Battery module and battery pack including same

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery module includes: a battery cell stack having a plurality of battery cells stacked in a first direction; one or more vertical beams disposed in one or more positions among both side surfaces of the battery cell stack, or disposed between the battery cells in the battery cell stack; one or more first cover members on one side of the battery cell stack, connected to the one or more vertical beams, and extending in a first direction; and one or more second cover members on the other side of the battery cell stack, connected to the one or more vertical beams, and extending in the first direction. The first cover member and the second cover member are located in a region that does not overlap each other when viewed in a height direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0184467 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 26, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0183617 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 15, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the battery module, and more particularly, to a battery module with improved energy density and a battery pack including the battery module. Background Art

[0004] In modern society, as portable devices such as mobile phones, laptops, camcorders, and digital cameras have been used daily, the development of technologies in the fields related to the above mobile devices has become active. In addition, rechargeable / dischargeable secondary batteries are used as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs), etc., in an attempt to solve problems such as air pollution caused by existing gasoline vehicles using fossil fuels. Therefore, the demand for the development of secondary batteries is growing.

[0005] Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among them, lithium secondary batteries have attracted much attention due to their advantages: for example, compared with nickel-based secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries hardly show memory effect, so they are freely charged and discharged, and have very low self-discharge rate and high energy density.

[0006] Such lithium secondary batteries use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as positive electrode active materials and negative electrode active materials, respectively. The lithium secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with positive electrode active materials and negative electrode active materials, respectively, are arranged with a separator interposed therebetween; and an outer material or battery case that seals and contains the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0007] Generally, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into can type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is incorporated in a metal can and pouch type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is incorporated in a pouch of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of an exterior material.

[0008] In the case of a secondary battery for a small device, two to three battery cells are provided, but in the case of a secondary battery for a medium or large device such as an automobile, a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected is used. In such a battery module, a plurality of battery cells are connected in series or in parallel to each other to form a cell assembly, thereby increasing capacity and output. In addition, one or more battery modules may be installed together with various control and protection systems such as a BDU (battery disconnect unit), a BMS (battery management system), and a cooling system to form a battery pack.

[0009] Unlike a battery pack mounted on a passenger car, a battery pack mounted on a commercial vehicle may be located in an empty space under a cargo loading space rather than a user's seat, and thus requires a battery pack having a relatively high height.

[0010] When a battery pack having a high height is configured with conventional battery modules, unnecessary space loss occurs due to factors such as duplication of components placed between battery modules, assembly tolerance, and space capable of expansion. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a battery module and a battery pack having a new structure that can suppress displacement due to expansion of battery cells within the battery module and at the same time can increase energy density by minimizing internal space loss. Summary of the invention

[0011] Technical issues

[0012] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery module and a battery pack including the same, which can suppress displacement due to expansion of battery cells within the battery module and at the same time can increase energy density by minimizing internal space loss.

[0013] However, the technical problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and various extensions can be made within the scope of the technical concept included in the present disclosure.

[0014] Technical Solution

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery module is provided, which includes: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked along a first direction; at least one vertical beam arranged on both side surfaces of the battery cell stack or arranged in at least one position between the battery cells in the battery cell stack; at least one first cover member located on one side of the battery cell stack, connected to at least one of the vertical beams, and extending along the first direction; and at least one second cover member located on the other side of the battery cell stack, connected to at least one of the vertical beams, and extending along the first direction, wherein the first cover member and the second cover member are located in an area where they do not overlap each other when viewed in a height direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0016] At least one first cover member may be located on one side of the battery cell stack in the height direction, and at least one second cover member may be located on the other side of the battery cell stack in the height direction.

[0017] At least one first cover member and at least one second cover member may be positioned opposite to each other with the battery cell stack between the at least one first cover member and the at least one second cover member.

[0018] At least one of the first cover member or the second cover member may have a plate-like shape having a cavity therein.

[0019] The second cover member may be located at a lower portion of the battery cell stack, and may have a plate shape having a cavity therein.

