Battery Module, Battery Pack, and Vehicle

Abstract

A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell having electrode terminals and extending in a vertical direction; an upper cover having a plurality of exposure holes formed therein to expose at least a portion of an upper portion of each of the plurality of battery cells to the outside; a lower cover having a plurality of exposure holes formed therein to expose at least a portion of a lower portion of each of the plurality of battery cells to the outside; and a filling member that is electrically insulating and fills the plurality of exposure holes formed in at least one of the upper cover and the lower cover to seal the exposure holes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle, and more particularly, to a battery module having improved safety and thus capable of withstanding thermal runaway, fire, explosion, etc.

[0002] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0113332, filed in Korea on September 4, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] Recently, with the rapid increase in the demand for portable electronic products (e.g., laptop computers, cameras, and mobile phones) and the widespread development of electric vehicles, storage batteries for energy storage, robots, and satellites, many studies are being conducted on high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly recharged.

[0004] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among them, lithium secondary batteries have a very small memory effect or no memory effect. Therefore, compared with nickel-based secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries have received more attention due to their advantages of being rechargeable whenever convenient, having a very low self-discharge rate, and having a high energy density.

[0005] Lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material, respectively. In addition, a lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and an exterior (i.e., a battery case), in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material, respectively, are provided in the electrode assembly, a separator film is interposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and the exterior is used to seal and accommodate the electrode assembly and an electrolyte.

[0006] In addition, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into cylindrical battery cells and pouch-type secondary batteries according to the shape of the exterior. In the cylindrical secondary battery, the electrode assembly is included in a metal can, and in the pouch-type secondary battery, the electrode assembly is included in a pouch made of an aluminum laminate.

[0007] Among them, in the case of a cylindrical battery cell, the metal can including the electrode assembly can be manufactured in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical battery cell can be used to form a battery module, which includes a module case for accommodating a plurality of secondary batteries and a bus bar configured to electrically connect the plurality of secondary batteries.

[0008] However, a conventional battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, and if some of the plurality of battery cells disposed within the battery module experience thermal runaway, catch fire, or explode, the resulting high-temperature gas, flame, or hot internal materials may be injected and transferred to adjacent battery cells, which may cause secondary thermal runaway, secondary fire, or explosion. Accordingly, efforts are being made to prevent the plurality of battery cells from successively causing thermal runaway, catching fire, or exploding. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical Problem

[0010] The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the prior art, and thus the present disclosure aims to provide a battery module with enhanced safety that can withstand thermal runaway, fire, explosion, etc.

[0011] These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure can be understood from the following detailed description and will be more fully apparent from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, it will be readily understood that the objects and advantages of the present disclosure can be achieved by the means shown in the appended claims and their combinations.

[0012] Technical Solution

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery module including: a plurality of battery cells each having an electrode terminal and configured to extend in the vertical direction; an upper cover configured to extend in the horizontal direction to cover an upper portion of the plurality of battery cells and having a plurality of exposure holes formed to at least partially expose an upper portion of each of the plurality of battery cells to the outside; a lower cover configured to extend in the horizontal direction to cover a lower portion of the plurality of battery cells and having a plurality of exposure holes formed to at least partially expose a lower portion of each of the plurality of battery cells to the outside; and a filling member having electrical insulation and filling the plurality of exposure holes formed in at least one of the upper cover and the lower cover to seal the plurality of exposure holes.

[0014] The filling member may be coated to surround at least one of an upper surface of an upper portion of the plurality of battery cells, a lower surface of a lower portion of the plurality of battery cells, and a part of a side surface of a side portion of the plurality of battery cells.

[0015] At least one of the upper cover and the lower cover may include a filling portion that is recessed inward in a region where the plurality of exposure holes are formed to form an accommodation space filled with the filling member.

[0016] Side portions and lower portions of the plurality of battery cells other than the upper portions of the plurality of battery cells may be coated with an electrically insulating coating material.

