Battery module and battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cell stack including a plurality of battery cells having electrode leads; a bus bar frame assembly that includes a bus bar electrically connected to the electrode lead and a bus bar frame on which the bus bar is disposed, and that covers one side of the cell stack; and a refractory cover assembly including a refractory cover for covering the bus bar frame assembly and a metal member coupled to the electrode lead and / or the bus bar.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery module.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0165173 filed in Korea on November 30, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0043131 filed in Korea on March 31, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] As the demand for portable electronic products such as laptop computers, camcorders, and mobile phones is rapidly increasing, and the commercialization of robots and electric vehicles is in full swing, research on high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is being actively conducted.

[0004] Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among these secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries have almost no memory effect to ensure free charge and discharge compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, and lithium secondary batteries have attracted much attention due to their extremely low discharge rate and high energy density.

[0005] Lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as positive electrode active materials and negative electrode active materials, respectively. Lithium secondary batteries include: an electrode assembly, in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with positive electrode active materials and negative electrode active materials, respectively, are provided, and a separator is inserted between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate; and an outer shell or battery cell shell, which is used to seal the electrode assembly and the electrolyte together.

[0006] Generally, lithium secondary batteries may be divided into can-type secondary batteries having an electrode assembly included in a metal can and pouch-type secondary batteries having an electrode assembly included in a pouch of an aluminum laminate, according to the shape of a case.

[0007] Recently, secondary batteries are widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices but also in medium and large devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS) for driving or energy storage. These secondary batteries can constitute a battery module in the form of multiple secondary batteries electrically connected and stored together in a module housing. In addition, multiple battery modules can be connected to form a battery pack.

[0008] However, when multiple secondary batteries (battery cells) or multiple battery modules are crowded in a narrow space as described above, they may be susceptible to thermal events. In particular, if an event such as thermal runaway occurs in one battery cell, high-temperature gas, flame, or heat may be generated. If such gas, flame, or heat is transferred to other battery cells or battery modules, an explosive chain reaction situation such as heat propagation (TP) may occur.

[0009] In addition, medium and large battery packs such as electric vehicles include a large number of battery cells and battery modules to increase output and / or capacity, so the risk of thermal chain reaction may further increase. In addition, in the case where the battery pack is installed on an electric vehicle or the like, users such as drivers may be present near the battery pack. Therefore, if a thermal event occurring in a specific battery cell or module is not properly controlled and a chain reaction occurs, it may cause damage not only to significant property but also to human life.

[0010] In this regard, ensuring TP performance is currently a major topic in the technical field of battery packs and modules such as vehicles. In particular, it is difficult to ensure TP performance in battery packs or modules using pouch cells. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to develop a mechanical TP solution not only in terms of ensuring TP performance of the battery cell itself, but also in terms of the battery pack and battery module. Summary of the invention

[0011] Technical issues

[0012] The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and thus the present disclosure aims to provide a battery module having an improved structure to provide an effective TP solution, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery module.

[0013] However, the technical objectives to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above contents, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other objectives not mentioned herein through the following disclosure.

[0014] Technical Solution

[0015] In one aspect of the present invention, a battery module is provided, which includes: a cell stack, the cell stack including a plurality of battery cells provided with electrode leads; a bus bar frame assembly, the bus bar frame assembly including a bus bar electrically connected to the electrode leads and a bus bar frame on which the bus bar is mounted, and the bus bar frame assembly is configured to cover one side of the cell stack; and a refractory cover assembly, the refractory cover assembly including a refractory cover and a metal component, the refractory cover is configured to cover the bus bar frame assembly, and the metal component is connected to at least one of the electrode leads and the bus bar.

[0016] A welding portion may be formed in an overlapping region of the metal member, the electrode lead, and the bus bar, the welding portion penetrating the metal member and the electrode lead and reaching the bus bar.

[0017] The metal member may be inserted into and coupled to the refractory cover.

[0018] The metal member may be formed integrally with the refractory cover by insert molding.

[0019] The fire-resistant cover may have a first extending portion configured to extend from a top end of the busbar frame toward the cell stack and at least partially cover a top surface of the cell stack.

[0020] The battery cell may include: an electrode assembly; a cell case configured to accommodate the electrode assembly; and an electrode lead connected to the electrode assembly and drawn to the outside of the cell case.

