Battery module including elastic plate and battery pack including battery module

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a battery module, which may include: a plurality of cells; the plurality of end plates are respectively arranged on two sides of the plurality of battery cells; and the elastic plate is connected with the plurality of end plates, and comprises a covering part for covering the side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells and a buffer part which extends from the covering part and is positioned among at least one part of battery cells in the plurality of battery cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery module including an elastic plate and a battery pack including the battery module. Background Art

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged, so they can be used in various fields such as digital cameras, mobile phones, laptops, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, energy storage systems (ESS), etc. Secondary batteries can be lithium-ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, or nickel-hydrogen batteries.

[0003] The secondary battery is manufactured as a pouch-type battery cell having flexibility or a can-type battery cell having a rigid prismatic or cylindrical shape. A plurality of battery cells may be formed into a stacked cell assembly.

[0004] The battery cell assembly can be arranged inside the housing to form a battery module, and a plurality of battery modules can be arranged inside the battery pack housing to form a battery pack. The battery pack can be used in various structures such as vehicles or energy storage systems. Summary of the invention

[0005] 1. Technical issues to be resolved

[0006] A battery module may include a plurality of battery cells. However, the battery cells may swell (eg, swelling) due to overcharging, external impact, or aging, etc. The size and shape of the battery module may be deformed and damaged due to the swelling of the battery cells.

[0007] Compression pads disposed between battery cells can be used to absorb the expansion force of the battery cells. However, compression pads may increase the production cost and manufacturing time of the battery module.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery module and a battery pack including an elastic plate that can be deformed according to expansion of a battery cell to absorb impact may be provided.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery module and a battery pack having reduced production costs due to no compression pad being required may be provided.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery module and a battery pack may be provided in which an attaching process of attaching a compression pad to a battery cell is omitted, thereby reducing assembly time of the battery module and the battery pack.

[0011] The battery module and battery pack disclosed herein can be widely used in electric vehicles, battery charging stations and other green technology fields such as solar power generation and wind power generation using batteries. In addition, the battery module and battery pack disclosed herein can also be used in eco-friendly electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, etc. that prevent climate change by suppressing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

[0012] (II) Technical solution

[0013] The battery module of the present disclosure may include: a plurality of battery cells; a plurality of end plates, respectively disposed on both sides of the plurality of battery cells; and an elastic plate, connected to the plurality of end plates. The elastic plate includes a covering portion covering the sides of the plurality of battery cells and a buffer portion extending from the covering portion and located between at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the plurality of battery cells may include a first battery cell and a second battery cell spaced apart from the first battery cell. The buffer portion may include a first support region facing the first battery cell, a second support region facing the second battery cell, and a first bending region connecting the first support region and the second support region.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the elastic plate may include a second bending region connecting the first supporting region and the covering portion and a third bending region connecting the second supporting region and the covering portion.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the first support region may be spaced apart from the second support region.The elastic plate may include a buffer space located between the first support region and the second support region and configured to deform according to expansion of the battery cell.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the buffer portion may be in contact with at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells. The buffer space may provide a path for air flow.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the end plate may include a protrusion formed with a hook. The cover may include a groove for receiving the hook.

[0019] According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of battery cells may include an electrode assembly, a shell accommodating the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly connected to the shell. The shell may include a first side surface, a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, and a third side surface extending from the first side surface to the second side surface and facing the buffer portion.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the elastic plate may include a first elastic plate and a second elastic plate spaced apart from the first elastic plate.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the first elastic plate may include a first covering portion facing the first side surface and a first buffer portion extending from the first covering portion and located between at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells. The second elastic plate may include a second covering portion facing the second side surface and a second buffer portion extending from the second covering portion and located between the plurality of battery cells. A portion of the first buffer portion may face a portion of the second buffer portion. The third side surface may face the first buffer portion and the second buffer portion.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the third side surface may include an edge portion and a central portion surrounded by the edge portion. The edge portion may contact the first buffer portion or the second buffer portion. At least a portion of the central portion may contact the first buffer portion and the second buffer portion.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the plurality of battery cells may include a third battery cell and a fourth battery cell, the third battery cell forming one end facing a first direction, and the fourth battery cell forming the other end facing a second direction opposite to the first direction. The end plate may include a first end cap and a second end cap, the first end cap being configured to provide pressure to the third battery cell in the second direction, and the second end cap being configured to provide pressure to the fourth battery cell in the first direction.

