Battery module, battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

A battery module, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same are provided, configured to ensure structural stability even when a thermal event occurs. A battery module according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a cell assembly including at least one battery cell and a module frame configured to accommodate the battery cell within a cell receiving portion and to have a portion of the cell receiving portion open.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same, and more specifically, to a battery module, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same configured to ensure structural stability even when a thermal event occurs. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has increased rapidly, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites has accelerated, research on high-performance secondary batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging is actively underway.

[0003] Currently commercialized rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. Among these, lithium-ion batteries are gaining attention for their advantages, such as the ability to freely charge and discharge with almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0004] These lithium secondary batteries primarily use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive and negative active materials, respectively. Additionally, the lithium secondary battery comprises a positive plate and a negative plate coated with these positive and negative active materials, respectively; an electrode assembly in which the positive and negative plates are arranged with a separator in between; and an outer casing that seals and encloses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0005] Meanwhile, lithium secondary batteries can be classified according to the shape of the battery case into can-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch of aluminum laminate sheets. Furthermore, can-type secondary batteries can be further classified into cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries depending on the shape of the metal can.

[0006] Here, the pouch of a pouch-type secondary battery can be broadly divided into a lower sheet and an upper sheet covering it. At this time, an electrode assembly formed by laminating and winding a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator is housed in the pouch. After housing the electrode assembly, the edges of the upper sheet and the lower sheet are sealed by means of heat fusion or the like. Additionally, electrode tabs drawn from each electrode are coupled to electrode leads, and an insulating film may be added to the electrode leads at the portion in contact with the sealing part.

[0007] As such, pouch-type secondary batteries can have the flexibility to be configured in various forms. In addition, pouch-type secondary batteries have the advantage of being able to realize a secondary battery of the same capacity with a smaller volume and mass.

[0008] The above-mentioned lithium secondary battery is utilized as a battery module or battery pack in which multiple battery cells are mounted on the device itself or in a cartridge, overlapped or stacked to form a dense structure capable of providing high voltage and high current, and then electrically connected.

[0009] One of the most critical issues regarding such battery pack configurations is safety. In particular, if a thermal event occurs in any one of the multiple battery cells included in the pack, it is necessary to suppress the propagation of this event to other battery cells. If thermal propagation between battery cells is not properly suppressed, it can lead to thermal events in other cells within the pack, potentially causing more serious problems such as ignition or explosion of the battery pack. Furthermore, ignition or explosion occurring in a battery pack can cause significant damage to surrounding human lives or property. Therefore, in the case of such battery packs, a configuration capable of appropriately controlling the aforementioned thermal events is required. The problem to be solved

[0010] The present invention is devised to solve the aforementioned problems and aims to provide a battery module, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same, configured to ensure structural stability even when a thermal event occurs.

[0011] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below. means of solving the problem

[0012] A battery module according to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose comprises a cell assembly including at least one battery cell, and a module frame configured to accommodate the battery cell within a cell receiving portion and to have a portion of the cell receiving portion open.

[0013] In one embodiment, the cell receiving portion may be configured such that a portion located on the upper or lower side of the received battery cell is open.

[0014] In one embodiment, the battery cells are provided in a plurality, and the cell receiving portions are provided in a plurality, and the battery cells are each received in the plurality of cell receiving portions, and the plurality of cell receiving portions may be configured such that, when viewed in the stacking direction of the battery cells, the portion located on the upper side of the received battery cells and the portion located on the lower side of the received battery cells are alternately opened.

[0015] In one embodiment, the plurality of cell receiving portions may be configured to be separated from one another by partitions when viewed in the stacking direction of the battery cells.

[0016] In one embodiment, the partition wall may be formed into a plurality of folded structures when viewed from the stacking direction of the battery cell.

[0017] In one embodiment, the battery cell includes a cell case having a receiving space for accommodating an electrode assembly inside and protruding an electrode lead electrically connected to the electrode assembly to the outside, and the cell case may be configured to be in close contact with the inside of the cell receiving portion in the stacking direction of the battery cell.

