Patent Description:
In recent years, the demand for portable electronic products such as notebooks, video cameras, mobile phones, or the like is rapidly increasing, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, satellites, or the like is in earnest. For this reason, high-performance secondary batteries enabling repeated charging and discharging are being actively researched.

The lithium secondary battery mainly uses lithium-based oxides and carbonaceous materials as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively. In addition, the lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate coated with the positive electrode active material and a negative electrode plate coated with the negative electrode active material are disposed with a separator being interposed therebetween, and an exterior, namely a battery pouch exterior, hermetically containing the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

Generally, the lithium secondary battery may be classified into a can-type secondary battery in which the electrode assembly is included in a metal can and a pouch-type secondary battery in which the electrode assembly is included in a pouch made of aluminum laminate sheets, depending on the shape of the exterior.

In recent years, secondary batteries have been widely used not only in small-sized devices such as portable electronic devices but also in medium-sized or large-sized devices such as vehicles and power storage devices. When the secondary batteries are used in the middle-sized or large-sized devices, a large number of secondary batteries are electrically connected to increase capacity and power. In particular, pouch-type secondary batteries are widely used for the middle-sized or large-sized devices since they may be easily stacked.

In addition, in order to electrically connect the secondary batteries inside a battery module, electrode leads are connected to each other, and the connection portions may be welded to maintain the connected state. Further, the battery module may have parallel and/or series electrical connections between the secondary batteries. For this, one end of the electrode lead may be fixed in contact to the bus bar by welding or the like for electrical connection between to each secondary battery.

Also, the electrical connection between the secondary batteries is frequently configured by bonding the electrode leads to the bus bar. At this time, in order to electrically connect a plurality of secondary batteries in parallel, electrode leads of the same polarity are bonded to each other. Also, in order to electrically connect a plurality of secondary batteries in series, electrode leads of different polarities are bonded to each other.

Meanwhile, in the conventional art, a process of bending an end of an electrode lead is performed so that the electrode lead of a secondary battery is connected and contacted to a bus bar, and the bent portion of the electrode lead may be joined to one surface of the bus bar by means of laser or ultrasonic welding.

However, for the electrode lead bending process, it is required to bend a plurality of electrode leads formed at a plurality of secondary batteries one by one, which leads to large workloads. In addition, since it is not easy to allow the bent end of the electrode lead made of a flexible material to stably contact one surface of the bus bar, the welding process is difficult and high welding reliability is not easily secured.

In addition, in order to provide the bent portion of the electrode lead, it is necessary to form a longer electrode lead at the secondary battery, which makes it difficult to handle the secondary batteries and also increases the material cost.

Further prior art can be found in <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and therefore the present disclosure is directed to providing a battery module, which may allow easy fabrication between a secondary battery and a bus bar and ensure improved product durability and improved space utilization rate.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery module, comprising:.

Moreover, at least a portion of the body may have a tapered structure with a thickness gradually increasing from a portion of the body exposed out of the exterior case to the lower surface of the head.

Also, the body may be shaped such that at least a portion thereof has a width in the left and the right direction gradually decreasing as being closer toward the head to have an inclined structure.

Moreover, the electrode lead may include a first electrode lead and a second electrode lead provided at the same side surface of the secondary battery and having different electric polarities.

In addition, heads of the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead may be formed to be biased to one side or the other side with respect to the center of the body so as to be positioned adjacent to each other.

Also, a fixing protrusion protruding toward the body of the electrode lead, which is inserted into the slit, may be formed at a portion of an inner surface of the slit.

Further, at least a portion of the slit may have a spaced width gradually decreasing inward from one end thereof.

Also, in another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a battery pack, comprising at least one battery module according to the present disclosure.

Also, in another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a vehicle, comprising the battery pack according to the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the electrode lead of the secondary battery has a body and a head, one surface of the head may be disposed in contact with one surface of the bus bar without performing a process of separately bending an end of the electrode lead to contact one surface of the bus bar, thereby effectively reducing the process time and manufacturing cost for the battery module.

