Battery Pack

Abstract

A battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction, each of the plurality of battery cells including a main surface, a first surface, and a second surface, wherein the main surfaces of the battery cells arranged adjacent to each other face each other, and the first surface and the second surface respectively form two ends of each of the plurality of battery cells in a second direction intersecting the first direction; an insulating cover arranged on the first surface and the second surface of the battery cell, the insulating cover extending from the first surface and the second surface to a portion of the main surface of the battery cell so as to insulate the main surfaces of the battery cells arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction from each other; a bus bar arranged on the insulating cover to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells to each other; and a coupling frame configured to structurally couple the plurality of battery cells to each other.

Description

[0001] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0066487 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on May 24, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Technical Field

[0002] One or more embodiments relate to a battery pack. Background Art

[0003] Generally, unlike a non-rechargeable primary battery, a secondary battery refers to a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged. Secondary batteries are used as energy sources for devices such as mobile devices, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, electric bicycles, and uninterruptible power supplies. Depending on the type of device employing the secondary battery, a single-cell secondary battery or a secondary battery in the form of a module each including a plurality of cells connected to each other as a unit is used. Summary of the invention

[0004] One or more embodiments include a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells, in which insulation between battery cells arranged adjacent to each other is ensured, the rigidity of each of the plurality of battery cells can be improved while the capacity of each of the plurality of battery cells can be easily increased, and the manufacturing operation of the battery pack can be simplified.

[0005] One or more embodiments include a battery pack that is flexibly expandable in an arrangement direction of battery cells to meet required output and capacity of the battery pack.

[0006] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed presented embodiments.

[0007] According to one or more embodiments, a battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction, each of the plurality of battery cells including a main surface, a first surface, and a second surface, wherein the main surfaces of the battery cells arranged adjacent to each other face each other, and the first surface and the second surface respectively form two ends of each of the plurality of battery cells in a second direction intersecting the first direction; an insulating cover arranged on the first surface and the second surface of the battery cell, the insulating cover extending from the first surface and the second surface to a portion of the main surface of the battery cell so as to insulate the main surfaces of the battery cells arranged adjacent to each other along the first direction from each other; a bus bar arranged on the insulating cover to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells to each other; and a combining frame configured to structurally combine the plurality of battery cells to each other.

[0008] For example, the insulating cover may be individually formed for each of the plurality of battery cells arranged in the first direction.

[0009] For example, a main surface of the battery cell may be connected between a first surface and a second surface of the battery cell and include a surface having a relatively large area, and the battery cell may also include a side surface connected between the first surface and the second surface of the battery cell and having a relatively narrow area.

[0010] For example, each of the main surface and the side surface of the battery cell may be formed in an elongated shape elongated in the second direction.

[0011] For example, the insulating cover may include a base portion formed on first and second surfaces of the battery cell, a long side portion extending from the base portion to a main surface of the battery cell, and a short side portion extending from the base portion to a side surface of the battery cell.

[0012] For example, the long side portion and the short side portion may continuously surround the edge of the first surface and the edge of the second surface of the battery cell.

[0013] For example, the main surface and side surface of the battery cell may respectively include a pair of main surfaces and a pair of side surfaces, wherein the pair of main surfaces and the pair of side surfaces may respectively be arranged to face each other, and the main surface and side surface of the battery cell may be provided by outer surfaces of the hollow shell that are continuously connected to each other.

[0014] For example, each of the hollow shells may include a first opening and a second opening which are respectively formed at both ends of the hollow shell by cutting a hollow member continuously extruded in the second direction.

[0015] For example, the first plate and the second plate may be respectively coupled to both ends of the hollow housing, wherein the first plate and the second plate may respectively seal the first opening and the second opening of the hollow housing.

[0016] For example, the thickness of the hollow shell may be greater than the thickness of the first plate and the thickness of the second plate.

[0017] For example, the first surface and the second surface of the battery cell may be provided by an outer surface of a first plate and an outer surface of a second plate, respectively.

[0018] For example, the battery cell may include an electrode connected to the bus bar, and the electrode of the battery cell may include a first electrode and a second electrode protruding from a first surface and a second surface of the battery cell, respectively.

[0019] For example, the insulation cover may include: an electrode hole configured to expose the electrode of the battery cell; and a bus bar guide configured to guide the position of the bus bar around the electrode hole.

[0020] For example, the insulating cover may further include a fixing member formed at an edge position of the insulating cover in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and the electrode hole may be formed at a center position of the insulating cover in the third direction.

[0021] For example, the fixture may include a plurality of fixtures arranged in the first direction to correspond to the plurality of battery cells, and the coupling frame may be coupled to each of the plurality of fixtures while extending in the first direction.

[0022] For example, the combining frame may extend in a first direction and include a first portion and a second portion bent relative to each other, the first portion may provide a position for combining with the fixing member, and the second portion may be bent from the first portion and protrude toward the outside of the battery cell in the second direction.

[0023] For example, the fixing member may be integrally formed with the main body of the insulation cover by insert injection molding.

[0024] For example, the insulating cover may further include a bonding area formed at a central position of the insulating cover, the bonding area being formed together with the electrode hole.

[0025] For example, the electrode hole of the insulating cover and the bonding area may be formed at different positions at a central position of the insulating cover.

[0026] For example, the fixing member of the insulating cover may include a first fixing member and a second fixing member, the first fixing member and the second fixing member are respectively formed at edge positions on both sides of the insulating cover in the third direction, the electrode hole and the bonding area of ​​the insulating cover can be formed between the first fixing member and the second fixing member, the electrode hole can be formed at a position relatively closer to the first fixing member, and the bonding area can be formed at a position relatively closer to the second fixing member.

[0027] For example, the bus bar and the coupling frame may be arranged at the position of the electrode hole of the insulation cover and the position of the fixing member, respectively, and the circuit unit connected to the bus bar may be located on the bus bar and the coupling frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of some disclosed embodiments will become more apparent through the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a battery pack according to an embodiment;

[0030] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Each shows Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a battery pack shown in FIG. Figure 2A and Figure 2B Shown are exploded perspective views that are different from each other;

[0031] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the assembly of the battery cell and the insulating cover shown in FIG.

[0032] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of a battery cell shown in ;

[0033] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Each shows Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a portion of a battery pack is shown in Figure 5A and Figure 5B showing exploded perspective views that are different from each other; and

[0034] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Each shows Figure 1 Different perspective views of the insulating cover are shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Now will refer to embodiment in detail, the example of embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals always represent the same element. In this regard, the embodiment provided may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the description set forth herein. Therefore, the embodiment is described below only by reference to the accompanying drawings to explain the aspects of this specification. As used herein, the term "and / or (and / or)" includes any combination and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items. Expressions such as "at least one (kind / person) of ... " modify the entire column of elements when following a column of elements, without modifying the individual elements of the column.

[0036] Hereinafter, a battery pack according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a battery pack according to an embodiment. Figure 2A and Figure 2B Each shows Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a battery pack shown in FIG. Figure 2A and Figure 2B Exploded perspective views different from each other are shown. Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the assembly of a battery cell and an insulating cover shown in FIG. Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of a battery cell is shown in FIG. Figure 5A and Figure 5B Each shows Figure 1An exploded perspective view of a portion of a battery pack is shown in Figure 5A and Figure 5B Exploded perspective views different from each other are shown. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Each shows Figure 1 Different perspective views of the insulating cover are shown in FIG.

