Battery module and battery pack including same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack comprising the same, and more particularly, to a battery module and a battery pack comprising the same, which can be applied to a vehicle type in which a battery is required to be capable of bottom ventilation and top cooling. The battery module according to the present invention may comprise: a battery cell assembly formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells; the heat dissipation layer is arranged on the upper surface of the battery monomer assembly; and a bus bar frame covering a first surface on which a lead wire of the battery cell assembly protrudes and a lower surface of the battery cell assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0037625 filed in Korea on March 22, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module applicable to a vehicle type requiring bottom exhaust and top cooling of batteries and a battery pack including the same. Background Art

[0004] The recent depletion of fossil fuels has led to rising energy prices and has had a significant impact on the growing concern about environmental pollution. The demand for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources has become a crucial factor in future life. In this context, research is underway into various energy generation technologies, including solar, wind, and tidal power, with a focus on energy storage systems such as batteries to more efficiently utilize the generated electricity.

[0005] Furthermore, with the technological development of and increase in demand for electronic mobile devices and electric vehicles using batteries, the demand for batteries as energy sources is also rapidly increasing, and accordingly, much research is being conducted on batteries that meet various needs.

[0006] Batteries are gaining increasing attention as an energy source for a wide variety of products, including mobile devices and electric vehicles. Secondary batteries, in particular, are considered a promising energy source, potentially replacing existing products that use fossil fuels and generating no byproducts. They are therefore attracting attention as an environmentally friendly energy source.

[0007] On the other hand, secondary batteries are also attracting attention as energy sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). These vehicles are hailed as a solution to reducing air pollution caused by existing fossil fuel vehicles (such as gasoline and diesel vehicles). Specifically, secondary batteries are used in the form of battery packs consisting of multiple battery modules.

[0008] Conventional battery modules have a structure optimized for top-ventilation and bottom-cooling. Battery cells are secured to the inner bottom surface of the module with resin, and vent holes are formed in the upper portion to allow flames and sparks to escape upward. However, this approach is not applicable to modules optimized for bottom-ventilation. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure aims to provide a battery module and a battery pack including the battery module, which can be applied to a type of vehicle requiring bottom exhaust and top cooling of the battery.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] A battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a battery cell assembly formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells; a heat dissipation layer provided on an upper surface of the battery cell assembly; and a bus bar frame covering a first surface from which leads of the battery cell assembly protrude and a lower surface of the battery cell assembly.

[0013] The heat dissipation layer can fix the battery cell assembly.

[0014] The battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure may further include a single frame accommodating the battery cell assembly, the heat dissipation layer, and the bus bar frame, and a lower surface of the single frame may be formed with a drain hole.

[0015] The battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure may further include an upper frame covering the heat dissipation layer and a second side of the battery cell assembly in the length direction; and a lower frame coupled to the upper frame and having a discharge hole.

[0016] The battery module according to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure may include a sealing portion on a surface facing the bus bar frame to seal the battery cells.

[0017] The leads of the battery cells may be formed at a lower portion of the first surface adjacent to the sealing portion.

[0018] The battery module may further include a connector located at a position higher than a position where the lead is coupled to the bus bar frame.

[0019] The battery module according to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure may further include an end plate coupled to the first face.

[0020] The discharge hole may include a plurality of discharge holes.

[0021] A battery pack according to the present disclosure may include a battery module.

[0022] Beneficial effects

[0023] The present disclosure relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the battery module, and in particular, can be applied to a vehicle type requiring bottom exhaust and top cooling of batteries. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings, together with the following detailed description, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and are used to provide further understanding of the technical aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a battery module according to Example 1 of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 3 is an exploded view of a battery module according to Example 2 of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 4 1 is a front view of a battery cell according to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a bus bar frame coupled to a first surface of a battery module according to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in sufficient detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that a person with ordinary skill in the technical field of the present disclosure can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure can be embodied in many different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following embodiments.

[0031] In order to clearly describe the present disclosure, irrelevant descriptions or detailed descriptions of related known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure are omitted, and when adding reference numerals to elements in each figure, the same or similar elements are added with the same or similar reference numerals throughout the present disclosure.

[0032] It should be understood that the terms or words used in the present disclosure and the appended claims should not be understood as limited to the general meaning and dictionary meaning, but should be interpreted according to the meaning and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure based on the principle of allowing the inventor to appropriately define the terms to obtain the best interpretation.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 The battery module 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 is an exploded view of a battery module according to Example 1 of the present disclosure, Figure 4 is a front view of a battery cell according to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, Figure 5 is a perspective view of a bus bar frame coupled to a first surface of a battery module according to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the battery module 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure may include a battery cell assembly 10 , a heat dissipation layer 20 , and a bus bar frame 30 .