[0017] The upper cover may include a plurality of receiving portions having tubes extending in the vertical direction to insert the upper portions of each of the plurality of battery cells therein, the lower cover may include a plurality of receiving portions having tubes extending in the vertical direction to insert the lower portions of each of the plurality of battery cells therein, and at least one of the upper cover and the lower cover may include a guiding portion configured to protrude from the receiving portion toward a side portion of the battery cell inserted into the receiving portion to partially surround the side portion of the battery cell inserted into the receiving portion.

[0018] The receiving portion may have a receiving groove that is recessed inwardly to partially introduce the filling member into the receiving groove.

[0019] At least one of the upper cover and the lower cover may have at least one input groove formed by partially punching an outer periphery of the exposed hole to introduce the filling member into the receiving portion.

[0020] The coating material may be configured to melt and flow downward along a side portion of the battery cell when the battery cell is heated to a temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature and have a band portion formed to have a relatively large thickness compared to the remaining portion.

[0021] In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a battery pack including at least one battery module according to the foregoing embodiment.

[0022] In still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a vehicle including at least one battery module according to the foregoing embodiment.

[0023] Advantageous Effects

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the battery module of the present disclosure includes a filling member configured to seal the plurality of exposed holes in the upper cover or the lower cover, when high-temperature gas or flame generated in the battery can due to abnormal behavior of some of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells during use of the battery module is ejected to the upper or lower portion of the cylindrical battery cells, the filling member sealing the plurality of exposed holes can be used to inject the high-temperature gas or flame. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, when the high-temperature gas or flame ejected from some of the cylindrical battery cells raises the temperature of other adjacent cylindrical battery cells, thermal runaway or spread of fire can be prevented. Ultimately, the present disclosure can greatly increase the safety of the battery module during use.

[0025] In addition, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, since at least one of the upper cover and the lower cover is provided with a guiding portion, the present disclosure can help to fill the filling member in the accommodating portion. Further, in the present disclosure, when high-temperature gas or flame is ejected through the upper or lower portion of the cylindrical battery cell, the ejected gas or flame is blocked by the filling member. Therefore, when the gas or flame flows backward and is guided inward along the inner surface of the accommodating portion, the guiding portion can prevent the backward gas or flame from contacting other adjacent cylindrical battery cells. Therefore, the safety of the battery module can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are used together with the foregoing disclosure to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure, and thus the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 is a front perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing components of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cylindrical battery cell of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view schematically showing an upper cover of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a lower cover of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 6 is schematically showing along Figure 1 a longitudinal partial cross-sectional view of the battery module taken along line C-C'.

[0033] Figure 7 is a longitudinal partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 8 is a longitudinal partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 9 is a plan view schematically showing a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 10is a longitudinal partial sectional view schematically showing a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Embodiment

[0037] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terms used in this specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to general meanings and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted based on the principle that allows the inventor to appropriately define the terms for the best explanation, and based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure.

[0038] Therefore, the descriptions presented herein are only preferred examples for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, it should be understood that other equivalent substitutions and modifications can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 1 is a front perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing components of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, Figure 3 is a sectional view schematically showing a cylindrical battery cell of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, Figure 2 the filling member added to the upper cover is not shown.

[0040] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , a battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110, an upper cover 120, a lower cover 130, and a filling member 140.

[0041] Specifically, each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 may include an electrode terminal 111. The electrode terminal 111 may include a positive electrode terminal 111a and a negative electrode terminal 111b. In addition, the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 may be arranged to extend in the vertical direction. The plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 may be arranged in the horizontal direction. The plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. For example, when observed in the Figure 1 F direction, as shown in Figure 2 , the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 may be arranged in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) and the left-right direction (X-axis direction).

[0042] Here, the cylindrical battery cell 110 may include an electrode assembly 116, a battery can 112, and a cap assembly 113.

[0043] The electrode assembly 116 may have the following structure: the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are wound, with a separator interposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. In addition, the positive electrode terminal 114 may be attached to the positive electrode plate and connected to the cap assembly 113, and the negative electrode terminal 115 may be attached to the negative electrode plate and connected to the lower end of the battery can 112.

