Battery cell assembly

Abstract

The technical idea of the present invention provides an electric cell assembly including: an electric cell block including a plurality of battery cells; a frame facing the electric cell block; and a plurality of compressible pads disposed between the electric cell block and the frame and respectively in contact with the electric cell block.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery cell assembly. This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0014029, filed on February 4, 2025, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. They are widely used as power sources for various wireless devices such as handheld devices, 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 decreased significantly, and as the driving range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has reached levels comparable to those of fuel-powered vehicles, the primary application of secondary batteries is shifting from mobile devices to transportation.

[0003] With the increasing use of secondary batteries in transportation, the demand for their safety has risen. In the event of an accident (such as a fire involving a secondary battery used in transportation), the driver's life may be threatened, thus necessitating research into technologies to enhance the safety of secondary batteries. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Technical issues

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a battery cell assembly.

[0006] Technical solution

[0007] To address the aforementioned problems, the present disclosure provides a battery cell assembly comprising: a cell block including a plurality of battery cells; a frame facing the cell block; and a plurality of compressible pads disposed between the cell block and the frame and each of the compressible pads contacting the cell block.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of battery cells is in contact with two or more corresponding compressible pads of a plurality of compressible pads.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction, a plurality of compressible pads are arranged in the first direction, and each of the plurality of battery cells is in contact with two or more corresponding compressible pads.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction, a plurality of compressible pads are arranged in the first direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and each of the plurality of battery cells is in contact with two or more corresponding compressible pads among the plurality of compressible pads.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of battery cells includes a cell housing that houses electrode assemblies, the edge of the cell housing includes a folded portion, and the folded portion of the cell housing contacts at least one corresponding compressible pad among a plurality of compressible pads.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the cell block further includes a plurality of inter-cell barrier pads, each of which is disposed between two corresponding battery cells among the plurality of battery cells, and each of the plurality of inter-cell barrier pads is in contact with one or more corresponding compressible pads among the plurality of compressible pads.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction, a plurality of compressible pads are arranged in the first direction, each of the plurality of battery cells is in contact with two or more corresponding compressible pads of the plurality of compressible pads, and each of the plurality of cell barrier pads is in contact with at least one corresponding compressible pad of the plurality of compressible pads.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction, a plurality of compressible pads are arranged in the first direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each of the plurality of battery cells is in contact with two or more corresponding compressible pads among the plurality of compressible pads, and each of the plurality of cell barrier pads is in contact with one or more corresponding compressible pads among the plurality of compressible pads.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of compressible pads include: a first compressible pad that contacts a plurality of battery cells; and a second compressible pad that contacts a plurality of inter-cell barrier pads, wherein the material of the first compressible pad is different from the material of the second compressible pad.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction, a first compressible pad is arranged in a first direction and a second direction, each of the second compressible pads has a width in the second direction that is greater than the width of each of the first compressible pads in the second direction, and each of the second compressible pads extends continuously along a corresponding inter-cell barrier pad among the plurality of inter-cell barrier pads.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of compressible pads are arranged along the surface of the frame facing the battery cell and attached to the surface of the frame.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the cell assembly further includes a thermal barrier sheet disposed between a plurality of compressible pads and a frame, wherein the frame includes a plurality of vent holes disposed in a region facing the cell block, and the thermal barrier sheet includes portions overlapping the plurality of vent holes of the frame.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the width of each of the plurality of vent holes in the frame is greater than the width of each of the plurality of compressible pads.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of compressible pads are attached to a thermal barrier sheet, and the thermal barrier sheet is attached to a frame.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of compressible pads comprises silicone or polyurethane, and each of the plurality of compressible pads is compressed between the frame and the battery cell block and contacts the battery cell block by its own restoring force.

[0022] Beneficial effects

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment of the battery cell assembly, a pad assembly is disposed between the battery cell block and the frame, thereby reducing the gap or space between the battery cell block and the frame. Since the flow of exhaust gases through the space between the battery cell block and the frame can be suppressed, heat propagation between a ignited battery cell and other battery cells can be suppressed and delayed.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment of the cell assembly, the pad assembly includes a plurality of compressible pads configured to undergo compression deformation independently of each other. Therefore, even when the cell block has an uneven or bumpy surface, the plurality of compressible pads of the pad assembly can maintain close contact with the surface of the cell block and can more effectively eliminate gaps or spaces between the cell block and the frame. Consequently, heat propagation between battery cells within the cell assembly can be more effectively suppressed and delayed.

