formed on the bus bars  15 , the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  may be easily connected through simple insertions. That is, since the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  have sliding-in structures for insertion into the first and second connection parts  110  and  120 , the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  may be smoothly connected to the first and second connection parts  110  and  120  of the connectors  130 , respectively, during an assembling process. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the number of first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  may be determined based on the number of temperature measuring points and the number of voltage measuring points. For example, temperatures and voltages may be measured from all the battery cells  10 , a pair of the battery cells  10 , or a predetermined number of the battery cells  10  of the battery pack, etc., so as to monitor temperatures and voltages of the battery cells  10  at desired points. Referring to  FIG. 4 , terminal holes  15 ′ are formed in the bus bar  15  to receive the electrode terminals  10   a  of the battery cells  10 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate perspective enlarged views of a connection between the connector  130  and the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90 .  FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate cross-sectional views taken along lines VI-VI of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , respectively.  FIG. 7  illustrates a plan view of the second sensing terminal  90 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A to 7 , the connector  130  may be disposed on the bus bar  15  and may have a plate shape extending in parallel with the bus bar  15 . In detail, the connector  130  may include a coupling part  135 , and the coupling part  135  may be coupled to the bus bar  15 . For example, an area of the coupling part  135  making contact with the bus bar  15  may be sufficiently large for stable coupling between the coupling part  135  and the bus bar  15 . For example, the coupling part  135  may include a plurality of coupling points  135   a , and the connector  130  and the bus bar  15  may be coupled to each other by superimposing the connector  130  on the bus bar  15  and partially deforming the coupling points  135   a  of the connector  130  and the bus bar  15  through a process, e.g., riveting or TOX joining. 
     The coupling part  135  may be disposed on an outer side of the connector  130 , and the first and second connection parts  110  and  120  may be disposed on an inner side of the coupling part  135  to receive the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the outer side of the connector  130  refers to a side relatively distant from a center line C of the battery cells  10 , and an inner side of the connector  130  refers to a side relatively close to the center line C of the battery cells  10 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the first and second connection parts  110  and  120  may be adjacent to each other along the Z1 direction, and may be between the coupling part  135  and the center line C along the Z3 direction. 
     The coupling part  135  and the first and second connection parts  110  and  120  of the connector  130  may be formed in one piece, e.g., integral with each other as a single and seamless unit. For example, the connector  130  may have a plate shape, and the coupling part  135  and the first and second connection parts  110  and  120  of the connector  130  may be formed in one piece by processing a metal sheet through a process, e.g., cutting, bending, and drawing. In another example, the connector  130  may be formed of a stack of at least two metal sheets. In this case, the metal sheets of the connector  130  may be firmly coupled, and thus the metal sheets may not be separated from each other without deforming or cutting the metal sheets. 
     For example, the connector  130  may be formed of a corrosion-resistant metal, e.g., brass, thin-coated steel, stainless steel (SUS), nickel, and spring steel. The connector  130  formed of such a corrosion-resistant metal may be coupled to the bus bar  15  formed of aluminum or copper through a coupling process, e.g., riveting or TOX joining. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the first connection part  110  may protrude upward relative to the coupling part  135 , and may form, e.g., define, an accommodation space G together with the bus bar  15  to receive the first sensing terminal  80 . In other words, the first connection part  110  may form the accommodation space G to receive at least a portion of the first sensing terminal  80 . The first sensing terminal  80  may be inserted into the accommodation space G between the first connection part  110  and the bus bar  15 , e.g., the first sensing terminal  80  may be a loop connected to a pair of wires  85 . 
     In detail, the accommodation space G is formed between the bus bar  15  and the first connection part  110  including a fixed end  111   a . That is, the first connection part  110  includes the fixed end  111   a  attached to the coupling part  135 , and a free end  111   b  opposite the fixed end  111   a . For example, the free end  111   b  may be suspended above the bus bar ( FIG. 6A ), and may be movable, e.g., upward, to fit the first sensing terminal  80  between a lower surface of the first connection part  110  and the bus bar  15  ( FIG. 6B ), i.e., in the accommodation space G. In other words, the accommodation space G may be between an open end, i.e., the free end  111   b , to receive the first sensing terminal  80 , and an opposite closed end, i.e., the fixed end  111   a , of the first connection part  110 . 
