Housing and battery module, comprising a housing

Abstract

Battery module (200), comprising: a cell arrangement (101) comprising a plurality of battery cells (100); and a housing (300) comprising a main plate (310) which supports the cell arrangement (101) and a side wall (320, 320a, 320b, 513) which faces the cell arrangement (101), wherein the main plate (310) includes a central section (311, 411, 421) and an end section (312, 312a, 312b) which extends from the central section (311, 411, 421), at least one section (P4, P5, P6) of the central section (311, 411, 421) projects further in the direction of the cell arrangement (101) than at least one section (P1, P2, P3, P7, P8, P9) of the end region (312, 312a, 312b) or with which at least one section (111, 115, 115a, 115b) of the end region (312, 312a, 312b) is coplanar.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure and implementations disclosed in this specification generally relate to a housing and a battery module including the housing. BACKGROUND

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged and can therefore be applied to devices in a variety of fields, such as digital cameras, mobile phones, laptops, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems (ESS). The secondary battery can be a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or a nickel-hydrogen battery.

[0003] Secondary batteries can be manufactured as flexible pouch-type battery cells or rigid prismatic or cylindrical can-type battery cells. A plurality of battery cells can be configured as a stacked cell array.

[0004] A cell assembly may be arranged in a housing to form a battery module, and a plurality of battery modules may be arranged in a pack housing to form a battery pack. SUMMARY

[0005] The disclosure of this specification may be implemented in some embodiments to provide a battery module including a cell assembly and a housing that supports the cell assembly. The housing may be deformed due to a load caused by components of the battery module. For example, due to the load of the cell assembly and the load of a bus bar assembly, a middle portion of the housing may sag further in a downward direction based on the battery module than an end portion of the housing. Due to the deformation occurring in the battery module, assembly difficulty may increase when the battery module is mounted into an energy storage device (e.g., a battery pack, an electric vehicle, and an energy storage system).

[0006] According to one aspect of the disclosure of this specification, a battery module with reduced deformation (e.g., sagging in a downward direction) of the battery module may be provided.

[0007] A housing and a battery module incorporating the housing according to the disclosure of this specification can be widely applied in green technology fields such as electric vehicles, battery charging stations, solar power generation, and wind power generation using other batteries, or the like. Additionally, a housing and a battery module incorporating the housing according to the disclosure of this specification can be used in environmentally friendly electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, or the like to prevent climate change by suppressing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

[0008] In some embodiments of the disclosure of this specification, a battery module includes a cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; and a housing including a main plate supporting the cell assembly and a sidewall extending from the main plate in a first direction. The main plate may include a central portion and an end region extending from the central portion. At least a portion of the central portion may protrude further than at least a portion of the end region in the first direction or may be coplanar with the at least one portion of the end region.

[0009] According to one embodiment, before the housing is assembled with the cell assembly, the central portion may be formed to protrude further than the end portion in the first direction.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a height difference between the central portion and the end region may be within 0.5 mm.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the housing may comprise stainless steel or aluminum.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the battery module may further include a busbar assembly including a busbar connected to electrode tabs of the plurality of battery cells and a busbar frame supporting the busbar; a cover disposed on a side of the cell assembly and connected to the sidewall; an end plate connected to the housing and surrounding at least a portion of the cell assembly; and an insulating cover disposed on at least a portion of the busbar assembly and the sidewall.

[0013] In some embodiments of the disclosure of this specification, a housing of the disclosure of this specification includes a main plate configured to support a cell assembly; and a sidewall extending from the main plate in a first direction. The main plate may include a central portion and an end region extending from the central portion. The central portion may be formed to protrude further than the end region in the first direction.

[0014] According to one embodiment, a height of the central portion in the first direction may be 0.1 mm to 0.7 mm more or less than a height of the end region.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the housing may include at least one of stainless steel or aluminum.

[0016] A method of manufacturing a battery case may include a first pressing process for forming a case including a main plate and a side wall extending from the main plate in a first direction; and a second pressing process for pressing a central portion of the main plate using a die including a protrusion.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the die may include a first die including a first protrusion configured to contact the central portion and a second die configured to be arranged in an opposite direction of the first die based on the main plate.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the second shape may include a second protrusion configured to contact the central portion.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the first protrusion may provide an external force to a first surface of the main plate and the second protrusion may provide an external force to a second surface of the main plate opposite the first surface.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the protrusion may comprise polyurethane.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the housing may include a side wall extending from the main plate in the first direction. The main plate may include an end region extending from the central portion. The second pressing process may be configured to deform the main plate such that a height of the central portion protrudes further in the first direction than a height of the end region.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the height of the central portion deformed by the second pressing process may be 0.1 mm to 0.7 mm more or less than a height of the end portion. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0023] Certain aspects, features and advantages of the disclosure of this specification may be illustrated by the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a housing according to one embodiment. Fig. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for manufacturing a housing. Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B are views of an apparatus for manufacturing a housing according to an embodiment. Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B are views of an apparatus for manufacturing a housing according to another embodiment. Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B are diagrams illustrating the flatness of a housing according to one embodiment. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the flatness of a housing according to a first comparative example. Fig. 10A, Fig. 10B and Fig. 10C are diagrams illustrating the flatness of a package according to a second comparative example. Fig. 11A and Fig. 11B are diagrams illustrating the flatness of a housing mounted on a battery module according to one embodiment. Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating the flatness of a case mounted on a battery module according to a first comparative example. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Features of the disclosure of this specification disclosed in this specification may be described by way of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] The disclosure of this specification will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this is merely illustrative, and the disclosure of this specification is not limited to the specific embodiments described by way of example.