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

[0026] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating a battery cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the cell blocks and pad assemblies that are separated from each other in a cell assembly.

[0028] Figure 3This is a plan view illustrating a pad assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a plan view illustrating a pad assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a plan view illustrating a pad assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating a battery cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the cell blocks and pad assemblies that are separated from each other in a cell assembly.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a plan view illustrating a battery cell assembly.

[0034] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the venting of the battery cell assembly when a battery cell catches fire. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be noted that the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present disclosure, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of the terms in order to best describe his or her own invention.

[0036] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of this disclosure and do not represent all the technical spirit of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may exist to replace them at the time of this application.

[0037] 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.

[0038] Embodiments of this disclosure are provided to describe the disclosure more completely to those skilled in the art, and therefore, for clarity, the shapes, dimensions, etc., of the components in the drawings may be enlarged, omitted, or illustrated schematically. Therefore, the dimensions or ratios of each component do not perfectly reflect the actual dimensions or ratios.

[0039] (First Implementation)

[0040] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating a battery cell assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2This is a diagram illustrating the cell block 110 and the pad assembly 150, which are separated from each other in the cell assembly 100.

[0041] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The cell assembly 100 may include a cell block 110, a frame 140, and a pad assembly 150. The cell assembly 100 may correspond to a battery module or a cell-to-pack structure.

[0042] The cell block 110 may include multiple battery cells 120 and multiple inter-cell barrier pads 130.

[0043] Battery cell 120 is the basic unit of a lithium-ion battery (i.e., a secondary battery). Each battery cell 120 may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a cell housing 122. The electrode assembly housed in the cell housing 122 may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator inserted between the positive and negative electrodes. The electrode assembly may be of the wound type or the stacked type, depending on the assembly configuration. A wound type 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 type electrode assembly may include multiple positive electrodes, multiple negative electrodes, and multiple separators inserted between them 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.

[0044] Each battery cell 120 can correspond to a pouch cell, a cylindrical cell, or a prismatic cell. The electrode assembly of a pouch cell is housed in a pouch-shaped casing including an aluminum laminate. The electrode assembly of a cylindrical cell is housed in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of a prismatic cell is housed in a prismatic metal can.

[0045] Multiple battery cells 120 disposed in the cell block 110 can be connected in series and / or in parallel. As an example, multiple battery cells 120 can be connected in series with each other. As an example, multiple battery cells 120 can also be connected in parallel with each other. As an example, when a group of two or more battery cells 120 connected in parallel is defined as a battery cell bank, a battery cell bank consisting of two or more battery cells 120 connected in parallel with each other and another battery cell bank consisting of two or more battery cells 120 connected in parallel with each other can be connected in series.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of battery cells 120 disposed in the cell block 110 may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction), and each battery cell 120 may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). At least one end of each battery cell 120 in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) may be provided with an electrode lead. Among the plurality of battery cells 120, the electrode leads of battery cells 120 that are adjacent to each other in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) may be electrically and physically connected to each other.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, each battery cell 120 may include a cell housing 122 that provides a sealed receiving space for accommodating electrode assemblies. For example, the cell housing 122 may be made of a laminate. The laminate may have a multilayer structure including resin layers. The edges of the cell housing 122 may include seals for sealing the receiving space where the electrode assemblies are housed. The seals of the cell housing 122 may be formed by thermally fusing two portions of the laminate.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the edge of the cell housing 122 may include a folded portion 123 that has been folded by a sealing process. The folded portion 123 of the cell housing 122 may be located within the sealed edge of the cell housing 122. The folded portion 123 of the cell housing 122 may be located at the upper edge of the cell housing 122. For example, to form the folded portion 123 of the cell housing 122, after sealing the edge of the cell housing 122 to give the edge of the cell housing 122 a sealing portion, the edge of the cell housing 122 may be folded once or multiple times in the folding direction. The folded portion 123 of the cell housing 122 may be secured by a fixing member such as a fixing strap.