[0037] The battery cell assembly 10 may be formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells.

[0038] The heat dissipation layer 20 may be disposed on the upper surface of the battery cell assembly 10. The heat dissipation layer 20 may secure the battery cell assembly. The heat dissipation layer 20 may reduce the temperature of the battery cell assembly 10. The heat dissipation layer 20 may be made of a resin. The resin may be an amorphous solid or semi-solid organic compound or derivative, such as a natural resin or a synthetic resin (plastic).

[0039] The busbar frame 30 may be provided so as to cover the first face 11 from which the leads 13 of the battery cell assembly 10 protrude and the lower surface of the battery cell assembly 10. The busbar may be coupled to the busbar frame 30. The busbar frame 30 may also function to support the lower surface of the battery cell assembly 10. The busbar may be formed on the busbar frame 30 facing the first face 11. The leads 13 may be coupled to the busbar.

[0040] The bus bar frame 30 may include bus bars that connect the battery cells of the battery cell assembly 10 in series or in parallel and electrically connect them.

[0041] The battery module 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure may further include a mono frame 40. The mono frame 40 may accommodate the battery cell assembly 10, the heat dissipation layer 20, and the bus bar frame 30. The mono frame 40 may have a drain hole 41 in its lower surface. The drain hole 41 may include a plurality of drain holes 41. Sparks or flames in the battery module 1 may be discharged through the drain hole 41.

[0042] In the event that any battery cell in the battery module 1 operates abnormally due to overcharge, overdischarge, and overheating, gas may be generated, and fire or explosion may occur in the battery cell due to the generated gas. Therefore, gas, sparks, or flames may be discharged through the discharge hole 41.

[0043] The battery module 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure may further include a sealing portion 12. Specifically, the sealing portion 12 may be formed at each battery cell of the battery module 1. Each battery cell includes an electrode, and it is necessary to seal the electrode. Therefore, the sealing portion 12 is formed. The sealing portion 12 can seal the battery cell and may be formed on the side facing the busbar frame 30.

[0044] In addition, the surface on the side opposite to the sealing portion 12 can be a cooling surface 15. The surface on the side opposite to the sealing portion 12 is a smooth surface without sealing stripes (or protrusions) and has good cooling efficiency, so it can serve as the cooling surface 15.

[0045] In conventional battery cells, the cooling surface 15 and leads 13 of the battery cell assembly 10 are positioned close to each other. Furthermore, conventionally, a heat dissipation layer is located at the bottom of the battery module, and a busbar frame is located at the top. In this case, the leads 13 of the battery cell are formed at the bottom of the first side, near the cooling surface.

[0046] However, in the present disclosure, the heat dissipation layer 20 is present in the upper part of the battery module 1, and the busbar frame 30 is present in the lower part. Therefore, when configuring the lead 13, the battery module 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure may include an inverted battery cell. Therefore, the lead 13 of the battery cell can be formed in the upper part of the first side 11. However, in this case, there may be insufficient space for placing the connector 70 described below. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, embodiment 1 of the present disclosure can be configured so that the lead 13 of the battery cell is formed in the lower part of the first side 11 near the sealing portion 12. To this end, the lead 13 can be positioned near the sealing portion 12 in the battery cell manufacturing step.

[0047] The leads 13 are individually welded to a positive electrode tab connected to the positive electrode and a negative electrode tab connected to the negative electrode of the battery cell.

[0048] As described above, the present disclosure can use a battery cell having a lead 13 located below the first surface 11 near the seal portion 12. To this end, the position of the lead 13 may need to be changed during the battery cell cutting process. Furthermore, the position at which the lead 13 protrudes may need to be changed during the manufacturing process of the soft pack containing the battery cell.

[0049] The battery module 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure may further include a connector 70. The connector 70 may be provided at the busbar frame 30. The connector 70 may be formed at a position higher than the position where the leads 13 are coupled to the busbar frame 30. The connector 70 may electrically connect the battery cell assembly 10 to an external device. The connector 70 may be used to connect to the external device for charging and discharging.

