Battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

A battery pack and a vehicle including the same are disclosed. The battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of cell units stacked on each other, each of the plurality of cell units including at least one battery cell and a cell cover covering the at least one battery cell, and a case accommodating the plurality of cell units, the cell cover including a slot into which the at least one battery cell is inserted, and a gas passage provided on an inner surface of the slot adjacent to the at least one battery cell inserted in the slot.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, and more particularly to a battery pack manufactured by a cell-to-pack method and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0110377, filed on August 31, 2022, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0110390, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0065246, filed on May 19, 2023, and the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of such applications are incorporated herein in their entirety. [Background technology]

[0003] Generally, a secondary battery refers to a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as a lithium ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel hydrogen battery, a nickel zinc battery, etc. The output voltage of a battery cell, which is the basic unit for charging and discharging such a secondary battery, is about 2.5V to 4.2V.

[0004] In recent years, as secondary batteries are applied to devices requiring high output voltage and large charging capacity, such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS), a battery pack manufactured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series or parallel to form a battery module and further connecting the plurality of battery modules in series or parallel has been widely used.

[0005] However, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the conventional technology manufactures a battery pack by accommodating battery cells in a box-shaped metal case to form a battery module, and then accommodating the battery module in a battery pack case. This increases the weight and volume of the entire battery pack, thereby reducing the energy density of the battery pack.

[0006] In addition, when a cell-to-pack method in which multiple battery cells are directly attached to a pack case of a battery pack in order to increase the energy density of the battery pack is applied to a pouch-type battery cell with a soft case, it is difficult to simultaneously handle or stack multiple battery cells, and there is a risk that the battery cells may be damaged in the process of being attached to the pack case.

[0007] Furthermore, in the existing cell-to-pack method, multiple battery cells are densely arranged in a spatially intensive manner inside a pack case, making it difficult to exhaust gases and flames generated when a battery cell experiences thermal runaway in the intended direction. As a result, if thermal runaway occurs in some battery cells, it can lead to a chain reaction of thermal runaway in the remaining battery cells. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2379227 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0052183 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, which reduce the overall weight and volume of the battery pack and increase the energy density while facilitating the handling and installation of battery cells built into the battery pack.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including the same that prevent chain reaction thermal runaway by discharging gas and flames generated during thermal runaway of a battery cell in an intended direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery pack comprising: A plurality of cell units stacked on each other, each of the plurality of cell units including at least one battery cell and a cell cover covering the at least one battery cell; a case that houses the plurality of cell units; The cell cover includes a slot into which the at least one battery cell is inserted, and a gas passage provided on an inner surface of the slot adjacent to the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot.

[0012] In one embodiment, the gas passage may be formed by a portion of an inner surface of the slot protruding or curving in a direction away from the at least one battery cell.

[0013] In one embodiment, the cell cover includes a first cover portion forming one side wall of the slot, a second cover portion forming the other side wall of the slot facing the one side wall, and a third cover portion connecting the first cover portion and the second cover portion and forming an end portion of the slot, and an entrance of the slot may be provided between the first cover portion and the second cover portion.

[0014] In an embodiment, the gas passage of the cell cover may be provided in at least one of the first cover part, the second cover part, and the third cover part.

[0015] In one embodiment, the cell cover further includes an opening that exposes an electrode lead of the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot to the outside of the cell cover, and the gas passage of the cell cover may extend a predetermined length from other parts of the cell cover excluding the opening toward the opening.

[0016] In one embodiment, the at least one battery cell may include electrode leads at both ends in a first direction, and the gas passage of the cell cover may extend along the first direction.

[0017] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of cell units may further include a bus bar electrically connected to an electrode lead of the at least one battery cell, and a bus bar frame disposed in the opening of the cell cover and supporting the bus bar.

[0018] In one embodiment, the cell cover further includes a vent portion configured to exhaust gas generated in the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot to the outside of the cell cover, and the gas passage of the cell cover may extend a predetermined length from other portions of the cell cover excluding the vent portion toward the vent portion.

[0019] In one embodiment, the gas passageway in the cell cover may extend from an inlet side of the slot to a vent side.

[0020] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of cell units may further include a gas filter having a porous structure and disposed in the gas passage of the cell cover.

