Battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack is configured to reduce heat transfer to an adjacent cell in response to a predetermined event occurring in a certain battery cell. The battery pack includes a battery cell and a cover member configured to cover the battery cell. The cover member includes a reinforcing cover on the battery cells. The reinforcing cover includes flange portions arranged in two rows at a center portion of the reinforcing cover and extending in an arrangement direction of the battery cells.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0095339, filed on July 21, 2023, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The embodiment relates to a battery pack capable of reducing heat transfer to adjacent battery cells when a predetermined event occurs in a certain battery cell. Background art

[0004] Unlike non - rechargeable primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and dischargeable. Low - capacity secondary batteries in which a single battery cell is encapsulated in a group are used for portable small electronic devices such as mobile phones and cameras, and high - capacity secondary batteries in which dozens of battery cells are connected to each other in a battery pack are widely used as power sources for driving motors in hybrid vehicles and the like.

[0005] A secondary battery may include an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. The electrode assembly and an electrolyte are accommodated in a case, and a cover plate is mounted on the case. The electrode assembly may be a wound electrode assembly or a stacked electrode assembly. In such an electrode assembly, electrode tabs may protrude in an upward or lateral direction, and a current collector may be connected to the electrode tab.

[0006] Secondary batteries have recently been applied to high - output products such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESSs). To generate the output required for these products, a plurality of secondary batteries may be provided in the form of a battery pack.

[0007] The information disclosed in this section is provided only to enhance the understanding of the background art of the present disclosure, and thus it may include information that does not constitute related art. Summary of the utility model

[0008] The embodiment provides a battery pack capable of reducing heat transfer to adjacent battery cells when a predetermined event occurs in a certain battery cell.

[0009] A battery pack according to an embodiment includes a battery cell and a cover member configured to cover the battery cell and including a reinforcing cover on the battery cell. The reinforcing cover includes flange portions arranged in two rows at a central portion of the reinforcing cover and extending in the arrangement direction of the battery cells.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the flange portions may be located at positions corresponding to the opposite sides of the exhaust member of the battery cell.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the reinforcing cover may further include a plate portion covering the upper surface of the battery cell, and the flange portion may have a curved shape and may be coupled to the upper surface of the plate portion.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the flange portion may include at least one of steel and aluminum.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the flange portion may have a thickness in the range of approximately 1 mm to approximately 2 mm.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the reinforcing cover may further include an exhaust protrusion portion between the flange portions and corresponding to the exhaust member of the battery cell.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the exhaust protrusion portion may protrude upward at a position corresponding to the position of the exhaust member.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the exhaust protrusion portion may have a thickness in the range of approximately 1 mm to approximately 2 mm.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the reinforcing cover may further include support portions at both ends of the reinforcing cover in the width direction of the battery cell, and the support portions may protrude and be spaced apart from each other in the arrangement direction of the battery cells.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the reinforcing cover may further include an exhaust portion between the support portions, and the exhaust portion protrudes to a height lower than the height of the support portions.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, each of the battery cells may include terminals provided on its side portions, and the reinforcing cover is not on the side portions.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack may further include a heat insulating member between the battery cell and the reinforcing cover.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, each of the battery cells may include terminals provided on its upper side, and the reinforcing cover is on the upper side.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack may further include a heat insulating member located outside the reinforcing cover and covering the terminals of each of the battery cells.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the width of the reinforcing cover may be less than the width of each of the battery cells. Description of the Drawings

[0024] The accompanying drawings incorporated in this specification illustrate embodiments, and the accompanying drawings are used to further illustrate the technical idea of the present disclosure in combination with the following specific description of the embodiments, and the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the content shown in such drawings. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack according to the embodiment;

[0027] Figure 3 is Figure 1 an enlarged view of part A in

[0028] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to another embodiment; and

[0029] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack according to the another embodiment. Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] The embodiments are provided to more comprehensively illustrate the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the following embodiments can be modified into various other forms, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. These embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure more accurate and complete, and to fully and completely convey the idea of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0032] In the following drawings, for convenience and clarity of description, the thickness or size of each layer is enlarged, and the same reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one of the listed items and any combination of one or more of the listed items. As used herein, the term "connection" refers not only to a direct connection between member A and member B, but also to an indirect connection between member A and member B with member C intervening between member A and member B.