[0049] Multiple inter-cell barrier pads 130 may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) and may be spaced apart from each other with one or more battery cells 120 inserted therebetween. Each inter-cell barrier pad 130 may have a flat plate shape extending substantially in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) and a vertical direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction). Each inter-cell barrier pad 130 may be disposed between two corresponding battery cells 120 of the plurality of battery cells 120. Each inter-cell barrier pad 130 may be attached to two corresponding battery cells 120 of the plurality of battery cells 120 by means of an adhesive member such as tape.

[0050] Each inter-cell barrier pad 130 may include a compressible material and may be configured to elastically deform under external force. Each inter-cell barrier pad 130 may absorb or mitigate the external force exerted by the expansion of the battery cell 120. The thickness of each inter-cell barrier pad 130 may be configured to vary according to the external force exerted by the expansion of the battery cell 120. For example, due to the external force acting in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) caused by the expansion of the battery cell 120, the thickness of each inter-cell barrier pad 130 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) may be reduced from an initial thickness.

[0051] Each inter-cell barrier pad 130 may be a thermal barrier. In an exemplary embodiment, each inter-cell barrier pad 130 may have a high melting temperature and low thermal conductivity. In an exemplary embodiment, each inter-cell barrier pad 130 may include a flame-retardant material such as ceramic or coated glass. In an exemplary embodiment, each inter-cell barrier pad 130 may be configured to release flame-retardant material and fire extinguishing agent in the event of a thermal runaway event.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, each inter-cell barrier pad 130 may comprise polyurethane, silicone, or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, each inter-cell barrier pad 130 may comprise a heat-resistant material, a fire-resistant material, and / or a thermal insulation material. In an exemplary embodiment, each inter-cell barrier pad 130 may comprise at least one of a high-heat-resistant resin, glass fiber, fiber-reinforced plastic, compressed fiber, and fiber-reinforced fire-resistant insulation material.

[0053] The battery cell block 110 may include an upper and a bottom surface that are opposite each other in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction), a first and a second side surface that are opposite each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction), and a front and a rear surface that are opposite each other in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The upper surface of the battery cell block 110 may include the upper surfaces of a plurality of battery cells 120 and the upper surfaces of a plurality of inter-cell barrier pads 130. The bottom surface of the battery cell block 110 may include the bottom surfaces of a plurality of battery cells 120 and the bottom surfaces of a plurality of inter-cell barrier pads 130.

[0054] The upper surface of the cell block 110 may have a non-planar profile or an uneven profile. For example, due to the fold 123 of the cell housing 122 of each battery cell 120 and the height difference between the battery cell 120 and the inter-cell barrier pad 130, the upper surface of the cell block 110 may have a non-planar profile or an uneven profile.

[0055] The frame 140 may cover at least a portion of the battery cell 110 and may support the battery cell 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the frame 140 may surround the battery cell 110 and provide space for accommodating the battery cell 110.

[0056] Frame 140 may include an upper frame 141, a bottom frame 142, and side frames 143. The upper frame 141 may face and cover the upper surface of the battery cell 110. The upper frame 141 may be spaced apart from the upper surface of the battery cell 110, and a gap may be formed between the upper frame 141 and the battery cell 110. The bottom frame 142 may be spaced apart from the upper frame 141, and the battery cell 110 is inserted therebetween. The bottom frame 142 may face the bottom surface of the battery cell 110 and may support the battery cell 110. The side frames 143 may be spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction), and the battery cell 110 is inserted therebetween. One of the side frames 143 may face a first side surface of the battery cell 110, and the other of the side frames 143 may face a second side surface of the battery cell 110.

[0057] A pad assembly 150 may be disposed between the battery cell block 110 and the frame 140. The pad assembly 150 may be disposed between the upper surface of the battery cell block 110 and the upper frame 141 to reduce the gap between the battery cell block 110 and the upper frame 141. The pad assembly 150 may include a compressible material and may be configured to elastically deform under external force. Figure 2 In this configuration, the pad assembly 150 is spaced apart from the battery cell block 110, and the pad assembly 150 may have an initial thickness. The initial thickness of the pad assembly 150 in the vertical direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) can be set to be less than the vertical (e.g., Z-axis direction) distance between the upper surface of the battery cell block 110 and the upper frame 141. Figure 1 As shown, when the upper frame 141 is connected to another part of the frame 140 such that the pad assembly 150 is disposed between the battery cell block 110 and the upper frame 141, the thickness of the pad assembly 150 in the vertical direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) can be reduced from the initial thickness, and the elastically deformed pad assembly 150 can be in close contact with the upper surface of the battery cell block 110 through its own restoring force.

