Battery assembly and battery pack including same

Abstract

The present technology provides a battery assembly including: a first battery cell block including a plurality of first battery cells; a second battery cell block including a plurality of second battery cells and spaced apart from the first battery cell block; and a heat conduction block disposed between the first battery cell block and the second battery cell block and configured to thermally bond the first electrode lead of the first battery cell block and the second electrode lead of the second battery cell block.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery assembly and a battery pack including the battery assembly.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0119622, filed on September 8, 2023, and the entire contents of this Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged many times. Secondary batteries are widely used as power sources for various types of wireless devices (such as mobile phones, laptops and cordless vacuum cleaners). Recently, the main use of secondary batteries has shifted from mobile devices to vehicles because the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has been significantly reduced due to increased energy density and economies of scale, and the cruising range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to the same level as fuel vehicles. Since secondary batteries are used in vehicles, technologies to increase the energy density of secondary batteries are being studied. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Technical issues

[0005] The present invention is directed to providing a battery assembly and a battery pack including the battery assembly.

[0006] Technical Solution

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a battery assembly, comprising: a first battery cell block including a plurality of first battery cells; a second battery cell block including a plurality of second battery cells and spaced apart from the first battery cell block; and a thermally conductive block disposed between the first battery cell block and the second battery cell block and configured to thermally couple a first electrode lead of the first battery cell block to a second electrode lead of the second battery cell block.

[0008] In exemplary embodiments, the thermally conductive block may be in direct contact with the first electrode lead of the first battery cell block and the second electrode lead of the second battery cell block.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery assembly may further include a first bus bar coupled to the first electrode lead of the first battery cell block; a second bus bar coupled to the second electrode lead of the second battery cell block; and the thermally conductive block may be in direct contact with the first bus bar and the second bus bar.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery assembly may further include a first bus bar frame on which the first bus bar is mounted; a second bus bar frame on which the second bus bar is mounted; and a frame providing an internal space filled with the thermally conductive block and combined with at least one of the first bus bar frame and the second bus bar frame.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the frame may include two side plates spaced apart from each other with an inner space therebetween, and the two side plates may extend from the first bus bar frame to the second bus bar frame.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery assembly may further include a case configured to accommodate the first battery cell block and the second battery cell block.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the case may include a first cover plate covering the first surface of the first battery cell block and the first surface of the second battery cell block, the first cover plate may include a cooling channel, and the thermally conductive block may contact the first cover plate.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the case may include a side cover plate covering a side surface of the first battery cell block and a side surface of the second battery cell block, and the side cover plate may include a fastening flange configured to be fastened to an external support structure.

[0015] In example embodiments, the battery assembly may further include an inter-block bus bar extending between the first battery cell block and the second battery cell block and configured to electrically connect the first battery cell block with the second battery cell block.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery assembly may further include an additional thermally conductive block disposed between the first battery cell block and the second battery cell block and configured to thermally couple another first electrode lead of the first battery cell block with another second electrode lead of the second battery cell block, and the additional thermally conductive block may be spaced apart from the thermally conductive block.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, a first battery cell block and a second battery cell block may be spaced apart from each other in a first direction, in the first battery cell block, a plurality of first battery cells may be stacked in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and in the second battery cell block, a plurality of second battery cells may be stacked in the second direction.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the thermally conductive block may include a thermal interface material.

[0019] As one aspect of the present invention, a battery pack is provided, comprising a battery pack housing; and a battery assembly in the battery pack housing, wherein the battery assembly comprises: a first battery cell block comprising a plurality of first battery cells; a second battery cell block comprising a plurality of second battery cells and spaced apart from the first battery cell block; a thermally conductive block disposed between the first battery cell block and the second battery cell block and configured to thermally couple a first electrode lead of the first battery cell block to a second electrode lead of the second battery cell block; and a housing configured to accommodate the first battery cell block and the second battery cell block.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the housing may include: a first cover plate covering a first surface of the first battery cell block and a first surface of the second battery cell block and including a cooling channel; a side cover plate covering a side surface of the first battery cell block and a side surface of the second battery cell block and including a fastening flange configured to be fastened to a support structure on a bottom plate of the battery pack housing; and a second cover plate covering a second surface of the first battery cell block and a second surface of the second battery cell block, wherein the second surface of the first battery cell block is opposite to the first surface of the first battery cell block, and the second surface of the second battery cell block is opposite to the first surface of the second battery cell block.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the case may be spaced apart from a bottom plate of the battery pack housing.