[0024] According to one embodiment, both ends of the elastic plate may be connected to the first end cap and the second end cap respectively. The elastic plate may be configured to provide elastic force to the first end cap and the second end cap in a direction in which the first end cap and the second end cap approach each other.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the covering portion and the buffer portion may form a receiving space surrounding at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the elastic plate may comprise stainless steel.

[0027] The battery pack of the present disclosure may include: a plurality of battery modules; and a battery pack frame for accommodating the plurality of battery modules. Each of the plurality of battery modules may include: a plurality of battery cells; end plates disposed on both sides of the plurality of battery cells; and an elastic plate connected to the plurality of end plates. The elastic plate may include a covering portion covering the sides of the plurality of battery cells and a buffer portion extending from the covering portion and located between at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells.

[0028] (III) Beneficial effects

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, thickness variation caused by gas expansion of a battery cell can be absorbed, thereby reducing damage to a battery module.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the production cost of a battery module and a battery pack can be reduced.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the assembly time of a battery module and a battery pack can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment.

[0034] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0035] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a cell fixing member according to an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 5 is a top view of a battery pack coupled to an elastic plate according to one embodiment.

[0037] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment.

[0038] Description of Reference Numerals

[0039] 100: Battery Cell

[0040] 100a: First battery cell

[0041] 100b: Second cell

[0042] 200: Battery module

[0043] 210: End plate

[0044] 219: The Prominence

[0045] 240: Shell

[0046] 300: Elastic plate

[0047] 300a: first elastic plate

[0048] 300b: Second elastic plate

[0049] 310: Covering

[0050] 319: Slot

[0051] 320: Buffer

[0052] 321: First support area

[0053] 322: Second support area

[0054] 323: Buffer space

[0055] 331: First bending area

[0056] 332: Second bending area

[0057] 333: Third bending area

[0058] 400: Battery Pack

[0059] AS: Accommodation space

[0060] BS: Buffer space

[0061] G: Spacing DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but this is merely exemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described exemplarily.

[0063] The terms or words used in the present specification and claims described below should not be interpreted as limited to the general meaning or dictionary meaning. Instead, they should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that conform to the technical ideas of the present disclosure based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of the terms in order to explain his own invention in the best way.

[0064] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and do not represent all technical ideas of the present disclosure. Various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of submitting this application.

[0065] Detailed description of known functions and configurations that may obscure the gist of the present disclosure will be omitted. A portion of components in the drawings is exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated, and the size of each component does not entirely reflect the actual size.

[0066] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to an embodiment.

[0067] Reference Figure 1 , the battery cell 100 may include a housing 120 and a cap assembly 130. The battery cell 100 may be a secondary battery. For example, the battery cell 100 may be a lithium-ion battery, but is not limited thereto. For example, the battery cell 100 may be a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or a nickel-hydrogen battery that is chargeable and dischargeable.

[0068] The housing 120 may contain an electrode assembly (not shown) and an electrolyte. The electrode assembly may include a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator. The separator may prevent contact between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. A person of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the electrode assembly may be manufactured in a variety of ways. According to an exemplary embodiment, the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator may be repeatedly arranged to form an electrode assembly. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly may be a winding type, a stacking type, a z-folding type, or a stack-folding type.

[0069] The housing 120 may form at least a portion of the appearance of the battery cell 100. The housing 120 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with at least a portion of the housing being open. For example, the housing 120 may include a first side 120a, a second side 120b opposite to the first side 120a, a third side 120c extending from the first side 120a to the second side 120b, and a bottom surface 120d. The third side 120c may be substantially perpendicular to the first side 120a or the second side 120b. The bottom surface 120d may be substantially perpendicular to the first side 120a, the second side 120b, or the third side 120c. The area or width of the third side 120c may be greater than the area or width of the first side 120a or the second side 120b. In one embodiment, the first side 120a and the second side 120b may be referred to as a narrow width, and the third side 120c may be referred to as a wide width. In one embodiment, the housing 120 may include aluminum and / or stainless steel. In one embodiment, the housing 120 may be referred to as a can or a shell.