[0020] The first cover member and the second cover member may be respectively configured in plural. The plural first cover members and the plural second cover members may be respectively arranged to be spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the height direction.

[0021] When viewed in the height direction, one of the first cover members may be located in a region between the second cover members.

[0022] When viewed in the height direction, one of the second cover members may be located in a region between the first cover members.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery pack is provided, which includes: a plurality of battery modules, wherein at least two of the battery modules are stacked in a height direction, wherein the battery modules include a first battery module and a second battery module positioned adjacent to each other in the height direction, and wherein a second cover member of the first battery module and a first cover member of the second battery module are located in a space between a battery cell stack of the first battery module and a battery cell stack of the second battery module.

[0024] In the battery module, the first cover member and the second cover member may be respectively configured in plural numbers, and the plural first cover members and the plural second cover members may be respectively arranged to be spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the height direction.

[0025] The second cover members of the first battery module and the first cover members of the second battery module may be alternately positioned in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the height direction.

[0026] The battery pack may further include a long bolt member that passes through all vertical beams of the battery modules stacked in the height direction and is fixed to a vehicle or battery pack frame.

[0027] Technical Effects

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first cover member and the second cover member of the battery module can be located in a region where they do not overlap each other, thereby reducing the total height of the battery modules when stacked in the height direction. That is, it is possible to reduce space and increase energy density.

[0029] Furthermore, the battery modules stacked in the height direction can be fixed with long bolt members passing through the vertical beams of the battery modules, thereby improving the structural stability of the battery pack and effectively suppressing displacement due to expansion of the battery cells inside the battery modules.

[0030] Effects obtainable by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 2 is an example along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the cross section taken along the cutting line AA′ in FIG.

[0033] Figure 3 is an example Figure 1 and Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of one of the battery cells included in a battery module.

[0034] Figure 4 It is an example from Figure 1 A perspective view of a battery module with a first cover member removed.

[0035] Figure 5 is an example Figure 1 A perspective view of a vertical beam and a second cover member included in a battery module.

[0036] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 1 A perspective view of a vertical beam and a first cover member included in a battery module.

[0037] Figure 7 Observed from below Figure 1 Bottom view of the battery module.

[0038] Figure 8 It is observed from above Figure 1 A plan view of a battery module.

[0039] Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Fig.10 Observed from the side Fig. 9 Side view of the battery pack.

[0041] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is fixed by a long bolt member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the embodiments. The present disclosure can be modified in various different ways and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0043] Descriptions of parts that are not related to the description will be omitted for clarity, and the same drawing numbers refer to the same or like elements throughout the specification.

[0044] In addition, in the drawings, for the convenience of description, the size and thickness of each element are arbitrarily illustrated, and the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the size and thickness shown in the drawings. In the drawings, for the sake of clarity, the thickness of layers, regions, etc. is exaggerated. In the drawings, for the convenience of description, the thickness of parts and regions is exaggerated.

[0045] Furthermore, it will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or plate is referred to as being "on" or "over" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or there can be intervening elements. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, this means that there are no other intervening elements. Furthermore, a particular portion that is "above" or "on" a reference portion refers to a particular portion that is above or below the reference portion, and does not specifically refer to a particular portion that is "above" or "on" facing in the opposite direction of gravity.

[0046] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a part is referred to as “including” or “comprising” a certain component, unless otherwise specified, it means that the part may also include other components, rather than excluding the other components.

[0047] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when referred to as a “plane”, it means when the target portion is viewed from the upper side, and when referred to as a “cross section”, it means when the target portion is viewed from a side of the cross section cut vertically.

[0048] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is an example along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the cross section taken along the cutting line AA′ in FIG. Figure 3 is an example Figure 1 and Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of one of the battery cells included in a battery module. Figure 4 It is an example from Figure 1 A perspective view of a battery module with a first cover member removed.

[0049] Reference Figures 1 to 4 A battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a battery cell stack 120, in which a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked along a first direction d1; at least one vertical beam 200, which is arranged on both side surfaces of the battery cell stack 120, or arranged in at least one position between the battery cells 110 within the battery cell stack 120; at least one first cover member 300, which is located on one side of the battery cell stack 120, connected to the at least one vertical beam 200, and extends along the first direction d1; and at least one second cover member 400, which is located on the other side of the battery cell stack 120, connected to the at least one vertical beam 200, and extends along the first direction d1.

