Battery module having improved cooling structure and battery pack including said battery module

Abstract

A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cell assembly in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in one direction, a heat dissipation member in the cell assembly that contacts the battery cells, and a module frame that houses the cell assembly, wherein the heat dissipation member includes a plate-shaped member parallel to one side of the battery cells, and a reinforcing member extending from at least one of an upper periphery and a lower periphery of the plate-shaped member.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0154007 dated November 16, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the battery module, and more particularly to a battery module having an improved cooling structure and a battery pack including the battery module. [Background technology]

[0003] As technological development and demand for mobile devices increases, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing. In particular, secondary batteries are attracting much attention as an energy source for power devices such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrid electric cars, as well as for mobile devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, laptops, and wearable devices.

[0004] Small mobile devices use one, two, three, or four battery cells per device, while medium to large devices such as automobiles require high output and large capacity. Therefore, medium to large battery modules that electrically connect multiple battery cells are used.

[0005] Meanwhile, when connecting multiple battery cells in series / parallel to construct a battery module and / or a battery pack, a common method is to construct a battery module consisting of at least one battery cell, and then use the at least one battery module to add other components to construct a battery pack.

[0006] Since the battery cells constituting such a medium- to large-sized battery module are composed of secondary batteries capable of being charged and discharged, such high-output, large-capacity secondary batteries generate a large amount of heat during the charging and discharging process. In this case, the heat generated from the multiple battery cells is added together in a small space, and the temperature may rise rapidly and excessively. In other words, a battery module in which multiple battery cells are stacked and a battery pack in which such a battery module is installed can obtain high output, but it is not easy to remove the heat generated in the battery cells during charging and discharging. If the heat of the battery cells is not properly dissipated, the deterioration of the battery cells accelerates, shortening their lifespan and increasing the possibility of explosion or fire.

[0007] Furthermore, battery modules included in vehicle battery packs are frequently exposed to direct sunlight and may be placed in high temperature conditions such as in summer or in desert regions. In addition, since multiple battery modules are arranged in a concentrated manner to increase the mileage of a vehicle, flames or heat generated in one battery module may easily spread to adjacent battery modules, which may ultimately lead to the battery pack itself catching fire or exploding.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery cell assembly to which a conventional cooling pin is applied, and Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing a cooling fin structure disposed between battery cells included in the battery cell assembly of Fig. 1.

[0009] 1 and 2, a conventional battery cell assembly 1 includes a plurality of battery cells 10 stacked side by side in one direction, and cooling pins 20 interposed between adjacent battery cells 10. The cooling pins 20 may include a plate-shaped heat sink 21 shown in Fig. 2, a refrigerant pipe 22 formed on the frame of the heat sink 21, and insulating sheet layers 25 formed on each of the upper and lower surfaces or the left and right surfaces of the heat sink 21. In this case, the insulating sheet layers 25 may be omitted, and the surface of the heat sink 21 may be insulatingly coated.

[0010] The refrigerant pipes 22 may be hook-coupled to the heat sink 21, or the refrigerant pipes 22 and the heat sink 21 may be integrally formed. The refrigerant pipes 22 are formed to be disposed outside the battery cells 10.

[0011] The battery cell assembly 1 can be housed in a module frame (not shown) to form a battery module, and heat generated in the battery cells can be cooled by the cooling pins 20 included in the battery cell assembly 1. However, the space utilization rate is low because a separate insulating sheet layer or coating layer is required to ensure the thickness of the cooling pins 20 and electrical insulation.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a heat dissipation path of a conventional battery module.

[0013] 3, a conventional battery module 30 includes a cell assembly 70 including battery cells 60 stacked in a preset direction, and a module frame 40 housing the cell assembly 70, and the cell assembly 70 is fixed and positioned on a thermally conductive resin layer 50 located on the lower surface of the module frame 40. In this case, in order to cool heat generated in the cell assembly 70, a heat sink 90 is provided in contact with the bottom of the module frame 40 located in the -z-axis direction of FIG. 3, and a thermally conductive pad 80 for heat transfer may be further provided between the heat sink 90 and the bottom of the module frame 40.