[0033] The terms used in this specification are intended to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms may include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "comprise" (or "include") and / or "comprising" (or "including") are intended to indicate the presence of the stated figures, quantities, steps, operations, components, elements, and / or groups thereof, and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other figures, quantities, steps, operations, components, elements, and / or groups thereof. In addition, the use of "may" when describing embodiments may refer to "one or more embodiments".

[0034] Although terms such as "first" and "second" are used herein to describe various components, parts, regions, layers, and / or portions, the components, parts, regions, layers, and / or portions are not limited by the terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one component, one part, one region, one layer, or one portion from another component, another part, another region, another layer, or another portion. Thus, without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure, the first component, the first part, the first region, the first layer, or the first portion described later may refer to the second component, the second part, the second region, the second layer, or the second portion.

[0035] Spatial relative terms such as "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", and "upper" may be used to facilitate understanding of how one element or feature in the drawings is shown as different from another. The spatial relative terms are intended to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure in various process states or usage states and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, if an element or feature in the drawing is flipped, the element or feature described as "beneath" or "below" becomes "above" or "upper". Thus, "beneath" encompasses the concepts of "above" and "below".

[0036] The battery pack may include at least one battery module and a pack housing, and the pack housing includes an accommodation space defined therein to accommodate at least one battery module.

[0037] The battery module may include a plurality of battery cells and a module housing. The battery cells may be accommodated in the module housing in a stacked form. Each of the battery cells may include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead. Depending on the type of battery, the battery cells may be classified into cylindrical battery cells, prismatic battery cells, and / or pouch-type battery cells.

[0038] Instead of a battery module, a single-cell stack in which battery cells are stacked may constitute one module in the battery pack. The single-cell stack may be accommodated in the accommodation space in the pack housing, or may be accommodated in an accommodation space defined by a frame, a partition wall, etc.

[0039] The battery cell may generate a large amount of heat during charging / discharging. The generated heat may accumulate in the battery cell and may accelerate the deterioration of the battery cell. The battery pack may further include a cooling member to suppress the deterioration of the battery cell. The cooling member may be disposed on the bottom of the accommodation space provided with the battery cell. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. According to the battery pack, the cooling member may be disposed on the top surface or the side surface of the accommodation space.

[0040] Under abnormal operating conditions, also known as thermal runaway or thermal event, the gas generated in the battery cell may be discharged to the outside of the battery cell. The battery pack or the battery module may be provided with an exhaust member for discharging the exhaust gas to suppress damage caused by the exhaust gas.

[0041] The battery pack may include a battery and a battery management system (BMS) configured to manage the battery. The battery management system may include a detection device, a balancing device, and a control device. The battery module may include a plurality of cells connected in series or in parallel with each other. A plurality of battery modules may be connected in series or in parallel with each other.

[0042] The detection device may detect the state of the battery (e.g., voltage, current, temperature, etc.) to obtain state information indicating the state of the battery. The detection device may detect the voltage of each of the cells constituting the battery or each of the battery modules. The detection device may detect the current flowing through each of the battery modules constituting the battery or the battery pack. The detection device may detect the temperature of the cell and / or the module and / or the ambient temperature at at least one point in the battery.

[0043] The balancing device may perform a balancing operation on the battery modules and / or cells constituting the battery. The control device may receive state information indicating the state of the battery module (e.g., voltage, current, temperature, etc.) from the detection device. The control device may monitor and calculate the state of the battery module (e.g., voltage, current, temperature, state of charge (SOC), state of health (SOH), etc.) based on the state information received from the detection device. In some embodiments, the control device may perform a control function (e.g., temperature control function, balancing control function, charge / discharge control function, etc.) and a protection function (e.g., over-discharge prevention function, over-charge prevention function, over-current prevention function, short-circuit prevention function, fire extinguishing function, etc.) based on the result of monitoring the state of the battery module. In some embodiments, the control device may perform a function of communicating with an external device (e.g., an upper controller, a vehicle, a charger, a power conversion system (PCS), etc.) located outside the battery pack, either wired or wirelessly.

[0044] The control device can control the charging / discharging operation and protection operation of the battery. To this end, the control device can include a charging / discharging controller, a balance controller, and a protection unit.

