Battery module, and battery pack and vehicle including the same

Abstract

To provide a battery module in which cooling performance can be improved, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery module.SOLUTION: A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a battery cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; a bus bar assembly provided on a side of the battery cell assembly and electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; a cooling unit spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the bus bar assembly and configured to cool the battery cell assembly; and a potting resin filled on at least one of an upper part and a lower part of the battery cell assembly.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle. This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0018520, filed on February 9, 2021, and the entire contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of that application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability to various products and electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which are powered by electrical sources. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source because they not only have the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also because they are environmentally friendly and improve energy efficiency by producing no by-products associated with energy use.

[0003] Currently, widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell, i.e., a unit battery cell, is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. Alternatively, a battery pack can be constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel depending on the required charge / discharge capacity of the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be variously set depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0004] In addition, when a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series and parallel, a common method is to first construct a battery module consisting of at least one battery cell, and then use this at least one battery module to add other components to construct a battery pack or a battery rack.

[0005] Since conventional battery modules and battery packs include multiple battery cells, it is important to improve the cooling performance of the battery cells and ensure safety when a dangerous situation occurs due to overheating, etc. In ensuring safety, it is particularly important to quickly and reliably block the spread of flames and heat to surrounding battery cells when a fire situation occurs due to abnormal overheating of a specific battery cell among the multiple battery cells.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a solution that can provide a battery module that can improve cooling performance and ensure safety, as well as a battery pack and a vehicle that include the same. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of improving cooling performance, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of ensuring safety when an abnormal situation occurs due to overheating of a battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a battery module including: a battery cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; a bus bar assembly provided on one side of the battery cell assembly and electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; a cooling unit disposed a predetermined distance apart from the bus bar assembly for cooling the battery cell assembly; and a potting resin filled in at least one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the battery cell assembly.

[0010] The bus bar assembly may be provided on the upper portion of the battery cell assembly, and the potting resin may be filled to cover the bus bar assembly.

[0011] The cooling unit may be provided below the battery cell assembly.

[0012] The cooling unit may be provided with a predetermined length along a stacking direction of the battery cell assemblies and may be disposed between an upper portion and a lower portion of the battery cell assemblies.

[0013] A vent for discharging gas may be provided at the bottom of the plurality of battery cells, and the potting resin may be filled to cover the vent at the bottom of the battery cells.

[0014] The potting resin may include a thermally conductive material.

[0015] The potting resin may include a phase change material.

[0016] The potting resin may include a paraffin substance.

[0017] The potting resin may include a flame retardant.

[0018] The present invention also provides a battery pack, comprising: at least one battery module according to any of the above-described embodiments; and a pack case packaging the at least one battery module.

[0019] The present invention also provides a vehicle, characterized in that it includes at least one battery pack according to the above-described embodiments. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a battery module capable of improving cooling performance, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0021] Furthermore, through the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a battery module capable of ensuring safety when an abnormal situation occurs due to overheating of a battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0022] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical concept of the present invention, so the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are views illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are views illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]10A and 10B are views illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are views illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are views illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 10 is a graph showing the results of a discharge test to explain the difference in cooling performance between a battery pack filled with a potting resin according to an embodiment of the present invention and a conventional battery pack not filled with a potting resin. [Figure 10] 1 is a graph showing the results of a nail penetration test of a conventional battery pack that is not filled with a potting resin. [Figure 11] 10 is a graph showing the results of a nail penetration test of a battery pack filled with a potting resin according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described herein are illustrative in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, and it should be understood that the present invention can be practiced in various forms different from the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings may be drawn not to scale but with some components exaggerated.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1 , a battery module 10 may include a battery cell assembly 100 , a bus bar assembly 200 , a cooling unit 300 , and a potting resin 400 .

[0027] The battery cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 150 .

[0028] The plurality of battery cells 150 are secondary batteries and may be provided as cylindrical secondary batteries, pouch secondary batteries, or prismatic secondary batteries. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the description will be limited to the case where the plurality of battery cells 150 are provided as cylindrical secondary batteries.