[0026] Terms or words used in the specification and claims described below may not be construed to be limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. The inventor will interpret the meaning and concept in accordance with the technical idea of ​​the disclosure of this specification, based on the principle that the concept of the term is appropriately defined to best explain the disclosure of this specification.

[0027] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings may be only the most preferred embodiments of the disclosure of this specification and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the disclosure of this specification, and it is understood that various equivalents and variations therefor may be substituted at the time of filing the disclosure of this specification.

[0028] Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that may obscure the essence of the disclosure of this specification may be omitted. In the accompanying drawings, some components may be exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated schematically, and a size of each of the components does not fully reflect its actual size.

[0029] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to one embodiment.

[0030] With reference to Fig. 1, a battery cell 100 may include a pouch 110, an electrode assembly 120, and an electrode tab 130. The battery cell 100 may be a secondary battery. For example, the battery cell 100 may be a lithium-ion battery, but the disclosure of this specification is not limited thereto. For example, the battery cell 100 may be a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or a nickel-hydrogen battery that can be charged and discharged.

[0031] The bag 110 may form at least a portion of an exterior of the battery cell 100. The bag 110 may include an electrode receiving portion 111 that receives the electrode assembly 120 and a sealing portion 115 that seals at least a portion of a periphery of the electrode receiving portion 111. The electrode receiving portion 111 may provide a space that receives the electrode assembly 120 and an electrolyte solution.

[0032] The sealing portion 115 may be formed by joining at least a portion of a periphery of the pouch 110. The sealing portion 115 may be formed in a flange shape extending outward from the electrode receiving portion 111 formed in a container shape, and may be arranged along at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the electrode receiving portion 111. In one embodiment, the sealing portion 115 may include a first sealing portion 115a in which the electrode tab 130 is located and a second sealing portion 115b in which the electrode tab 130 is not located. A portion of the electrode tab 130 may be extended from the pouch 110 or exposed outside it.In a position where the electrode tab 130 is pulled out, to increase a sealing degree of the first sealing portion 115a while ensuring an electrically insulating state, the electrode tab 130 may be covered by an insulating film 140. The insulating film 140 may be formed of a film material having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the electrode tab 130 and may be attached to both surfaces of the electrode tab 130.

[0033] In one embodiment, the electrode tabs 130 may be arranged on both sides of the battery cell 100 in a longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) so that they point in opposite directions. For example, the electrode tab 130 may include a positive lead 130a of a first polarity (e.g., positive electrode) facing one side of the battery cell 100 in the longitudinal direction and a negative lead 130b of a second polarity (e.g., negative electrode) facing the other side of the battery cell 100 in the longitudinal direction. Fig. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the sealing portion 115 may include two first sealing portions 115a on which the electrode tab 130 is disposed, and a second sealing portion 115b on which the electrode tab 130 is not disposed. In one embodiment, the electrode tab 130 may be referred to as an electrode lead.

[0034] A direction in which the electrode tab 130 is located can be selectively configured. In one embodiment (e.g. Fig. 1) The electrode tab 130 may include the first electrode lead 130a and the second electrode lead 130b, which are located in a direction opposite to the first electrode lead 130a based on the electrode assembly 120. In Fig. 1, the electrode tabs 130 are illustrated as facing in opposite directions on both sides of the battery cell 100 in the longitudinal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction), although the structures of the electrode tabs 130 are not limited thereto. For example, the two electrode tabs 130 may be arranged substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) of the battery cell 100.

[0035] The bag 110 is not limited to a structure in which the sealing portion 115 is formed on three surfaces by folding a single layer of outer material as shown in Fig. 1 illustrates.

[0036] In one embodiment of the disclosure of this specification, at least a portion of the sealing portions 115 may be formed to be folded at least once. At least a portion of the sealing portion 115 may be folded to improve the connection reliability of the sealing portion 115 and minimize an area of ​​the sealing portion 115. Among the sealing portions 115 according to one embodiment, the second sealing portion 115b, on which the electrode tab 130 is not disposed, may be folded twice and then fixed by an adhesive member (not illustrated). An angle at which the second sealing portion 115b is bent or the number of times the second sealing portion 115b is bent may be changed. For example, in one embodiment (not illustrated), the second sealing portion 115b may be folded by 90° with respect to the first sealing portion 115a.

[0037] The electrode assembly 120 may include a cathode plate, an anode plate, and a separator. The separator may prevent contact between the cathode plate and the anode plate. Those skilled in the art will understand that the electrode assembly 120 may be manufactured using a variety of methods. According to exemplary embodiments, an electrode assembly may be formed by repeatedly arranging a cathode, an anode, and a separator. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly may be of a wrap type, a stack type, a fan-fold type, or a stack-fold type.