[0021] The cell case may include: a receiving portion receiving the electrode assembly; and a sealing portion extending outward from a periphery of the receiving portion.

[0022] The first extending portion may extend to cover a region of the sealing portion corresponding to a terrace portion, the terrace portion being a region located in a direction in which the electrode lead is drawn out.

[0023] The battery module may include a thermal barrier interposed between the refractory cover assembly and the bus bar frame assembly.

[0024] The thermal barrier may comprise silicon.

[0025] The heat barrier may have a barrier hole configured to allow the metal member to be inserted therein.

[0026] The thickness of the metal member may correspond to the sum of the thickness of the refractory cover and the thickness of the thermal barrier.

[0027] The battery module may include a module case configured to accommodate the cell stack and having an opening portion formed in a direction in which the electrode lead is drawn out.

[0028] The bus bar frame assembly may be configured to cover the opening portion.

[0029] The module case may have a vent portion formed at a surface facing a bottom surface of the cell stack.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a battery pack is further provided. The battery pack includes the battery module according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle is also provided. The vehicle includes the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Beneficial Effects

[0033] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the heat propagation suppression performance of the battery module can be improved.

[0034] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a fastening structure of a refractory cover attached to a front surface of a bus bar frame may be made stronger.

[0035] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, directional exhaust can be achieved, thereby reducing the risk of exhausting to unexpected points.

[0036] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a process of fixing a refractory cover and a process of electrically connecting battery cells may be performed simultaneously, thereby improving assemblability and productivity.

[0037] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is no need to prepare a separate fixing structure and apply fastening members such as screws and bolts to fix the refractory cover.

[0038] According to the present invention, a battery module with improved thermal event safety and an application device thereof can be provided. In particular, when the battery module according to the present disclosure is applied to a vehicle, the safety of passengers can be more effectively ensured.

[0039] However, the beneficial effects that can be obtained through the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other beneficial effects not mentioned above through the following disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, are used to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not interpreted as being limited to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a structure in which a refractory cap assembly of the present disclosure is coupled to a combination of an electrode lead and a bus bar.

[0043] Figure 3 is shown with Figure 2 A diagram of a different structure in which, in the overlapping region of the metal member, the electrode lead, and the bus bar, a welded portion is formed to penetrate each component.

[0044] Figure 4 2 is a diagram showing a structure in which an extension portion is provided in the refractory cover assembly of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing a structure in which an extension portion provided in the fire-resistant cover assembly of the present disclosure covers a region corresponding to a step portion of a battery cell.

[0046] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an exemplary form of a battery cell of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a structure in which a heat barrier is additionally applied to a refractory cover assembly.

[0048] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 7 A diagram showing the positional relationship between metal members, heat barriers, electrode leads, and bus bars in a battery module.

[0049] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a module case and an end plate of a battery module applied to the present disclosure.

[0050] Fig.10 is a diagram showing a structure in which an exhaust portion is provided in a module housing of the present disclosure.

[0051] Fig.11 1 is a diagram showing a structure in which a vent portion provided in a module case of the present disclosure is formed in a region corresponding to a step portion of a battery cell.

[0052] Fig.12 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Fig.13 is a diagram showing a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as being limited to general and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted based on the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure based on the principle of allowing the inventor to appropriately define the terms to obtain the best interpretation. Therefore, the descriptions presented herein are only preferred examples for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0055] Reference Figure 1, a battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a battery cell stack 100 , a bus bar frame assembly 200 , and a fire-resistant cover assembly 300 .

[0056] The cell stack 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 110 provided with electrode leads 111. The battery cell 110 may be, for example, a pouch-type battery cell. The cell stack 100 may include a gasket 120 interposed between adjacent battery cells 110. The gasket 120 may be configured to absorb volume expansion due to expansion of the battery cell 110. In view of this function, the gasket 120 may include a material having elasticity. The gasket 120 may include a fire-resistant material. The gasket 120 may include a material having low thermal conductivity, and thus may be used as a thermal barrier to delay heat transfer between battery cells 110 adjacent to each other. The gasket 120 may have an area corresponding to the battery cell 110.