In addition, according to this embodiment of the present disclosure, since a stopper is formed at a portion of the body of the electrode lead of the secondary battery, it is possible to prevent the head from moving in the upper and lower direction when the portion of the body is inserted into the slit of the bus bar, and also the lower surface of the head may be fixed to the upper surface of the bus bar. Accordingly, the electrode lead and the bus bar may be welded easily.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the electrode lead of the secondary battery has an inclined structure formed at a portion of the body, the material cost of the electrode lead may be reduced, and also the body may be inserted into the slit of the bus bar by using the inclined structure. In addition, the length of the body inserted into the slit may be reduced, and thus the inserting process may be performed more easily.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the heads of the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead of the secondary battery are formed to be biased toward one side or the other side with respect to the center of the body so that the heads are positioned adjacent to each other, the bus bars respectively connected to the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead may be located close to the center of the secondary battery, thereby effectively reducing the volume of the appearance of the battery module.

Moreover, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the bus bar has a fixing protrusion formed on the inner surface of the slit, the inserted electrode lead may stably keep its inserted and fixed state, and thus the bus bar and the electrode lead may be welded easily.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, since the bus bar is shaped such that the spaced width of the slit gradually decreases inward from one end, the inserted electrode lead may keep its inserted and fixed state stably by the decreased slit width, and thus the bus bar and the electrode lead may be welded easily.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a plane view schematically showing the battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded plane view schematically showing components of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a separated state. <FIG> is a front view schematically showing a secondary battery, which is a component of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a battery module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of secondary batteries <NUM>. Also, the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> are arranged in a front and rear direction, when viewed in the F direction.

Meanwhile, the terms indicating directions such as front, rear, left, right, upper and lower, used in this specification, may vary depending on the position of an observer or the shape of an object. However, in this specification, for convenience of description, the front, rear, left, right, upper and lower directions are distinguished based on the case where viewed in the F direction.

Here, the secondary battery <NUM> is a pouch-type secondary battery <NUM>. The pouch-type secondary battery <NUM> includes an electrode assembly <NUM>, an electrolyte <NUM>, and an exterior case <NUM>.

Here, the electrode assembly <NUM> is configured to have at least one positive electrode plate 113a and at least one negative electrode plate 113b with a separator 113c being interposed therebetween. More specifically, the electrode assembly <NUM> may be a stack-type electrode assembly in which a plurality of positive electrode plates 113a and a plurality of negative electrode plates 113b are alternately stacked with the separators 113c being interposed therebetween. The electrode assembly <NUM> of the present disclosure may be a stack-type electrode assembly in which a plurality of positive electrode plates 113a and a plurality of negative electrode plates 113b are alternately stacked with the separators 113c being interposed therebetween.

In addition, the secondary battery <NUM> may be a lithium secondary battery <NUM> provided with a lithium-based active material.

Moreover, the exterior case <NUM> accommodates the electrode assembly <NUM> and the electrolyte <NUM> in an inner space thereof. Here, the exterior case <NUM> is a pouch-type exterior case <NUM>. Specifically, the pouch-type exterior case <NUM> includes an outer insulating layer, a metal layer, and an inner adhesive layer. The pouch-type exterior case <NUM> accommodates the electrode assembly <NUM> therein.

Further, the pouch-type exterior case <NUM> is configured to contain a metal film, for example an aluminum film, in order to protect internal components such as the electrode assembly <NUM> and the electrolyte <NUM> and to improve the electrochemical properties and the heat dissipation properties of the electrode assembly <NUM> and the electrolyte <NUM>.

In addition, the aluminum film may be interposed between insulating layers made of an insulating material in order to ensure electrical insulation with internal components of the secondary battery <NUM> such as the electrode assembly <NUM> and the electrolyte <NUM> or with other components out of the secondary battery <NUM>.

In particular, the pouch-type exterior case <NUM> may include two pouches, and a concave inner space may be formed in at least one of the pouches. In addition, the electrode assembly <NUM> is accommodated in the inner space of the exterior case <NUM>. Also, sealing portions 117a may be provided to outer circumferences of the two pouches so that the sealing portions 117a are fused to each other to seal the inner space in which the electrode assembly <NUM> is accommodated.