[0018] In one embodiment, the cell receiving portion may be formed to be longer than the cell case in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell.

[0019] In one embodiment, the cell receiving portion may be configured such that portions located on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the received battery cell are open.

[0020] In one embodiment, the battery module may further include a cell fixing member configured to surround the cell assembly and the module frame.

[0021] In one embodiment, the battery module may further include a heat blocking member disposed on at least one of the two sides of the cell case when viewed from the stacking direction of the battery cell inside the cell receiving portion.

[0022] In one embodiment, the battery module may further include a guide portion formed by being folded in the stacking direction of the battery cells and provided on at least one of the two longitudinal sides of the cell receiving portion.

[0023] In one embodiment, the battery module further includes a busbar frame that supports a busbar electrically connected to an electrode lead of a battery cell received in a cell receiving portion of the module frame, and the busbar frame may have a fixing groove into which an end of the module frame is inserted and fixed for a predetermined length.

[0024] In one embodiment, the busbar frame may include a first busbar frame having a first fixing groove into which one end of the module frame is inserted and fixed; and a second busbar frame having a second fixing groove into which the other end of the module frame is inserted and fixed.

[0025] A battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention comprises one or more of the above-described battery modules.

[0026] In addition, a vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention includes one or more of the battery packs. Effects of the invention

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, by inducing venting gas and / or flame to be discharged into a certain area of ​​the cell receiving portion, ignition factors within the battery module can be suppressed, thereby enhancing the structural stability of the battery module.

[0028] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, simultaneous ignition of adjacent battery cells can be prevented.

[0029] In addition, various other additional effects may be achieved by various embodiments of the present invention. These various effects of the present invention are described in detail in each embodiment, or the description of effects that are easily understood by those skilled in the art is omitted. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0030] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate embodiments of the present invention and serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention provided below; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings. FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the battery module of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a drawing showing a cell assembly equipped in the battery module of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a drawing showing a module frame provided in the battery module of Figure 1. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of section A of Figure 1. FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a cell fixing member provided in the battery module of FIG. 1. FIGS. 7 to 12 are drawings showing the assembly process of the battery module of FIG. 1. FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a drawing showing a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a drawing showing the state in which the module frame of the battery module illustrated in FIG. 15 is fixed by the busbar frame. FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0031] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention.

[0032] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention; thus, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a battery module (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module (10) of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a cell assembly (100) provided in the battery module (10) of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a module frame (200) provided in the battery module (10) of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 1.

[0034] In detail, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a module frame (200) within a battery module (10) of the present invention guides the discharge of venting gas and / or flame due to thermal runaway of a cell assembly (100). In FIG. 5, the venting gas is denoted by reference numeral 'V' and the flame is denoted by 'F'.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the X-axis direction shown in the drawing may represent the length direction of the battery cell (110) described later, the Y-axis direction may represent the stacking direction in which the battery cells (110) standing vertically on the XY plane are stacked, and the Z-axis direction may represent the up-and-down direction perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a battery module (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a cell assembly (100) and a module frame (200).

[0037] The cell assembly (100) may include at least one battery cell (110). Here, the battery cell (110) may refer to a secondary battery. The battery cell (110) may be provided as a pouch-type battery cell, a cylindrical battery cell, or a prismatic battery cell. As an example, the battery cell (110) may be a pouch-type battery cell.

[0038] In one embodiment, the cell assembly (100) may include a plurality of battery cells (110), and the plurality of battery cells (110) may be stacked together in one direction (Y-axis direction) and arranged side by side.

[0039] The above module frame (200) may be configured to accommodate a battery cell (110). To this end, the module frame (200) may include a cell receiving portion (S) having an empty space and accommodating a battery cell (110) in this empty space. The empty space of the cell receiving portion (S) may have a shape corresponding to the shape and size of the battery cell (110) so that the battery cell (110) can be accommodated. The battery cell (110) may be accommodated in the cell receiving portion (S) thus provided.