[0029] The bus bar assembly 200 may be provided on one side of the battery cell assembly 100 and electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 150. Specifically, the bus bar assembly 200 may be provided on the upper portion of the battery cell assembly 100 and electrically connected to the battery cells 150 by wire bonding, laser welding, or the like.

[0030] The cooling unit 300 is for cooling the battery cell assembly 100 and may be disposed at a predetermined distance from the bus bar assembly 200. Specifically, the cooling unit 300 may be provided below the battery cell assembly 100 and may include a cooling passage 350 therein for the flow of coolant or the like. That is, the cooling unit 300 may have a bottom cooling structure.

[0031] The potting resin 400 is a thermally conductive material and may be provided to be filled into at least one of the top and bottom of the battery cell assembly 100 to improve the cooling performance of the battery cell assembly 100 and to more firmly support the battery cell assembly 100.

[0032] The potting resin 400 may be filled to cover the bus bar assembly 200 on the upper side of the battery cell assembly 100. The potting resin 400 covers the peripheral area of ​​the bus bar assembly 200, which has a relatively high temperature distribution in the battery module 10, and therefore, the cooling performance of the battery cell 150 may be effectively improved.

[0033] The potting resin 400 may also be filled between the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100. Specifically, the potting resin 400 may be filled between the battery cells 150 at the top of the battery cell assembly 100 while covering the bus bar assembly 200. Here, the potting resin 400 may be continuously filled without discontinuity in the vertical direction of the battery module 10.

[0034] The potting resin 400 may include a silicone resin or a urethane resin having high cooling and adhesive properties. This is merely an example, and the potting resin 400 may be made of other resin materials such as an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin having high cooling and adhesive properties.

[0035] The potting resin 400 may include a phase change material to further improve the cooling performance of the potting resin 400 and to further reduce the thermal energy of the battery cell 150 through a phase change. For example, the potting resin 400 may include a paraffin material. The paraffin material undergoes a phase change and endothermic reaction at a temperature of 33°C to 46°C, thereby effectively improving the cooling performance of the battery cell 150. The paraffin material may be encapsulated with an acrylic coating or the like to improve the injection performance when the potting resin 400 is injected.

[0036] The potting resin 400 may include a flame retardant. The flame retardant may be a ceramic-based flame retardant that may be added to the potting resin 400. For example, the flame retardant may be aluminum hydroxide.

[0037] Therefore, the potting resin 400 is made of a composite resin including a resin material such as a silicone resin or a urethane resin, a paraffin material which is a phase change material, and a flame retardant material such as aluminum hydroxide, thereby significantly improving the cooling performance of the battery cell 150 and more effectively blocking heat transfer to the surrounding area when an abnormal condition occurs in the battery cell 150.

[0038] Meanwhile, the battery module 10 may further include an upper frame 500, a lower frame 550, an adhesive member 600, and an insulating member 650.

[0039] The upper frame 500 may be disposed on the upper portion of the battery cell assembly 100 and may support an upper end portion of the battery cell assembly 100. The upper frame 500 may have at least one opening to guide the injection of the potting resin 400 and the electrical connection between the battery cell 150 and the bus bar assembly 200.

[0040] The lower frame 550 may be disposed below the battery cell assembly 100 and may support a lower end of the battery cell assembly 100. The lower end of the battery cell 150 of the battery cell assembly 100 may be inserted into the lower frame 550.

[0041] The lower frame 550 may be an injection molding frame. Meanwhile, the lower frame 550 may be made of a metal material that can improve the cooling effect. For example, the lower frame 550 may be made of an aluminum material.

[0042] The adhesive members 600 may be provided on the lower frame 550 and the upper frame 500 to more firmly fix the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100 to the lower frame 550 and the upper frame 500 .

[0043] The adhesive member 600 may be provided as a thermally conductive adhesive to improve the cooling performance of the battery cell 150, and may be provided as a composite resin such as the potting resin 400, etc.