[0050] The battery cell 110 according to the present embodiment may be various types of battery cells, for example, a pouch-type battery cell, a square-shaped battery cell, or a cylindrical battery cell. Figure 3 As shown, the battery cell 110 according to the present embodiment may be a pouch-type battery cell. Hereinafter, the pouch-type battery cell will be described, but the battery cell 110 of the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and various types of battery cells may be applied. The pouch-type battery cell may be formed by accommodating an electrode assembly in a pouch-shaped casing made of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, and then bonding the periphery of the pouch-shaped casing. The battery cell 110 may have a rectangular sheet structure. For example, the battery cell 110 according to the present embodiment may have a structure in which two electrode leads 130 face each other and protrude from one end and the other end, respectively. One of the electrode leads 130 is a positive electrode lead, and the other of the electrode leads 130 is a negative electrode lead.

[0051] In particular, refer to Figure 3, the battery cell 110 according to the present embodiment may have a structure in which two electrode leads 130 face each other and protrude from one end 114a and the other end 114b of the cell body 113, respectively. More specifically, the electrode lead 130 is connected to an electrode assembly (not shown) and protrudes from the electrode assembly (not shown) to the outside of the battery cell 110.

[0052] In addition, the battery cell 110 can be produced by joining both end portions 114a and 114b of the cell case 114 and one side portion 114c connecting the both end portions 114a and 114b in a state where the electrode assembly (not shown) is accommodated in the cell case 114. In other words, the battery cell 110 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has a total of three sealing portions 114sa, 114sb, and 114sc, wherein the sealing portions 114sa, 114sb, and 114sc have a structure in which the sealing is performed by a method such as heat fusion, and the remaining other side portion may be constituted by the folded portion 115. The cell case 114 may be constituted of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer.

[0053] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment, only the battery cell 110 having the structure in which the electrode leads 130 protrude in two directions is described, but in other embodiments of the present disclosure, it is undoubtedly possible to use a unidirectional pouch type battery cell in which the electrode leads protrude together in one direction.

[0054] The cell case 114 made of a laminate sheet may include an inner resin layer for sealing, a metal layer for preventing material penetration, and an outermost outer resin layer. Based on the electrode assembly inside the cell case 114, the inner resin layer may be located at the innermost side, the outer resin layer may be located at the outermost side, and the metal layer may be located between the inner resin layer and the outer resin layer.

[0055] In order to protect the electrode assembly from external influences, the outer resin layer can have excellent tensile strength and weather resistance relative to thickness, and can have electrical insulation properties. This outer resin layer may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin or nylon resin. The metal layer can prevent air, moisture, etc. from flowing into the pouch type secondary battery. This metal layer may include aluminum (Al). The inner resin layers may be heat-sealed to each other by heat and / or pressure applied when the electrode assembly is embedded. This inner resin layer may include cast polypropylene (CPP) or polypropylene (PP).

[0056] The cell case 114 is divided into two parts, at least one of which may be formed with a concave shell portion in which the electrode assembly may be placed. Along the periphery of the shell portion, the inner resin layers of the two parts of the cell case 114 may be joined to each other to provide sealing portions 114sa, 114sb, and 114sc. The pouch case may be sealed in this manner to manufacture the battery cell 110.

[0057] Such a battery cell 110 may be configured in plural, and the plural battery cells 110 may be stacked so that they may be electrically connected to each other, thereby forming a battery cell stack 120. In particular, the battery cells 110 may be stacked in a first direction d1 while standing upright to face one surface of each cell body 113, thereby forming a battery cell stack 120. Therefore, one electrode lead 130 of the battery cell 110 may protrude toward a second direction d2 (to be described later), and the other electrode lead 130 may protrude toward a direction opposite to the second direction d2.