In addition, the pouch-type secondary battery <NUM> includes an electrode lead <NUM>. Further, the electrode lead <NUM> includes a positive electrode lead 111A and a negative electrode lead 111B. Specifically, the electrode lead <NUM> may be configured to protrude outward from the sealing portion 117a located at the upper outer circumference of the pouch-type exterior case <NUM>. Also, the electrode lead <NUM> functions as an electrode terminal of the secondary battery <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> again, the electrode lead <NUM> formed at the secondary battery <NUM> includes a body 111a and a head 111b.

Specifically, the body 111a at least partially has a plate shape. That is, for example, as shown in <FIG>, the electrode lead <NUM> is erected in the upper and lower direction with respect to the ground when viewed from the front (in the F direction of <FIG>), and two broad surfaces are located in the front and rear direction.

In addition, one end of the electrode lead <NUM> is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate 113a or the negative electrode plate 113b of the electrode assembly <NUM>. More specifically, a positive electrode tab 113a2 and a negative electrode tab (not shown) protruding and extending outward are respectively formed at one ends of the positive electrode plate 113a and the negative electrode plate 113b. In addition, a portion of the positive electrode tab 113a2 and a portion of the negative electrode tab are in contact with one end of the electrode lead <NUM>.

Moreover, one end of the body 111a at an inward side is located inside the exterior case <NUM>. That is, the inward end of the body 111a is located inside the exterior case <NUM> to contact a portion of the positive electrode tab 113a2 and a portion of the negative electrode tab (not shown).

In addition, the other end of the body 111a may be formed to protrude outward from the exterior case <NUM>. That is, the outward end of the body 111a may be positioned to be exposed out of the exterior case <NUM>. One end of the body 111a of the electrode lead <NUM> at a lower side is located inside the exterior case <NUM>. Also, the other end of the body 111a at an upper side is formed to protrude upward from the exterior case <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the head 111b has a plate shape extending in both directions W perpendicular to the protruding direction of the body 111a from the other end of the body 111a. The electrode lead <NUM> has a plate-shaped head 111b extending in both directions (in the front and rear directions) perpendicular to the protruding direction (the upper and lower directions) of the body 111a from the other end of the body 111a.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the electrode lead <NUM> has the body 111a and the head 111b, when the head 111b is joined to the bus bar <NUM>, one surface of the head 111b is disposed to be in contact with one surface of the bus bar <NUM> without performing a process of bending the electrode lead <NUM> so that an end of the electrode lead <NUM> comes into contact with one surface of the bus bar <NUM>, thereby effectively reducing the process time and manufacturing cost for the battery module <NUM>.

Further, the electrode lead <NUM> may be at least partially made of an electrically conductive material. For example, the electrode lead <NUM> may include copper, aluminum, nickel, and combinations thereof as the electrically conductive material.

The configuration of the pouch-type secondary battery <NUM> described above is obvious to those skilled in the art and thus will not described in detail. In addition, the battery module according to the present disclosure may adopt various kinds of secondary batteries <NUM> known at the time of filing this application.

Referring to <FIG> again, the battery module <NUM> includes at least one bus bar <NUM>. Specifically, the bus bar <NUM> is configured to have a plate form at least partially made of an electrically conductive material.

In addition, the electrically conductive material includes, for example, copper, aluminum, nickel, and combinations thereof. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the battery module <NUM> includes thirteen bus bars <NUM>. Moreover, the thirteen bus bars <NUM> may at least partially have a rectangular plate form.

Also, the bus bar <NUM> has at least one slit <NUM> formed thereto to extend inward from one end thereof. In addition, a portion of the body 111a is inserted into the slit <NUM>. At this time, a lower surface of the head 111b is positioned to face an upper surface of the bus bar <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, at least one slit <NUM> extending into the bus bar <NUM> from one end of the bus bar adjacent to the secondary battery <NUM> may be formed at each of the thirteen bus bars <NUM>. Moreover, as shown in <FIG>, a portion of the body 111a of each of the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> is inserted into each slit <NUM> formed at the thirteen bus bars <NUM>.