[0022] Beneficial effects

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a battery assembly includes battery cell blocks each having a plurality of battery cells, thereby increasing energy density and realizing a large-scale module.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first electrode lead of a first battery cell block and a second electrode lead of a second battery cell block facing each other, and / or a first bus bar and a second bus bar facing each other, are thermally coupled via a thermally conductive block to enhance thermal coupling between the battery cell blocks. Consequently, temperature deviations between the battery cell blocks can be reduced, and the efficiency of thermal performance management and temperature deviation management of the battery cell blocks can be improved.

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a thermally conductive block serving as a heat diffusion member is attached to electrode leads and / or bus bars of a battery cell block to achieve a fast charging state according to user needs and suppress the electrode leads and / or bus bars of the battery cell block from being excessively heated.

[0026] The effects that can be achieved from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects not described herein will be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present invention pertain based on the following description. In other words, those skilled in the art can derive unexpected effects that can be achieved when implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present invention based on the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a battery assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 is Figure 1 An enlarged view of the area indicated by “EX1”.

[0029] Figure 3 The inter-block busbars are omitted. Figure 2 Magnified image of .

[0030] Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the battery assembly taken along line AA-AA'.

[0031] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the thermally conductive block of a battery assembly.

[0032] Figure 6 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the battery assembly taken along line BB-BB'.

[0033] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an electric vehicle mounted with a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before describing the embodiments of the present invention, the terms or expressions used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to those generally understood or defined in commonly used dictionaries, but should be understood based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to the present invention, based on the inventors of this application who can appropriately define the terms or expressions to best explain the principles of the present invention.

[0036] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples of the present invention and do not reflect all technical concepts of the present invention, and it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications will have been made to replace the configurations on the filing date of this application.

[0037] When it is determined that well-known configurations or functions related to describing the present invention would obscure the subject matter of the present invention due to unnecessary detail, they are not described in detail.

[0038] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes, sizes, etc. of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for the sake of clarity. Therefore, it should not be understood that the sizes or ratios of the components completely reflect their actual sizes or ratios.

[0039] (First embodiment)

[0040] Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a battery assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is Figure 1 An enlarged view of the area indicated by “EX1”. Figure 3 The inter-block bus bar 170 is omitted. Figure 2 Magnified image of . Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the battery assembly 100 taken along line AA-AA′. Figure 5 yes Figure 1 sectional view of the thermally conductive block 191 of the battery assembly 100.

[0041] Reference Figures 1 to 5 The battery assembly 100 may include a first battery cell block 110 and a second battery cell block 140 arranged in a first direction (eg, Y-axis direction). The first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140 may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction (eg, Y-axis direction). Figure 1 and Figure 2 The battery assembly 100 is shown to include two battery cell blocks, but the number of battery cell blocks included in the battery assembly 100 is not limited to 2. For example, the battery assembly 100 may include two or more battery cell blocks arranged in a first direction (eg, Y-axis direction).

[0042] Each of the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140 may include a plurality of battery cells. Each of the battery cells is a basic unit of a lithium-ion battery (i.e., a secondary battery). Each battery cell may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a battery cell housing. The electrode assembly in the battery cell housing may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator between the positive and negative electrodes. Depending on the form of the assembly, the electrode assembly may be a jelly-roll type electrode assembly or a stacked type electrode assembly. The jelly-roll type electrode assembly may include a structure in which the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator between the positive and negative electrodes are wound together. The stacked type electrode assembly may include a plurality of positive electrodes and a plurality of negative electrodes stacked in sequence, and a plurality of separators located therebetween. The positive electrode may include a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material. The negative electrode may include a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material.

[0043] In each of the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140, a plurality of battery cells may be connected in series and / or in parallel. For example, in each of the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140, a plurality of battery cells may be connected in series. For example, in each of the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140, a plurality of battery cells may be connected in parallel. For example, in each of the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140, when a set of two or more battery cells connected in parallel is defined as a group, one group including two or more battery cells connected in parallel and another group including two or more battery cells connected in parallel may be connected in series.

