Battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack can provide a uniform temperature environment for a plurality of battery cells to eliminate or mitigate temperature variations depending on the location of the battery cells. The battery pack can also eliminate or mitigate changes in electrical output characteristics due to the temperature change. The battery pack provides heat flow along a common first path for the battery cells toward a cooling plate extending across the bottom surfaces of the battery cells while suppressing heat flow along a second path from one side of an outermost battery cell among the battery cells.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] One or more embodiments relate to a battery pack. BACKGROUND

[0002] Unlike primary batteries that cannot be recharged, secondary batteries are batteries that can be discharged and recharged. Secondary batteries can be used as energy sources for mobile devices, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric bicycles, and uninterruptible power supplies. Depending on the type of external device to which they are applied, secondary batteries can be used in the form of a single battery or in the form of a pack in which a plurality of batteries are connected and bundled into one unit.

[0003] Small mobile devices, such as mobile phones, can operate for a certain period of time with the output and capacity of a single battery. When long-time operation or high-power operation is required, such as for larger mobile devices that consume a large amount of power, such as a laptop computer or an electric or hybrid vehicle, a pack containing a plurality of batteries is preferred because increased output and capacity can be provided by the pack. Depending on the number of built-in batteries in the pack, the output voltage or output current can be increased. SUMMARY

[0004] One or more embodiments include a battery pack that can provide a uniform temperature environment for a plurality of battery cells to eliminate or mitigate temperature variation depending on position and to eliminate or mitigate variation in electrical output characteristics due to temperature variation. The battery pack can provide a flow of heat along a common first path for the plurality of battery cells toward a cooling plate that extends across a bottom surface of the plurality of battery cells while inhibiting a flow of heat along a second path from a side of an outermost battery cell among the plurality of battery cells through an end plate to the cooling plate. Elimination of the second path mitigates or eliminates temperature variation depending on position between the plurality of battery cells that form the battery pack.

[0005] Additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or can be learned by practice of the presented embodiments of the disclosure.

[0006] According to one or more embodiments, a battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction, an end plate disposed outside of an outermost battery cell among the plurality of battery cells in the first direction, a cooling plate extending across a bottom surface of the plurality of battery cells, and a thermal insulation block positioned at a junction location between the end plate and the cooling plate.

[0007] A junction line extends through the junction location, and a junction member joins the end plate and the cooling plate at the junction line.

[0008] The cooling plate can extend across a bottom surface of the end plate and bottom surfaces of the plurality of battery cells arranged in the first direction, the bottom surface of the end plate being coupled to a top surface of the cooling plate at the coupling position such that the bottom surface of the end plate and the top surface of the cooling plate face each other.

[0009] The battery pack can include a coupling block extending a height from the top surface of the cooling plate, a receiving step recessed from the bottom surface of the end plate to a depth, the coupling block and the receiving step being formed in complementary shapes, the coupling block being fitted to the receiving step.

[0010] The thermal insulation block can be formed as all or a part of the coupling block.

[0011] The thermal insulation block can protrude from the cooling plate to the receiving step of the end plate to form all of the coupling block.

[0012] The thermal insulation block can include a single thermal insulation block provided on the cooling plate or at least two different thermal insulation blocks stacked on the cooling plate.

[0013] The thermal insulation block can be stacked on a metal block provided on the cooling plate to form a part of the coupling block, the thermal insulation block and the metal block protruding from the top surface of the cooling plate to a height complementary to the depth formed by the receiving step of the end plate.

[0014] The receiving step recessed from the bottom surface of the end plate to the depth can be coupled to the coupling block protruding from the top surface of the cooling plate to the height.

[0015] The coupling block can protrude from both sides of the cooling plate in a second direction crossing the first direction, the receiving step of the end plate can be recessed from both sides of the end plate in the second direction crossing the first direction, the top surface of the cooling plate between the coupling blocks of the both sides facing the bottom surface of the end plate between the receiving steps of the both sides.

[0016] The thermal insulation block can be provided at a coupling position for coupling the end plate and the cooling plate and at a facing position at which the end plate faces the cooling plate.

[0017] The thermal insulation block at the facing position can be formed on a bottom surface of the end plate facing the top surface of the cooling plate.

[0018] The thermal insulation block can be formed at the facing position to have a thickness in a depth direction from the bottom surface of the end plate or the top surface of the cooling plate.

[0019] The battery pack can include a coupling block having a height from the top surface of the cooling plate to the receiving step of the end plate recessed from the bottom surface of the end plate to a depth, wherein the coupling block and the receiving step are fitted to each other in complementary shapes, and the top surface of the cooling plate between the coupling blocks of both sides faces the bottom surface of the end plate between the receiving steps of the both sides.

[0020] The thermal block can be provided on the receiving step at the bonding position and on a bottom surface of the end plate facing a top surface of the cooling plate.

[0021] The thermal block can be formed to have a thickness from the receiving step.

[0022] The bonding block can be formed at least partially of a metal block, and the bottom surface of the thermal block can be formed as a non-flat surface.

[0023] The top surface of the thermal block opposite the receiving step can be formed as a flat surface.

[0024] The thermal block can be provided to the receiving step at the bonding position, the bottom surface of the end plate facing the top surface of the cooling plate.

[0025] The bottom surface of the thermal block and the top surface of the thermal block can be formed as flat surfaces. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective view of a portion of the battery pack shown in FIG. 1;

[0029] Figure 3 is Figure 1 an exploded perspective view of a portion of the battery pack shown in FIG. 1;

[0030] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a thermal block IB formed at a bonding position CP at which the thermal block IB is bonded to an end plate E on a cooling plate 100 shown in FIG. 1; Figure 1

[0031] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a thermal block IB formed at a bonding position CP between an end plate E and a cooling plate 100 shown in FIG. 1; Figure 1

[0032] Figure 6A and Figure 6B are diagrams of a comparative example and the present disclosure, respectively, illustrating results of measuring a change in temperature according to a position within a battery cell;

[0033] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating results of measuring a change in reaction current density depending on a position within a battery cell of the present disclosure and a comparative example;

[0034] ​​Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a battery pack according to further embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 9 is a view showing an insulating block IB formed at a joining position CP between an end plate E and a cooling plate 100 shown in FIG. 1; Figure 8

[0036] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a battery pack according to further embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 11 is a view showing an insulating block IB formed at a joining position CP between an end plate E and a cooling plate 100 shown in FIG. 1; Figure 10

[0038] Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a battery pack according to further embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 13 is a view showing an insulating block IB formed at a joining position CP between an end plate E and a cooling plate 100 shown in FIG. 1; Figure 12

[0040] Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a battery pack according to further embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 15 is a view showing an insulating block IB formed at a joining position CP between an end plate E and a cooling plate 100 shown in FIG. 1; Figure 14

[0042] Figure 16A and Figure 16B are graphs showing results of measuring a change in temperature depending on a position within a battery cell, respectively, of a comparative example and the present disclosure; and

[0043] Figure 17 is a graph showing results of measuring a change in reaction current density depending on a position within a battery cell of the present disclosure and a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] ​​​​Reference will now be made in detail embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the present embodiments can have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are described below, with reference to the drawings, to explain aspects of this description. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as "at least one of," when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

[0045] Hereinafter, a battery pack according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is described with reference to the accompanying drawings attached to the specification.

