Battery module capable of preventing gas from migrating to adjacent modules

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module capable of preventing gas from moving to adjacent modules, and more particularly, to a battery module capable of preventing gas from moving to adjacent modules, the battery module comprising a module housing (100) and a unit module (200), wherein the module housing (100) is made of an insulating material and receives two or more unit modules (200), the two or more unit modules (200) are positioned to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and one or more battery cells (230) are stacked in a vertical direction of each unit module (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2019-0165836, filed on December 12, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module capable of preventing gas from moving to adjacent modules, and more particularly, to a battery module capable of preventing gas from moving to adjacent modules, wherein a plurality of modules are separated from each other and a plurality of holes are formed in a cover, whereby gas generated in the battery module is easily discharged to the outside. Background Art

[0003] With the technological development of mobile devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, camcorders and digital cameras and the increase in demand for them, research on secondary batteries that can be charged and discharged has been actively carried out. In addition, secondary batteries as energy sources to replace fossil fuels that cause air pollution have been applied to electric vehicles (EV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEV), and therefore, the necessity of developing secondary batteries is increasing.

[0004] As secondary batteries currently commercialized, there are nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries and lithium secondary batteries. Among them, lithium secondary batteries have attracted attention because they have almost no memory effect, and thus can be freely charged and discharged, have a very low self-discharge rate and have a high energy density compared to nickel-based secondary batteries.

[0005] Meanwhile, in the case where the above-mentioned secondary battery is used for equipment requiring large capacity and high voltage, such as an electric vehicle, the secondary battery is used in the form of a battery module or a battery pack having a structure in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged.

[0006] However, when thermal runaway occurs in a specific battery cell due to a short circuit, thermal shock, or electrical breakdown, high-temperature gas is generated in the battery cell, and the generated gas causes deformation or damage to unit cells or battery modules adjacent to the battery cell.

[0007] In connection with this, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2013-0086677 discloses a battery pack, which includes: a battery module array, which is composed of one or more battery modules, each of the one or more battery modules includes one or more unit modules, each of the one or more unit modules has a structure in which a battery cell is wrapped by a cell cover, and the one or more unit modules are installed in a module housing in a state in which the one or more unit modules are vertically erected and stacked; a substrate, the battery module array is installed on the substrate; a pair of end plates, the pair of end plates are configured to support opposite side surfaces of the battery module array in a state in which the lower ends of the end plates are fixed to the substrate; and an insulating member, which is placed between the battery module array and each of the end plates, the insulating member being provided with one or more ribs at a surface thereof facing the battery module array, the one or more ribs being configured to perform a function of absorbing external vibrations and forming a refrigerant channel.

[0008] In Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2013-0086677, a shock absorbing function is performed and a refrigerant channel is formed using the end plate, thereby supplementing the safety of the battery pack. However, since the battery cells are in close contact with each other, there is still a problem that when a short circuit, thermal shock, or electrical breakdown occurs in a specific battery cell, high-temperature gas accumulates in the battery cell, which affects the battery cells adjacent to the battery cell, thereby causing thermal runaway.

[0009] (Prior Art Documents)

[0010] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2013-0086677 Summary of the invention

[0011] Technical issues

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of preventing gas from moving to an adjacent module, the battery module having a structure capable of minimizing the influence of generated heat or gas when thermal runaway occurs on an adjacent module.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of preventing gas from moving to an adjacent module, the battery module having a structure capable of being simply assembled while minimizing the number of fastening members.

[0014] Technical Solutions

[0015] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a battery module capable of preventing gas from moving to an adjacent module according to the present invention includes a module housing (100) and a unit module (200), wherein the module housing (100) is made of an insulating material, two or more unit modules (200) are received in the module housing, the two or more unit modules (200) are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and each of the unit modules (200) includes one or more battery cells (230) stacked in a vertical direction.

[0016] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, the module case (100) may include an upper case (110), a lower case (120), a front cover (130) and a rear cover (140).

[0017] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, the rear cover (140) may be provided with a bent portion (141) formed to protrude outward, and a plurality of holes (142) may be formed in the bent portion (141).