[0044] In each of the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140, each battery cell may be a pouch-type battery cell, a cylindrical battery cell, or a prismatic battery cell. The electrode assembly of the pouch-type battery cell is embedded in a pouch case comprising an aluminum laminate. The electrode assembly of the cylindrical battery cell is embedded in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of the prismatic battery cell is embedded in a prismatic metal can.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, each battery cell may be a soft-pack type battery cell. In each of the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140, a plurality of battery cells may be stacked together in a second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). In an exemplary embodiment, in each of the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140, a plurality of battery cells may be soft-pack type battery cells whose length in the second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) is shorter than their length in the first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction).

[0046] In the present disclosure, the battery cells included in the first battery cell block 110 may be referred to as first battery cells 111. Each first battery cell 111 may include a first electrode assembly, a first battery cell housing accommodating the first electrode assembly, and a first electrode lead 113 electrically connected to the first electrode assembly. The first battery cell housing may include a first housing having a housing space for accommodating the first electrode assembly and a first battery cell platform portion 119 surrounding the first housing. The first battery cell platform portion 119 is the exterior of the first battery cell housing and may extend from the first housing. The first battery cell platform portion 119 may include a sealing joint for sealing the first electrode assembly. A portion of the first electrode lead 113 may protrude from the first battery cell platform portion 119. Each first battery cell 111 may include a pair of first electrode leads 113. In each first battery cell 111, one of the pair of first electrode leads 113 may protrude outward from the first battery cell platform portion 119 at one end portion of the first battery cell housing in the first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction), and the other first electrode lead 113 may protrude outward from the first battery cell platform portion 119 at the other end portion of the first battery cell housing in the first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). A first gap 114 may be provided between the first battery cell platform portions 119 of two adjacent first battery cell blocks 110 among the plurality of first battery cell blocks 110.

[0047] In the present disclosure, the battery cells included in the second battery cell block 140 may be referred to as second battery cells 141. Each second battery cell 141 may include a second electrode assembly, a second battery cell housing accommodating the second electrode assembly, and a second electrode lead 143 electrically connected to the second electrode assembly. The second battery cell housing may include a second housing having a housing space for accommodating the second electrode assembly and a second battery cell platform portion 149 surrounding the second housing. The second battery cell platform portion 149 is the exterior of the second battery cell housing and may extend from the second housing. The second battery cell platform portion 149 may include a sealing joint for sealing the second electrode assembly. A portion of the second electrode lead 143 may protrude from the second battery cell platform portion 149. Each second battery cell 141 may include a pair of second electrode leads 143. In each second battery cell 141, one of the pair of second electrode leads 143 may protrude outward from the second battery cell platform portion 149 at one end portion of the second battery cell housing in the first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction), and the other second electrode lead 143 may protrude outward from the second battery cell platform portion 149 at the other end portion of the second battery cell housing in the first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). A second gap 144 may be provided between the second battery cell platform portions 149 of two adjacent second battery cell blocks 140 among the plurality of second battery cell blocks 140.

[0048] When viewed in plan, each of the first and second battery cell blocks 110 and 140 may have a rectangular shape in which its length in the second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) is shorter than its length in the first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). Each of the first and second battery cell blocks 110 and 140 may include two side surfaces facing each other in the second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction), a front surface and a rear surface facing each other in the first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction), and a first surface (e.g., an upper surface) and a second surface (e.g., a lower surface) facing each other in a third direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction). The rear surface of the first battery cell block 110 may face the front surface of the second battery cell block 140.

[0049] The first bus bar frame 120, on which the first bus bar 130 is mounted, may be provided on the front and rear surfaces of the first battery cell block 110. The first bus bar 130 may include a first intermediate bus bar and a first terminal bus bar 131. The first intermediate bus bar may be combined with the first electrode leads 113 of different first battery cells 111 belonging to the first battery cell block 110 to electrically connect the different first battery cells 111. The first terminal bus bar 131 may be combined with at least one first electrode lead 113 protruding from the first battery cell platform portion 119 of the first battery cell 111. The first terminal bus bar 131 may electrically connect the first battery cell block 110 with the second battery cell block 140 or another external electronic device. One or more first intermediate bus bars and one or more first terminal bus bars 131 may be mounted on the first bus bar frame 120 on the front surface of the first battery cell block 110 , and one or more first intermediate bus bars and one or more first terminal bus bars 131 may be mounted on the first bus bar frame 120 on the rear surface of the first battery cell block 110 .