[0038] Reference Figures 1 to 2B According to an embodiment, a battery pack may include: a plurality of battery cells C arranged in a first direction Z1, each of the plurality of battery cells C including a main surface M, a first surface P1, and a second surface P2, wherein the main surfaces M of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other face each other, and the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 respectively form two ends of each of the plurality of battery cells C in a second direction Z2 intersecting the first direction Z1; an insulating cover H arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cells C, the insulating cover H extending from the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 to portions of the main surfaces M of the battery cells C to insulate the main surfaces M of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1; a bus bar 30 arranged on the insulating cover H to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells to each other; and a combining frame 40 configured to structurally combine the plurality of battery cells C to each other.

[0039] The battery pack according to the embodiment may include a plurality of battery cells C arranged in a first direction Z1, and may include at least two battery cells C of the plurality of battery cells C. The battery cell C may include an electrode assembly (not shown) and a housing 15 for accommodating the electrode assembly. Although not shown in the drawings, the electrode assembly may include a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate having different polarities from each other and a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, and may include a wound-type electrode assembly in which a laminate having a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate is wound into a roll or a stacked-type electrode assembly in which a plurality of layers are stacked with a separator between the plurality of first electrode plates and the plurality of second electrode plates. As will be described below, the electrode assembly (not shown) may be electrically connected to the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 formed on the housing 15, and may output discharge power or receive charge power through the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2.

[0040] The case 15 may house an electrode assembly (not shown) together with an electrolyte (not shown), and a first electrode T1 and a second electrode T2 both electrically connected to the electrode assembly may be formed on the case 15. The case 15 may include a first surface P1 and a second surface P2 on which the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 are respectively formed, a main surface M connected between the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 and having a relatively large area, and a side surface S connected between the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 and having a relatively narrow area. The case 15 forms an outer surface of the battery cell C, and the main surface M, the side surface S, the first surface P1, and the second surface P2 of the case 15 may correspond to the outer surface of the battery cell C. In this sense, the main surface M, the side surface S, the first surface P1, and the second surface P2 of the case 15 may correspond to the main surface M, the side surface S, the first surface P1, and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C, respectively.

[0041] In an embodiment, the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 may be formed at positions opposite to each other in a second direction Z2 intersecting the first direction Z1. The second direction Z2 may correspond to a direction intersecting the first direction Z1, and in an embodiment, the second direction Z2 may correspond to a direction perpendicularly intersecting the first direction Z1. In an embodiment, the second direction Z2 may correspond to a longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction) of the housing 15, and may correspond to a longitudinal direction of the main surface M or a longitudinal direction of the side surface S, the main surface M and the side surface S forming the housing 15. The housing 15 may be formed into an elongated shape elongated in the second direction Z2, and the main surface M and the side surface S of the housing 15 may also be formed into an elongated shape elongated in the second direction Z2.

[0042] In the embodiment, although the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 are respectively dispersed and arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 opposite to each other in the second direction Z2, in another embodiment, the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 may be centrally arranged on any one of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, and the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 may not be arranged on the other of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2. However, in the embodiment, since electrical interference between the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 having different polarities from each other can be avoided and the insulating structure for electrical insulation between the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 can be omitted by dispersing and arranging the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 opposite to each other in the second direction Z2, the structure of the battery cell C can be simplified.

[0043] In an embodiment, the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 may be formed to protrude from the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C, respectively, and the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 may be formed to protrude from the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 toward the outer side opposite to the battery cell C in the second direction Z2, respectively. In an embodiment, the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 may be formed integrally with the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, respectively. The first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 may be formed as a part of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, respectively, and may be formed to protrude from the remaining part of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, respectively. As described above, in an embodiment, the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 may not be formed in a state of being insulated from the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, respectively, and may be formed integrally with the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, respectively, as a part of the first surface P1 and a part of the second surface P2. Since the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 are respectively dispersedly formed on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 different from each other, an insulating structure between the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 is not required, and therefore, by forming the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 of the battery cell C integrally with the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, respectively, the assembly of the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 with respect to the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, respectively, or a complex structure for insulation between the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 can be omitted, and the structure of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, respectively including the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2, can be simplified. In an embodiment, the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 protruding from the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, respectively, can be exposed through the electrode hole TH of the insulating cover H arranged on each of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, and each of the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 exposed through the electrode hole TH can be electrically connected to the bus bar 30 on the insulating cover H. As described above, electrical connection between the bus bar 30 and each of the first and second electrodes T1 and T2 may be formed by forming the first and second electrodes T1 and T2 to protrude from the first and second surfaces P1 and P2, respectively, with the insulating cover H between the bus bar 30 and each of the first and second electrodes T1 and T2.

[0044] The first surface P1 and the second surface P2 may form both ends of the housing 15 in a second direction Z2 corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the housing 15, respectively. In other words, the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 may form both ends of the housing 15 in a second direction Z2 corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the main surface M or the longitudinal direction of the side surface S, respectively, and the main surface M and the side surface S form the housing 15. As will be described below, the insulating cover H may be arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the housing 15 (i.e., the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C). The bus bar 30 that electrically connects the plurality of battery cells C to each other and the coupling frame 40 that structurally couples the plurality of battery cells C to each other may be arranged on the insulating cover H.

[0045] The main surface M may correspond to a surface having the largest area among the surfaces forming the shell 15. In an embodiment, the shell 15 may be formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the main surface M may correspond to a surface occupying the largest area among the surfaces of the shell 15 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In an embodiment, a plurality of battery cells C are arranged in a first direction Z1, and more specifically, the plurality of battery cells C may be arranged so that the main surfaces M of the plurality of battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other face each other, and the main surface M is a surface occupying the largest area among the surfaces of each of the plurality of battery cells C, so that a stable support may be formed between the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other by the main surface M occupying the largest area. Here, even when the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other are supported relative to each other by the main surface M, the main surfaces M of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other may not be in direct contact with each other.

[0046] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the housing 15 of the battery cell C may have a polarity depending on the specific configuration of the battery cell C, and the main surfaces M of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other may not directly contact each other, so that the housings 15 each having a polarity do not electrically interfere with each other. As will be described below, when the insulating cover H arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 extends onto the main surface M, the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other may be supported relative to each other by physical support of the long side portions Hb of the insulating cover H of the battery cell C (e.g., contact between the long side portions Hb of the insulating cover H).

[0047] The insulating cover H may be arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the housing 15 to extend onto the main surface M and the side surface S. At this time, a plurality of battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other along the first direction Z1 may be arranged so that their main surfaces M face each other, so that the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other may be supported relative to each other by the long side portions Hb extending to the main surface M of the insulating cover H. As will be described below, the insulating cover H may include a base portion Ha arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, a long side portion Hb extending from the base portion Ha to the main surface M, and a short side portion Hc extending from the base portion Ha to the side surface S. In an embodiment, the main surface M and the side surface S may include a pair of main surfaces M and a pair of side surfaces S, respectively, the pair of main surfaces M facing each other, and the pair of side surfaces S facing each other. The insulating cover H may include a pair of long side portions Hb extending to the pair of main surfaces M and a pair of short side portions Hc extending to the pair of side surfaces S, wherein the pair of long side portions Hb may be arranged to face each other, and the pair of short side portions Hc may be arranged to face each other.

[0048] and Figure 3 Refer to Figure 5A and Figure 5B , the insulating gap g may be formed between the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other (i.e., formed between the main surfaces M of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other) by the long side portions Hb of the insulating covers H of the battery cells C. That is, in a position between the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other so that the main surfaces M of the battery cells C face each other, when the long side portions Hb of the insulating covers H of the battery cells C contact each other, the main surfaces M may not directly contact each other, the long side portions Hb extend onto the main surfaces M, and the insulating gap g is formed between the main surfaces M of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other, so that electrical interference between the main surfaces M of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other can be avoided.

