Battery pack

Abstract

The technical concept of the present disclosure includes a battery pack case and a battery cell assembly disposed on the battery pack case, and the battery cell assembly includes a plurality of battery cells and a heat transfer structure including a top plate on the plurality of battery cells and a plurality of side plates in contact with the plurality of battery cells, and the plurality of side plates are respectively matched with the top plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery pack.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0088217, filed on July 4, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. They are widely used as an energy source for various mobile devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, due to improvements in energy density and economies of scale, the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has significantly decreased, and the cruising range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to a level comparable to that of fuel-powered vehicles. Therefore, the primary use of secondary batteries has shifted from mobile devices to mobility.

[0004] As rechargeable batteries are used in mobility applications, the need for their safety is increasing. Accidents such as fires involving rechargeable batteries used in mobility services could endanger the lives of drivers, making research into technologies to improve battery safety crucial. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this disclosure is to provide a battery pack.

[0007] Technical solution

[0008] To address the problems described above, the present disclosure includes a battery pack housing and a battery cell assembly disposed within the battery pack housing. The battery cell assembly includes multiple battery cells and a heat transfer structure. The heat transfer structure includes a top plate located on the multiple battery cells and multiple side plates in contact with the multiple battery cells, wherein each of the multiple side plates cooperates with the top plate.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the top plate includes a plurality of insertion holes, and each of the plurality of side plates includes a protrusion in a corresponding insertion hole that is inserted into the plurality of insertion holes in the top plate.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the top plate includes a plurality of unit plates that are separated from each other, and each of the plurality of unit plates is coupled to at least one corresponding side plate among a plurality of side plates.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of battery cells are arranged along a first direction, a plurality of side plates are spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and a plurality of unit plates of the top plate are arranged along the first direction.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack housing includes a base frame that supports the battery cell assembly, and the base frame is attached to a plurality of battery cells via a first thermally conductive adhesive layer.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the base frame includes a first cooling channel through which cooling fluid flows.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack housing further includes an upper cooling structure disposed on the battery cell assembly, and the upper cooling structure is attached to the top plate of the heat transfer structure via a second thermally conductive adhesive layer.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper cooling structure includes a second cooling channel through which cooling fluid flows.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the heat transfer structure further includes: a plurality of battery cell housing spaces, which are separated from each other in a first direction and each extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a plurality of exhaust channels, which are separated from each other in the first direction and each extends in the second direction, wherein each of the plurality of battery cell housing spaces houses a corresponding battery cell among the plurality of battery cells, and each of the plurality of exhaust channels is located above the corresponding battery cell housing space among the plurality of battery cell housing spaces and is configured to guide gas in the second direction.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of exhaust channels extends from a first end to a second end in a second direction, the battery cell assembly includes a baffle that closes the first end of each of the plurality of exhaust channels, and in each of the plurality of exhaust channels, gas flows in a direction from the first end of each of the plurality of exhaust channels toward the second end of each of the plurality of exhaust channels.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the baffle is part of the top plate of the heat transfer structure.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack housing includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced apart in a second direction, and a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall spaced apart in the first direction, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of exhaust channels faces the first sidewall, and an exhaust device is mounted on the third sidewall of the battery pack housing.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of battery cells are arranged along a first direction, the battery pack housing further includes a base frame supporting the battery cell assembly and a support structure extending on the base frame along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the battery cell assembly further includes a fastening frame attached to and fastened to the outermost battery cell among the plurality of battery cells located in the first direction and to the support structure.

[0021] Beneficial effects

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery pack has a dual cooling structure that cools the battery cells by means of a base frame disposed on the lower side of the battery cell assembly and an upper cooling structure disposed on the upper side of the battery cell assembly, thereby improving the cooling performance of the battery cells.

[0023] According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a heat transfer structure configured to thermally bond a battery cell to an upper cooling structure can be manufactured relatively easily through the cooperation between the top plate and the side plate, thereby reducing the manufacturing difficulty of the heat transfer structure.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, since the high-temperature gas generated from multiple battery cells is discharged along an exhaust direction provided by the heat transfer structure, directional exhaust of the exhaust gas in a predetermined specific direction can be achieved.