[0058] The gap or space between the cell block 110 and the upper frame 141 may serve as a space for exhaust gases generated by the ignition of the battery cell 120. The exhaust gases may include sparks, particles, and / or flames as ignition byproducts generated when the battery cell 120 ignites. With the pad assembly 150 in close contact with the upper surface of the battery cell 120, the gap between the cell block 110 and the upper frame 141 is reduced by the pad assembly 150 inserted between the cell block 110 and the upper frame 141. Therefore, the space where exhaust gases may flow between the cell block 110 and the upper frame 141 can be reduced, thus suppressing and delaying heat propagation between the ignited battery cell 120 and other battery cells 120.

[0059] The pad assembly 150 may include a plurality of compressible pads 151. The plurality of compressible pads 151 may be arranged along the surface of the upper frame 141 facing the battery cell 110. In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of compressible pads 151 may be attached to the upper frame 141 by adhesive or tape. In some exemplary embodiments, the pad assembly 150 may include a base film to which the plurality of compressible pads 151 are attached, and the pad assembly 150 may be attached to the upper frame 141 by attaching the base film to the upper frame 141 with adhesive or tape. Each compressible pad 151 may include a compressible material and may be configured to elastically deform under external force. In exemplary embodiments, each compressible pad 151 may include polyurethane, silicone, or a combination thereof. For example, each compressible pad 151 may include silicone foam, polyurethane foam, and / or fire-resistant polyurethane foam.

[0060] like Figure 2 As shown, the initial thickness of each compressible pad 151 in the vertical direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) can be set to be less than the vertical distance (e.g., the Z-axis direction) between the corresponding area of ​​the upper frame 141 and the upper surface of the battery cell 110. Figure 1 As shown, when the upper frame 141 is connected to another part of the frame 140 such that the pad assembly 150 is disposed between the battery cell block 110 and the upper frame 141, the thickness of each compressible pad 151 in the vertical direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) can be reduced from its initial thickness, and the elastically deformed compressible pad 151 can make close contact with the corresponding area of ​​the upper surface of the battery cell block 110 through its own restoring force.

[0061] Multiple compressible pads 151 can be separated from each other. Because the multiple compressible pads 151 are separated from each other, they can be compressed or elastically deformed independently of each other. Since the upper surface of the battery cell 110 has an uneven profile, the distance between different areas of the upper surface of the battery cell 110 and the upper frame 141 can be different from each other. At this time, the multiple compressible pads 151 are in close contact with different areas of the battery cell 110. Each compressible pad 151 can deform along the contour of a corresponding area of ​​the upper surface of the battery cell 110. Because the multiple compressible pads 151 are separated from each other, they can be compressed independently. Because the multiple compressible pads 151 are compressed independently, the space where exhaust gases may flow between the battery cell 110 and the upper frame 141 can be reduced more effectively.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of battery cells 120 may contact at least one corresponding compressible pad 151 of the plurality of compressible pads 151. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of battery cells 120 may contact two or more corresponding compressible pads 151 of the plurality of compressible pads 151. The width of the compressible pad 151 in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) may be smaller than the width of the battery cell 120 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of inter-cell barrier pads 130 may contact at least one corresponding compressible pad 151 of the plurality of compressible pads 151.

[0063] The plurality of compressible pads 151 may include a first compressible pad 152 overlapping with the plurality of battery cells 120 and a second compressible pad 153 overlapping with the plurality of inter-cell barrier pads 130. The first compressible pad 152 may contact the plurality of battery cells 120. Each first compressible pad 152 may be compressed and deformed between a corresponding battery cell 120 and the upper frame 141. Each first compressible pad 152 may contact the upper surface of a corresponding battery cell 120 or the folded portion 123 of the cell housing 122 of the corresponding battery cell 120. The second compressible pad 153 may contact the plurality of inter-cell barrier pads 130. Each second compressible pad 153 may be compressed and deformed between a corresponding inter-cell barrier pad 130 and the upper frame 141. Each second compressible pad 153 can extend along the upper surface of the corresponding inter-cell barrier pad 130 in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) and can be in continuous contact with the upper surface of the inter-cell barrier pad 130. Each second compressible pad 153 can eliminate the gap between the corresponding inter-cell barrier pad 130 and the upper frame 141, and together with the corresponding inter-cell barrier pad 130, can form a thermal barrier to prevent heat propagation between the battery cells 120.

