Battery module, and battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module having improved manufacturing efficiency, and a battery pack and a vehicle comprising the same, the battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells; and a plurality of module frames, each of which accommodates a plurality of battery cells, and which are provided as standardized frames that can be coupled to each other.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module with improved manufacturing efficiency, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the same.

[0002] This application is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0053578, filed on April 22, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND

[0003] Secondary batteries are highly suitable for various products and exhibit excellent electrical properties such as high energy density, and are commonly used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by power sources. Secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving environmental friendliness and energy efficiency, since they can greatly reduce the use of fossil fuels and do not produce by-products during energy consumption.

[0004] Secondary batteries that are widely used at present include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and the like. The operating voltage of a unit secondary battery cell (i.e., a unit battery cell) is about 2.5 V to 4.5 V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells can be connected in series to configure a battery pack. In addition, a battery module is configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel or by mixing series and parallel connections, according to the charging / discharging capacity required for the battery pack. Furthermore, a battery pack is configured by configuring a plurality of battery modules to ensure higher capacity, etc. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in a battery module or a battery pack can be variously set according to the required output voltage or the required charging / discharging capacity.

[0005] Recently, battery modules applied to electric vehicles, etc. are configured to include a large number of battery cells with higher cell capacity through a stacked structure to increase output and / or capacity.

[0006] However, such a battery module of a stacked structure has a problem of increased manufacturing cost, since various components are required according to the stacked structure. In addition, in the case of such a battery module of a stacked structure, if there is a problem in positioning and alignment between components according to the stacked structure, there is also a problem of process defects due to assembly tolerances in the manufacturing process, or problems due to accumulated tolerances during assembly of the battery module and the battery pack.

[0007] There is a need to find a method that solves the assembly defect problem while reducing the manufacturing cost in a battery module of a stacked structure. SUMMARY

[0008] Technical Problem

[0009] The present disclosure aims to provide a battery module capable of reducing manufacturing costs, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the same.

[0010] Further, the present disclosure aims to provide a battery module capable of improving assembly defects, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the same.

[0011] However, the technical problems addressed by the present disclosure are not limited to the above problems, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other problems not mentioned herein from the following description.

[0012] Technical Solution

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, and a plurality of module frames configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells, respectively, and disposed as shareable frames coupled to each other.

[0014] Further, preferably, the battery module can further include a heat spreader disposed between the plurality of module frames and configured to allow the plurality of battery cells to be attached to both surfaces thereof.

[0015] Further, preferably, both surfaces of the heat spreader can be disposed as cooling surfaces.

[0016] Further, preferably, the plurality of module frames can include a first module frame disposed at one side of the heat spreader, and a second module frame disposed at the other side of the heat spreader and disposed using the same frame as the first module frame.

[0017] Further, preferably, the first module frame and the second module frame can be arranged to be inverted based on the heat spreader.

[0018] Further, preferably, the heat spreader can have a coupling guide to guide coupling with the plurality of module frames.

[0019] Further, preferably, the coupling guide can be disposed at a periphery of the heat spreader.

[0020] Further, preferably, the coupling guide can be disposed to protrude a predetermined length from the periphery of the heat spreader.

[0021] Further, preferably, the coupling guide can be disposed as a pair of coupling guides, and the pair of coupling guides can be disposed at both sides of the periphery of the heat spreader.

[0022] Further, preferably, the plurality of module frames can have a frame coupling portion coupled with the coupling guide.

[0023] Also, preferably, the frame coupling portion can include a first coupling portion provided at one side periphery of each module frame, and a second coupling portion provided at the other side periphery of each module frame.

[0024] Also, preferably, the coupling guide can have a guide hole through which at least one of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion passes.

[0025] Also, preferably, the first coupling portion can be coupled with the second coupling portion of the facing module frame, and the second coupling portion can be coupled with the first coupling portion of the facing module frame.

[0026] Also, preferably, the first coupling portion can include a coupling protrusion, and the second coupling portion can include a coupling groove.

[0027] Also, preferably, the battery module can further include a pair of frame supports provided to face each other with the heat sink interposed therebetween, and configured to at least partially cover the plurality of module frames.

[0028] Also, preferably, the pair of frame supports can be provided as the same bracket as each other.

[0029] Also, the disclosure provides a battery pack including at least one battery module according to the above-described embodiments, and a battery pack case configured to accommodate the at least one battery module.

[0030] Also, the disclosure provides a vehicle including at least one battery pack according to the above-described embodiments.

[0031] Advantageous Effects

[0032] According to the above-described various embodiments, it is possible to provide a battery module capable of reducing manufacturing costs, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the same.

[0033] Also, according to the above-described various embodiments, it is possible to provide a battery module capable of improving assembly defects, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the same.