[0014] However, since the heat sink 90 does not directly contact the cell assembly 70 to transfer heat, the cooling efficiency is not very high, and a cooling path is formed in one direction (-z-axis direction) among the width directions of the battery cell, which may cause a temperature gradient. Also, since the structure of Fig. 3 is a form in which the thermally conductive resin layer 50 fixes the cell assembly 70 on one side, if a large expansion occurs in a high-capacity battery such as an all-solid-state battery or a silicon-based battery, a pouch cell crack problem may occur.

[0015] Therefore, in order to extend the life of the battery module and / or battery pack, it is necessary to improve the cooling efficiency of the battery module / battery pack and reinforce the structural stability so that the temperature of the battery cells does not become too high. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and a battery pack capable of improving heat transfer performance by modifying a conventional cooling fin structure.

[0017] In addition, a battery module and a battery pack can be provided that can improve space utilization while maintaining a uniform cell temperature in a cell that is enlarged to realize high-speed charging and high-capacity cells.

[0018] In addition, the impregnated cooling structure can eliminate spatial non-uniformity in cooling performance caused by the cell body not being directly cooled, thereby providing a battery module and a battery pack that extend the cell life.

[0019] It is also possible to provide a battery module and a battery pack that reinforce the structural stability in the z-axis direction.

[0020] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0021] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cell assembly in which a number of battery cells are stacked in one direction, a heat dissipation member in contact with the battery cells within the cell assembly, and a module frame that houses the cell assembly, wherein the heat dissipation member includes a plate-shaped member parallel to one side of the battery cells, and a reinforcing member extending from at least one of a first portion and a second portion of the plate-shaped member.

[0022] A cell unit including the battery cell and the heat dissipation member may include a first battery cell and a second battery cell, a first heat dissipation member located on one side of the first battery cell, and a second heat dissipation member located on one side of the second battery cell, and a first open portion exposing a portion of the first battery cell and the second battery cell may be formed between the extension portions of the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member included in the first heat dissipation portion and the second heat dissipation member, respectively, that contact the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

[0023] A second opening exposing a portion of the module frame may be formed between the extension of the first reinforcing member and the extension of the second reinforcing member.

[0024] A cooling passage may be formed inside the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member, the cooling passage may be impregnated with an insulating coolant, and the insulating coolant may be in direct contact with the battery cells through the open portion.

[0025] A plurality of the cell units may be stacked in the cell assembly, and the battery module may further include a compression pad located between adjacent cell units among the plurality of stacked cell units.

[0026] The cell unit may further include a compression pad located between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

[0027] A plurality of the cell units may be stacked in the cell assembly, and the battery module may further include a compression pad located between adjacent cell units among the plurality of stacked cell units.

[0028] The reinforcing member may include at least two extensions parallel to each other, the cooling passage being formed between the two extensions.

[0029] The cooling passage may be impregnated with the insulating coolant, and the insulating coolant may be in direct contact with the reinforcing member.

[0030] The reinforcing member may have an extruded structure.

[0031] At least two of the extension portions may extend in the same direction from the plate-like member.

[0032] The reinforcing member may have a press-formed structure.

[0033] The reinforcing member may extend in a zigzag shape from the plate member and be formed in a space between the battery cell and the module frame.

[0034] The reinforcing members may be formed on upper and lower peripheries of the plate-shaped member, and the reinforcing members may be in contact with upper and lower parts of the module frame, respectively.

[0035] The plate-like member and the reinforcing member included in the heat dissipation member may be integrally formed, and the reinforcing member may be formed by bending the plate-like member.

[0036] The heat dissipation member may include aluminum, stainless steel, copper, gold, graphite, graphene, CNT (carbon nanotube), or a composite material thereof.