[0021] In one embodiment, the cell cover may include a plurality of the gas passages, and the plurality of gas passages may be arranged side by side at predetermined intervals.

[0022] In one embodiment, the cell cover has a plurality of protrusions protruding from an outer surface of the cell cover corresponding to each of the plurality of gas passages, and the protrusion of a first cell cover among the cell covers of the plurality of cell units may be configured to mesh with the protrusion of a second cell cover adjacent to the first cell cover in the form of gear teeth.

[0023] In an embodiment, the cell cover may further include a blocking portion provided at an entrance of the slot and configured to block removal of the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot.

[0024] In one embodiment, the at least one battery cell may be a pouch-type secondary battery.

[0025] A vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention includes a battery pack according to any one of the above-described embodiments. Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, instead of a plurality of battery cells being housed in a separate module case and then attached to a battery pack case, the battery cells are partially covered by a cell cover having a simplified structure and then directly attached to the pack case, thereby reducing the overall weight and volume of the battery pack, increasing the energy density of the battery pack, and facilitating safe handling and attachment of the battery cells during battery pack manufacture, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0027] In addition, since each cell cover is equipped with a gas passage for discharging gas from the battery cell covered by that cell cover, gas and flames generated during thermal runaway of a battery cell can be easily discharged in the intended direction, thereby preventing chain reaction thermal runaway between battery cells.

[0028] In addition, by configuring the gas passage of the cell cover to move gas toward the opening or vent side of the cell cover, the gas generated in the battery cell can be discharged more smoothly.

[0029] In addition, the cell cover includes a first cover portion covering one side of the at least one battery cell, a second cover portion covering the other side of the at least one battery cell, and a third cover portion covering an upper end of the at least one battery cell, and is provided with openings on both longitudinal ends of the at least one battery cell, thereby enabling gas generated in the battery cell to be discharged in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell.

[0030] In another embodiment, a vent portion configured to exhaust gas is provided at the upper end of the cell cover, and the gas passage is configured to extend toward the vent portion, so that gas generated in the battery cell can be exhausted above the battery cell.

[0031] In addition, a gas filter having a porous structure is disposed inside the gas passage, so that it is possible to prevent sparks, flames, foreign matter, etc. from being discharged to the outside of the cell cover.

[0032] In addition, by providing the gas passages, the protrusions protruding from the outer surface of each cell cover are configured to mesh with the protrusions of the adjacent cell covers in the form of gear teeth, making it possible to arrange multiple cell units in a spatially concentrated manner within the case, thereby reducing the overall volume of the battery pack.

[0033] In addition, the blocking portion of the cell cover supports the battery cell inserted into the cell cover and blocks removal of the inserted battery cell, thereby preventing the battery cell from being displaced or coming off the cell cover to the outside, thereby ensuring safety and reliability of the battery pack.

[0034] In addition, an insertion groove is provided in the blocking portion of the cell cover so that a jig that comes into contact with the inner surface of the cell cover to change the slot width of the cell cover can be easily inserted, thereby facilitating the process of inserting the battery cell into the cell cover and preventing damage to the battery cell.

[0035] In addition, the cell cover has an opening that exposes the electrode lead of the battery cell inserted into the cell cover to the outside, and the busbar assembly that is disposed in the opening and electrically connected to the electrode lead has a through hole for discharging gas, so that gas discharged from the electrode lead portion of the battery cell can be quickly discharged to the outside of the cell cover.

[0036] In addition, by configuring the openings or vents on each cell cover to face in the same direction, gases and flames generated during thermal runaway of a battery cell are prevented from being discharged to other battery cells, thereby preventing a chain reaction of thermal runaway.

[0037] In addition, the busbar frame of the busbar assembly disposed in the opening of the cell cover has a through-hole for discharging gas, and the busbar is disposed between the through-holes so as not to block the through-hole, thereby ensuring smooth discharge of gas generated in the battery cell inside the cell cover.

[0038] A person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand from the following description that the various embodiments of the present invention can solve further technical problems not mentioned above. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a battery assembly of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the M1 region of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cell unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the cell unit shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A1' of the cover shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a stacked state of cell units according to the embodiment of FIG. 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 shows a cell cover according to a modified embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A2-A2' of the cell cover shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] 9 is a diagram showing a stacked state of cell covers according to the embodiment of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a busbar assembly of the cell unit shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a busbar assembly according to a modified embodiment. [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] In order to clarify the solution to the technical problem of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that the description of related known technology unnecessarily obscures the gist of the present invention, the description may be omitted. Furthermore, the terms used in this specification are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, and may vary depending on the intentions or practices of designers, manufacturers, etc. Therefore, the definitions of the terms described below should be based on the contents of this specification as a whole.