[0046] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the battery pack shown in Figure 1

[0048] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the battery pack shown in Figure 1

[0049] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a bonding position CP and a facing position FP between a cooling plate 100 and an end plate E.

[0050] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an insulating block IB formed at a bonding position CP between an end plate E and a cooling plate 100 shown in Figure 1

[0051] ​​​Referring to the drawings, a battery pack according to some embodiments of the present disclosure can include a plurality of battery cells C arranged in a first direction Z1 and an end plate E disposed on the outside of an outermost battery cell C1. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, each battery cell C can include a terminal surface 11 formed with different first and second electrode terminals, a bottom surface 12 opposite the terminal surface 11, and a pair of wide sides 15 and a pair of narrow sides 14 connecting the terminal surface 11 to the bottom surface 12. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the pair of wide sides 15 can face each other in the first direction Z1 along which the plurality of battery cells C are arranged, and the pair of narrow sides 14 can face each other in a second direction Z2 intersecting the first direction Z1. The second direction Z2 can refer to a direction in which the pair of narrow sides 14 of each battery cell C face each other or a direction in which the pair of first and second electrode terminals on the terminal surface 11 of the battery cell C are spaced apart from each other. The terminal surface 11 formed with the first and second electrode terminals can face the bottom surface 12 in a third direction Z3 crossing the first and second directions Z1 and Z2.

[0052] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of battery cells C can be electrically connected to each other through the terminal surface 11 of the upper portion formed with the first and second electrode terminals and can be cooled through the bottom surface 12 opposite the terminal surface 11. Since the electrical connection of the battery cells C and the cooling of the battery cells C are achieved through the upper terminal surface 11 and the lower bottom surface 12 opposite each other, physical and electrical interference between the electrical connection between the battery cells C and the cooling of the battery cells C can be prevented. A bus bar B can be disposed on the terminal surface 11 of the battery cell C for electrical connection between the plurality of battery cells C. A plurality of bus bars B can be disposed on the terminal surface 11 of the battery cell C to electrically connect the first and second electrode terminals of adjacent battery cells C to each other. A cooling plate 100 can be disposed below the bottom surface 12 of the battery cell C to cool the battery cell C. A bus bar holder 20 formed with the bus bar B for electrically connecting different battery cells C and the measurement wiring 21 for measuring state information of the battery cell C, such as voltage, current, and temperature of the battery cell C, and transmitting the measured state information, can be disposed on the terminal surface 11 of the battery cell C.

[0053] Referring Figure 3Battery packs according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may include a cooling plate 100 that is disposed below the bottom surfaces 12 of the battery cells C and extends across the bottom surfaces 12 of a group of battery cells C forming the battery pack. When the cooling plate 100 extends across the bottom surfaces 12 of the group of battery cells C arranged in a first direction Z1 and the bottom surfaces Ea of a pair of end plates E positioned on both sides of the group of battery cells C, the cooling plate 100 may provide a support seat for the group of battery cells C forming the battery pack and the end plates E positioned on both sides of the group of battery cells C. In order to cool the group of battery cells C forming the battery pack, the cooling plate 100 may extend in the first direction Z1 across the bottom surfaces 12 of the plurality of battery cells C and the bottom surfaces Ea of the end plates E positioned at both sides of the plurality of battery cells C.

[0054] When the cooling plate 100 extends across the battery cells C and the end plates E positioned on both sides of the battery cells C in a first direction Z1, heat flow can be established between the cooling plate 100 and the battery cells C (the bottom surfaces 12 of the battery cells C), and the cooling plate 100 can be physically bonded to the bottom surfaces Ea of the end plates E. The cooling plate 100 can be brought into contact with the battery cells C and the end plates E due to their weight. For example, the cooling plate 100 can be in thermal contact with the battery cells C while extending across the bottom surfaces 12 of the battery cells C. The cooling plate 100 can be provided as a generally rectangular plate with the first direction Z1, along which the battery cells C are arranged, as its long sides and the second direction Z2 as its short sides. The cooling plate 100 can be formed to have a sufficiently large area to completely cover the battery pack in both the first and second directions Z1 and Z2.

[0055] The cooling plate 100 may be formed in a plate shape in which cooling channels CH are formed, through which a liquid or gaseous cooling fluid flows. A plurality of cooling channels CH may extend in parallel in a first direction Z1 in the cooling plate 100 .

[0056] The cooling plate 100 can cool the plurality of battery cells C arranged in the first direction Z1 while extending across the bottom surfaces 12 of the plurality of battery cells C arranged in the first direction Z1. In particular, the cooling plate 100 can cool the battery cells C and provide a support base for the plurality of battery cells C. The cooling plate 100 can provide a support base for the plurality of battery cells C and the end plates E while extending across the bottom surfaces 12 of the plurality of battery cells C arranged in the first direction Z1 and the bottom surfaces Ea of the end plates E positioned at both sides of the plurality of battery cells C.

[0057] When the end plate E structurally binds a row of battery cells C into a single group, the end plate E can physically and electrically protect the row of battery cells C and insulate the row of battery cells C from an external environment. The battery cells C can be subjected to volume expansion (swelling) during charging and discharging. The volume expansion of the battery cells C can change the resistance characteristics of the battery cells C and deteriorate the output characteristics of the battery cells C. By arranging a pair of end plates E on both sides of the row of battery cells C, the swelling of the battery cells C can be suppressed. The swelling of the row of battery cells C between the pair of end plates E can be suppressed by binding the pair of end plates E toward each other with side plates extending across the side surfaces of the battery cells C and binding the pair of end plates E.

[0058] The end plate E that binds the group of battery cells C forming a battery pack into a group can suppress the swelling of the battery cells C by a binding force that binds the group of battery cells C. The end plate E can include a metal material having appropriate rigidity and tenacity to protect the group of battery cells C from an external environment.

[0059] The cooling plate 100 can be in contact with the end plate E while extending across the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E and can be physically bound to the end plate E. The cooling plate 100 and the end plate E can be physically bound to each other. The binding block CB and the accommodation step S formed in complementary shapes for physical binding can be formed on the cooling plate 100 and in the end plate E, respectively. The binding block CB and the accommodation step S can fit to each other in complementary shapes. The accommodation step S of the end plate E can seat on the binding block CB formed on the cooling plate 100. The accommodation step S of the end plate E can fit the binding block CB on the cooling plate 100 to temporarily fix the end plate E to the cooling plate 100. The binding member 80 (screw) can be used to firmly bind the end plate E and the cooling plate 100.