[0037] The heat dissipation member may have a lamination of at least two of aluminum, stainless steel, copper, gold, graphite, graphene, and CNT (carbon nanotube).

[0038] An insulating coolant may be impregnated within the module frame.

[0039] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the above-described battery module. Effect of the Invention

[0040] According to the embodiment, the heat dissipation member is realized using a material that is lighter and thinner than conventional materials, thereby improving heat transfer performance.

[0041] In addition, in the impregnated cooling structure, the heat dissipation member interposed between the battery cells extends from the top and / or bottom of the cell assembly and directly contacts the insulating coolant, thereby improving the cooling efficiency.

[0042] In addition, the structural stability of the battery module can be improved by adding a shape for reinforcing the rigidity of the cell unit in which the battery cells and the heat dissipation members are combined.

[0043] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery cell assembly to which a conventional cooling pin is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a cooling fin structure disposed between battery cells included in the battery cell assembly of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a heat dissipation path of a conventional battery module. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one battery cell included in the cell assembly of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a cell unit included in the battery module of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the cell unit of FIG. 6 as viewed along the x-axis direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a cell unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view of the cell unit of FIG. 8 as viewed along the x-axis direction. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a part of a cell assembly including the cell unit of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a modification of the cell assembly of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a modification of the cell assembly of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a part of a cell assembly including the cell unit of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modification of the cell assembly of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a modification of the cell assembly of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention may, however, be embodied in various different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0046] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts not necessary for the explanation will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0047] In addition, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown in the drawings. In the drawings, thicknesses are enlarged to clearly show various layers and regions. In the drawings, thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for convenience of explanation.

[0048] In addition, throughout the specification, when a part "comprises" a certain element, this does not mean to exclude other elements, but may further include other elements, unless otherwise specified to the contrary.

[0049] Furthermore, throughout the specification, "on a plane" means when the part in question is viewed from above, and "on a cross section" means when the part in question is cut vertically and viewed from the side.

[0050] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing one battery cell included in the cell assembly of Fig. 4.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 4, the battery module of this embodiment includes a cell assembly 120 formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 110 in one direction, a module frame 200 having open front and rear sides to accommodate the cell assembly 120, and end plates 150 covering the front and rear sides of the module frame 200.

[0052] The end plates 150 may be positioned on the open first side (x-axis direction) and second side (-x-side direction) of the module frame 200 and may be formed to cover the cell assemblies 120. Such end plates 150 may physically protect the cell assemblies 120 and other electrical components from external impact. Furthermore, the battery module according to this embodiment may further include a bus bar frame (not shown) positioned between the cell assemblies 120 and the end plates 150, and an insulating cover (not shown) positioned between the bus bar frame and the end plates 150. On the bus bar frame, electrode leads protruding from the battery cells 110 may be coupled to bus bars for electrical connection between adjacent cells. The insulating cover may serve to provide electrical insulation between the cell assemblies 120 and / or electrical components on the bus bar frame and the end plates 150.

[0053] In this embodiment, the module frame 200 is shown as a monoframe that surrounds the four sides (top, bottom, left, and right) of the cell assembly 120, but is not limited to this. The module frame 200 may have a structure in which the left, right, and bottom sides of the cell assembly 120 are covered by a U-shaped lower frame, the top side of the cell assembly 120 is covered by an upper plate, and the U-shaped lower frame and the upper plate are then combined.