[0041] For reference, terms indicating directions in this specification are terms based on components shown in the accompanying drawings, and are relative terms that may be changed depending on the attitude and position of the actual components.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery pack 10 includes a battery assembly 100 and a case 300 for accommodating one or more battery assemblies 100.

[0044] The battery assembly 100 also includes a plurality of cell units 200. Each cell unit 200 includes at least one battery cell and a cell cover partially surrounding and covering the at least one battery cell.

[0045] The battery cell included in each cell unit 200 may be configured as a pouch-type secondary battery. In this case, the pouch-type secondary battery may be manufactured by housing an electrode assembly and an electrolyte material in a pouch-type case and sealing the case. Depending on the embodiment, the battery cell may be configured in various shapes such as a prismatic secondary battery or a cylindrical secondary battery.

[0046] A plurality of such cell units 200 may be stacked in one direction and housed in the case 300 .

[0047] The case 300 may have a receiving room R1 in which the battery assembly 100 can be directly mounted without a separate case. For example, the case 300 may be configured to receive a plurality of battery assemblies 100 in separate receiving rooms.

[0048] To this end, the case 300 may include a lower case 310 having an opening at an upper end and an internal space connected to the opening, and an upper case 310 covering the opening of the lower case 310 .

[0049] The lower case 310 may include a partition 312 dividing an internal space thereof into a plurality of accommodation rooms. A gas inlet 314 through which gas generated in the battery assembly 100 accommodated in each accommodation room R1 flows may be provided in the partition 312 of the lower case 310 adjacent to each accommodation room R1. In addition, a gas valve 316 for discharging gas may be provided on an outer surface of the lower case 310. A gas channel connecting the gas inlet 314 and the gas valve 316 may be provided inside the lower case 310.

[0050] In this case, a gas vent path to the gas valve 316 may be provided for each storage chamber individually. That is, gas generated in a first storage chamber may be discharged through a first gas vent path connected to a first gas inlet, a first gas channel, and the first gas valve, and gas generated in a second storage chamber may be discharged through a second gas vent path connected to a second gas inlet, a second gas channel, and the second gas valve.

[0051] Meanwhile, a heat sink 330 configured to be in thermal contact with the battery assembly 100 and cool the battery cells of the battery assembly 100 may be disposed in each of the receiving rooms R1. The heat sink 300 may be made of a metal material having high thermal conductivity and heat resistance.

[0052] Meanwhile, the case 300 may have an accommodating space R2 for accommodating various electrical components necessary for the operation of the battery pack 10.

[0053] In an embodiment, the battery pack 10 may further include a control module 340. The control module 340 may include a Battery Management System (BMS) that manages charge / discharge operations, a State Of Charge (SOC), a State Of Health (SOH), etc. of the battery cells included in the battery assembly, and may be installed in the receiving space R2 of the case 300.

[0054] Also, the battery pack 10 may further include a switching unit 350. Such a switching unit 350 may be configured to control an electrical connection between the battery pack 10 and an external circuit. To this end, the switching unit 350 may selectively include a current sensor, a power relay, a fuse, and the like.

[0055] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the battery assembly 100 of the battery pack shown in FIG.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, a battery assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of cell units 200 and a support structure 110.

[0057] Each of the cell units 200 includes at least one battery cell and is configured to be stacked side by side in the width direction (Y-axis direction). As will be described later, each cell unit 200 may include at least one battery cell that is a basic unit for charging and discharging, and a cell cover that partially covers and supports the battery cell.

[0058] The support structure 110 is configured to support the multiple cell units 200 and maintain the stacked state of the multiple cell units 200. To this end, the support structure 110 may include a sidewall 112 and an integrated end cover 114. Such a sidewall 112 and integrated end cover 114 may be disposed along the periphery of the sides of the multiple cell units 200 stacked on top of each other.

[0059] In one embodiment, the support structure 110 may include a pair of sidewalls 112 and integral end covers 114 .