[0049] In an embodiment, the positions of a plurality of battery cells C arranged in a first direction Z1 may be aligned with each other through their insulating covers H. For example, a pair of assembly pins A1 and assembly holes A2 having shapes that match each other may be formed in a pair of long side portions Hb formed in the insulating cover H at positions corresponding to each other along the first direction Z1, and when the long side portions Hb extending onto the main surfaces of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other are combined with each other as the assembly pins A1 and the assembly holes A2 match each other, the positions of the main surfaces M of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other (i.e., the positions of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other) may be aligned with each other. In an embodiment, the length of the assembly pins A1 and the depth of the assembly holes A2 may be appropriately adjusted so that the long side portions Hb of the insulating covers H of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other may match each other while contacting each other. For example, when the assembly pins A1 and the assembly holes A2 match each other until the long side portions Hb on which the assembly pins A1 and the assembly holes A2 are formed contact each other, the positions of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other may be aligned with each other, and the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other may be supported relative to each other by the contact between the long side portions Hb. For example, in an embodiment, the length of the assembling pin A1 may be smaller than the depth of the assembling hole A2.

[0050] In an embodiment, the assembly pin A1 and the assembly hole A2 can align the positions of the plurality of battery cells C arranged in the first direction Z1 with each other, and the assembly pin A1 and the assembly hole A2 can provide a certain degree of binding force to each other through their cooperation (e.g., through their tight cooperation). As will be described below, in an embodiment, a strong binding force can be provided to the plurality of battery cells C through the combination frame 40, which is combined with each of the plurality of insulating covers H arranged in the first direction Z1 while extending in the first direction Z1 along which the plurality of battery cells C are arranged.

[0051] The side surface S of the housing 15 may include a pair of side surfaces S facing each other in a third direction Z3 intersecting the first direction Z1 along which the plurality of battery cells C are arranged. Unlike the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 on which the insulating cover H is arranged or the main surfaces M facing each other of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1 along which the plurality of battery cells C are arranged, the side surface S of the housing 15 may be exposed to the outside from the plurality of battery cells C arranged in the first direction Z1. Here, the side surface S of the battery cell C being exposed to the outside may mean that the side surface S of the battery cell C may be exposed to the outside from an array of the battery cells C including the plurality of battery cells C, and in an embodiment having a separate group housing (not shown) for accommodating the array of the battery cells C, the side surface S of the battery cell C may be covered by the group housing (not shown).

[0052] Reference Figure 4In an embodiment, the housing 15 may be formed by including a first plate 21 and a second plate 22, the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 being used to respectively seal the first opening 11 and the second opening 12 of the hollow housing 10 at which the positions of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 are open. At this time, the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the housing 15 may be provided by the first plate 21 and the second plate 22, respectively, and the main surface M and the side surface S of the housing 15 may be provided by the hollow housing 10. In an embodiment, the main surface M and the side surface S of the housing 15 may correspond to the surface of the hollow housing 10, the surfaces are integrally formed by one extrusion operation, and the main surface M and the side surface S of the housing 15 may be continuously connected to each other without a seam. The first plate 21 and the second plate 22, which respectively form the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the housing 15, may be bonded to the end surface of the hollow housing 10, and may be bonded to the end surface of the main surface M corresponding to the end surface of the hollow housing 10 and the end surface of the side surface S corresponding to the end surface of the hollow housing 10 by welding or the like. At this time, seams such as welding lines can be formed along the edges of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the shell 15 at the boundary between the first surface P1 and the main surface M, at the boundary between the first surface P1 and the side surface S, at the boundary between the second surface P2 and the main surface M, and at the boundary between the second surface P2 and the side surface S.

[0053] The hollow shell 10 having a unit size and a first opening 11 and a second opening 12 formed therein can be formed by cutting a member for forming the hollow shell 10 into a unit size, the member being continuously extruded by extrusion molding, and each shell 15 can be formed by respectively covering and sealing the first opening 11 and the second opening 12 of the hollow shell 10 having the unit size with a first plate 21 and a second plate 22. For example, the hollow shell 10 can be formed into a form extending in the second direction Z2 by extrusion molding in the second direction Z2 as the extrusion direction. In an embodiment, a shell 15 that can be continuously manufactured in such a method is provided: the hollow member continuously extruded by extrusion molding is cut into a unit size, and the first opening 11 and the second opening 12 of the hollow shell 10 formed by cutting are respectively covered and sealed with the first plate 21 and the second plate 22. Therefore, the operation time required to manufacture each shell 15 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the shell 15 can be reduced.

[0054] In the embodiment, since the hollow shell 10 having a unit size is formed by cutting the hollow member continuously extruded by extrusion molding, the capacity of each battery cell C can be easily increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the unit size of the hollow shell 10. In the embodiment, in the method of increasing the capacity of each battery cell C, the length of the electrode assembly forming the inside of the battery cell C can be increased, and therefore, the cutting size of the continuously extruded hollow member can be increased by an amount corresponding to the increased length of the electrode assembly, so that the hollow shell 10 having an increased length in the second direction Z2 can be easily formed to accommodate the electrode assembly having an increased length.

[0055] In an embodiment, the rigidity of the shell 15 can be increased by extrusion molding of the hollow shell 10 that forms the main surface M and the side surface S of the battery cell C. Unlike the comparative example in which the shell 15 is formed by a plate-like shell member through molding such as deep drawing or joining such as welding, it is not necessary to limit the thickness of the shell 15 for molding and welding, and therefore, the rigidity of the shell 15 can be ensured by a sufficient extrusion thickness of the shell 15. In an embodiment, the main surface M and the side surface S of the battery cell C can ensure sufficient rigidity thereof by the hollow shell 10 formed by extrusion molding, and as will be described below, the rigidity on the sides of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 can be ensured while the coupling frame 40 is arranged on the sides of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C. For example, by considering welding with the hollow shell 10, the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 that respectively form the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C may be formed to have a relatively thin thickness, but the rigidity of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C may be ensured while the coupling frame 40 having sufficient rigidity is arranged on the sides of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C. In an embodiment, the thickness of the hollow shell 10 that forms the main surface M and the side surface S of the battery cell C may be greater than the thickness of the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 that respectively form the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C, and the rigidity on the sides of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 may be supplemented while the coupling frame 40 is arranged on the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 having a relatively thin thickness (i.e., arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2).

[0056] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4, the insulating cover H may be arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the housing 15 (i.e., the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C). The insulating cover H may extend from the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 to the main surface M and the side surface S of the housing 15, and more specifically, the insulating cover H may include a base portion Ha formed on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, a long side portion Hb extending from the base portion Ha to the main surface M, and a short side portion Hc extending from the base portion to the side surface S. For example, the long side portion Hb of the insulating cover H may cover a portion of the main surface M of the battery cell C (i.e., a portion of the main surface M adjacent to the first surface P1 and the second surface P2), and the short side portion Hc of the insulating cover H may cover a portion of the side surface S of the battery cell C (i.e., a portion of the side surface S adjacent to the first surface P1 and the second surface P2). In an embodiment, the main surface M and the side surface S of the housing 15 may be formed continuously with each other, and a pair of main surfaces M and a pair of side surfaces S may be formed continuously with each other. In addition, the long side portion Hb and the short side portion Hc of the insulating cover H may continuously surround the pair of main surfaces M and the pair of side surfaces S while extending in a continuous form with each other. In other words, the long side portion Hb and the short side portion Hc of the insulating cover H may continuously surround the edges of the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 exposed toward the side of the main surface M and the side surface S or the edges of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 formed by the first plate 21 and the second plate 22, respectively.

[0057] The insulating cover H may cover the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the housing 15 to provide insulation, and may provide insulation between the main surfaces M of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other along the first direction Z1. According to the specific structure of the battery cells C, since the housing 15 may have polarity, the insulating cover H may provide insulation between the main surfaces M of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other along the first direction Z1, and at the same time provide insulation to the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 forming the housing 15, so that a short circuit due to an external environment or electrical interference between the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other may be avoided and accidents such as malfunction of the battery cells C or explosion and fire due to electrical interference may be prevented in advance.