[0038] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0039] With reference to Fig. 2 and / or Fig. 3, a battery module 200 may include a cell assembly 101, a busbar assembly 210, a sensor assembly 220, a cover 230, an end plate 240, an insulating cover 250, and / or a housing 300.

[0040] The cell arrangement 101 may include a plurality of battery cells 100. The description of the battery cell 100 in Fig. 1 can be converted to a battery cell 100 in Fig. 3 can be applied.

[0041] The cell assembly 101 may have a substantially hexahedral shape. In one embodiment, the cell assembly 101 may be referred to as a cell stack. In one embodiment, the cell assembly 101 may include the plurality of battery cells 100 connected using an adhesive tape. According to one embodiment, the cell assembly 101 may include a heat spread prevention element located between at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0042] The busbar assembly 210 may include a busbar 211 having electrical conductivity and electrically connected to an electrode tab 130 of the battery cell 100, and a busbar frame 212 supporting the busbar 211. The busbar frame 212 may be referred to as a support plate or a frame. The busbar frame 212 may be formed from an electrically insulating material (e.g., polymer). At least a portion of the busbar frame 212 may be disposed between the cell assembly 101 and the busbar 211 to support the busbar 211. The busbar frame 212 may include at least one mounting hole for receiving a coupling component (e.g., screw, rivet, and / or hub structure). The busbar frame 212 may be coupled to a portion of the housing 300 (e.g., sidewall 320) by the coupling component.In one embodiment, the busbar 211 may be referred to as an internal busbar.

[0043] The busbar assembly 210 may include at least one terminal busbar 213 for external electrical connection. The electrode tab 130 of the battery cell 100 may be electrically connected to an exterior of the battery module 200 through the busbar 211 and the terminal busbar 213. For example, the terminal busbar 213 may be electrically connected to the busbar 211, and power of the battery cell 100 may be transmitted to the exterior of the battery module 200 through the busbar 211 and the terminal busbar 213. The terminal busbar 213 may be exposed to an exterior of the housing 300 through a hole 250a of the insulating cover 250. In one embodiment, the terminal busbar 213 may be referred to as a high-voltage busbar.

[0044] The sensor assembly 220 may include a sensor for sensing information about the battery module 200. For example, the sensor assembly 220 may include a temperature sensor (not shown) and at least one voltage sensing terminal 221 connected to the bus bar 211. The sensor assembly 220 may include a flexible circuit board 222 connected to the voltage sensing terminal 221 and a circuit support element 223 supporting the flexible circuit board. The sensor assembly 220 may be connected to a battery control unit (e.g., battery control unit 590 of Fig. 13) located on the outside of the battery module 200.

[0045] The cover 230 may cover a portion (e.g., upper portion) of the cell assembly 101. For example, the cover 230 may be disposed on one side of the cell assembly 101. The cover 230 may protect the cell assembly 101 from external impact of the battery module 200. In one embodiment, the cover 230 may be referred to as a top cover. The cover 230 may be connected or assembled with the housing 300, the end plate 240, and / or the insulating cover 250.

[0046] The end plate 240 may surround at least a portion of the cell assembly 101. In one embodiment, the end plate 240 may be connected to an end portion of a main plate 310 and an end portion of a side wall 320 in the longitudinal direction (e.g., X-axis direction). The end plate 240 may protect the cell assembly 101 from external impact of the battery module 200. The end plate 240 may cover a portion of a side surface of the cell assembly 101.

[0047] The insulating cover 250 may prevent contact between at least a portion of the bus bar assembly 210 (e.g., terminal bus bar 213) and the housing 300 (e.g., sidewall 320). For example, at least a portion of the insulating cover 250 may be disposed between the terminal bus bar 213 and the sidewall 320. The insulating cover 250 may be formed from an insulating material (e.g., polymer) and prevent current flow due to contact between the terminal bus bar 213 and the sidewall 320. In one embodiment, the insulating cover 250 may be disposed between the cell assembly 101 and the sidewall 320.

[0048] The housing 300 may form at least a portion of an exterior of the battery module 200 and form a receiving space S for receiving the cell assembly 101 and / or the busbar assembly 210. The housing 300 may protect the cell assembly 101 from external impact. For example, the housing 300 may include the main plate 310 supporting the cell assembly 101 and the sidewall 320 extending from the main plate 310 in the first direction (e.g., +Z direction). In one embodiment, the main plate 310 may be referred to as a bottom plate. The cell assembly 101 may be mounted to the main plate 310. The main plate 310 may include a first surface 310a supporting the cell assembly 101 and a second surface 310b opposite the first surface 310a. The side wall 320 may cover at least a portion of a side surface of the cell assembly 101.For example, the sidewall 320 may extend from both edges of the cell assembly 101 in the first direction. The sidewall 320 may be formed integrally with the main plate 310. At least a portion of the receiving space S may be surrounded by the housing 300 (e.g., the main plate 310 and the sidewall 320), the end plate 240, and the cover 230.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the housing 300 may be formed from a material having high thermal conductivity, such as metal. For example, the housing 300 may be formed from aluminum or stainless steel. The material of the housing 300 is not limited thereto. According to another embodiment, the housing 300 may be formed from a polymer. The housing 300 may be referred to as a battery housing, a case, or a module housing / case.