[0040] At this time, the cell receiving portion (S) may be configured to be partially open. That is, the cell receiving portion (S) may be configured to have an empty space formed inside, and a portion of this empty space may be open. In particular, the open portion of the cell receiving portion (S) may be formed so that a battery cell (110) can be inserted into the cell receiving portion (S). Accordingly, the open portion of the cell receiving portion (S) may have a size or shape into which a battery cell (110) can be inserted.

[0041] In addition, the module frame (200) may include a material with high heat resistance and rigidity.

[0042] In a typical battery module, events such as thermal runaway may occur in specific battery cells among those constituting the cell assembly. In this case, high-temperature and high-pressure venting gas may be generated inside the specific battery cell, and if this venting gas comes into contact with oxygen, a flame may occur inside or outside the battery cell.

[0043] In this case, there is a high risk that such flames will spread to other battery cells adjacent to a specific battery cell, which may lead to the simultaneous ignition of multiple battery cells. Meanwhile, since conventional battery modules are structured with multiple battery cells arranged within a sealed module case, they have a vulnerability to the aforementioned simultaneous ignition.

[0044] To solve these problems, the module frame (200) of the present invention accommodates a battery cell (110) inside a cell receiving portion (S) configured to be partially open, thereby inducing the venting gas and / or flame generated from the battery cell (110) to be discharged through the open portion of the cell receiving portion (S) when a thermal runaway phenomenon occurs.

[0045] According to this embodiment of the present invention, venting gas and / or flame can be induced to be discharged into a certain area of ​​the cell receiving portion (S) (an open portion of the cell receiving portion (S)). Accordingly, the ignition factor within the battery module (10) can be suppressed, thereby strengthening the structural stability of the battery module (10).

[0046] In particular, the cell receiving portion (S) may be configured such that a portion of the cell receiving portion (S) located above or below the battery cell (110) received within the cell receiving portion (S) is open. Through this open portion of the cell receiving portion (S), the battery cell (110) can be inserted into the cell receiving portion (S). Accordingly, the insertion of the battery cell (110) into the module frame (200) can be easily achieved. The portion of the cell receiving portion (S) that is open to allow the battery cell (110) to be inserted into the cell receiving portion (S) is referred to as the cell insertion portion (O) in the embodiments of the present invention. That is, the cell insertion portion (O) may be formed in a portion of the cell receiving portion (S) located above or below the battery cell (110) received within the cell receiving portion (S).

[0047] In one embodiment, the battery cell (110) may be formed such that the length extending along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) is longer than the length of the portion including the electrode lead (114) described later. Additionally, the cell insertion portion (O) may be formed in a portion of the cell receiving portion (S) located on the upper or lower side of the battery cell (110) with respect to the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the battery cell (110). Accordingly, the cell insertion portion (O) may be formed with a larger area than the portion of the cell receiving portion (S) corresponding to the portion including the electrode lead (114) of the battery cell (110) described later.

[0048] In this way, venting gas and / or flame can be induced to be discharged more quickly to the outside of the cell receiving portion (S) through a cell insertion portion (0) formed wider than the portion of the cell receiving portion (S) corresponding to the portion including the electrode lead (114) of the battery cell (110). Accordingly, The ignition factors within the battery module (10) can be suppressed more effectively.

[0049] Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the battery cell (110) may be provided in a plurality, and the cell receiving portion (S) may be provided in a plurality corresponding to this. At this time, the plurality of cell receiving portions (S) may each be configured independently.

[0050] Specifically, the battery cells (110) provided in multiple numbers can each be accommodated in a plurality of cell receiving portions (S).

[0051] Additionally, the plurality of cell receiving portions (S) may be configured such that, when viewed in the stacking direction of the battery cell (110), the portion of the first cell receiving portion located above the battery cell received in the first cell receiving portion and the portion of the second cell receiving portion located below the battery cell received in the second cell receiving portion adjacent to the first cell receiving portion are alternately opened. That is, the cell insertion portion (O) may be alternately formed on the upper side of a battery cell (110) accommodated in one cell receiving portion (S) and on the lower side of a battery cell (110) accommodated in an adjacent cell receiving portion (S). In this case, the cell insertion portions of the plurality of cell receiving portions (S) may be configured to have the same shape and size.