[0057] The bus bar frame assembly 200 may include a bus bar 220 electrically connected to the electrode lead 111 and a bus bar frame 210 on which the bus bar 220 is disposed. The bus bar frame assembly 200 may be configured to cover one side of the battery cell stack 100. The bus bar frame 210 may be configured to cover one side of the battery cell stack 100. The bus bar frame 210 may include a non-conductive material.

[0058] When the battery module 10 of the present disclosure includes the gasket 120, the bus bar frame 210 may include a gasket insertion portion configured such that an end portion of the gasket 120 is inserted therein in a longitudinal direction (a direction parallel to the X-axis). In this case, the gasket 120 may be configured to cover an end portion of the battery cell 110 in a longitudinal direction (a direction parallel to the X-axis), and as a result, heat transfer between a pair of adjacent battery cells 110 may be effectively blocked by the gasket 120.

[0059] The bus bar 220 may be provided in plural according to the number of battery cells 110 to be electrically connected. The bus bar 220 may be located on a side opposite to the cell stack 100, with the bus bar frame 210 interposed between the bus bar 220 and the cell stack 100. The electrode lead 111 may pass through a slit formed in the bus bar frame 210 and be coupled to the bus bar 220. For example, a pair of electrode leads 111 provided in each of a pair of battery cells 110 adjacent to each other may be coupled to one bus bar 220, so that the battery cells 110 adjacent to each other are electrically connected to each other.

[0060] The busbar frame assembly 200 may be arranged in pairs. In this case, a pair of busbar frame assemblies 200 may be configured to cover one side and the other side of the battery cell stack 100, respectively. At least one of the pair of busbar frame assemblies 200 may include a terminal 230. The terminal 230 may be arranged in pairs. According to the electrical connection method of the plurality of battery cells 110 constituting the battery module 10 of the present disclosure, a pair of terminals 230 may be provided in one busbar frame assembly 200, or each of a pair of terminals 230 may be provided one by one in each of a pair of busbar frame assemblies 200. For example, the terminal 230 may be electrically connected to the electrode lead 111 of the battery cell 110 disposed on the outermost side among the plurality of battery cells 110 constituting the battery cell stack 100. The terminal 230 may be directly connected to the busbar frame 210, or alternatively, may be connected to a busbar 220 connected to the busbar frame 210.

[0061] The fire-resistant cover assembly 300 may include a fire-resistant cover 310 and a metal member 320. The fire-resistant cover 310 may be configured to cover the busbar frame assembly 200. If the busbar frame assembly 200 is arranged in pairs, the fire-resistant cover assembly 300 may also be arranged in pairs. The fire-resistant cover 310 may be configured to protect and support the busbar frame 210 in a high temperature environment when a thermal event occurs. The fire-resistant cover 310 may be configured to have a higher melting point than the busbar frame 210. The fire-resistant cover 310 may include, for example, a fire-resistant resin. The area of ​​the fire-resistant cover 310 may be equal to or greater than the area of ​​the busbar frame 210 facing the fire-resistant cover 310, thereby preventing the busbar frame 210 from being exposed to the outside of the fire-resistant cover 310.

[0062] The metal member 320 may be coupled to the refractory cover 310. The metal member 320 may be inserted and coupled to the refractory cover 310. The metal member 320 may be integrally formed with the refractory cover 310 by insert molding. The metal member 320 may include a conductive metal. The metal member 320 may include aluminum, for example. The metal member 320 may be provided in plurality.

[0063] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the metal member 320 may be coupled to at least one of the electrode lead 111 and the bus bar 220. The metal member 320 may be coupled to the external terminal 230. In this case, the metal member 320 may be coupled by additionally welding on a combination of the bus bar 220 and the electrode lead 111 previously formed by welding, or on a combination of the external terminal 230 and the electrode lead 111 previously formed by welding.

[0064] Reference Figure 3, unlike the above, a welding portion W may be formed in the overlapping region of the metal member 320, the electrode lead 111, and the bus bar 220 (or the terminal 230), the welding portion W penetrating the metal member 320 and the electrode lead 111 and reaching the bus bar 220 (or the terminal 230). According to this structure, both the electrical connection between the components and the fixation of the refractory cover assembly 300 may be achieved by a single welding process for coupling the bus bar 220 (or the terminal 230), the electrode lead 111, and the metal member 320.