[0070] The cap assembly 130 may be coupled to the case 120. For example, the cap assembly 130 may be engaged and connected to one end of the case. The cap assembly 130 may house the electrode assembly and the electrolyte together with the case 120.

[0071] The cover assembly 130 may include multiple components.

[0072] The cap assembly 130 may include a cap plate 135 that is combined with the case 120 to form a portion of the appearance of the battery cell 100 .

[0073] The cap assembly 130 may include terminals 131 and 132 electrically connected to the electrode assembly. For example, the cap assembly 130 may include a first terminal 131 (e.g., a positive terminal) connected to the positive electrode plate of the electrode assembly and a second terminal 132 (e.g., a negative terminal) connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly. The first terminal 131 and the second terminal 132 may be exposed to the outside of the battery cell 100 through a hole formed in the cap plate 135.

[0074] The cap assembly 130 may include a vent 133 that provides a path for discharging gas generated in the electrode assembly to the outside of the case 120. The vent 133 may include a notch configured to break at a specified pressure or higher. The vent 133 may be formed in the cap plate 135.

[0075] The cap assembly 130 may include an electrolyte sealing member 134. The electrolyte sealing member 134 may seal an electrolyte injection port formed in the cap plate 135. The electrolyte sealing member 134 may prevent the electrolyte from leaking to the outside of the battery cell 100. The electrolyte sealing member 134 may include an electrolyte cap welded to the cap plate 135 and / or a locking ball inserted into the electrolyte injection port of the cap plate 135.

[0076] The components of the cap assembly 130 described above are only one embodiment, and some components may be omitted or other configurations not described may be added in the components of the cap assembly 130. For example, the cap assembly 130 may include a collector plate, an insulating plate, a resistor plate, a rivet terminal, and / or a gasket.

[0077] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a cell fixing member according to an embodiment. Figure 5 is a top view of a battery pack coupled to an elastic plate according to one embodiment.

[0078] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and / or Figure 5 The battery module 200 may include a plurality of battery cells 100, an end plate 210 and an elastic plate 300. Figure 1 The description of the battery cell 100 can be applied to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and / or Figure 5 The battery cells are 100.

[0079] A plurality of battery cells 100 may be arranged in parallel with each other. A plurality of battery cells 100 may be arranged along a first direction (e.g., +Y direction). In one embodiment, a plurality of battery cells 100 may include a first battery cell 100a and a second battery cell 100b adjacent to the first battery cell 100a. The second battery cell 100b may be one of the battery cells 100 that is most adjacent to the first battery cell 100a among the plurality of battery cells 100. A plurality of battery cells 100 may be arranged spaced apart from each other. For example, the first battery cell 100a may be spaced apart from the second battery cell 100b by a specified spacing G. In one embodiment, a plurality of battery cells 100 may be arranged in a staggered manner. For example, adjacent battery cells 100 may be arranged so that the first terminal 131 and the second terminal 132 face different directions. The number of the plurality of battery cells 100 shown in the present disclosure is exemplary.

[0080] The end plate 210 may form at least a portion of the appearance of the battery module 200. The end plate 210 may cover a portion of the outermost battery cell 100 among the plurality of battery cells 100. For example, the plurality of battery cells 100 may include a third battery cell 100c and a fourth battery cell 100d, wherein the third battery cell 100c forms an end portion facing a first direction (e.g., +Y direction), and the fourth battery cell 100d forms another end portion facing a second direction (e.g., -Y direction) opposite to the first direction (+Y direction). The end plate 210 may include a first end cap 211 covering at least a portion of the third battery cell 100c and a second end cap 212 covering at least a portion of the fourth battery cell 100d. In one embodiment, the first end cap 211 may be referred to as a front cap, and the second end cap 212 may be referred to as a rear cap.

