Battery pack and device including the same

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model discloses a battery pack and a device comprising the battery pack. The battery pack includes: a plurality of battery cells stacked in one direction; a pack case accommodating the battery cells in the internal space; a battery cell cover at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells in the internal space of the pack case; and a thermally conductive sealing tape formed between the battery cells and the pack case. According to the present disclosure, energy density and cooling performance are improved and safety is enhanced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0089847, filed on July 20, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0079008, filed on June 20, 2023, the contents of each of the above-mentioned Korean Patent Applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a battery pack and a device including the same, and more particularly, to a battery pack improved in energy density and cooling performance and enhanced in safety and a device including the same. BACKGROUND

[0004] In modern society, as portable devices such as mobile phones, notebook computers, camcorders, and digital cameras are used on a daily basis, technologies in the field related to the above mobile devices have been actively developed. In addition, rechargeable / dischargeable secondary batteries are used as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs), etc. in an attempt to solve problems such as air pollution caused by the use of fossil fuels by existing gasoline vehicles. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for the development of secondary batteries.

[0005] Among the secondary batteries currently commercialized, there are nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries are of great interest because they have advantages such as, for example, that lithium secondary batteries can be freely charged and discharged, have a very low self-discharge rate, and have a high energy density.

[0006] Such a lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a cathode plate and an anode plate each coated with a cathode active material and an anode active material are disposed with a separator interposed therebetween, and an external coating material (i.e., a battery case) that seals and accommodates the electrode assembly and an electrolyte together.

[0007] In general, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into a can-type secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is installed in a metal can and a pouch-type secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is installed in a soft pack of an aluminum laminate sheet, according to the shape of the external material.

[0008] Recently, battery packs are widely used for driving or energy storage of medium or large devices such as electric vehicles or energy storage systems. A conventional battery pack includes one or more battery modules located within a battery pack case and a control unit such as a battery management system (BMS) that controls charging and discharging of the battery pack. Here, the battery module is configured to include a large number of battery cells within a module case. That is, in the case of the conventional battery pack, a large number of battery cells (secondary cells) are accommodated within the module case to configure each battery module, and one or more of such battery modules are accommodated within the battery pack case to configure the battery pack.

[0009] In particular, the pouch-type battery has many advantages such as light weight and small dead space in the stacking process, but has a problem of being vulnerable to external impact and slightly degraded assembly performance. Therefore, the battery pack is generally manufactured by first modularizing a large number of battery cells and then accommodating them in a battery pack case. As a representative example, the conventional battery pack is configured by the steps of first accommodating a large number of pouch-type battery cells within a module case to configure a battery module, and then accommodating one or more of such battery modules within a pack case. In addition, the conventional battery module generally stacks a large number of battery cells by using various components, for example, a stacking frame (also referred to as a can) made of a plastic material, two end plates in the stacking direction of the battery cells, and a fastening member such as a bolt, as disclosed in the prior art document (Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0044599). Also, the stack formed in this way is generally accommodated inside the module case in order to be modularized again.

[0010] However, such a conventional battery pack can have a disadvantage in terms of energy density. In general, in the process of accommodating a large number of battery cells in a module case and modularizing them, the volume of the battery pack can unnecessarily increase due to various components such as the module case and the stacking frame, or the space occupied by the battery cells can decrease. In addition, in addition to the space occupied by the components such as the module case and the stacking frame themselves, the accommodation space for the battery cells can be reduced in order to secure the assembly tolerance of such components. Therefore, the conventional battery pack can be limited in improving the energy density.

[0011] Further, the conventional battery pack can have a disadvantage in terms of assembly performance. In particular, in order to manufacture the battery pack, a process of first modularizing a large number of battery cells to configure a battery module and then accommodating the battery module in a battery pack case is required, which causes a problem in that the manufacturing process of the battery pack becomes complicated. Further, as disclosed in the above-mentioned prior art document, the process and structure of using a stacking frame, a bolt, and a plate, etc. to form a battery cell stack can be very complicated.

[0012] Further, in the case of the conventional battery pack, the module case is accommodated in the battery pack case, and the battery cell is accommodated in the module case, which also causes a problem in that it is difficult to secure excellent cooling performance. In particular, if the heat of the battery cell accommodated in the module case is discharged to the outside of the battery pack case through the module case, the cooling efficiency can be reduced, and the cooling structure can also become complicated.

[0013] Further, since the battery cell generates heat, gas discharge can occur in the battery cell. At this time, if a structure for gas discharge is not provided, a problem occurs in that not only is the gas discharged from the battery cell without a specific direction, increasing the possibility of damaging the adjacent battery cell, but also since the battery cell is modularized and the discharged gas is released to the outside of the battery pack, it is not possible to secure the safety of the battery pack.

[0014] Further, a large number of battery cells included in the conventional battery pack are connected in series or in parallel with each other to form a battery cell stack, thereby increasing the capacity and output, but there is a problem in that the overall temperature can rise faster due to the heat generated by a large number of battery cells accumulated in the narrow space in the battery module.

[0015] 『Prior Art Document]

[0016] (Patent Document 1) Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0044599 (published on April 27, 2015). Invention Contents

[0017] Technical Problem

[0018] The present disclosure aims to provide a battery pack improved in energy density and cooling performance and enhanced in safety, and an apparatus including the same.

[0019] However, the technical subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the above technical subject matter, and any other technical subject matter not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art through the following description.