[0044] The insulating member 650 is for insulating the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100 and may be disposed between the cooling unit 300 and the adhesive member 600 .

[0045] As such, the battery module 10 according to this embodiment can significantly improve the cooling performance of the battery cells 150 by guiding uniform heat distribution of the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100 through the potting resin 400 containing a phase change material and a flame retardant.

[0046] In addition, the battery module 10 according to this embodiment can effectively prevent problems that could lead to chain fires by blocking the direct propagation of flames to adjacent battery cells 150 when an abnormal condition such as overheating or a fire occurs in at least one of the battery cells 150 due to the potting resin 400 containing the flame retardant.

[0047] That is, in the battery module 10 according to this embodiment, the potting resin 400 prevents explosions due to thermal runaway caused by chain fires or the like when an abnormal situation such as overheating of the battery cell 150 occurs, thereby ensuring the safety of the battery module 10.

[0048] In addition, in the battery module 10 according to this embodiment, the potting resin 400 is filled between the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100, thereby reinforcing the rigidity of the battery cell assembly 100 and allowing the module case of the battery module 10 to be formed by the potting resin 400 without adding a separate member such as a side frame.

[0049] Therefore, the battery module 10 according to this embodiment can improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process of the battery module 10 by using the potting resin 400, and can also significantly reduce the manufacturing cost in terms of price competitiveness. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] The battery module 20 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery module 10 according to the previously described embodiment, so we will omit redundant explanations of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previously described embodiment, and will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiment below.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 2 , the battery module 20 may include a battery cell assembly 100 including a plurality of battery cells 150, a bus bar assembly 200, a potting resin 400, an upper frame 500, a lower frame 550, an adhesive member 600, and a cooling unit 700.

[0052] The battery cell assembly 100, the bus bar assembly 200, the potting resin 400, the upper frame 500, the lower frame 550, and the adhesive member 600 are substantially the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiments, and therefore, redundant description will be omitted below.

[0053] The cooling unit 700 may be provided with a predetermined length along the stacking direction of the battery cell assemblies 100 and disposed between the upper and lower parts of the battery cell assemblies 100. The cooling unit 700 may be provided with at least one cooling flow path 750 formed with a predetermined length along the stacking direction for the flow of a coolant such as coolant. That is, the cooling unit 700 may have a side cooling structure.

[0054] As described above, the potting resin 400 according to this embodiment can also be applied to the cooling method of the side-cooling structure. That is, the potting resin 400 can also achieve significant effects, such as improved cooling performance, safety assurance such as prevention of chain fires, improved manufacturing efficiency, and reduced manufacturing costs, similar to the previous embodiments, in the battery module 20 with the side-cooling structure according to this embodiment.

[0055] 3 and 4 are views illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] The battery module 30 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery modules 10 and 20 according to the previously described embodiments, and therefore, redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previously described embodiments will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiments.

[0057] 3 and 4, the battery module 30 may include a battery cell assembly 100, a bus bar assembly 200, a potting resin 400, an upper frame 500, a lower frame 550, an adhesive member 600, and a cooling unit 700.

[0058] The battery cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 160 .

[0059] A vent portion 165 for discharging gas or flame F may be provided at the bottom of the plurality of battery cells 160. The vent portion 165 may be formed at the bottom end of the battery cell 160 to have a thickness thinner than that of the surrounding area. This is because, when an abnormal condition occurs in the battery cell 160 and the internal voltage increases above a certain level, the vent portion 165 is broken, thereby more easily discharging the gas or flame F to the outside of the battery cell 160.

[0060] The vent 165 may be formed as an opening or a notch of a predetermined size, or may be formed as a structure in which a film that breaks when pressure exceeds a certain level is added to the opening of the predetermined size.

[0061] Meanwhile, the vent portion may be provided at the upper end, i.e., the top of the battery cell 160, rather than at the lower end. In other words, the vent portion may be provided in a structure that is broken at the top of the battery cell 160 and that allows the gas or flame F to be discharged to the outside above the battery cell 160. That is, the vent portion may be provided in a structure that is broken so that the gas or flame F can be discharged from at least one or both of the bottom and top of the battery cell 160.