[0081] The end plate 210 may provide pressure (e.g., surface pressure) to the battery cell 100. For example, the end plate 210 may contact the third side surface 120c of the battery cell 100 and provide pressure to the third side surface 120c. In one embodiment, the first end cap 211 may provide pressure to the third battery cell 100c in the second direction (-Y direction). The second end cap 212 may provide pressure to the fourth battery cell 100d in the first direction (+Y direction). The pressure provided by the end plate 210 to the battery cell 100 may reduce swelling of the battery cell 100.

[0082] In one embodiment (not shown), the battery module 200 may include an insulating plate (not shown) between the end plate 210 and the battery cells 100 .

[0083] The elastic plate 300 may form at least a portion of the appearance of the battery module 200, and may accommodate a plurality of battery cells 100 together with the end plate 210. For example, the end plate 210 and the elastic plate 300 may surround the plurality of battery cells 100. For example, the end plate 210 and the elastic plate 300 may provide pressure to the plurality of battery cells 100 from all directions. In one embodiment, the end plate 210 may apply pressure to the plurality of battery cells 100 in a first direction (+Y direction) and a second direction (-Y direction), and the elastic plate 300 may apply pressure to the plurality of battery cells 100 in a third direction (+X direction) and a fourth direction (-X direction).

[0084] The end plate 210 and the elastic plate 300 combined with the end plate 210 may be referred to as a cell fixing member 240. The positions of the plurality of cells 100 may be maintained or fixed by the end plate 210 and the elastic plate 300. For example, the elastic plate 300 of the cell fixing member 240 may accommodate the cell 100. For example, the cover 310 and the buffer 320 may form an accommodation space AS surrounding the cell 100. The accommodation space AS may be an empty space at least partially surrounded by the cover 310 and the buffer 320.

[0085] The battery cell 100 is inserted into the accommodation space AS, and the side surfaces (eg, Figure 1 The first side surface 120a, the second side surface 120b, and the third side surface 120c in the embodiment may be surrounded by the cover portion 310 and the buffer portion 320. The accommodation space AS may be formed by the first elastic plate 300a and the second elastic plate 300b.

[0086] A plurality of buffers 320 may be spaced apart from one another to form an accommodation space AS. Each of the plurality of battery cells 100 may be located between a plurality of buffers 320 adjacent to one another. The positions of the plurality of battery cells 100 may be maintained by the elastic force of the end plate 210 and / or the plurality of buffers 320 and the friction force between the housing 120 and the buffers 320. In one embodiment, the accommodation space AS may be formed by the end plate 210 and the elastic plate 300. The outermost battery cells (e.g., the third battery cell 100c or the fourth battery cell 100d) of the plurality of battery cells 100 may be disposed in the accommodation space AS formed by the end plate 210 and the elastic plate 300.

[0087] The elastic plate 300 may cover at least a portion of the side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 100. For example, the elastic plate 300 may include a covering portion 310 covering the side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 100. The covering portion 310 may contact the first side surface 120a or the second side surface 120b of the battery cell 100. The covering portion 310 of the first elastic plate 300a may contact the first side surface 120a of the battery cell 100 and provide pressure to the first side surface 120a in the third direction (+X direction). The covering portion 310 of the second elastic plate 300b may contact the second side surface 120b of the battery cell 100 and provide pressure to the second side surface 120b in the fourth direction (-X direction). The covering portion 310 may be provided in plurality. For example, the covering portion 310 may be a portion of the elastic plate 300 connecting the plurality of buffer portions 320. The number of covering portions 310 may be proportional to the number of battery cells 100 of the battery module 200. For example, in a battery module 200 including N battery cells 100 , the battery module 200 may include 2N covering parts 310 .

[0088] The elastic plate 300 may absorb at least a portion of the thickness variation caused by the inflation phenomenon of the plurality of battery cells 100. For example, the elastic plate 300 may include a buffer portion 320 located between at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0089] The buffer portion 320 may shrink or compress according to the thickness change of the battery cell 100. By deforming the buffer portion 320, the battery module 200 may be prevented from being damaged. In one embodiment, the buffer portion 320 may be referred to as a leaf spring, a fin, or a flat clip. In one embodiment, the buffer portion 320 may be located between adjacent battery cells 100 in a plurality of battery cells 100. For example, the plurality of battery cells 100 may include a first battery cell 100a and a second battery cell 100b spaced apart from the first battery cell 100a. The first battery cell 100a may be any one of the plurality of battery cells 100, and the second battery cell 100b may be the battery cell 100 most adjacent to the first battery cell 100a in the plurality of battery cells 100. The buffer portion 320 may be located within the spacing G between the first battery cell 100a and the second battery cell 100b.