[0020] Technical Solution

[0021] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a battery pack including: a plurality of battery cells stacked in one direction; a battery pack case in which the battery cells are accommodated in an inner space thereof; a battery cell cover at least partially surrounding at least some of the plurality of battery cells in the inner space of the battery pack case; and a thermally conductive sealing tape formed between the battery cells and the battery pack case.

[0022] The thermally conductive sealing tape can include a first conductive layer in contact with the battery cells and a second conductive layer adhering the first conductive layer to the battery pack case.

[0023] The first conductive layer can include a first film and a second film coated on both surfaces of the first film.

[0024] The first film can include a metal, and the second film can include a polymer.

[0025] The first film can include aluminum, and the second film can include polyimide.

[0026] An outermost one of the second films can be disposed in contact with the battery cells, and another one of the second films can be disposed in contact with the battery pack case.

[0027] The first conductive layer can have a multi-layer structure formed of the first film and the second film.

[0028] The second conductive layer can include an adhesive and a plurality of thermally conductive pigment particles within the adhesive.

[0029] The second conductive layer can be disposed in contact with the first conductive layer.

[0030] The adhesive can be disposed in contact with the first conductive layer, and the plurality of thermally conductive pigment particles can be disposed close to an interface between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

[0031] The plurality of thermally conductive pigment particles can be dispersed at the interface between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

[0032] The plurality of thermally conductive pigment particles can be aluminum.

[0033] The thermally conductive sealing tape can be disposed in contact with a lower side edge portion of the battery cells and the lower battery pack case.

[0034] According to another embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus including the above-described battery pack.

[0035] Advantageous Effects

[0036] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a large number of battery cells can be stably accommodated in a battery pack case without configuring a stacking frame such as a plastic cylinder or a separate module case. Also, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the battery cells having a ductile material case can be easily formed in a robust configuration, thereby easily implementing a configuration in which the battery cells are directly stacked within the battery pack case.

[0037] In particular, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a configuration in which a large number of battery cells are stacked side by side in a horizontal direction in a state in which the battery cells are erected in a vertical direction can be easily implemented.

[0038] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the energy density of a battery pack can be improved.

[0039] Also, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the battery cells are directly accommodated in the battery pack case without being modularized, a module case or the like of a module is not required. Accordingly, a space occupied by such a module case can be reduced, and thus more battery cells can be disposed within the battery pack case. Accordingly, the energy density of the battery pack is effectively further improved.

[0040] Also, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the assembly performance of a battery pack can be improved. In particular, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a step of accommodating battery cells in a module case to prepare a battery module, a step of accommodating one or more battery modules thus prepared in a battery pack case, or the like can not be performed. Accordingly, the manufacturing process can be simplified, and the manufacturing time can be shortened.

[0041] Also, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a configuration in which the number of battery cells covered by a battery cell cover is changed can be easily implemented. In particular, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by changing the width of the battery cell cover, the number of battery cells accommodated by the battery cell cover can be easily changed. Accordingly, in this case, the capacity or output can be easily changed by one battery cell cover.

[0042] Also, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, for each battery cell unit, a configuration in which the bus bar or terminal of each unit is located at a side surface, an upper portion, or a lower portion, or the like of each battery cell cover can be easily implemented.

[0043] Also, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a process of accommodating the ductile battery cells in the battery pack case, the battery cell cover can be held without directly holding the battery cells. Accordingly, the process of handling the battery cells can be more easily and safely performed. Also, in this case, the battery cells can be prevented from being damaged or broken during the process of handling the battery cells, such as accommodating the battery cells within the battery pack case.

[0044] Further, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, cooling efficiency of the battery pack can be further improved. In particular, in the case of one embodiment of the present disclosure, since a portion of each battery cell is directly exposed to the battery pack case, heat of each battery cell can be effectively discharged to the outside through the battery pack case.

[0045] In particular, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a portion of each battery cell directly contacts the heat-conducting sealing tape, and thus heat of each battery cell is transferred to the heat sink and the battery pack case through the heat-conducting sealing tape, and is effectively discharged to the outside.

[0046] Further, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, safety of the battery pack can be improved.

[0047] Effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and a person of ordinary skill in the art will clearly understand additional other effects not mentioned above from the description of the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0048] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a partial configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a partial configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a partial configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0051] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a battery cell unit including a battery cell accommodated in a battery pack and a battery cell cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0052] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which components in Figure 4 are combined with each other; and

[0053] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a heat-conducting sealing tape included in a battery pack of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement the embodiments. The present disclosure can be modified in various different ways, and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0055] For clarity of description, portions unrelated to description will be omitted, and throughout the specification, like reference numerals denote like elements.

[0056] Further, in the drawings, the sizes and the thicknesses of the elements are arbitrarily shown for the convenience of description, and the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the sizes and the thicknesses shown in the drawings. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers, regions, and the like are exaggerated for clarity. In the drawings, the thicknesses of portions and regions are exaggerated for the convenience of description.

[0057] Further, it will be understood that when an element (such as a layer, film, region, or plate) is referred to as being "on" or "above" another element, it can be directly on the other element or an intervening element can also be present. In contrast, when an element (such as a layer, film, region, or plate) is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly above" another element, there are no intervening elements present. Further, the word "on" or "above" refers to being disposed above or below a reference portion, and does not necessarily refer to being disposed at the upper end of the reference portion in the opposite direction of gravity. Meanwhile, a case described as being formed or disposed "below" or "lower portion" of another component will also be understood in reference to the above, similarly to a case described as being formed or disposed "above" or "upper portion" of another component.