[0060] The binding block CB can be formed on both sides of the cooling plate 100 in the second direction Z2. Further, the binding block CB can be formed at the corners of the cooling plate 100 in the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2. In order to bind the end plates E1 and E2 respectively arranged in the front and rear positions of the cooling plate 100 in the first direction Z1, four binding blocks CB can be seated at both sides of the front and rear positions of the cooling plate 100. That is, the binding block CB can be formed at the four corners of the cooling plate 100.

[0061] The receiving steps S can be formed at both sides of the end plate E in the second direction Z2 to be seated on the bonding block CB of the cooling plate 100. More specifically, the receiving steps S formed at both sides of the end plate E in the second direction Z2 can extend across a pair of narrow sides facing each other in the second direction Z2 and a pair of wide sides meeting the pair of narrow sides (a pair of wide sides facing each other in the first direction Z1). The receiving steps S can be in the form of a recessed groove at a corner of the end plate E in a third direction Z3 intersecting the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2 toward the inside of the end plate E. The receiving steps S of the end plate E can be mainly formed at a corner of the end plate E where a narrow side of the end plate E meets a wide side of the end plate E, the wide side of the end plate E facing outward and meeting the narrow side. When the receiving steps S are recessed from the corner, the corner can guide a bonding position CP between the receiving steps S of the end plate E and the bonding block CB of the cooling plate 100.

[0062] The receiving steps S formed at the corner of the end plate E can be seated on the bonding block CB. When the bonding member 80, which penetrates the end plate E having the receiving steps S installed on the bonding block CB of the cooling plate 100, is bonded to the bonding block CB through the receiving steps S, the cooling plate 100 can be bonded to the end plate E.

[0063] The battery pack according to some embodiments of the disclosure can further include an insulating block IB seated between the cooling plate 100 and the end plate E. The cooling plate 100 and the end plate E can be thermally insulated from each other by the insulating block IB positioned between the cooling plate 100 and the end plate E. The insulating block IB can block the flow of heat (second path P2, see Figure 2 ) extending from the end plate E to the cooling plate 100, and can block the flow of heat near the outermost battery cell C1 of the end plate E from flowing differently from the flow of heat of the other battery cells C. The end plate E can be seated at both sides of the row of battery cells C in the first direction Z1. The end plate E can form a flow of heat (second path P2, see Figure 2 ).

[0064] The insulating block IB can be seated between the cooling plate 100 and the end plate E to prevent different heat flow paths (e.g., the second path P2, see Figure 2formed between an outermost battery cell C1 arranged at an outermost position of the column of battery cells C in the first direction Z1 and an inner battery cell C arranged at an inner position of the column of battery cells C in the first direction Z1. The heat flow path extending from the end plate E to the cooling plate 100 can be blocked by the thermal insulation block IB positioned between the cooling plate 100 and the end plate E. Different heat flow paths can be blocked from being formed depending on the position of the battery cell C in the first direction Z1. Regardless of the position of the battery cell C in the first direction Z1, the main heat flow from the battery cell C toward the cooling plate 100 can be formed along the first path P1 from the bottom surface 12 of the battery cell C toward the cooling plate 100, and can not be formed along the second path P2 from the side surface of the battery cell C (the outermost battery cell C1) past the end plate E to the cooling plate 100.

[0065] Referring to Figure 2 , according to some embodiments of the disclosure, the thermal insulation block IB can be positioned between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 at a position where the second path P2 is formed to block the heat flow along the second path P2, thereby causing the main heat flow to be along the first path P1 from the bottom surface 12 of the battery cell C in the array of the plurality of battery cells C arranged in the first direction Z1 to the cooling plate 100. By blocking the heat flow between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100, the thermal insulation block IB can block the second path P2 from the side surface of the outermost battery cell C1 past the end plate E to the cooling plate 100. Thermal imbalance in which the heat flow is formed along different first and second paths P1 and P2 in the outermost battery cell C1 and the heat flow is formed only along the first path P1 in the inner battery cell C is prevented, thereby eliminating the temperature variation depending on the position of the battery cell C.

[0066] Referring to Figure 3 , the thermal insulation block IB can be positioned between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100. The thermal insulation block IB can be formed around the junction position CP where close contact exists between at least the end plate E and the cooling plate 100.

[0067] Figure 6A and Figure 6B are graphs showing results of measuring the variation of the reaction current density depending on the position within the battery cell according to the comparative example and the disclosure.

[0068] Figure 7 is a graph showing results of measuring the variation of the reaction current density depending on the position within the battery cell according to the comparative example and the disclosure.

[0069] In Figure 6AIn the comparative example shown, the bonding block CB' is formed as a metal block between the cooling plate 100' and the end plate E'. As shown in the figure, it is confirmed that the temperature variation of the battery cell C' (the outermost battery cell) increases due to the battery cell C' being cooled by a first path from the battery cell C' (the outermost battery cell) to the cooling plate 100' and a second path toward the cooling plate 100' through the end plate E'. Among three thickness portions of the battery cell C' (the outermost battery cell) in the first direction Z1 along which the plurality of battery cells C' are arranged (e.g., among a first thickness portion y1 facing an adjacent battery cell C', a second thickness portion y2 in the center, and a third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E'), a high temperature variation of about 6.0°C is measured between the second thickness portion y2 in the center and the third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E'.

[0070] In Figure 6B some embodiments of the present disclosure, unlike the comparative example of Figure 6A , the bonding block CB'' is formed by an insulating block IB'' between the cooling plate 100'' and the end plate E''. As shown in the figure, it is confirmed that the temperature variation of the battery cell C'' (the outermost battery cell) is reduced by allowing heat flow along a first path from the battery cell C'' (the outermost battery cell) to the cooling plate 100'' and simultaneously suppressing heat flow along a second path from the battery cell C'' to the cooling plate 100'' through the end plate E''. Among three thickness portions of the battery cell C'' (the outermost battery cell) in the first direction Z1 along which the plurality of battery cells C'' are arranged (e.g., among a first thickness portion y1 facing an adjacent battery cell C'', a second thickness portion y2 in the center, and a third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E''), a temperature variation of about 5°C is measured between the second thickness portion y2 in the center and the third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E'', which is reduced by about 17%.

[0071] In Figure 6A the comparative example, among the plurality of battery cells C' forming the battery pack, a high temperature variation of about 6.6°C is measured between a central battery cell C' and an outermost battery cell C' in a first direction along which the plurality of battery cells C' are arranged. However, in Figure 6B the embodiment of the present disclosure shown, a temperature variation of about 5.0°C is measured between the central battery cell C'' and the outermost battery cell C'', which is reduced by about 25%.