[0060] In this case, the sidewalls 112 may be arranged on both ends of the cell units 200, one at a time, based on the width direction (Y-axis direction) or stacking direction of the cell units 200, and configured to support the cell units 200.

[0061] That is, of the pair of sidewalls, a first sidewall may be disposed adjacent to a first cell unit located at the outermost edge of one side of the plurality of cell units 200, and a second sidewall may be disposed adjacent to a second cell unit located at the outermost edge of the other side of the plurality of cell units 200.

[0062] The sidewalls 112, together with the integrated end covers 114 described below, bond the multiple cell units 200 to each other to form a single cell unit block that can be handled simultaneously. In this case, the sidewalls 112 can distribute pressure applied to the multiple cell units 200 evenly throughout the cell units 200.

[0063] The sidewall 112 may be made of a metal material, such as aluminum or stainless steel, or may be made of a material in which metal and polymeric synthetic resin are combined by insert molding.

[0064] The integrated end cover 114 may be disposed at both ends of the cell units 200 based on the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the cell units 200. The integrated end cover 114 may be configured to have one end connected to the first sidewall and the other end connected to the second sidewall, and to cover the openings of two or more cell covers of the cell units 200.

[0065] For this purpose, the sidewall 112 may include a connecting portion 112a provided at each end thereof and connected to one end or the other end of the integrated end cover 114. Correspondingly, the integrated end cover 114 may include a main body portion covering the openings of the plurality of cell units 200 and a corresponding connecting portion 114a extending from the main body portion and connected to the connecting portion 112a of the sidewall 112.

[0066] In one embodiment, the integrated end cover 114 may be provided with a vent hole 114b for discharging gas generated in the battery cells of each of the cell units 200 at each portion of the integrated end cover 114 corresponding to the openings of the cell units 200.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 2, the integrated end cover 114 may include a support portion 114 c that extends toward the lower ends of the cell units 200 at its main body and supports the lower ends of the cell units 200 .

[0068] Such an integrated end cover 114 may be made of a metal material, including aluminum or stainless steel, or a polymeric synthetic resin, or may be made of a material that combines metal and polymeric synthetic resin by insert molding.

[0069] In this manner, by applying an integrated end cover 114 that supports the cell unit while integrally covering the opening of the cell unit to the battery assembly 100, the individual end covers applied to each cell unit can be omitted, simplifying the manufacturing process of the battery assembly.

[0070] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the M1 region of FIG.

[0071] 3, the sidewall 112 and the integrated end cover 114 included in the support structure 110 of the battery assembly 100 may be connected to each other to support a plurality of cell units 200. To this end, the connection portion 112a of the sidewall 112 may have an insertion groove into which the corresponding connection portion 114a of the integrated end cover 114 is inserted.

[0072] The corresponding connecting portion 114a of the integrated end cover 114 may be inserted into an insertion groove provided in the connecting portion 112a of the sidewall 112 and then fixed to the connecting portion 112a of the sidewall 112 by a fastening member S1 such as a screw or a bolt.

[0073] Furthermore, the support portion 114c of the integrated end cover 114 may be configured to extend from the main body of the integrated end cover 114 to the lower end side of the multiple cell units 200 and support the lower ends of the multiple cell units 200. In this case, the support portion 114c of the integrated end cover 114 may be configured to support the bus bar frame of each cell unit 200.

[0074] FIG. 4 shows a cell unit 200 of a battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 4, the cell unit 200 may include a cell cover 210 that partially covers and supports at least one battery cell and maintains it in an upright state.

[0076] The cell cover 210 may include a protrusion 212 formed by protruding a part of the cell cover 210 in a direction away from the battery cell inserted inside the cell cover 210. A gas passage, which will be described later, is provided inside the protrusion 212.

[0077] Meanwhile, the cell unit 200 may further include a bus bar assembly 220. The bus bar assembly 220 includes a bus bar electrically connected to an electrode lead of a battery cell, and may be disposed at both ends of the cell cover 210 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction).

[0078] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the cell unit 200 shown in FIG.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 5 , the cell unit 200 may include at least one battery cell 202 and a cell cover 210 .

