Abstract: Disclosed herein is a secondary battery for medium-sized or large-sized battery modules. The secondary battery is assembled while an electrically connecting member used at the time of manufacturing a battery module is previously welded to at least one of electrode terminals of the secondary battery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a three-dimensional electrode terminal of a battery having an electrode assembly mounted in a pouch-shaped case, wherein a part of the electrode terminal, which is exposed from the battery case, has a predetermined thickness, and has a perpendicular surface (a perpendicular end surface) formed on the end thereof. According to the present invention, it is possible to easily accomplish the connection between the electrode terminal and the electrically connecting member without modifying the shape of the electrode terminal, and it is possible to easily accomplish the connection for detecting the voltage, the current, and the temperature of the battery. Furthermore, the mechanical strength of the three-dimensional electrode terminal according to the present invention is higher than that of the conventional plate-shaped electrode terminal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a three-dimensional electrode terminal of a battery having an electrode assembly mounted in a pouch-shaped case, wherein a part of the electrode terminal, which is exposed from the battery case, has a predetermined thickness, and has a perpendicular surface (a perpendicular end surface) formed on the end thereof. According to the present invention, it is possible to easily accomplish the connection between the electrode terminal and the electrically connecting member without modifying the shape of the electrode terminal, and it is possible to easily accomplish the connection for detecting the voltage, the current, and the temperature of the battery. Furthermore, the mechanical strength of the three-dimensional electrode terminal according to the present invention is higher than that of the conventional plate-shaped electrode terminal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a terminal-connecting device including an electrically insulating hollow connecting device body having an open upper end, and an electrically insulating cover coupled to the open upper end of the connecting device body. The terminal-connecting device is constructed such that a plate-shaped conductive bus bar is mounted to the lower end of the connecting device body, two or more terminal insertion holes are formed in the lower end of the connecting device body and the bus bar, the terminal insertion holes formed in the lower end of the connecting device body communicating with the terminal insertion holes formed in the bus bar, and a connecting member insertion slit is formed in one side of connecting device body for allowing further connection of the corresponding electrode terminal to an external connecting member, as occasion demands.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a bus bar that simultaneously performs the electrical connection between a plurality of unit cells and the detection of voltage of the unit cells in a battery module having the unit cells mounted therein, wherein the bus bar includes: vertical bent parts formed by bending opposite ends of a strip-shaped bar body in the same direction, respectively, the vertical bent parts being provided with coupling grooves or protrusions; and a horizontal bent part formed by bending one of the vertical bent parts such that the horizontal bent part is parallel with the bar body, and a medium- or large-sized battery module including a plurality of unit cells, wherein the electrical connection between the unit cells and the detection of voltage of the unit cells are simultaneously performed using the bus bar. It is not necessary to use additional connecting members for detecting the voltage of unit cells when the bus bar according to the present invention is used in a battery module or a battery pack.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a secondary battery module constructed approximately in a rectangular parallelepiped structure. The battery module includes a pair of side members (right and left side members) having pluralities of grooves formed at the inside surfaces thereof such that the sides of unit cells are securely fitted in the grooves and at least one connection member integrally formed with the side members such that the side members are spaced apart from each other by the width of the unit cells while the grooves of the side members face each other. A medium- or large-sized battery system is manufactured using one or more secondary battery module. The secondary battery module allows a plurality of unit cells to be mounted in the battery module with high density. Consequently, the total size of the battery system can be considerably reduced, and the electrical connection between the electrodes is highly stable.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a frame member for fabrication of a battery module including two battery cells, each of which has electrode terminals formed at upper and lower ends thereof, as unit cells. The frame member includes a lower-end frame having a groove, into which lower electrode terminals of the unit cells are inserted while the lower electrode terminals of the unit cells are coupled with each other, the lower-end frame being constructed such that lower-end sealing parts of the unit cells are mounted to the lower-end frame, an upper-end frame constructed such that upper-end sealing parts of the unit cells are mounted to the upper-end frame, and external input and output terminals, which are connected to upper electrode terminals of the unit cells, protrude from the outer surface of the upper-end frame, and a side frame connected between the lower-end frame and the upper-end frame, the side frame being constructed such that one-side sealing parts of the unit cells are mounted to the side frame.