[0025] The technical effects achievable in the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art can clearly derive and understand other effects not mentioned from the following description. In other words, those skilled in the art can also derive unintended effects from the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a battery cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack including battery cell components according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing the heat transfer structure and fastening frame of a battery cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a perspective view illustrating the assembly process of a unit structure of a heat transfer structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the unit structure of a heat transfer structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack including battery cell components according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the unit structure of a heat transfer structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing a portion of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 10 It is along Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the battery pack taken by line CC-CC'. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings, but rather should be interpreted as conforming to the meaning and concept of the technical concept of this disclosure, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe his own invention.

[0037] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely one of the most preferred embodiments of this disclosure and do not represent all the technical concepts of this disclosure. Thus, various equivalents and modifications that can replace these embodiments and configurations may exist when this application is submitted.

[0038] In addition, when describing this disclosure, detailed descriptions of relevant known configurations or functions will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may obscure the main points of this disclosure.

[0039] The embodiments of this disclosure are provided to describe the disclosure more completely to those skilled in the art. Therefore, for clarity of explanation, the shapes and dimensions of the components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically. Consequently, the dimensions or proportions of the components do not perfectly reflect the actual dimensions or proportions.

[0040] (First embodiment)

[0041] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a battery cell assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack 500 including a battery cell assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 In the middle, it is shown that along Figure 1 The cross-section of the battery cell assembly 100 is taken from line AA-AA'. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing the heat transfer structure 110 and the fastening frame 160 of a battery cell assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 In the middle, it is shown that along Figure 1The heat transfer structure 110 and the fastening frame 160 are cut from line AA-AA'. Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the assembly process of the unit structure 119 of the heat transfer structure 110 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The battery cell assembly 100 may include a heat transfer structure 110, a plurality of battery cells 130 and a fastening frame 160.

[0043] The heat transfer structure 110 can be connected to a plurality of battery cells 130 and can be configured to transfer heat from the plurality of battery cells 130 to a cooling structure such as a heat sink. The heat transfer structure 110 may include a plurality of side plates 111 spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a top plate 113 disposed on the plurality of side plates 111. Each side plate 111 may have a plate-like shape extending in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) and a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction). The top plate 113 may be connected to the upper end of each of the plurality of side plates 111. The top plate 113 may have a plate-like shape extending in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction).

[0044] The heat transfer structure 110 may contain a material with excellent thermal conductivity. For example, the heat transfer structure 110 may contain aluminum, copper, silver, gold, iron, tungsten, or a combination of the above materials.

[0045] The heat transfer structure 110 can provide multiple battery cell receiving spaces 121 that are separated from each other. Each of the multiple battery cell receiving spaces 121 can accommodate one or more battery cells 130. The multiple battery cell receiving spaces 121 can be separated from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and each of the multiple battery cell receiving spaces 121 can extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Adjacent battery cell receiving spaces 121 in the multiple battery cell receiving spaces 121 can be separated by corresponding side plates 111 of the multiple side plates 111.

[0046] The heat transfer structure 110 may provide a plurality of venting channels 125 that are separated from each other. The plurality of venting channels 125 may be separated from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). Adjacent venting channels 125 may be separated by corresponding side plates 111 among a plurality of side plates 111. Each venting channel 125 may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Each venting channel 125 may be disposed above and communicate with a corresponding battery cell receiving space 121 among a plurality of battery cell receiving spaces 121. Each venting channel 125 may be defined by two adjacent side plates 111, a top plate 113, and the upper surface of one or more battery cells 130 housed in the corresponding battery cell receiving space 121. That is, each venting channel 125 may be disposed in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction) between the top plate 113 and one or more battery cells 130 housed in the battery cell receiving space 121, and may be disposed between two adjacent side plates 111 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0047] Each exhaust passage 125 can be configured to guide or convey high-temperature gas generated from one or more battery cells 130 housed in a corresponding battery cell housing space 121 in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). A top plate 113 can cover the plurality of exhaust passages 125 and the plurality of battery cells 130 to block gas flow in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction) between each exhaust passage 125 and the space above the battery cell assembly 100. In each exhaust passage 125, high-temperature gas can flow along the lower surface of the top plate 113 facing the plurality of battery cells 130 in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Each exhaust passage 125 extends in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) and may have first ends opposite to each other in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Figure 6 1251 in the middle) and the second end ( Figure 6 (1253 in the middle). At least one of the first end 1251 and the second end 1253 of each exhaust channel 125 is exposed to the external space outside the battery cell assembly 100, and gas flow can be realized between the external space of the battery cell assembly 100 and each exhaust channel 125.