[0080] The battery cell 202 is the most basic secondary battery that can be charged and discharged, and may be manufactured by storing an electrode assembly and an electrolyte inside a case and sealing the case. The electrode assembly may be manufactured by interposing a separator between a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

[0081] The battery cell 202 may be a pouch-type secondary battery having a predetermined length and height, and electrode leads 202a electrically connected to the electrode assembly may be provided at both ends of the battery cell 202 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction).

[0082] The cell cover 210 may be configured to support at least one battery cell 202 while partially covering it, thereby maintaining the battery cell in an upright state. For example, as shown in FIG 5, the cell cover 210 may be configured to support three battery cells 202 stacked on top of each other while partially covering them, thereby maintaining the battery cells in an upright state.

[0083] To this end, the cell cover 210 may be configured to cover at least one battery cell 202 inserted into the slot 214, and an opening 216 through which an electrode lead 202a of at least one battery cell 202 inserted into the slot 214 is exposed.

[0084] As will be described further below, the cell cover 210 includes a gas passage provided on an inner surface of the slot 214 adjacent to at least one battery cell 202 inserted into the slot 214. In one embodiment, the gas passage may be formed by a part of the inner surface of the slot 214 protruding or curving in a direction away from the at least one battery cell. By providing such a gas passage, a protrusion 212 corresponding to the gas passage may be formed on the outer surface of the cell cover 210.

[0085] In this case, the gas passage may be configured to extend from other parts of the cell cover 210 excluding the opening 216 toward the opening 216 by a predetermined length.

[0086] For example, when a battery cell to be inserted into the cell cover 210 has an electrode lead 202a at each end in its longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), the cell cover 210 may have an opening 216 at each end in the longitudinal direction, and the gas passage may be configured to extend along the longitudinal direction.

[0087] Such a cell cover 210 may be configured in an "n" shape or a "u" shape surrounding three sides of the at least one battery cell.

[0088] For example, the cell cover 210 may include a first cover portion 210a forming one side wall of a slot 214 into which at least one battery cell is inserted, a second cover portion 210b forming the other side wall of the slot 214, and a third cover portion 210c connecting the first cover portion 210a and the second cover portion 210b and forming an end portion of the slot 214.

[0089] That is, the first cover portion 210a may cover one side of the battery cell inserted into the slot 214. The second cover portion 210b may cover the other side of the inserted battery cell. The third cover portion 210c may cover an upper end of the inserted battery cell.

[0090] In this case, an entrance to the slot 214 and an opening 216 through which the electrode lead 202a of at least one battery cell 202 inserted into the slot 214 is exposed may be provided between the first cover part 210a and the second cover part 210b.

[0091] Although FIG. 5 illustrates three battery cells 202 covered by one cell cover 210, the number of battery cells covered by the cell cover 210 may vary depending on the scale of the cell cover 210.

[0092] In an embodiment, the cell unit 200 may further include a bus bar assembly 220. The bus bar assembly 220 may include a bus bar 222 electrically connected to the electrode lead 202a of the battery cell 202 inserted into the cell cover 210, and a bus bar frame 224 disposed in the opening 216 of the cell cover 210 to support the bus bar 222.

[0093] In addition, the bus bar assembly 220 may further include an insulating cover 226 disposed between the bus bar frame 224 and the integrated end cover 114 to prevent a short circuit of the bus bar 222. The insulating cover 226 may be made of an insulating polymer synthetic resin.

[0094] In an embodiment, the cell cover 210 may further include a blocking portion 218 that is provided at an entrance of the slot 214 and blocks removal of the battery cell inserted into the slot 214. The blocking portion 218 may be configured to protrude toward the entrance side of the slot 214 from an end of each of the first cover portion 210a and the second cover portion 210b and support a lower end of the battery cell inserted into the slot 214.

[0095] In addition, in one embodiment, the blocking portion 218 may have an insertion groove 218a into which a jig finger is inserted to contact the inner surface of the cell cover 210 and change the width of the slot 214, i.e., the distance between the first cover portion 210a and the second cover portion 210b.

[0096] The above-mentioned battery cell cover 210 may be integrally constructed. For example, the battery cell cover 210 may be manufactured by a sheet metal processing process or an injection process.

[0097] In this manner, the cell cover 210 with a simplified structure is made of a metal material having higher rigidity than the case of the battery cell, and can protect the battery cell covered by the cell cover from external shocks and vibrations. For example, the battery cell cover 210 can be made of a material including stainless steel (SUS), which is easy to process and has high corrosion resistance.