[0058] The vertical beam 200 may be a plate-shaped member having a constant area, and may be arranged parallel to one surface of the battery cell 110. The vertical beam 200 may be arranged parallel to one surface of the cell body 113 of the battery cell 110. That is, one surface of the vertical beam 200 may be perpendicular to a first direction d1 in which the battery cells 110 are stacked. As will be described later, the vertical beam 200 is capable of controlling the displacement due to the expansion of the battery cells 110. As described above, the vertical beam 200 is arranged on both side surfaces of the battery cell stack 120, or in at least one position between the battery cells 110 within the battery cell stack 120. As an example, a plurality of vertical beams 200 may be arranged outside the battery cell stack 120 to cover both side surfaces of the battery cell stack 120. Alternatively, the vertical beam 200 may be located between the battery cells 110 within the battery cell stack 120. In Figures 1 to 4 , a total of four vertical beams 200 are shown, including two vertical beams 200 located on both side surfaces of the battery cell stack 120 and two vertical beams 200 located between the battery cells 110. For structural stability, the vertical beams 200 for covering both side surfaces of the battery cell stack 120 are preferably provided outside the battery cell stack 120. In addition, the number of vertical beams 200 located between the battery cells 110 in the battery cell stack 120 is not particularly limited, and may be determined in consideration of the number, size, etc. of the battery cells 110.

[0059] Due to the vertical beams 200 arranged between the battery cells 110, the battery cell stack 120 may be divided into a plurality of sub-battery cell stacks 120a, 120b, and 120c. As an example, the battery cell stack 120 may include first to third sub-battery cell stacks 120a, 120b, and 120c separated by two vertical beams 200. One vertical beam 200 may be located between the first sub-battery cell stack 120a and the second sub-battery cell stack 120b, and the other vertical beam 200 may be located between the second sub-battery cell stack 120b and the third sub-battery cell stack 120c.

[0060] Figure 5 is an example Figure 1 A perspective view of a vertical beam and a second cover member included in a battery module. Figure 6 It is shown Figure 1 A perspective view of a vertical beam and a first cover member included in a battery module. Figure 7 Observed from below Figure 1 Bottom view of the battery module. Figure 8 It is observed from above Figure 1 A plan view of a battery module.

[0061] Refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 as well as Figures 5 to 8 In the battery module 100 according to the present embodiment, when viewed in the height direction dh perpendicular to the first direction d1, the first cover member 300 and the second cover member 400 are located in a region where they do not overlap each other.

[0062] The first cover member 300 and the second cover member 400 according to the present embodiment are respectively connected to the vertical beam 200 and extend in the first direction d1, which is the direction in which the battery cells 110 are stacked. Specifically, at least one first cover member 300 may be located on one side of the battery cell stack 120 along the height direction dh, and at least one second cover member 400 may be located on the other side of the battery cell stack 120 along the height direction dh. In particular, at least one first cover member 300 and at least one second cover member 400 may be positioned opposite to each other with the battery cell stack 120 between them. As an example, as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the first cover member 300 may be located on the upper portion of the battery cell stack 120, and the second cover member 400 may be located at the lower portion of the battery cell stack 120. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the first cover member is located at the lower portion of the battery cell stack 120, and the second cover member may also be located at the upper portion of the battery cell stack 120.

[0063] When viewed in the height direction dh, the first cover member 300 and the second cover member 400 are located in an area where they do not overlap with each other. Therefore, when a plurality of battery modules 100 are stacked in the height direction dh, the second cover member 400 of the battery module 100 located above and the first cover member 300 of the battery module 100 located below can be positioned so as not to overlap with each other. In another embodiment in which the first cover member is located at the lower part of the battery cell stack 120 and the second cover member is located at the upper part of the battery cell stack 120, the first cover member of the battery module 100 located above and the second cover member of the battery module 100 located below can be positioned so as not to overlap with each other. In this embodiment, the first cover member 300 and the second cover member 400 are arranged not to overlap with each other, so that the total height of the battery module 100 when stacked in the height direction dh can be reduced. This will be described below.