[0018] In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the unit module (200) may include: an upper cover (210); a lower cover (220); a plurality of battery cells (230), the plurality of battery cells being received in a space portion defined by the upper cover (210) and the lower cover (220); a front bus bar assembly (240); a rear bus bar assembly (250); a pair of end plates (260), a surface of each of the pair of end plates being in close contact with a corresponding one of the upper cover (210) and the lower cover (220); and a pair of cooling fins (270), the pair of cooling fins being respectively located at the upper and lower portions of the battery cells (230).

[0019] In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the upper cover (210) may include: a first horizontal portion (211) positioned horizontally; a pair of first vertical portions (212), the pair of first vertical portions extending downward from opposite side edges of the first horizontal portion (211); a pair of first receiving recesses (213), the pair of first receiving recesses being formed in each of the first vertical portions (212) to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; and a first cutout portion (214), the first cutout portion being formed in one side edge of each of the first vertical portions (212), the first cutout portion being formed by cutting The lower cover (220) has a predetermined shape, and may include: a horizontally positioned second horizontal portion (221); a pair of second vertical portions (222), the pair of second vertical portions extending upward from opposite side edges of the second horizontal portion (221); a pair of second receiving recesses (223), the pair of second receiving recesses being formed in each of the second vertical portions (222) to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; and a second cutout portion (224), the second cutout portion being formed in a side edge of each of the second vertical portions (222), the second cutout portion being formed by cutting to have a predetermined shape.

[0020] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, each of the upper cover 210 and the lower cover 220 may be made of a steel sheet.

[0021] In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the front bus bar assembly (240) may include: a first frame (241) in which a plurality of slits are formed, the first frame being configured to have a hexahedral shape; a plurality of third protrusions (242) formed on an outer surface of the first frame (241), the third protrusions being coupled to the first receiving recess (213) and the second receiving recess (223); and a plurality of first distance retaining portions (244), the plurality of first distance retaining portions being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, each of the first distance retaining portions being inwardly spaced apart from each other. Extending a predetermined length, the rear bus bar assembly (250) may include: a second frame (251) having a plurality of slits formed therein, the second frame being configured to have a hexahedral shape; a plurality of fourth protrusions (252), the plurality of fourth protrusions being formed on the outer surface of the second frame (251), the fourth protrusions being connected to the first receiving recess (213) and the second receiving recess (223); and a plurality of second distance keeping portions (254), the plurality of second distance keeping portions being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, each of the second distance keeping portions extending inwardly by a predetermined length.

[0022] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, the two or more unit modules (200) may be electrically connected to each other through an intermediate bus bar (300), and the two or more unit modules (200) may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance through a third distance keeping unit (400).

[0023] In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the intermediate bus bar (300) may include: a third horizontal portion (310) having a predetermined length; a pair of third vertical portions (320), the pair of third vertical portions (320) being bent at a predetermined angle from the edges of the third horizontal portion (310); and a fifth cutout portion (330), the fifth cutout portion (330) being formed between the pair of third vertical portions (320).

[0024] In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the third distance keeping unit (400) may include: a fourth horizontal portion (410), which is arranged in the first cutout portion (214) of the adjacent unit module (200); a pair of fourth vertical portions (420), which vertically extend a predetermined length from opposite side edges of the fourth horizontal portion (410), and the fourth vertical portions are located inside the cover of the adjacent unit module (200); and a fifth horizontal portion (430), which is connected to the lower end of the fourth vertical portion (420), and the fifth horizontal portion is arranged in the second cutout portion (224) of the adjacent unit module (200).

[0025] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, the fifth horizontal portion (430) may be configured to have a "[" shape so that the third horizontal portion (310) of the intermediate bus bar (300) is received in the fifth horizontal portion.

[0026] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, the two or more unit modules (200) may be spaced apart from each other by 20 mm to 30 mm.

[0027] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, a support portion (123) configured to hold the unit modules (200) spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance may be provided at the inner surface of the lower case (120).

[0028] Furthermore, a battery pack according to the present invention includes the battery module.