[0098] 4 and 5, the cell unit 200 may further include a clamp member configured to clamp the cell cover 210. In this case, the clamp member may be configured to clamp the cell cover 210 into which at least one battery cell is inserted, thereby preventing the slot 214 of the cell cover 210 from expanding or the battery cell 202 inserted into the slot 214 from coming off the cell cover 210. Such a clamp member may be made of a tape or a band-shaped metal material.

[0099] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cell cover 210 taken along line A1-A1' shown in FIG.

[0100] 6, the cell cover 210 has a gas passage 212a formed by protruding or curving a part of an inner surface of a slot 214 adjacent to at least one battery cell 202 in a direction away from the battery cell. By providing such a gas passage 212a, a protrusion 212 corresponding to the gas passage is formed on the outer surface of the cell cover 210.

[0101] The gas passage 212a may be provided in at least one of the first cover portion 210a, the second cover portion 210b, and the third cover portion 210c of the cell cover 210. In addition, the gas passage 212a may be configured to extend a predetermined length from other portions of the cell cover 210 excluding the opening 216 toward the opening 216.

[0102] In one embodiment, the cell unit 200 may include a plurality of the gas passages 212a described above. In this case, the plurality of gas passages 212a may be arranged side by side along the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the cell unit 200 at predetermined intervals.

[0103] The cell unit 200 may further include a gas filter 230 having a porous structure and disposed in the gas passage 212a of the cell cover 210. In this manner, by disposing the gas filter 230 having a porous structure inside the gas passage 212a, it is possible to prevent the discharge of sparks, flames, or foreign matter to the outside of the cell unit 200.

[0104] FIG. 7 shows a stacked state of cell units according to the embodiment of FIG.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of cell units 200A, 200B can be stacked side by side in one direction.

[0106] Furthermore, the cell cover 210 of each cell unit may have a plurality of protrusions 212 protruding from the outer surface of the cell cover 210, each of which corresponds to a plurality of gas passages formed on the inner surface of the cell cover 210.

[0107] In this case, the protruding portion of a first cell cover among the cell covers of the multiple cell units 200A, 200B may be configured to mesh with the protruding portion of a second cell cover adjacent to the first cell cover in the form of gear teeth.

[0108] FIG. 8 shows a modified embodiment of a cell cover 210'.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 8 , the cell cover 210′ ​​may include a slot 214 into which at least one battery cell is inserted and an opening 216 through which an electrode lead of at least one battery cell inserted into the slot 214 is exposed, and may be configured to cover at least one battery cell inserted into the slot 214.

[0110] In particular, the cell cover 210' has a gas passage formed by a part of an inner surface of a slot 214 adjacent to a battery cell inserted into the cell cover 210' protruding or curving in a direction away from the battery cell. By providing such a gas passage, a protrusion 212' corresponding to the gas passage is formed on the outer surface of the cell cover 210'.

[0111] Such a cell cover 210 may be configured in an "n" shape or a "u" shape surrounding three sides of the at least one battery cell.

[0112] For example, the cell cover 210 may include a first cover portion 210a forming one side wall of a slot 214 into which at least one battery cell is inserted, a second cover portion 210b forming the other side wall of the slot 214, and a third cover portion 210c connecting the first cover portion 210a and the second cover portion 210b and forming an end portion of the slot 214.

[0113] Also, the cell cover 210' may further include a vent portion 210d configured to exhaust gas generated from a battery cell inserted into the slot 214 to the outside of the cell cover 210'. The vent portion 210d may be provided by forming a through hole or various types of notches or grooves on a surface of the cell cover 210'. For example, the vent portion 210d may be provided in the third cover portion 210c of the cell cover 210'.

[0114] In this case, the gas passage of the cell cover 210' may extend from other parts of the cell cover 210' excluding the vent portion 210d to the vent portion 210d by a predetermined length. For example, the gas passage of the cell cover 210' may extend from the inlet side of the slot 214 to the vent portion 210d.

[0115] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cell cover 210' shown in FIG. 8 taken along line A2-A2'.

[0116] 9, the cell cover 210' has a gas passage 212'a formed by a part of an inner surface of the slot 214 adjacent to a battery cell inserted into the slot 214 protruding or curving in a direction away from the battery cell. By providing such gas passage 212'a, a protrusion 212' corresponding to the gas passage 212'a is formed on the outer surface of the cell cover 210'.

