Patent ID: 7943252

Claim:
A high-power, large-capacity battery pack comprising: (i) a plurality of battery modules in which each of the battery modules includes a plurality of battery cells or unit modules connected in series to each other such that the battery cells or the unit modules are stacked while being in tight contact with each other or being adjacent to each other, wherein each of the battery modules is fixed such that the stacked state of the battery cells or the unit modules is maintained even when a volume of the battery cells or the unit modules changes at the time of charging and discharging the battery cells or the unit modules, and wherein a portion of an electrode terminal connection region between the battery cells or between the unit modules is weak with respect to a volume expansion of the battery cells or the unit modules such that an expansion stress caused by swelling of the battery cells is concentrated on the electrode terminal connection region, whereby the electrode terminal connection region is broken, and therefore, an electrical cut-off occurs at the electrode terminal connection region, when the swelling exceeds a predetermined value; (ii) a battery management system (BMS) for detecting and controlling operation of at least one battery module; and (iii) a power switch unit located between the at least one battery module and an external input and output circuit for connecting the at least one battery module and the external input and output circuit to each other or disconnecting the at least one battery module and the external input and output circuit from each other according to an operation command from the BMS, wherein the battery modules are fixed by a frame member, and outermost battery modules are covered by sealing members fixed to the frame member, wherein cutout parts or notch parts configured in a shape to induce local deformation of the battery modules, when the battery modules swell, are formed at predetermined regions of the sealing members adjacent to an electrode terminal connection region, and wherein a connection between the at least one battery module and the power switch unit is interrupted independently from the BMS in an abnormal operation condition.