[0045] The battery management system can be a system that monitors the state of the battery and performs diagnostic functions, control functions, communication functions, and protection functions. The battery management system can calculate the charging / discharging state of the battery, can calculate the battery life or state of health (SOH), can interrupt the power supply from the battery as needed (perform relay control), can perform thermal management control (cooling, heating, etc.), can perform a high-voltage interlock function, and can detect or calculate the insulation state and short-circuit state.

[0046] The relay can be a mechanical contactor that is turned on or off by the magnetic force of a coil, or can be a semiconductor switch, such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET).

[0047] The relay control function can be a function that interrupts the power supply from the battery when problems occur in the vehicle and battery system. One or more relays and a pre-charge relay can be provided at each of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal.

[0048] When connected to a battery load, a surge current may be generated in the high-voltage capacitor on the input side of the inverter. The pre-charge control function can be a function that performs the connection with a pre-charge resistor by operating the pre-charge relay before connecting the main relay, so as to prevent drawing a surge current when the vehicle starts.

[0049] The high-voltage interlock can be a detection circuit that uses a small signal to check whether all high-voltage components are connected to the vehicle system. The high-voltage interlock function can be a function that forcibly disconnects the relay when any one component in the entire loop is in a disconnected state.

[0050] Hereinafter, the configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment will be described.

[0051] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is Figure 1 an enlarged view of part A in

[0052] See Figures 1 to 3 , the battery pack 100 according to an embodiment can include a plurality of battery cells 110 and a cover member 120 that is coupled to the battery cells 110 and covers the outer surface of the battery cells 110. In some embodiments, the battery pack 100 can further include a heat insulation member 130 between the battery cells 110 and the cover member 120.

[0053] Multiple battery cells 110 may be arranged in one direction. Each of the battery cells 110 may include an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly may include a first electrode plate, a separator, and a second electrode plate, and each of the first electrode plate, the separator, and the second electrode plate is formed in a thin plate shape or a film shape. The first electrode plate, the separator, and the second electrode plate may be stacked or wound. In some embodiments, the first electrode plate may be a negative electrode plate, and the second electrode plate may be a positive electrode plate. In other embodiments, the first electrode plate may be a positive electrode plate, and the second electrode plate may be a negative electrode plate.

[0054] The first electrode plate may be formed by coating a first electrode active material such as graphite or carbon onto a first electrode current collector formed of a metal foil made of copper or nickel, and may include a first electrode uncoated portion that is an area where the first electrode active material is not coated. The first electrode uncoated portion may provide a channel for current flow between the first electrode plate and the outside.

[0055] The second electrode plate may be formed by coating a second electrode active material such as a transition metal oxide onto a second electrode current collector formed of a metal foil made of aluminum, and may include a second electrode uncoated portion that is an area where the second electrode active material is not coated.

[0056] The separator may be between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate to prevent short circuits and enable the movement of lithium ions. The separator may be a film made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or a combination thereof.

[0057] The electrode assembly may be housed in a housing together with an (optional) electrolyte. The electrolyte may include an organic solvent such as ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), or dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and a lithium salt such as LiPF6 or LiBF4.

[0058] The housing may be sealed by components such as a cover plate or side plates. Figure 1 Illustrating an embodiment, in this embodiment, the housing is sealed by side plates, and electrode terminals 111 connected to the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are formed on both sides of the battery cell 110. In one or more embodiments, the electrode terminals 111 may protrude from both sides (e.g., opposite sides) of the housing.

[0059] In one or more embodiments, each of the battery cells 110 may include an exhaust member 112 in its upper surface. The exhaust member 112 may be thinner than other regions of the battery cell 110 and may thus be configured to open earlier than other regions of the battery cell 110 when the internal pressure in the battery cell 110 is equal to or higher than a reference pressure. The exhaust member 112 may be used to direct the internal gas in the battery cell 110 to be discharged to the outside in response to the internal pressure in the battery cell 110 being equal to or higher than the reference pressure, thereby preventing accidents such as an explosion. In the battery pack 100, a structure such as a bus bar may be provided for making electrical connections between the battery cells through electrode terminals 111 formed on the side portions of the battery cells. In embodiments where the exhaust member 112 is in the upper surface of the battery cell 110, the structure may not be affected by the opening of the exhaust member 112 of the battery cell 110.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, a separator may be between every two adjacent battery cells 110 in the battery cell. The separator may be used to allow adjacent battery cells to be electrically isolated from each other and to block heat transfer from one battery cell to another adjacent battery cell.