[0064] In addition, in the battery module 100, the first cover member 300 and the second cover member 400 may be configured in plural, respectively. The plural first cover members 300 and the plural second cover members 400 are respectively arranged to be spaced apart along the second direction d2 perpendicular to both the first direction d1 and the height direction dh. In this specification, the first direction d1, the second direction d2, and the height direction dh are directions indicated for the convenience of explanation, and all are directions perpendicular to each other. As an example, Figure 1 as well as Figures 5 to 8 exemplifies an embodiment in which the battery module 100 has two first cover members 300 and three second cover members 400, and the two first cover members 300 and the three second cover members 400 are positioned to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction d2.

[0065] Furthermore, when viewed in the height direction dh, one of the first cover members 300 may be located in an area A2 (see FIG. 4 ) between the second cover members 400. Figure 5 ). Specifically, a region A2 having an empty space between the second cover members 400 may be formed. When viewed in the height direction dh, one of the first cover members 300 may be located in the region A2 between the second cover members 400. In addition, when viewed in the height direction dh, one of the second cover members 400 may be located in the region A1 between the first cover members 300 (see Figure 6 ). Specifically, a region A1 having an empty space between the first cover members 300 may be formed. When viewed along the height direction dh, one of the second cover members 400 may be located in the region A1 between the first cover members 300. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed along the height direction dh, the first cover member 300 and the second cover member 400 may be alternately positioned along the second direction d2.

[0066] In addition, refer again Figure 2 , at least one of the first cover member 300 or the second cover member 400 may be in the form of a plate having a cavity CV therein. At least one of the first cover member 300 or the second cover member 400 may be implemented in a plate-like shape having a cavity CV rather than a simple plate-like shape, thereby compensating for rigidity to support the battery cell 110. In particular, as described above, the second cover member 400 may be located at the lower portion of the battery cell stack 120. The second cover member 400 may have a plate-like shape having a cavity CV therein. Since the second cover member 400 located at the lower portion of the battery cell stack 120 is implemented in a plate-like shape having a cavity (CV), the rigidity of the second cover member 400 is increased, the battery cell can be fully supported, and the stability of the overall structure of the battery module 100 is increased.

[0067] In addition, the radiator 600 for cooling the battery cell 110 may be located between the battery cell stack 120 and the second cover member 400. A cooling channel through which a coolant flows may be formed inside the radiator 600. The heat generated in the battery cell 110 is transferred from the edge of each battery cell 110 to the radiator 600 and discharged to the outside. That is, the battery module 100 according to the present embodiment may have a water cooling structure and an edge cooling structure. The coolant flowing inside the radiator 600 is not particularly limited, and as an example, cooling water may be applied. In addition, although not specifically illustrated, a thermal resin layer formed by applying a thermal resin may be located between the battery cell stack 120 and the radiator 600.

[0068] In addition, the battery module 100 according to the present embodiment may further include an end plate 700, which covers two surfaces of the battery cell stack 120 along the second direction d2 and the opposite direction thereof. The end plate 700 may be a plate-shaped member having a certain area and may be connected to the vertical beam 200. One surface of the end plate 700 may be perpendicular to one surface of the vertical beam 200. That is, in the present embodiment, one surface of the vertical beam 200 may be parallel to each of the second direction d2 and the height direction dh, and one surface of the end plate 700 may be parallel to the first direction d1 and the height direction dh, respectively. The battery cell 110 may be protected from external influences by being covered by the vertical beam 200 and the end plate 700.

[0069] The following will refer to Figures 9 to 11 etc. describe a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.10 Observed from the side Fig. 9 Side view of the battery pack. Fig.11is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is fixed by a long bolt member.

[0071] Refer to Figures 9 to 11 as well as Figure 1 and Figures 4 to 8 , the battery pack 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of battery modules 100, and at least two battery modules 100 are stacked in a height direction dh. The battery module 100 includes a first battery module 100a and a second battery module 100b positioned adjacent to each other in the height direction dh. In addition, a third battery module 100c may be located below the second battery module 100b.