     The first connection part  110  may include a cantilever member  111 . The cantilever member  111  may include the fixed end  111   a  connected to the coupling part  135 , and the free end  111   b  that is opposite to the fixed end  111   a , i.e., not connected directly to the coupling part  135 . In other words, the fixed end  111   a  of the cantilever member  111  may be connected to the coupling part  135  of the connector  130 , and the free end  111   b  of the cantilever member  111  may be located opposite to the fixed end  111   a  and not connected directly to the coupling part  135  of the connector  130 . 
     During assembling, the first sensing terminal  80  may slide toward the fixed end  111   a  of the cantilever member  111 , while pushing the free end  111   b  of the cantilever member  111  upward. As a result, the first connection part  110  may be assembled under the cantilever member  111 . At this time, the cantilever member  111  is elastically deformed by the first sensing terminal  80 , and thus the first sensing terminal  80  is pressed against the top side of the bus bar  15  by the resilience of the cantilever member  111 . 
     The cantilever member  111  may include a pressing part  115  protruding toward the bus bar  15 . The pressing part  115  may protrude downward toward the bus bar  15 . The pressing part  115  may be formed at a position between the free end  111   b  and the fixed end  111   a , and when the first sensing terminal  80  is slid in an assembling direction, the pressing part  115  may be inserted into an assembling hole  80 ′ of the first sensing terminal  80  to prevent the first sensing terminal  80  from being freely separated, e.g., removed, from the first connection part  110  ( FIG. 6B ). For example, the pressing part  115  may be closer to the free end  111   b  than the fixed end  111   a.    
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , slots  111   c  may be formed in the first connection part  110  along both sides of the cantilever member  111  to separate the cantilever member  111  from other portions of the first connection part  110 , e.g., the pressing part  115  may be between the slots  111   c . Therefore, the slots  111   c  enable the pressing part  115  of the cantilever member  111  to freely undergo elastic deformation, and thus the first sensing terminal  80  may be effectively pressed and fixed by the pressing part  115 . Since the first sensing terminal  80  is pressed against the bus bar  15  by the pressing part  115 , the temperature of the bus bar  15  may be precisely measured. 
     A pressure adjusting part  118  may be formed on the cantilever member  111 . The pressure adjusting part  118  may adjust a pressing force applied to the first sensing terminal  80  by the pressing part  115 . For example, the pressure adjusting part  118  may protrude downward toward the bus bar  15 . Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the pressure adjusting part  118  may have a stepped shape protruding downward toward the bus bar  15 . For example, the downwardly stepped shape of the pressure adjusting part  118  may increase a pressing force of the pressing part  115  on the first sensing terminal  80 . In another example, the pressure adjusting part may have a shape protruding upwardly in a direction opposite to the bus bar  15 , thereby reducing an overall pressing force directed from the pressing part  115  toward the first sensing terminal  80 , e.g., so the free end  111   b  of the first connection part  110  may not be closed. Therefore, a sliding-in motion of the first sensing terminal  80  may not be blocked. 
     The pressure adjusting part  118  may be formed at a position between the fixed end  111   a  and the free end  111   b  of the cantilever member  111 . The pressure adjusting part  118  may be formed at a plurality of positions. For example, the pressure adjusting part  118  may be closer to the fixed end  111   a  than to the free end  111   b.    
     Referring to  FIG. 5A , the second connection part  120  may include a fixed end  120   a  connected to the coupling part  135  and a free end  120   b  opposite to the fixed end  120   a , e.g., not connected directly to the coupling part  135 . The second connection part  120  may protrude from a side of the connector  130 . For example, the second connection part  120  may extend in an oblique direction with respect to the bus bar  15 , so that a distance between the second connection part  120  and the bus bar  15  may increase in a direction from the fixed end  120   a  to the free end  120   b  of the second connection part  120 . That is, the second connection part  120  may protrude upwardly in an oblique direction from the connector  130 . Thus, the free end  120   b  of the second connection part  120  may be located above, e.g., at a predetermined distance other than zero from, the connector  130  to easily receive the second sensing terminal  90 . 