[0029] Furthermore, the device according to the invention comprises the battery pack.

[0030] Beneficial Effects

[0031] The battery module according to the present invention that is capable of preventing gas from moving to adjacent modules has the following advantages, namely, a plurality of unit modules are positioned to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other, thereby minimizing heat transfer to unit modules adjacent to the specific unit module even when an event such as thermal runaway occurs in a specific unit module.

[0032] Furthermore, the battery module capable of preventing gas from moving to an adjacent module according to the present invention has an advantage that a distance holding part configured to connect a plurality of unit modules to each other is provided, thereby being able to firmly fix and secure the unit modules.

[0033] In addition, the battery module according to the present invention that is capable of preventing gas from moving to adjacent modules has the following advantages, namely, the cover of each unit module is made of insulating material or heat-resistant material, or the shell configured to wrap the unit module is made of insulating material or heat-resistant material, thereby being able to improve the safety of the unit module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 2 is a perspective view of a battery module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front and the rear.

[0035] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front.

[0036] Figure 3 1 is a perspective view and a side view of a unit module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a state where an upper case and a lower case are separated from the unit module when viewed from the rear.

[0037] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a unit module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a section in which a third distance keeping unit is installed, the third distance keeping unit being configured to connect unit modules according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention to each other.

[0039] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a section on which an intermediate bus bar configured to connect unit modules according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention to each other is installed.

[0040] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a unit module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Fig. 9 1 and 2 are views illustrating a sequence of assembling a unit module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In the present application, it should be understood that the terms "including", "having", "comprising", etc. specify the existence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or a combination thereof, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or a combination thereof.

[0044] In addition, in all drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to parts that perform similar functions or operations. In the specification, where a part is referred to as being connected to another part, not only can the one part be directly connected to the other part, but the one part can also be indirectly connected to the other part through another part. In addition, including a certain element does not mean excluding other elements, but means that such elements may be further included unless otherwise specified.

[0045] Hereinafter, a battery module capable of preventing gas from moving to an adjacent module according to the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments.

[0046] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front and rear, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front.

[0047] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a battery module according to the present invention includes a module case 100 , a plurality of unit modules 200 , an intermediate bus bar 300 , and a third distance keeping unit 400 .

[0048] First, the module case 100 will be described in detail. The module case 100 configured to enclose a plurality of unit modules 200 includes an upper case 110 , a lower case 120 , a front cover 130 , and a rear cover 140 .

[0049] The upper case 110 has a “[” shape to cover a portion of a side surface and an upper surface of each unit module 200. Preferably, the upper case is formed to have a concave-convex structure to mitigate external impact.

[0050] Specifically, the concavoconvex portion of the first side portion 111 constituting the side surface of the upper case is provided with a first protrusion 112 protruding downward by a predetermined length, and a second protrusion 122 (to be described later) is received in the concavoconvex portion having the first protrusion 112 .

[0051] The outer shape of the lower case 120 is similar to that of the upper case 110. That is, the lower case has a "[" shape to cover a portion of the side surface and the lower surface of each unit module 200, and is formed to have a concave-convex structure to mitigate external impact.

[0052] In addition, a pair of support portions 123 are provided at the horizontal inner surface of the lower shell, and the pair of support portions 123 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance to maintain the distance between the pair of unit modules 200 and prevent the pair of unit modules from moving in the lower shell when the pair of unit modules are received in the lower shell.

[0053] In the figure, the support portion is shown to be provided only at the lower housing 120. However, of course, the support portion is obviously also provided at the upper housing 110.

[0054] The second side portion 121 of the lower housing 120 has a concavo-convex structure, and the concavo-convex portion of the second side portion is provided with a second protrusion 122 protruding upward.

[0055] The fastening structure when the upper shell 110 and the lower shell 120 are coupled to each other will be briefly described. The first protrusion 112 and the second protrusion 122 are formed to deviate from each other to such an extent that the first protrusion and the second protrusion do not engage with each other. As a result, the first protrusion 112 is inserted into the concave-convex portion on which the second protrusion 122 is formed, and the second protrusion 122 is inserted into the concave-convex portion on which the first protrusion 112 is formed, thereby fastening the shells to each other. Therefore, the shells can be easily coupled and fixed without a complicated fastening device.