[0072] The second cover member 400a of the first battery module 100a and the first cover member 300b of the second battery module 100b are located in a space between the battery cell stack 120 of the first battery module 100a and the battery cell stack 120 of the second battery module 100b. As described above, when viewed in the height direction dh, since the first cover member 300 and the second cover member 400 are located in a region where they do not overlap each other, the second cover member 400a of the first battery module 100a and the first cover member 300b of the second battery module 100b are positioned so as not to overlap each other, thereby being able to reduce the height in the structure in which the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b are stacked.

[0073] In addition, in the first battery module 100a, the second cover member 400a may be configured in plurality and arranged to be spaced apart in the second direction d2. In the second battery module 100b, the first cover member 300b may be configured in plurality and arranged to be spaced apart in the second direction d2.

[0074] When the first and second battery modules 100a and 100b are stacked in the height direction dh, the second cover members 400a of the first and second battery modules 100a and 300b of the second battery modules 100b may be alternately arranged in the second direction d2.

[0075] The above has described the relationship with the first battery module 100a located above the second battery module 100b, but a similar structure can even be applied to the relationship with the third battery module 100c located below the second battery module 100b. Specifically, the second cover member 400b of the second battery module 100b and the first cover member 300c of the third battery module 100c can be positioned in the space between the battery stack 120 of the second battery module 100b and the battery stack 120 of the third battery module 100c so as not to overlap each other. The second cover member 400b of the second battery module 100b and the first cover member 300c of the third battery module 100c can be positioned alternately along the second direction d2. The first cover members 300, 300b and 300c and the second cover members 400, 400a and 400b are designed not to overlap each other in this way, so that when a plurality of battery modules 100a, 100b and 100c are stacked in the height direction dh, the height of the entire battery pack 1000 can be reduced. The space utilization of the battery pack 1000 is increased by the reduced height, which may result in an increased capacity of the entire battery pack 1000 .

[0076] In addition, the battery pack 1000 according to the present embodiment may further include a long bolt member 500 that passes through all vertical beams 200a, 200b, and 200c of the battery modules 100a, 100b, and 100c stacked in the height direction dh and is fixed to a vehicle or battery pack frame. Fig.11 , the fastening object 1100 to which the long bolt member 500 passing through the vertical beams 200a, 200b and 200c is fastened may be a vehicle or a battery pack frame. The long bolt member 500 may be bolted to the vehicle or battery pack frame. For example, the long bolt member 500 may pass through a through hole formed in the fastening object 1100 and then be coupled to a nut member (not shown). As another example, the long bolt member 500 may be directly coupled to a threaded hole provided in the fastening object 1100.

[0077] The battery cell may cause a phenomenon in which the internal electrolyte decomposes to generate gas and the battery cell swells during repeated charge / discharge, i.e., swelling. If the swelling of the battery cell cannot be controlled, this may cause structural deformation of the battery module 100 including the plurality of battery cells 110, and may adversely affect the durability and performance of the battery module 100 and a battery pack including the battery module.

[0078] In particular, recently, pure Si cells and high SiO content cells are used as battery cells for manufacturing high-capacity battery modules and battery packs, and in the case of the above cells, the degree of expansion is large. That is, in order to manufacture high-capacity battery modules and battery packs, it is crucial to effectively control the expansion of the battery cells 110 inside the battery module or battery pack. Since the pouch-type battery cells 110 generally have a large degree of expansion in the thickness direction (i.e., in the first direction d1) which is the stacking direction of the battery cells 110, the structure directly related to the expansion control is the vertical beams 200 arranged on the two side surfaces of the battery cell stack 120 or between the battery cells 110.

[0079] The battery module 100 according to the present embodiment has a simplified housing structure that partially covers the battery cell stack 120 by the vertical beam 200, the first cover member 300 and the second cover member 400, rather than a module housing surrounding the battery cell stack. Therefore, the total weight and volume of the battery module 100 can be reduced, but it may be difficult to provide sufficient lateral rigidity and durability to control the expansion of the battery cell 110.