[0050] Fig. 4 is a plan view of a housing according to one embodiment.

[0051] With reference to Fig. 4, a housing 300 may include a main plate 310 and a side wall 320. The description of the housing 300 in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 can be mounted on the housing 300 in Fig. 4 may be applied.

[0052] The main plate 310 may include a central portion 311 and an end portion 312 extending from the central portion 311.

[0053] The central portion 311 may be disposed between a first end portion 312a and a second end portion 312b. For example, the central portion 311 may be a portion of the main plate 310 disposed between the sidewall 320, the first end portion 312a, and the second end portion 312b. In one embodiment, the central portion 311 may be a portion of the main plate 310 that includes a fourth region P4, a fifth region P5, and a sixth region P6 of Fig. 4. In one embodiment, the fifth region P5 may be a portion of the main plate 310 that includes a center of gravity of the main plate 310.

[0054] In one embodiment, the fifth region P5 may be a portion of the main plate 310 located halfway along the length (e.g., distance in the X-axis direction) and halfway along the width (e.g., distance in the Y-axis direction) of the main plate 310. The fourth region P4 may be a portion of the main plate 310 located in a fourth direction (+Y direction) from the fifth region P5. The fourth region P4 may be located closer to a first sidewall 320a compared to the fifth region P5. The sixth region P6 may be a portion of the main plate 310 located in a fifth direction (-Y direction) from the fifth region P5. The sixth region P6 may be located closer to a second sidewall 320b compared to the fifth region P5.

[0055] The end region 312 may include the first end region 312a, which faces a third direction (e.g., -X direction) of the main plate 310, and the second end region 312b, which faces a second direction (+X direction) opposite to the third direction (-X direction). The first end region 312a may include a first region P1, a second region P2, and a third region P3 located in the third direction (-X direction), corresponding to the fourth region P4, the fifth region P5, and the sixth region P6, respectively. The second end region 312b may include a seventh region P7, an eighth region P8, and a ninth region P9 located in the second direction (+X direction), corresponding to the fourth region P4, the fifth region P5, and the sixth region P6, respectively.

[0056] When the housing 300 is provided with a cell arrangement (e.g. cell arrangement 101 of Fig. 3), a portion of the main plate 310 may be displaced due to the load of a component (e.g., cell assembly 101 of Fig. 3) a battery module (e.g. battery module 200 from Fig. 2) be bent. For example, the middle portion 311 may sag, and the middle portion 311 may be located further in a downward direction (e.g., -Z direction) compared to the end portion 312. If the main plate 310 is deformed (e.g., bent), the assemblability of the battery module 200 may be deteriorated.

[0057] The following describes a housing 300, an apparatus for manufacturing the housing 300, and a method for manufacturing the housing, which can prevent deformation of the main plate 310.

[0058] Fig. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for manufacturing a housing.

[0059] With reference to Fig. 5, a method 10 for manufacturing a housing may include a first pressing process 11 and a second pressing process 12. The method 10 may include a method for manufacturing the housing 300 of the Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 be.

[0060] The first pressing process 11 may be a process for forming a housing (e.g., a temporary housing or an intermediate housing) including a main plate 310 and a side wall 320 extending from the main plate 310 using a mold (not illustrated). The housing manufactured by the first pressing process 11 may be a housing in which a central portion 311 of the main plate 310 is not pressed. For example, the flatness of the housing manufactured by the first pressing process 11 may be substantially uniform.

[0061] The second pressing process 12 may be a process for pressing a portion of the main plate 310 of the housing 300 using a mold (e.g., the mold 400 in Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B, Fig. 7A and / or Fig. 7B). For example, the second pressing process 12 may press the central portion 311 of the main plate 310. The second pressing process 12 may be performed after the first pressing process 11. In one embodiment, the second pressing process 12 may be referred to as a re-strike process.

[0062] The second pressing process 12 may deform the main plate 310. For example, the second pressing process 12 may deform the main plate 310 such that the central portion 311 of the main plate 310 in the first direction (e.g., +Z direction in Fig. 3). The flatness of the main plate 310 can be changed by the second pressing process 12. For example, the central portion 311 can protrude further in the first direction (+Z direction) compared to an end region 312.

[0063] Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B are views of an apparatus for manufacturing a housing according to an embodiment. Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B are views of an apparatus for manufacturing a housing according to another embodiment.