[0034] Also, various other additional effects can be achieved through the various embodiments of the disclosure. Various effects of the disclosure that will be described in detail in each embodiment or that can be easily understood by those skilled in the art will not be described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the disclosure and together with the foregoing disclosure, provide further understanding of the technical features of the disclosure, and therefore, the disclosure is not to be construed as being limited to the drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating assembly between a first module frame, a heat sink, and a second module frame of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figures 5 to 7 is a diagram for illustrating components guiding assembly and positioning of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a process of assembling a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating a combination of a first module frame and a heat sink of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating Figure 9 is a magnified view of a G portion of

[0043] Figure 11 is a magnified view of an H portion of Figure 9

[0044] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating a combination of a first module frame and a second module frame of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 13 and Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating a combination of frame supports of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating a heat sink of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 17 is a diagram illustrating a combination of a first module frame and a heat sink of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 18 is a magnified view of an I portion of Figure 17

[0050] Figure 19 ​​is an enlarged view of the J portion of Figure 17

[0051] Figure 20 is a view illustrating a combination of a first module frame and a second module frame of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 21 is a view illustrating a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the term used in the specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to technical aspects of the present disclosure on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define appropriate terms in order to best describe the disclosure.

[0054] Accordingly, the description set forth herein is merely illustrative of preferred examples of the disclosure and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure as there are obvious modifications from the preferred examples many alternatives and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure, therefore, it should be understood that this disclosure is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, and accordingly, all modifications and equivalents thereof are included in the scope of the disclosure.

[0055] Meanwhile, in the present specification, terms indicating directions such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear" can be used, but these terms are merely for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms can vary depending on the position of the target object or the position of the observer.

[0056] Figure 1 is a view illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a view illustrating assembly between a first module frame, a heat sink, and a second module frame of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Referring to Figures 1 to 4 , the battery module 10 can include a plurality of battery cells 100 and a plurality of module frames 200, 300.

[0058] The plurality of battery cells 100 can be provided as secondary batteries, and can be provided as cylindrical secondary batteries, pouch-shaped secondary batteries, or square-shaped secondary batteries. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 100 will be described as cylindrical secondary batteries. Meanwhile, as described above, the plurality of battery cells 100 can also be provided as pouch-shaped secondary batteries or square-shaped secondary batteries.

[0059] ​The plurality of module frames 200, 300 can each accommodate a plurality of battery cells 100. The plurality of module frames 200, 300 are provided as shareable frames, and can be coupled to each other. Shareable can mean that the plurality of module frames 200, 300 are provided as identical frames. In this embodiment, the battery module 10 of the stacked structure can be configured by coupling the plurality of shareable module frames 200, 300, which are identical frames, to each other.

[0060] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, when configuring the battery module 10 of the stacked structure with high energy density, the stacked structure is configured by coupling the plurality of module frames 200, 300, which are provided as identical shareable frames, to each other, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and ensuring cost competitiveness of products.

[0061] Accordingly, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide the battery module 10 of the stacked structure that can improve energy density while improving manufacturing efficiency.

[0062] The battery module 10 can include a heat spreader 400.

[0063] The heat spreader 400 is configured to cool the battery cells 100, and can be provided between the plurality of module frames 200, 300. The heat spreader 400 can be configured to allow the plurality of battery cells 100 to be attached to both surfaces thereof. In this embodiment, since the plurality of battery cells 100 are attached to both surfaces of the heat spreader 400, the plurality of battery cells 100 are in closer contact with the heat spreader 400, thereby further ensuring cooling performance.

[0064] Both surfaces of the heat spreader 400 can be provided as cooling surfaces. In embodiments of the present disclosure, since both surfaces of the heat spreader 400 to which the battery cells 100 are attached are provided as cooling surfaces, cooling performance of the battery cells 100 can be significantly improved.

[0065] In this way, in embodiments of the present disclosure, it is also possible to ensure cooling performance of the battery cells 100 in the battery module 10 of the stacked structure by the heat spreader 400 provided between the plurality of shareable module frames 200, 300.

[0066] The plurality of module frames 200, 300 can include a first module frame 200 and a second module frame 300.

[0067] The first module frame 200 can be provided at one side (-Z-axis direction) of the heat spreader 400. Specifically, the first module frame 200 can be provided at the lower side (-Z-axis direction) of the heat spreader 400. The first module frame 200 can accommodate a plurality of battery cells 100 therein.

[0068] The second module frame 300 can be disposed at the other side (+Z-axis direction) of the heat spreader 400. Specifically, the second frame 300 can be disposed at the upper side (+Z-axis direction) of the heat spreader 400. The second module frame 300 can accommodate a plurality of battery cells 100 therein.