[0044] An empty space may be formed in the battery can 112 so that the electrode assembly 116 can be accommodated in the empty space. Specifically, the battery can 112 may be configured to have a cylindrical shape with an open top. Additionally, the battery can 112 may be made of a metal material such as steel or aluminum to ensure rigidity. Furthermore, the negative electrode terminal may be attached to the lower end of the battery can 112 so that not only the upper and lower parts of the battery can 112 can be used as the negative terminal 111b, but also the battery can 112 itself can be used as the negative terminal 111b.

[0045] The cap assembly 113 may be coupled to the open top of the battery can 112 to seal the open end of the battery can 112. The cap assembly 113 may have a circular or rectangular shape according to the shape of the battery can 112 and may include sub-components such as a top cap C1, a vent unit C2, and a gasket C3.

[0046] Here, the top cap C1 may be located at the top of the cap assembly 113 and be configured to protrude upward. Specifically, the top cap C1 may be used as the positive terminal 111a in the cylindrical battery cell 110. Therefore, the top cap C1 may be electrically connected to another cylindrical battery cell 110 or a charging device via an external device (e.g., a bus bar). The top cap C1 may be made of a metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum.

[0047] In addition, if the internal pressure of the cylindrical battery cell 110 (i.e., the internal pressure of the battery can 112) increases to a predetermined level or above, the shape of the vent unit C2 may be deformed (broken) so that the gas inside the battery can 112 is discharged to the outside through the opening D of the top cap C1. Here, the predetermined level of the internal pressure may be 5 to 10 atmospheres.

[0048] Furthermore, the gasket C3 may be made of a material with electrical insulation so that the edge portions of the top cap C1 and the vent unit C2 can be insulated from the battery can 112.

[0049] Meanwhile, the cap assembly 113 may further include a current interrupt device C4. The current interrupt device C4 is also referred to as a CID. When the internal pressure of the battery increases due to the generation of gas to reverse the shape of the exhaust unit C2, the contact between the exhaust unit C2 and the current interrupt device C4 may be disconnected or the current interrupt device C4 may be damaged, thereby cutting off the electrical connection between the exhaust unit C2 and the electrode assembly 116.

[0050] The configuration of the cylindrical battery cell 110 has been widely known to those skilled in the art at the time of filing this application and will not be described in detail herein. Additionally, although Figure 3 illustrates an example of the cylindrical battery cell 110, the battery module 100 according to the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration of the cylindrical battery cell 110 having a specific shape. That is, various types of cylindrical battery cells 110 known at the time of filing this application can be employed in the battery module 100 according to the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view schematically showing the upper cover of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Additionally, Figure 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the lower cover of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5 and Figure 2 , the upper cover 120 may include a material having electrical insulation properties. The upper cover 120 may be made of, for example, a polyvinyl chloride material or a polyethylene terephthalate material. The upper cover 120 may have an upper wall W1 that extends in the horizontal direction to cover the upper portions of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110. A plurality of exposure holes 120h may be formed in the upper wall W1 to expose at least a part of the upper portion of each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 to the outside. The exposure holes 120h may have a size such that the upper surface of the cylindrical battery cell 110 can be partially or completely exposed to the outside.

[0053] Furthermore, the lower cover 130 may have a lower wall W2 that extends in the horizontal direction to cover the lower portions of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110. A plurality of exposure holes 130h may be formed in the lower wall W2 to expose at least a part of the lower portion of each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 to the outside. The exposure holes 130h may have a size such that the lower surface of the cylindrical battery cell 110 can be partially or completely exposed to the outside.

[0054] In addition, the filling member 140 may include a material having electrical insulation properties. For example, the filling member 140 may be, for example, glue, hot-melt resin, or silicone-based adhesive. For example, the filling member 140 may include at least one of polysilicon resin, polyamide-based resin, polyimide-based resin, epoxy-based resin, and acrylic resin.