[0064] With reference to Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B, Fig. 7A and / or Fig. 7B together with Fig. 4, a mold 400 may include a first mold 410 and a second mold 420. The mold 400 may be used to form the housing 300 of Fig. 3. For example, the mold 400 may be a mold for performing the second pressing process 12 of Fig. 5.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the die 400 may apply pressure or an external force to a central portion 311 of a main plate 310. The flatness of the main plate 310 may be changed by the pressure or external force applied by the die 400.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the mold 400 may be configured to correspond to a shape of a housing 300. For example, the mold 400 may be configured to contact or be located close to a surface of the main plate 310 and a surface of a side wall 320 in the housing 300. According to one embodiment, the mold 400 may correspond to an inner surface (e.g., the first surface 310a of Fig. 3) and a second surface (e.g., the second surface 310b of Fig. 3) provide an external force to the main plate 310.

[0067] The pressing mold 400 may include the first mold 410 and the second mold 420 with the housing 300 disposed therebetween. For example, the second mold 420 may be disposed in an opposite direction of the first mold 410, based on the main plate 310. In one embodiment, the first mold 410 may be disposed above the housing 300, and the second mold 420 may be disposed below the housing 300. The first mold 410 may face a first surface 310a of the main plate 310, and the second mold 420 may face a second surface 310b of the main plate 310. In another embodiment, the first mold 410 may be disposed below the housing 300, and the second mold 420 may be disposed above the housing 300. The first shape 410 may face the second surface 310b of the main plate 310, and the second shape 420 may face the first surface 310a of the main plate 310.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the first mold 410 may include a first pressing region 412, which may face the main plate 310, and a protruding region 413, which may face at least a portion of the side wall 320. The second mold 420 may include a second pressing region 422, which may face the main plate 310, and a second protruding region 423, which may face at least a portion of the side wall 320.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the first mold 410 and the second mold 420 may be connected to each other using connecting structures 418 and 428. For example, the first mold 410 may include at least one first connecting structure 418, and the second mold 420 may include a second connecting structure 428 for receiving the first connecting structure 418. The first connecting structure 418 may have a columnar shape. The second connecting structure 428 may have a cylindrical shape with a hole 428a configured to receive the first connecting structure 418.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the pressing die 400 may include a protrusion 430 for providing pressure or an external force to the central portion 311 of the main plate 310. The protrusion 430 may contact the central portion 311 of the main plate 310 and change a shape of the central portion 311. For example, the protrusion 430 may be disposed in a first central portion 411 of the first die 410 and / or a second central portion 421 of the second die 420. At least a portion of the first central portion 411 and / or at least a portion of the second central portion 421 may face the central portion 311 of the main plate 310.

[0071] The protrusion 430 may be formed from a material having a specified range of stiffness and / or elasticity. For example, in one embodiment, the protrusion 430 may include polyurethane. In other embodiments, the protrusion 430 may be replaced with a polymer or stainless steel. In one embodiment, the protrusion 430 may be referred to as a stamp or a urethane stamp.

[0072] Structures, shapes and / or the number of protrusions 430 can be selectively designed.

[0073] According to one embodiment (e.g. Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B), the first mold 410 may include a first protrusion 431. The second mold 420 may not include the protrusion 430. The first protrusion 431 may be located at a center of the first mold 410. For example, the first protrusion 431 may exert pressure on the central portion 311 of the main plate 310, causing the central portion 311 to protrude.

[0074] According to one embodiment (e.g. Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B), the first shape 410 may include a first protrusion 431, and the second shape 420 may include a second protrusion 432. According to one embodiment, the first protrusion 431 and the second protrusion 432 may be formed as a plurality of protrusions. At least a portion of the plurality of first protrusions 431 may be disposed in the first central portion 411 of the first shape 410, and at least a portion of the plurality of second protrusions 432 may be disposed in the second central portion 421 of the second shape 420. For example, the first protrusion 431 and the second protrusion 432 may provide compression to the central portion 311 of the main plate 310 such that the central portion 311 protrudes. The numbers of protrusions 431 and 432 illustrated are illustrative, and the number, sizes, and / or patterns of the protrusions 431 and 432 may be selectively configured.

[0075] Forms of the first mold 410 and / or the second mold 420, which in Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B, Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B are illustrative. For example, the sizes and shapes of the first mold 410 and / or the second mold 420 can be selectively configured to correspond to a shape of the housing 300.

[0076] Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B are diagrams illustrating the flatness of a housing according to one embodiment. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the flatness of a housing according to a first comparative example. Fig. 10A, Fig. 10B and Fig. 10C are diagrams illustrating the flatness of a package according to a second comparative example.

[0077] In Fig. 8A, Fig. 8B, Fig. 9, Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B, a horizontal axis refers to any area of ​​a plane of a main plate 310 (e.g., XY plane in Fig. 4), and a vertical axis refers to a height of a housing 300 (e.g., position in the Z-axis direction of Fig. 3). A positive value for the height of the housing 300 may refer to a degree of sagging in a gravity direction (e.g., downward toward an outside of a battery module 200) from a length measurement reference position. For example, a negative value on the vertical axis may refer to a length projecting in an upward direction from a length measurement reference position of the housing 300. As shown in Fig. 8A, Fig. 8B, Fig. 9, Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B, a height of the housing 300 may be a value before the housing 300 is assembled with a cell assembly 101.