[0069] The second module frame 300 can be disposed as a shareable frame identical to the first module frame 200, and can be coupled with the first module frame 200 in a manner in which the heat spreader 400 is interposed therebetween. In this way, in this embodiment, since the heat spreader 400 is located between and coupled with the shareable and identical first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300, cooling performance can be secured and manufacturing costs can be reduced, thereby realizing a battery module 10 having a stacked structure with high energy density.

[0070] The first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 can be arranged to be inverted based on the heat spreader 400. Being arranged to be inverted can mean that one of the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 is arranged to be inverted. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the second frame 300 can have the same arrangement as the first module frame 200 before being coupled with the first module frame 200, and as shown in FIG. 2B, the second frame 300 can be arranged to be inverted by being inverted in the opposite direction from the first module frame 200 to be coupled with the first module frame 200. Figure 3 Figure 4

[0071] In this way, in this embodiment, among the module frames 200, 300 in which shareable identical module frames (e.g., the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300) are provided, one of the module frames 300 (e.g., the second module frame 300) can be arranged to be inverted to guide coupling with the first module frame 200, so that the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 can be more simply coupled with each other.

[0072] Accordingly, when the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 are coupled with each other, the battery module 10 according to the embodiment of the disclosure can significantly improve the assembly efficiency therebetween.

[0073] Hereinafter, the battery module 10 according to the embodiment of the disclosure will be described in more detail.

[0074] Figures 5 to 7 is a view illustrating components guiding assembly and positioning of a battery module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0075] Referring to Figures 5 to 7 ​​The radiator 400 can include coupling guides 450 to guide coupling with the plurality of module frames 200, 300. Through the coupling guides 450, the radiator 400 can be more easily coupled with the plurality of module frames 200, 300 between the plurality of module frames 200, 300. For example, in this embodiment, the radiator 400 can be more easily coupled with the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 through the coupling guides 450.

[0076] The coupling guides 450 can be provided at the periphery of the radiator 400. In this embodiment, both surfaces (in the +Z-axis direction and -Z-axis direction) of the radiator 400, specifically, the upper surface 402 and the lower surface 404 of the radiator 400, can include cooling surfaces to which the plurality of battery cells 100 are attached. In this embodiment, since the coupling guides 450 are not located at the upper surface 402 of the radiator 400 or the lower surface 404 of the radiator 400, but are provided at the periphery of the radiator 400, coupling of the radiator 400 between the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 can be guided without interfering with the cooling surfaces.

[0077] The coupling guides 450 can be provided to protrude a predetermined length from the periphery of the radiator 400. The protruding length can be a length along the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of the battery module 10 to be arranged in the same line as the frame coupling portions 250, 350 of the plurality of module frames 200 and 300, which will be described later. In addition, the coupling guides 450 can protrude a predetermined length from the periphery of the radiator 400 in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction). Thus, during the assembly process of manufacturing the battery module 10, a worker or the like can more easily guide the coupling guides 450 from the radiator 400, and in addition, assembly accuracy between the plurality of module frames 200, 300 can be improved.

[0078] The coupling guides 450 can be provided as a pair. The pair of coupling guides 450 can be provided on both sides (+Y-axis direction and -Y-axis direction) of the periphery of the radiator 400. Specifically, the pair of coupling guides 450 can be provided on one side of the front end (-Y-axis direction) of the periphery of the radiator 400 and on one side of the rear end (+Y-axis direction) of the periphery of the radiator 400. The pair of coupling guides 450 can be arranged in the same line in the length direction (Y-axis direction) of the radiator 400. According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling accuracy between the radiator 400 and the plurality of module frames 200, 300 can be further improved by the pair of coupling guides 450. In addition, by the pair of coupling guides 450, the radiator 400 can be more stably fixed and supported between the plurality of module frames 200, 300.

[0079] The plurality of module frames 200, 300 can include frame coupling portions 250 and 260, 350 and 360 coupled with the coupling guide 450 of the heat spreader 400. The frame coupling portions 250 and 260, 350 and 360 are respectively provided in the module frames 200, 300 and can be arranged in the same line as the heat spreader 400 in a stacking direction (Z-axis direction) when coupled between the plurality of module frames 200, 300 and the heat spreader 400. The frame coupling portions 250 and 260, 350 and 360 are coupled to each other to connect the plurality of module frames 200, 300 to each other, and when coupled, the frame coupling portions 250 and 260, 350 and 360 can be connected to the coupling guide 450 of the heat spreader 400.

[0080] The frame coupling portions 250 and 260, 350 and 360 can include first coupling portions 250, 350 and second coupling portions 260, 360.

[0081] The first coupling portions 250, 350 can be provided at one periphery of each of the module frames 200, 300. The second coupling portions 260, 360 can be provided at the other periphery of each of the module frames 200, 300. The first coupling portions 250, 350 and the second coupling portions 260, 360 can be provided at both peripheries of each of the module frames 200, 300 to guide the module frames 200, 300 to be coupled to each other.