[0072] In Figure 7 , the curve a shows the change in the reaction current density (A / m Figure 6A of the position within the battery cell C' shown in the comparative example of 2 2 ​) can be understood as the magnitude of the current generated inside the battery cell. Referring to Figure 7 , curve a shows the variation of the reaction current density (A / m 2 ) according to the position within the battery cell C' shown in . Referring to curve a of

[0073] , among the three thickness portions in the first direction Z1 (along which the plurality of battery cells C' are arranged) of the battery cell C' (the outermost battery cell) (for example, among the first thickness portion y1 facing the adjacent battery cell C', the second thickness portion y2 in the center, and the third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E'), about 3.3 A / m 2 of the reaction current density is measured between the second thickness portion y2 in the center and the third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E', which is a variation of about 3.3 A / m Figure 7 , curve b shows the variation of the reaction current density (A / m Figure 6B ) according to the position within the battery cell C'' shown in Figure 7 . Referring to curve b of , among the three thickness portions in the first direction Z1 (along which the plurality of battery cells C'' are arranged) of the battery cell C'' (the outermost battery cell) (for example, among the first thickness portion y1 facing the adjacent battery cell C'', the second thickness portion y2 in the center, and the third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E''), about 2.0 A / m 2 of the reaction current density is measured between the second thickness portion y2 in the center and the third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E'', which is a variation of about 41% reduction.

[0074] Figure 7 From the experimental results in Figure 6A , it can be confirmed that the temperature of the battery cell C' directly affects the electrical output characteristics of the battery cell C'. In particular, it can be confirmed that the increased temperature variation depending on the position in the battery cell C' increases the variation of the electrical output characteristics (variation of the reaction current density) according to the position in the battery cell C', as shown in the comparative example of Figure 7 , curve a. In addition, it can be confirmed that the reduced temperature variation depending on the position in the battery cell C'' reduces the variation of the electrical output characteristics (variation of the reaction current density) according to the position in the battery cell C'', as shown in Figure 6B , curve b. Figure 7

[0075] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a battery pack according to further embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0076] Figure 9 is a view showing an insulating block IB formed at a joint position CP between an end plate E and a cooling plate 100 shown in Figure 8 .

[0077] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a battery pack according to further embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0078] Figure 11 is a view showing an insulating block IB formed at a coupling position CP between a cooling plate 100 and an end plate E shown in FIG. 1. Figure 10

[0079] Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a battery pack according to further embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0080] Figure 13 is a view showing an insulating block IB formed at a coupling position CP between a cooling plate 100 and an end plate E shown in FIG. 1. Figure 12

[0081] Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a battery pack according to further embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0082] Figure 15 is a view showing an insulating block IB formed at a coupling position CP between a cooling plate 100 and an end plate E shown in FIG. 1. Figure 14 According to some embodiments as shown in FIG. 1, the insulating block IB can be formed on the metal block MB of the cooling plate 100. The insulating block IB can be arranged on the metal block MB corresponding to the coupling position CP of the cooling plate 100 and the end plate E, and the insulating block IB and the metal block MB can be in close contact with each other between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 depending on the coupling pressure from the coupling member 80. The combination of the metal block MB and the insulating block IB stacked on each other in the third direction Z3 can function as a single coupling block CB. The combination of the metal block MB and the insulating block IB stacked on each other can function as a single coupling block CB and can fit the receiving step S of the end plate E.

[0083] Figure 8 The coupling position CP of the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 can refer to a position at which the receiving step S of the end plate E and the coupling block CB of the cooling plate 100 face each other. That is, the coupling position CP of the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 can include a position at which the receiving step S of the end plate E and the coupling block CB of the cooling plate 100 are formed to face each other and a position between the receiving step S of the end plate E and the coupling block CB of the cooling plate 100. For example, the coupling position CP between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 can include a central region at which the end plate E is coupled to the cooling plate 100 and along which a coupling line (at which the coupling member 80 is inserted) is projected and a region surrounding the central region.

[0084] The coupling position CP of the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 can refer to a position at which the receiving step S of the end plate E and the coupling block CB of the cooling plate 100 face each other. That is, the coupling position CP of the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 can include a position at which the receiving step S of the end plate E and the coupling block CB of the cooling plate 100 are formed to face each other and a position between the receiving step S of the end plate E and the coupling block CB of the cooling plate 100. For example, the coupling position CP between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 can include a central region at which the end plate E is coupled to the cooling plate 100 and along which a coupling line (at which the coupling member 80 is inserted) is projected and a region surrounding the central region. ​​​

[0085] In Figures 3 to 5 and Figures 8 to 11 , the drawings show an arrangement of the thermal insulation block IB according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] The thermal insulation block IB can be formed as the bonding block CB on the cooling plate 100. For example, the thermal insulation block IB being implemented as the bonding block CB can mean that the thermal insulation block IB can accommodate the bonding member 80 exposed through the accommodation step S and can be combined with the bonding member 80 to function as the bonding block CB when fitted to the accommodation step S of the end plate E.

[0087] The thermal insulation block IB blocks the heat flow between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 to block the heat flow along the second path P2 (see Figure 2 ) from the wide side surface 15 of the outermost battery cell C1 through the end plate E to the cooling plate 100 can mean that the thermal insulation block IB has a high thermal resistance or low thermal conductivity characteristic to suppress the heat flow between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100. More specifically, the thermal insulation block IB is formed of a thermal insulation material having a high thermal resistance or low thermal conductivity characteristic, thereby minimizing or suppressing heat transfer despite a relatively high temperature difference.

[0088] As Figure 5 indicated, the thermal insulation block IB can include a single thermal insulation block IB. In other words, the bonding block CB can be formed of a single thermal insulation block IB. As Figure 11 indicated, the thermal insulation block IB can include two or more thermal insulation blocks IB1 and IB2 stacked on each other. The bonding block CB can be formed of two or more thermal insulation blocks IB1 and IB2 stacked on each other. In order to effectively block the heat flow between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100, the height of the thermal insulation block IB can be increased, and the number of the thermal insulation blocks IB stacked on each other can also be increased.

[0089] The thermal insulation block IB can form all or a part of the bonding block CB. The bonding block CB that complementarily fits the accommodation step S of the end plate E can be formed of a single thermal insulation block IB, two or more thermal insulation blocks IB1 and IB2 stacked on each other, or a combination of the thermal insulation block IB and the metal block MB. That is, the thermal insulation block IB forming all or a part of the bonding block CB can include a single thermal insulation block IB as Figure 5 indicated or two or more different thermal insulation blocks IB1 and IB2 as Figure 11 indicated, or can be formed in a combination of the thermal insulation block IB and the metal block MB as Figure 9 indicated.