[0078] A 1-1 diagram G11 of Fig. Figure 8A illustrates the flatness of a housing 300 formed using the die 400 of Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B. For example, the 1-1 diagram G11 of Fig. 8A shows the flatness of a housing 300 modified by a first mold 410 including a first projection 431 and a second mold 420 including a second projection 432. In the Fig. 8A, the 1-1 flatness H11, the 1-2 flatness H12, and the 1-3 flatness H13 may be values ​​obtained by measuring profiles of surfaces of the housing 300, respectively. In one embodiment, the 1-1 flatness H11, the 1-2 flatness H12, and the 1-3 flatness H13 values ​​illustrate the flatness adjusted by the sizes, heights, shapes, and / or the number of protrusions 430 used. In one embodiment, the 1-1 flatness H11, the 1-2 flatness H12, and the 1-3 flatness H13 may be values ​​obtained by measuring profiles of surfaces of the housing 300, respectively, in different samples.

[0079] A 1-2 diagram G12 of Fig. Figure 8B illustrates the flatness of a housing 300 formed using the die 400 of Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B. For example, the 1-2 diagram G12 of Fig. 8B illustrates the flatness of a housing 300 modified by a first mold 410 including a first protrusion 431 and a second mold 420 not including a second protrusion 432.

[0080] In the Fig. 8B, the 1-4 flatness H14 and the 1-5 flatness H15 may be values ​​obtained by measuring profiles of surfaces of the housing 300, respectively. According to one embodiment, the 1-4 flatness H14 and the 1-5 flatness H15 values ​​illustrate the flatness adjusted by the sizes, heights, shapes, and / or the number of protrusions 430 used. According to one embodiment, the 1-4 flatness H14 and the 1-5 flatness H15 values ​​may be values ​​obtained by measuring profiles of surfaces of the housing 300, respectively, in different samples.

[0081] With reference to Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B, regions (e.g., the fourth region P4, the fifth region P5, and the sixth region P6) located in a central portion 311 of the housing 300 may protrude further in the first direction compared to regions (e.g., the first region P1, the second region P2, the third region P3, the seventh region P7, the eighth region P8, and the ninth region P9) located in an end region 312 of the housing 300. For example, according to one embodiment (e.g., Fig. 8A), the central portion 311 (e.g., the fifth region P5) of the housing 300 protrudes further in the first direction by at most about 0.65 mm than the fifth region P5 of the first comparative example. For example, according to one embodiment (e.g., Fig. 8B), the central portion 311 (e.g., the fifth region P5) of the housing 300 protrudes further in the first direction by at most about 0.50 mm than the fifth region P5 of the first comparative example. As the height difference between the central portion 311 and the end portion 312 increases, the deformation (e.g., sagging) of the main plate 310 can be reduced.

[0082] A second diagram G2 of Fig. Figure 9 illustrates the flatness of a housing 300 manufactured without using a die 400. For example, the second diagram G2 of Fig. 9 the flatness of the housing 300 in which a second pressing process 12 is not carried out after the first pressing process 11 of Fig. 5 is carried out. In the Fig. For the housing 300 illustrated in Figure 9, the 2-1 flatness H21, the 2-2 flatness H22, and the 2-3 flatness H23 may be values ​​obtained by measuring profiles of surfaces of the housing 300 in different samples, respectively. The values ​​of the 2-1 flatness H21, the 2-2 flatness H22, and the 2-3 flatness H23 may represent the flatness.

[0083] With reference to Fig. 9, regions (e.g., the fourth region P4, the fifth region P5, and the sixth region P6) located in a central portion 311 of the housing 300 may be formed to be substantially coplanar with regions (e.g., the first region P1, the second region P2, the third region P3, the seventh region P7, the eighth region P8, and the ninth region P9) located in an end region 312 of the housing 300.

[0084] Fig. 10A, Fig. 10B and Fig. 10C illustrate the flatness of a housing 300 manufactured using a die 400 that does not include a projection 430. For example, a 3-1 diagram G31, a 3-2 diagram G32, and a 3-3 diagram G33 in Fig. 10A, Fig. 10B and Fig. 10C illustrates the flatness of a housing 300 having a central portion deformed using a mold (e.g., a core mold).

[0085] In the Fig. 10A, Fig. 10B and Fig. 10C, the 3-1 flatness H31, the 3-2 flatness H32, and the 3-3 flatness H33 may be values ​​obtained by measuring profiles of surfaces of the housing 300 in different samples, respectively. According to one embodiment (e.g., Fig. 10A), in the housing 300, a central portion 311 of a main plate 310, which is deformed by a second pressing process by a first specified length (e.g., 3 mm), can protrude by at most 0.1 mm further than an end portion 312. According to one embodiment (e.g., Fig. 10B), in the housing 300, a central portion 311 of a main plate 310, which is deformed by a second pressing process by a second specified length (e.g., 4 mm), can protrude by a maximum of 0.12 mm further than an end portion 312. According to one embodiment (e.g., Fig. 10C), in the housing 300, a central portion 311 of a main plate 310, which is deformed by a second pressing process by a third specified length (e.g., 5 mm), can protrude by a maximum of 0.13 mm further than an end portion 312. The 3-1 flatness H31, the 3-2 flatness H32, and the 3-3 flatness H33 of the Fig. 10A, Fig. 10B and Fig. 10C may be values ​​obtained by measuring profiles of surfaces of the housing 300 in different samples. The values ​​of 3-1 flatness H31, 3-2 flatness H32, and 3-3 flatness H33 may represent the flatness.