[0050] The second bus bar frame 150, on which the second bus bar 160 is mounted, may be provided on the front and rear surfaces of the second battery cell block 140. The second bus bar 160 may include a second intermediate bus bar and a second terminal bus bar 161. The second intermediate bus bar may be combined with the second electrode lead 143 of the different second battery cells 141 belonging to the second battery cell block 140 to electrically connect the different second battery cells 141. The second terminal bus bar 161 may be combined with at least one second electrode lead 143 protruding from the second battery cell platform portion 149 of the second battery cell 141. The second terminal bus bar 161 may electrically connect the second battery cell block 140 with the first battery cell block 110 or another external electronic device. One or more second intermediate bus bars and one or more second terminal bus bars 161 may be mounted on the second bus bar frame 150 on the front surface of the second battery cell block 140 , and one or more second intermediate bus bars and one or more second terminal bus bars 161 may be mounted on the second bus bar frame 150 on the rear surface of the second battery cell block 140 .

[0051] The battery assembly 100 may include a thermally conductive block 191 located in the space between the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140. The thermally conductive block 191 is thermally conductive but not electrically conductive. In an exemplary embodiment, the thermally conductive block 191 may be formed of a thermal interface material (TIM) and / or a thermally conductive resin. The thermally conductive block 191 may extend between the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140 to thermally couple the first battery cell block 110 to the second battery cell block 140. The battery assembly 100 may include more than one thermally conductive block 191. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of thermally conductive blocks 191 may be provided in the space between the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction).

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the thermally conductive block 191 may directly contact the first electrode lead 113 of the first battery cell block 110 and the second electrode lead 143 of the second battery cell block 140 and thermally couple the first electrode lead 113 of the first battery cell block 110 and the second electrode lead 143 of the second battery cell block 140 .

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the thermally conductive block 191 may be in direct contact with the first bus bar 130 and the second bus bar 160 and thermally couple the first bus bar 130 to the second bus bar 160. The thermally conductive block 191 may be coupled to the first intermediate bus bar or the first terminal bus bar 131. The thermally conductive block 191 may be coupled to the second intermediate bus bar or the second terminal bus bar 161.

[0054] The battery assembly 100 may include a frame 193 for accommodating a thermally conductive block 191. The thermally conductive block 191 may at least partially fill the internal space provided by the frame 193. The frame 193 may include two side plates spaced apart from each other in a second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) with an internal space therebetween for accommodating the thermally conductive block 191. When viewed in a plan view, the two side plates of the frame 193 may extend between the first bus bar frame 120 and the second bus bar frame 150 in a first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The frame 193 may be combined with at least one of the first bus bar frame 120 and the second bus bar frame 150. In an exemplary embodiment, the frame 193 may be a portion of the first bus bar frame 120 or a portion of the second bus bar frame 150 and may have the same material composition as the first bus bar frame 120 or the second bus bar frame 150.

[0055] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode lead 113 of the first battery cell block 110 and the second electrode lead 143 of the second battery cell block 140 facing each other and / or the first bus bar 130 and the second bus bar 160 facing each other are thermally coupled via the heat conductive block 191 to enhance thermal coupling between the battery cell blocks. Consequently, temperature deviation between the battery cell blocks can be reduced, and the efficiency of thermal performance management and temperature deviation management of the battery cell blocks can be improved.

[0056] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a thermally conductive block 191 serving as a heat diffusion member is attached to electrode leads and / or bus bars of a battery cell block to achieve a fast charging state according to user needs and suppress the electrode leads and / or bus bars of the battery cell block from being excessively heated.

[0057] The battery assembly 100 may include an inter-block bus bar 170 configured to electrically connect the first battery cell block 110 with the second battery cell block 140. The inter-block bus bar 170 may extend across the space between the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140 and extend in a first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) from the first terminal bus bar 131 on the rear surface of the first battery cell block 110 to the second terminal bus bar 161 on the front surface of the second battery cell block 140. The inter-block bus bar 170 may be coupled to the first terminal bus bar 131 and the second terminal bus bar 161 and electrically connect the first terminal bus bar 131 with the second terminal bus bar 161. The inter-block bus bar 170 may be fastened to the first terminal bus bar 131 by a first bolt 181 and to the second terminal bus bar 161 by a second bolt 183. The inter-block bus bar 170 may include a first end portion fastened to a first fastening head of the first terminal bus bar 131, a second end portion fastened to a second terminal bus bar 161, and a connecting portion extending between the first and second ends. The connecting portion of the inter-block bus bar 170 may include a bent portion to mitigate the effects of external impact.