[0090] Referring again to Figure 1, the end plates E can increase the bonding strength of the bonding blocks CB (the bonding members 80 for bonding the end plates E to the cooling plate 100 are inserted into the bonding blocks CB), thereby providing sufficient bonding force to the battery cells C between the end plates E. It can be preferable to form the bonding blocks CB as metal blocks MB made of a light metal rather than the insulating blocks IB made of a relatively soft insulating material, because the metal blocks MB can increase the bonding strength to the plurality of battery cells C. However, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, it can also be preferable to form the bonding blocks CB as the insulating blocks IB having relatively low thermal conductivity characteristics, thereby blocking the heat flow along the second path P2 from the wide side surface 15 of the outermost battery cell Cl through the end plates E to the cooling plate 100 and suppressing the temperature variation of the battery pack including the battery cells C or the plurality of battery cells C by the first path Pl from the bottom surfaces 12 of the plurality of battery cells C. By providing the metal blocks MB made of a relatively light metal as the bonding blocks CB at the bonding positions CP, sufficient bonding strength can be provided to the plurality of battery cells C sandwiched between the end plates E on both sides. By providing the insulating blocks IB that are relatively soft but have low thermal conductivity characteristics as the bonding blocks at the bonding positions CP, the heat flow along the second path P2 from the wide side surface 15 of the outermost battery cell Cl through the end plates E toward the cooling plate 100 can be blocked, and a common heat flow along the first path Pl for the plurality of battery cells C arranged in the first direction Zl can be provided, thereby eliminating the temperature variation of the plurality of battery cells C.

[0091] Thus, by providing the metal blocks MB having high thermal conductivity characteristics but providing relatively high bonding strength as the bonding blocks CB formed at the bonding positions CP between the end plates E and the cooling plate 100, the bonding strength of the plurality of battery cells C can be increased, and by providing the insulating blocks IB that provide relatively low bonding strength but have low thermal conductivity characteristics as the bonding blocks CB, the temperature variation of the plurality of battery cells C can be reduced. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, by providing the metal blocks MB that are advantageous in terms of ensuring bonding strength as part of the bonding blocks CB and providing the insulating blocks IB that are advantageous in terms of reducing temperature variation as another part of the bonding blocks CB, a trade-off can be made between ensuring bonding strength and reducing temperature variation. Such embodiments are exemplified in Figure 9

[0092] The insulating blocks IB can be formed of an insulating material having high thermal resistance or low thermal conductivity characteristics, thereby minimizing or suppressing heat transfer despite a relatively high temperature difference. The insulating blocks IB can be formed to have a sufficient thickness to satisfy the thermal resistance and thermal conductivity characteristics required for sufficient thermal insulation between the end plates E and the cooling plate 100.

[0093] ​The thermal insulation block IB can be formed as all or can be implemented as all of the bonding block CB formed on the cooling plate 100, as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 11 As shown in Figure 9 , the thermal insulation block IB can be formed as a part of or can be implemented as a part of the bonding block CB formed on the cooling plate 100. More specifically, referring to Figure 9 , the thermal insulation block IB can be cumulatively stacked on the metal block MB. The combination of the metal block MB and the thermal insulation block IB can be used as a single bonding block CB. For example, the combination of the metal block MB and the thermal insulation block IB stacked on each other can be used as a single bonding block CB and can fit the receiving step S of the end plate E. Thus, the metal block MB and the thermal insulation block IB can have a combined height to fit the receiving step S having a complementary shape formed in the end plate E. The metal block MB and the thermal insulation block IB can each receive the bonding member 80. However, unlike the metal block MB, the thermal insulation block IB can be positioned between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 to block the heat flow along the second path P2 from the wide side surface 15 of the outermost battery cell C1, through the end plate E, to the cooling plate 100, and can be formed of a thermal insulation material having a high thermal resistance or a low thermal conductivity characteristic. Unlike the thermal insulation block IB, the metal block MB can be formed of the same and similar series of metal materials forming the cooling plate 100.

[0094] The bonding position CP forming the thermal insulation block IB is a position outside the plurality of battery cells C in a first direction Z1 along which the plurality of battery cells C are arranged. The bonding position CP can be formed to bond the end plate E to the cooling plate 100 outside the plurality of battery cells C in the first direction Z1, and the thermal insulation block IB can be disposed at the bonding position CP.

[0095] Referring to Figure 4 , the cooling plate 100 can extend in a first direction Z1 along which the plurality of battery cells C are arranged. The front end plate E1 and the rear end plate E2 disposed on both sides of the column of battery cells C can be disposed on both ends of the cooling plate 100 in the first direction Z1. Thus, the end plate E can be seated at both ends of the cooling plate 100 in the first direction Z1, and the bonding position CP can be formed by overlapping the cooling plate 100 with the end plate E. The bonding position CP at which the cooling plate 100 is bonded to the end plate E can include both end portions of the cooling plate 100 in the first direction Z1 outside the battery cells C. The bonding position CP of the cooling plate 100 and the end plate E is formed since the end plate E is disposed to overlap both ends of the cooling plate 100.

[0096] Since the end plate E is disposed to overlap both ends of the cooling plate 100 in the first direction Z1 along which the plurality of battery cells C are arranged, the coupling position CP can be formed where the top surface of the cooling plate 100 overlaps the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E. The end plate E can be disposed on both ends of the cooling plate 100 in the first direction Z1 along which the plurality of battery cells C are arranged. Although the end plate E overlaps both ends of the cooling plate 100, the coupling position CP at which the cooling plate 100 is coupled to the end plate E can not be formed across both ends of the cooling plate 100. The two sides of the cooling plate 100, between which the coupling member 80 is inserted between both ends of the cooling plate 100 disposed to overlap each other and the end plate E, can correspond to the coupling position CP between the cooling plate 100 and the end plate E. The coupling position CP at which the cooling plate 100 is coupled to the end plate E can correspond to both ends in the first direction Z1 along which the plurality of battery cells C are arranged and both sides of the cooling plate 100 in the second direction Z2 intersecting the first direction Z1. The coupling position CP at which the cooling plate 100 is coupled to the end plate E can include the coupling position CP at which the coupling member 80 is inserted to couple the cooling plate 100 to the end plate E, and the coupling member 80 can correspond to both sides of the cooling plate 100 in the second direction Z2 among both ends of the cooling plate 100 in the first direction Z1 on which the end plate E is disposed. The coupling position CP at which the cooling plate 100 is coupled to the end plate E can correspond to the corners of the cooling plate 100 extending in the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2, for example, the approximately four corners of the cooling plate 100 (see FIG. 2). The coupling position CP at which the cooling plate 100 is coupled to the end plate E can correspond to the corners of the cooling plate 100 extending in the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2, for example, the approximately four corners of the cooling plate 100 (see FIG. 2). Figure 4 The front end plate E1 and the rear end plate E2 can be positioned to overlap the front and rear positions of the cooling plate 100, i.e., both ends of the cooling plate 100 in the first direction Z1, respectively. A pair of front coupling positions CP can be formed on the front two sides of the cooling plate 100 in the second direction Z2. Similarly, a pair of rear coupling positions CP can be formed on the rear two sides of the cooling plate 100 in the second direction Z2.