In addition, the lower surface of the head 111b is positioned to face the upper surface of the bus bar <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, when viewed in the F direction, the battery module <NUM> includes seven bus bars <NUM> at one side (a left side) with respect to a center line P of the battery module <NUM> in the front and rear direction. Further, as shown in <FIG>, the seven bus bars <NUM> move toward the center of the battery module <NUM> and be coupled thereto such that the twelve electrode leads <NUM> in total formed at one side with respect to the center line of the battery module <NUM> are inserted into twelve slits <NUM> formed at the seven bus bars <NUM>, respectively.

Likewise, when viewed in the F direction, the six bus bars <NUM> located at the other side (a right side) with respect to the center line P of the battery module <NUM> in the front and rear direction move toward the center of the battery module <NUM> and be coupled thereto such that twelve electrode leads <NUM> in total formed at the other side with respect to the center line of the battery module <NUM> are inserted into twelve slits <NUM> formed at the six bus bars <NUM>, respectively.

Further, the bus bar <NUM> has a plate portion <NUM> having a plate shape and an upward extending portion <NUM> extending upward from the plate portion <NUM>. In addition, an external input/output terminal <NUM> is formed at the upward extending portion <NUM> of the bus bar <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, among the plurality of bus bars <NUM>, two bus bars 120A respectively positioned at the foremost and rearmost sides of the battery module <NUM> include a plate portion <NUM> and an upward extending portion <NUM>. Further, a bolt-type external input/output terminal <NUM> is inserted into and fixed to the upward extending portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a longitudinal sectioned view schematically showing a secondary battery, employed at the battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a stopper S2 protruding outward (in a horizontal direction) is formed on a portion of the body 111a. Specifically, the stopper S2 is formed on a relatively broader side surface among the side surfaces of the electrode lead <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a protrusion-shaped stopper S2 protruding forward or rearward is formed on each of the front surface and the rear surface of the electrode lead <NUM>.

Here, the outward direction means a direction toward a relatively outer side with respect to the inner center of the battery module. In addition, the horizontal direction means a direction parallel to the ground on which the battery module is placed.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the stopper S2 is formed on a portion of the body 111a of the electrode lead <NUM>, when a portion of the body 111a is inserted into the slit <NUM> of the bus bar <NUM>, the head 111b is prevented from moving in the upper and lower direction, and the lower surface of the head 111b is fixed on the upper surface of the bus bar <NUM>. As a result, the electrode lead <NUM> and the bus bar <NUM> is welded more easily.

Referring to <FIG> again, at least a portion of the body 111a may have a width gradually decreasing toward the head 111b. Specifically, the body 111a is shaped such that its width W2 in the left and right direction gradually decreases as being closer to the head 111b, namely to have an inclined structure S1. At this time, the head 111b is formed to have a length L1 similar to the width W2 of the end of the body 111a. Also, the electrode lead <NUM> includes a first electrode lead 111A and a second electrode lead 111B provided at the same side surface of the secondary battery <NUM> and having different electrical polarities from each other.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the positive electrode lead 111A has an inclined structure S1 such that at least a portion of the body 111a has a width gradually decreasing as being closer to the head 111b. At this time, the inclined structure S1 of the positive electrode lead 111A may be formed at a right side with respect to the center of the body 111a of the positive electrode lead 111A. Also, the negative electrode lead 111B has an inclined structure S1 such that at least a portion of the body 111a has a width gradually decreasing as being closer to the head 111b. At this time, the inclined structure of the negative electrode lead 111B is formed at a left side with respect to the center of the body 111a of the negative electrode lead 111B.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the inclined structure S1 is formed in at least a portion of the body 111a of the electrode lead <NUM>, it is possible to reduce the material cost of the electrode lead <NUM>. Moreover, since the body 111a is inserted into the slit <NUM> of the bus bar <NUM> by using the inclined structure S1 and the length of the body 111a inserted into the slit <NUM> may be shortened, the inserting process is performed more easily.