[0058] Further, throughout the specification, when a portion is referred to as "including" or "comprising" a certain component, it means that the portion can further include other components unless otherwise stated.

[0059] Further, throughout the specification, when referred to as "plan view", it refers to a case when the target portion is viewed from the upper side; and when referred to as "cross-sectional view", it refers to a case when the target portion is viewed from the side of a cross-section vertically cut.

[0060] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a battery cell unit including a battery cell and a battery cell cover accommodated within a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 5 is a perspective view showing Figure 4 a state in which the components in

[0061] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 , a battery pack 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery cell 100, a battery cell cover 200, and a battery pack case 600.

[0062] A plurality of battery cells 100 can be included in the battery pack. Also, a plurality of such battery cells 100 can be stacked in at least one direction. For example, referring to Figure 1 , a plurality of battery cells 100 can be stacked and disposed in a horizontal direction, for example, in a left-right direction (x-axis direction in the drawing). Also, as Figure 1 indicated, a plurality of battery cells 100 can also be disposed in a front-rear direction (y-axis direction in the drawing).

[0063] Also, although a plurality of battery cells 100 are arranged in a horizontal direction, these battery cells can be arranged in a left-right direction and a horizontal direction to form a shape of a plurality of rows. For example, referring to Figure 1 indicated, a plurality of battery cells 100 can be stacked so that two rows of battery cells disposed in a left-right direction (x-axis direction) are disposed in a front-rear direction (y-axis direction).

[0064] The battery pack according to the present disclosure can employ battery cells 100 of various forms known at the time of filing the present application. As an example, the battery cell can be a soft-pack type battery cell. Such a soft-pack type battery cell can be formed by housing an electrode assembly in a soft-pack case made of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, and then melting a peripheral portion of the soft-pack case. Such a battery cell can be formed in a rectangular sheet structure. However, the structure of the battery cell is not limited thereto, and various types of battery cells can be applied. Therefore, detailed description of the configuration of the battery cell or the like is omitted.

[0065] The inside of the battery pack case 600 is formed with an empty space, and can accommodate a plurality of battery cells 100. For example, as Figure 1 indicated, the battery pack case 600 can include an upper battery pack case 610 and a lower battery pack case 620. As a more specific example, the lower battery pack case 620 is configured to have a box shape with an open upper end, and can accommodate a plurality of battery cells in the inside space. Also, the upper battery pack case 610 can be configured to have a cover shape that covers the open upper end of the lower battery pack case 620. At this time, the upper battery pack case 610 can be configured to have a box shape with an open lower end. Also, in the inside space of the battery pack case 600, the battery cell cover 200 and a plurality of battery cells 100 can also be accommodated together. The battery pack case 600 can be formed of a plastic material or a metal material. Also, the battery pack case 600 can employ various exterior cladding materials of battery packs known at the time of filing the present application.

[0066] The battery cell cover 200 can be configured to surround the battery cell 100 located in the internal space of the battery pack case 600. That is, the battery cell cover 200 can be configured to surround at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells 100 included in the battery pack. Also, the battery cell cover 200 can be disposed to at least partially surround the battery cell 100.

[0067] Also, the battery cell cover 200 can be configured to support the stacked state of the plurality of battery cells within the battery pack case 600 by surrounding the battery cell 100 in this way. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of battery cells 100 can be stacked in the horizontal direction (x-axis direction in the drawing). At this time, the battery cell cover 200 can be configured to stably maintain the stacked state in which the plurality of battery cells 100 are stacked in the horizontal direction in this way. Figure 1

[0068] According to an aspect of the disclosure, the plurality of battery cells 100 can be directly seated and accommodated within the battery pack case 600 without a module case. In particular, in the case of the battery cell 100, the outer cladding material is made of a ductile material, and thus it can be vulnerable to external impact and low in hardness. Therefore, it is difficult to accommodate only the battery cell itself in the battery pack case 600 without accommodating the battery cell 100 itself in the module case. However, according to the disclosure, the plurality of battery cells 100 are combined with the battery cell cover 200 while being at least partially surrounded by the battery cell cover 200, and are directly accommodated in the battery pack case 600, and the stacked state of the battery cells can be stably maintained.

[0069] Accordingly, according to an aspect of the disclosure, the battery pack 1000 does not need to be further provided with a module case, a stacking frame, or a fastening member such as a bolt for maintaining the stacked state of the battery cells. Therefore, a space occupied by other components such as a module case or a stacking frame, or a space for securing a tolerance generated thereby, can be eliminated. Therefore, by eliminating the space, the battery cells can occupy more space, thereby further improving the energy density of the battery pack.

[0070] Also, according to an aspect of the disclosure, since the module case, the stacking frame, and the bolt, etc. are not provided, the volume or weight of the battery pack can be reduced, and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0071] ​Further, according to an aspect of the disclosure, the handling of the battery cell 100 can become easier. For example, when a plurality of battery cells 100 are accommodated within a battery pack case, the battery cells 100 can be gripped by a jig or the like. Meanwhile, according to the disclosure, the jig does not directly grip the battery cell 100, but can grip the cell cover 200 surrounding the battery cell 100. Accordingly, damage or breakage of the battery cell 100 due to the jig can be prevented.

[0072] Further, according to an aspect of the disclosure, the battery cell cover 200 is combined to the battery cell 100, thereby enabling effective protection of the battery cell 100 without a module case.