[0097] The thermal insulation block IB for blocking the flow of heat along the second path P2 from the end plate E to the cooling plate 100 can be disposed between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100. More specifically, the thermal insulation block IB can be formed at the coupling position CP at which a tight contact is made by the coupling means such as the coupling member 80. The thermal insulation block IB can be formed at the coupling position CP at which the coupling member 80 is inserted. More specifically, the coupling position CP at which the thermal insulation block IB is formed can refer to the corners of the cooling plate 100 in the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2 at which the end plate E overlaps the cooling plate 100. In addition to the coupling position CP between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100, the thermal insulation block IB can also be formed at the facing position FP at which the end plate E faces the cooling plate 100. Referring to Figure 4The facing position FP at which the end plate E faces the cooling plate 100 can be formed between the coupling positions CP formed at corners of the cooling plate 100 at which the end plate E is arranged to overlap the cooling plate 100 and the coupling member 80 is inserted. More specifically, the facing position FP can include a central position between the coupling positions CP on both sides of the cooling plate 100 in the second direction Z2 among both ends of the cooling plate 100 in the first direction Z1.

[0098] According to Figure 13 and Figure 15 the embodiment shown, the thermal insulation block IB can be formed at the coupling position CP including a coupling line at which the coupling member 80 that couples the end plate E to the cooling plate 100 is inserted and a periphery of the coupling line. In addition to the coupling position CP at which the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 form close contact, the thermal insulation block IB can be provided at the facing position FP at which the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 have loose contact. For example, both sides of the cooling plate 100 in the second direction Z2 at both ends of the cooling plate 100 facing the end plate E can be the coupling position CP at which the end plate E is coupled to the cooling plate 100. A central portion of the cooling plate 100 in the second direction Z2 among both ends of the cooling plate 100 can correspond to the facing position FP at which the end plate E faces the cooling plate 100. The thermal insulation block IB can be formed on a bottom surface Ea of the end plate E facing the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 and can be formed to have a certain thickness in a depth direction from the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E. In the drawings, reference numeral IBa can refer to the thermal insulation block IB formed at the facing position FP at which the end plate E faces the cooling plate 100.

[0099] The coupling position CP at which the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E is coupled to the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 and the facing position FP at which the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E faces the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 can be formed at both ends of the cooling plate 100 in the first direction Z1. Both sides of the cooling plate 100 in the second direction Z2 at both ends of the cooling plate 100 in the first direction Z1 can correspond to the coupling position CP, and a central position of the cooling plate 100 in the second direction Z2 at both ends of the cooling plate 100 in the first direction Z1 can correspond to the facing position FP.

[0100] The thermal insulation block IB can be formed at least at the coupling position CP and can additionally be formed at the facing position FP. That is, the thermal insulation block IB can be formed only at the coupling position CP at which the end plate E is tightly coupled to the cooling plate 100 by the coupling member 80, or can be formed both at the coupling position CP and at the facing position FP at which the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E faces the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100. Heat flow along the second path P2 from the end plate E to the cooling plate 100 can actively occur at the coupling position CP at which the end plate E is tightly coupled to the cooling plate 100 by the coupling member 80. However, the thermal insulation block IB can be formed at least at the coupling position CP between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100, thereby inhibiting heat flow along the second path P2. In addition to the coupling position CP at which tight contact exists by the coupling member 80, the thermal insulation block IB can be formed at the facing position FP at which the end plate E faces the cooling plate 100, the facing position FP not forming the same tight contact as at the coupling position CP, but can cause heat flow along the second path P2 by loose contact. However, the thermal insulation block IB can be formed both at the coupling position CP and at the facing position FP.

[0101] To block heat flow along the second path P2 from the end plate E to the cooling plate 100, the thermal insulation block IB can be formed at the coupling position CP at which relatively tight contact exists between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100. Although the thermal insulation block IB can be formed at the facing position FP in addition to the coupling position CP, when the thermal insulation block IB is disposed only at the facing position FP forming relatively loose contact, regardless of the coupling position CP at which relatively tight contact exists, it can be difficult to effectively block heat flow along the second path P2. For example, an embodiment in which the thermal insulation block IB is formed only at the facing position FP and not at the coupling position CP can not be preferred, because disposing the thermal insulation block IB only at the facing position FP causing relatively small heat flow and not at the coupling position CP causing relatively large heat flow can not be as effective in inhibiting heat flow along the second path P2.

[0102] The coupling position CP at which the end plate E is coupled to the cooling plate 100 can be formed in a structure different from the facing position FP at which the end plate E faces the cooling plate 100. At the coupling position CP, a separate coupling structure can be used for penetration or coupling of the coupling member 80 inserted into the end plate E and the cooling plate 100. However, at the facing position FP, a separate coupling structure can not be required for the end plate E and the cooling plate 100.

[0103] According to Figure 5 , Figure 9 and Figure 11In the illustrated embodiment, a coupling block CB to which the coupling member 80 is coupled can be formed at the coupling position CP of the cooling plate 100. The coupling block CB can be formed in a shape complementary to the coupling member 80 for mating with the coupling member 80. For example, a helical groove complementary to the threaded coupling member 80 can be formed in the coupling block CB. The coupling block CB can protrude a certain height from the cooling plate 100 to provide sufficient coupling force with the coupling member 80. A receiving step S capable of receiving the coupling block CB of the cooling plate 100 can be formed in the end plate E facing the coupling block CB of the cooling plate 100. The coupling block CB formed at the coupling position CP of the cooling plate 100 can be fitted in a complementary shape and correspond to the receiving step S formed at the coupling position CP of the end plate E. The coupling block CB formed at the corner of the cooling plate 100 extending in the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2 can protrude a certain height from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100. The coupling position CP of the end plate E, i.e., the receiving step S formed in the end plate E, can be recessed a certain depth from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100.

[0104] The coupling block CB of the cooling plate 100 and the receiving step S of the end plate E can each be formed with a certain height and a certain depth based on the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100. More specifically, the coupling block CB can protrude a certain height from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 and the receiving step S can be recessed a certain depth from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100. The certain height of the coupling block CB protruding from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 can be similar to or the same as the certain depth of the receiving step S recessed from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100. Since the certain height of the coupling block CB is similar to or the same as the certain depth of the receiving step S, the coupling block CB and the receiving step S can be fitted to each other in a complementary shape.

[0105] Referring again to Figure 5 , Figure 9 and Figure 11 , the thermal insulation block IB can be formed at the coupling position CP of the cooling plate 100 and the end plate E. The thermal insulation block IB can form the coupling block CB at the coupling position CP between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100. The thermal insulation block IB can form all or a portion of the coupling block CB. For example, the thermal insulation block IB can form all of the coupling block CB. A certain height of the coupling block CB can be formed from the cooling plate 100 by stacking a single thermal insulation block IB or two or more different thermal insulation blocks IB1 and IB2. The thermal insulation block IB can also form a portion of the coupling block CB. For example, a metal block MB stacked together with the thermal insulation block IB can form another portion of the coupling block CB. Thus, the entire coupling block CB can be formed by stacking the thermal insulation block IB and the metal block MB to have a certain height.