[0065] In the drawings of the present application, only the case where the metal member 320 is exposed to the outside through the outer surface of the fire-resistant cover 310 is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The metal member 320 may be configured to be exposed only through the surface facing the bus bar frame assembly 200 among the two surfaces of the fire-resistant cover 310. In this case, there is no risk of unnecessary electrical connection on the outer surface of the fire-resistant cover 310 (i.e., on the surface opposite to the surface facing the bus bar frame assembly 200).

[0066] As described above, since the battery module 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the fire-resistant cover assembly 300 configured to cover the busbar frame assembly 200, the busbar frame 210 can be prevented from structural collapse due to a thermal event or the like in a high temperature environment, or the collapse time can be delayed. On the other hand, since the battery module 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is configured so that the metal member 320 provided in the fire-resistant cover assembly 300 is connected to a component including a metal component provided in the busbar frame assembly 200, even after the busbar frame 210 is damaged, high-temperature gas and / or flame can be prevented from moving from the battery cell stack 100 to the outside or from the outside toward the battery cell stack 100.

[0067] Next, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , shows a battery module 10, which further includes additional elements compared to the battery module according to the previous embodiment. The battery module 10 is different from the battery module according to the previous embodiment in the structure of the fire-resistant cover 310.

[0068] In the battery module 10, the fire-resistant cover 310 may include a first extension portion 311. The first extension portion 311 may be configured to extend from the top end of the busbar frame 210 toward the cell stack 100 and at least partially cover the top surface (surface parallel to the XY plane) of the cell stack 100. When the first extension portion 311 is provided, exhaust gas generated at one end of the battery cell 110 in the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) may be prevented or suppressed from being ejected upward from the cell stack 100.

[0069] The first extending portion 311 may extend so that a stepped portion T (see FIG. 1 ) corresponding to an area in a direction in which the electrode lead 111 is drawn out among the entire area of ​​the sealing portion 12 b of the battery cell 110 is Figure 5 ) is not exposed above the battery cell stack 100.

[0070] Reference Figure 6 as well as Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the battery cell 110 may include an electrode assembly (not shown), a cell housing 112 configured to accommodate the electrode assembly, and an electrode lead 111 connected to the electrode assembly and configured to be drawn outside the cell housing 112. The battery cell 110 may include a lead film 113, which is configured to partially surround the electrode lead 111 and be inserted in a sealing area between the electrode lead 111 and the cell housing 112. The battery cell 110 may be a pouch-type battery cell as described above. The electrode lead 111 may be provided as a pair, in which case, as shown in the drawings of the present application, a pair of electrode leads 111 may be drawn out of the cell housing 112 in opposite directions. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and a pair of electrode leads 111 may also be drawn out in the same direction.

[0071] When the pair of electrode leads 111 are drawn out in the same direction, one bus bar frame assembly 200 may be provided. When the pair of electrode leads 111 are drawn out in opposite directions, a pair of bus bar frame assemblies 200 may be provided.

[0072] The cell case 112 may include a receiving portion 112a configured to receive the electrode assembly and a sealing portion 112b extending outward from the periphery of the receiving portion 112a. As described above, in the entire area of ​​the sealing portion 112b, an area located in the direction in which the electrode lead 111 is pulled out may be defined as a terrace portion T. As shown in the drawings of the present application, for example, when the planar shape of the cell case 112 is approximately rectangular, the entire area from one end of the sealing portion 112b formed at one side of the edge of the cell case 112 to the other end thereof may be referred to as a terrace portion T.

[0073] Since the terrace portion T corresponds to the area where the electrode lead 111 is pulled out, the structure of the joint area between the upper shell and the lower shell constituting the battery cell shell 112 may not be flat like the remaining sealing area, but may have a curved shape. Due to this structural characteristic, when the internal pressure of the battery cell 110 increases, the terrace portion T may be broken earlier than the remaining sealing portion 112b. In addition, in the pouch-type battery cell 110, there may be a gas collection space between the terrace portion T and the electrode assembly (not shown), in which the gas generated in the battery cell 110 can be collected. Therefore, due to the pressure of the gas collected in the gas collection space, exhaust may occur preferentially in the terrace portion T. In the case where the exhaust gas is discharged through the terrace portion T, the first extension portion 311 can inhibit the exhaust gas from being guided to the upward direction (Z-axis positive direction) of the battery module 10, which may cause directional exhaust.