[0052] With this configuration, venting gas and / or flames between adjacent battery cells (110) can be induced to be discharged in opposite directions (upward or downward direction of the battery module (10)). Thus, simultaneous ignition of adjacent battery cells (110) can be prevented.

[0053] Below, we will examine the detailed structure of the aforementioned module frame (200) in more detail.

[0054] Referring again to FIGS. 1, FIGS. 2, FIGS. 4 and FIGS. 5, the module frame (200) may include a first frame (220) and a second frame (240).

[0055] The first frame (220) above can form a side in the stacking direction of the battery cell (110) of the cell receiving portion (S).

[0056] The second frame (240) is connected to the first frame (220) and can form the upper or lower side of the cell receiving portion (S). This second frame (240) can be configured in a flat shape.

[0057] For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIGS. 4 and 5, two first frames (220) and one second frame (240) may constitute a cell receiving portion (S). In this case, the second frame (240) may connect the upper portions of the two first frames (220) or connect the lower portions of the two first frames (220).

[0058] More specifically, the second frame (240) is two When connecting the upper portions of the first frame (220), the cell insertion portion (O) may be formed in a portion located on the lower side of the battery cell (110) accommodated within the cell receiving portion (S). Additionally, when the second frame (240) connects the lower portions of the two first frames (220), the cell insertion portion (O) may be formed in a portion located on the upper side of the battery cell (110) accommodated within the cell receiving portion (S).

[0059] In addition, the first frame (220) and the second frame (240) may be assembled to form a partition. This partition may refer to the side of the battery cell (110) in the stacking direction of the cell receiving portion (S) and the upper or lower side of the cell receiving portion (S). As an example, the first frame (220) and the second frame (240) may be joined together by welding or formed by injection molding as a single unit, but are not limited to such manufacturing methods.

[0060] Meanwhile, the first frame (220) and the second frame (240) may be provided in multiple numbers in the stacking direction of the battery cell (110). At this time, the second frame (240) may be connected to the first frame (220) to alternately form the upper or lower side of the cell receiving portion (S) when viewed in the stacking direction of the battery cell (110).

[0061] The aforementioned plurality of cell receiving portions (S) may be configured to be separated from one another by partitions formed by the first frame (220) and the second frame (240) when viewed in the stacking direction of the battery cells (110).

[0062] With this configuration, simultaneous ignition of adjacent battery cells (110) can be prevented in the stacking direction of the battery cells (110).

[0063] In particular, these partitions can be formed into a structure that is folded multiple times when viewed in the stacking direction of the battery cell (110).

[0064] Specifically, the bulkhead composed of an assembly of the first frame (220) and the second frame (240) may be configured in a shape in which a 'Z' shape or an 'L' shape structure is repeated when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (110) or the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the module frame (200).

[0065] And, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, a battery cell (110) can be received in the cell receiving portion (S), which is a folded part of the bulkhead. Thus, the size of the module frame (200) can be configured to be more compact compared to the frame structure that is not folded.

[0066] In addition, without providing a separate structure for preventing flame transfer between adjacent battery cells (110), A module frame (200) with a plurality of folded structures can be easily configured. And by simply inserting a battery cell (110) into the cell receiving portion (S) through the open portion (cell insertion portion (0)) of the cell receiving portion (S) formed in the module frame (200), Simultaneous ignition of adjacent battery cells (110) can be effectively suppressed.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the battery cell (110) may include a cell case (112).

[0068] The cell case (112) has a receiving space for accommodating an electrode assembly (not shown) inside, and can protrude an electrode lead (114) electrically connected to the electrode assembly to the outside. At this time, the electrode assembly may include a first electrode plate having a first polarity, a second electrode plate having a second polarity, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate.