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heat exchange system for battery packs, which controls the temperature of a medium- or large-sized battery pack including a plurality of unit cells such that the battery pack can be operated under the optimum operating conditions. The heat exchange system includes an air inlet port and an air outlet port formed at one side of a housing surrounding the outer surface of the battery pack so as to form a predetermined flow channel, through which air flows, a driving fan mounted in the flow channel for driving the air to flow through the flow channel, and a Peltier element mounted at the air inlet port for controlling the temperature of air introduced into the air inlet port. In the heat exchange system according to the present invention, the thermoelectric element is mounted inside the air inlet port, through which air for cooling the battery pack is introduced into the heat exchange system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooling system for vehicle battery packs, which is constructed such that an intake duct for introducing a coolant, such as air, which cools a battery pack, into the battery pack from a predetermined region is not included, air existing inside a vehicle at a region around a battery pack isolated from a cabin of the vehicle is directly introduced into the battery pack, and the air having passed through the battery pack, which has been heated, is discharged through an exhaust duct connected to an internal space of the vehicle, in which a possibility of air to be recirculated to the region around the battery pack is low. The battery pack cooling system according to the present invention uses air existing inside the vehicle. Consequently, the control of temperature and humidity is easier than when external air is used, and generation of noise and backward flow of flames and toxic gas generated during a fire, which are problems caused when the air in the cabin is used, are prevented.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medium- or large-sized battery module having a plurality of battery cells (unit cells), wherein the battery module is constructed in a structure in which detection units for detecting physical operation state of the battery cells are mounted to the respective battery cells, the detection units are connected to a control unit of the battery module while the detection units are connected in series with each other, and signals (detected signals) detected from the respective battery cells are transmitted to the control unit while the detected signals are included in signals detected from the entire battery cells. The detection units are mounted to the respective battery cells, and therefore, the accuracy of information on the physical operation state of the battery cells is improved, and the circuit for transmitting the detected signals to the control unit is simple although the number of the detection units is large.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a secondary battery, which is formed in the shape of a plate and has an electrode assembly mounted in a battery case made of a laminated sheet including a metal layer and a resin layer, wherein the secondary battery is constructed in a structure in which independent coupling type frame members are mounted to the outside part of a sheathing member serving as the battery case, and a medium- or large-sized battery module including the same as a unit cell. Consequently, the secondary battery has a high mechanical strength and a large sealing force. Furthermore, the electrical connection is accomplished without bending the electrode leads. Also, the battery module, which is constructed with the secondary battery as a unit cell, can be manufactured with a compact structure and a relatively light weight. Furthermore, the assembly process of the battery module is greatly simplified.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a secondary battery constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly having a cathode/separator/anode arrangement is mounted in a battery case made of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, electrode taps of the electrode assembly are coupled to corresponding electrode leads, and the electrode assembly is sealed in the battery case while electrode leads are exposed to the outside of the battery case, wherein a protective film is attached to coupling regions between the electrode taps and the electrode leads for sealing the coupling regions between the electrode taps and the electrode leads. The secondary battery according to the present invention is constructed in a structure in which the coupling regions are sealed by the protective film, unlike a conventional secondary battery constructed in a structure in which the coupling regions between the electrode taps and the electrode leads are exposed in the battery case.