[0048] Multiple side panels 111 may each mate with a top plate 113. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the multiple side panels 111 may include a protrusion 1111 disposed on its upper portion, and the top plate 113 may include multiple insertion holes 1131. Each side panel 111 may be coupled to the top plate 113 by inserting the protrusion 1111 of each side panel 111 into a corresponding insertion hole 1131 of the top plate 113. For example, the insertion hole 1131 of the top plate 113 may have a slit shape extending in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction), and the protrusion 1111 of each side panel 111 may extend along the insertion hole 1131 of the top plate 113 in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction).

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the top plate 113 may include a plurality of unit plates 115. The plurality of unit plates 115 may be arranged along a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and adjacent unit plates 115 may contact each other. When viewed in a plan view, each of the plurality of unit plates 115 may have a rectangular shape, and the top plate 113, as a component of the plurality of unit plates 115, may have a rectangular shape. Each of the plurality of unit plates 115 of the top plate 113 may include an insertion hole 1131 and may mate with at least one side plate 111.

[0050] The heat transfer structure 110 may include a plurality of unit structures 119. The plurality of unit structures 119 may be arranged along a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and the heat transfer structure 110 may be understood as an assembly of the plurality of unit structures 119. Each unit structure 119 may include a single unit plate 115 and at least one side plate 111 coupled to the single unit plate 115. In an exemplary embodiment, each unit structure 119 may include a single unit plate 115 and a single side plate 111, and may have a T-shaped cross-section. To manufacture each unit structure 119, the steps of manufacturing each of the unit plate 115 and the side plate 111 and assembling the unit plate 115 and the side plate 111 may be performed sequentially. The unit plate 115 and the side plate 111 may each be manufactured using a pressing process with a die. Assembly between the unit plate 115 and the side plate 111 may include fitting a protrusion 1111 of the side plate 111 into an insertion hole 1131 of the unit plate 115.

[0051] Multiple battery cells 130 can be accommodated in multiple battery cell accommodating spaces 121 of the heat transfer structure 110 and can be arranged along a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The battery cells 130 accommodated in different battery cell accommodating spaces 121 of the heat transfer structure 110 can be separated by side plates 111. Each battery cell 130 can be attached to a corresponding side plate 111 of the multiple side plates 111 by an adhesive member. For example, the adhesive member may include adhesive tape or a resin layer.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the plurality of battery cell accommodating spaces 121 of the heat transfer structure 110 may accommodate one or more battery cells 130 arranged along a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), such as two battery cells 130.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the plurality of battery cell receiving spaces 121 of the heat transfer structure 110 may include a pad 140 and two battery cells 130 spaced apart from each other by the pad 140. The pad 140 may be attached to each of the two battery cells 130 by an adhesive member made of adhesive tape or a resin layer. The pad 140 may correspond to a thermal barrier pad configured to thermally separate and support the two battery cells 130 in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). For example, the pad 140 may comprise polyurethane, silicone, or a combination of the above materials.

[0054] The battery cell 130 is housed within the battery cell housing space 121 of the heat transfer structure 110, and can extend within the battery cell housing space 121 in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). At least one end of the battery cell 130 in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) may be provided with an electrode lead. Figure 6 (131 in the text). When the battery cell 130 is housed in the battery cell housing space 121 of the heat transfer structure 110, the two side surfaces of the battery cell 130 may be covered by two adjacent side plates 111 in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and the upper surface of the battery cell 130 may be covered by the top plate 113. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower surface of the battery cell 130 may not be covered by the heat transfer structure 110 and may be exposed to the outside of the heat transfer structure 110.

[0055] Each battery cell 130 is a basic unit of a lithium-ion battery, that is, a secondary battery. Each battery cell 130 may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a battery cell casing. The electrode assembly built into the battery cell casing may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator inserted between the positive and negative electrodes. Depending on the assembly method, the electrode assembly may be of the wound type or the stacked type. A wound electrode assembly may include a wound structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator inserted between the positive and negative electrodes. A stacked electrode assembly may include multiple positive electrodes, multiple negative electrodes, and multiple separators inserted between the multiple positive electrodes and multiple negative electrodes in sequence. The positive electrode may include a positive current collector and a positive active material. The negative electrode may include a negative current collector and a negative active material.