[0074] The first extension portion 311 may be in close contact with the top end of the cell stack 100. In the battery cell 110, the sealing portion 112b located on the side of the sealing portion 112b of the cell case 112 (i.e., the sealing portions 112b located at both ends of the cell stack 100 in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z axis)) may be folded to face the accommodating portion 112a. The first extension portion 311 may be configured to be in close contact with the sealing portion 112b folded as described above.

[0075] As described above, when the cell stack 100 of the present disclosure includes the gasket 120, the height (length along the Z-axis direction) of the gasket 120 may correspond to the height of the cell stack 100. In this case, the first extension portion 311 may be configured to be in close contact with the top ends of each battery cell 110 and the gasket 120 constituting the cell stack 100.

[0076] As described above, since the first extension portion 311 is configured to be in close contact with the top end of the cell stack 100, exhaust gas exhausted through the terrace portion T can be more reliably prevented from leaking upward from the cell stack 100. By doing so, the directional exhaust effect can be maximized.

[0077] Meanwhile, the fireproof cover 310 may have a first accommodating portion 310a configured to accommodate the terminal 230. In the case where the battery module 10 of the present disclosure is provided with the terminal 230, a hole through which the terminal 230 can pass may need to be formed in the fireproof cover 310, depending on the extension direction and / or extension length of the terminal 230. The first accommodating portion 310a may be a hole having a shape corresponding to the terminal 230. Depending on the number of terminals 230, one or two first accommodating portions 310a may be provided. Depending on the extension direction and / or length of the terminal 230, the first accommodating portion 310a may be formed in the first extension portion 311, or may be formed in an area other than the first extension portion 211.

[0078] When the refractory cover 310 is provided with the first accommodating portion 310a, the refractory cover assembly 300 can be coupled to the combination of the cell stack 100 and the busbar frame assembly 200 through the terminal 230 including a metal material. Therefore, even if damage occurs to the busbar frame 210 in a high temperature environment, the arrangement position of the refractory cover assembly 300 can be maintained. In addition, if the first accommodating portion 310a is provided, when performing a process of welding the metal member 320 to the electrode lead 111 and / or the busbar 220, the process of aligning the welding target position can be facilitated, thereby improving productivity and quality.

[0079] Next, refer to Figure 7 , a battery module 10 further including a thermal barrier 400 is shown compared to the previous embodiment. The battery module 10 may include a thermal barrier 400 interposed between the fire-resistant cover assembly 300 and the busbar frame assembly 200. The thermal barrier 400 may be configured to minimize heat transfer between the battery cell stack 100 and the battery module 10 due to a thermal event in a high temperature environment. The thermal barrier 400 may include, for example, silicon. If the busbar frame assembly 200 is provided in pairs, the thermal barrier 400 may also be provided in pairs.

[0080] The thermal barrier 400 may include a second extension portion 410. The second extension portion 410 may be configured to extend from the top end of the busbar frame 210 toward the cell stack 100 and at least partially cover the top surface (surface parallel to the XY plane) of the cell stack 100. If the second extension portion 420 is provided, exhaust gas generated at one end of the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of the battery cell 110 may be prevented or suppressed from being ejected upward from the cell stack 100.

[0081] The second extension portion 410 may extend to prevent the step portion T (see Figure 5) is exposed above the cell stack 100, and the terrace portion T corresponds to an area located in the direction in which the electrode lead 111 is pulled out among the entire area of ​​the sealing portion 112b of the battery cell 110. In the case where the exhaust gas is discharged through the terrace portion T, the second extending portion 410 can inhibit the exhaust gas from being guided to the upward direction (along the positive Z-axis direction) of the battery module 10, which may cause directional exhaust.

[0082] The second extension portion 410 may be in close contact with the top end of the cell stack 100. In the battery cell 110, the sealing portion located on the side of the sealing portion 112b of the cell case 112 (i.e., the sealing portions 112b located at both ends of the cell stack 100 in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z axis)) may be folded to face the accommodating portion 112a. The second extension portion 410 may be configured to be in close contact with the sealing portion 112b folded as described above.

[0083] As described above, when the battery cell stack 100 of the present disclosure includes the gasket 120, the height (length along the Z-axis direction) of the gasket 120 may correspond to the height of the battery cell stack 100. In this case, the second extension portion 410 may be configured to be in close contact with the top end of each battery cell 110 and the gasket 120 constituting the battery cell stack 100.