[0090] The number of buffers 320 may be proportional to the number of battery cells 100 in the battery module 200 . For example, in one embodiment, in a battery module 200 including N battery cells 100 , the battery module 200 may include 2 (N−1) buffers 320 .

[0091] The number of buffer portions 320 can be selectively designed. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and / or Figure 4In the embodiment, the battery module 200 includes a buffer portion 320 located between a plurality of battery cells 100, but the structure of the battery module 200 is not limited thereto. For example, in one embodiment (not shown), at least a portion (e.g., two) of the battery cells 100 may contact each other, and the buffer portion 320 may be provided between every two battery cells 100.

[0092] The buffer portion 320 may include a first support region 321 facing the first battery cell 100a and a second support region 322 facing the second battery cell 100b. The first support region 321 may contact a portion of the third side 120c of the first battery cell 100a. The second support region 322 may contact a portion of the third side 120c of the second battery cell 100b. The first support region 321 may be spaced apart from the second support region 322. For example, the elastic plate 300 may include a buffer space BS between the first support region 321 and the second support region 322. The buffer space BS of the buffer portion 320 may be deformed according to the expansion of the battery cell 100. For example, when the battery cell 100 expands, the width d of the buffer space BS may be reduced. The buffer space BS may reduce the deformation of the length (e.g., the length in the Y-axis direction) of the battery module 200. The elastic plate 300 may absorb the expansion of the battery cell 100 and act as a damper by deforming the shape of the buffer space BS. The width d of the buffer space BS may be shorter than the spacing G between the battery cells 100.

[0093] In one embodiment, the elastic plate 300 can provide a flow channel for cooling and / or heat dissipation of the battery cell 100. In one embodiment, the buffer space BS of the elastic plate 300 can provide a path for air flow. The battery cell 100 can dissipate heat through the air flowing through the buffer space BS. For example, the buffer portion 320 of the elastic plate 300 can increase the contact area between the battery module 200 and the air. In one embodiment, the elastic plate 300 can be made of a heat dissipation material. The elastic plate 300 can be made of an elastic material. For example, the elastic plate 300 can include stainless steel. However, the material of the elastic plate 300 is not limited to stainless steel, as long as the elastic plate 300 is made of, for example, a material that can provide elasticity and heat dissipation effects. In one embodiment, the elastic plate 300 may include a material that has been heat-treated to improve elasticity and shape memory.

[0094] The elastic plate 300 may include a first elastic plate 300a and a second elastic plate 300b spaced apart from the first elastic plate 300a. The covering portion 310 may include a first covering portion 310a forming a portion of the first elastic plate 300a and a second covering portion 310b forming a portion of the second elastic plate 300b. The buffer portion 320 may include a first buffer portion 320a forming a portion of the first elastic plate 300a and a second buffer portion 320b forming a portion of the second elastic plate 300b. The first elastic plate 300a may include a first covering portion 310a covering one side of the plurality of battery cells 100 and a first buffer portion 320a extending from the first covering portion 310a and located between at least a portion of the battery cells 100 among the plurality of battery cells 100. The second elastic plate 300b may include a second covering portion 310b covering the other side of the plurality of battery cells 100 and a second buffer portion 320b extending from the second covering portion 310b and located between at least a portion of the battery cells 100 among the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0095] The third side surface 120c of the battery cell 100 may be in contact with the buffer portion 320. The buffer portion 320 may extend to the center of the battery cell 100. For example, the edge portion 121 of the third side surface 120c may be in contact with the first buffer portion 320a or the second buffer portion 320b. At least a portion of the center portion 122 of the third side surface 120c may be in contact with the first buffer portion 320a and the second buffer portion 320b. Since the center portion 122 having a large amount of change caused by the expansion of the battery cell 100 is in contact with two buffer portions (e.g., the first buffer portion 320a and the second buffer portion 320b), the buffering and / or damper effect of the elastic plate 300 may be increased.

