Battery pack containing electrode terminal connecting device

1. A battery pack having a plurality of electrically connected battery modules, the battery pack comprising an electrode terminal connecting device, wherein the electrode terminal connecting device comprises:

a conductive connecting member coupled to electrode terminals of the battery modules to electrically connect the electrode terminals of the battery modules to each other, the conductive connecting member including opposite ends that protrude to form steps having a predetermined height, and a channel disposed between the opposite ends;

an insulative sheathing member coupleable to the conductive connecting member and surrounding the conductive connecting member, the insulative sheathing member including at least one coupling member on an inside thereof having a tapered structure for securing to an opposite end of the conductive connecting member, and being open at a rear thereof to expose a region of the conductive connecting member between the opposite ends; and

a shut-off cutter mounted to the conductive connecting member to shut off a circuit of the conductive connecting member when impact is applied to the battery pack in a longitudinal direction of the battery pack, the shut-off cutter being disposed adjacent the channel;

wherein the shut-off cutter physically cuts the conductive connecting member when impact is applied to the battery pack in the longitudinal direction of the battery pack; and

wherein the conductive connecting member is configured so that an upper end portion and a lower end portion of a region thereof corresponding to the shut-off cutter are depressed inward to a predetermined depth.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the shut-off cutter comprises a pointed end.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the shut-off cutter is made of an insulative material or comprises a main body made of an insulative material and a metal pointed end provided at an end of the main body.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive connecting member is provided at a region thereof corresponding to the shut-off cutter with a notch or a slit, at which the shut-off cutter cuts the conductive connecting member.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive connecting member has a length sufficient to electrically connect two or more electrode terminals to each other, the conductive connecting member is provided at positions thereof corresponding to a distance between the electrode terminals with electrode terminal insertion holes, and each of the electrode terminal insertion holes has an inner diameter greater in the longitudinal direction of the battery pack so that the electrode terminals can be inserted through the electrode terminal insertion holes even when a positional deviation between the electrode terminals occurs.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the insulative sheathing member is provided at an inner top and/or bottom thereof with a guide rail to guide movement of the shut-off cutter when impact is applied to the battery pack.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the insulative sheathing member is open at a top thereof, and the battery pack further comprises an insulative cap mounted at the open top of the insulative sheathing member.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the insulative cap is coupled to the insulative sheathing member in a hinged structure or in a fastened manner.

9. The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the shut-off cutter is mounted in the insulative sheathing member in a state in which the shut-off cutter is separated from the insulative cap or in a state in which the shut-off cutter is coupled to the insulative cap.

10. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the insulative sheathing member is provided at an outer part of one side thereof with a guide part to achieve installation and wiring of another linear connecting member.

11. The battery pack according to claim 10 , wherein the guide part is configured to have a structure in which a hollow guide extends upward or downward from a position corresponding to the electrode terminals of the battery modules.

12. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein a region of a battery module case corresponding to the electrode terminals is configured to have a structure in which a region of the battery module case corresponding to the shut-off cutter is depressed inward so that the conductive connecting member is cut by the shut-off cutter when impact is applied to the battery pack in the longitudinal direction of the battery pack.

13. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the battery pack is configured to have a structure in which a plurality of battery modules, each having a cathode terminal and an anode terminal protruding from the same side thereof, is stacked.

14. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the electrode terminals of the battery modules are aligned, the electrode terminal connecting device is mounted at electrical connection region between the electrode terminals, and a plurality of insulative caps is mounted to simultaneously cover open tops of a plurality of electrode terminal connecting devices.