[0084] As described above, since the second extension portion 410 is configured to be in close contact with the top end of the cell stack 100, exhaust gas exhausted through the terrace portion T can be more reliably prevented from leaking upward from the cell stack 100. By doing so, the directional exhaust effect can be maximized.

[0085] Meanwhile, in the battery module 10 of the present disclosure, when both the first extension portion 311 of the fire-resistant cover 310 and the second extension portion 410 of the heat barrier 400 are provided, the first extension portion 411 may be configured to at least partially cover the second extension portion 410. In this case, when the first extension portion 311 and the second extension portion 410 overlap, the exhaust gas may be more reliably prevented from moving upward from the battery cell stack 100.

[0086] The thermal barrier 400 may have a second accommodating portion 400a configured to accommodate the terminal 230. In the case where the battery module 10 of the present disclosure is provided with the terminal 230, it may be necessary to form a hole through which the terminal 230 can pass in the thermal barrier 400 according to the extension direction and / or extension length of the terminal 230. Depending on the number of terminals 230, one or two second accommodating portions 400a may be provided. Depending on the extension direction and / or length of the terminal 230, the second accommodating portion 400a may be formed in the second extension portion 410, or may be formed in an area other than the second extension portion 410.

[0087] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the thermal barrier 400 may include a barrier hole 400b configured so that the metal member 320 of the refractory cover assembly 300 is inserted therein. The number of the barrier holes 400b may correspond to the number of the metal members 320. The barrier hole 400b may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the metal member 320. The metal member 320 of the refractory cover assembly 300 may pass through the barrier hole 400b of the thermal barrier 400 and be coupled with the electrode lead 111 and / or the bus bar 220. The thickness of the metal member 320 may correspond to the sum of the thickness of the refractory cover 310 and the thickness of the thermal barrier 400. In this case, when the metal member 320 is coupled with the electrode lead 111 and / or the bus bar 220, the refractory cover assembly 300, the thermal barrier 400 and the electrode lead 111 (or the bus bar 200) may be in close contact with each other, which may prevent the occurrence of a dead space.

[0088] As described above, when the battery module 10 of the present disclosure includes the fireproof cover assembly 300 and the thermal barrier 400, heat propagation can be more effectively limited. At the same time, the close contact structure between the fireproof cover 310 and the thermal barrier 400 can minimize the reduction in energy density due to the additional application components.

[0089] Next, refer to Fig. 9 , showing a module housing 500 and an end plate 600 provided in a battery module 10 of the present disclosure.

[0090] The module housing 500 may be configured to accommodate a cell stack 100, or a combination of a cell stack 100 and a busbar frame assembly 200. The module housing 500 may have an opening portion formed in the direction in which the electrode lead 111 is pulled out. The opening portion may be provided on one or both sides of the module housing 500 along the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis). The above-mentioned busbar frame assembly 200 may be configured to cover the opening portion of the module housing 500. The drawings of the present application only show a case where the module housing 500 is configured as a two-piece type, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the module housing 500 may be an integrated housing provided with an opening portion.

[0091] Reference Fig.10 and Fig. 9, the module housing 500 may include a vent portion 510 formed at a surface facing the bottom surface of the battery cell stack 100 (a surface parallel to the XY plane). The vent portion 510 may be formed, for example, by partially reducing the thickness of the plate constituting the module housing 500. However, the structure of the vent portion 510 is not limited thereto, and the vent portion 510 may be formed by applying a material weaker than the surrounding area in the module housing 500. In addition, the vent portion 510 may be a valve installed to penetrate the module housing 500 and configured to open when the internal pressure is higher than a critical pressure. The valve may be a one-way valve configured to open only from the inside of the battery module 10 toward the outside. One vent portion 510 or a plurality of vent portions 510 may be provided.

[0092] Reference Fig.11 , the exhaust portion 510 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the terrace portion T of the battery cell 110. In the case where the fire-resistant cover 310 of the present disclosure is configured to cover an area corresponding to the terrace portion T of the upper portion of the battery cell stack 100 and the exhaust portion 510 is also disposed at a position corresponding to the terrace portion T at the bottom surface of the module housing 500, a directional exhaust induction effect may be increased. In addition, the speed of gas exhaust may also be increased.