[0055] Furthermore, the filling member 140 may be configured to seal the plurality of exposed holes 120h formed in at least one of the upper cover 120 and the lower cover 130. The filling member 140 may be configured to seal the plurality of exposed holes 120h by curing after being injected into the plurality of exposed holes 120h in the form of resin.

[0056] Therefore, according to such a configuration of the present disclosure, since the present disclosure includes the filling member 140 configured to seal the plurality of exposed holes 120h of the upper cover 120 or the lower cover 130, if high-temperature gas or flame generated in the battery can 112 is ejected to the upper or lower part of the cylindrical battery cells 110 due to abnormal behavior (operation) of some of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 when the battery module 100 is in use, the high-temperature gas or flame can be blocked by the filling member 140 that seals the plurality of exposed holes 120h. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, when the temperature of other adjacent cylindrical battery cells 110 rises due to the high-temperature gas or flame ejected from some cylindrical battery cells 110, thermal runaway or spread of fire can be prevented. Ultimately, the present disclosure can significantly increase the safety of the battery module 100 during use.

[0057] Figure 6 is a schematic longitudinal partial cross-sectional view of the battery module taken along Figure 1 line C-C'. For ease of explanation, the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 and the coating material 150 that are not shown in the cross-sectional shape but are shown in the front view are not shown, and other components such as the upper cover 120, the lower cover 130, and the filling member 140 are shown in the cross-sectional view. Figure 6 According to FIGS.

[0058] Referring to Figure 6 and Figure 2 , the filling member 140 of the battery module 100 according to the present disclosure may be coated on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 to surround the surface. That is, the filling member 140 may be injected into the exposed holes 120h in the form of resin and applied to at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the cylindrical battery cells 110, and then cured. For example, as shown in Figure 6As shown, the filling member 140 can be coated on the upper surface of the cylindrical battery cell 110. Although not shown in the drawings, the filling member 140 can be coated on the lower surface of the battery can 112 of the cylindrical battery cell 110.

[0059] In addition, the filling member 140 can be coated on a part of the side surface of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 to surround the part of the side surface. For example, as Figure 6 shown, the filling member 140 can be coated on the side surface to surround the side surface at the top of the side portion of the cylindrical battery cell 110. Although not shown in the drawings, the filling member 140 can be coated on the side surface to surround the side surface at the bottom of the side portion of the battery can 112 of the cylindrical battery cell 110.

[0060] Therefore, according to such a configuration of the present disclosure, since the filling member 140 surrounds the outer surfaces of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110, the filling member 140 can prevent high-temperature gas or flame generated in some of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 from spraying out to other adjacent cylindrical battery cells 110. Therefore, when the temperature of other adjacent cylindrical battery cells 110 rises due to the high-temperature gas or flame sprayed out from some cylindrical battery cells 110, thermal runaway or fire spread can be prevented.

[0061] Meanwhile, referring again to Figure 6 and Figure 2 , the battery module 100 may further include a plurality of bus bars 160. The bus bars 160 can be configured to form electrical connections between the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110. The bus bars 160 can include a conductive metal. The bus bars 160 can include, for example, at least one of copper, nickel, and aluminum. For example, the bus bars 160 can have a plate-like or wiring shape elongated in one direction.

[0062] In addition, in the battery module 100 of the present disclosure, the bus bars 160 in the wiring shape can be connected to each of the positive terminals 111a and negative terminals 111b of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110. For example, in the battery module 100 of the present disclosure, in a state where the bus bars 160 in the wiring shape are connected to each of the positive terminals 111a and negative terminals 111b, the filling member 140 can be coated on the surfaces of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110.

[0063] Meanwhile, referring again to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , at least one of the upper cover 120 and the lower cover 130 can include a filling portion 120g. For example, as Figure 2As shown, the upper cover 120 may include a filling portion 120g. The filling portion 120g may have an inwardly recessed shape to form a receiving space, and the filling member 140 is filled in the receiving space. For example, the filling portion 120g may be formed to be inwardly recessed in a region where a plurality of exposed holes 120h are formed in at least one of the upper cover 120 and the lower cover 130.