[0056] Meanwhile, it is preferred that each of the upper case 110 and the lower case 120 is made of an insulating material.

[0057] The front cover 130 located at the front surface of the battery module includes a front internal circuit board (ICB), and the front cover 130 protects the internal circuit board (ICB) and the unit modules from external physical impact.

[0058] The rear cover 140 is located at the rear surface of the battery module and is provided with a bent portion 141 formed to protrude outward in the lateral direction (X-axis direction) of the battery module. In addition, a plurality of holes 142 are formed in the bent portion 141, and the plurality of holes 142 are configured to allow gas to be discharged therethrough or allow cooling air to pass therethrough.

[0059] That is, when thermal runaway occurs in a specific battery cell 230 due to a short circuit, thermal shock, or electrical breakdown, the gas generated in the battery cell can be quickly discharged to the outside through the plurality of holes 142. In addition, at ordinary times, external air can be easily introduced into the battery module through the plurality of holes, whereby the battery module operates at an appropriate temperature.

[0060] In addition, the bent portion 141 wraps the first protrusion 215 of the upper cover 210 and the second protrusion 225 (to be described later) of the lower cover 220 above and below, thereby more firmly fixing the upper cover 210 and the lower cover 220.

[0061] At the same time, the plurality of unit modules 200 received in the upper and lower housings are positioned to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, thereby forming a gas flow channel in the battery module. Therefore, when an event such as thermal runaway occurs, the movement of gas or heat transfer to adjacent unit modules 200 can be minimized, thereby improving the safety of the battery module.

[0062] The following will be described in detail: the unit modules 200, each of which includes a plurality of unit cells; the intermediate bus bar 300, which is configured to electrically connect the unit modules 200 to each other; and the third distance keeping unit 400, which is configured to keep the unit modules 200 spaced apart from each other.

[0063] Figure 3 is a perspective view and a side view of a unit module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a state where the upper housing and the lower housing are separated from the unit module when viewed from the rear, Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a unit module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Will refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The unit module 200 is described in detail. The unit module 200 includes an upper cover 210 , a lower cover 220 , a battery cell 230 , a front bus bar assembly 240 , a rear bus bar assembly 250 , an end plate 260 , and a cooling fin 270 .

[0065] First, the upper cover 210 will be described in detail. The upper cover includes a first horizontal portion 211 positioned horizontally and a pair of first vertical portions 212 extending downward from opposite side edges of the first horizontal portion 211 .

[0066] A pair of first receiving recesses 213 of predetermined shape is formed in each first vertical portion 212 to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. In addition, a first cutout portion 214 of predetermined shape is provided in one side edge of each first vertical portion 212 .

[0067] Here, the third protrusion 242 of the front bus bar assembly 240 and the fourth protrusion 252 (to be described later) of the rear bus bar assembly 250 are fastened to the pair of first receiving recesses 213 , respectively.

[0068] In addition, a fourth horizontal portion 410 (to be described later) of the third distance keeping unit 400 is seated in the first cutout portion 214 .

[0069] Meanwhile, the first protrusion 215 is formed below the first cutout portion 214 of each first vertical portion 212 to protrude outward by a predetermined length. As described above, the first protrusion is disposed in the bent portion 141 of the rear cover 140 .

[0070] Next, the lower cover 220 will be described. The lower cover has a shape corresponding to that of the upper cover 210 described above.

[0071] That is, the lower cover includes a horizontally positioned second horizontal portion 221 and a pair of second vertical portions 222 extending upward from opposite side edges of the second horizontal portion 221. In the same manner as the upper cover, the lower cover is provided with a pair of second receiving recesses 223 spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and a second cutout portion 224.

[0072] The third protrusion 242 of the front bus bar assembly 240 and the fourth protrusion 252 of the rear bus bar assembly 250 are fastened to the pair of second receiving recesses 223 , respectively. The fifth horizontal portion 430 of the third distance keeping unit 400 is seated in the second cutout portion 224 .