[0073] The battery cell cover 200 can be composed of various materials for securing rigidity. In particular, the battery cell cover 200 can be composed of a metal material. In the case of such a metal material, the stacked state of the battery cell 100 can be more stably maintained, and the battery cell can be more safely protected from external impact. In particular, the battery cell cover 200 can include a steel material, more specifically, a Stainless Steel (SUS) material. For example, the battery cell cover 200 can be entirely made of a SUS material.

[0074] When the battery cell cover 200 is made of a steel material in this way, it has excellent mechanical strength and rigidity, and thus can more stably support the stacked state of the battery cell 100. Further, in this case, the battery cell 100 can be more effectively prevented from being damaged or broken due to external impact (e.g., a needle-like body or the like). Further, in this case, the handling of the battery cell 100 can be more easy.

[0075] Further, when the battery cell cover 200 is made of a steel material as in the above-described embodiment, in the case where a flame is generated from the battery cell 100, since the steel material has a high melting point, the overall structure can be stably maintained. In particular, since the steel material has a higher melting point than that of an aluminum material, even when a flame is ejected from the battery cell 100, it does not melt, and its shape can be stably maintained. Accordingly, the effect of preventing the spread of a flame or the effect of delaying the spread of a flame and the effect of controlling exhaust gas between the battery cells 100, etc. can be excellently secured.

[0076] The battery cell cover 200 can be configured to surround one or more battery cells 100. For example, as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, one battery cell cover 200 can be configured to surround one battery cell 100 or a plurality of battery cells 100. In this case, the battery cell cover 200 can be combined individually for each battery cell 100 among the plurality of battery cells 100, or the battery cell cover 200 can be configured to surround two or more battery cells 100 together.

[0077] The battery cell cover 200 can be at least partially adhered to the outer side surface of the battery cell 100. For example, the battery cell cover 200 can be configured such that the inner side surface thereof is adhered to the accommodation portion of the battery cell 100.

[0078] One or more battery cell covers 200 can be included in the battery pack. In particular, the battery cell cover 200 can be configured such that a plurality of battery cells 100 included in the battery pack are combined into a unit. In this case, one battery cell cover 200 can constitute one battery cell unit 10. Also, one battery cell unit 10 can include one or more battery cells 100. The battery pack can include a large number of battery cell units 10, and in this case, a large number of battery cell covers 200 can be included in the battery pack. As an example, when the battery cell cover 200 is configured to surround one battery cell 100, the battery pack can include the same number of battery cell covers 200 as the number of battery cells 100. As another example, when the battery cell cover 200 is configured to surround two or more battery cells 100, the battery pack can include a smaller number of battery cell covers 200 than the number of battery cells 100.

[0079] The battery cell cover 200 can be configured to support a plurality of battery cells 100 in an upright state. As shown, each battery cell 100 has two wide surfaces, and the corners of the wide surfaces can have a sealing portion or a folding portion of the pouch outer covering material. Therefore, it is generally difficult to stack the battery cells 100 in an upright shape in the up-down direction. However, in the battery pack according to the disclosure, the battery cell cover 200 can be configured to surround one or more battery cells 100, and also support the battery cells 100 surrounded in an upright state, that is, a standing state. Figure 4

[0080] In particular, the battery cell cover 200 can be configured such that a large number of battery cells 100 can be stacked in the horizontal direction in a state of being upright in the up-down direction. For example, with the battery cell cover 200 configured to surround two or more battery cells 100, the battery cells 100 can be stacked in the horizontal direction in a state of being upright in the up-down direction. Figure 1 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 ​The illustrated embodiment is similar in that a large number of battery cell covers 200 are stacked in the horizontal direction, and each battery cell cover 200 can be configured to surround one or more battery cells 100. In this case, the battery cell cover 200 can enable a configuration in which a large number of battery cells 100 are stably maintained in a state in which each battery cell is erected in the horizontal direction and stacked side by side.

[0081] In particular, the battery cell cover 200 can be configured to be self-supportable in the internal space of the battery pack case 600. That is, the battery cell cover 200 can be configured to maintain its own erected state without the aid of other components provided in the battery pack, such as the battery pack case 600 or the battery cell 100.

[0082] For example, in Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the battery cell cover 200 can be directly seated on the bottom surface of the lower case 620. At this time, a portion of the battery cell cover 200 (especially, the lower end of the battery cell cover 200) can be seated in direct contact with the bottom surface of the lower battery pack case 620. Further, when the lower end is seated in this way, the battery cell cover 200 can be configured to stably maintain the seated state. At this time, when the battery cell cover 200 is composed of a metal material similar to iron (especially, SUS material) having excellent rigidity, the self-supporting state can be more stably maintained. Accordingly, in this case, the erected state of the battery cell 100 can be more stably supported.

[0083] The battery cell cover 200 can be configured to partially surround the battery cell 100 such that at least one side of the surrounded battery cell 100 is exposed to the outside. That is, the battery cell cover 200 can be configured to surround only a portion of the battery cell 100, rather than completely surrounding the entire battery cell. In particular, the battery cell cover 200 can be configured such that at least one side of the battery cell 100 is exposed toward the battery pack case.

[0084] For example, with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the battery cell cover 200 is configured to surround one battery cell 100, in which the surrounded battery cell 100 (that is, the lower portion of the battery cell 100 accommodated in the internal space) can not be surrounded by the battery cell cover 200. Accordingly, the lower portion of the battery cell 100 is exposed toward the battery pack case 600 and can directly face the battery pack case 600. In particular, with reference to Figure 1 the illustrated embodiment, the lower portion of the battery cell 100 can be exposed toward the bottom surface of the lower battery pack case 620.