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooling system for cooling a battery pack mounted in a vehicle, wherein the battery pack is mounted at the inner lower end of the vehicle constructed in a corrugated structure including alternating valleys and peaks, battery modules constituting the battery pack are arranged such that unit cells constituting each battery module are mounted vertically on the corrugated lower end of the vehicle, and the cooling system comprises a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port formed at a lower-end member of a housing surrounding the outer surface of the battery pack in a sealed state. According to the present invention, the coolant inlet port and the coolant outlet port are formed using the structure of the vehicle. Consequently, the cooling system can be stably mounted to the vehicle, the inner space of the vehicle is efficiently utilized, and the volume of the battery system is minimized. Furthermore, the partitions are mounted in the battery pack for uniformly supplying coolant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery module including two battery cells, each of which has electrode terminals formed at upper and lower ends thereof. The battery module further includes a frame member, to which upper-end sealing parts, lower-end sealing parts, and one-side sealing parts of the battery cells are mounted, a metal sheathing member for covering the outer surfaces of the battery cells while the battery cells are mounted to the frame member, and caps (an upper-end cap and a lower-end cap) mounted to the upper and lower ends of the battery cells, respectively, which are covered by the metal sheathing member. According to the present invention, it is possible to minimize the weight and the size of the battery module while increasing the strength of the battery cells. Also, it is possible to easily mount the detecting means that detects the operation of the battery cells, and it is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of short circuits during the assembly or the operation of the battery module.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery by performing insert injection molding with respect to a portion of a battery cell while the battery cell is located in a mold, wherein the apparatus comprises a pair of upper and lower molds, at which are formed shapes corresponding to the battery cell, the upper and lower molds are provided at the inside surfaces thereof with elastic members, and the elastic members are constructed in a structure in which the elastic members support a cell body of the battery cell and isolate a non-molding region from a molding region while the battery cell is mounted in the upper and lower molds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a secondary battery for medium- or large-sized battery modules. The secondary battery is assembled while an electrically connecting member used at the time of manufacturing a battery module is previously welded to at least one of electrode terminals of the secondary battery.

Abstract: A battery cartridge includes a pair of outer frame members for receiving unit cells and an inner frame member disposed between the outer frame members. The unit cells are mounted between the outer and inner frame members. The inner frame member has a plurality of through-holes, which communicate with the outside while the unit cells are mounted between the outer and inner frame members. An opened type battery module includes such a battery cartridge. The battery cartridge and the battery module have a high structural integration and mechanical strength. Consequently, the present invention has the effect of minimizing the size of a battery system, stably mounting unit cells having low mechanical strength, and effectively removing heat from the unit cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery cartridge having two or more unit cells mounted therein, wherein the battery cartridge includes a rotation part, which is formed at a cartridge case constructed generally with a plate-shaped structure, in the longitudinal direction of the battery cartridge and/or in the lateral direction of the battery cartridge, such that the battery cartridge can be folded by a predetermined angle in the longitudinal direction of the battery cartridge and/or in the lateral direction of the battery cartridge. The battery cartridge can be folded by a predetermined angle through the provision of the rotation part, and therefore, the battery cartridge is constructed in various structures as compared to the conventional rigid battery cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a secondary battery including an electrode assembly for charging and discharging mounted in a sheathing member including a metal layer and a resin layer, wherein the secondary battery further includes a secondary battery having a molding part of a predetermined thickness at least partially formed at the outside of a sheathing member, preferably, at a sealing region of the sheathing member, and a medium- or large-sized battery pack including the same. The molding part is formed at the outside of the sheathing member of the secondary battery. Consequently, the secondary battery according to the present invention has high mechanical strength, and therefore, it is possible to construct a battery pack without using addition members, such as cartridges. When the molding part is formed at the sealing region, which is weak, the molding part increases the mechanical strength and the sealing force of the secondary battery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a three-dimensional electrode terminal of a battery having an electrode assembly mounted in a pouch-shaped case, wherein a part of the electrode terminal, which is exposed from the battery case, has a predetermined thickness, and has a perpendicular surface (a perpendicular end surface) formed on the end thereof. According to the present invention, it is possible to easily accomplish the connection between the electrode terminal and the electrically connecting member without modifying the shape of the electrode terminal, and it is possible to easily accomplish the connection for detecting the voltage, the current, and the temperature of the battery. Furthermore, the mechanical strength of the three-dimensional electrode terminal according to the present invention is higher than that of the conventional plate-shaped electrode terminal.