# US 11,909,073 B2 · Battery module having overcharge prevention structure, battery pack comprising the same, and vehicle comprising the battery pack > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,909,073 B2 - Document ID: US11909073B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/625,597 - Filed: 2020-07-10 - Published: 2022-09-08 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2019-07-10 - Assignees: LG Energy Solution, Ltd. - Applicants: LG Energy Solution, Ltd. - Inventors: Han-Young Lee; Bum-Young Jung - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11909073B2 ## CPC - H01M 10/4207: {for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially} - H01M 50/574: Devices or arrangements for the interruption of current - H01M 10/637: characterised by the use of reversible temperature-sensitive devices, e.g. NTC, PTC or bimetal devices; characterised by control of the internal current flowing through the cells, e.g. by switching (means for preventing undesired use or discharge H01M50/572) - H01M 50/204: Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells - H01M 50/51: Connection only in series - H01M 50/572: Means for preventing undesired use or discharge - H02J 7/61: against overcharge - H01M 2200/00: Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries - H01M 2200/106: PTC - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A battery module includes a first battery cell and a second battery cell respectively having a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead and connected to each other in series; and a short circuit inducing member having one longitudinal side interposed between the negative electrode lead of the first battery cell and the positive electrode lead of the second battery cell and the other longitudinal side located between the positive electrode lead of the first battery cell and the negative electrode lead of the second battery cell. When a potential difference between the negative electrode lead of the first battery cell and the positive electrode lead of the second battery cell increases over a reference value, the other longitudinal side of the short circuit inducing member makes flexural deformation toward the negative electrode lead of the second battery cell to come into contact with the negative electrode lead. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A battery module, comprising: a first battery cell and a second battery cell, each battery cell having a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead and connected to each other in series; and a short circuit inducing member having one longitudinal side interposed between the negative electrode lead of the first battery cell and the positive electrode lead of the second battery cell to be in contact therewith and the other longitudinal side located between the positive electrode lead of the first battery cell and the negative electrode lead of the second battery cell, wherein when a potential difference between the negative electrode lead of the first battery cell and the positive electrode lead of the second battery cell increases over a reference value, the other longitudinal side of the short circuit inducing member makes flexural deformation toward the negative electrode lead of the second battery cell to come into contact with the negative electrode lead of the second battery cell. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the short circuit inducing member includes: an electro active polymer (EAP) layer having a first and a second surface; a first metal layer formed on the first surface of the EAP layer; and a second metal layer formed on the second surface of the EAP layer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the first metal layer is electrically connected to the negative electrode lead of the first battery cell, and the second metal layer is electrically connected to the positive electrode lead of the second battery cell. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The battery module according to claim 2, wherein when the short circuit inducing member makes the flexural deformation, the second metal layer comes into contact with the negative electrode lead of the second battery cell to induce a short circuit in the second battery cell. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the EAP layer includes at least one polymer electrolyte selected from the group consisting of Nafion, polypyrrole, polyaniline and polythiophene. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the first metal layer and the second metal layer include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, gold, silver and copper. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising: a connecting line configured to electrically connect the positive electrode lead of the first battery cell and the negative electrode lead of the second battery cell to each other. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1, 2) The battery module according to claim 2, further comprising: a pair of PTC elements interposed between the first metal layer and the negative electrode lead of the first battery cell and between the second metal layer and the positive electrode lead of the second battery cell. claim 1. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A battery pack, comprising the battery module according to claim 1. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A vehicle, comprising the battery pack according to claim 9.