[0093] Refer again Fig. 9 The end plate 600 may be configured to cover the opening portion of the module case 500 in a state where the combination including the battery cell stack 100, the bus bar frame assembly 200, and the fire-resistant cover assembly 300 is accommodated in the module case 500. The number of the end plates 600 may correspond to the number of the opening portions provided in the module case 500.

[0094] like Fig.12 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a battery pack 1 includes a battery module 10. The battery pack 1 may include a battery pack housing 20 configured to accommodate the battery module 10. However, the battery pack 1 of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The battery pack 1 may include a plurality of battery modules 10. In this case, the plurality of battery modules 10 may be electrically connected to each other.

[0095] Reference Fig.13 , a vehicle V according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle V may be configured to operate by receiving power from the battery pack 1. The vehicle V may be, for example, an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).

[0096] The present disclosure has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0097] [reference numerals]

[0098] V: Vehicle

[0099] 1: Battery Pack

[0100] 20: Battery pack housing

[0101] 10: Battery module

[0102] 110: Battery cells

[0103] 111: Electrode lead

[0104] 112: Battery cell shell

[0105] 112a: Accommodation

[0106] 112b: Sealing part

[0107] T: landing part

[0108] 113: Lead film

[0109] 120: Pad

[0110] 200: Busbar frame assembly

[0111] 210: Busbar frame

[0112] 220: Busbar

[0113] 230: Terminal

[0114] 300: Refractory cover assembly

[0115] 310: Refractory cover

[0116] 310a: First accommodating portion

[0117] 311: Extension

[0118] 320: Metal components

[0119] W: welding part

[0120] 400: Thermal barrier

[0121] 410: Second extension

[0122] 400a: Second accommodating portion

[0123] 400b: Barrier hole

[0124] 500: Module housing

[0125] 510: Exhaust part

[0126] 600: End plate

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: A battery cell stack, the battery cell stack comprising a plurality of battery cells provided with electrode leads; a bus bar frame assembly including a bus bar electrically connected to the electrode lead and a bus bar frame on which the bus bar is disposed, and the bus bar frame assembly is configured to cover one side of the battery cell stack; as well as A refractory cover assembly includes a refractory cover configured to cover the bus bar frame assembly and a metal member coupled to at least one of the electrode lead and the bus bar.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: in, A welding portion is formed in an overlapping region of the metal member, the electrode lead, and the bus bar, the welding portion penetrating the metal member and the electrode lead and reaching the bus bar.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The metal member is inserted into and coupled to the refractory cover.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The metal component is formed integrally with the refractory cover by insert injection molding.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The fire-resistant cover has a first extending portion configured to extend from a top end of the busbar frame toward the cell stack and at least partially cover a top surface of the cell stack.

6. The battery module according to claim 5, in, The battery cell comprises: an electrode assembly; a cell case configured to accommodate the electrode assembly; and an electrode lead connected to the electrode assembly and drawn to the outside of the cell case, and The battery cell housing includes: a receiving portion for receiving the electrode assembly; and a sealing portion extending outward from the periphery of the receiving portion.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, in, The first extending portion extends to cover a region of the sealing portion corresponding to a stepped portion, the stepped portion being a region located in a direction in which the electrode lead is pulled out.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The battery module includes a thermal barrier interposed between the refractory cover assembly and the bus bar frame assembly.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, in, The thermal barrier comprises silicon.

10. The battery module according to claim 8, in, The heat barrier has a barrier hole configured to allow the metal member to be inserted therein.

11. The battery module according to claim 10, in, The thickness of the metal member corresponds to the sum of the thickness of the refractory cover and the thickness of the thermal barrier.

12. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The battery module includes a module case configured to accommodate the cell stack and having an opening portion formed in a direction in which the electrode lead is drawn out.

13. The battery module according to claim 12, in, The bus bar frame assembly is configured to cover the opening portion.

14. The battery module according to claim 13, in, The fire-resistant cover has a first extending portion, the first extending portion being configured to extend from a top end of the busbar frame toward the battery cell stack and at least partially cover a top surface of the battery cell stack, and The module case has a vent portion formed at a surface facing a bottom surface of the battery cell stack. 15 . A battery pack comprising the battery module according to claim 1 .

16. A vehicle comprising the battery pack according to claim 15.

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