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the material of the first compressible pad 152 may be different from the material of the second compressible pad 153. In an exemplary embodiment, the second compressible pad 153 may have higher heat resistance and / or fire resistance than the first compressible pad 152. For example, the fire resistance of the second compressible pad 153 may be greater than that of the first compressible pad 152. For example, the heat resistance temperature of the second compressible pad 153 may be greater than that of the first compressible pad 152. The second compressible pad 153 may include heat-resistant materials, fire-resistant materials, and / or insulating materials. In an exemplary embodiment, the second compressible pad 153 may include at least one of high heat-resistant resin, glass fiber, fiber-reinforced plastic, compressed fiber, and fiber-reinforced fire-resistant insulating material.

[0065] In some exemplary embodiments, the pad assembly 150 may be a monolithic structure and may have a plurality of compressible pad portions defined by a plurality of slots. In this case, in the pad assembly 150, the plurality of slots may each extend from the lower surface of the pad assembly 150 facing the cell block 110, and the length of each of the plurality of slots in the vertical direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) may be 30% to 80% of the thickness of the pad assembly 150 in the vertical direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction).

[0066] According to the exemplary embodiment of the cell assembly 100, a pad assembly 150 is disposed between the cell block 110 and the frame 140, thereby reducing the gap or space between the cell block 110 and the frame 140. Since the flow of exhaust gas through the space between the cell block 110 and the frame 140 can be suppressed, heat propagation between a ignited battery cell 120 and other battery cells 120 can be suppressed and delayed.

[0067] According to the exemplary embodiment of the cell assembly 100, the pad assembly 150 includes a plurality of compressible pads 151 configured to undergo compression deformation independently of each other. Therefore, even when the cell block 110 has an uneven surface, the plurality of compressible pads 151 of the pad assembly 150 can maintain close contact with the surface of the cell block 110, and gaps or spaces between the cell block 110 and the frame 140 can be eliminated more effectively. Consequently, heat propagation between the battery cells 120 within the cell assembly 100 can be more effectively suppressed and delayed.

[0068] In some exemplary embodiments, each of the plurality of battery cells 120 in the cell block 110 may be a prismatic battery cell. In this case, the upper surface of the cell block 110 that contacts the pad assembly 150 may have an uneven shape due to the terminals of the prismatic battery cells, the busbars disposed on the prismatic battery cells and configured to connect the prismatic battery cells to each other, the protruding structures of the cans of the prismatic battery cells, etc. According to the exemplary embodiment of the cell assembly 100, since the pad assembly 150 includes a plurality of compressible pads 151 configured to undergo compression deformation independently of each other, the space for exhaust gas to flow between the cell block 110 and the frame 140 can be effectively eliminated even when the cell block 110 includes prismatic battery cells.

[0069] (Second Implementation)

[0070] Figure 3 This is a plan view illustrating a pad assembly 150A according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0071] Reference Figure 3 as well as Figure 1 and Figure 2In the pad assembly 150A, a plurality of compressible pads 151 may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). When viewed in a plane, each first compressible pad 152 may have a strip shape extending in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction), and each second compressible pad 153 may have a strip shape extending in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The width of the first compressible pad 152 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) may be the same as or different from the width of the second compressible pad 153 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction).

[0072] (Third implementation method)

[0073] Figure 4 This is a plan view illustrating a pad assembly 150B according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0074] Reference Figure 4 as well as Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the pad assembly 150B, a plurality of compressible pads 151 can be arranged in a two-dimensional array. That is, a plurality of compressible pads 151 can be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). A first compressible pad 152 arranged in a row in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) can contact the same battery cell 120. A second compressible pad 153 arranged in a row in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) can contact the same inter-cell barrier pad 130. The width of the first compressible pad 152 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) can be the same as or different from the width of the second compressible pad 153 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). The width of the first compressible pad 152 in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) can be the same as or different from the width of the second compressible pad 153 in the second horizontal direction.