[0064] Herein, the term "inward" may refer to a direction toward the center of the main body of the upper cover 120 or the lower cover 130. For example, as Figure 2 shown, the upper cover 120 may include a filling portion 120g that is recessed downward in a region where the plurality of exposed holes 120h are formed.

[0065] In addition, the filling member 140 may be filled to fill the filling portion 120g. That is, the filling member 140 may be cured after filling the upper surface of the upper cover 120 or the lower surface of the lower cover 130 to a predetermined thickness.

[0066] Therefore, according to such a configuration of the present disclosure, since at least one of the upper cover 120 and the lower cover 130 has the filling portion 120g, a filling member 140 having a predetermined thickness can be formed on the outer surface of the upper cover 120 or the lower cover 130 where the plurality of exposed holes 120h are formed. Therefore, even when high-temperature gas or flame generated from some of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 is ejected to the outside through one exposed hole 120h, the high-temperature gas or flame can be prevented from being introduced into other adjacent exposed holes 120h by the filling member 140 filled in the filling portion 120g. Therefore, in the present disclosure, thermal runaway or fire spread to adjacent cylindrical battery cells 110 can be prevented.

[0067] Meanwhile, referring again to Figure 6 and Figure 2 , each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 of the present disclosure may be coated with an electrically insulating coating material 150. For example, the electrically insulating coating material 150 may include a material having a heat-shrinkable property, which means that the volume decreases at a temperature above a predetermined temperature. For example, a material having a heat-shrinkable property may be manufactured using a polyester-based resin, a polyolefin-based resin, or a polyphenylene sulfide-based resin. More specifically, the material having a heat-shrinkable property may include at least one of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyolefin, nylon, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

[0068] In addition, the electrically insulating coating material 150 may be configured to surround the side portions and the lower portion of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 except for the upper portion. That is, the coating material 150 may be coated to surround the horizontal side surface and the lower surface of the battery can 112 of the cylindrical battery cell 110.

[0069] Therefore, according to such a configuration of the present disclosure, since the coating material 150 is coated on the side portions and the lower portion of each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110, when the side portion of the cylindrical battery cell 110 breaks due to gas generated by abnormal behavior of some of the cylindrical battery cells 110 during charging and discharging of the battery module 100, the coating material 150 can prevent high-temperature gas or flame from directly ejecting to other adjacent cylindrical battery cells 110. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, since the coating material 150 is applied to the remaining portion of the cylindrical battery cell 110 that is not coated with the filling member 140, the safety of the battery module 100 during use can be greatly improved.

[0070] Meanwhile, referring to Figure 6 and Figure 2 , the upper cover 120 of the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a plurality of receiving portions 121, and the plurality of receiving portions 121 are tubular to insert the upper portion of each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110. The receiving portion 121 may have a tubular shape extending downward from the lower surface of the upper wall W1 of the upper cover 120.

[0071] In addition, the lower cover 130 may include a plurality of receiving portions 131 having a tubular shape, and the plurality of receiving portions 131 are configured to insert the lower portion of each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110. The receiving portion 131 may have a tubular shape extending upward from the upper surface of the lower wall W2 of the lower cover 130.

[0072] Figure 7 is a longitudinal partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] Referring to Figure 7 and Figure 6 , compared with the upper cover 120 of the battery module 100 of Figure 7 , the battery module 100A of Figure 7 may further include a guiding portion 122 located in the receiving portion 121 of at least one of the upper cover 120 and the lower cover 130. Figure 6 The other components of the battery module 100A of

[0074] In addition, the guiding portion 122 may have a protruding shape to partially surround the side portion of the cylindrical battery cell 110 inserted into the receiving portion 121. For example, referring to Figure 7 , the upper cover 120 may include a guiding portion 122 formed at the lower end of the receiving portion 121, and the guiding portion 122 protrudes toward the side portion of the cylindrical battery cell 110. That is to say, like the guiding portion 122, the receiving portion 121 of either the upper cover 120 or the lower cover 130 may have a shape in which one end of the tube is bent toward the center. Although not shown, when the filling member 140 is filled in each of the plurality of exposed holes 120h of the lower cover 130, the lower cover 130 may include a guiding portion 122 configured to protrude from the receiving portion 121 of the receiving portion 121 toward the side portion of the cylindrical battery cell 110.