[0054] 4 and 5, the cell assembly 120 includes a plurality of battery cells 110 stacked in one direction, and the plurality of battery cells 110 may be stacked in the y-axis direction as shown in FIG. 4. The battery cell 110 is preferably a pouch-type battery cell. For example, referring to FIG. 5, the battery cell 110 according to this embodiment may have a structure in which two electrode leads 111 and 112 protrude from one end 114a and the other end 114b of a cell body 113 in opposite directions. The battery cell 110 may be manufactured by bonding one end 114a and the other end 114b of the cell case 114 and both side surfaces 114c connecting them with each other in a state in which an electrode assembly (not shown) is housed in the cell case 114. In other words, the battery cell 110 according to this embodiment has a total of three sealing portions 114sa, 114sb, and 114sc, and the sealing portions 114sa, 114sb, and 114sc are structured to be sealed by a method such as heat fusion, and the remaining other side may consist of the connecting portion 115. The distance between one end 114a and the other end 114b of the cell casing 114 may be defined as the length direction of the battery cell 110, and the distance between one side 114c connecting one end 114a and the other end 114b of the cell casing 114 and the connecting portion 115 may be defined as the width direction of the battery cell 110.

[0055] The connecting portion 115 is a region extending long along one frame of the battery cell 110, and a protrusion 110p of the battery cell 110 may be formed at an end of the connecting portion 115. The protrusion 110p may be formed at at least one of both ends of the connecting portion 115, and may protrude in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the connecting portion 115. The protrusion 110p may be located between the connecting portion 115 and one of the sealing portions 114sa, 114sb of one end 114a and the other end 114b of the cell case 114.

[0056] The cell case 114 generally has a laminate structure of a resin layer / metal thin film layer / resin layer. For example, when the surface of the cell case is made of an O(oriented)-nylon layer, it tends to slip due to external impact when a number of battery cells are stacked to form a medium- to large-sized battery module. Therefore, in order to prevent slippage due to external impact and maintain a stable stacked structure of the battery cells, the cell assembly 120 may be formed by attaching an adhesive material such as a double-sided tape or a chemical adhesive that is bonded by a chemical reaction when bonded to the surface of the cell case. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a heat dissipation member is formed in contact with the battery cell 110 as described below. For example, the heat dissipation member is formed between adjacent battery cells 110, and the heat dissipation member and the battery cell 110 are fixed with an adhesive member or the like to form the cell assembly 120, or the cell assembly 120 may be formed using another fixing member without using an adhesive member.

[0057] In this embodiment, the cell assembly 120 may be received inside the module frame 200 and cooled by an insulating coolant impregnated in the module frame 200. The insulating coolant may be insulating cooling water or insulating oil having an electrically insulating property. When the insulating coolant is impregnated in the module frame 200, the battery cells 110 and the coolant come into direct contact with each other, thereby improving the cooling efficiency. However, the part corresponding to the cell body 113 of the battery cell 110 shown in FIG. 5 may cause spatial non-uniformity in cooling performance because it is not directly exposed to the insulating coolant. This may result in a local temperature rise in the battery cell 110, which may cause the battery cell to degrade.

[0058] In order to solve this problem, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a heat dissipation member, which will be described later, is formed between the first battery cell and the second battery cell in the cell assembly 120. As an example, the heat dissipation member may be disposed between adjacent battery cells 110. The heat dissipation member may be formed one for every two battery cells 110, or one for every four battery cells 110.

[0059] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a cell unit included in the battery module of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a front view of the cell unit of Fig. 6 as viewed along the x-axis direction.

[0060] 6 and 7, the cell unit 125 according to this embodiment includes a battery cell 110 and a heat dissipation member 130. The heat dissipation member 130 includes a plate-shaped member 131 parallel to one surface of the battery cell 110, and a reinforcing member 132 extending from at least one of a first portion and a second portion of the plate-shaped member 131. As an example, the first portion of the plate-shaped member 131 may be an upper peripheral edge, and the second portion may be a lower peripheral edge. The reinforcing member 132 according to the embodiment of FIG. 7 has a structure extending from the upper peripheral edge and the lower peripheral edge of the plate-shaped member 131.