[0058] The first bolt 181 is inserted into the hole in the first end of the inter-block bus bar 170 and the hole in the first terminal bus bar 131, and the first end of the inter-block bus bar 170 can be tightly contacted with the first terminal bus bar 131 by fitting the first bolt 181 into the nut. The first end of the inter-block bus bar 170 and the first fastening head of the first terminal bus bar 131 can be accommodated in the first gap 114 between the first battery cell platform portions 119 of two adjacent first battery cell blocks 110. The first bus bar frame 120 may include a first recessed portion 121 located in the first gap 114 between the first battery cell platform portions 119 of the two adjacent first battery cell blocks 110, and the first recessed portion 121 of the first bus bar frame 120 can accommodate and support the first end of the inter-block bus bar 170 and the first fastening head of the first terminal bus bar 131.

[0059] The second bolt 183 is inserted into the hole in the second end of the inter-block bus bar 170 and the hole in the second terminal bus bar 161, and the second end of the inter-block bus bar 170 can be tightly contacted with the second terminal bus bar 161 by fitting the second bolt 183 into the nut. The second end of the inter-block bus bar 170 and the second fastening head of the second terminal bus bar 161 can be accommodated in the second gap 144 between the second battery cell platform portions 149 of two adjacent second battery cell blocks 140. The second bus bar frame 150 may include a second recessed portion 151 located in the second gap 144 between the second battery cell platform portions 149 of two adjacent second battery cell blocks 140, and the second recessed portion 151 of the second bus bar frame 150 can accommodate and support the second end of the inter-block bus bar 170 and the second fastening head of the second terminal bus bar 161.

[0060] In an exemplary embodiment, the joints of the inter-block bus bar 170 and the first terminal bus bar 131, as well as the joints of the inter-block bus bar 170 and the second terminal bus bar 161, may be aligned in a first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction), which is the direction in which the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140 are arranged. In this case, the first bolt 181 fastened to the first fastening head of the first terminal bus bar 131 and the second bolt 183 fastened to the second fastening head of the second terminal bus bar 161 may be aligned in the first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). When viewed in a plan view, the inter-block bus bar 170 may extend linearly in a second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). When the fastening portions of the inter-block bus bar 170 and the first terminal bus bar 131 of the first battery cell block 110 and the fastening portions of the inter-block bus bar 170 and the second terminal bus bar 161 of the second battery cell block 140 are aligned in a first direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) which is the direction in which the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140 are arranged, the risk of loosening of the first bolt 181 and / or the second bolt 183 due to relative movement between the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140 can be reduced, and the reliability of the electrical connection between the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140 can be improved.

[0061] The battery assembly 100 may include a battery pack housing 501 configured to accommodate a first battery cell block 110 and a second battery cell block 140 and formed of an outer battery pack housing 501 (see FIG. Figure 7 ) fastened and supported by the housing 201. The housing 201 may include a first cover plate 211, two side cover plates 213, and a second cover plate 215. The first cover plate 211 may be referred to as an upper cover plate, and the second cover plate 215 may be referred to as a lower cover plate.

[0062] The first cover plate 211 may cover the first surface of the first battery cell block 110 and the first surface of the second battery cell block 140. The first cover plate 211 may be attached to the first surface of the first battery cell block 110 and the first surface of the second battery cell block 140 and thermally bonded to the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140. The first cover plate 211 may be attached to each of the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140 via a thermally conductive adhesive layer. For example, the thermally conductive adhesive layer may include a TIM.

[0063] The first cover plate 211 may include a cooling channel 2111 configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therethrough, and is configured to cool the second battery cell block 140. The first cover plate 211 may be referred to as a cooling plate. The first cover plate 211 may be thermally bonded to the first and second battery cell blocks 110, 140 via a thermally conductive adhesive layer to cool the first and second battery cell blocks 110, 140. Cooling fluid supplied from outside the battery assembly 100 may flow into the cooling channel 2111 through the duct 220 and the inlet of the cooling channel 2111, flow along the cooling channel 2111, be discharged through the outlet of the cooling channel 2111, and then be discharged to the outside through another duct 220. For example, the cooling channel 2111 may provide a single path from the inlet to the outlet. As the cooling fluid flows along the cooling channel 2111, the battery assembly 100 may be cooled. For example, the first cover plate 211 may be manufactured by bonding two plates together, and the cooling channel 2111 may include a space defined between the two plates.