[0073] In addition, the second protrusion 225 is also formed below the second cutout portion 224 of each second vertical portion 222 to protrude outward by a predetermined length. The second protrusion 225 is disposed in the bent portion 141 of the rear cover 140 .

[0074] Here, it is preferred that both the upper cover 210 and the lower cover 220 are made of a non-combustible steel sheet having a high melting point. The reason is that even if gas is generated in the unit module and thus the pressure in the unit module increases, the volume expansion of the unit module can be suppressed and thermal runaway can be withstood.

[0075] Figure 7is a perspective view of a battery cell according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 The battery cell 230 is described. The battery cell 230 includes a cell assembly. The cell assembly may be a jelly roll cell assembly, a stacked battery assembly, a stacked and folded cell assembly, or a laminated and stacked cell assembly, the jelly roll cell assembly being configured to have a structure in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are wound while the separator is placed between the long sheet positive electrode and the long sheet negative electrode; the stacked battery assembly includes unit cells, each of which is configured to have a structure in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are stacked while the separator is placed between the rectangular positive electrode and the rectangular negative electrode; the stacked and folded cell assembly is configured to have a structure in which a long separator film is used to wind the unit cell; the laminated and stacked cell assembly is configured to have a structure in which the unit cells are stacked and then attached to each other while the separator is placed between the unit cells. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0076] The monomer assembly is installed in a monomer housing 231. The monomer housing 231 is generally constructed to have a laminated sheet structure including an inner layer, a metal layer and an outer layer. The inner layer directly contacts the monomer assembly, so the inner layer must exhibit high insulation performance and high resistance to electrolyte. In addition, the inner layer must exhibit high sealing properties to hermetically seal the monomer housing from the outside, that is, the thermal bonding sealing portion between the inner layers must exhibit excellent thermal bonding strength. The inner layer can be made of a material selected from polyolefin resins (such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene-acrylic acid or polybutylene) exhibiting excellent chemical resistance and high sealing properties, polyurethane resins and polyimide resins. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and polypropylene is most preferably used, which exhibits excellent mechanical-physical properties (such as tensile strength, rigidity, surface hardness and impact strength) and excellent chemical resistance.

[0077] The metal layer adjacent to the inner layer corresponds to a barrier layer configured to prevent moisture or various gases from penetrating into the battery from the outside. Aluminum foil, which is lightweight and easily formed, can be used as a preferred material for the metal layer.

[0078] The outer layer is disposed on the other surface of the metal layer. The outer layer may be made of a heat-resistant polymer that exhibits excellent tensile strength, moisture permeability resistance, and air permeability resistance, so that the outer layer exhibits high heat resistance and chemical resistance while protecting the monomer components. For example, the outer layer may be made of nylon or polyethylene terephthalate. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0079] Meanwhile, the leads, ie, positive electrode lead 232 and negative electrode lead 233, are exposed outside the case after being electrically connected to positive and negative electrode tabs of the cell assembly, respectively. The battery cell described above corresponds to a generally known configuration, and thus a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0080] Will refer to it again Figure 4 The front bus bar assembly 240 is described, and is configured to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells 230 to each other. The front bus bar assembly 240 includes a first frame 241 , a third protrusion 242 , a third cutout portion 243 , and a first distance keeping portion 244 .

[0081] The first frame 241 is configured to have a hexahedral shape and has a plurality of slits formed therein through which the electrode leads extend. A plurality of third protrusions 242 are formed on an outer surface of the first frame 241. The third protrusions 242 are fastened to the first receiving recess 213 of the upper cover 210 and the second receiving recess 223 of the lower cover 220.

[0082] The third cutout portion 243 is located at a lower portion of the edge of the front bus bar assembly 240 and is a passage through which an internal connection member extends.

[0083] Each of the first distance keeping portions 244 is formed in the shape of a sheet protruding by a predetermined length in a direction parallel to the battery cells 230 , and the first distance keeping portions keep the battery cells 230 spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

[0084] The rear bus bar assembly 250 includes a second frame 251 , a fourth protrusion 252 , a fourth cutout portion 253 , and a second distance maintaining portion 254 .