[0062] The bus bar assembly 200 is substantially the same as or similar to the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0063] The potting resin 400 may be filled between the battery cells 160. In addition, the potting resin 400 may be filled at the bottom of the battery cell 160 to cover the vent portion 165.

[0064] The upper frame 500, the lower frame 550, the adhesive member 600, and the cooling unit 700 are substantially the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, redundant description will be omitted below.

[0065] In this embodiment, since the vent 165 is disposed at the bottom of the battery module 30, in the event of overheating or a fire due to an abnormal condition of the battery cell 160, internal gases and flames F can be discharged to the bottom of the battery module 30 rather than the top of the battery module 30. For example, when the battery module 30 is installed in a vehicle, passengers such as the driver are usually positioned at the top of the battery module 30. Therefore, by guiding gases and flames F to the bottom of the battery module 30, the safety of passengers such as the driver can be maximized.

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, when an abnormality occurs in the battery cell 160, such as overheating or a fire, the internal gas or flame F is guided downwards to the battery module 30 by the vent portion 165, thereby significantly preventing the risk of chain fires caused by the gas or flame F being transmitted to the adjacent battery cell 160 from the battery cell 160 where the abnormality occurs.

[0067] In addition, in this embodiment, since the potting resin 400 is filled in the lower part of the vent portion 165 of the battery cell 160, it is possible to effectively prevent the spread of flames F, etc. to the adjacent battery cell 160 in the event of an abnormal situation in which the vent portion 165 is opened.

[0068] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, when the flame F occurs, the lower frame 550 may be made of a material that is easily broken by the flame F, etc., so that the flame F, etc. can escape more quickly outside the battery module 30 before spreading to the adjacent battery cells 160 around the battery cell 160 where the abnormal situation occurred.

[0069] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] The battery module 40 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery modules 10, 20, and 30 according to the previously described embodiments, and therefore, redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previously described embodiments will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiments.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 5, the battery module 40 may include a battery cell assembly 100 including a plurality of battery cells 150, a bus bar assembly 200, a potting resin 400, an upper frame 500, a lower frame 550, a side frame 570, an adhesive member 600, a cooling unit 800, and an insulating tube 850.

[0072] The battery cell assembly 100 and the bus bar assembly 200 are substantially the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiments, and therefore, redundant description will be omitted below.

[0073] The potting resin 400 may be filled on the upper side of the battery cell assembly 100 so as to cover the bus bar assembly 200 above the upper frame 500 .

[0074] The upper frame 500 and the lower frame 550 are substantially the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0075] The side frame 570 may be coupled to the upper frame 500 and the lower frame 550 and may package the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100 together with the upper frame 500 and the lower frame 550 therein.

[0076] The adhesive member 600 is substantially the same as or similar to the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0077] The cooling unit 800 may be provided as a coolant (cooling unit) 800, and may be filled between the battery cells 150 in the upper frame 500, the lower frame 550, and the side frame 570. The coolant (cooling unit) 800 may be provided as cooling water or insulating oil. That is, in this embodiment, the battery module 40 may have a direct water-cooled structure using the coolant (cooling unit) 800.

[0078] The insulating tube 850 is for insulating the plurality of battery cells 150 and may cover the outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 150. Thus, a plurality of the insulating tubes 850 may be provided corresponding to the number of the plurality of battery cells 150. The plurality of insulating tubes 850 may be provided as shrink tubes.

[0079] In this embodiment, the spaces between the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100 are cooled by a direct cooling method using the coolant (cooling unit) 800, and the upper part of the battery module 40 where the bus bar assembly 200 is disposed can be cooled by the potting resin 400 while guiding heat dissipation.