[0064] The second cover plate 215 may cover the second surface of the first battery cell block 110 and the second surface of the second battery cell block 140. The second cover plate 215 may be spaced apart from the first cover plate 211 in a third direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction), with the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140 interposed between the first cover plate 211 and the second cover plate 215. The second cover plate 215 may include exhaust holes for discharging high-temperature gas generated in the first battery cell block 110 and / or the second battery cell block 140 into the space below the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140.

[0065] The two side cover plates 213 may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction), with the first battery cell block 110 and the second battery cell block 140 interposed between the two side cover plates 213. One of the two side cover plates 213 may cover the first side surface of the first battery cell block 110 and the first side surface of the second battery cell block 140, and be combined with the first cover plate 211 and the second cover plate 215. The other side cover plate 213 may cover the second side surface of the first battery cell block 110 and the second side surface of the second battery cell block 140, and be combined with the first cover plate 211 and the second cover plate 215. Each side cover plate 213 may include a plurality of fastening flanges 2131 to be fastened to Figure 7 and supported by the outer battery pack housing 501.

[0066] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the battery assembly 100 includes battery cell blocks (eg, a first battery cell block 110 and a second battery cell block 140 ), each of which includes a plurality of battery cells, thereby increasing energy density and realizing a large-scale module.

[0067] Figure 6 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the battery assembly 100 taken along line BB-BB′.

[0068] Reference Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 6 , the thermally conductive block 191 may extend in a third direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) between the first cover plate 211 and the second cover plate 215 of the housing 201. The thermally conductive block 191 may be coupled to the first cover plate 211 via the cooling channel 2111. In this case, the thermally conductive block 191 may provide a thermally conductive path between the first battery cell block 110 and the first cover plate 211, and a thermally conductive path between the second battery cell block 140 and the second cover plate 215. More specifically, the first electrode lead 113 and / or the first bus bar 130 of the first battery cell block 110 may be thermally coupled to the first cover plate 211 via the thermally conductive block 191, and the second electrode lead 143 and / or the second bus bar 160 of the second battery cell block 140 may be thermally coupled to the first cover plate 211 via the thermally conductive block 191. Because the electrode leads and / or bus bars of the battery cell blocks can be cooled by heat conduction, thermal damage to the electrode leads and / or bus bars of the battery cell blocks is prevented.

[0069] (Second embodiment)

[0070] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack 500 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, descriptions of parts of the battery pack 500 that are the same as those described above will be omitted or simplified.

[0071] Reference Figure 7The battery pack 500 may include a battery pack housing 501 and a battery assembly 100 in the battery pack housing 501 . The battery pack 500 may include more than one battery assembly 100 in the battery pack housing 501 .

[0072] The battery pack housing 501 may include a lower housing 510 having a storage space for accommodating the battery assembly 100 and a battery pack cover 520 that is combined with the lower housing 510 and covers the lower housing 510 in which the battery assembly 100 is accommodated. The storage space of the lower housing 510 may be defined by a bottom plate 511 facing the lower surface of the battery assembly 100 and a side wall 513 on the edge of the bottom plate 511. A plurality of support structures 515 may be provided on the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 to support the battery assembly 100. The plurality of support structures 515 may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) and extend in the first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The length of each support structure 515 in the first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) may be equal to or greater than the length of the battery assembly 100 in the first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction).

[0073] The battery assembly 100 can be mounted on the battery pack housing 501 in a side-mounted manner. A plurality of support structures 515 extending in a first direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) can be provided on the bottom plate 511 of the battery pack housing 501, and the battery assembly 100 can be fastened to the plurality of support structures 515 by fastening members such as bolts BT. More specifically, the battery assembly 100 can be mounted on the battery pack housing 501 by fastening the fastening flanges 2131 of the side cover plate 213 to corresponding support structures 515 among the plurality of support structures 515 by bolts BT.

[0074] When the battery pack 500 is installed in a vehicle, a cab in which passengers ride may be located above the battery pack cover 520 , and the ground on which the vehicle travels may be located below the lower housing 510 .