[0061] The cover member 120 may surround the battery cell 110 to protect the battery cell 110 from external impacts. The cover member 120 may include a lower cover 121 below the battery cell 110, a side cover 122 along the side surface of the battery cell 110, end covers 123 coupled to the foremost (or frontmost) and rearmost battery cells among the battery cells 110, and a reinforcement cover 124 on the battery cell 110. In some embodiments, the cover may be referred to as a plate.

[0062] The lower cover 121 may extend along the surface of the plurality of battery cells 110 (e.g., the lower surface of the battery cell 110). The lower cover 121 may support the load of the battery cell 110 and the heat insulation member 130. The lower cover 121 may also be configured to dissipate the heat generated in the battery cell 110 through the lower surface of the battery pack 100.

[0063] The side cover 122 may be above the lower cover 121 and may be coupled to two side surfaces of the battery cell 110 in the direction in which the battery cell 110 is arranged, thereby fixing the position of the battery cell 110. The electrode terminals 111 of the battery cell 110 may be exposed through the side cover 122, and separate bus bars may be coupled to the electrode terminals 111 to electrically connect the battery cells 110 to each other.

[0064] The end cap 123 can be coupled to the foremost (or frontmost) and rearmost battery cells among the battery cells 110. The end cap 123 can fix the positions of the battery cells 110 and press the foremost (or frontmost) and rearmost battery cells among the battery cells 110. The end cap 123 can be coupled to the lower cover 121, the side covers 122, and the reinforcement cover 124, and the battery cells 110 can be received in the internal space defined by the covers 121, 122, 123, and 124.

[0065] The reinforcement cover 124 can be coupled to the upper surface of the battery cell 110. The reinforcement cover 124 can protect the upper surface of the battery cell 110 and provide mechanical stiffness thereto. The reinforcement cover 124 can be made of steel (or include steel). In other embodiments, the reinforcement cover 124 can be made of stainless steel or aluminum (or include stainless steel or aluminum).

[0066] The reinforcement cover 124 can include an opening in a region corresponding to the exhaust member of the battery cell 110. Since the exhaust member does not interfere with the reinforcement cover 124 due to the opening in the reinforcement cover 124, the operation of the exhaust member of the battery cell 110 is not inhibited.

[0067] In some embodiments, the reinforcement cover 124 can include a plate portion 124a, support portions 124b disposed on two edges of the plate portion 124a and in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 124a, exhaust portions 124c disposed on two edges of the plate portion 124a and in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 124a, two rows of flange portions 124d spaced apart from each other at the center portion of the plate portion 124a and in the width direction of the plate portion 124a, and an exhaust protrusion portion 124e disposed between the flange portions 124d and corresponding to the exhaust member 112 of the battery cell 110.

[0068] The plate portion 124a may have a generally flat shape and completely (or substantially completely) cover the upper surface of the battery cell 110. The support portions 124b may be on two edges of the plate portion 124a and may be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 124a. The support portions 124b may be at both ends of the reinforcement cover 124 in the width direction of the battery cell 110 and may be arranged along the arrangement direction of the battery cell 110. The support portions 124b may be spaced apart from each other and may protrude upward farther than the plate portion 124a. The exhaust portion 124c may be along two edges of the plate portion 124a between the support portions 124b and may protrude upward farther than the plate portion 124a. The exhaust portion 124c may be lower than the support portions 124b so as to allow the gas generated when an event occurs in the battery cell 110 to move along the exhaust portion 124c on the upper surface of the plate portion 124a. The gas movement channel defined by the exhaust portion 124c may be on the upper surface of the plate portion 124a in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 124a in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 124a of the plate portion 124a, so that the gas can move and be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 100 easily.

[0069] The flange portions 124d may be located at positions corresponding to the opposite sides of the exhaust members 112 of the plurality of battery cells 110. The flange portions 124d may be arranged in two rows at the central portion of the plate portion 124a so as to provide stiffness to the reinforcement cover 124. That is, the flange portions 124d may be arranged in two rows at the central portion of the reinforcement cover 124. The flange portions 124d may extend in the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells 110. The flange portions 124d may be separate components and they may each have a bent shape, such as a generally L shape. The flange portions 124d may be coupled to the plate portion 124a (e.g., the upper surface of the plate portion 124a). The flange portions 124d having an L shape may more reliably provide stiffness to the entire reinforcement cover 124 and may prevent (or at least mitigate) the sagging of the reinforcement cover 124. In one or more embodiments, the flange portions 124d may have a thickness of about (or approximately) 1 mm to about (or approximately) 2 mm. If the thickness of the flange portions 124d is equal to or greater than 1 mm, the required stiffness may be achieved, and if the thickness of the flange portions 124d is equal to or less than 2 mm, it may be suitable for reducing the total weight of the battery pack 100.