[0075] In addition, the guiding portion 122 may be configured to prevent the filling member 140 from detaching from the receiving portion 121 when the filling member 140 is filled between the receiving portion 121 and the cylindrical battery cell 110. That is to say, the filling member 140 may be introduced and filled into one end of the receiving portion 121 where the guiding portion 122 is formed in the form of resin through the exposed hole 120h.

[0076] Therefore, according to such a configuration of the present disclosure, since at least one of the upper cover 120 and the lower cover 130 is provided with the guiding portion 122, the present disclosure can contribute to filling the filling member 140 in the receiving portion 121. In addition, in the present disclosure, when high-temperature gas or flame ejects through the upper or lower part of the cylindrical battery cell 110, the ejected gas or flame is blocked by the filling member 140. Therefore, when the gas or flame flows reversely and is guided inward along the inner surface of the receiving portion 121, the guiding portion 122 can prevent the reverse gas or flame from contacting other adjacent cylindrical battery cells 110. Therefore, the safety of the battery module 100A can be improved.

[0077] Figure 8 is a longitudinal partial sectional view schematically showing a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] Referring to Figure 8 , in a battery module 100B according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a receiving groove 121k may be formed in the receiving portion 121 of either the upper cover 120 or the lower cover 130, and the receiving groove 121k is recessed inward to partially introduce the filling member 140 into the receiving groove 121k. For example, the receiving groove 121k may have an elongated shape along the tubular inner surface of the receiving portion 121. That is to say, the receiving groove 121k may be configured such that the filling member 140 can be formed to a predetermined thickness along the outer surface of the side portion of the cylindrical battery cell 110. For example, as Figure 8As shown, the receiving portion 121 of the upper cover 120 may include a receiving groove 121k. A part of the filling member 140 may be filled in the receiving groove 121k.

[0079] Therefore, according to such a configuration of the present disclosure, since the receiving groove 121k is formed in the receiving portion 121 of either the upper cover 120 or the lower cover 130, the filling member 140 having a predetermined thickness can be formed at one end of the receiving portion 121. Therefore, the gas or flame discharged from the cylindrical battery cell 110 can be effectively prevented from flowing reversely inward through the receiving portion 121 by means of the filling member 140.

[0080] Figure 9 is a plan view schematically showing a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] Referring to Figure 9 and Figure 2 , compared with the battery module 100 of Figure 2 , the upper cover 120C of the battery module shown according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may have at least one input groove 123h. Figure 9 Specifically, the input groove 123h may be formed in at least one of the upper cover 120C and the lower cover 130. The input groove 123h may be drilled to insert the filling member 140 into the receiving portion 121 for receiving the cylindrical battery cell 110. The input groove 123h may be formed by drilling a part of the outer periphery of the exposed hole 120h. For example, as shown in

[0082] Figure 9

[0083]

[0084] Figure 10 Figure 10

[0085] is a longitudinal partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 and the coating material 150 shown in the front view but not shown in the cross-sectional view, and other components such as the upper cover 120, the lower cover 130, and the filling member 140 are shown in the cross-sectional view. Figure 10 The plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110 and the coating material 150 shown in the front view but not shown in the cross-sectional view, and other components such as the upper cover 120, the lower cover 130, and the filling member 140 are shown in the cross-sectional view.

[0085] Referring toFigure 10 , compared with the battery module 100D described in Figure 6 , the battery module 100D according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a band portion 151 located in the coating material 150.

[0086] Specifically, the band portion 151 may be configured to melt and flow downward along the side of the cylindrical battery cell 110 when the cylindrical battery cell 110 is heated to a temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature. For example, the band portion 151 may include a material that melts at about 200°C to 300°C. The band portion 151 may be a portion formed to have a relatively large thickness compared to the rest of the coating material 150. For example, the band portion 151 may be formed to surround the horizontal side of the cylindrical battery cell 110.