[0086] Fig. 11A and Fig. 11B are diagrams illustrating the flatness of a housing mounted on a battery module according to one embodiment. Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating the flatness of a case mounted on a battery module according to a first comparative example.

[0087] With reference to Fig. 11A, Fig. 11B and Fig. 12 together with Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B, the flatness of a housing 300 may be changed when the housing 300 is mounted on a battery module 200. For example, the housing 300 may support a cell assembly 101, and a central portion 311 of a main plate 310 may sag due to the load of the cell assembly 101. In Fig. 11A, Fig. 11B and Fig. 12, a horizontal axis refers to any area of ​​a plane of the main plate 310 (e.g., XY plane in Fig. 4), and a vertical axis refers to a height of the housing 300 (e.g., position in the Z-axis direction of Fig. 3). A positive value for the height of the housing 300 may refer to a length sag in a gravity direction (e.g., downward toward an outside of the battery module 200) from a length measurement reference position. For example, a negative value on the vertical axis may refer to a length protruding in an upward direction from a length measurement reference position of the housing 300.

[0088] A 4-1 diagram G41 of Fig. Fig. 11A illustrates a flatness distribution surface H41 of a housing 300 formed using the die 400 of Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B or the press mold 400 from Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B. With reference to Fig. 11A, the housing 300 may have a flatness of -0.4 mm to 0.3 mm before being assembled with a cell assembly 101. For example, with reference to Fig. 11A in the flatness distribution surface H41 of the housing 300, a central portion (e.g., the fourth region P4, the fifth region P5, and the sixth region P6) in the first direction (e.g., +Z direction in Fig. 4) be arranged about 0.4 mm from a first reference line L1. In one embodiment, the first reference line L1 may be a position in the first direction of a fifth area P5 in a case where the second pressing process 12 of Fig. 5 is not carried out.

[0089] A 4-2 diagram G42 of Fig. Fig. 11B illustrates a flatness distribution surface H42 of a housing 300 formed using the die 400 of Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B or the press mold 400 from Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B, in which the housing 300 is connected to a cell assembly 101. Referring to Fig. 11B, the housing 300 connected to the cell assembly 101 may, in one embodiment, have a flatness of -0.5 mm to 0 mm. For example, in a main plate 310, a difference between a height of a central portion 311 and a height of an end region 312 may be less than 0.5 mm. For example, with reference to Fig. 11B, in the flatness distribution surface H42 of the housing 300, a central portion (e.g., the fourth region P4, the fifth region P5, and the sixth region P6) and an end region (e.g., the first region P1, the second region P2, the third region P3, the seventh region P7, the eighth region P8, and the ninth region P9) are on a higher level than a first reference line L1 (e.g., in the first direction (+Z direction) of Fig. 4) be arranged.

[0090] In a state where a housing 300 is mounted to a cell assembly 101, the housing 300 may be configured to be substantially flat. According to one embodiment, in a state where a housing 300 is mounted to a cell assembly 101, a central portion 311 of a main plate 310 (e.g., the fourth region P4, the fifth region P5, and the sixth region P6) may be configured to be substantially coplanar with an end portion 312 of the main plate 310 (e.g., the first region P1, the second region P2, the third region P3, the seventh region P7, the eighth region P8, and the ninth region P9). For example, a portion of the central portion 311 may protrude further in the first direction (+Z direction) than at least a portion of the end portion 312 or may be substantially coplanar with at least a portion of the end portion 312.For example, at least a portion of the central portion 311 may be closer to the cell assembly 101 and / or a cover 230 than at least a portion of the end region 312. A lower portion of a battery module 200 (e.g., the main plate 310 of the housing 300) may be formed to be substantially flat to reduce a defect rate of the battery module 200. The mass production yield and productivity of the battery module 200 may be improved.

[0091] According to one embodiment, when the housing 300 is separated from the battery module 200, a shape of the housing 300 may be deformed. The shape of the housing 300 mounted on the battery module 200 of this document may be measured using non-destructive testing in a state where the housing 300 is not separated from the battery module 200.

[0092] A fifth diagram G5 of Fig. 12 illustrates a flatness distribution surface H51 of a case in a battery module including the case provided by a first comparative example (e.g., Fig. 9) is produced in which the second pressing process of Fig. 5 is not carried out. With reference to Fig. 12, the casing connected to the cell assembly 101 of the first comparative example may have a flatness of -0.5 mm to 0.7 mm. In the first comparative example, a central portion of a casing of an assembled battery module (e.g., the fourth region P4, the fifth region P5, and the sixth region P6) may be located at a lower level in the battery module than an end region (e.g., the first region P1, the second region P2, the third region P3, the seventh region P7, the eighth region P8, and the ninth region P9). For example, deformation due to the load may occur in the battery module of the first comparative example.