[0085] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the cooling performance of the battery pack can be ensured more effectively. In particular, according to the above embodiments, the battery cells 100 and the battery pack housing 600 can be in direct face-to-face contact. Therefore, heat dissipated from each battery cell 100 is directly transferred to the battery pack housing 600, thereby improving cooling performance. Furthermore, in this case, since a separate cooling structure is not required between the battery cells 100 and the battery pack housing 600, highly efficient cooling performance can be achieved. Additionally, in this case, no space for coolant (such as air) flow between the battery cells 100 is required.

[0086] Furthermore, in the battery pack according to this disclosure, to improve heat transfer performance, a thermal interface material (TIM) can be inserted between dissimilar components. For example, TIM can be filled between the battery cell 100 and the battery cell cover 200, between the battery cell cover 200 and the battery pack housing 600, and / or between the battery cell 100 and the battery pack housing 600. In this case, the cooling performance of the battery pack can be further improved, such as dual cooling performance.

[0087] In particular, the battery cell cover 200 can be configured to surround one of the plurality of edges of the battery cell 100 housed therein that is not provided with electrode leads. For example, see reference Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the battery cell 100 may include two electrode leads 110, namely, a cathode lead and an anode lead. The two electrode leads 110 may be located at the front edge (y-axis direction) and the rear edge (-y-axis direction), respectively. The battery cell cover 200 may be configured to surround one of the two edges other than the front edge (y-axis direction) and the rear edge (-y-axis direction).

[0088] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The battery cell 100 can be formed in a generally hexahedral shape. Moreover, electrode leads 110 (that is, anode leads and cathode leads) can be formed on two of the six surfaces respectively. In addition, the battery cell cover 200 is configured to be at least a portion of three of the remaining four surfaces of the battery cell 100, excluding the two surfaces on which the electrode leads 110 are formed.

[0089] According to embodiments of the disclosure, it is possible to easily implement a configuration of supporting and protecting one or more battery cells 100 through one battery cell cover 200. In particular, according to the above-described embodiments, the lower side edge portion (-z-axis direction) can be in direct face-to-face contact with the battery pack case 600 without being surrounded by the battery cell cover 200. Accordingly, the heat of the battery cell 100 surrounded by the battery cell cover 200 can be quickly and smoothly discharged to the lower side of the battery pack case 600. Thus, it is possible to more effectively secure the cooling performance of the battery pack.

[0090] In particular, when cooling is mainly performed at the lower portion of the battery pack case 600, such a configuration can be more effectively implemented. For example, in the case where the battery pack is installed on an electric vehicle, since the battery pack is installed at the lower portion of the vehicle body, cooling can be mainly performed at the lower portion of the battery pack case 600. At this time, when the lower side edge portion (-z-axis direction) of each battery cell 100 is in face-to-face contact with the battery pack case as in the above-described embodiments, heat is quickly transferred from each battery cell 100 to the battery pack case side, and thus it is possible to further improve the cooling performance.

[0091] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the battery cell cover 200 can be formed in a shape substantially similar to the letter n. Also, through such a configuration, the battery cell cover 200 can be configured to cover other portions of the battery cell 100 accommodated inside, except for the front side (y-axis direction), the rear side (-y-axis direction), and the lower side (-z-axis direction) where the electrode lead protrudes. That is, the battery cell cover 200 can be provided to cover the outer side (x-axis direction and -x-axis direction) and the upper side (z-axis direction) of the accommodation portion of the battery cell accommodated inside thereof.

[0092] More specifically, as Figure 4 indicated, the battery cell cover 200 can include an upper side cover portion 210, a first side cover portion 220, and a second side cover portion 230.

[0093] Here, the upper side cover portion 210 can be configured to surround the upper portion (z-axis direction) of the battery cell 100 accommodated inside thereof. In particular, the upper side cover portion 210 can be configured to be in contact with or spaced apart from the upper side edge portion (z-axis direction) of the battery cell 100. Further, the upper side cover portion 210 can be configured in a planar shape. In this case, the upper side cover portion 210 can have a cross-section formed in a straight line shape in the horizontal direction, and thus can surround the upper side edge portion of the battery cell 100 in a straight line shape from the outside.

[0094] The first side cover portion 220 can be configured to extend in a downward direction from one end of the upper side cover portion 210. For example, the first side cover portion 220 can be configured to extend long in a downward direction (-z-axis direction in the drawing) at a left end (x-axis direction) of the upper side cover portion 210. Also, the first side cover portion 220 can be formed in a planar shape. At this time, the first side cover portion 220 can be configured in a curved shape at the upper side cover portion 210.

[0095] Also, the first side cover portion 220 can be configured to surround the outside of one side accommodation portion of the battery cell 100 accommodated inside thereof. For example, when one battery cell 100 is accommodated in the cell cover 200, the first side cover portion 220 can be configured to surround the left side surface (x-axis direction) of the accommodation portion of the accommodated battery cell 100 from the left side (x-axis direction). Here, the first side cover portion 220 can directly contact the outside surface of the accommodation portion.

[0096] The second side cover portion 230 can be spaced apart from the first side cover portion 220 in a horizontal direction. Also, the second side cover portion 230 can be configured to extend in a downward direction (-z-axis direction) from the other end of the upper side cover portion 210. For example, the second side cover portion 230 can be configured to extend long in a downward direction (-z-axis direction) at a right end (x-axis direction) of the upper side cover portion 210. Also, the second side cover portion 230 can also be configured in a planar shape similar to the first side cover portion 220. At this time, the first side cover portion 220 and the second side cover portion 230 can be disposed in parallel to each other in a state of being spaced apart in a horizontal direction.