[0058] In an embodiment, the insulating coating may be formed on the main surface M and the side surface S of the battery cell C, for example, the insulating coating may be formed on the outer surface of the hollow shell 10 forming the main surface M and the side surface S of the battery cell C. In an embodiment, the insulating coating may not be formed on the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 respectively forming the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C. Instead of forming the insulating coating on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, insulation relative to the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C may be ensured by covering the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 with respect to the first surface P1 and the second surface P2. Unlike the present disclosure, in the comparative example in which the insulating coating is completely formed on the outer surface of the shell 15, although a separate coating operation for forming the insulating coating on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 is not required, in the present disclosure, insulation relative to the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 may be provided by the insulating cover H instead of forming the insulating coating on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C. As will be described below, the insulating cover H may serve as a bus bar holder supporting the bus bar 30 , and the insulating cover H operating as the bus bar holder may provide insulation for the first and second surfaces P1 and P2 together, so that coating operations on the first and second surfaces P1 and P2 of the battery cell C may be omitted.

[0059] Throughout this specification, the insulating cover H providing insulation between the main surfaces M of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other along the first direction Z1 may mean providing insulation between the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 forming a portion of the main surface M of the battery cell C. The main surface M of the battery cell C may be formed by the hollow shell 10, and more specifically, may be formed by the edges of the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 coupled to the hollow shell 10 together with the hollow shell 10. At this time, an insulating coating may be formed on the main surface M formed by the hollow shell 10, and the insulating cover H may cover the main surface M formed by the edges of the first plate 21 and the second plate 22, and thus, the shell 15 may be completely insulated along its outer surface. Throughout the present specification, the main surface M of the battery cell C is formed by the hollow shell 10 may mean that most of the main surface M of the battery cell C may be formed by the hollow shell 10, rather than indicating that the main surface M of the battery cell C is completely formed by the hollow shell 10, and more specifically, may mean that a portion of the main surface M may be formed by the edges of the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 that respectively seal the first opening 11 and the second opening 12 that form both ends of the hollow shell 10. Similarly, throughout the present specification, the side surface S of the battery cell C is formed by the hollow shell 10 may mean that most of the side surface S of the battery cell C may be formed by the hollow shell 10, rather than indicating that the side surface S of the battery cell C is completely formed by the hollow shell 10, and more specifically, may mean that a portion of the side surface S may be formed by the edges of the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 that respectively seal the first opening 11 and the second opening 12 that form both ends of the hollow shell 10.

[0060] Reference Figure 5A and Figure 5B In an embodiment, an insulating gap g may be formed between the main surfaces M of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other along the first direction Z1 according to the contact between the long side portions Hb of the insulating covers H of the battery cells C, the long side portions Hb extending onto the main surfaces M, and the insulating gap g may be formed between the main surfaces M of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other. In an embodiment, an insulating sheet 80 may be arranged in the insulating gap g between the main surfaces M of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other, and the insulation between the main surfaces M may be more reliably ensured by the insulating sheet 80. The insulating sheet 80 provides electrical insulation and thermal insulation (insulation) between the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other, so that electrical short circuit and heat propagation between the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other may be prevented.

[0061] In an embodiment, the insulating cover H may include a first insulating cover H1 and a second insulating cover H2 respectively arranged at a front position and a rear position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2 to cover the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C. As will be described below, the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C may be arranged to be alternately reversed in the first direction Z1 so that the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other are arranged in opposite orientations in the second direction Z2. The insulating cover H arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C may include the first insulating cover H1 and the second insulating cover H2 arranged at positions opposite to each other along the second direction Z2 regardless of the positions of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C. Throughout the specification, the first insulation cover H1 and the second insulation cover H2 are arranged at positions opposite to each other along the second direction Z2 regardless of the positions of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C, which may mean that the first insulation cover H1 may be arranged on the first surface P1 of the battery cell C or on the second surface P2 of the battery cell C according to the specific orientation of the battery cell C, and similarly, may mean that the second insulation cover H2 may be arranged on the first surface P1 of the battery cell C or on the second surface P2 of the battery cell C. Throughout the specification, the first insulation cover H1 and the second insulation cover H2 may be used to distinguish between the insulation cover H arranged at the front position of the battery cell C and the insulation cover H arranged at the rear position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2 and refer to the insulation cover H arranged at the front position of the battery cell C and the insulation cover H arranged at the rear position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2, respectively. As will be described below, similar to the first insulating cover H1 and the second insulating cover H2, the bus bar 30 may also include a first bus bar 31 and a second bus bar 32 positioned at positions opposite to each other along the second direction Z2, and depending on the orientation of the battery cell C, the first bus bar 31 and the second bus bar 32 may be respectively arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C or on the second surface P2 and the first surface P1 of the battery cell C. Throughout this specification, the first bus bar 31 and the second bus bar 32 may be used to distinguish between the bus bar 30 arranged at the front position of the battery cell C and the bus bar 30 arranged at the rear position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2 and refer to the bus bar 30 arranged at the front position of the battery cell C and the bus bar 30 arranged at the rear position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2, respectively.

[0062] and Figure 3 Refer to Figure 5A and Figure 5B, the insulating cover H can provide insulation for the housing 15 and simultaneously adjust the assembly position of the bus bar 30 that electrically connects different battery cells C to each other. For example, in an embodiment, the insulating cover H can be used as a bus bar holder that supports the bus bar 30 and guides the assembly position of the bus bar 30. In an embodiment, since the insulating cover H that operates as a bus bar holder is formed in units of each battery cell C, the expandability of the battery pack can be provided in the first direction Z1 along which the battery cells C are arranged. That is, in an embodiment, as the number of battery cells C arranged along the first direction Z1 increases, the required output and performance of the battery pack can be flexibly responded to, and a bus bar holder that is adaptively scalable according to the number of battery cells C can be provided by the insulating cover H formed in units of battery cells C to be assembled into each battery cell C, without the need to provide bus bar holders with different sizes according to the number of battery cells corresponding to the required output and capacity.

[0063] Since the bus bar 30 provides electrical connection between battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other, a parallel connection may be formed between battery cells C having the same polarity, or a series connection may be formed between battery cells C having opposite polarities. In an embodiment, the bus bar 30 may electrically connect the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other between the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other along the first direction Z1, and in an embodiment, the bus bar 30 may form a series connection between battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other and having opposite polarities. In an embodiment, the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other may be alternately arranged in the first direction Z1 in opposite orientations to each other, so that the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 on which the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 are respectively formed are positioned at relative positions along the second direction Z2, and a plurality of bus bars 30 may connect a plurality of battery cells C arranged along the first direction Z1 in series while being alternately arranged at alternating positions in the first direction Z1. In an embodiment, the bus bar 30 may include a first bus bar 31 and a second bus bar 32 respectively arranged at a front position and a rear position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2 to be respectively arranged on a first surface P1 and a second surface P2 of the battery cell C. The first bus bar 31 and the second bus bar 32 may be arranged at relative positions of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2, and may be respectively arranged at a front position and a rear position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2.

[0064] The bus bar 30 may include a coupling member 34 coupled to electrodes of battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other at both ends thereof and a connecting member 35 between the coupling members 34 located at both ends of the bus bar 30. For example, each of the coupling members 34 may be formed flatly on the electrode T of the battery cell C to form a coupling with the electrode T, and the connecting member 35 may be formed concavely to absorb positional flow between the coupling members 34 located at both ends of the bus bar 30. At this time, the bus bar 30 may absorb the positional flow between the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other or the positional flow between the positions of the electrodes T of the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other by the connecting member 35 formed concavely to provide elasticity between the coupling members 34 formed at both ends of the bus bar 30.