[0056] Multiple battery cells 130 may be connected in series and / or in parallel. In one example, multiple battery cells 130 may be connected in series with each other. In one example, multiple battery cells 130 may be connected in parallel with each other. In one example, when an assembly of two or more battery cells 130 connected in parallel is defined as a bank, one bank consisting of two or more battery cells 130 connected in parallel may be connected in series with another bank consisting of two or more battery cells 130 connected in parallel.

[0057] Each battery cell 130 may correspond to a pouch cell, a cylindrical cell, or a prismatic cell. The electrode assembly of a pouch cell is housed within a pouch housing comprising an aluminum laminate. The electrode assembly of a cylindrical cell is housed within a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of a prismatic cell is housed within a prismatic metal can. In an exemplary embodiment, each battery cell 130 may correspond to a pouch cell, and the length of each battery cell 130 in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) may be greater than the length of each battery cell 130 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and in the vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction).

[0058] Multiple battery cells 130 may be arranged along a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) to form a battery cell block. When viewed in a plan view, the battery cell block may have a rectangular shape. The battery cell block may have two side surfaces (i.e., a first side surface and a second side surface) that are opposite to each other in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), a front surface and a rear surface that are opposite to each other in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction), and an upper surface and a lower surface that are opposite to each other in the vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction).

[0059] A busbar frame 171 supporting electrode leads 131 of multiple battery cells 130 can be disposed on each of the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell block. A slit for inserting the electrode leads 131 can be disposed in the busbar frame 171 located on the front surface of the battery cell block, and a slit for inserting the electrode leads 131 can also be disposed in the busbar frame 171 located on the rear surface of the battery cell block.

[0060] Busbar frame 171 can support busbar 173. Busbar 173 can be electrically and physically connected to at least one of the electrode leads 131 of a plurality of battery cells 130. Busbar 173 can be soldered to at least one of the electrode leads 131 of a plurality of battery cells 130. Busbar 173 may include terminal busbars for electrically connecting battery cell blocks of battery cell assembly 100 to another battery cell assembly or external device. In an exemplary embodiment, busbar 173 may include intermediate busbars connected to the electrode leads 131 of different battery cells 130 to electrically connect the different battery cells.

[0061] The battery cell assembly 100 may further include an insulating cover 175 connected to the busbar frame 171. One insulating cover 175 may cover the busbar frame 171 located on the front surface of the battery cell assembly and may cover the electrode leads 131 and busbars 173 supported by the busbar frame 171 located on the front surface of the battery cell assembly. Another insulating cover 175 may cover the busbar frame 171 located on the rear surface of the battery cell assembly and may cover the electrode leads 131 and busbars 173 supported by the busbar frame 171 located on the rear surface of the battery cell assembly.

[0062] The fastening frame 160 can be attached to each of the plurality of battery cells 130 located on the outermost side in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The fastening frame 160 can be fastened to an external support structure 530. For example, the support structure 530 is provided on the battery pack housing 500 on which the battery cell assembly 100 is mounted. Figure 8 In 501), the battery cell assembly 100 can be mounted on the battery pack housing 501 by means of the fastening frame 160 and the support structure 530.

[0063] The fastening frame 160 may cover one side surface of the battery cell 130 and may be attached to one side surface of the battery cell 130 by means of an adhesive member consisting of adhesive tape or a resin layer. The fastening frame 160 may be fastened to the external support structure 530 by bolts 551. For example, the fastening frame 160 may include a fixing plate 161 attached to the battery cell 130 and a flange 163 fastened to the external support structure 530 by bolts 551. The flange 163 may be connected to the upper part of the fixing plate 161 and may be mounted on the external support structure 530.

[0064] The battery pack 500 may include a battery cell assembly 100, a base frame 510 supporting the battery cell assembly 100, and an upper cooling structure 560 located on the battery cell assembly 100. The base frame 510 and the upper cooling structure 560 may be part of the battery pack housing 501.

[0065] A base frame 510 may be disposed below the battery cell assembly 100 and may support multiple battery cells 130. A first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191 may be disposed between each of the multiple battery cells 130 and the base frame 510. The first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191 may attach each of the multiple battery cells 130 to the base frame 510. The upper portion of the first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191 may be in direct contact with each of the multiple battery cells 130, and the lower portion of the first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191 may be in direct contact with the base frame 510. The first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191 may thermally and physically bond each of the multiple battery cells 130 to the base frame 510. The first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191 may comprise a thermal resin and / or a thermal interface material (TIM).