[0082] The coupling guide 450 can have a guide hole 455 through which at least one of the first coupling portions 250, 350 and the second coupling portions 260, 360 passes. The guide hole 455 can pass at least one of the first coupling portions 250, 350 and the second coupling portions 260, 360 so that the heat spreader 400 can be connected to the respective module frames 200, 300 and fixed between the respective module frames 200, 300 when the module frames 200, 300 are coupled to each other.

[0083] The first coupling portions 250, 350 can be coupled with the second coupling portions 260, 360 of the facing module frames 200, 300, and the second coupling portions 260, 360 can be coupled with the first coupling portions 250, 350 of the facing module frames 200, 300. As described above, when the module frames 200, 300 are coupled to each other, one module frame 300 is coupled to be inverted. Accordingly, the first coupling portions 250, 350 and the second coupling portions 260, 360 of the facing module frames 200, 300 can be coupled to each other when the module frames 200, 300 are coupled to each other.

[0084] The first coupling portion 250, 350 can include a coupling protrusion 252, 352. The second coupling portion 260, 360 can include a coupling groove 266, 366. The coupling protrusion 252, 352 and the coupling groove 266, 366 can be coupled to each other. The mutual coupling of the coupling protrusion 252, 352 and the coupling groove 266, 366 can be achieved by inserting the coupling protrusion 252, 352 into the coupling groove 266, 366.

[0085] Hereinafter, the frame coupling portions 250, 260, 350, 360 will be described in more detail, focusing on the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300.

[0086] The first module frame 200 can include a frame body 210, a battery cell accommodation portion 230, and frame coupling portions 250, 260 (i.e., a first coupling portion 250 and a second coupling portion 260).

[0087] The frame body 210 can form the appearance of the first module frame 200. The frame body 210 can be provided in a substantially hexahedral shape.

[0088] The battery cell accommodation portion 230 is provided in the frame body 210 and can accommodate a plurality of battery cells 100. The battery cell accommodation portion 230 can be provided in a plurality to correspond to the plurality of battery cells 100. The plurality of battery cells 100 can be respectively inserted into the plurality of battery cell accommodation portions 230. Meanwhile, in this embodiment, a protruding electrode portion such as a positive electrode can be provided at one side of the plurality of battery cells 100. In contrast, unlike the one side of the plurality of battery cells 100, the other side of the plurality of battery cells 100 can have a flat surface without a protruding portion. In this embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 100 can be inserted into the plurality of battery cell accommodation portions 230 so that the other side provided as a flat surface (e.g., a positive electrode) opposite to the one side having the protruding electrode portion can be exposed to the outside of the battery cell accommodation portion 230. Accordingly, in this embodiment, when the battery cell 100 is attached to the cooling surface of the heat spreader 400 during assembly of the battery module 10, the other side of the battery cell 100 provided as a flat surface can be attached to the cooling surface of the heat spreader 400. Accordingly, in this embodiment, since the battery cell 100 is in closer contact with the cooling surface of the heat spreader 400, the cooling performance of the battery cell 100 can be further improved.

[0089] The first coupling portion 250 can include a coupling portion body 251 and a coupling protrusion 252.

[0090] The coupling portion body 251 can be provided at one end of the frame body 210. The coupling portion body 251 can accommodate a coupling protrusion 252, which will be described later, therein. The coupling protrusion 252 can be provided inside the coupling portion body 251 and can be provided to protrude a predetermined length in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction).

[0091] The second coupling portion 260 can include a coupling portion body 265 and a coupling groove 266.

[0092] The coupling portion body 265 is provided at the other end of the frame body 210 and can be disposed at the opposite side of the coupling portion body 251 of the first coupling portion 250. The coupling portion body 265 can accommodate the coupling groove 266, which will be described later, therein. The coupling groove 266 is provided inside the coupling portion body 265 and can be provided in a groove shape having a predetermined depth in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction).

[0093] The second module frame 300 can include a frame body 310, a battery cell accommodation portion 330, and frame coupling portions 350 and 360 (i.e., a first coupling portion 350 and a second coupling portion 360).

[0094] The frame body 310 can form the appearance of the second module frame 300. The frame body 310 can be provided in a substantially hexahedral shape. The frame body 310 can be provided using the same parts as the frame body 210 of the first module frame 200 so as to be shared.

[0095] The battery cell accommodation portion 330 is provided in the frame body 310 and can accommodate a plurality of battery cells 100. The battery cell accommodation portion 330 can be provided in a plurality to correspond to the plurality of battery cells 100. The plurality of battery cells 100 can be respectively inserted into the plurality of battery cell accommodation portions 330. Similar to the battery cell accommodation portion 230 of the above-described first module frame 200, the plurality of battery cells 100 can be inserted into the plurality of battery cell accommodation portions 330 so that the other side (e.g., the positive electrode) provided as a flat surface opposite to the side having the protruding electrode portion can be exposed to the outside of the battery cell accommodation portion 330. Accordingly, similar to the above-described battery cell accommodation portion 230, the battery cell 100 inserted into the battery cell accommodation portion 330 can be in close contact with the cooling surface of the heat spreader 400 to improve the cooling performance.