[0065] Since the connector 35 of the bus bar 30 may protrude from the coupling member 34 respectively connected to the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 of the battery cell C arranged adjacent to each other toward the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C arranged adjacent to each other, the insulation of the connector 35 from the battery cell C may be ensured by the insulating cover H arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C arranged adjacent to each other. For example, the coupling member 34 of the bus bar 30 may be respectively connected to the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 of the battery cell C arranged adjacent to each other, and a free space that may protrude from the coupling member 34 toward the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 may be ensured by coupling to the first electrode T1 and the second electrode T2 protruding from the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C, respectively. The bus bar 30 may further include an access member 38 protruding from the connector 35, and the access member 38 of the bus bar 30 may be connected to the circuit unit 50.

[0066] The bus bar 30 may be guided to the assembly position by the bus bar guide P formed on the insulating cover H. Here, the assembly position may correspond to the fixed position of the bus bar 30 guided by the insulating cover H, and the insulating cover H is used for the position alignment between the bus bar 30 and the electrode T of the battery cell C. More specifically, the electrode hole TH for exposing the electrode T of the battery cell C may be formed at the assembly position of the insulating cover H, and the bus bar guide P may be formed around the electrode hole TH. The electrode T of the battery cell C (the electrode T exposed through the electrode hole TH) may be coupled to the bus bar 30 arranged on the insulating cover H, for example, the electrical connection between the electrode T of the battery cell C and the bus bar 30 may be formed by laser welding or the like. The bus bar guide P may extend in parallel with the coupling piece 34 of the bus bar 30 to guide the coupling piece 34 of the bus bar 30, and may be formed to protrude from the periphery of the electrode hole TH in the second direction Z2. More specifically, the bus bar guide P may extend across the periphery of the electrode hole TH in the first direction Z1, and may include a pair of bus bar guides P extending in parallel to each other with the electrode hole TH therebetween. The coupling piece 34 of the bus bar 30 may face the electrode T of the battery cell C and may be connected to the electrode T of the battery cell C, wherein the electrode T is exposed through the electrode hole TH formed between the pair of bus bar guides P. That is, the coupling piece 34 of the bus bar 30 may be coupled to the electrode T of the battery cell C through the bus bar guide P while facing the electrode T at a fixed position, and the electrode T is exposed through the electrode hole TH.

[0067] The fixing member F may be formed on the insulating cover H. As will be described below, the fixing member F may provide a coupling position coupled with a coupling frame 40 arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C. The coupling frame 40 may be coupled with the fixing member F formed at a position of each of the battery cells C while continuously extending along the first direction Z1, and may physically couple a plurality of battery cells C arranged along the first direction Z1. In an embodiment, a plurality of battery cells C arranged along the first direction Z1 may be physically coupled to each other by the coupling frame 40, and electrically connected to each other by the bus bar 30 to form a battery pack.

[0068] In an embodiment, the fixing members F formed in each insulating cover H may be arranged in a row in the first direction Z1 to form a combination with the combining frame 40 extending in the first direction Z1. For example, the fixing members F formed in each insulating cover H may be arranged in a row in the first direction Z1 while being formed at the same height in the third direction Z3.

[0069] In an embodiment, the fixture F may be arranged in two rows as a whole by including a first fixture F1 and a second fixture F2 each forming a row in the first direction Z1. For example, the first fixture F1 and the second fixture F2 may be formed at positions on both sides of the electrode hole TH in the third direction Z3 with the electrode hole TH between them, and may be arranged in two rows at positions on both sides of the electrode hole TH, respectively. At this time, the first fixture F1 and the second fixture F2, respectively arranged in two rows, may be spaced apart from each other in the third direction Z3, and may be arranged at positions spaced apart from each other with the electrode hole TH between them. At this time, the first and second bonding frames 41 and 42, which are different from each other, may be respectively bonded to the first and second fixtures F1 and F2, and the battery cells C may be more firmly bonded to each other to form an array by the first and second fixtures F1 and F2, respectively fixed with the first and second bonding frames 41 and 42, which are different from each other. In other words, the fixing member F may include a first fixing member F1 and a second fixing member F2 arranged in different rows from each other, and the coupling frame 40 may include a first coupling frame 41 and a second coupling frame 42 respectively coupled to the first fixing member F1 and the second fixing member F2. In an embodiment, the fixing member F and the coupling frame 40 may be coupled to each other by a thermal operation such as welding, and at this time, both the fixing member F and the coupling frame 40 may include a metal material. In an embodiment, the fixing member F and the coupling frame 40 may also be coupled to each other by mechanical fastening other than a thermal operation such as welding. Although not shown in the drawings, a fastening hole with a thread may be formed in the fixing member F, and the coupling frame 40 may also be coupled to the fixing member F by its fastening member, which is fitted into the fastening hole of the fixing member F through a through hole formed in the coupling frame 40. However, in an embodiment, the coupling frame 40 may be fixed by a thermal operation such as welding, so that the coupling structure of a plurality of battery cells C arranged along the first direction Z1 may be simplified, and the entire length of the battery pack may be shortened in the second direction Z2.

[0070] The combining frame 40 may extend in the first direction Z1 and may include an elongated plate material that is elongated in the first direction Z1. In an embodiment, the combining frame 40 may include a first combining frame 41 and a second combining frame 42 that extend parallel to each other in the first direction Z1 and are respectively coupled to the first fixing member F1 and the second fixing member F2 in different rows arranged in the third direction Z3. In an embodiment, the first combining frame 41 and the second combining frame 42 may extend parallel to each other in the first direction Z1, but may be formed into different shapes. For example, the first combining frame 41 may be arranged at a relatively low position in the third direction Z3 and may include a first part 41a and a second part 41b that both extend in the first direction Z1 and are bent relative to each other. Different from the first combining frame 41, the second combining frame 42 may be arranged at a relatively high position in the third direction Z3 and may be formed into a flat plate shape.

[0071] The first bonding frame 41 is described in more detail below. That is, the first bonding frame 41 may include a first portion 41a and a second portion 41b, the first portion 41a being arranged to face the insulating cover H having the fixing piece F, and the second portion 41b being bent from the first portion 41a and formed to protrude in the second direction Z2. The first bonding frame 41 may be bonded to the fixing piece F through the first portion 41a while being arranged to overlap with the fixing piece F of the insulating cover H, and include the second portion 41b exposed to the outside of the circuit unit 50 arranged on the first bonding frame 41 while protruding from the first portion 41a bonded to the fixing piece F in the second direction Z2.

[0072] In an embodiment, the coupling frame 40 may be arranged on the insulating cover H, and the circuit unit 50 may be arranged on the coupling frame 40. More specifically, the first coupling frame 41 arranged at a relatively low position in the third direction Z3 may be formed at a height partially overlapping the circuit unit 50, and the second coupling frame 42 arranged at a relatively high position may be arranged at a height outside the circuit unit 50. At this time, the second portion 41b bent from the first portion 41a of the first coupling frame 41 overlapping the circuit unit 50 may protrude toward the outside of the circuit unit 50. For example, the second portion 41b of the first coupling frame 41 may extend from the first portion 41a between the circuit unit 50 and the insulating cover H toward the outside of the circuit unit 50 opposite to the battery cell C in the second direction Z2. For reference, in an embodiment, the circuit unit 50 may be arranged at a height approximately between the first coupling frame 41 and the second coupling frame 42 in the third direction Z3, and the circuit unit 50 may be arranged at a height partially overlapping the first coupling frame 41.

