Battery connection member and battery module using the same

1. A battery module including a plurality of batteries placed in a housing, wherein

the plurality of batteries are connected in parallel by a battery connection member,

the battery connection member includes a main conductive path portion made of a flat metal plate, and a plurality of connection terminals each configured to connect the main conductive path portion to one of electrodes of each battery,

the main conductive path portion has a plurality of through holes in each of which the one of electrodes of each battery is inserted, and the main conductive path portion is arranged in direct contact with a shoulder portion of each battery such that a first surface of the main conductive path portion faces and directly contacts each battery,

the battery module is partitioned by the main conductive path portion to have the housing and a vent space, the vent space created between a second surface of the main conductive path portion opposite to the first surface and a lid body, where gas released from a vent provided to the one of electrodes of each battery is released to the vent space via the through hole,

one end of each connection terminal is connected to the one of electrodes of each battery, and the other end of each connection terminal passes through the through hole, and extends in the vent space to be connected to the second surface of the main conductive path portion, and

the connection terminals also serve as fuse portions which are blown when a current over a predetermined value flows therethrough.

2. The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the main conductive path portion is a metal interconnect formed on a substrate.

3. The battery module of claim 1 , wherein

the housing is partitioned by a partition wall, and

the first surface of the main conductive path portion is in contact with the partition wall.

4. A battery module including a plurality of batteries placed in a housing, wherein

the housing is partitioned by a partition wall,

each of the batteries is placed in a corresponding one of areas partitioned by the partition wall,

the plurality of batteries are connected in parallel by a battery connection member,

the battery connection member includes a main conductive path portion made of a flat metal plate, and a plurality of connection terminals each configured to connect the main conductive path portion to one of electrodes of each battery, the main conductive path portion having a surface which is in direct contact with each battery,

the main conductive path portion is arranged in contact with the partition wall,

the battery module is partitioned by the main conductive path portion to have the housing and a vent space, the vent space created between a second surface of the main conductive path portion opposite to the first surface and a lid body, where gas released from a vent provided to the one of electrodes of each battery is released to the vent space via the through hole, and

the connection terminals also serve as fuse portions which are blown when a current over a predetermined value flows therethrough.

5. The battery module of claim 4 , wherein

the battery connection member is at least one of a positive electrode connection member or a negative electrode connection member,

the housing is a space surrounded by the positive electrode connection member, the negative electrode connection member, and the partition wall, and

the plurality of batteries are connected in parallel by the positive electrode connection member and the negative electrode connection member.

6. The battery module of claim 4 , wherein the main conductive path portion is a metal interconnect formed on a substrate.

7. The battery module of claim 5 , wherein the battery connection member is the positive electrode connection member.