[0096] The first coupling portion 350 can include a coupling portion body 351 and a coupling protrusion 352.

[0097] Similar to the coupling portion body 251 of the first coupling portion 250 of the first module frame 200, a coupling portion body 351 can be provided at one end of the frame body 310. The coupling portion body 351 can accommodate a coupling protrusion 352, which will be described later, therein. The coupling protrusion 352 can be provided inside the coupling portion body 351 and can be provided to protrude a predetermined length in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction).

[0098] The second coupling portion 360 can include a coupling portion body 365 and a coupling groove 366.

[0099] Similar to the coupling portion body 265 of the second coupling portion 260 of the first module frame 200, the coupling portion body 365 is provided at the other end of the frame body 310 and can be disposed at the opposite side of the coupling portion body 351 of the first coupling portion 350. The coupling portion body 365 can accommodate the coupling groove 366, which will be described later, therein. The coupling groove 366 is provided inside the coupling portion body 365 and can be provided in a groove shape having a predetermined depth in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction).

[0100] In this embodiment, when the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 are coupled to each other, since one of the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 (for example, the second module frame 300) is inverted and coupled, the following coupling relationship can be formed.

[0101] First, as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 When the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 are coupled to each other, the coupling protrusion 251 of the first coupling portion 250 of the first module frame 200, the coupling guide 450 of the heat spreader 400, and the coupling groove 366 of the second coupling portion 360 of the second module frame 300 can be coupled to each other. Specifically, the coupling protrusion 251 of the first coupling portion 250 of the first module frame 200 can pass through the guide hole 455 of the coupling guide 450 of the heat spreader 400 and then be inserted into the coupling groove 366 of the second coupling portion 360 of the second module frame 300. In addition, the coupling portion body 251 of the first coupling portion 250 of the first module frame 200 and the coupling portion body 365 of the second coupling portion 360 of the second module frame 300 can be coupled to each other to cover the coupling protrusion 251 of the first coupling portion 250, the coupling guide 450 of the heat spreader 400, and the coupling groove 366 of the second coupling portion 360 of the second module frame 300. Here, the mutual coupling between the coupling portion body 251 of the first coupling portion 250 of the first module frame 200 and the coupling portion body 365 of the second coupling portion 360 of the second module frame 300 can be hooking or clamping therebetween to prevent separation after coupling.

[0102] In addition, as shown in Figure 5 andFigure 7 As illustrated, when the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 are coupled to each other, the coupling groove 266 of the second coupling portion 260 of the first module frame 200, the coupling guide 450 of the heat spreader 400, and the coupling protrusion 352 of the first coupling portion 350 of the second module frame 300 can be coupled to each other. Specifically, the coupling protrusion 352 of the first coupling portion 350 of the second module frame 300 passing through the guide hole 455 of the coupling guide 450 of the heat spreader 400 can be inserted into the coupling groove 266 of the second coupling portion 260 of the first module frame 200. Also, the coupling portion body 265 of the second coupling portion 260 of the first module frame 200 and the coupling portion body 351 of the first coupling portion 350 of the second module frame 300 can be coupled to each other to cover the coupling groove 266 of the second coupling portion 260, the coupling guide 450 of the heat spreader 400, and the coupling protrusion 352 of the first coupling portion 350 of the second module frame 300. Here, the mutual coupling between the coupling portion body 265 of the second coupling portion 260 of the first module frame 200 and the coupling portion body 351 of the first coupling portion 350 of the second module frame 300 can be hooking or clamping therebetween to prevent separation after coupling.

[0103] Referring again to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the battery module 10 can include a pair of frame supports 500.

[0104] The pair of frame supports 500 can be arranged to face each other with the heat spreader 400 interposed therebetween. The pair of frame supports 500 can at least partially cover the plurality of module frames 200, 300. At least a portion of the pair of frame supports 500 can be interposed between the plurality of module frames 200, 300, or can be connected to the plurality of module frames 200, 300 by a fastening member or the like. In this embodiment, the rigidity of the battery module 10 can be enhanced by the pair of frame supports 500, and the heat spreader 400 can be protected from external impact or the like.

[0105] The pair of frame supports 500 can be provided as identical brackets. As described above, in this embodiment, the frame supports 500 can be provided as identical components that can be shared, thereby further reducing the manufacturing cost of the battery module 10.

[0106] The pair of frame supports 500 can include a first support bracket 520 and a second support bracket 530.