[0073] The first portion 41a of the first coupling frame 41 may provide a coupling position for physically coupling a plurality of battery cells C arranged along the first direction Z1, and the second portion 41b of the first coupling frame 41 may provide rigidity of the first coupling frame 41 while being bent outwardly from the first portion 41a along the second direction Z2. More specifically, the second portion 41b may provide sufficient rigidity that may suppress bending or twisting of the first coupling frame 41 in the first direction Z1, and may provide structural rigidity of the entire battery pack.

[0074] The combining frame 40 can combine multiple battery cells C while extending across multiple battery cells C arranged along the first direction Z1, and can provide rigidity of the battery pack to prevent deformation (such as bending or sagging) in the first direction Z1 along which the multiple battery cells C are arranged. In addition, the combining frame 40 includes a metal material with excellent heat transfer performance and is arranged on an edge of the battery pack relatively close to the outside, so that the combining frame 40 can also be used as a heat dissipation plate of the battery pack. For example, the combining frame 40 can provide heat dissipation for the battery cells C through the fixing member F combined with the combining frame 40.

[0075] In an embodiment, the second portion 41b of the first coupling frame 41 may be used as a heat sink while being exposed to the outside from the first portion 41a between the insulating cover H and the circuit unit 50. For example, the second portion 41b of the first coupling frame 41 may provide heat dissipation for the battery cell C through the fixture F while being integrally bent outward from the first portion 41a of the fixture F coupled to the insulating cover H, or may provide heat dissipation for the circuit unit 50 while being integrally bent outward from the first portion 41a between the fixture F and the circuit unit 50.

[0076] The combining frames 40 may be arranged in pairs at the front and rear positions of the battery cell C, for example, the combining frames 40 may include a first combining frame 41 and a second combining frame 42 that are respectively combined with the first fixing members F1 and the second fixing members F2 that are arranged in two rows at the front position of the battery cell C, and a first combining frame 41 and a second combining frame 42 that are respectively combined with the first fixing members F1 and the second fixing members F2 that are arranged in two rows at the rear position of the battery cell C.

[0077] In the embodiment, the coupling frame 40 may provide rigidity to the sides of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C, and the rigidity of the main surface M and the side surface S of the battery cell C may be provided by providing the hollow shell 10 that simultaneously forms the main surface M and the side surface S of the battery cell C by extrusion molding. As described above, in the embodiment, sufficient rigidity with respect to the outer surface of the entire battery cell C including the main surface M, the side surface S, and the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C may be ensured by the hollow shell 10 and the coupling frame 40 disposed on each of the sides of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C.

[0078] In an embodiment, the fixing member F may be formed integrally with the insulating cover H, and may be formed integrally with the main body of the insulating cover H by insert injection molding. In an embodiment, the fixing member F may include a metal material, and the insulating cover H may include an insulating material (such as a polymer resin material). The fixing member F and the insulating cover H having different materials as described above may be formed integrally with each other by insert injection molding.

[0079] In an embodiment, the first fixing member F1 and the second fixing member F2 may be formed at positions located at both ends (or two edge positions) of the insulating cover H in the third direction Z3, and the electrode hole TH may be formed at the center position of the insulating cover H, the center position corresponding to the position between the first fixing member F1 and the second fixing member F2. As will be described below, the bonding area B may be formed together with the electrode hole TH at the center position of the insulating cover H, the center position corresponding to the position between the first fixing member F1 and the second fixing member F2. At the center position between the first fixing member F1 and the second fixing member F2, the electrode hole TH may be formed at a position relatively closer to the first fixing member F1, and the bonding area B may be formed at a position relatively closer to the second fixing member F2. That is, the center position between the first fixing member F1 and the second fixing member F2 may be divided into two, so that the electrode hole TH may be formed at a position close to the first fixing member F1 and the bonding area B may be formed at a position close to the second fixing member F2. Here, because the electrode hole TH corresponds to the opening portion of the insulating cover H and the bonding area B corresponds to the solid portion of the insulating cover H, the electrode hole TH and the bonding area B are formed in an area that does not overlap each other so that their respective functions are not interfered with. For example, the electrode T of the battery cell C is exposed through the opened electrode hole TH, and the bonding point between the insulating cover H and the battery cell C can be provided by the bonding area B corresponding to the unopened solid portion.

[0080] In the embodiment, at the center position between the first fixing member F1 and the second fixing member F2, the electrode hole TH may be formed at a position relatively offset toward the first fixing member F1, and the bonding area B may be formed at a position relatively offset toward the second fixing member F2. In other words, the fixing member F may include the first fixing member F1 and the second fixing member F2 formed at positions located on both sides thereof, respectively, and the electrode hole TH is between them. At this time, among the first fixing member F1 and the second fixing member F2, the first fixing member F1 may be formed at a position relatively closer to the electrode hole TH, and the second fixing member F2 may be formed at a position relatively far away from the electrode hole TH.

[0081] In an embodiment, the insulating cover H may be assembled on the battery cell C, and may be assembled on the battery cell C by a base portion Ha formed on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2, and a long side portion Hb and a short side portion Hc respectively extending from the base portion Ha to the main surface M and the side surface S of the battery cell C. That is, the long side portion Hb and the short side portion Hc extending from the base portion Ha formed on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 while being bent toward the battery cell C in the second direction Z2 may be assembled on the battery cell C while surrounding the edges between the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 and the main surface M and the edges between the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 and the side surface S, respectively. In other words, the base portion Ha and the long side portion Hb and the short side portion Hc bent from the base portion Ha may provide a space that may accommodate the end portion of the battery cell C located on the side of the first surface P1 and the second surface P2.

[0082] The insulating cover H can be fixed on the battery cell C while being assembled on the battery cell C in a close-fitting method, and in an embodiment, the insulating cover H can be attached to the battery cell C while being assembled on the battery cell C. In other words, an adhesive (not shown) can be between the insulating cover H and the battery cell C to facilitate adhesion therebetween. In an embodiment, a bonding area B can be formed in the insulating cover H, and the insulating cover H and the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C can be adhered to each other through the bonding area B. The bonding area B can be formed at the center position of the insulating cover H (for example, a position that does not overlap with the electrode hole TH at the center position between the first fixing member F1 and the second fixing member F2). That is, the bonding area B can be formed around the second fixing member F2 instead of around the first fixing member F1 where the electrode hole TH is formed. The insulating cover H including the bonding area B can be attached to the battery cell C by an adhesive (not shown) between the bonding area B and the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C. In an embodiment, an adhesive (not shown) can be between the insulating cover H and the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C. An adhesive may be between the first and second surfaces P1 and P2 and the joining region B corresponding to the unopened solid portion and not corresponding to the electrode hole TH opened to expose the electrode T of the battery cell C to promote adhesion therebetween.

[0083] The bonding area B can be formed in the insulating cover H at a central position between the first fixture F1 and the second fixture F2 to form a stable adhesion with the battery cell C, and can be formed at a position close to any one of the first fixture F1 and the second fixture F2 (for example, the second fixture F2) to avoid interference with the electrode hole TH formed at the central position.

[0084] In the embodiment, since the insulating cover H disposed on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C adheres to the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C, the entire length of the battery pack can be shortened in the second direction Z2. Unlike the comparative example in which the insulating cover H is fixed by using a method other than adhesion (e.g., a mechanical fastening method, etc.), the fixing structure of the insulating cover H can be simplified, and there is no need to allocate a space for fixing the insulating cover H, and the entire length of the battery pack can be shortened in the second direction Z2.

[0085] In an embodiment, the entire length of the battery pack in the second direction Z2 and the length of each battery cell C in the second direction Z2 may be formed at equal levels to each other, and the energy density of the battery pack may be increased by saving space. That is, according to an embodiment, the size of the battery pack may be reduced compared to a battery pack having the same output and capacity, and a battery pack having higher output and capacity than a battery pack having the same size may be provided.