[0061] 7, the reinforcing member 132 according to this embodiment includes a first reinforcing member 132a and a second reinforcing member 132b. The first reinforcing member 132a and the second reinforcing member 132b each include at least two extensions 133, 134 arranged parallel to each other. In this case, the at least two extensions 133, 134 may extend from the plate-like member 131 in the same direction.

[0062] Each of the first reinforcing member 132a and the second reinforcing member 132b includes a first extension portion 133 bent from one peripheral edge of the plate-shaped member 131 and covering the upper and lower surfaces of the battery cell 110, a connecting portion 135 extending at a regular interval from one peripheral edge of the plate-shaped member 131 along the same direction as the extension of the plate-shaped member 131, and a second extension portion 134 bent from an end of the connecting portion 135.

[0063] The reinforcing member 132 according to this embodiment may have an extrusion structure.

[0064] A first open portion 136 exposing a portion of an upper surface and / or a lower surface of the battery cell 110 may be formed between the first extension portion 133 of the first reinforcing member 132a and the first extension portion 133 of the second reinforcing member 132b. The first extension portion 133 may be in contact with the battery cell 110.

[0065] A second open portion 137 exposing a part of the module frame 200 (FIG. 10) may be formed between the second extension portion 134 of the first reinforcing member 132a and the second extension portion 134 of the second reinforcing member 132b. In this case, a cooling channel CP is formed inside the first reinforcing member 132a and the second reinforcing member 132b, and the cooling channel CP is impregnated with an insulating coolant, so that the insulating coolant and the battery cell 110 can directly contact each other through the first open portion 136.

[0066] Also, the insulating coolant can come into direct contact with the module frame 200 (FIG. 10) through the second open portion 137. Thus, according to this embodiment, the insulating coolant comes into direct contact with the battery cells 110 and / or the module frame 200 (FIG. 10), improving the cooling performance. In addition, the reinforcing members 132 located on the upper and lower parts of the battery cells 110 can absorb vertical vibrations, improving the structural stability.

[0067] Heat generated in the battery cell 110 is transferred along the plate-like members 131a and 131b, and the reinforcing members 132a and 132b directly contact the insulating coolant through the cooling passages CP, thereby providing a cooling effect.

[0068] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the insulating coolant is impregnated into the module frame 200 (FIG. 4) in the cooling structure, and the heat dissipation member 130 interposed between the battery cells 110 extends from the upper and / or lower part of the cell assembly 120 (FIG. 4) and directly contacts the insulating coolant, thereby improving the cooling efficiency. In addition, since heat is transferred to the upper and lower parts of the battery module from the plate-shaped member 131 of the heat dissipation member 130 that contacts the cell body of the battery cell 110, no significant temperature deviation occurs, and the life of the battery cell 110 can be extended.

[0069] The heat dissipation member 130 may be made of a material with high thermal conductivity. For example, the heat dissipation member 130 according to the present embodiment includes aluminum, stainless steel, copper, gold, graphite, graphene, CNT (carbon nanotube), or a composite material thereof. As an example, the thermal conductivity and weight can be adjusted by using an aluminum-graphite composite material. The heat dissipation member 130 may have a lamination form of at least two or more of aluminum, stainless steel, copper, gold, graphite, graphene, and CNT (carbon nanotube). Furthermore, by laminating a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) insulating layer and the composite material, a heat dissipation structure that is effective for a lighter and thinner material can be formed compared to a cooling fin structure that is a conventional heat dissipation member. The PET insulating layer can realize insulation between the battery cell 110 and the heat dissipation member 130. The PET insulating layer may be laminated to the front and rear surfaces of the aluminum-graphite composite material layer so as to be disposed between the heat dissipation member 130 and the battery cell 110. In order to bond the aluminum-graphite composite layer and the PET insulating layer, an adhesive may be applied between them or a heat fusion method may be used. As a comparative example, when the heat dissipation member 130 is coated with an insulating coating, the coating liquid may accumulate in the insulated portion of the heat dissipation member 130, making it difficult to achieve a uniform coating thickness.