[0075] (Fourth Implementation)

[0076] Figure 5 This is a plan view illustrating a pad assembly 150C according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0077] Reference Figure 5 as well as Figure 1 and Figure 2In the pad assembly 150C, the first compressible pads 152 can be arranged in a two-dimensional array. The first compressible pads 152 arranged in a row in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) can contact the same battery cell 120. In some embodiments, the first compressible pads 152 can be configured to be vented to the outside through the vent holes of the frame 140 in the event of a fire in the battery cell 120. When the first compressible pads 152 are configured in a two-dimensional array, the first compressible pads 152 can be easily vented through the vent holes of the frame 140 in the event of a fire in the battery cell 120.

[0078] Each of the second compressible pads 153 may have a strip shape extending from one end of the pad assembly 150C to the other in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The width of each of the second compressible pads 153 in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) may be greater than the width of each of the first compressible pads 152 in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). Each second compressible pad 153 may contact a corresponding inter-cell barrier pad 130 among a plurality of inter-cell barrier pads 130, and may form continuous contact with the corresponding inter-cell barrier pad 130 in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). Each second compressible pad 153 may, together with the corresponding inter-cell barrier pad 130, constitute a thermal barrier that blocks heat propagation within the cell assembly 100. Since each second compressible pad 153 forms continuous contact with the corresponding inter-cell barrier pad 130 in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction), heat propagation within the cell assembly 100 can be more effectively suppressed and delayed.

[0079] (Fifth Implementation)

[0080] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating a battery cell assembly 100A according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the cell block 110 and the pad assembly 150D, which are separated from each other in the cell assembly 100A. Figure 8 This is a plan view illustrating a 100A battery cell assembly. Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the venting of cell assembly 100A when a fire occurs from trigger battery cell 120T. The following text will focus on the reference... Figure 1 and Figure 2 Describe the differences between the battery cell components Figures 6 to 9 The battery cell assembly 100A shown is shown.

[0081] Reference Figures 6 to 9In the cell assembly 100A, the upper frame 141 may include a plurality of vent holes 149 for discharging exhaust gases generated from the battery cell 120 to the outside of the cell assembly 100A. The cell assembly 100A may have an upward venting structure configured to discharge exhaust gases generated from the battery cell 120 upward through the plurality of vent holes 149 of the upper frame 141.

[0082] The pad assembly 150D may also include a thermal barrier 159. The thermal barrier 159 may be inserted between each of the plurality of compressible pads 151 and the upper frame 141. The thermal barrier 159 may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) and may have a substantially uniform thickness. The plurality of compressible pads 151 may be attached to the thermal barrier 159 by an adhesive member such as adhesive or tape, and may be arranged along the surface of the thermal barrier 159 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) and / or the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The thermal barrier 159 may be attached to the upper frame 141 by an adhesive member such as adhesive or tape. With the thermal barrier 159 attached to the upper frame 141, the pad assembly 150D may be secured to the upper frame 141.

[0083] A thermal barrier 159 may be attached to the upper frame 141 to cover a plurality of vent holes 149 of the upper frame 141. The thermal barrier 159 may cover a plurality of vent holes 149 of the upper frame 141 to prevent gas from moving through the plurality of vent holes 149 of the upper frame 141.

[0084] like Figure 9 As shown, when the trigger battery cell 120T catches fire, the area of ​​the thermal barrier 159 adjacent to the trigger battery cell can be configured to rupture the exhaust gas generated by the trigger battery cell 120T. The exhaust gas generated from the trigger battery cell 120T can be discharged to the outside of the cell assembly 100A through the ruptured portion of the thermal barrier 159 and at least one corresponding hole among the plurality of exhaust holes 149 of the upper frame 141. Since no rupture occurs in the area of ​​the thermal barrier 159 overlapping with the normal battery cell 120, the thermal barrier 159 can prevent the exhaust gas present outside the cell assembly 100A from flowing into the interior of the cell assembly 100A.