[0070] The exhaust protrusion 124e may be located at a position corresponding to the position of each exhaust member 112 of the battery cell 110. The exhaust protrusion 124e may provide stiffness to the periphery of the exhaust member 112 of the battery cell 110. The exhaust protrusion 124e may protrude upward along the periphery of the exhaust member 112 formed in the upper surface of the battery cell 110 so as to have a relatively small thickness, thereby protecting the exhaust member 112 from external forces applied to the exhaust member 112. The exhaust protrusion 124e may expose the exhaust member 112 through an opening formed therein, and thus does not interfere with or inhibit the operation of the exhaust member 112 in the event of an incident. The exhaust protrusion 124e may have a thickness of about (or approximately) 1 mm to about (or approximately) 2 mm. If the thickness of the exhaust protrusion 124e is equal to or greater than 1 mm, the required stiffness may be achieved, and if the thickness of the exhaust protrusion 124e is equal to or less than 2 mm, it may be suitable for reducing the total weight of the battery pack 100.

[0071] The heat insulation member 130 may be between the battery cell 110 and the reinforcing cover 124. The heat insulation member 130 may cover the upper surface of the battery cell 110 where the exhaust member 112 is formed. In the event that the exhaust member 112 of any one of the battery cells 110 is opened, high-temperature substances may be discharged from the corresponding battery cell. If the high-temperature substances are scattered to an adjacent battery cell 110, for example, scattered onto the exhaust member 112 of an adjacent battery cell 110 that is susceptible to heat, the exhaust member 112 of the adjacent battery cell 110 may be opened. This may cause a problem that an incident occurring in a certain battery cell 110 is transmitted to another adjacent battery cell 110. Since the heat insulation member 130 covers the outer side of the upper surface of the battery cell 110 where the exhaust member 112 is formed, the heat insulation member 120 may prevent the high-temperature substances scattered from any one of the battery cells 110 from directly contacting another battery cell 110. In some embodiments, the heat insulation member 130 may be on the outer surface of the battery cell 110 and cover the exhaust member 112 of the battery cell 110, so the heat insulation member 130 may protect the relatively heat-susceptible exhaust member 112 from the influence of high-temperature scattered substances.

[0072] The heat insulation member 130 can block (or at least mitigate) the transfer of high-temperature substances with heat dispersed from any one of the battery cells 110 to another battery cell 110. The heat insulation member 130 can be configured to be opened as the exhaust member 112 is opened when the exhaust member 112 operates due to the internal pressure in the corresponding battery cell 110. In this way, the heat insulation member 130 can protect the battery cell 110 from high-temperature dispersed substances without disturbing or inhibiting the operation of the exhaust member 112. In one or more embodiments, the heat insulation member 130 can be or include, for example, a mica sheet. In some embodiments, the mica sheet can have a thickness of about (or approximately) 0.1 mm to about (or approximately) 2 mm. If the thickness of the mica sheet is equal to or greater than 0.1 mm, the required stiffness can be ensured, and if the thickness of the mica sheet is equal to or less than 2 mm, it can be suitable for reducing the total weight of the battery pack 100.

[0073] As described above, in the battery pack 100 including the reinforcement cover 124 covering the battery cell 110 according to one embodiment, the gas generated when an event occurs in the battery cell 110 can move in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the plate portion 124a through the support portion 124b and the exhaust portion 124c formed in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 124a, and the stiffness of the reinforcement cover 124 can be ensured by the flange portions 124d arranged in two rows at the central portion of the plate portion 122a. The exhaust protruding portions 124e of the reinforcement cover 124 located at positions corresponding to the positions of the respective exhaust members 112 of the battery cell 110 can protect the exhaust members 112 and can provide stiffness to the exhaust members 112.

[0074] Hereinafter, the configuration of a battery pack according to another embodiment will be described.

[0075] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a battery pack 200 according to another embodiment. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack 200 according to the another embodiment.