[0066] The base frame 510 may include a first cooling channel 511 configured to allow cooling fluid to flow. The first cooling channel 511 of the base frame 510 may extend within the base frame 510 in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). Cooling fluid supplied from outside the base frame 510 may be supplied to the inlet of the first cooling channel 511, flow along the first cooling channel 511, and be discharged to the outside through the outlet of the first cooling channel 511. Cooling of the battery cell assembly 100 may be performed as the cooling fluid flows along the first cooling channel 511. The cooling fluid may contain a coolant and / or a refrigerant. In this disclosure, the base frame 510 may be referred to as a lower cooling structure.

[0067] The upper cooling structure 560 can be disposed on the top plate 113 of the heat transfer structure 110, and the second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 can be disposed between the upper cooling structure 560 and the top plate 113 of the heat transfer structure 110. The second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 can attach the upper cooling structure 560 to the top plate 113 of the heat transfer structure 110. The upper part of the second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 can be in direct contact with the upper cooling structure 560, and the lower part of the second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 can be in direct contact with the top plate 113 of the heat transfer structure 110. The second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 can thermally and physically bond the upper cooling structure 560 to the heat transfer structure 110. Since multiple battery cells 130 are thermally bonded to the upper cooling structure 560 through the heat transfer structure 110 and the second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193, the heat generated from the multiple battery cells 130 can be transferred to the upper cooling structure 560 through the heat transfer structure 110 and the second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193. The second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 may comprise a thermally conductive resin and / or a thermally conductive polymer (TIM). Since the second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 is disposed on the top plate 113 of the heat transfer structure 110, multiple battery cells 130 can be spaced apart from the second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 by the heat transfer structure 110.

[0068] The upper cooling structure 560 may include a second cooling channel 561 configured to allow cooling fluid to flow. The second cooling channel 561 of the upper cooling structure 560 may extend within the upper cooling structure 560 in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). Cooling fluid supplied from outside the upper cooling structure 560 may be supplied to the inlet of the second cooling channel 561, flow along the second cooling channel 561, and be discharged to the outside through the outlet of the second cooling channel 561. Cooling of the battery cell assembly 100 may be performed as the cooling fluid flows along the second cooling channel 561. The cooling fluid may contain a coolant and / or a refrigerant.

[0069] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery pack 500 has a dual cooling structure that cools the battery cells 130 by means of a base frame 510 disposed on the lower side of the battery cell assembly 100 and an upper cooling structure 560 disposed on the upper side of the battery cell assembly 100, thereby improving the cooling performance of the battery cells 130.

[0070] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat transfer structure 110 configured to thermally bond the battery cell 130 to the upper cooling structure 560 can be easily manufactured by the cooperation between the top plate 113 and the side plate 111, thereby reducing the manufacturing difficulty of the heat transfer structure 110.

[0071] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when the battery pack 500 is disassembled for rework operations, the battery cell 130 is covered and protected by the heat transfer structure 110 without direct contact with adhesives such as TIM or thermal resin, thereby preventing the battery cell 130 from being damaged during rework operations.

[0072] According to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the battery cell assembly 100 may have a cell-to-pack structure that is directly assembled to the battery pack housing 501 of the battery pack 500. Since the battery cells 130 of the battery cell assembly 100 are not covered by structures such as module frames and can be thermally bonded to cooling structures that cool the battery cells 130, the cooling efficiency of the plurality of battery cells 130 can be improved. Furthermore, since the battery cell assembly 100 includes a fastening frame 160 configured to fasten to the battery pack housing 501 of the battery pack 500, the assembly gap between the battery cell assembly 100 and the battery pack housing 501 can be eliminated, thereby increasing the energy density of the battery pack 500.

[0073] (Second Embodiment)

[0074] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the unit structure 119A of the heat transfer structure 110 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] Reference Figure 5 as well as Figure 3 In the heat transfer structure 110, each unit structure 119A may include a single unit plate 115A and multiple side plates 111 coupled to the single unit plate 115A. Figure 5 The diagram shows five side plates 111 attached to a single unit plate 115A, but this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the number of side plates 111 attached to a single unit plate 115A may be two or more. In the heat transfer structure 110, the stiffness of each unit structure 119A can be adjusted by changing the number of side plates 111 attached to the single unit plate 115A.

[0076] In some exemplary embodiments, the top plate 113 of the heat transfer structure 110 may be a single plate, and all the side plates 111 of the heat transfer structure 110 may be attached to this single plate.