[0069] This cell case (112) can be configured to be in close contact with the interior of the cell receiving portion (S) in the stacking direction of the battery cell (110). Specifically, the cell case (112) can be in close contact with the first frame (220) that forms the side of the battery cell (110) in the stacking direction of the cell receiving portion (S).

[0070] In this way, since the cell case (112) is in close contact with the inside of the cell receiving portion (S) in the stacking direction of the battery cell (110), venting gas and / or flame can be blocked by the first frame (220) that forms the partition. Therefore, venting gas and / or flame can be more effectively induced to be discharged into the open part (cell insertion part (O)) of the cell receiving part (S).

[0071] In particular, the cell receiving portion (S) may be formed to be longer than the cell case (112) in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (110). Specifically, the first frame (220) is the length of the battery cell (110). It can be formed longer than the cell case (112) in the direction.

[0072] Accordingly, venting gas and / or flames generated on both longitudinal sides of the battery cell (110) can be discharged toward the cell insertion part (O) by striking the longitudinal ends of two first frames (220) arranged facing each other in the stacking direction of the battery cell (110). And, venting gas and / or flame generated on both sides in the longitudinal direction of one battery cell (110) may be suppressed from transferring to other adjacent battery cells (110) in the stacking direction of the battery cells (110) by striking the end in the longitudinal direction of the first frame (220).

[0073] According to this embodiment of the present invention, not only can the venting gas and / or flame be more quickly induced to be discharged outside the cell receiving portion (S), but simultaneous ignition of adjacent battery cells (110) in the stacking direction of the battery cells (110) can also be minimized.

[0074] Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the cell receiving portion (S) may be configured so that portions located on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (110) received within the cell receiving portion (S) are open.

[0075] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cell receiving portion (S) may be configured so that only the portion (cell insertion portion (0)) located on the upper or lower side of the battery cell (110) received within the cell receiving portion (S) is open. Alternatively, the cell receiving portion (S) may be configured so that only the portions located on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (110) received within the cell receiving portion (S) are open. Furthermore, the cell receiving portion (S) may be configured so that both the portion located on the upper or lower side of the battery cell (110) received within the cell receiving portion (S) and the portions located on both sides in the longitudinal direction are open.

[0076] In this way, when the portions located on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (110) housed within the cell housing (S) are also opened, the venting gas and / or flame can be more quickly induced to be discharged outside the cell housing (S).

[0077] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a cell fixing member (300) provided in the battery module (10) of FIG. 1.

[0078] Referring to FIGS. 1, FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 6, the battery module (10) may further include a cell fixing member (300).

[0079] The cell fixing member (300) may be configured to wrap around the cell assembly (100) and the module frame (200). As an example, the cell fixing member (300) may include a material with high heat resistance and rigidity. Also, the cell fixing member (300) may be provided as a single unit or may be provided as a plurality in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (110).

[0080] In this way, since the cell assembly (100) can be fixed to a module frame (200) with a plurality of folded structures through the cell fixing member (300), the battery module (10) can be stably accommodated within a battery pack composed of a plurality of battery modules without a separate case structure.

[0081] FIGS. 7 to 12 are drawings showing the assembly process of the battery module (10) of FIG. 1.

[0082] The assembly process of the battery module (10) of the present invention described above is briefly explained as an example below.

[0083] First, as shown in FIG. 7, a module frame (200) formed with a plurality of folded structures is prepared.

[0084] Next, as shown in FIG. 8, a battery cell (110) is first inserted into some of the plurality of cell receiving portions (S) of the module frame (200). At this time, each battery cell (110) It can be inserted into the corresponding cell receiving part (S) through the cell insertion part (0) of the corresponding cell receiving part (S).

[0085] When the insertion of the battery cell (110) into some of the multiple cell receiving portions (S) is completed, the module frame (200) is rotated 180 degrees as shown in FIG. 9.