[0080] Therefore, in the battery pack 1000 according to the present embodiment, when the battery modules 100 having the simplified housing structure are stacked, the vertical beam 200 is fixed to the vehicle or battery pack frame using the long bolt member 500. Therefore, the vertical beam 200, whose rigidity is strengthened as much as the insertion of the long bolt member 500, is designed to control the displacement caused by the expansion of the battery cell 110. That is, when the installation of the stacked battery modules 100 is fixed by the long bolt member 500 passing through the vertical beam 200, the vertical beam 200 simultaneously controls the expansion of the battery cell 110 to supplement the rigidity and durability of the battery module 100 and the battery pack 1000 including the battery module 100. In other words, the long bolt member 500 according to the present embodiment not only plays a role in fixing the stacked battery modules 100, but also can perform a function similar to the so-called reinforcing rod, which strengthens the rigidity of the vertical beam 200, thereby controlling the expansion of the battery cell 110.

[0081] In this embodiment, terms indicating directions (such as the front side, the back side, the left side, the right side, the upper side, and the lower side) are used, but it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the terms used are provided only for the convenience of description and may become different depending on the position of the object, the position of the observer, etc.

[0082] One or more battery modules according to the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure may be installed together with various control and protection systems such as a BMS (Battery Management System), a BDU (Battery Disconnect Unit), and a cooling system to form a battery pack.

[0083] The battery pack can be applied to various devices. Specifically, it can be applied to vehicle devices such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles, or ESS (energy storage system), but is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various devices that can use secondary batteries. In particular, the battery pack according to the present embodiment can be applied to commercial vehicles.

[0084] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art may make various modifications and improvements using the basic concepts of the present disclosure defined in the appended claims, which also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0085] Description of Reference Numerals

[0086] 100: Battery module

[0087] 100a: first battery module

[0088] 100b: Second battery module

[0089] 100c: The third battery module

[0090] 110: Battery cells

[0091] 120: Battery cell stack

[0092] 200: Vertical beam

[0093] 300: First cover member

[0094] 400: Second cover member

[0095] 500: Long bolt components

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: A battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked along a first direction; at least one vertical beam disposed on both side surfaces of the battery cell stack or in at least one position between the battery cells within the battery cell stack; at least one first cover member located on one side of the battery cell stack, connected to at least one of the vertical beams, and extending in the first direction; as well as at least one second cover member, the at least one second cover member being located on the other side of the battery cell stack, connected to at least one of the vertical beams, and extending in the first direction, Wherein, when viewed in a height direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first cover member and the second cover member are located in a region where the first cover member and the second cover member do not overlap each other.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one first cover member is located on one side of the battery cell stack in the height direction, and The at least one second cover member is located on the other side of the battery cell stack in the height direction.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one first cover member and the at least one second cover member are positioned opposite to each other with the battery cell stack therebetween.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the first cover member or the second cover member has a plate-like shape having a cavity therein.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The second cover member is located at a lower portion of the battery cell stack and has a plate shape having a cavity therein.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The first cover member and the second cover member are respectively arranged in plural numbers, and The plurality of first cover members and the plurality of second cover members are respectively arranged to be spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the height direction.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein: When viewed in the height direction, one of the first cover members is located in a region between the second cover members.

8. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein: When viewed in the height direction, one of the second cover members is located in a region between the first cover members.

9. A battery pack, comprising: A plurality of battery modules according to claim 1, Wherein, at least two of the battery modules are stacked in the height direction, wherein the battery module includes a first battery module and a second battery module positioned adjacent to each other along the height direction, and The second cover member of the first battery module and the first cover member of the second battery module are located in a space between a battery cell stack of the first battery module and a battery cell stack of the second battery module.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein: In the battery module, the first cover member and the second cover member are respectively arranged in plural numbers, and The plurality of first cover members and the plurality of second cover members are respectively arranged to be spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the height direction.

11. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein: The second cover members of the first battery module and the first cover members of the second battery module are alternately positioned in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the height direction.

12. The battery pack according to claim 9, further comprising: A long bolt member passes through all of the vertical beams of the battery modules stacked in the height direction and is fixed to a vehicle or battery pack frame.

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