[0075] The battery assembly 100 can be supported on the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 by the support structure 515 in a side-mounted manner, and when the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 and the battery assembly 100 are spaced apart from each other in a third direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction), a free volume FV can be formed between the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 and the battery assembly 100. Gas and flames generated in the event of thermal runaway can move through the free volume FV. In other words, the free volume FV serves as an exhaust passage through which high-temperature gas and flames can move.

[0076] Even when a strong impact is generated due to foreign matter splashing onto the lower part of the vehicle when driving on a hard surface (e.g., an unpaved road), the impact can be absorbed by the free volume FV. Therefore, the battery assembly 100 can be prevented from being damaged by the impact. The free volume FV may include an empty space between the battery assembly 100 and the lower housing 510. When the lower housing 510 is deformed toward the battery assembly 100 due to an impact applied to the lower part of the vehicle, the free volume FV can freely allow the lower housing 510 to deform to a certain extent.

[0077] The height of the free volume FV and the distance between the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 and the battery assembly 100 can be determined to be sufficient to absorb external impact. The height of the free volume FV can be determined based on the size and rigidity of the vehicle frame, the size and rigidity of the lower housing 510, the size of the battery pack 500, the amount of gas generated during thermal runaway and the exhaust rate, and other factors. For example, when the thickness or rigidity of the vehicle frame or the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 is relatively large, at least one of the size and height of the free volume FV can be relatively reduced. When the thickness or rigidity of the vehicle frame or the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 is relatively small, the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 is likely to deform, so at least one of the size and height of the free volume FV can be relatively increased to protect the battery assembly 101. When the size of the battery pack 500 is relatively large compared to the specifications of the battery pack 500, a relatively large free volume FV can be ensured. When the size of the battery pack 500 is relatively small, the height of the required free volume FV may be relatively small, so the thickness and rigidity of the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 may be relatively increased. When the height of the free volume FV is very small, the venting passage may be very small, and the internal pressure of the battery pack 500 may increase sharply during thermal runaway. Therefore, the size and height of the free volume FV may be determined in consideration of the amount of gas generated and the venting rate.

[0078] The maximum height of the free volume FV can be determined based on the damage tolerance of the battery cells 111 included in the battery assembly 100. For example, when the damage tolerance of the battery cells 111 is 1 mm, the free volume FV can be determined to prevent the battery cells 111 from deforming by more than 1 mm when the lower housing 510 deforms and presses the lower surface of the battery cells 111. In this case, the degree of deformation of the lower housing 510 may vary depending on the thickness or rigidity of the lower housing 510. Therefore, the size or height of the free volume FV can be determined taking into account all the damage tolerances of the battery cells 111 and the thickness and rigidity of the lower housing 510.

[0079] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper surface of the battery assembly 100 can be in close contact with the lower surface of the battery pack cover 520. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery assembly 100 can be supported while being suspended from the battery pack cover 520. When there is a space between the battery assembly 100 and the battery pack cover 520, high-temperature gas can flow into the space between the battery assembly 100 and the battery pack cover 520 during thermal runaway, and heat and flames can spread to adjacent battery assemblies 100 and also be transferred to the battery pack cover 520. As a result, the cabin above the battery pack cover 520 may be affected by the heat and flames. Therefore, by making the upper surface of the battery assembly 100 and the lower surface of the battery pack cover 520 in close contact with each other, the gas or flame generated in the battery pack 500 can be guided to the free volume FV.

[0080] (Third embodiment)

[0081] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an electric vehicle 1000 mounted with a battery pack 1100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] To keep it simple, Figure 8 Only the vehicle body frame 1200 forming the lower frame of the electric vehicle 1000 and the battery pack 1100 and tires combined with the vehicle body frame 1200 are shown. The battery pack 1100 may include the above-mentioned Figure 7 A battery pack 500 is described.

[0083] In the case of a conventional battery pack, the battery module is mounted on the bottom of the battery pack housing of the battery pack. In an embodiment, a battery pack 1100 may be provided below the battery assembly 100. Figure 7 The free volume FV is small, and there may be no space or a very narrow space between the battery assembly 100 and the battery pack cover 520. Therefore, the gas generated in the battery assembly 100 can be prevented from being transmitted to the cab corresponding to the upper part of the electric vehicle 1000, and is guided to the free volume FV between the battery assembly 100 and the battery pack housing 501 of the battery pack 1100. The gas can flow through the free volume FV and then be discharged from the lower side of the electric vehicle 1000 through the exhaust portion installed in the battery pack 1100. In addition, according to the present embodiment, in the battery pack 1100, the free volume FV is provided between the battery assembly 100 and the battery pack housing 501, thereby preventing the battery assembly 100 from being damaged regardless of the deformation of the battery pack housing 501.