[0085] When the exhaust gas generated from the trigger battery cell 120T is discharged to the outside of the cell assembly 100A, some second compressible pads 153 of the pad assembly 150D located in the region adjacent to the trigger battery cell 120T can be discharged to the outside of the cell assembly 100A through the ruptured portion of the thermal barrier sheet 159 and at least one corresponding hole among the plurality of vent holes 149 of the upper frame 141. In an exemplary embodiment, the second compressible pads 153 may be arranged in a two-dimensional array, and each of the second compressible pads 153 may have a smaller size than the size of the vent hole 149. The width of the vent hole 149 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) may be greater than the width of the second compressible pad 153 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). The width of the vent hole 149 in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) may be greater than the width of the second compressible pad 153 in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). In this case, when the exhaust gas generated from the trigger battery cell 120T is discharged to the outside of the cell assembly 100A, the compressible pad 151 located in the area overlapping with the exhaust port 149 can be quickly discharged to the outside of the cell assembly 100A, so that the upward exhaust of the cell assembly 100A can be performed quickly.

[0086] The present disclosure has been described in more detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or the embodiments described in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present disclosure and do not represent all the technical spirit of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0087] 100: Battery cell assembly

[0088] 110: Battery cell block

[0089] 120: Battery cell

[0090] 130: Inter-cell barrier pad

[0091] 140: Framework

[0092] 150: Pad assembly

[0093] 151: Compressible Pad

Claims

1. A battery cell assembly, the battery cell assembly comprising: A battery cell block, wherein the battery cell block comprises a plurality of battery cells; A frame facing the battery cell block; as well as Multiple compressible pads are disposed between the battery cell block and the frame and each of the multiple compressible pads is in contact with the battery cell block.

2. The battery cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of battery cells is in contact with two or more corresponding compressible pads of the plurality of compressible pads.

3. The cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction. The plurality of compressible pads are arranged in the first direction, and Each of the plurality of battery cells is in contact with two or more corresponding compressible pads of the plurality of compressible pads.

4. The cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction. The plurality of compressible pads are arranged in the first direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and Each of the plurality of battery cells is in contact with two or more corresponding compressible pads of the plurality of compressible pads.

5. The cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a cell housing that accommodates electrode assemblies. The edge of the cell casing includes a folded portion, and The folded portion of the cell housing contacts at least one of the corresponding compressible pads among the plurality of compressible pads.

6. The cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The battery cell block also includes multiple inter-cell barrier pads. Each of the plurality of inter-cell barrier pads is disposed between two corresponding battery cells among the plurality of battery cells, and Each of the plurality of inter-cell barrier pads is in contact with one or more of the plurality of compressible pads corresponding to the compressible pads.

7. The cell assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction. The plurality of compressible pads are arranged in the first direction. Each of the plurality of battery cells contacts two or more corresponding compressible pads of the plurality of compressible pads, and Each of the plurality of inter-cell barrier pads is in contact with at least one corresponding compressible pad among the plurality of compressible pads.

8. The cell assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction. The plurality of compressible pads are arranged in the first direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the plurality of battery cells contacts two or more corresponding compressible pads of the plurality of compressible pads, and Each of the plurality of inter-cell barrier pads is in contact with one or more of the plurality of compressible pads corresponding to the compressible pads.

9. The cell assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The plurality of compressible pads include: A first compressible pad, the first compressible pad being in contact with the plurality of battery cells; and The second compressible pad is in contact with the plurality of inter-cell barrier pads, wherein The material of the first compressible pad is different from that of the second compressible pad.

10. The cell assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction. The first compressible pad is arranged in the first direction and the second direction. The width of each of the second compressible pads in the second direction is greater than the width of each of the first compressible pads in the second direction, and Each of the second compressible pads extends continuously along one of the corresponding inter-cell barrier pads among the plurality of inter-cell barrier pads.

11. The cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of compressible pads are arranged along the surface of the frame facing the battery cell and attached to the surface of the frame.

12. The cell assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: A thermal barrier sheet is disposed between the plurality of compressible pads and the frame, wherein The frame includes multiple vents disposed in the region facing the battery cell block, and The thermal barrier includes a portion that overlaps with the plurality of vent holes of the frame.

13. The cell assembly according to claim 12, wherein, The width of each of the plurality of vent holes in the frame is greater than the width of each of the plurality of compressible pads.

14. The cell assembly according to claim 12, wherein, The plurality of compressible pads are attached to the thermal barrier sheet, and The thermal barrier sheet is attached to the frame.

15. The cell assembly according to claim 11, wherein, Each of the plurality of compressible pads comprises silicone or polyurethane, and Each of the plurality of compressible pads is compressed between the frame and the battery cell block, and contacts the battery cell block by its own restoring force.

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