[0080] As described above, in this embodiment, the potting resin 400 can significantly improve the cooling performance of the battery module 40 even in a battery module 40 having a direct water-cooling structure. Furthermore, the potting resin 400 in the battery module 40 of this embodiment can also achieve significant effects such as ensuring safety by preventing chain fires, improving manufacturing efficiency, and reducing manufacturing costs, as in the previous embodiments.

[0081] 6 and 7 are views illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] The battery module 50 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery modules 10, 20, 30, and 40 according to the previously described embodiments, and therefore, redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previously described embodiments will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiments.

[0083] 6 and 7, the battery module 50 may include a battery cell assembly 100, a bus bar assembly 200, a potting resin 400, an upper frame 500, a lower frame 550, a side frame 570, an adhesive member 600, a cooling unit 800, and an insulating tube 850.

[0084] The battery cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 160. A vent portion 165 may be provided on the bottom of each of the plurality of battery cells 160.

[0085] The bus bar assembly 200 is substantially the same as or similar to the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0086] The potting resin 400 may be filled to cover the underside of the battery cell assembly 100 so as to cover the gas vent portion (vent portion) 165 of the battery cell 160 .

[0087] The upper frame 500, the lower frame 550, the side frame 570, the adhesive member 600, the cooling unit 800, and the insulating tube 850 are substantially the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, redundant description will be omitted below.

[0088] In this embodiment, the potting resin 400 guides gases and flames F to the bottom of the battery module 50, as in the battery module 30 described above, and can provide significant effects such as preventing chain fires, as in the battery module 30 described above. That is, the potting resin 400 can also provide the significant effects provided by the potting resin 400 in the battery module 30 of the above-described embodiment in the battery module 50 having a direct water-cooling structure as in this embodiment.

[0089] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 8, a battery pack 1 may include at least one of the battery modules 10 according to the above-described embodiments, a pack case 70 that packages the battery module 10, and a PCM resin 75.

[0091] A plurality of battery modules 10 may be provided. Here, the battery module may be provided as the battery modules 20, 30, 40, and 50 of the other embodiments described above, or may be provided as an assembly of these. The battery module may also be provided as a battery module other than the embodiments described above. The battery module may also be provided as an assembly of a plurality of battery cells directly attached to the pack case 70 without a separate case structure.

[0092] Meanwhile, a battery pack may be formed using only one battery module without the pack case 70. In other words, the battery module may be provided in place of a conventional battery pack. That is, instead of forming a conventional battery module using battery cells, the battery cells may be directly configured as a battery pack.

[0093] The PCM resin 75 may be filled to cover the at least one battery module 10. The PCM resin 75 may be made of the same potting resin as the potting resin 400 in the above-described embodiment.

[0094] In the battery pack 1 according to this embodiment, the PCM resin 75 covers the at least one battery module 10, so that the cooling performance and safety of the battery pack 1 can be further ensured.

[0095] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the results of a discharge test to explain the difference in cooling performance between a battery pack filled with a potting resin according to an embodiment of the present invention and a conventional battery pack not filled with a potting resin.

[0096] 9, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents temperature. In the graph, the dashed dotted line may represent a preset time and temperature axis according to a preset safety range.

[0097] The specific discharge test conditions for examining the difference in cooling performance are as follows.

[0098] First, regarding discharge, the Max Load may be 84A (3C), the cut-off current may be 0.582A (0.02C), and the cut-off voltage may be 42V (4.15V to 3.0V based on the battery cell). Also, under external insulation conditions, the ambient temperature of the battery pack may be set to 25°C, and the dangerous temperature may be set to about 90°C by the temperature diagnostic unit. Meanwhile, in the battery pack PP filled with potting resin, the potting resin may be the PCM resin of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0099] The test results showed that the difference in cooling performance between the battery pack PP filled with the potting resin and the conventional battery pack NP not filled with potting resin was in the range of about 13.2°C. Specifically, it was found that the battery pack PP filled with the potting resin was about 13.2°C lower in the maximum temperature range than the battery pack NP not filled with the potting resin.