[0097] Also, the second side cover portion 230 can be configured to surround the outside of the other side accommodation portion of the battery cell 100 accommodated inside thereof. For example, when one battery cell 100 is accommodated in the cell cover 200, the second side cover portion 230 can be configured to surround the right side surface (-x-axis direction) of the accommodation portion of the accommodated battery cell 100 from the right side (-x-axis direction). Here, the second side cover portion 230 can directly contact the outside surface of the accommodation portion.

[0098] In the above-described embodiment, an internal space can be defined by the upper side cover portion 210, the first side cover portion 220, and the second side cover portion 230. Also, the battery cell cover 200 can accommodate one or more battery cells in the internal space defined in this way.

[0099] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the lower side end of the first side cover portion 220 and the lower side end of the second side cover portion 230 can contact the bottom surface of the battery pack case 600. In particular, such a contact configuration between the lower side end of the first side cover portion 220 and the lower side end of the second side cover portion 230 and the battery pack case 600 can be configured to be longer in the front-rear direction (y-axis direction in the drawing). According to such an embodiment, it can be more stably achieved that the self-supporting configuration of the battery cell cover 200 capable of maintaining the battery cells 100 accommodated in the inside in the upright state.

[0100] Also, the first side cover portion 220 and the second side cover portion 230 can have the same height as each other. That is, the length in which the first side cover portion 220 and the second side cover portion 230 extend in the downward direction from the upper side cover portion 210 can be the same. In this case, it can be more easily achieved that the self-supporting configuration of the battery cell cover 200.

[0101] Meanwhile, the battery cell cover 200 and the battery cell 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described again. The upper side cover portion 210 can face the upper side edge portion of the battery cell 100, and can surround the upper side edge portion together with the first side cover portion 220 and the second side cover portion 230.

[0102] Also, the cross-sectional area of the first side cover portion 220 and the second side cover portion 230 is formed larger than the cross-sectional area of the first side cover portion 220 and the second side cover portion 230 of the battery cell 100 facing each other, thereby being capable of preventing the accommodation portion from being exposed to the outside, thus maximizing the safety.

[0103] Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiment, the battery cell cover 200 having an n-shaped configuration is mainly shown and described, but the battery cell cover 200 can also be configured in various other shapes. For example, the battery cell cover 200 can be formed in various other shapes such as an I shape, a U shape, and an L shape.

[0104] Referring to Figure 4 , the battery pack according to the disclosure can further include a busbar assembly 300. Here, the busbar assembly 300 can be configured to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells 100 to each other. For example, the busbar assembly 300 can be coupled to the electrode lead 110 of the plurality of battery cells 100 to be electrically connected in series and / or in parallel between the plurality of battery cells 100. The busbar assembly 300 can include a busbar terminal composed of an electrically conductive material such as copper or aluminum and directly contacting the electrode lead 110, and a busbar case made of an electrically insulating material such as plastic and supporting the busbar terminal.

[0105] Also, when the electrode lead 110 is provided at both sides of the battery cell 100, the busbar assembly 300 can also be included at both sides where the electrode lead 110 is provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the busbar assembly 300 can be provided at both sides of the battery cell 100 where the electrode lead 110 is provided.Figure 4 As shown, when the electrode lead 110 protrudes to both the front side (y-axis direction) and the rear side (-y-axis direction), the busbar assembly 300 can also be located to both the front side (y-axis direction) and the rear side (-y-axis direction).

[0106] The busbar assembly 300 can be combined with one or more battery cell covers 200. At this time, the busbar assembly 300 can be combined to the end portion of one battery cell cover 200. At this time, one or more battery cells 100 can be accommodated in one battery cell cover 200.

[0107] The busbar assembly 300 can be combined with the cell cover 200 in various ways. For example, the busbar assembly 300 can be combined and fixed to the battery cell cover 200 by various fastening methods such as adhesion, welding, assembly, hooking, screwing, and riveting.

[0108] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the battery pack 1000 according to the present disclosure can further include an insulating cover portion 350. At this time, the insulating cover portion 350 is made of an electrically insulating material, prevents the busbar assembly 300 from being exposed to the outside by the end plate, and can secure and maintain the electrical insulation performance.

[0109] Meanwhile, the battery pack according to the present disclosure can further include an end plate 400. At this time, the end plate 400 can secure the structural stability of the battery cell unit 10 by fixing the busbar assembly 300 and the insulating cover portion 350. In this case, the end plate 400 can be formed with a hole through which the insulating cover portion 350 is exposed, and in some cases, the directed exhaust can be guided through the hole.

[0110] Figure 2 and Figure 3 are partial perspective views schematically showing a partial configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically, Figure 2 is a schematic view showing a configuration in which a heat sink 550 is provided in a lower battery pack case 620 of a battery pack, Figure 3 is a schematic view showing a configuration in which a thermally conductive sealing tape 500 is applied to the heat sink 550 of Figure 2 .

[0111] First, referring to Figure 2 , the battery pack case 600 can include a heat sink 550. Further, a plurality of battery cells 100 combined with a battery cell cover 200 can be thermally combined to the heat sink 550. For example, as Figure 2As shown, the heat spreader 550 can be disposed in the lower battery pack case 620 of the battery pack case 600. Also, the plurality of battery cell units 10 can be directly seated on the upper surface of the heat spreader 550. In particular, the battery cell cover 200 and the battery cell 100 disposed in each of the battery cell units 10 can be seated to directly contact the upper portion of the heat spreader 550 in a state of standing in the up-and-down direction.