[0086] In the embodiment, since the insulating cover H is fixed in such a way that the insulating cover H formed individually for each battery cell C adheres to each battery cell C, the insulating cover H can be fixed to each individual battery cell C before combining the plurality of battery cells C arranged along the first direction Z1, and thus, the operation time of combining the plurality of battery cells C arranged along the first direction Z1 can be reduced. For example, since the time required for curing the adhesive (not shown) is reduced, the time spent when combining the plurality of battery cells C to form a battery pack can be saved.

[0087] The bus bar 30 and the coupling frame 40 may be arranged on the insulating cover H. At this time, since the electrode hole TH and the fixture are formed at dedicated positions that do not overlap each other on the insulating cover H, the bus bar 30 and the coupling frame 40 respectively coupled to the electrode hole TH and the fixture F formed at dedicated positions relative to each other may also be arranged on the insulating cover H at dedicated positions that do not overlap each other. For example, the electrode hole TH of the insulating cover H may be formed between the first fixture F1 and the second fixture F2, and may be formed at a dedicated position that does not overlap with the first fixture F1 and the second fixture F2. Therefore, the first coupling frame 41 and the second coupling frame 42 respectively coupled to the first fixture F1 and the second fixture F2 and the bus bar 30 coupled to the electrode T of the battery cell C may be formed on the insulating cover H at dedicated positions that do not overlap each other, wherein the electrode T is exposed through the electrode hole TH.

[0088] Reference Figure 2A and Figure 2B , the circuit unit 50 may be arranged on the bus bar 30, and the bus bar 30 is arranged on the insulating cover H. The circuit unit may supply the charge and discharge power of the plurality of battery cells C arranged along the first direction Z1 and electrically connected to each other through the bus bar 30 to the outside, or may facilitate the flow of the charge and discharge power of the plurality of battery cells C and the external device to be supplied from the outside. In an embodiment, the external device may correspond to an external load that receives discharge power from the plurality of battery cells C or an external charger for supplying charge power to the plurality of battery cells C.

[0089] The circuit unit may be electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars 30, and obtain state information about each battery cell C, for example, state information such as voltage information and temperature information about each battery cell C, through each of the plurality of bus bars 30. For example, in an embodiment, the circuit unit 50 may form an electrical connection with each of the plurality of bus bars 30 while extending in the first direction Z1 across the plurality of bus bars 30, and may obtain voltage information about the battery cell C connected to each of the plurality of bus bars 30. The bus bar 30 may be electrically connected to each battery cell C and thermally connected to each battery cell C. For example, the bus bar 30 may obtain state information of the battery cell C while being electrically connected to an electrode T of each battery cell C, and may obtain temperature information of the battery cell C while being thermally connected to the interior of the battery cell C, the interior being connected to an electrode T of each of the battery cells C, that is, an electrode assembly (not shown) forming the interior of the battery cell C.

[0090] In an embodiment, the circuit unit 50 may be connected to each bus bar 30, obtain the state information of the battery cell C through each bus bar 30, and form a charge and discharge path of a group of battery cells C electrically connected to each other. For example, the circuit unit 50 may include a connector terminal 55 and an external terminal E, the state information of the battery cell C is output to the connector terminal 55, and the charge and discharge current of the battery cell C is input and output to the external terminal E. For example, the circuit unit 50 may include a circuit board and a plurality of devices arranged on the circuit board, and may include a connector terminal 55 and an external terminal E arranged on the circuit board. At this time, the connector terminal 55 may be formed at a central position of the circuit unit 50 in the first direction Z1, and the external terminal E may include a pair of first external terminals E1 and a second external terminal E2 respectively arranged at positions on both sides of the circuit unit 50 in the first direction Z1.

[0091] The circuit unit 50 may include a first circuit unit 51 and a second circuit unit 52 respectively arranged at the front position and the rear position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2, the first circuit unit 51 can be connected to the first bus bar 31 arranged at the front position of the battery cell C, and the second circuit unit 52 can be connected to the second bus bar 32 arranged at the rear position of the battery cell C.

[0092] In an embodiment, the first circuit unit 51 and the second circuit unit 52 may be connected to each other, and the first circuit unit 51 and the second circuit unit 52 may cooperate with each other to control the charge and discharge operation of the battery cell C. In an embodiment, each of the first circuit unit 51 and the second circuit unit 52 may include a pair of first external terminals E1 and second external terminals E2, respectively arranged at positions on both sides of each of the first circuit unit 51 and the second circuit unit 52 in the first direction Z1, and a connector terminal 55, and the connector terminal 55 is arranged at a central position of each of the first circuit unit 51 and the second circuit unit 52 in the first direction Z1. At this time, an external device may be connected to the external terminals E1 and E2 and the connector terminal 55 of the circuit unit 50 selected from among the first circuit unit 51 and the second circuit unit 52. At this time, the charge and discharge power of the battery cell C may be input and output through the external terminals E1 and E2, and the state information of the battery cell C may be output through the connector terminal 55 of the circuit unit 50, and the external terminals E1 and E2 of the circuit unit 50 and the connector terminal 55 are connected to the external device. In various embodiments, the first circuit unit 51 and the second circuit unit 52 may cooperate with each other to obtain status information of the battery cell C, and the circuit unit 50 connected to the external device may form a charge and discharge path of the battery cell C and control the charge and discharge operation of the battery cell C (such as opening and closing the charge and discharge path of the battery cell C). In an embodiment, since the external terminals E1 and E2 and the connector terminal 55 are formed in both the first circuit unit 51 arranged at the front position of the battery cell C along the second direction Z2 and the second circuit unit 52 arranged at the rear position of the battery cell C, the convenience of connection that can be connected to the external device in both directions can be provided.

[0093] In the embodiment, the first circuit unit 51 may be electrically connected to all the first bus bars 31 arranged at the front position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2, or may be electrically connected to some selected first bus bars 31 instead of all the first bus bars 31. Similarly, the second circuit unit 52 may be electrically connected to all the second bus bars 32 arranged at the rear position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2, or may be electrically connected to some selected second bus bars 32 instead of all the second bus bars 32.

[0094] The circuit unit 50 can obtain the status information of the battery cell C and control the charge and discharge operation of the battery cell C, and, for example, can take protective measures (such as stopping the charge and discharge) in response to an abnormal condition (such as a malfunction or a fire or an explosion) of the battery cell C. In this sense, the circuit unit 50 can be used as a battery management system (BMS). Here, to the extent that the circuit unit 50 can obtain sufficient status information for controlling the battery cell C, the circuit unit 50 can form a connection with a selected portion of the first bus bar 31 and the second bus bar 32 by considering the cost, rather than forming a connection with all of the first bus bars 31 and the second bus bars 32.

[0095] In an embodiment, the circuit unit 50 may extend in the first direction Z1 along which the plurality of bus bars 30 are arranged, and may extend in the first direction Z1 by crossing the insulating cover H in which the plurality of bus bars 30 are arranged. In an embodiment, the circuit unit 50 may extend along the coupling frame 40 together with the plurality of bus bars 30. More specifically, the insulating cover H may be arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C, the bus bars 30 and the coupling frame 40 may be arranged on the insulating cover H, and the circuit unit 50 may be arranged on the bus bars 30 and the coupling frame 40.

[0096] In an embodiment, the first bonding frame 41 may be arranged at a height partially overlapping the circuit unit 50 in the third direction Z3, the second bonding frame 42 may be arranged at a height outside the circuit unit 50, and the second portion 41b bent from the first portion 41a of the first bonding frame 41 overlapping the circuit unit 50 may extend toward the outside of the circuit unit 50. For example, the second portion 41b of the first bonding frame 41 may extend from the first portion 41a between the circuit unit 50 and the insulating cover H toward the outside of the circuit unit 50 opposite to the battery cell C in the second direction Z2. For example, the circuit unit 50 may be arranged at a height substantially between the first bonding frame 41 and the second bonding frame 42 in the third direction Z3, and the circuit unit 50 may be arranged at a height partially overlapping the first bonding frame 41.

