Battery module

A battery module, comprising:

• a plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction;
• a circuit board placed on upper portions of the battery cells;
• a bus bar electrically connecting the battery cells and electrically connected to the circuit board;
• a pair of end plates respectively positioned at opposite ends of the battery cells in the first direction;
• a pair of side plates coupled to the pair of end plates so as to cover short side surfaces of the battery cells;
• an upper cover coupled to the end plates and the side plates to protect the bus bar and the circuit board;
• and
• a connector located at one end of the circuit board and exposed to the exterior of the battery module, wherein the connector is configured to be electrically connected to an external device, and wherein at least one of the pair of end plates is formed of a metallic material and comprises a connector grounding portion enclosing the connector, and a connection portion connected to the connector grounding portion;
• and
• wherein the connector comprises a metallic connector housing located outside a receptacle of the connector, and the connector housing comprises a grounding pin connector electrically connected to one of a plurality of connecting pins of the connector.