[0070] Therefore, the heat dissipation member 130 according to the present embodiment can effectively transfer the heat generated in the cell assembly 120 to the outside, thereby improving the cooling performance of the battery module 100.

[0071] The heat dissipation member 130 according to this embodiment may be a thin film. The thickness of the heat dissipation member 130 may be smaller than the thickness of the battery cell 110. Preferably, the thickness of the heat dissipation member 130 may be approximately 50% or less than the thickness of the battery cell 110, and more preferably, 20% or less. Here, the thickness of the battery cell 110 may be a size based on the y-axis direction in FIG. 6.

[0072] The thickness of the heat dissipation member 130 may be 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm. Therefore, even if the heat dissipation member 130 has a large area covering the surface corresponding to the cell body 113 of each battery cell 110 constituting the cell assembly 120 and the upper or lower part of the battery cell 110, it may not significantly affect the energy density of the battery module.

[0073] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a cell unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 9 is a front view of the cell unit of Fig. 8 as seen along the x-axis direction.

[0074] 8 and 9, the cell unit 225 according to this embodiment includes a battery cell 110 and a heat dissipation member 230. The heat dissipation member 230 includes a plate-shaped member 231 parallel to one surface of the battery cell 110, and a reinforcing member 232 extending from at least one of a first portion and a second portion of the plate-shaped member 231. As an example, the first portion of the plate-shaped member 231 may be an upper peripheral edge, and the second portion may be a lower peripheral edge. The reinforcing member 232 according to the embodiment of FIG. 9 has a structure extending from the upper peripheral edge and the lower peripheral edge of the plate-shaped member 231.

[0075] 9, the reinforcing member 232 according to this embodiment includes a first reinforcing member 232a and a second reinforcing member 232b. The first reinforcing member 232a and the second reinforcing member 232b may be formed to extend from the plate-shaped member 231 in a zigzag shape.

[0076] Each of the first reinforcing member 232a and the second reinforcing member 232b includes a first extension portion 233 bent from one peripheral edge of the plate-shaped member 231 and covering the upper and lower surfaces of the battery cell 110, a connecting portion 235 bent from one peripheral edge of the first extension portion 233 and extending at a regular interval along the same direction as the extension direction of the plate-shaped member 231, a second extension portion 238 bent from an end of the connecting portion 235, a connecting portion 235 bent from an end of the second extension portion 238 and extending at a regular interval along the same direction as the extension direction of the plate-shaped member 231, and a third extension portion 234 bent from the end of the connecting portion 235.

[0077] The connecting portions 235 may be arranged parallel to one another, and the first extension portion 233, the second extension portion 238, and the third extension portion 234 may be arranged parallel to one another.

[0078] The reinforcing member 232 according to this embodiment may have a press-formed structure.

[0079] A first open portion 236 exposing a portion of an upper surface and / or a lower surface of the battery cell 110 may be formed between the first extension portion 233 of the first reinforcing member 232a and the first extension portion 233 of the second reinforcing member 232b. The first extension portion 233 may be in contact with the battery cell 110.

[0080] A second open portion 237 exposing a part of the module frame 200 (FIG. 13) may be formed between the third extension portion 234 of the first reinforcing member 232a and the third extension portion 234 of the second reinforcing member 232b. In this case, a cooling channel CP is formed inside the first reinforcing member 232a and the second reinforcing member 232b, and the cooling channel CP is impregnated with an insulating coolant, so that the insulating coolant and the battery cell 110 can be in direct contact with each other through the first open portion 236. In addition, the insulating coolant and the module frame 200 (FIG. 13) can be in direct contact with each other through the second open portion 237. In this way, according to this embodiment, the insulating coolant directly contacts the battery cell 110 and / or the module frame 200 (FIG. 13), thereby improving the cooling performance.