[0087] Therefore, according to such a configuration of the present disclosure, since the coating material 150 is separately provided with the band portion 151, when thermal runaway or fire occurs in some of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 110, causing the side of the cylindrical battery cell to break, the band portion 151 may melt and flow downward along the side of the cylindrical battery cell 110 to cover the broken portion. Therefore, the situation where high-temperature gas or flame is directly ejected to other cylindrical battery cells 110 adjacent to the cylindrical battery cell 110 where thermal runaway or fire occurs can be minimized. Ultimately, in the present disclosure, the safety of the battery module 100 can be effectively increased.

[0088] Meanwhile, a battery pack (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least two of the above-described battery modules 100. In addition, the battery pack may include a battery pack housing (not shown) having an accommodation space for accommodating the at least two battery modules 100. In addition, the battery pack may further include various devices (not shown) for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery module 100, such as a battery management system (BMS), a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0089] In addition, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be included in a vehicle (e.g., an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle). That is, a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may at least include the above-described battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the battery pack is installed in the vehicle body.

[0090] Meanwhile, a vehicle (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of the above-described battery modules 100 and an accommodation space for accommodating the battery module 100. For example, the vehicle may be an electric vehicle, an electric scooter, an electric wheelchair, or an electric bicycle.

[0091] The present disclosure has been described in detail. However, it is to be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Claims

1. A battery module, the battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells, each of the plurality of battery cells having an electrode terminal and being configured to elongate in the vertical direction; an upper cover having an upper wall configured to extend in the horizontal direction to cover an upper portion of the plurality of battery cells and having a plurality of exposure holes formed to at least partially expose an upper portion of each of the plurality of battery cells to the outside; a lower cover having a lower wall configured to extend in the horizontal direction to cover a lower portion of the plurality of battery cells and having a plurality of exposure holes formed to at least partially expose a lower portion of each of the plurality of battery cells to the outside; and a filling member having electrical insulation and filling the plurality of exposure holes formed in at least one of the upper cover and the lower cover to seal the plurality of exposure holes, wherein the filling member is coated to surround at least one of an upper surface of an upper portion of the plurality of battery cells and a lower surface of a lower portion of the plurality of battery cells, and the filling member is also coated to surround a part of a side surface of a side portion of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the side portion and the lower portion of the plurality of battery cells other than the upper portion of the plurality of battery cells are coated with an electrically insulating coating material, wherein the coating material is configured to melt and flow downward along a side portion of the battery cell when the battery cell is heated to exceed a predetermined temperature, and the coating material has a band portion formed to have a relatively large thickness compared to the rest of the coating material, and wherein the filling member is configured to seal the plurality of exposure holes by curing after being injected into the plurality of exposure holes.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, Among them, at least one of the upper cover and the lower cover includes a filling portion that is recessed inward in a region where the plurality of exposure holes are formed to form a receiving space, and the receiving space is filled with the filling member.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, Among them, the upper cover includes a plurality of receiving portions having tubes extending in the vertical direction to insert an upper portion of each of the plurality of battery cells therein, the lower cover includes a plurality of receiving portions having tubes extending in the vertical direction to insert a lower portion of each of the plurality of battery cells therein, and the receiving portion of at least one of the upper cover and the lower cover includes a guiding portion configured to project from the receiving portion toward a side portion of the battery cell inserted into the receiving portion to partially surround the side portion of the battery cell inserted into the receiving portion.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, Among them, the receiving portion of any one of the upper cover and the lower cover has a receiving groove that is recessed inward to partially introduce the filling member into the receiving groove.

5. The battery module according to claim 3, Among them, At least one of the upper cover and the lower cover has at least one input groove formed by partially punching the outer peripheral portion of the exposed hole so that the filling member is introduced into the accommodating portion.

6. A battery pack, the battery pack including at least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A vehicle, the vehicle including at least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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