[0084] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 1100 and the electric vehicle 1000 including the battery pack 1100 can increase the safety of passengers. In addition, the battery assembly 100 as a key component can be protected, and the durability of the battery pack 1100 and the electric vehicle 1000 can be enhanced.

[0085] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the drawings, embodiments, etc. However, the configurations shown in the drawings or the embodiments described in this specification are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not reflect all technical concepts of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications will be made to replace these configurations on the filing date of this application.

Claims

1. A battery assembly comprising: A first battery cell block including a plurality of first battery cells; a second battery cell block including a plurality of second battery cells and spaced apart from the first battery cell block; as well as A heat conductive block is disposed between the first battery cell block and the second battery cell block and is configured to thermally couple the first electrode lead of the first battery cell block with the second electrode lead of the second battery cell block.

2. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The thermally conductive block is in direct contact with the first electrode lead of the first battery cell block and the second electrode lead of the second battery cell block.

3. The battery assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a first bus bar coupled to the first electrode lead of the first battery cell block; as well as a second bus bar coupled to the second electrode lead of the second battery cell block; The heat conducting block is in direct contact with the first bus bar and the second bus bar.

4. The battery assembly according to claim 3, further comprising: a first busbar frame, the first busbar being mounted on the first busbar frame; a second busbar frame, the second busbar being mounted on the second busbar frame; as well as A frame provides an inner space filled with the thermal block and is combined with at least one of the first bus bar frame and the second bus bar frame.

5. The battery assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The frame includes two side panels spaced apart from each other, with the inner space between the two side panels. The two side plates extend from the first bus bar frame to the second bus bar frame. 6 . The battery assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a housing configured to accommodate the first battery cell block and the second battery cell block.

7. The battery assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The housing includes a first cover plate covering a first surface of the first battery cell block and a first surface of the second battery cell block. Wherein, the first cover plate includes a cooling channel, and The heat conducting block contacts the first cover plate.

8. The battery assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The housing includes a side cover plate covering a side surface of the first battery cell block and a side surface of the second battery cell block. Wherein, the side cover plate includes a fastening flange configured to be fastened to an external support structure. 9 . The battery assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising an inter-block bus bar extending between the first battery cell block and the second battery cell block and configured to electrically connect the first battery cell block and the second battery cell block.

10. The battery assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising an additional thermally conductive block disposed between the first battery cell block and the second battery cell block and configured to thermally couple another first electrode lead of the first battery cell block with another second electrode lead of the second battery cell block. in, The additional heat-conducting block is spaced apart from the heat-conducting block.

11. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first battery cell block and the second battery cell block are spaced apart from each other in a first direction, In the first battery cell block, the plurality of first battery cells are stacked in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and In the second battery cell block, the plurality of second battery cells are stacked in the second direction.

12. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The thermally conductive block includes a thermal interface material.

13. A battery pack comprising: Battery pack housing; as well as a battery assembly, within the battery pack housing, Wherein, the battery assembly includes: A first battery cell block including a plurality of first battery cells; a second battery cell block including a plurality of second battery cells and spaced apart from the first battery cell block; a heat conductive block disposed between the first battery cell block and the second battery cell block and configured to thermally couple the first electrode lead of the first battery cell block to the second electrode lead of the second battery cell block; and The housing is configured to accommodate the first battery cell block and the second battery cell block.

14. The battery pack according to claim 13, wherein: The housing comprises: a first cover plate covering a first surface of the first battery cell block and a first surface of the second battery cell block and comprising a cooling channel; a side cover plate covering a side surface of the first battery cell block and a side surface of the second battery cell block and including a fastening flange configured to be fastened to a support structure on a bottom plate of the battery pack housing; and a second cover plate covering a second surface of the first battery cell block and a second surface of the second battery cell block, wherein the second surface of the first battery cell block is opposite to the first surface of the first battery cell block, and the second surface of the second battery cell block is opposite to the first surface of the second battery cell block.

15. The battery pack according to claim 14, wherein: The housing is spaced apart from the bottom plate of the battery pack casing.

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