[0050] The battery module 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure may further include an end plate 80. The end plate 80 may include a pair of end plates 80. The end plate 80 may be coupled to an area corresponding to the first surface 11. The end plate 80 may be coupled to the single frame 40. The end plate 80 and the single frame 40 may completely cover the battery cell assembly 10 when coupled to each other. The end plate 80 and the single frame 40 may be coupled using a welding method.

[0051] Conventional technology employs a structure in which the heat dissipation layer 20 is formed below the battery module 1 to secure and cool the battery cells, discharging sparks or flames upward from the battery module 1. However, with technological advancements and the application of the battery module 1 to other equipment, a structure for discharging sparks or flames downward from the battery module 1 is needed. Furthermore, when the battery module 1 is used in a vehicle, for safety reasons, a structure for discharging sparks or flames from the battery module 1 needs to be designed below the vehicle.

[0052] The present disclosure is designed to meet this need. Compared to conventional technologies, the present disclosure includes a heat dissipation layer 20 located above the battery module 1 and a busbar frame 30 located below. The heat dissipation layer 20 located above can secure and cool the battery cell assembly 10. The busbar frame 30 located below the battery module 1 includes exhaust holes 31 to allow sparks or flames in the battery module 1 to be discharged downward.

[0053] Example 2

[0054] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 3 A battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0055] Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure may include an upper frame 50 and a lower frame 60 , and in this point, embodiment 2 is different from embodiment 1. Common descriptions in embodiment 1 and embodiment 2 are omitted, and differences between embodiment 1 and embodiment 2 will be described.

[0056] Figure 3 is an exploded view of a battery module according to Example 2 of the present disclosure.

[0057] The battery module 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure may further include an upper frame 50 and a lower frame 60 .

[0058] The upper frame 50 may cover the heat dissipation layer 20 and the second surface 14. The second surface 14 may be a side surface in the length direction of the battery cell assembly 10. The upper frame 50 may be formed in the shape of a letter U.

[0059] The lower frame 60 may be combined with the upper frame 50. The lower frame 60 and the upper frame 50 may be combined by welding. The lower frame 60 may have a discharge hole 61. The lower frame 60 may have a plurality of discharge holes 61. Sparks or flames in the battery module 1 may be discharged through the discharge holes 61.

[0060] The upper frame 50 and the lower frame 60 may be coupled to the end plates 80 and cover the battery cell assembly 10. The upper frame 50 and the lower frame 60 may be coupled to the end plates 80, respectively.

[0061] In the same manner as the battery module 1 according to the first embodiment, the battery module 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may have a discharge hole 61 at the lower portion of the battery module 1 to discharge sparks or flames downward, and a heat dissipation layer 20 at the upper portion to provide the same effect. In the case of the second embodiment, it can be applied to a structure using a battery module frame different from that of the first embodiment.

[0062] A battery pack may include the battery module 1 according to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

[0063] Although the present disclosure has been described above with respect to a limited number of embodiments and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may be embodied in various forms by persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains within the technical aspects of the present disclosure and the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0064] [Reference Signs List]

[0065] 1: Battery module

[0066] 10: Battery cell assembly

[0067] 11: Side 1

[0068] 12: Sealing part

[0069] 13: Lead

[0070] 20: Heat dissipation layer

[0071] 30: Busbar frame

[0072] 40: Single frame

[0073] 41, 61: discharge hole

[0074] 50: Upper frame

[0075] 60: Lower frame

[0076] 70: Connector

[0077] 80: End plate

Claims

1. A battery module comprising: A battery cell assembly formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells; a heat dissipation layer, disposed on the upper surface of the battery cell assembly; as well as The busbar frame covers the first surface from which the leads of the battery cell assembly protrude and the lower surface of the battery cell assembly.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The heat dissipation layer fixes the battery cell assembly.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, further comprising: a single frame accommodating the battery cell assembly, the heat dissipation layer, and the busbar frame, Wherein, a discharge hole is formed on the lower surface of the single frame.

4. The battery module according to claim 2, further comprising: an upper frame covering the heat dissipation layer and a second side of the battery cell assembly in the longitudinal direction; as well as The lower frame is combined with the upper frame and has a discharge hole.

5. The battery module according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The battery module includes a sealing portion on a surface facing the bus bar frame to seal the battery cells.

6. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein: The lead of the battery cell is formed at a lower portion of the first surface close to the sealing portion.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, further comprising: A connector is formed at a position higher than a position where the lead wire is coupled to the busbar frame.

8. The battery module according to claim 6, further comprising: An end plate is coupled to the first surface.

9. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein: The discharge hole includes a plurality of discharge holes.

10. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to claim 1.

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