[0096] Each elastic plate 300 may be formed integrally. For example, the buffer portion 320 may be formed by extending from the covering portion 310. In one embodiment, the buffer portion 320 may be substantially formed in a "U" shape, and the two ends of the buffer portion 320 may be connected to the covering portion 310, respectively. The elastic plate 300 may be a leaf spring with a portion bent. The elastic plate 300 may include a plurality of bending regions 330. For example, the elastic plate 300 may include a first bending region 331 connecting a first supporting region 321 and a second supporting region 322. The elastic plate 300 may include a second bending region 332 connecting the first supporting region 321 and the covering portion 310 and a third bending region 333 connecting the second supporting region 322 and the covering portion 310. The bending region 330 may increase the deformation rate of the elastic plate 300. For example, when the curvature of the first bending area 331, the second bending area 332, and / or the third bending area 333 changes, the distance between the first supporting area 321 and the second supporting area 322 also changes, and the elastic plate 300 can function as a damper that absorbs at least a portion of the deformation of the battery cell 100. In one embodiment, the elastic plate 300 can be called a flat stair spring.

[0097] The elastic plate 300 may be coupled to the end plate 210. For example, in one embodiment, the end plate 210 may include at least one protrusion 219 formed with a hook, and the elastic plate 300 may include at least one coupling groove 319 for accommodating the protrusion 219. In one embodiment (not shown), the elastic plate 300 may include at least one protrusion formed with a hook, and the end plate 210 may include a coupling groove for accommodating the at least one protrusion. In one embodiment (not shown), the end plate 210 and the elastic plate 300 may be coupled to each other by at least one fastening member (e.g., a bolt) (not shown).

[0098] The elastic plate 300 may provide elastic force to the first end cap 211 and the second end cap 212 in a direction in which the first end cap 211 and the second end cap 212 approach each other. For example, both ends of the elastic plate 300 (e.g., the outermost covering portion 310) may be connected to the first end cap 211 and the second end cap 212, respectively. The elastic plate 300 may be contracted to provide elastic force in a direction in which the first end cap 211 and the second end cap 212 pressurize the battery cell 100, respectively.

[0099] The battery module 200 may include a bus bar assembly (not shown) that may be electrically connected to the terminals 131 , 132 of the battery cells 100 .

[0100] The bus bar assembly may include at least one connection terminal (not shown) for electrical connection with the outside. The connection terminal may be electrically connected to the bus bar. The terminals 131 and 132 of the battery cell 100 may be electrically connected to the outside of the battery module 200 through the bus bar assembly.

[0101] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment.

[0102] Reference Figure 6 , the battery pack 400 may include a plurality of battery modules 200 and a battery pack frame 410 for accommodating the plurality of battery modules 200 . Figure 2 and Figure 3 The description of the battery module 200 in Figure 6 However, for ease of explanation, Figure 6 A portion of the shape of the battery module 200 is omitted.

[0103] The battery pack frame 410 may accommodate components of the battery pack 400 (e.g., the battery module 200). The battery pack frame 410 may include a bottom member 411 supporting the battery module 200, a battery pack cover 412 covering the battery module 200, and a battery pack side wall 413 connecting the bottom member 411 and the battery pack cover 412. The bottom member 411 may support the bottom surface 120d of the battery cell 100. The battery pack side wall 413 may face the elastic plate (e.g., Figure 2 At least a portion of the elastic plate 300).

[0104] The battery pack frame 410 may include a partition 414 that spans at least a portion of the plurality of battery modules 200. For example, the accommodation space of the battery pack frame 410 may be divided into a plurality of spaces by the partition 414. The partition 414 may be installed across the accommodation space to enhance the rigidity of the battery pack frame 410. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the plurality of partitions 414 may include exhaust holes to guide the path of gas and / or flame generated in the battery module 200. The partition 414 may face the elastic plate (e.g., Figure 2 For example, the structure of the battery pack frame 410 of the present disclosure may be changed according to the design of the battery pack 400.