[0112] In such an embodiment, the thermally conductive sealing tape 500 can be interposed between the battery pack case 600 and the plurality of battery cells 100, or between the heat spreader 550 and the plurality of battery cells 100. For example, referring to Figure 3 , the thermally conductive sealing tape 500 can be applied to the upper surface of the heat spreader 550. Also, the plurality of battery cell units 10 (that is, the plurality of battery cells 100 and the plurality of cell covers 200) can be seated on the upper surface of the heat spreader 550 to which the thermally conductive sealing tape 500 is applied.

[0113] Here, the thermally conductive sealing tape 500 can be made of a material that is thermally conductive and has an adhesive property. The thermally conductive sealing tape 500 can transfer heat to the heat spreader 550, thereby causing the heat generated by the battery cell 100 to be dispersed through the heat spreader 550. Also, since the thermally conductive sealing tape 500 has an adhesive property, the battery cell cover 200 and / or the battery cell 100 can be mechanically coupled to the heat spreader 550.

[0114] In such an embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 100 coupled with the battery cell cover 200 can be directly seated on the upper surface of the heat spreader 550 to which the thermally conductive sealing tape 500 is applied. In this case, the plurality of battery cell units 10 can be stably coupled and fixed to the upper surface of the heat spreader 550 through the thermally conductive sealing tape 500. In particular, the battery cell 100 and the battery cell cover 200 included in each of the battery cell units 10 can be formed such that the length in the up-and-down direction (z-axis direction and -z-axis direction) is longer than the width in the horizontal direction (x-axis direction and -x-axis direction). Thus, the battery cell 100 and the battery cell cover 200 can be seated on the upper surface of the heat spreader 550 in a standing state (that is, an upright state). At this time, the thermally conductive sealing tape 500 can make the standing state of the battery cell 100 and the battery cell cover 200 more stable.

[0115] Also, as shown in Figure 4 , the thermally conductive sealing tape 500 can be formed as a component of the battery cell unit 10.

[0116] That is, in coupling a large number of components of the battery cell unit 10, the thermally conductive sealing tape 500 can be coupled together to form the battery cell unit 10. Thus, the plurality of thermally conductive sealing tapes 500 formed on the battery cell unit 10 can be coupled to finally formFigure 3 The heat-conductive sealing tape 500 is shown. In addition, the heat-conductive sealing tape 500 formed on the battery cell unit 10 allows the battery cell cover 200 and / or the battery cell 100 to be firmly combined to the heat sink 550.

[0117] Next, the heat-conductive sealing tape 500 in the battery pack 1000 of the present application will be described in more detail.

[0118] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a heat-conductive sealing tape included in a battery pack of the present disclosure.

[0119] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 6 , the heat-conductive sealing tape 500 can be provided in contact with the battery cell 100 and the lower battery pack case 620. The heat-conductive sealing tape 500 can be provided in contact with the lower edge portion (-z-axis direction) of the battery cell 100 and the lower battery pack case 620.

[0120] The heat-conductive sealing tape 500 contains a heat-conductive material, and can include a first conductive layer 510 in contact with the lower edge portion (-z-axis direction) of the battery cell 100 and an adhesive 521, and a second conductive layer 520 adhering the first conductive layer 510 to the inner surface of the lower battery pack case 620 and / or the upper surface of the heat sink 550.

[0121] The first conductive layer 510 is a heat-conductive material having a structure in which a first film 511 containing a metal material (specifically, aluminum) is contained, and a second film 512a and 512b containing a polymer material (specifically, polyimide) are coated on both surfaces of the first film 511.

[0122] Therefore, the outermost one of the second films 512a and 512b, i.e., the second film 512a can be adhered to the lower edge portion of the battery cell 100, and the other one of the second films 512a and 512b, i.e., the second film 512b can be in contact with the inner surface of the lower battery pack case 620 and / or the upper surface of the heat sink 550.

[0123] In summary, the first conductive layer 510 can have a multi-layer structure including the first film 511 composed of a metal material and the second films 512a and 512b made of a polymer material.

[0124] In such a multi-layer structure, the functions of each layer can be as follows.

[0125] First, the first film 511 can be expected to play a key role in terms of heat conduction. In particular, the first film 511 is a heat conductive material and is formed to include a metal material, specifically aluminum, thereby being able to secure the heat conductivity of the heat conductive sealing tape 500. Further, the first film 511 can play a key role in terms of transferring heat from the battery cell 100 to the heat spreader 550.

[0126] In the case where the second film 512a is in close contact with the lower side edge portion of the battery cell 100, the electrical insulation performance can be secured and the lower side edge portion of the battery cell 100 can be covered. In particular, the lower side edge portion of the battery cell 100 included in the battery cell unit 10 can be formed to be exposed without being covered by a separate configuration. Thus, when it is introduced into the battery pack 1000, it is mainly protected by the second film 512a of the heat conductive sealing tape 500, thereby being able to further reduce the possibility of damaging the battery cell unit 10.

[0127] On the other hand, in order to further improve the electrical insulation of the battery cell unit 10 and to prevent a portion of the first film 511 of the first conductive layer 510 from being weakened due to not being covered by the second conductive layer 520, the second film 512b contacting the second conductive layer 520 can be formed. That is, the second conductive layer 520 can be provided to be in contact with the first conductive layer 510.

[0128] Meanwhile, the second conductive layer 520 can include an adhesive 521, and in particular, can include heat conductive pigment particles 522 dispersed in the adhesive 521.