[0076] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 According to another embodiment, the battery pack 200 can include a plurality of battery cells 210 and a cover member 220 coupled to and covering the outer surfaces of the battery cells 210. The battery pack 200 according to another embodiment can further include a heat insulation member 230 on the cover member 220. Components similar to those in the above embodiments are denoted by similar reference numerals, and the differences between them will be mainly described below.

[0077] Each of the battery cells 210 may include an electrode terminal 211 on its upper surface (or upper side) and an exhaust member 212 located between the electrode terminals 211. Different from the above embodiments, both the electrode terminal 211 and the exhaust member 212 are on the upper surface of each of the battery cells 210.

[0078] The cover member 220 may include a lower cover 221 below the battery cells 210, a side cover 222 along the side surfaces of the battery cells 210, end caps 223 coupled to the foremost (or frontmost) and rearmost battery cells among the battery cells 210, a reinforcement cover 224 on the battery cells 210, and an upper cover 225 on the reinforcement cover 224.

[0079] In some embodiments, the lower cover 221 may extend along the surface of the plurality of arranged battery cells 210 (e.g., the lower surface of the battery cells 210). The side cover 222 may be above the lower cover 221 and may be coupled to the two side surfaces of the battery cells 210 in the direction in which the battery cells 210 are arranged. The end caps 223 may be coupled to the foremost (or frontmost) and rearmost battery cells among the battery cells 210, thereby fixing the positions of the battery cells 210 and pressing the foremost (or frontmost) and rearmost battery cells among the battery cells 210.

[0080] The reinforcement cover 224 may be coupled to the upper surface of the battery cells 210. The reinforcement cover 224 may be configured to protect the upper surface of the battery cells 210 and provide mechanical stiffness thereto. The reinforcement cover 224 may not cover the electrode terminals 211, but may cover the central region of the upper surface of the battery cells 210 where the exhaust members 212 are formed. In some embodiments, the width of the reinforcement cover 224 may be smaller than the width of each of the battery cells 210. Accordingly, the electrode terminals 211 may be exposed outside the reinforcement cover 224 and may be used for electrical connection using a bus bar.

[0081] The reinforcement cover 224 may include an opening formed in a region of the reinforcement cover 224 corresponding to the exhaust member 212 of the battery cells 210. Since the reinforcement cover 224 does not interfere with the exhaust member 212 due to the opening in the reinforcement cover 224, the operation of the exhaust member 212 of the battery cells 210 is not inhibited.

[0082] In some embodiments, the reinforcement cover 224 may include a plate portion 224a, two rows of flange portions 224d spaced apart from each other at the central portion of the plate portion 224a and in the width direction of the plate portion 224a, and an exhaust protruding portion 224e located between the flange portions 224d and corresponding to (e.g., matching) the exhaust member 212 of the battery cells 210.

[0083] The flange portions 224d may be arranged in two rows at the central portion of the plate portion 224a so as to provide rigidity to the reinforcement cover 224. As in the above-described embodiment, the flange portions 224d may each have a substantially L shape. In other embodiments, the flange portions 224d may be integrally formed with the plate portion 224a by, for example, bending the plate portion 224a so as to protrude in a substantially U shape. The flange portions 224d may have a thickness of about (or approximately) 1 mm to about (or approximately) 2 mm. If the thickness of the flange portions 224d is equal to or greater than 1 mm, the required rigidity can be achieved, and if the thickness of the flange portions 224d is equal to or less than 2 mm, it can be suitable for reducing the total weight of the battery pack 200.

[0084] The exhaust protrusion portions 224e may be at positions corresponding to the positions of the respective exhaust members 212 of the battery cells 210. The exhaust protrusion portions 224e may provide rigidity to the periphery of the exhaust members 212 of the battery cells 210. The exhaust protrusion portions 224e may expose the exhaust members 212 through the openings formed therein, and thus do not interfere with or inhibit the operation of the exhaust members 212 in the event of an occurrence. The exhaust protrusion portions 224e may have a thickness of about (or approximately) 1 mm to about (or approximately) 2 mm. If the thickness of the exhaust protrusion portions 224e is equal to or greater than 1 mm, the required rigidity can be achieved, and if the width of the exhaust protrusion portions 224e is equal to or less than 2 mm, it can be suitable for reducing the total weight of the battery pack 200.