[0086] Next, as shown in FIG. 10, a battery cell (110) is secondarily inserted into the remaining cell receiving portion (S) among the plurality of cell receiving portions (S) where the battery cell (110) is not inserted. At this time, each battery cell (110) It can be inserted into the corresponding cell receiving part (S) through the cell insertion part (0) of the corresponding cell receiving part (S).

[0087] In this way, when the insertion of the battery cell (110) into the remaining cell receiving portion (S) is completed, the module frame (200) is rotated 180 degrees again as shown in FIG. 11.

[0088] Finally, as shown in FIG. 12, the cell assembly (100) is fixed to the module frame (200) through the cell fixing member (300). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, the battery module (10) can be configured as an assembly.

[0089] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery module (10) can be configured by sequentially inserting battery cells (110) into a module frame (200) through an open portion of a plurality of folded module frames (200), and fixing the battery cells (110) and the module frame (200) through a cell fixing member (300). Accordingly, the assembly of the battery module (10) can be done simply, and the simultaneous ignition of adjacent battery cells (110) can be suppressed with a simpler structure.

[0090] In addition, as described above, since the second frame (240) of the module frame (200) is configured in a flat shape, the battery cell (110) can be stably seated within the module frame (200) even while the module frame (200) with the battery cell (110) inserted is rotated during the assembly process of the battery module (10).

[0091] FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a battery module (12) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] Since the battery module (12) according to the present embodiment is similar to the battery module (10) of the preceding embodiment, redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially identical or similar to the preceding embodiment are omitted, and the following focuses on the differences from the preceding embodiment.

[0093] The battery module (12) illustrated in FIG. 13 may further include a heat blocking member (T).

[0094] The above-mentioned heat blocking member (T) may be disposed on at least one side of the cell case (112) when viewed from the stacking direction of the battery cell (110) inside the cell receiving portion (S). Specifically, the heat blocking member (T) can be positioned between the cell case (112) and the aforementioned first frame (220) in the front-rear direction of the battery cell (110).

[0095] Such a thermal barrier member (T) may be configured to block flames resulting from thermal runaway of the battery cell (110). As an example, the thermal barrier member (T) may be provided in the form of a thermal barrier coating. In particular, a thermal barrier coating agent may be applied or attached to the thermal barrier member (T).

[0096] In the case of the battery module (12) according to the present embodiment, the spread of flame to adjacent other battery cells (110) can be delayed primarily through a heat blocking member (T) for blocking flames caused by thermal runaway of the battery cell (110), and the spread of flame to adjacent other battery cells (110) can be suppressed secondarily through a partition. Accordingly, the structural stability of the battery module (12) can be maintained more stably.

[0097] FIG. 14 is a drawing showing a battery module (14) according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14, the venting gas is denoted by reference numeral 'G' and the flame is denoted by 'F'.

[0098] Since the battery module (14) according to the present embodiment is similar to the battery module (10) of the preceding embodiment, redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially identical or similar to the preceding embodiment are omitted, and the following focuses on the differences from the preceding embodiment.

[0099] The battery module (14) illustrated in FIG. 14 may further include a guide portion (G).

[0100] The above guide portion (G) is provided on at least one of the two longitudinal sides of the cell receiving portion (S) and can be formed by being bent in the stacking direction of the battery cell (110).

[0101] Specifically, the guide portion (G) may be provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first frame (220), or only at one end in the longitudinal direction of the first frame (220).

[0102] These guide sections (G) can more easily guide the discharge of venting gas and / or flames generated on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (110) toward the cell insertion section (O). in other words, As shown in FIG. 14, Venting gas and / or flames generated on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (110) can be discharged toward the cell insertion part (O) while striking the guide part (G) bent in the stacking direction of the battery cell (110). And, venting gas and / or flame generated on both sides in the longitudinal direction of one battery cell (110) can be suppressed from transferring to an adjacent battery cell (110) by a guide portion (G) bent in the stacking direction of the battery cell (110).