[0105] In one embodiment, the battery pack 400 may include a duct member 460. A flow space may be formed inside the duct member 460, and the gas and / or flame exhausted from the battery module 200 flows in the flow space. The duct member 460 may be disposed within the battery pack frame 410. The flow space of the duct member 460 may be connected to the exhaust hole of the partition 414. For example, the battery cells (as shown in FIG. Figure 1Gas and / or flame generated in the battery cell 100 in the battery pack 400 may be transferred to the outside of the battery pack 400 through the exhaust holes formed in the partition 414 and the flow space of the duct member 460 .

[0106] The battery pack 400 may include a battery control unit 490 for controlling the battery module 200. The battery control unit 490 may be disposed within the battery pack frame 410. The battery control unit 490 may include a battery management system (BMS). The configuration of the battery control unit 490 is known in various forms, so a detailed description is omitted. In one embodiment, the battery control unit 490 may be referred to as a processor.

[0107] The above-described contents are merely examples of applying the principles of the present disclosure, and other configurations may also be included without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0108] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure are described above, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the technical concept of the present disclosure as described in the claims. For example, the present disclosure can be implemented by deleting some components in the aforementioned embodiments, or by combining the embodiments.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: Multiple cells; A plurality of end plates, respectively disposed on both sides of the plurality of battery cells; as well as an elastic plate connected to the plurality of end plates, The elastic plate includes a covering portion covering side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells and a buffer portion extending from the covering portion and located between at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of battery cells include a first battery cell and a second battery cell spaced apart from the first battery cell, The buffer portion includes a first supporting region facing the first battery cell, a second supporting region facing the second battery cell, and a first bending region connecting the first supporting region and the second supporting region.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein: The elastic plate includes a second bending area connecting the first supporting area and the covering portion and a third bending area connecting the second supporting area and the covering portion.

4. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein: The first support area is spaced apart from the second support area, The elastic plate includes a buffer space located between the first supporting region and the second supporting region and configured to be deformed according to expansion of the battery cell.

5. The battery module according to claim 4, wherein: The buffer portion contacts at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells, and the buffer space provides a path for air flow.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The end plate includes a protrusion formed with a hook, The cover portion includes a groove for receiving the hook.

7. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of battery cells includes an electrode assembly, a shell accommodating the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly connected to the shell. The housing includes a first side surface, a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, and a third side surface extending from the first side surface to the second side surface and facing the buffer portion.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, wherein: The elastic plate includes a first elastic plate and a second elastic plate spaced apart from the first elastic plate.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: The first elastic plate includes a first covering portion facing the first side surface and a first buffer portion extending from the first covering portion and located between at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells. The second elastic plate includes a second covering portion facing the second side surface and a second buffer portion extending from the second covering portion and located between the plurality of battery cells. A portion of the first buffer portion faces a portion of the second buffer portion, and the third side surface faces the first buffer portion and the second buffer portion.

10. The battery module according to claim 9, wherein: The third side surface includes an edge portion and a central portion surrounded by the edge portion, The edge portion is in contact with the first buffer portion or the second buffer portion, At least a portion of the central portion is in contact with the first buffer portion and the second buffer portion.

11. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of battery cells include a third battery cell and a fourth battery cell, the third battery cell forms one end facing a first direction, and the fourth battery cell forms another end facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, The end plate includes a first end cover and a second end cover, the first end cover is configured to provide pressure to the third battery cell in the second direction, and the second end cover is configured to provide pressure to the fourth battery cell in the first direction.

12. The battery module according to claim 11, wherein: The two ends of the elastic plate are connected to the first end cover and the second end cover respectively. The elastic plate is configured to provide an elastic force to the first end cap and the second end cap in a direction in which the first end cap and the second end cap approach each other.

13. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The covering portion and the buffer portion form a receiving space surrounding at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells.

14. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The elastic plate comprises stainless steel.

15. A battery pack comprising: Multiple battery modules; as well as a battery pack frame, for accommodating the plurality of battery modules, Each of the plurality of battery modules comprises: Multiple cells; end plates, disposed on both sides of the plurality of battery cells; and an elastic plate connected to the plurality of end plates, The elastic plate includes a covering portion covering side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells and a buffer portion extending from the covering portion and located between at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells.

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