[0106] Referring to Figure 13 andFigure 15 The thermal insulation block IB can be formed at a facing position FP of the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 facing the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E and at a coupling position CP of the cooling plate 100 coupled to the end plate E. The thermal insulation block IB can be formed in a receiving step S of the end plate E, which forms the coupling position CP between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100, i.e., the coupling position CP into which the coupling member 80 is inserted. According to some embodiments of the disclosure, the coupling position CP can include a receiving step S formed in the end plate E and a coupling block CB formed on the cooling plate 100. The coupling block CB protruding to a certain height from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 and the receiving step S recessed to a certain depth based on the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 can fit with each other in a complementary shape. The coupling block CB formed by the thermal insulation block IB can protrude to a certain height from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100.

[0107] The thermal insulation block IB can be formed from a receiving step S recessed to a certain depth in a depth direction from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100. The receiving step S of the end plate E or the coupling block CB of the cooling plate 100 formed at the coupling position CP between the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 can include the thermal insulation block IB formed to have a certain thickness from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 along a coupling line in which the coupling member 80 is inserted. The receiving step S of the end plate E can be recessed to a certain depth from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100. The thermal insulation block IB can be formed at a position exposed by the receiving step S. For example, the thermal insulation block IB can be formed to have a certain thickness in a depth direction from the receiving step S, e.g., in a depth direction from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100.

[0108] According to the disclosure, the thermal insulation block IB is formed from the receiving step S to indicate that the thermal insulation block IB is exposed toward the coupling block CB through the receiving step S. The thermal insulation block IB is formed to indicate that the thermal insulation block IB forms all or a part of the coupling block CB.

[0109] According to Figure 13In the illustrated embodiment, the thermal block IB can be formed from the receiving step S of the end plate E. The thermal block IB can be formed on the receiving step S of the end plate E along a bonding line at which the bonding member 80 for bonding the end plate E to the cooling plate 100 is inserted. The thermal block IB can be formed on the receiving step S of the end plate E at a bonding position CP of the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 while also being formed at a facing position FP of the end plate E facing the cooling plate 100. The thermal block IB can be formed on a bottom surface Ea of the end plate E facing the cooling plate 100 and can be formed to have a thickness in a depth direction from a top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 (e.g., from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 or from the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E). The thermal block IB formed at the bonding position CP of the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 and at the facing position FP of the end plate E and the cooling plate 100 can be formed to the same level in a third direction Z3 (depth direction) from the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E or the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100. In the third direction Z3, a top surface of the thermal block IB can be formed as a flat surface, and a bottom surface of the thermal block IB can be formed as a non-flat surface at a location where the receiving step S is formed. In the illustrated embodiment, the thermal block IB can be formed to have a thickness in a third direction Z3 (depth direction) from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 or from the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E. The thermal block IB can be formed to the same level in the third direction Z3 from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 or from the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E. In the third direction Z3, a top surface of the thermal block IB can be formed as a flat surface, and a bottom surface of the thermal block IB can be formed as a non-flat surface at a location where the receiving step S is formed. In the illustrated embodiment, the thermal block IB can be formed to have a thickness in a third direction Z3 (depth direction) from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 or from the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E. The thermal block IB can be formed to the same level in the third direction Z3 from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 or from the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E. In the third direction Z3, a top surface of the thermal block IB can be formed as a flat surface, and a bottom surface of the thermal block IB can be formed as a non-flat surface at a location where the receiving step S is formed. Figure 13 In the illustrated embodiment, the bonding block CB can be formed from the metal block MB. A bottom surface of the thermal block IB (including the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E and the receiving step S) can be formed as a non-flat surface. A top surface of the thermal block IB opposite the receiving step S can be formed as a flat surface across the bonding position CP and the facing position FP.

[0110] The thermal block IB can be formed from the receiving step S of the end plate E at the bonding position CP and as the bonding block CB of the cooling plate 100. The thermal block IB can be formed on a bottom surface Ea of the end plate E facing a top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 at the facing position FP and at the bonding position CP including the receiving step S of the end plate E and the bonding block CB of the cooling plate 100. The thermal block IB at the bonding position CP and at the facing position FP can be formed to the same level in a third direction Z3 from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 or the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E. A top surface of the thermal block IB can be formed as a flat surface across the bonding position CP and the facing position FP, and a bottom surface of the thermal block IB can be formed as a flat surface including the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E and the bonding block CB. According to the illustrated embodiment, the thermal block IB can be formed to have a thickness in a third direction Z3 (depth direction) from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 or from the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E. The thermal block IB can be formed to the same level in the third direction Z3 from the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 or from the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E. In the third direction Z3, a top surface of the thermal block IB can be formed as a flat surface, and a bottom surface of the thermal block IB can be formed as a non-flat surface at a location where the receiving step S is formed. Figure 15 In some of the illustrated embodiments, the thermal block IB can be formed at the bonding position CP of the bonding block CB and the receiving step S and at the facing position FP of the top surface 100a of the cooling plate 100 facing the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E. A bottom surface of the thermal block IB (including the bottom surface of the bonding block CB and the bottom surface Ea of the end plate E) and a top surface of the thermal block IB opposite the bonding block CB can be formed as flat surfaces across the bonding position CP and the facing position FP.

[0111] Figure 16A and Figure 16B are graphs showing results of measuring temperature variation according to position within a battery cell.

[0112] Figure 17 are graphs showing results of measuring variation of reaction current density depending on position within a battery cell of examples of the present disclosure and comparative examples.

[0113] In the comparative example of Figure 16A , the bonding block CB' is formed as a metal block CB' positioned between the cooling plate 100' and the end plate E'. It was confirmed that the temperature variation of the battery cell C' (the outermost battery cell) increased due to the battery cell C' being cooled by a first path P1 from the battery cell C' (the outermost battery cell) to the cooling plate 100' and a second path P2 through the end plate E' toward the cooling plate 100'. Among three thickness portions of the battery cell C' in the first direction Z1 along which the plurality of battery cells C' are arranged (e.g., among a first thickness portion y1 facing an adjacent battery cell C', a second thickness portion y2 in the center, and a third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E'), a high temperature variation of about 6.7°C was measured between the second thickness portion y2 in the center and the third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E'.

[0114] In the example of the present disclosure in Figure 16B , unlike the comparative example of Figure 16A , the bonding block CB" is formed by an insulating block IB" positioned between the cooling plate 100" and the end plate E". It was confirmed that the temperature variation of the battery cell C" (the outermost battery cell) was reduced by allowing heat flow along a first path P1 from the battery cell C" to the cooling plate 100" while suppressing heat flow along a second path P2 from the battery cell C" through the end plate E" to the cooling plate 100". Among three thickness portions of the battery cell C" in the first direction Z1 along which the plurality of battery cells C" are arranged (e.g., among a first thickness portion y1 facing an adjacent battery cell C", a second thickness portion y2 in the center, and a third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E"), a temperature variation of about 4.9°C was measured between the second thickness portion y2 in the center and the third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E", which was reduced by about 27%.