[0085] The heat insulation member 230 may be on the outer side of the reinforcement cover 224. The heat insulation member 230 may be coupled to the region of the upper cover 225 corresponding to the electrode terminals 211 of the battery cells 210 that are exposed on the outer side of the reinforcement cover 224. In some embodiments, similar to Figure 2 as shown in, the battery pack 200 may further include a heat insulation member 231 between the plurality of battery cells 210 and the reinforcement cover 224.

[0086] In some embodiments, after the bus bar 213 is coupled to the upper side of the electrode terminals 211 of the battery cells 210, the heat insulation member 230 may be placed so as to cover the upper sides of the electrode terminals 211 and the bus bar 213. The heat insulation members 230, 231 may prevent (or at least mitigate) the high-temperature substances generated when an event occurs in any one of the battery cells 210 from spreading to another adjacent battery cell 210 and contacting another battery cell 210, thereby blocking (or at least mitigating) the event or heat transfer to another battery cell 210.

[0087] In some embodiments, the upper cover 225 may include a plurality of openings 225a disposed at two edges and an opening 225b disposed at the center. The bus bar 213 may be located in the opening 225a and may be electrically connected to the terminal of the battery cell 210. The heat insulation member 231 and the reinforcement cover 224 may be positioned through the opening 225b and placed on the battery cell 210.

[0088] As described above, in the battery pack 200 including the reinforcement cover 224 covering the battery cell 210 according to another embodiment, the stiffness of the reinforcement cover 224 may be achieved by the flange portions 224d arranged in two rows in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 224a at the central portion of the plate portion 224a. The exhaust protrusion portions 224e of the reinforcement cover 224 located at positions corresponding to the positions of the respective exhaust members 212 of the battery cell 210 may protect the exhaust members 212 and may provide stiffness to the exhaust members 212.

[0089] It is obvious from the above description that a battery pack according to an embodiment may include a reinforcement cover covering a battery cell. The gas generated when an event occurs in the battery cell may move in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the plate portion of the reinforcement cover through the support portion and the exhaust portion formed in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion, and the stiffness of the reinforcement cover may be achieved by the flange portions arranged in two rows at the central portion of the plate portion.

[0090] The reinforcement cover may include exhaust protrusion portions located at positions corresponding to the positions of the exhaust members of the battery cell, thereby protecting the exhaust members and providing stiffness to the exhaust members.

[0091] The above is only one embodiment for implementing the battery pack according to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure claimed in the claims.

Claims

1. A battery pack, characterized in that: The battery pack comprises: a plurality of battery cells; and a cover member configured to cover the plurality of battery cells, the cover member comprising a reinforcing cover on the plurality of battery cells, The reinforcement cover includes flange portions arranged in two rows at a central portion of the reinforcement cover and extending in an arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flange portion is located at a position corresponding to an opposite side of the exhaust member of the plurality of battery cells.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reinforcement cover further includes a plate portion covering upper surfaces of the plurality of battery cells, and wherein each of the flange portions has a curved shape and is coupled to an upper surface of the plate portion.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flange portion includes at least one of steel and aluminum.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flange portion has a thickness in the range of 1 mm to 2 mm.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reinforcement cover further includes a vent protrusion portion between the flange portions and corresponding to vents of the plurality of battery cells.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that: The exhaust protrusion portion protrudes upward at a position corresponding to a position of the exhaust member.

8. The battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that: The exhaust protrusion has a thickness in the range of 1 mm to 2 mm.

9. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reinforcement cover further includes support portions on both ends of the reinforcement cover in a width direction of the plurality of battery cells, the support portions being arranged along the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells and spaced apart from each other in the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, characterized in that: The reinforcement cover further includes a vent portion between the support portions, the vent portion protruding to a height lower than that of the support portions.

11. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a terminal on a side portion of the each battery cell, and wherein the reinforcement cover is not on the side portion.

12. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery pack further includes a heat insulation member between the plurality of battery cells and the reinforcement cover.

13. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a terminal at an upper side of the each battery cell, and wherein the reinforcement cover is at the upper side of the each battery cell.

14. The battery pack according to claim 13, characterized in that: The battery pack further includes a heat insulation member at an outer side of the reinforcement cover and covering the terminal of each of the battery cells.

15. The battery pack according to claim 13, characterized in that: The reinforcing cover has a width smaller than a width of each of the battery cells.

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