[0081] In addition to the differences described above, the contents regarding the material, structure, heat transfer path, etc. of the heat dissipation member 130 described in Figures 6 and 7 can be equally applied to the heat dissipation member 230 of this embodiment.

[0082] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a part of a cell assembly including the cell unit of FIG.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 10, a plurality of the cell units 125 described in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 may be stacked to form a cell assembly 120. The cell unit 125 according to this embodiment may include a first battery cell 110a and a second battery cell 110b in contact with each other, a first heat dissipation member 131a located on one side of the first battery cell 110a, and a second heat dissipation member 131b located on one side of the second battery cell 110b. Such cell units 125 may be repeatedly arranged to form a cell assembly. According to this embodiment, a compression pad 161 may be positioned between adjacent cell units 125 among the plurality of stacked cell units 125. The compression pad 161 may be formed in a pair with one cell unit 125, or may be formed one for every two cell units 125. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of compression pads 161 formed may be changed.

[0084] 11 and 12 are diagrams showing modifications of the cell assembly of FIG.

[0085] The embodiment described in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 is almost the same as the embodiment described in FIG. 10, and only the differences will be described below.

[0086] 11, a compression pad 161 may be formed between the first battery cell 110a and the second battery cell 110b included in one cell unit 125. In this case, adjacent cell units 125 may be in contact with each other. The cell units 125 in contact with each other may be fixed to each other by an adhesive member (not shown) or the like.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 12, a compression pad 161 is formed between the first battery cell 110a and the second battery cell 110b included in one cell unit 125, and further, a compression pad 161 may be positioned between adjacent cell units 125 among multiple stacked cell units 125.

[0088] In addition to the differences described above, everything described in FIG. 10 is applicable to the embodiments of FIGS.

[0089] The above-mentioned compression pad 161 can improve safety by reducing changes in the shape of the battery module when the battery cell 110 expands. When the embodiment of Fig. 10, the embodiment of Fig. 11, and the embodiment of Fig. 12 are referred to as a first embodiment, a second embodiment, and a third embodiment, respectively, the third embodiment has a higher degree of shock mitigation against expansion than the second embodiment, and the first embodiment has a higher degree of shock mitigation against expansion in that order. This allows various designs to be made in consideration of the level required for the user's battery module design.

[0090] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a part of a cell assembly including the cell unit of FIG.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 13, a plurality of the cell units 225 described in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 may be stacked to form the cell assembly 120. The cell unit 225 according to this embodiment may include a first battery cell 110a and a second battery cell 110b in contact with each other, a first heat dissipation member 231a located on one side of the first battery cell 110a, and a second heat dissipation member 231b located on one side of the second battery cell 110b. Such cell units 225 may be repeatedly arranged to form a cell assembly. According to this embodiment, a compression pad 161 may be positioned between adjacent cell units 225 among the plurality of stacked cell units 225. The compression pad 161 may be formed in a pair with one cell unit 225, or may be formed one for every two cell units 225. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of compression pads 161 formed may be changed.

[0092] 14 and 15 are diagrams showing modifications of the cell assembly of FIG.

[0093] The embodiment described in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 is almost the same as the embodiment described in FIG. 13, and only the differences will be described below.

[0094] 14, a compression pad 161 may be formed between the first battery cell 110a and the second battery cell 110b included in one cell unit 225. In this case, adjacent cell units 225 may be in contact with each other. The cell units 225 in contact with each other may be fixed to each other by an adhesive member (not shown) or the like.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 15, a compression pad 161 is formed between the first battery cell 110a and the second battery cell 110b included in one cell unit 225, and further, a compression pad 161 may be positioned between adjacent cell units 225 among multiple stacked cell units 225.

[0096] In addition to the differences described above, everything described in FIG. 13 is applicable to the embodiments of FIGS.