[0129] The heat conductive pigment particles 522 can be aluminum having excellent heat conductivity, and can be dispersed in a region close to the interface between the second conductive layer 520 and the first conductive layer 510. At this time, by dispersing the heat conductive pigment particles 522 at the interface between the second conductive layer 520 and the first conductive layer 510, the heat conductivity of the second conductive layer 520 can be secured to be uniform.

[0130] On the other hand, although the heat conductive pigment particles 522 are not formed at a position close to the interface between the second conductive layer 520 and the first conductive layer 510, or are formed at a position close to the interface between the second conductive layer 520 and the first conductive layer 510, if the heat conductive pigment particles are not dispersed, or the heat conductivity exists only in a partial position, the heat conductivity of the second conductive layer cannot be guaranteed, which makes it difficult to effectively transfer heat from the first conductive layer 510 to the group case 600 and / or the heat spreader 550.

[0131] Therefore, when heat is conducted to the second conductive layer 520 in contact with the upper surface of the heat spreader 550, the thermally conductive pigment particles 522 are dispersed in a portion close to the interface between the second conductive layer 520 and the first conductive layer 510, so that heat can be transferred from the first conductive layer 510 to the second conductive layer 520 through the thermally conductive pigment particles 522.

[0132] The second conductive layer 520 according to the present embodiment allows the first conductive layer 510 in close contact with the lower side edge portion of the battery cell 100 to adhere to the upper surface of the battery pack case 600 or the heat spreader 550, so that the battery cell unit 10 can be fixed within the battery pack case 600. In addition, the second conductive layer 520 includes not only the adhesive 521 but also the thermally conductive pigment particles 522 to have a similar thermal conductivity to the first conductive layer 510, so that heat transferred to the first conductive layer 510 can be smoothly transferred to the second conductive layer 520 and the heat spreader 550.

[0133] Therefore, the thermally conductive sealing tape 500 included in the battery pack 1000 according to the present embodiment has an adhesive property as well as a thermal conductivity, so that not only heat generated by the battery cell 100 is transferred to the heat spreader 550 and the battery pack case 600, but also the battery cell 100, the battery cell cover 200, and the battery cell unit 10 including the battery cell and the battery cell cover are stably fixed to the battery pack case 600, so that the stability of the battery pack 1000 is greatly improved.

[0134] Meanwhile, although not specifically mentioned above, the battery pack according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can further include a battery management system (BMS) and / or a cooling device that controls and manages the temperature, voltage, etc. of the battery.

[0135] The battery pack according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various devices. For example, the device to which the battery pack is applied can be a vehicle such as an electric bicycle, an electric vehicle, and a hybrid electric vehicle. However, the above-described device is not limited thereto, and the battery pack according to the present embodiments can be used in various devices other than the above-described examples, which also belongs to the scope of the present disclosure.

[0136] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements can be made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present disclosure, which are defined in the appended claims, and also belong to the scope of the present disclosure.

[0137] 『Explanation of Reference Numerals]

[0138] 10: battery cell unit

[0139] 100: battery cell

[0140] 110: electrode lead

[0141] 200: battery cell cover

[0142] 210: upper side cover portion

[0143] 220: first side cover portion

[0144] 230: second side cover portion

[0145] 300: busbar assembly

[0146] 350: insulating cover portion

[0147] 400: end plate

[0148] 500: thermally conductive seal tape

[0149] 510: first conductive layer

[0150] 520: second conductive layer

[0151] 550: heat sink

[0152] 600: battery pack housing

[0153] 610: upper battery pack housing

[0154] 620: lower battery pack housing

[0155] 1000: battery pack

Claims

1. A battery pack characterized by comprising: Comprising: a plurality of battery cells stacked in one direction; a battery pack case in which the battery cells are housed in an internal space of the battery pack case; a battery cell cover at least partially surrounding at least some of the plurality of battery cells in the internal space of the battery pack case; and a thermally conductive sealing tape formed between the battery cells and the battery pack case, wherein the thermally conductive sealing tape includes: a first conductive layer in contact with the battery cells, and a second conductive layer adhering the first conductive layer to the battery pack case.

2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein: the first conductive layer includes a first film and a second film coated on both surfaces of the first film.

3. The battery pack of claim 2, wherein: the first film includes a metal, and the second film includes a polymer.

4. The battery pack of claim 3, wherein: the first film includes aluminum, and the second film includes polyimide.

5. The battery pack of claim 2, wherein: an outermost one of the second films is disposed in contact with the battery cells, and another one of the second films is disposed in contact with the battery pack case.

6. The battery pack of claim 2, wherein: the first conductive layer has a multi-layer structure formed by the first film and the second film.

7. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein: the second conductive layer includes: an adhesive; and a plurality of thermally conductive pigment particles within the adhesive.

8. The battery pack of claim 7, wherein: the second conductive layer is disposed in contact with the first conductive layer.

9. The battery pack of claim 7, wherein: the adhesive is disposed in contact with the first conductive layer, and the plurality of thermally conductive pigment particles are disposed proximate to an interface between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

10. The battery pack of claim 9, wherein: the plurality of thermally conductive pigment particles are dispersed at the interface between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

11. The battery pack of claim 7, wherein: the plurality of thermally conductive pigment particles are aluminum.

12. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein: the thermally conductive sealing tape is disposed in contact with a lower side edge portion of the battery cells and a lower battery pack case.

13. An apparatus comprising the battery pack of claim 1. ​

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