Further, the heads 111b of the first electrode lead 111A and the second electrode lead 111B are formed to be biased toward one side or the other side with respect to the center of the body 111a to be positioned adjacent to each other. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the head 111b of the positive electrode lead 111A is formed to be biased to the left with respect to the center of the body 111a. In addition, the head 111b of the negative electrode lead 111B is formed to be biased to the right with respect to the center of the body 111a. That is, the heads 111b of the positive electrode lead 111A and the negative electrode lead 111B are located close to the center of the secondary battery <NUM> in the left and right direction.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, if the heads 111b of the first electrode lead 111A and the second electrode lead 111B of the present disclosure are formed to be biased toward one side or the other side with respect to the center of the body 111a to be positioned adjacent to each other, the bus bars <NUM> respectively connected to the first electrode lead 111A and the second electrode lead 111B are positioned close to the center of the secondary battery <NUM>, thereby effectively reducing the volume of the battery module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plane view schematically showing one bus bar according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> along with <FIG>, a fixing protrusion 122P protruding toward the inserted body 111a of the electrode lead <NUM> may be formed at any portion of the inner surface of the slit <NUM> of the bus bar 120B. For example, as shown in <FIG>, two fixing protrusions 122P protruding toward the inserted body 111a of the electrode lead <NUM> are formed at the slit <NUM> of the bus bar 120B. That is, a portion of the body 111a of the electrode lead <NUM> is inserted between the two fixing protrusions 122P to press and fix the body 111a.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the fixing protrusion 122P is formed on the inner surface of the slit <NUM> of the bus bar 120B, the inserted electrode lead <NUM> is stably maintained in the inserted and fixed state, thereby allowing the bus bar 120B and the electrode leads <NUM> to be welded easily.

<FIG> is a plane view schematically showing another bus bar according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the bus bar 120C is shaped such that at least a portion of the slit <NUM> has a spaced width W3 gradually decreasing inward from one end thereof. That is, the inner portion of the slit <NUM> of the bus bar 120C has a small spaced width W3 so that a portion of the body 111a of the electrode lead <NUM> inserted into the slit <NUM> is pressed and fixed therein.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the bus bar 120C is shaped such that the spaced width W3 of the slit <NUM> gradually decreases inward from one end thereof, the inserted electrode lead <NUM> may stably maintain its inserted and fixed state due to the width W3 of the narrowed slit <NUM>, which facilitates the welding process between the bus bar 120C and the electrode lead <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plane view schematically showing a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Also, <FIG> is an exploded plane view schematically showing components of the battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in a separated state. Here, the secondary battery <NUM> depicted in <FIG> and <FIG> is identical to the secondary battery <NUM> of <FIG> described above, and thus the secondary battery <NUM> depicted in <FIG> and <FIG> will not be described in detail again.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the arrangement of the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> shown in <FIG> is different from the arrangement of the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> shown in <FIG>. That is, all of the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> of the battery module <NUM> are arranged such that the first electrode leads 111A are located at one side and the second electrode leads 111B are located at the other side.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, when viewed from the F direction, the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> of the battery module 100B are arranged such that the first electrode leads 111A (the positive electrode leads) are positioned at one side (a right side) with respect to the center line P of the battery module 100B in the front and rear direction and the second electrode leads 111B (the negative electrode leads) are positioned at the other side (a left side) with respect to the center line P of the battery module 100B in the front and rear direction.

In addition, the battery module 100B includes a first bus bar 120D1 and a second bus bar 120D2 configured to electrically connect the first electrode leads 111A or the second electrode leads 111B of the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the battery module 100B includes a first bus bar 120D1 and a second bus bar 120D2. In addition, the first bus bar 120D1 located at one side (a right side) with respect to the center line P of the battery module 100B are configured such that the bodies 111a of twelve first electrode leads 111A are inserted into twelve slits <NUM> formed at the first bus bar 120D1, so as to be electrically connected to the twelve first electrode leads 111A.

In addition, for example, as shown in <FIG>, the second bus bar 120D2 located at the other side (a left side) with respect to the center line P of the battery module 100B is configured such that the bodies 111a of the twelve electrode leads 111B are respectively inserted into the twelve slits <NUM> formed at the second bus bar 120D2, so as to be electrically connected to the twelve second electrode leads 111B.