[0097] The above-mentioned compression pad 161 can improve safety by reducing changes in the shape of the battery module when the battery cell 110 expands. When the embodiment of Fig. 13, the embodiment of Fig. 14, and the embodiment of Fig. 15 are referred to as the fourth, fifth, and sixth embodiments, respectively, the sixth, fifth, and fourth embodiments have increasing degrees of shock mitigation against expansion, thereby allowing various designs to be made in consideration of the level required by the user's battery module design.

[0098] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the battery module described above. In addition, the battery pack according to this embodiment may be configured by packing one or more battery modules together and adding a battery management system (BMS) for managing the temperature and voltage of the battery and a cooling device.

[0099] The battery pack can be applied to various devices, including vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrid cars, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be applied to various devices that can use a battery module, which also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0100] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also belong to the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 100: Battery module 110: Battery cell 113: Cell Body 120: Cell Assembly 130, 230: heat dissipation member 131, 231: Plate-shaped member 132, 232: Reinforcing member 132a, 232a: First reinforcing member 132b, 232b: second reinforcing member 133, 134, 233, 234, 238: Extension part 135, 235: Connection part 136, 236: First Open Section 137, 237: 2nd Open Section 161: Compression pad 200: Module frame 125, 225: Cell unit CP: Cooling channel

Claims

1. A cell assembly in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in one direction; a heat dissipation member in contact with the battery cell within the cell assembly; a module frame that houses the cell assembly; The heat dissipation member includes a plate-shaped member parallel to one surface of the battery cell, and a reinforcing member extending from at least one of a first portion and a second portion of the plate-shaped member.

2. The cell unit including the battery cell and the heat dissipation member is A first battery cell and a second battery cell; a first heat dissipation member located on one surface of the first battery cell; a second heat dissipation member located on one surface of the second battery cell; 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a first open portion exposing a portion of the first battery cell and the second battery cell is formed between the extension portions of the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member included in the first heat dissipation member and the second heat dissipation member, respectively, that contact the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

3. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein a second opening portion exposing a part of the module frame is formed between the extension portion of the first reinforcing member and the extension portion of the second reinforcing member.

4. 4. The battery module of claim 3, wherein a cooling passage is formed inside the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member, the cooling passage is impregnated with an insulating coolant, and the insulating coolant is in direct contact with the battery cells through the first open portion.

5. A plurality of the cell units are stacked in the cell assembly, The battery module according to claim 2 , further comprising a compression pad positioned between adjacent cell units among the plurality of stacked cell units.

6. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the cell unit further comprises a compression pad located between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

7. A plurality of the cell units are stacked in the cell assembly, The battery module according to claim 6 , further comprising a compression pad positioned between adjacent cell units among the plurality of stacked cell units.

8. The reinforcing member includes at least two extensions parallel to one another; The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein a cooling channel is formed between the two extensions.

9. The battery module according to claim 8 , wherein the cooling passages are impregnated with an insulating coolant, and the insulating coolant is in direct contact with the reinforcing member.

10. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member has an extrusion structure.

11. The battery module according to claim 8 , wherein at least two of the extensions extend in the same direction from the plate-like member.

12. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member has a press-formed structure.

13. The battery module of claim 12 , wherein the reinforcing member extends from the plate member in a zigzag shape and is formed in a space between the battery cell and the module frame.

14. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing members are formed on upper and lower peripheral edges of the plate-shaped member, and the reinforcing members are in contact with upper and lower portions of the module frame, respectively.

15. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the plate-like member and the reinforcing member included in the heat dissipation member are integrally formed, and the reinforcing member is formed by bending the plate-like member.

16. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipation member comprises aluminum, stainless steel, copper, gold, graphite, graphene, CNT (carbon nanotube), or a composite material thereof.

17. The battery module according to claim 16, wherein the heat dissipation member has a lamination form of at least two or more of aluminum, stainless steel, copper, gold, graphite, graphene, and CNT (carbon nanotube).

18. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein an insulating coolant is impregnated within the module frame.

19. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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