[0077] (Third embodiment)

[0078] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack 500A including a battery cell assembly 100A according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 In, it is shown that along the corresponding Figure 1 The cross-section of a 100A battery cell assembly is taken from the line BB-BB'. Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the unit structure 119B of the heat transfer structure 110A according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0079] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 The battery cell assembly 100A may include a baffle 150 connected to an end of the heat transfer structure 110A in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The baffle 150 may close one end of each of the plurality of exhaust channels 125 of the heat transfer structure 110A, such that gas is discharged in only one direction within the plurality of exhaust channels 125. For example, the baffle 150 may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) to close one end of each of the plurality of exhaust channels 125.

[0080] Baffle 150 can close the first end 1251 of each exhaust passage 125, preventing gas from flowing through the first end 1251 of each exhaust passage 125 in the heat transfer structure 110A. Since the first end 1251 of each exhaust passage 125 is closed by baffle 150, gas in each exhaust passage 125 can flow from the first end 1251 toward the second end 1253 in an exhaust direction VD1, and can be discharged to the outside of the battery cell assembly 100A through the second end 1253 of each exhaust passage 125. The second end 1253 of each exhaust passage 125 can be the outlet through which the gas supplied to the exhaust passage 125 is discharged to the outside. When gas is generated in the battery cell 130, the gas generated in the battery cell 130 can flow along the exhaust passage 125 above the battery cell 130 in an exhaust direction VD1, and can then be discharged to the outside of the battery cell assembly 100A through the second end 1253 of the exhaust passage 125.

[0081] In an exemplary embodiment, baffle 150 may be part of a top plate 113A of a heat transfer structure 110A. Top plate 113A may include a main plate coupled to a plurality of side plates 111 and a baffle 150 extending along one edge of the main plate. For example, top plate 113A having a main plate and baffle 150 may be manufactured by bending a flat member. In an exemplary embodiment, top plate 113A is an assembly of a plurality of unit plates 115B, and each unit plate 115B may include a unit baffle 151. Baffle 150 may be an assembly of a plurality of unit baffles 151 of a plurality of unit plates 115B connected in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0082] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, since the high-temperature gas generated from the plurality of battery cells 130 is discharged along an exhaust direction VD1 provided by the heat transfer structure 110A, directional exhaust of the exhaust gas in a predetermined specific direction can be achieved.

[0083] (Fourth embodiment)

[0084] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing a battery pack 500B according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing a portion of a battery pack 500B according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10 It is along Figure 8 The cross-sectional view of battery pack 500B taken by line CC-CC'.

[0085] Reference Figures 8 to 10 as well as Figure 6 and Figure 7The battery pack 500B may include a battery pack housing 501 and a plurality of battery cell assemblies 100A mounted in the battery pack housing 501. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack 500B may include a plurality of battery cell assemblies 100A arranged along a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction).

[0086] The battery pack housing 501 provides a receiving space for accommodating individual battery cell assemblies 100A. The battery pack housing 501 may include a base frame 510, side frames 520, and an upper cooling structure 560. The side frames 520 may be coupled to edge portions of the base frame 510 and may extend along the periphery of the side frames 520 to surround multiple individual battery cell assemblies 100A. The side frames 520 may be coupled to edge portions of the base frame 510 and may extend along the periphery of the base frame 510 to surround multiple individual battery cell assemblies 100A. The upper cooling structure 560 may be coupled to the side frames 520 to cover the receiving space of the battery pack housing 501. The receiving space of the battery pack housing 501 may be a sealed space.

[0087] The base frame 510 may be plate-shaped and parallel to a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The base frame 510 may support the battery cell assembly 100A. The battery cell assembly 100A may be thermally bonded to the base frame 510 via a first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191 inserted between the battery cell assembly 100A and the base frame 510. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 130 are not covered by the heat transfer structure 110A to expose the exterior of the heat transfer structure 110A, and the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 130 may be connected to the base frame 510 via the first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191.