[0107] The first support bracket 520 can at least partially cover one side (+X-axis direction) of the side surfaces of the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300. The first support bracket 520 can be coupled to the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 with a fastening member or the like, or can be interposed between the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 and fixed to the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300.

[0108] The second support bracket 530 can be provided with the same bracket as the first support bracket 520 so as to be shared. The second support bracket 530 can at least partially cover the other side (-X-axis direction) of the side surfaces of the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300. The second support bracket 530 can be coupled to the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 with a fastening member or the like, or can be interposed between the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 and fixed to the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300.

[0109] Since the first support bracket 520 and the second support bracket 530 are the same bracket, the first support bracket 520 and the second support bracket 530 can also be coupled to the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 such that the second support bracket 530 at least partially covers one side (+X-axis direction) of the side surfaces of the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300, and the first support bracket 520 at least partially covers the other side (-X-axis direction) of the side surfaces of the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300.

[0110] Hereinafter, a process of assembling the battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in more detail.

[0111] Figure 8 is a view illustrating a process of assembling a battery module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0112] Referring to Figure 8 , when assembling the battery module 10, a manufacturer such as a worker can first insert the battery cells 100 into the battery cell accommodation portions 230 of the first module frame 200 and the battery cell accommodation portions 330 of the second module frame 300 (see Figure 5 ). Here, the battery cells 100 can be inserted into the battery cell accommodation portions 230, 330 such that the flat surfaces of the opposite sides of the protruding electrode portions are exposed to increase the contact area with the upper and lower surfaces 402, 404 (i.e., the cooling surfaces 402, 404 of the heat spreader 400) as described above.

[0113] Meanwhile, as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the second module frame 300, which is made of the same components as the first module frame 200 so as to be shared, can be inverted and can be disposed on the upper side (+Z-axis direction) of the first module frame 200 in such a manner that the heat sink 400 is interposed therebetween.

[0114] The worker or the like can arrange the frame coupling portions 250, 260 of the first module frame 200, the coupling guide 450 of the heat sink 400, and the frame coupling portions 360, 350 of the second module frame 300 in the same line in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) to couple the first module frame 200, the heat sink 400, and the second module frame 300. Specifically, the worker or the like can arrange the first coupling portion 250 of the first module frame 200, the coupling guide 450 of the front end (-Y-axis direction) of the heat sink 400, and the second coupling portion 360 of the second module frame 300 in the same line in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) when viewed from the front end (-Y-axis direction) of the battery module 10. In addition, the worker or the like can arrange the second coupling portion 260 of the first module frame 200, the coupling guide 450 of the rear end (+Y-axis direction) of the heat sink 400, and the first coupling portion 350 of the second module frame 300 in the same line in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) when viewed from the rear end (+Y-axis direction) of the battery module 10 (see Figures 5 to 7 ).

[0115] In this embodiment, by guiding the positioning of the frame coupling portions 250, 260 of the first module frame 200, the coupling guide 450 of the heat sink 400, and the frame coupling portions 360, 350 of the second module frame 300 in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction), the assembly efficiency of the battery module 10 can be improved, and assembly defects can be minimized.

[0116] Figure 9 is a view showing a combination of a first module frame and a heat sink of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the G portion of Figure 9 , and Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the H portion of Figure 9 .

[0117] Reference is made to Figures 9 to 11Thereafter, a worker or the like can mount the heat sink 400 on the first module frame 200. At this time, the coupling guide 450 provided at the front end (-Y-axis direction) of the heat sink 400 can be mounted on the coupling portion main body 251 of the first coupling portion 250 of the first module frame 200. Further, the coupling protrusion 252 protruding inside the coupling portion main body 251 can protrude a predetermined length toward the upper side (+Z-axis direction) of the coupling guide 450 of the heat sink 400 by passing through the guide hole 455 of the coupling guide 450. Further, the coupling guide 450 provided at the rear end (+Y-axis direction) of the heat sink 400 can be mounted on the coupling portion main body 265 of the second coupling portion 260 of the first module frame 200. Further, the coupling groove 266 formed in the coupling portion main body 265 can be exposed to the upper side (+Z-axis direction) of the coupling guide 450 by communicating with the guide hole 455 of the coupling guide 450.

[0118] In this embodiment, by mounting the coupling guide 450 of the heat sink 400 toward the coupling portion main bodies 251 and 265 of the first and second coupling portions 250 and 260 of the first module frame 200, the heat sink 400 can be guided to be positioned correctly between the first and second module frames 200 and 300.