[0085] The second frame 251 is configured to have a hexahedral shape, and a plurality of slits through which electrode leads extend are formed in the second frame. A plurality of fourth protrusions 252 are formed on the outer surface of the second frame 251. The fourth protrusions 252 are fastened to the first receiving recess 213 of the upper cover 210 and the second receiving recess 223 of the lower cover 220.

[0086] In the same manner as the first distance maintaining portion 244 , the second distance maintaining portion 254 maintains the battery cells 230 to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

[0087] The pair of end plates 260 are respectively located at one side surface of the outermost battery cells 230 , specifically, the side surfaces of the pair of battery cells 230 closest to the upper cover 210 and the lower cover 220 .

[0088] Each of the end plates 260 may be made of a buffer material to protect the battery cells 230 from external impact.

[0089] The cooling fins 270 located at the upper and lower surfaces of the battery cells 230 vertically arranged side by side absorb heat inevitably generated when the battery cells are charged and discharged to maintain electrical performance of the battery cells.

[0090] Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a section in which a third distance keeping unit configured to connect unit modules according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention to each other is installed, Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a section to which an intermediate bus bar configured to connect unit modules according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention to each other is installed.

[0091] Will refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The intermediate bus bar 300 and the third distance keeping unit 400 are described in detail. The intermediate bus bar 300 includes a third horizontal portion 310 having a predetermined length, a pair of third vertical portions 320 bent at a predetermined angle from the edge of the third horizontal portion 310, and a fifth cutout portion 330 formed between the pair of third vertical portions 320 by cutting to have a predetermined shape.

[0092] The third horizontal portion 310 is disposed in the second cutout portion 224 of the lower cover 220 to electrically connect a pair of unit modules 200 positioned adjacent to each other. The pair of third vertical portions 320 are connected to ends of the unit modules 200.

[0093] The third distance keeping unit 400 includes a fourth horizontal portion 410 , a pair of fourth vertical portions 420 , and a fifth horizontal portion 430 .

[0094] The fourth horizontal portion 410 is disposed in the first cutout portion 214 of the adjacent unit module 200 to maximally prevent gas from moving between the unit modules 200. A pair of fourth vertical portions 420 vertically extend a predetermined length from opposite side edges of the fourth horizontal portion 410 and are located within the cover of the adjacent unit module 200. In addition, the fifth horizontal portion 430 is connected to the lower end of the fourth vertical portion 420 and is disposed in the second cutout portion 224 of the adjacent unit module 200.

[0095] Here, it is preferred that the fifth horizontal portion 430 has a "[" shape so that the interior of the fifth horizontal portion is hollow. The reason is that the rear cover 140, the upper cover 210 and the lower cover 220 need to be insulated from each other while wrapping the outer surface of the third horizontal portion 310 of the intermediate bus bar 300 to protect the third horizontal portion from various foreign objects introduced from the outside.

[0096] Since the intermediate bus bar 300 and the third distance keeping unit 400 constructed in the above manner are inserted and placed in the fourth cutout portion 253 of the rear bus bar assembly 250, the adjacent unit modules 200 can be electrically connected to each other, and the increase in the volume of the battery module can be suppressed because the intermediate bus bar and the third distance keeping unit do not protrude to the outside. In addition, the distance between the unit modules 200 can be uniformly maintained, and the movement of the unit modules in the upward, downward, leftward and rightward directions can be controlled.

[0097] Figure 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a unit module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Will refer to Figure 8 The air layer formed by the distance keeping portion is described. As described above, the front bus bar assembly 240 having the first distance keeping portion 244 and the rear bus bar assembly 250 having the second distance keeping portion 254 are respectively located at the front surface and the rear surface of the battery cell 230. Therefore, the air layer 280 is formed between the battery cells 230 by the first distance keeping portion 244 and the second distance keeping portion 254, and each air layer has a predetermined length (X axis).