[0093] Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment.

[0094] With reference to Fig. 13, a battery pack 500 may include at least one battery module 200 and a pack frame 510 that accommodates the at least one battery module 200. The description of the battery module 200, which is Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, can be accessed via the battery module 200 in Fig. 13 may be applied.

[0095] The pack frame 510 may accommodate a component of the battery pack 500 (e.g., battery module 200). The pack frame 510 may include a bottom member 511 that supports the battery module 200, a pack cover 512 that covers the battery module 200, and a pack side wall 513 that connects the bottom member 511 and the pack cover 512. The bottom member 511 may include a main plate (e.g., main plate 310 of Fig. 3) a housing (e.g. housing 300 of Fig. 3) of the battery module 200.

[0096] The pack frame 510 may include a partition wall 514 that crosses at least a portion of a plurality of battery modules 200. For example, a receiving space of the pack frame 510 may be divided into a plurality of spaces by the partition wall 514. The partition wall 514 may be installed to cross the receiving space to enhance the rigidity of the pack frame 510. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the plurality of partition walls 514 may include a vent hole for guiding a path for gas and / or flame generated in the battery module 200.

[0097] In one embodiment, the battery pack 500 may include a channel element 560. A flow space may be formed in the channel element 560, in which gas and / or flame emitted from the battery module 200 flows. The channel element 560 may be arranged in the pack frame 510. The flow space of the channel element 560 may be connected to the vent hole of the partition wall 514. For example, gas and / or flame emitted by a battery cell of the battery module 200 (e.g., battery cell 100 in Fig. 1) is or are delivered to an outside of the battery pack 500 through the vent hole formed in the partition wall 514 and the flow space of the channel member 560.

[0098] The battery pack 500 may include a battery control unit 590 for controlling the battery module 200. The battery control unit 590 may be disposed in the pack frame 510. The battery control unit 590 may include a battery management system (BMS). Since a configuration of the battery control unit 590 may be known in various forms, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In one embodiment, the battery control unit 590 may be referred to as a processor.

[0099] The contents described above may be merely an example of the application of the principles of the disclosure of this specification, and other configurations may be further included without departing from the scope of the disclosure of this specification.

[0100] According to an embodiment of the disclosure of this specification, sagging of a battery module in a downward direction can be prevented or reduced.

[0101] According to an embodiment of the disclosure of this specification, defects in a battery module can be reduced.

[0102] According to an embodiment of the disclosure of this specification, the mass production yield and productivity of a battery module can be improved.

[0103] Only specific examples of implementations of particular embodiments may be described. Variations, improvements, and extensions of the disclosed embodiments and other embodiments may be made based on the disclosure of this specification.

Claims

[1] Battery module (200), comprising: a cell assembly (101) including a plurality of battery cells (100); and a housing (300) including a main plate (310) supporting the cell assembly (101) and a side wall (320, 320a, 320b, 513) facing the cell assembly (101), wherein the main plate (310) includes a central portion (311, 411, 421) and an end portion (312, 312a, 312b) extending from the central portion (311, 411, 421), at least one section (P4, P5, P6) of the central section (311, 411, 421) projects further in the direction of the cell arrangement (101) than at least one section (P1, P2, P3, P7, P8, P9) of the end region (312, 312a, 312b) or is coplanar with the at least one section (111, 115, 115a, 115b) of the end region (312, 312a, 312b). [2] The battery module (200) according to claim 1, wherein, before the case (300) is assembled with the cell assembly (101), the central portion (311, 411, 421) is formed to protrude further than the end portion (312, 312a, 312b) toward the cell assembly (101). [3] The battery module (200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a height difference between the central portion (311, 411, 421) and the end portion (312, 312a, 312b) is within 0.5 mm. [4] Battery module (200) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing (300) comprises stainless steel or aluminum. [5] Battery module (200) according to one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a busbar assembly (210) including a busbar (211, 213) connected to electrode tabs of the plurality of battery cells (100) and a busbar frame (212) supporting the busbar (211, 213); a cover (230, 512) disposed on one side of the cell assembly (101) and connected to the side wall (320, 320a, 320b, 513); an end plate (240) connected to the housing (300) and surrounding at least a portion (111, 115, 115a, 115b) of the cell assembly (101); and an insulating cover (250) located on at least a portion (111, 115, 115a, 115b) of the busbar assembly (210) and the side wall (320, 320a, 320b, 513). [6] Housing (300), comprising: a main plate (310) configured to support a cell assembly (101); and a side wall (320, 320a, 320b, 513) extending from the main plate (310) in a first direction, wherein the main plate (310) includes a central portion (311, 411, 421) and an end portion (312, 312a, 312b) extending from the central portion (311, 411, 421), and the central portion (311, 411, 421) is formed to protrude further than the end portion (312, 312a, 312b) in the first direction. [7] The housing (300) according to claim 6, wherein a height of the central portion (311, 411, 421) is 0.1 mm to 0.7 mm more than or less than a height of the end portion (312, 312a, 312b). [8] Housing (300) according to claim 6 or 7, comprising at least one of stainless steel or aluminum.

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