[0103] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the guide portion (G) is, A pair of guide portions (G) may be provided at the longitudinal ends of two first frames (220) arranged facing each other in the stacking direction of the battery cells (110). At this time, the pair of guide portions (G) may be formed by being bent so as to face each other with respect to the stacking direction of the battery cells (110).

[0104] In this case, not only can the venting gas and / or flame be more quickly induced to be discharged outside the cell receiving portion (S), but simultaneous ignition of adjacent battery cells (110) in the stacking direction of the battery cells (110) can also be minimized.

[0105] FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a battery module (16) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] Since the battery module (16) according to the present embodiment is similar to the battery module (10) described above, redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially identical or similar to the preceding embodiments will be omitted, and the following will focus on the differences from the preceding embodiments.

[0107] As illustrated in FIG. 15, the battery module (16) may further include a busbar frame (400) compared to the battery module (10) described above. This busbar frame (400) may be configured to support a busbar (410) that is electrically connected to an electrode lead (114) of a battery cell (110) received in a cell receiving portion (S) of the module frame (200).

[0108] Additionally, the busbar frame (400) may have a slot (402) into which an electrode lead (114) of a battery cell (110) received in the cell receiving portion (S) of the module frame (200) is inserted. The end of the electrode lead (114) inserted into the slot (402) and passing through the slot (402) may be connected to the busbar (410).

[0109] In particular, the busbar frame (400) may be provided with a fixing groove (404) into which the end of the module frame (200) containing the battery cells in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) is inserted and fixed for a predetermined length. This fixing groove (404) may be configured to fit with the end of the module frame (200).

[0110] In one embodiment, the busbar frame (400) may include a first busbar frame (400A) and a second busbar frame (400B).

[0111] The first busbar frame (400A) can be connected to one end of the module frame (200) with respect to the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the module frame (200). Additionally, the second busbar frame (400B) can be connected to the other end of the module frame (200) located opposite the one end with respect to the longitudinal direction of the module frame (200).

[0112] In this case, the first busbar frame (400A) may have a first fixing groove into which one end of the module frame (200) is inserted and fixed. Additionally, the second busbar frame (400B) may have a second fixing groove into which the other end of the module frame (200) is inserted and fixed.

[0113] In this way, a fixing groove (404) into which the end of the module frame (200) is inserted and fixed is provided in the busbar frame (400), thereby preventing deformation of the module frame (200) (e.g., deformation of the cell receiving portion (S)) caused by the load of the battery cell (110) or external force, and the number of cell fixing members (300) that wrap around and fix the perimeter of the module frame (200) can be reduced or the cell fixing members (300) can be omitted.

[0114] FIG. 16 is a drawing showing the state in which the module frame of the battery module illustrated in FIG. 15 is fixed by the busbar frame.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 16, the longitudinal ends of the module frame (200) in which the battery cells are housed are inserted into and fixed to the first busbar frame (400A) and the second busbar frame (400B), respectively, thereby preventing deformation of the module frame (200) (e.g., deformation of the cell housing portion (S)) caused by the load of the battery cells (110) or external force.

[0116] Although FIGS. 15 and 16 show that the battery module (16) includes a cell fixing member (300), when the above-described busbar frame (400) is applied to the battery module (16), the cell fixing member (300) may be omitted from the battery module (16).

[0117] As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, by inducing venting gas and / or flame to be discharged into a certain area of ​​the cell receiving portion (S), ignition factors within the battery module (10, 12, 14, 16) can be suppressed, thereby strengthening the structural stability of the battery module (10, 12, 14, 16).

[0118] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, simultaneous ignition of adjacent battery cells (110) can be prevented.

[0119] FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a battery pack (2) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0120] As illustrated in FIG. 17, a battery pack (2) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery modules (10, 12, 14, 16) according to the present invention.

[0121] In this case, the battery pack (2) may include various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of battery modules (10, 12, 14, 16), such as a Battery Management System (BMS), a current sensor, and a fuse.

[0122] Additionally, the battery pack (2) may include a pack case (2A, 2B) that accommodates one or more of the battery modules (100).