[0115] In the comparative example shown in Figure 16A , among the plurality of battery cells C' forming the battery pack, a high temperature variation of about 7.9°C was measured between a battery cell C' in the center and an outermost battery cell C' in a first direction along which the plurality of battery cells C' are arranged. However, in the example of the present disclosure in Figure 16BIn the example of the present disclosure shown, a temperature variation of approximately 4.8° C. was measured between the central battery cell C″ and the outermost battery cell C″, which is consistent with the Figure 16A The temperature change is reduced by about 40% compared to the comparative example.

[0116] exist Figure 17 In the figure, curve c shows the Figure 16A The reaction current density (A / m 2 ) changes, where the reaction current density (A / m 2 ) can be understood as the magnitude of the current generated in the battery cell. Figure 17 Curve c shows that, among the three thickness portions of the battery cell C' (the outermost battery cell) in the first direction Z1 (along which the plurality of battery cells C' are arranged) (for example, among the first thickness portion y1 facing the adjacent battery cell C', the second thickness portion y2 in the center, and the third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E'), a current of approximately 3.3 A / m is measured between the second thickness portion y2 in the center and the third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E'. 2 The reaction current density changes greatly.

[0117] exist Figure 17 In the figure, curve d shows the Figure 16B The reaction current density (A / m 2 ) changes. Figure 17 Curve d shows that, among the three thickness portions of the battery cell C" (the outermost battery cell) in the first direction Z1 (along which the plurality of battery cells C" are arranged) (for example, among the first thickness portion y1 facing the adjacent battery cell C", the second thickness portion y2 in the center, and the third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E", a current of approximately 1.8 A / m is measured between the second thickness portion y2 in the center and the third thickness portion y3 adjacent to the end plate E". 2 The change in reaction current density was reduced by about 45%.

[0118] from Figure 17 The experimental results in the above table confirm that the temperature of battery cells C' and C" directly affects the electrical output characteristics of battery cells C' and C". Figure 16A The increase in temperature variation depending on the position of the battery cell C' shown in the comparative example increases the variation in electrical output characteristics (variation in reaction current density) depending on the position of the battery cell C', as Figure 17 As shown by curve c. It can be confirmed that Figure 16BThe illustrated reduced temperature variation depending on the location in the battery cell C" reduces the variation in the electrical output characteristics (variation in the reaction current density) depending on the location in the battery cell C", as shown in Figure 17 curve d.

[0119] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the insulating block IB can be manufactured as a separate component from the end plate E or the cooling plate 100, and then combined with the end plate E or the cooling plate 100. The insulating block IB as a part of the end plate E or the cooling plate 100 can be formed as one component together with the end plate E or the cooling plate 100.

[0120] One or more embodiments include a battery pack capable of providing a uniform temperature environment for a plurality of battery cells to eliminate or mitigate temperature variation depending on the location and to eliminate or mitigate variation in electrical output characteristics due to the temperature variation, by providing a heat flow along a common first path for the plurality of battery cells toward a cooling plate extending across a bottom surface of the plurality of battery cells, while suppressing a heat flow along another second path from a side of an outermost battery cell among the plurality of battery cells through an end plate to the cooling plate, to mitigate or eliminate temperature variation depending on the location between the plurality of battery cells forming the battery pack or the location within the outermost battery cell among the plurality of battery cells.

[0121] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as being applicable to other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction; an end plate disposed on an outer side of outermost battery cells among the plurality of battery cells in the first direction; a cooling plate extending across a bottom surface of the plurality of battery cells; and a thermal block positioned at a joint location between the end plate and the cooling plate. 2.The battery pack of claim 1, wherein a joint line extends through the joint location, and a joint member joins the end plate and the cooling plate at the joint line. 3.The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the cooling plate extends across a bottom surface of the end plate and the bottom surface of the plurality of battery cells arranged in the first direction, and wherein the bottom surface of the end plate is joined to a top surface of the cooling plate at the joint location such that the bottom surface of the end plate and the top surface of the cooling plate face each other. 4.The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the battery pack includes a joint block extending a height from a top surface of the cooling plate, wherein a receiving step is recessed from a bottom surface of the end plate to a depth, wherein the joint block and the receiving step are formed in complementary shapes, and wherein the joint block fits into the receiving step. 5.The battery pack of claim 4, wherein the thermal block is formed as all or a portion of the joint block. 6.The battery pack of claim 5, wherein the thermal block protrudes from the cooling plate to the receiving step of the end plate to form all of the joint block. 7.The battery pack of claim 6, wherein the thermal block includes a single thermal block provided on the cooling plate, or includes at least two different thermal blocks stacked on the cooling plate. 8.The battery pack of claim 5, wherein the thermal block is stacked on a metal block provided on the cooling plate to form a portion of the joint block, the thermal block and the metal block protruding from the top surface of the cooling plate to a height complementary to the depth formed by the receiving step of the end plate. 9.The battery pack of claim 4, wherein the receiving step recessed from the bottom surface of the end plate to the depth is joined to the joint block protruding from the top surface of the cooling plate to the height. 10.The battery pack of claim 4, wherein the joint block protrudes from both sides of the cooling plate in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the receiving step of the end plate is recessed from both sides of the end plate in the second direction intersecting the first direction, and wherein the top surface of the cooling plate between the joint blocks on both sides faces the bottom surface of the end plate between the receiving steps on both sides. 11.The battery pack of claim 10, wherein the thermal block is provided at the joint location for joining the end plate and the cooling plate to each other and at a facing location where the end plate faces the cooling plate. ​ 12. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein the thermal insulating block at the facing position is formed on the bottom surface of the end plate facing the top surface of the cooling plate.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein the thermal insulating block at the facing position is formed with a thickness in a depth direction from the bottom surface of the end plate or the top surface of the cooling plate.

14. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the battery pack includes a joining block having a height from a top surface of the cooling plate to a receiving step of the end plate, the receiving step of the end plate being recessed from a bottom surface of the end plate to a depth, the joining block and the receiving step fitting to each other in a complementary shape, and wherein the top surface of the cooling plate between the joining blocks on both sides faces the bottom surface of the end plate between the receiving steps on both sides.

15. The battery pack according to claim 14, wherein the thermal insulating block is provided on the receiving step at the joining position and on the bottom surface of the end plate facing the top surface of the cooling plate.

16. The battery pack according to claim 15, wherein the thermal insulating block is formed with a thickness in a direction from the receiving step.

17. The battery pack according to claim 14, wherein the joining block is at least partially formed as a metal block, a bottom surface of the thermal insulating block is formed as a non-flat surface.

18. The battery pack according to claim 17, wherein a top surface of the thermal insulating block opposite to the receiving step is formed as a flat surface.

19. The battery pack according to claim 14, wherein the thermal insulating block is provided to the receiving step at the joining position, the bottom surface of the end plate facing the top surface of the cooling plate.

20. The battery pack according to claim 15, wherein a bottom surface of the thermal insulating block and a top surface of the thermal insulating block are formed as flat surfaces. ​

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