[0088] The upper cooling structure 560 may be disposed on a plurality of battery cell assemblies 100A. The upper cooling structure 560 may be plate-shaped and parallel to a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Each battery cell assembly 100A may be bonded to the upper cooling structure 560 via a second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 inserted between the heat transfer structure 110A and the upper cooling structure 560. The battery cells 130 of each battery cell assembly 100A may be thermally bonded to the upper cooling structure 560 via the heat transfer structure and the second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper cooling structure 560 may be a battery pack cover attached to the side frame 520 to cover the receiving space of the battery pack housing 501. In other exemplary embodiments, the battery pack housing 501 may include a battery pack cover separate from the upper cooling structure 560, and the upper cooling structure 560 may be disposed between the battery pack cover and the battery cell assembly 100A.

[0089] The side frame 520 may include a first sidewall 521 and a second sidewall 523 facing a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) and spaced apart therein, and a third sidewall 525 and a fourth sidewall 527 facing a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and spaced apart therein. The sidewalls of the battery pack housing 501 may surround the receiving space. The third sidewall 525 of the battery pack housing 501 is the front wall constituting the front portion of the battery pack 500B, and the fourth sidewall 527 of the battery pack housing 501 may be the rear wall constituting the rear portion of the battery pack 500B.

[0090] A venting device 540 may be installed on the third sidewall 525 of the battery pack housing 501. The venting device 540 may be installed in a venting passage disposed between the receiving space and the external space of the battery pack housing 501, and may be configured to selectively vent gas between the receiving space and the external space of the battery pack housing 501. In an exemplary embodiment, the venting device 540 may include a check valve, a pressure reducing valve, a safety valve, and / or a rupture disc.

[0091] In an exemplary embodiment, the venting device 540 may be a pressure reducing valve configured to selectively open and close a gas venting passage based on the internal pressure of the housing space of the battery pack housing 501. When the internal pressure of the housing space of the battery pack housing 501 becomes higher than a reference pressure, the pressure reducing valve may open the gas venting passage to vent gas to the outside of the battery pack housing 501, and when the internal pressure of the housing space of the battery pack housing 501 becomes lower than the reference pressure as gas is vented, the pressure reducing valve may close the gas venting passage.

[0092] The battery pack housing 501 may include a plurality of support structures 530 disposed on a base frame 510. The plurality of support structures 530 are disposed on the upper surface of the base frame 510 and may be spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). Each of the plurality of support structures 530 may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Each of the plurality of support structures 530 may be referred to as a beam structure. The plurality of support structures 530 may separate or divide the receiving space of the battery pack housing 501 into a plurality of sub-receiving spaces. The plurality of sub-receiving spaces are separated or divided in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and each sub-receiving space may contain one battery cell assembly 100A.

[0093] The fastening frame 160 of each battery cell assembly 100A can be placed on a corresponding support structure 530 among the plurality of support structures 530. Each battery cell assembly 100A can be fastened to the battery pack housing 501 by means of the fastening frame 160 and bolts 551. More specifically, each battery cell assembly 100A can be fastened to the battery pack housing 501 by means of a pair of fastening frames 160 fastened to a corresponding pair of support structures 530 among the plurality of battery support structures 530.

[0094] In an exemplary embodiment, two adjacent battery cell assemblies 100A in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) may share the same single support structure 530. That is, the single support structure 530 may be fastened to the fastening frame 160 of one battery cell assembly 100A and the fastening frame 160 of the other battery cell assembly 100A.

[0095] In an exemplary embodiment, each battery cell assembly 100A can be configured to discharge gas in an exhaust direction VD1, and the outlet of each battery cell assembly 100A in the exhaust direction VD1 can face one of the first sidewall 521 and the second sidewall 523. Each battery cell assembly 100A can be mounted on the battery pack housing 501 such that the second end 1253 of the exhaust passage 125, which is provided with the outlet of the exhaust passage 125, directly faces one of the first sidewall 521 and the second sidewall 523. In this case, the gas discharged from each battery cell assembly 100A can flow along the first sidewall 521 or the second sidewall 523 in an exhaust direction VD2 parallel to the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) to reach the third sidewall 525, and the gas guided to the third sidewall 525 can be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 500B through an exhaust device 540 provided on the third sidewall 525.