     A coupling structure may be formed to securely maintain the positions of the second connection part  120  and the second sensing terminal  90 , after the second connection part  120  and the second sensing terminal  90  are assembled by sliding. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5A , an assembling hole  120 ′ may be formed in the second connection part  120  to receive a protrusion  93  ( FIG. 7 ) of the second sensing terminal  90 . For example, the protrusion  93  formed on the second sensing terminal  90  may be inserted into the assembling hole  120 ′ of the second connection part  120  for securing connection between the second sensing terminal  90  and the second connection part  120 . 
     In detail, referring to  FIGS. 5A and 7 , the second sensing terminal  90  may include guide rails  91  capable of receiving edges of the second connection part  120  for guiding sliding-in assembling of the second sensing terminal  90  to the second connection part  120 . For example, the second sensing terminal  90  may include a pair of parallel guide rails  91  extending along both lateral edges of the second sensing tell iinal  90  in the protruding direction of the second connection part  120 . The protrusion  93  may be formed between the guide rails  91 . The protrusion  93  may be slid in an elastically compressed state along the second connection part  120  inserted in the guide rails  91  and may be inserted into the assembling hole  120 ′. After the protrusion  93  is inserted into the assembling hole  120 ′, sliding of the second sensing terminal  90  is stopped, and the second sensing terminal  90  is not freely separated. 
     For example, the protrusion  93  may be formed on a pressing plate  92  between the guide rails  91 , and a catch jaw  90   a  may be formed on an end of the pressing plate  92  so as to stop a forward movement of the second connection part  120  and determine a coupling position. For example, when the protrusion  93  of the second sensing terminal  90  is coupled to the assembling hole  120 ′ of the second connection part  120 , the catch jaw  90   a  of the second sensing terminal  90  may make contact with an end of the second connection part  120  ( FIG. 5B ). In this way, the coupling position of the second sensing terminal  90  may be determined. 
     The first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  may make conductive contact with the first and second connection parts  110  and  120  of the connector  130 . For example, the first sensing terminal  80  may be brought into thermal and conductive contact with the first connection part  110  of the connector  130  to measure the temperature of the battery cells  10  through the first connection part  110 . For example, the first sensing terminal  80  may be pressed against the top side of the bus bar  15  by the pressing part  115  of the first connection part  110 . Since the electrode terminals  10   a  of the battery cells  10  are connected to the bus bar  15 , the temperature of the battery cells  10  may be precisely measured through the first sensing terminal  80 . 
     Temperature information of a measuring point may be converted into an electric signal and transmitted to a BMS through the first sensing terminal  80 . In detail, the first sensing terminal  80  may be connected to a resistance temperature sensor having a temperature-dependent variable electric resistance to generate a voltage signal corresponding to a measured temperature. 
     The second sensing terminal  90  may make electrically conductive contact with the second connection part  120  of the connector  130 . For example, the second sensing terminal  90  may be used to measure the voltage of the bus bar  15  through the second connection part  120  of the connector  130 . That is, the second sensing terminal  90  may be used to measure a common terminal voltage of the battery cells  10  electrically connected through the bus bar  15 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a view of a comparative example of connection structures of first and second sensing terminals  8  and  9 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , the first sensing terminal  8  and the second sensing terminal  9  are connected to positions adjacent to battery cells  10  to measure temperature and voltage, respectively. The first sensing terminal  8  may be connected to the bus bar  15  by using a screw  8   a . In this case, however, a threaded hole  15   a  may be formed in the bus bar  15  through an additional threading process having a low level of processing efficiency. In addition, errors such as an insufficient coupling force or a connection omission may easily occur. 
     The second sensing terminal  9  for measuring voltage may be placed around electrode terminals  10   a  of the battery cells  10 , and may be fixed by screwing a nut  9   a  onto the electrode terminals  10   a . In the comparative example, the first sensing terminal  8  for measuring temperature and the second sensing terminal  9  for measuring voltage are individually connected using the screw  8   a  and the nut  9   a . Therefore, the efficiency of the connection process is low, and connection errors may easily occur. 
     However, in exemplary embodiments, after the connector  130  is mounted on the bus bar  15 , the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  are easily connected through simple insertions. In other words, as described above, both the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  for measuring temperature and voltage are connected to the connector  130  via a simple structure. That is, after the connector  130  is mounted through a single process, the first and second sensing terminals  80  and  90  may be simply and easily connected to the connector  130  through simple insertions. 
     Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.