[0119] Figure 12 FIG. 1 is a view showing a combination of a first module frame and a second module frame of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0120] Referring to Figure 12 Thereafter, a worker or the like can couple the second module frame 300 arranged upside down to the first module frame 200. Specifically, the coupling protrusion 252 of the first coupling portion 250 of the first module frame 200 protruding from the coupling guide 450 of the heat sink 400 at the front end (-Y-axis direction) of the battery module 10 can be fitted into the coupling groove 366 of the second coupling portion 360 of the second module frame 300 (see FIG. 1). Further, the coupling portion main bodies 251 and 365 of the first and second coupling portions 250 and 360 of the first and second module frames 200 and 300 can be coupled to each other to cover the coupling protrusion 252 of the first coupling portion 250, the coupling guide 450 of the heat sink 400, and the coupling groove 366 of the second coupling portion 360 (see FIG. 1). Further, the coupling protrusion 352 (see FIG. 1) of the first coupling portion 350 (see FIG. 1) of the second module frame 300 can be fitted into the coupling groove 266 (see FIG. 1) of the second coupling portion 260 (see FIG. 1) of the first module frame 200. Figures 5 to 7 Figures 5 to 7 Figures 5 to 7 Figures 5 to 7 Figures 5 to 7 Figures 5 to 7 ​​​​​In this embodiment, the coupling groove 266 of the second coupling portion 260 of the first module frame 200 (see Figures 5 to 7 ) and the coupling groove 266 of the first coupling portion 350 of the second module frame 300 (see Figures 5 to 7 ) can be coupled to each other to cover the coupling groove 266 of the second coupling portion 260 (see Figures 5 to 7 ), the coupling guide 450 of the heat sink 400, and the coupling protrusion 352 of the first coupling portion 350 (see Figures 5 to 7 ).

[0121] In this embodiment, by the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 which is arranged upside down after being flipped and coupled with the first module frame 200 (wherein the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 are provided as shareable identical components), when the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 are coupled to each other, the first coupling portion 250 which is the frame coupling portion 250 of the first module frame 200 is forced to be coupled to the second coupling portion 360 which is the frame coupling portion 360 of the second module frame 300, and the second coupling portion 260 which is the frame coupling portion 260 of the first module frame 200 is forced to be coupled to the first coupling portion 250 which is the frame coupling portion 250 of the second module frame 300. That is, when the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300 are coupled to each other, by the upside down arrangement of one module frame 300, the coupling protrusion 252 of the first coupling portion 250 is forced to be coupled to the coupling groove 366 of the second coupling portion 360, and the coupling groove 266 of the second coupling portion 260 is forced to be coupled to the coupling protrusion 352 of the first coupling portion 350. Therefore, the risk of erroneous assembly can be fundamentally prevented.

[0122] Figure 13 and Figure 14 are diagrams showing the combination of the frame supports of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0123] Referring to Figure 13 and Figure 14 , thereafter, a worker or the like can couple the first support bracket 520 and the second support bracket 530 which are provided as shareable identical components of the frame support 500 to the side surfaces of the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300, respectively, at both sides (X-axis direction) of the battery module 10.

[0124] Thus, in the embodiments of this disclosure, during the assembly process of the battery module 10, the first module frame 200 and the second module frame 300, along with the first support bracket 520 and the second support bracket 530, which are configured to be shareable, are used to assemble the battery module 10, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and shortening assembly cycle time. Therefore, in the embodiments of this disclosure, the efficiency of the assembly process of the battery module 10 can be significantly improved.

[0125] In this way, in this embodiment, while achieving easier assembly through an assembly structure with multiple shareable components, a battery module 10 with a stacked structure having high energy density can be provided.

[0126] Figure 15 This is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 16 This is a diagram showing a heat sink for a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 17 This is a diagram illustrating the combination of a first module frame and a heat sink of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 18 It is shown Figure 17 An enlarged view of part I. Figure 19 It shows Figure 17 An enlarged view of part J, and Figure 20 This is a diagram illustrating a combination of a first module frame and a second module frame of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0127] The battery module 20 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery module 10 of the aforementioned embodiment. Therefore, features that are substantially the same as or similar to those of the aforementioned embodiment will no longer be described, and features that are different from those of the aforementioned embodiment will be described in detail.

[0128] Reference Figures 15 to 20 The battery module 20 may include multiple battery cells 100, a first module frame 200, a second module frame 300, a frame support 500, and a heat sink 600.

[0129] The multiple battery cells 100, the first module frame 200, the second module frame 300, and the frame support 500 are basically the same as or similar to the corresponding components in the aforementioned embodiments, and therefore will not be described in detail.

[0130] The heat sink 600 may include a coupling guide 650.

[0131] The coupling guide 650 can include a guide hook 655. The guide hook 655 can be provided in a ring shape having an opening in a protruding direction of the coupling guide 650. Specifically, the guide hook 655 of the coupling guide 650 provided at the front end (-Y axis direction) of the heat sink 600 can have an opening opened at the front side (-Y axis direction) of the heat sink 600, and the guide hook 655 of the coupling guide 650 provided at the rear end (+Y axis direction) of the heat sink 600 can have an opening opened at the rear side (+Y axis direction) of the heat sink 600.