[0096] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack 500B may include a plurality of battery cell assemblies 100A arranged in two rows. The battery cell assemblies 100A in the first row are arranged along a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and may be closer to the first sidewall 521 than the second sidewall 523. The battery cell assemblies 100A in the second row are arranged along the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and may be closer to the second sidewall 523 than the first sidewall 521. In this case, each of the battery cell assemblies 100A in the first row may be configured such that an outlet of an exhaust direction VD1 faces the first sidewall 521, and each of the battery cell assemblies 100A in the second row may be configured such that an outlet of an exhaust direction VD1 faces the second sidewall 523. Gas emitted from the battery cell assembly 100A in the first row can flow along the first sidewall 521 in an exhaust direction VD2 parallel to the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) to reach the third sidewall 525, and the gas guided to the third sidewall 525 can be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 500B through an exhaust device 540 provided on the third sidewall 525. Similarly, gas emitted from the battery cell assembly 100A in the second row can flow along the second sidewall 523 in an exhaust direction VD2 parallel to the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) to reach the third sidewall 525, and the gas guided to the third sidewall 525 can be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 500B through an exhaust device 540 provided on the third sidewall 525.

[0097] As described above, this disclosure has been described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, it should be understood that the configurations described in the drawings or the embodiments described in this specification are merely one embodiment of this disclosure and do not represent all the technical concepts of this disclosure. Therefore, various equivalents and modifications that can replace these configurations or embodiments may exist at the time of filing this application.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: a battery pack case; and a battery cell assembly disposed in the battery pack case, wherein the battery cell assembly comprises: a plurality of battery cells; and a heat transfer structure comprising a top plate on the plurality of battery cells and a plurality of side plates in contact with the plurality of battery cells, wherein the plurality of side plates each cooperate with the top plate. the top plate comprises a plurality of insertion holes, 2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein, wherein the plurality of side plates each comprise a protrusion inserted into a corresponding insertion hole of the plurality of insertion holes of the top plate. the top plate comprises a plurality of unit plates separated from each other, 3. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein, wherein the plurality of unit plates each are bonded to a corresponding at least one side plate of the plurality of side plates. the plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction, 4. The battery pack of claim 3, wherein, wherein the plurality of side plates are spaced apart from each other in the first direction, wherein the plurality of unit plates of the top plate are arranged in the first direction. the battery pack case comprises a base frame supporting the battery cell assembly, 5. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein, wherein the base frame is attached to the plurality of battery cells by a first thermally conductive adhesive layer. the base frame comprises a first cooling channel for a cooling fluid to flow through.

6. The battery pack of claim 5, wherein, the battery pack case further comprises an upper cooling structure disposed on the battery cell assembly, 7. The battery pack of claim 5, wherein, wherein the upper cooling structure is attached to the top plate of the heat transfer structure by a second thermally conductive adhesive layer. the upper cooling structure comprises a second cooling channel for a cooling fluid to flow through.

8. The battery pack of claim 7, wherein, the heat transfer structure further comprises:

9. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein, a plurality of battery cell accommodation spaces separated from each other in a first direction and each extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a plurality of exhaust channels separated from each other in the first direction and each extending in the second direction, wherein the plurality of battery cell accommodation spaces each accommodate a corresponding battery cell of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the plurality of exhaust channels each are located above a corresponding battery cell accommodation space of the plurality of battery cell accommodation spaces and are configured to guide gas in the second direction. the plurality of exhaust channels each extend in the second direction from a first end to a second end, 10. The battery pack of claim 9, wherein, wherein the battery cell assembly comprises a baffle closing the first end of each of the plurality of exhaust channels, wherein, in each of the plurality of exhaust channels, gas flows in a direction from the first end of each of the plurality of exhaust channels toward the second end of each of the plurality of exhaust channels. the baffle is part of the top plate of the heat transfer structure.

11. The battery pack of claim 10, wherein, the battery pack case comprises:

12. The battery pack of claim 10, wherein, a first side wall and a second side wall spaced apart in the second direction; and a third side wall and a fourth side wall spaced apart in the first direction, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of exhaust channels faces the first side wall, wherein an exhaust device is mounted on the third side wall of the battery pack case. the plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction, 13. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein, ​ The battery pack housing further includes a base frame supporting the battery cell assembly and a support structure extending on the base frame in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The battery cell assembly further includes a fastening frame attached to outermost battery cells among the plurality of battery cells in the first direction and fastened to the support structure.

14. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein, The battery pack housing includes: a base frame supporting the battery cell assembly and including a first cooling passage through which a cooling fluid flows; and an upper cooling structure disposed on the battery cell assembly and including a second cooling passage through which a cooling fluid flows, The battery pack further includes: a first thermally conductive adhesive layer attaching the base frame to the plurality of battery cells; and a second thermally conductive adhesive layer attaching the upper cooling structure to the top plate of the heat transfer structure.

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