[0123] The above pack case (2A, 2B) may include a pack tray (2A) having a receiving space (S1) for accommodating a plurality of battery modules, and a pack lid (2B) covering the upper opening of the pack tray (2A).

[0124] Additionally, the battery pack (2) may include various electronic components (not shown) that control the charging and discharging operations of battery modules (10, 12, 14, 16) or battery cells included in said battery modules (10, 12, 14, 16) housed in pack cases (2A, 2B), or monitor State of Charge (SOC), State of Health (SOH), etc. These electronic components may be housed in pack cases (2A, 2B) together with the battery modules (10, 12, 14, 16).

[0125] In this way, the battery pack (2) according to the present invention is manufactured in a cell-to-pack manner, thereby reducing the overall weight and volume of the battery pack and improving energy density.

[0126] Such battery packs (2) can be applied to vehicles such as electric vehicles. That is, a vehicle according to the present invention may include one or more battery packs (2) according to the present invention.

[0127] As described above, although the present invention has been explained by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0128] Meanwhile, although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back have been used in this invention, these terms are used merely for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that they may vary depending on the position of the object or the position of the observer. Explanation of the symbols

[0129] 10, 12, 14, 16: Battery modules 100: Cell Assembly 110: Battery cell 112: Cell Case 114: Electrode Lead 200: Module Frame S: Cell reception part 300: Cell fixing member 400: Busbar Frame T: Thermal insulation member G: Guide Department

Claims

Claim 1 A battery module comprising: a cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; and a module frame having a plurality of cell receiving portions, wherein each of the plurality of battery cells is received within the plurality of cell receiving portions, and a portion of each of the plurality of cell receiving portions is configured to be open, wherein the plurality of cell receiving portions of the module frame are configured such that a portion of the first cell receiving portion located above a battery cell received within a first cell receiving portion and a portion of the second cell receiving portion located below a battery cell received within a second cell receiving portion adjacent to the first cell receiving portion are alternately opened, and the battery module further comprises a busbar frame supporting a busbar electrically connected to an electrode lead of a battery cell received in the cell receiving portion of the module frame, wherein the busbar frame has a fixing groove into which an end of the module frame is inserted and fixed for a predetermined length so as to prevent deformation of the module frame due to a load or external force of a battery cell received in the cell receiving portion of the module frame, and wherein the fixing groove is configured in a form that fits with the end of the module frame. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of cell receiving portions are configured to be separated from one another by partitions when viewed in the stacking direction of the battery cells. Claim 5 A battery module according to claim 4, wherein the above partition is formed in a plurality of folded structures when viewed in the stacking direction of the battery cells. Claim 6 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the battery cell comprises a cell case having a receiving space for accommodating an electrode assembly inside and protruding an electrode lead electrically connected to the electrode assembly to the outside, and wherein the cell case is configured to be in close contact with the inside of the cell receiving portion in the stacking direction of the battery cell. Claim 7 A battery module according to claim 6, wherein the cell receiving portion is formed to be longer than the cell case in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell. Claim 8 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the cell receiving portion is configured such that portions located on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the received battery cell are open. Claim 9 A battery module according to claim 1, further comprising a cell fixing member configured to surround the cell assembly and the module frame. Claim 10 A battery module according to claim 6, further comprising a heat blocking member disposed on at least one of the two sides of the cell case when viewed from the stacking direction of the battery cell within the cell receiving portion. Claim 11 A battery module according to claim 1, further comprising a guide portion provided on at least one of the longitudinal sides of the cell receiving portion and formed by being bent in the stacking direction of the battery cells. Claim 12 delete Claim 13 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the busbar frame comprises: a first busbar frame having a first fixing groove into which one end of the module frame is inserted and fixed; and a second busbar frame having a second fixing groove into which the other end of the module frame is inserted and fixed. Claim 14 A battery pack characterized by including one or more battery modules according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 11, and 13. Claim 15 An automobile characterized by including one or more battery packs according to Clause 14.

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