[0099] The air layer 280 prevents heat generated by a specific battery cell 230 from moving to a battery cell 230 adjacent to the specific battery cell 230, thereby alleviating thermal runaway of the unit module 200. In addition, the air layer can also perform a function of absorbing shock when the battery cell 230 expands.

[0100] Fig. 9 1 and 2 are views illustrating a sequence of assembling a unit module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] refer to Fig. 9, assemble the unit module through the following steps: a first step: positioning the cooling fin 270 at the inner surface of the lower cover 220 in the horizontal direction, and fastening the third protrusion 242 of the front bus bar assembly 240 to the second receiving recess 223 of the lower cover 220; a second step: arranging a plurality of battery cells 230 and an end plate 260 to correspond to the first distance keeping portion 244 of the front bus bar assembly 240; a third step: positioning the cooling fin 270 at the upper portion of a plurality of battery cells 230, and fastening the fourth protrusion 252 of the rear bus bar assembly 250 to the second receiving recess 223 of the lower cover 220; and a fourth step: fastening the third protrusion 242 of the front bus bar assembly 240 and the fourth protrusion 252 of the rear bus bar assembly 250 to the first receiving recess 213 of the upper cover 210.

[0102] Meanwhile, the assembly order may be changed. For example, in the first step, the fastening of the front bus bar assembly 240 and the installation of the cooling fin 270 may be performed simultaneously.

[0103] Furthermore, in the first step, the rear bus bar assembly 250 may be assembled first instead of the front bus bar assembly 240. In this case, it is apparent that in the third step, the front bus bar assembly 240 is installed instead of the rear bus bar assembly 250.

[0104] A plurality of battery modules according to the present invention may constitute a battery pack. The battery pack may be installed in a device. Specific examples of the device may include a vehicle, a mobile phone, and a laptop computer. However, a device with a relatively low capacity and voltage, such as a laptop computer, is more preferred.

[0105] Although the specific details of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the detailed description of the present invention only discloses the preferred embodiments of the present invention and therefore does not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the category and technical ideas of the present invention, and it will be apparent that these changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0106] (Explanation of Reference Numerals)