[0132] When the heat sink 600 is installed, the guide hook 655 can guide the coupling protrusion 252, 352 to be more smoothly inserted through the opening, and can also guide the coupling groove 266, 366 to be more smoothly exposed from the heat sink 600.

[0133] Further, in this embodiment, the guide hook 655 of the coupling guide 650 of the heat sink 600 can also provide a more smooth coupling with each other between the coupling protrusion 252, 352 and the coupling groove 266, 366.

[0134] Therefore, in the battery module 20 according to this embodiment, when the first module frame 200, the heat sink 600, and the second module frame 300 are coupled with each other, the assembly efficiency can be further improved.

[0135] Figure 21 FIG. 1 is a view showing a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0136] Referring to Figure 21 , a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be configured to include at least one battery module 10, 20 of the foregoing embodiment and a battery pack case accommodating the at least one battery module 10, 20. The battery pack case can be installed on a vehicle to be described later. Meanwhile, the battery pack case can also be configured as a chassis of the vehicle to be described later.

[0137] The battery pack can include a cooling pipe assembly. The cooling pipe assembly serves to supply a cooling medium to the heat sink 400, 600 (see Figure 2 and Figure 15 ) of the battery module 10, 20, and discharge the cooling medium circulating through the heat sink 400, 600 (see Figure 2 and Figure 15 ) to the outside of the battery module 10, 20, and can connect the heat sink 400, 600 (see Figure 2 and Figure 15 ) to an external cooling device.

[0138] The battery pack can include an electrical unit.

[0139] The electrical unit can include electrical components such as a BMS that controls the battery modules 10, 20. The electrical unit can also include components such as a current sensor, a fuse, and a service plug.

[0140] The vehicle V according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can include a battery pack including the above-described battery modules 10, 20 according to the present disclosure. In addition, the vehicle V according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can include various other components included in a vehicle, in addition to the battery pack. For example, the vehicle V according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can include a vehicle body, a motor, and a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU), in addition to the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0141] In addition, the battery pack including the battery modules 10, 20 according to the present disclosure can be provided to other devices, instruments, and equipment (for example, an energy storage system (ESS) using a secondary battery), in addition to the vehicle 1.

[0142] According to the above-described various embodiments, it is possible to provide the battery modules 10, 20 capable of reducing manufacturing costs, and the battery pack and the vehicle V including the same.

[0143] In addition, according to the above-described various embodiments, it is possible to provide the battery modules 10, 20 capable of improving assembly defects, and the battery pack and the vehicle V including the same.

[0144] The present disclosure has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description.

Claims

1. A battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells; and a plurality of module frames configured to respectively accommodate the plurality of battery cells and disposed to be able to share a frame and coupled to each other. 2.The battery module of claim 1, further comprising: a heat sink disposed between the plurality of module frames and configured to be able to attach the plurality of battery cells on both surfaces of the heat sink. 3.The battery module of claim 1, wherein both surfaces of the heat sink are disposed as cooling surfaces. 4.The battery module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of module frames include: a first module frame disposed at one side of the heat sink; and a second module frame disposed at the other side of the heat sink and disposed to have the same frame as the first module frame. 5.The battery module of claim 3, wherein the first module frame and the second module frame are arranged to be inverted with the heat sink as a center. 6.The battery module of claim 1, wherein the heat sink has a coupling guide for guiding coupling with the plurality of module frames. 7.The battery module of claim 6, wherein the coupling guide is disposed at a periphery of the heat sink. 8.The battery module of claim 6, wherein the coupling guide is disposed to protrude a predetermined length from the periphery of the heat sink. 9.The battery module of claim 6, wherein, the coupling guide is disposed as a pair of coupling guides, and wherein the pair of coupling guides are disposed at both sides of the periphery of the heat sink. 10.The battery module of claim 6, wherein, the plurality of module frames have frame coupling portions coupled with the coupling guide. 11.The battery module of claim 10, wherein, the frame coupling portions include: a first coupling portion disposed at one side periphery of each module frame; and a second coupling portion disposed at the other side periphery of each module frame. 12.The battery module of claim 11, wherein the coupling guide has a guide hole through which at least one of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion passes. 13.The battery module of claim 11, wherein, the first coupling portion is coupled with the second coupling portion of the facing module frame, and wherein the second coupling portion is coupled with the first coupling portion of the facing module frame. 14.The battery module of claim 11, wherein the first coupling portion includes a coupling protrusion, and wherein the second coupling portion includes a coupling groove. 15.The battery module of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of frame supports disposed to face each other with the heat sink interposed therebetween and configured to at least partially cover the plurality of module frames. 16.The battery module of claim 15, wherein The pair of frame supports are provided as brackets identical to each other.

17. A battery pack comprising: at least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 16; and a battery pack housing configured to house at least one of the battery modules.

18. A vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to claim 17.

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