[0100] In the case of the battery pack NP not filled with the potting resin, the maximum temperature exceeds 90°C, which is a dangerous temperature, whereas in the case of the battery pack PP filled with the potting resin of the present invention, the maximum temperature has a temperature range that is far lower than the dangerous temperature of 90°C.

[0101] Furthermore, in the case of the battery pack PP filled with the potting resin of the present invention, even within the preset safety range shown by the dotted line (for example, the temperature does not exceed 70°C during continuous discharge up to about 758 seconds), it has a temperature range of about 66.7°C, so higher safety can be ensured than with the battery pack NP not filled with the potting resin.

[0102] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the results of a nail penetration test of a battery pack not filled with a conventional potting resin, and FIG. 11 is a graph showing the results of a nail penetration test of a battery pack filled with a potting resin according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] 10 and 11, the nail penetration test may refer to a test for testing the risk of chain fire of a battery pack. In the graphs, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents temperature.

[0104] In the case of a battery pack NP that is not filled with a conventional potting resin, the maximum temperature can exceed 1,300°C in about 100 seconds during a nail penetration test. Normally, a chain reaction occurs when the maximum temperature exceeds 1,000°C. In contrast, in the case of a battery pack PP filled with the potting resin of the present invention, the maximum temperature during a nail penetration test is in the range of about 600°C, so there is no risk of a chain reaction.

[0105] As described above, the battery pack PP filled with the potting resin according to this embodiment has significantly improved cooling performance compared to the battery pack NP not filled with the potting resin, and can also effectively prevent the risk of chain fires that may occur in the event of a dangerous situation such as penetration.

[0106] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 12, a vehicle V may be provided as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle and may include at least one battery pack 1 according to the above-described embodiment and a PCM resin R filled to cover such at least one battery pack 1.

[0108] A plurality of battery packs 1 may be provided depending on the required design capacity, etc. The battery pack 1 may be attached to the vehicle V after a separate pack frame is attached, or may be directly attached to the chassis of the vehicle V.

[0109] The PCM resin R may be filled to cover the at least one battery module 10. The PCM resin R may be provided as the potting resin 400, such as the PCM resin 75 in the above-described embodiment.

[0110] In the automobile V according to this embodiment, the PCM resin R covers the at least one battery pack 1, so that the cooling performance and safety of the automobile V can be further ensured.

[0111] Through the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide the battery modules 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50, the battery pack 1 including the same, and the automobile V, which can improve the cooling performance.

[0112] Furthermore, through the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide the battery modules 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, the battery pack 1 including the same, and the automobile V, which can ensure safety when an abnormal situation occurs due to overheating of the battery cells.

[0113] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific preferred embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that anyone having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains can make various modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications are included within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Battery Modules 100 Battery Cell Assembly 200 Busbar Assembly 300, 700, 800 Cooling Unit 400 potting resin

Claims

1. A battery module, a battery cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; a bus bar assembly provided on one side of the battery cell assembly and electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; a cooling unit disposed at a predetermined distance from the bus bar assembly for cooling the battery cell assembly; a potting resin filled in at least one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the battery cell assembly; A battery module comprising:

2. The bus bar assembly is provided on an upper portion of the battery cell assembly, The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the potting resin is filled to cover the bus bar assembly.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cooling unit is provided below the battery cell assembly.

4. 4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the cooling unit is provided with a predetermined length along a stacking direction of the battery cell assemblies and is disposed between an upper portion and a lower portion of the battery cell assemblies.

5. A vent portion for discharging gas is provided at a lower portion of the plurality of battery cells, The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the potting resin is filled to cover the vent portion at a lower portion of the battery cell.

6. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the potting resin comprises a thermally conductive material.

7. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the potting resin contains a phase change material.

8. The battery module according to claim 7 , wherein the potting resin comprises a paraffin material.

9. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the potting resin contains a flame retardant.

10. A battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9; A pack case that packages at least one of the battery modules; 10. The battery pack according to claim 1, comprising:

11. A motor vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to claim 10.

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