[0097] In an embodiment, the combining frame insulating cover H may include a first insulating cover H1 and a second insulating cover H2, the bus bar 30 may include a first bus bar 31 and a second bus bar 32, the combining frame 40 may include a first combining frame 41 and a second combining frame 42, the circuit unit 50 may include a first circuit unit 51 and a second circuit unit 52, the first insulating cover H1 and the second insulating cover H2, the first bus bar 31 and the second bus bar 32, the first combining frame 41 and the second combining frame 42, and the first circuit unit 51 and the second circuit unit 52 are respectively arranged at the front position and the rear position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2, and the insulating cover H, the bus bar 30, the combining frame 40, the circuit unit 50, etc. may be respectively arranged at the front position and the rear position of the battery cell C relative to each other in the second direction Z2.

[0098] In an embodiment, the circuit unit 50 may be arranged at any one position selected from the front position and the rear position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2, and may not be arranged at both the front position and the rear position of the battery cell C at the same time. For example, a battery pack according to another embodiment may include a single circuit unit 50, and the circuit unit 50 may be arranged at the front position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2. In other words, the circuit unit 50 may be connected to the first bus bar 31 arranged at the front position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2, and may not be connected to the second bus bar 32 arranged at the rear position of the battery cell C in the second direction Z2. At this time, the circuit unit 50 arranged at the front position in the second direction Z2 and the second bus bar 32 arranged at the rear position in the second direction Z2 may be electrically connected to each other by connecting the circuit unit 50 at the front position in the second direction Z2 and the second bus bar 32 at the rear position in the second direction Z2 to each other (not shown).

[0099] In the embodiment, the capacity of the battery cell C can be easily increased by extrusion molding of the hollow shell 10 forming the main surface M and the side surface S of the battery cell C, and the rigidity of the battery cell C or the battery pack including a plurality of battery cells C can be ensured by the extruded hollow shell 10 and the coupling frame 40 arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C. In addition, the insulation between the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other can be ensured by the insulating cover H covering the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C, and at the same time, the bus bar 30 electrically connecting the battery cells C arranged adjacent to each other can be supported by the insulating cover H. In this way, the structure of the entire battery pack can be simplified by the insulating cover H serving as both an insulating function and a bus bar holder function, and in addition, since the insulating cover H performing the bus bar holder function is formed separately for each battery cell C, a bus bar holder in a form that is adaptively stretched and contracted according to the number of battery cells C arranged along the first direction Z1 can be provided. In addition, when the number of battery cells C arranged along the first direction Z1 increases or decreases, the scalability of the battery pack according to the required output and capacity can be provided.

[0100] According to the embodiment, since the insulating cover H arranged on the first surface P1 and the second surface P2 of the battery cell C is fixed in an adhesive manner, the fixing structure of the insulating cover H can be simplified, and the entire length of the battery pack can be shortened in the second direction Z2. For example, in the embodiment, the operation time spent due to the curing time for adhering the insulating cover H in the operation of combining a plurality of battery cells C arranged along the first direction Z1 can be avoided by the insulating cover H formed separately for each battery cell C, and the operation time of the battery pack can be effectively used.

[0101] According to the present disclosure, a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells is provided, in which insulation between battery cells arranged adjacent to each other is ensured, the rigidity of each of the plurality of battery cells can be improved while the capacity of each of the plurality of battery cells can be easily increased, and the manufacturing operation of the battery pack can be simplified.

[0102] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a battery pack that is stretchable and expandable in an arrangement direction of battery cells to meet required output and capacity.

[0103] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation. The description of features or aspects within each embodiment should generally be considered applicable to other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. Although one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery pack, comprising: A plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction, each of the plurality of battery cells comprises: a first surface and a second surface, respectively forming two ends of the battery cell in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a main surface connected between the first surface and the second surface and having a relatively large area; and a side surface connected between the first surface and the second surface and having a relatively narrow area, wherein the main surfaces of the battery cells arranged adjacent to each other face each other, the main surface and the side surface of the battery cell respectively comprise a pair of main surfaces and a pair of side surfaces, the pair of main surfaces are arranged to face each other, the pair of side surfaces are arranged to face each other, and the main surface and the side surface of the battery cell are provided by outer surfaces of the hollow shell that are continuously connected to each other; a plurality of insulating covers arranged in the first direction to correspond to the plurality of battery cells, each of the plurality of insulating covers being arranged on a first surface and a second surface of a corresponding battery cell and extending from the first surface and the second surface of the battery cell to a portion of a main surface so as to insulate the main surfaces of the battery cells arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction, wherein each of the plurality of insulating covers comprises: a base portion formed on the first surface and the second surface of the battery cell, a fixing member formed at an edge position of the base portion in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction; a long side portion extending from the base portion to the main surface of the battery cell; and a short side portion extending from the base portion to the side surface of the battery cell; a bus bar disposed on the insulating cover to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells to each other; and a coupling frame extending in the first direction and configured to structurally couple the plurality of battery cells to each other through a fixing member coupled to the plurality of insulation covers, The battery cell includes electrodes connected to bus bars, and The electrodes of the battery cell include a first electrode protruding from a first surface of the battery cell and a second electrode protruding from a second surface of the battery cell.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the main surface and the side surface of the battery cell is formed in an elongated shape extending in the second direction.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The long side portion and the short side portion continuously surround an edge of a first surface and an edge of a second surface of the battery cell.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The hollow housing includes a first opening and a second opening, which are respectively formed at both ends of the hollow housing by cutting a hollow member continuously extruded in the second direction.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein: A first plate and a second plate are respectively coupled to the two ends of the hollow shell, wherein the first plate seals the first opening of the hollow shell, and the second plate seals the second opening of the hollow shell.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein: The thickness of the hollow case is greater than the thickness of the first plate and the thickness of the second plate.

7. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein: The first surface of the battery cell is provided by the outer surface of the first plate, and the second surface of the battery cell is provided by the outer surface of the second plate.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of insulating covers further comprises: an electrode hole configured to expose an electrode of a battery cell; and The bus bar guide is configured to guide the bus bar to a position around the electrode hole.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein: The electrode hole is formed at a center position of the insulating cover in the third direction.

10. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The combined frame includes a first portion and a second portion bent relative to each other, The first portion provides a location for coupling with the fixing member, and The second portion is bent from the first portion and protrudes toward an outer side of the battery cell in the second direction.

11. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The fixing member is integrally formed with the main body of the insulation cover by insert injection molding.

12. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein: Each of the plurality of insulating covers further includes a bonding area located at the center position of the insulating cover together with the electrode hole.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein: The electrode hole and the bonding area of ​​each of the plurality of insulating covers are formed at different positions at the center position of the insulating cover.

14. The battery pack according to claim 13, wherein: The fixing member of each of the plurality of insulating covers includes a first fixing member and a second fixing member, wherein the first fixing member and the second fixing member are respectively formed at edge positions located on both sides of the insulating cover in the third direction. The electrode hole and the bonding area of ​​the insulating cover are formed between the first fixing member and the second fixing member, The electrode hole is formed at a position relatively closer to the first fixing member, and The engaging region is formed at a position relatively closer to the second fixing member.

15. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein: The bus bar is arranged at the position of the electrode hole of each of the plurality of insulating covers, and A circuit unit connected to the bus bar is located on the bus bar and the combining frame.

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