Meanwhile, the first bus bar 120D1 includes the same material as the first electrode leads 111A of the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM>. For example, the first bus bar 120D1 includes the same aluminum material as the first electrode lead 111A. In addition, the second bus bar 120D2 includes the same material as the second electrode leads 111B of the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM>. For example, the second bus bar 120D2 includes the same copper material as the second electrode lead 111B.

Further, the external input/output terminal <NUM> is formed at each of the first bus bar 120D1 and the second bus bar 120D2. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the upward extending portion <NUM> is formed at each of the first bus bar 120D1 and the second bus bar 120D2, and the bolt-type external input/output terminal <NUM> is inserted into and fixed to the upward extending portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> again, the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> is arranged to be stacked in one direction (a front and rear direction). In addition, an adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape <NUM> is added between the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> so that the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> are bonded to each other. Moreover, the adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape <NUM> may include a material with high thermal conductivity.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape <NUM> is added between the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM>, it is easy to handle the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> in one unit, and a gap is not generated between the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> due to the added adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape <NUM>, thereby preventing heat condensation from occurring therein due to the air formed in the gap. Further, if the thermally conductive material is included in the adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape <NUM>, the cooling efficiency of the battery module 100B is further increased.

<FIG> is a plane view schematically showing a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the battery module 100C may further include a module case <NUM> having an inner space formed therein to accommodate the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM>. Specifically, the module case <NUM> may have a rectangular box shape with an open top. In addition, the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> and the plurality of bus bars <NUM> may be accommodated in the inner space of the module case <NUM>. Further, the module case <NUM> is filled with a thermally conductive resin <NUM> to surround the outer surface of the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM>. For example, the thermally conductive resin <NUM> may include a silicon-based resin, a modified silicone resin, or an acrylic resin.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the thermally conductive resin <NUM> is filled in the module case <NUM>, it is possible to effectively transfer the heat generated from the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> to the module case <NUM>, thereby effectively enhancing the cooling efficiency of the battery module 100C.

Meanwhile, a battery pack (not shown) according to the present disclosure may include at least one battery module <NUM> according to the present disclosure. Also, the battery pack according to the present disclosure may further include a pack case for accommodating the battery module <NUM>, and various devices for controlling the charge and discharge of the battery module <NUM>, such as a battery management system (BMS), a current sensor and a fuse, in addition to the battery module <NUM>.

In addition, the battery pack according to the present disclosure may be applied to a moving means such as a vehicle. For example, an electric vehicle according to the present disclosure may include the battery pack according to the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
A battery module (<NUM>), comprising:
a plurality of secondary pouch batteries (<NUM>) stacked in a front and rear direction when viewed in F direction, each including an electrode assembly having a positive electrode plate (113a) and a negative electrode plate (113b) with a separator (113c) being interposed therebetween, an electrolyte (<NUM>), an exterior case (<NUM>) configured to accommodate the electrode assembly and the electrolyte (<NUM>) in an inner space thereof, and an electrode lead (<NUM>) having a body (111a) whose one end is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate (113a) or the negative electrode plate (113b) of the electrode assembly and the other end protrudes outward from the exterior case (<NUM>) and a plate-shaped head (111b) extending in both, the front and the rear direction (W) perpendicular to the upper and lower protruding directions of the body (111a) from the other end of the body (111a), the electrode lead (<NUM>) being at least partially made of an electrically conductive material; and
a bus bar (<NUM>) having a plate shape at least partially made of an electrically conductive material, the bus bar having a slit (<NUM>) formed to extend inward from one end thereof so that a portion of the body (111a) is inserted into the slit (<NUM>), the lower surface of the head (111b) being positioned to face an upper surface of the bus bar (<NUM>), and the bus bar (<NUM>) being welded to the electrode lead (<NUM>), wherein the body (111a) has a protrusion-shaped stopper (S2) formed at a portion thereof to protrude forward and rearward on each of the front surface and the rear surface thereof,
wherein the head (111b) is formed such that a thickness (Z) thereof in a direction facing the bus bar (<NUM>) is greater than a thickness (E) of the body (111a) in the front and rear directions (W) perpendicular to a relatively broader side surface of the body (111a) among side surfaces of the body (111a).