[0107] 100: Module housing

[0108] 110: Upper shell

[0109] 111: first side portion 112: first protrusion

[0110] 120: Lower housing

[0111] 121: second side portion 122: second protrusion

[0112] 123: Support

[0113] 130: Front cover

[0114] 140: Rear cover

[0115] 141: curved portion 142: hole

[0116] 200: Unit module

[0117] 210: Upper cover

[0118] 211: first horizontal portion 212: first vertical portion

[0119] 213: first receiving recess 214: first cutout

[0120] 215: First protrusion

[0121] 220: Lower cover

[0122] 221: second horizontal portion 222: second vertical portion

[0123] 223: Second receiving recess 224: Second cutout

[0124] 225: Second protrusion

[0125] 230: Battery Cell

[0126] 231: Monomer housing 232: Positive electrode lead

[0127] 233: Negative electrode lead

[0128] 240: Front busbar assembly

[0129] 241: First Frame

[0130] 242: third protrusion 243: third cutout

[0131] 244: First distance keeping unit

[0132] 250: Rear busbar assembly

[0133] 251: Second Frame

[0134] 252: fourth protrusion 253: fourth cutout

[0135] 254: Second distance keeping unit

[0136] 260: End plate

[0137] 270: Cooling fin

[0138] 280: Air layer

[0139] 300: Middle busbar

[0140] 310: Third horizontal section

[0141] 320: The third vertical part

[0142] 330: Fifth incision

[0143] 400: The third distance keeping unit

[0144] 410: Fourth horizontal section

[0145] 420: Fourth vertical part

[0146] 430: Fifth Horizontal

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising a module housing (100) and a unit module (200), wherein: The module housing (100) is made of insulating material. Two or more unit modules (200) are received in the module housing, The two or more unit modules (200) are positioned to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and Each of the unit modules (200) includes one or more battery cells (230) stacked in a vertical direction. wherein the two or more unit modules (200) are electrically connected to each other via an intermediate bus bar (300), and The two or more unit modules (200) are kept apart from each other by a predetermined distance through a third distance keeping unit (400), and Wherein, the third distance maintaining unit (400) comprises: a fourth horizontal portion (410), the fourth horizontal portion (410) being disposed in a first cutout portion (214) of an adjacent unit module (200); a pair of fourth vertical portions (420), the pair of fourth vertical portions (420) vertically extending from opposite side edges of the fourth horizontal portion (410) by a predetermined length, the fourth vertical portions being located inside the cover of the adjacent unit module (200); and A fifth horizontal portion (430) connected to a lower end of the fourth vertical portion (420), the fifth horizontal portion being disposed in the second cutout portion (224) of the adjacent unit module (200).

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The module housing (100) includes an upper housing (110), a lower housing (120), a front cover (130) and a rear cover (140).

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein: The rear cover (140) is provided with a bent portion (141) formed to protrude outward, and A plurality of holes (142) are formed in the curved portion (141).

4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The unit module (200) comprises: An upper cover (210); A lower cover (220); a plurality of battery cells (230) received in a space portion defined by the upper cover (210) and the lower cover (220); a front bus bar assembly (240); a rear bus bar assembly (250); a pair of end plates (260), one surface of each of the pair of end plates (260) being in close contact with a corresponding one of the upper cover (210) and the lower cover (220); and A pair of cooling fins (270) are respectively located at the upper part and the lower part of the battery cell (230).

5. The battery module according to claim 4, wherein: The upper cover (210) comprises: A first horizontal portion (211) positioned horizontally; A pair of first vertical portions (212), the pair of first vertical portions (212) extending downward from opposite side edges of the first horizontal portion (211); a pair of first receiving recesses (213) formed in each of the first vertical portions (212) to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; and The first cutout portion (214) is formed in one side edge of each of the first vertical portions (212), the first cutout portion being formed to have a predetermined shape by cutting, and The lower cover (220) comprises: A second horizontal portion (221) positioned horizontally; A pair of second vertical portions (222), the pair of second vertical portions (222) extending upward from opposite side edges of the second horizontal portion (221); a pair of second receiving recesses (223) formed in each of the second vertical portions (222) to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; and The second cutout portion (224), which is formed in one side edge of each of the second vertical portions (222), is formed to have a predetermined shape by cutting.

6. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein: Each of the upper cover (210) and the lower cover (220) is made of a steel sheet.

7. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein: The front bus bar assembly (240) comprises: a first frame (241) having a plurality of slits formed therein, the first frame (241) being configured to have a hexahedral shape; a plurality of third protrusions (242) formed on an outer surface of the first frame (241), the third protrusions being coupled to the first receiving recess (213) and the second receiving recess (223); and A plurality of first distance keeping portions (244), the plurality of first distance keeping portions (244) are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, each of the first distance keeping portions extends inwardly by a predetermined length, and The rear bus bar assembly (250) comprises: a second frame (251) having a plurality of slits formed therein, the second frame (251) being configured to have a hexahedral shape; a plurality of fourth protrusions (252) formed on an outer surface of the second frame (251), the fourth protrusions being coupled to the first receiving recess (213) and the second receiving recess (223); and A plurality of second distance keeping portions (254) are provided, the plurality of second distance keeping portions (254) being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and each of the second distance keeping portions extending inwardly by a predetermined length.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The intermediate bus bar (300) comprises: a third horizontal portion (310) having a predetermined length; a pair of third vertical portions (320) bent at a predetermined angle from edges of the third horizontal portion (310); and A fifth cutout portion (330) is formed between the pair of third vertical portions (320).

9. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: The fifth horizontal portion (430) is configured to have a "[" shape so that the third horizontal portion (310) of the intermediate bus bar (300) is received in the fifth horizontal portion.

10. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The two or more unit modules (200) are spaced apart from each other by 20 mm to 30 mm.

11. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein: A support portion (123) is provided at an inner surface of the lower housing (120), and the support portion (123) is configured to hold the unit modules (200) spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. 12 . A battery pack comprising the battery module according to claim 1 .

13. A device comprising the battery pack according to claim 12.

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