[0117] The gas passage 212'a may be provided in at least one of the first cover portion 210a, the second cover portion 210b, and the third cover portion 210c of the cell cover 210'. For example, the gas passage 212'a may be provided in the first cover portion 210a and the second cover portion 210b.

[0118] Meanwhile, the third cover portion 210c may be provided with a vent portion 210d configured to exhaust gas generated from the battery cell inserted into the slot 214.

[0119] In this case, the gas passage 212'a may be configured to extend a predetermined length from other parts of the cell cover 210' excluding the vent portion 210d toward the vent portion 210d. For example, the gas passage of the cell cover 210' may extend from the inlet side of the slot 214 toward the vent portion 210d.

[0120] In one embodiment, the cell unit 200 may include a plurality of the gas passages 212'a described above. In this case, the plurality of gas passages 212'a may be arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the cell unit 200 at predetermined intervals.

[0121] The cell unit 200 may further include a gas filter 230 having a porous structure and disposed in the gas passage 212'a of the cell cover 210'. In this manner, by disposing the gas filter 230 having a porous structure inside the gas passage 212'a, it is possible to prevent the discharge of sparks, flames, or foreign matter to the outside of the cell unit 200.

[0122] FIG. 10 shows a stacked state of cell units according to the embodiment of FIG.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of cell units 200'A, 200'B can be stacked side by side in one direction.

[0124] Furthermore, the cell cover 210' of each cell unit may include a plurality of protrusions 212' that protrude from the outer surface of the cell cover 210' and correspond to the plurality of gas passages formed on the inner surface of the cell cover 210'.

[0125] In this case, the protrusion of a first cell cover among the cell covers of the multiple cell units 200'A, 200'B may be configured to mesh with the protrusion of a second cell cover adjacent to the first cell cover in the form of gear teeth.

[0126] FIG. 11 shows a busbar assembly 220 of the cell unit of FIG.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 11 , the bus bar assembly 220 may include a bus bar 222 and a bus bar frame 224 .

[0128] The bus bar 222 is configured to be electrically connected to an electrode lead of a battery cell inserted into the slot of the cell cover, and for this purpose, the bus bar 222 may be made of an electrically conductive material.

[0129] The bus bar frame 224 is disposed in an opening of the cell cover and configured to be coupled to the bus bar 222 to support the bus bar 222. The bus bar 222 may have through holes 224a and 224b. The first through hole 224a of the through holes 224a and 224b may be configured to receive an electrode lead of a battery cell connected to the bus bar 222. The second through hole 224b of the through holes 224a and 224b may be configured to exhaust gas generated in a battery cell inserted in the cell cover to the outside of the cell cover.

[0130] In this case, the bus bar 222 may have a width W narrower than a distance d between the through holes 224a, 224b provided in the bus bar frame 224, and may be disposed between the through holes 224a, 224b. Also, the bus bar 222 may extend a predetermined length in a direction away from the through holes 224a, 224b, thereby expanding a contact surface for electrical connection with an electrode lead.

[0131] FIG. 12 shows a modified embodiment of a busbar assembly 220'.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 12, a bus bar 222 ′ of a modified bus bar assembly 220 ′ according to an embodiment may have corresponding through holes 222 ′ a communicating with the through holes 224 a , 224 b of the bus bar frame 224 .

[0133] In this case, the through holes 224a, 224b of the bus bar frame 224 may be configured to be positioned within the opening area of ​​the corresponding through hole 222'a.

[0134] In this manner, the busbar frame 224 of the busbar assembly 220, 220' arranged in the opening 216 of the cell cover 210, 210' has a gas exhaust through hole, and the busbars 222, 222' are arranged between the through holes of the busbar frame 224 so as not to block the through holes, thereby ensuring smooth exhaust of gas generated in the battery cells within the cell cover 210, 210'.

[0135] FIG. 13 shows a vehicle 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 13, a vehicle 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs 10 according to the various embodiments described above.

[0137] In this manner, the battery pack 10 applied to the vehicle 2 can provide the electrical energy required for various operations of the vehicle 2.

[0138] For reference, the battery pack according to the present invention can be applied to an ESS (Energy Storage System) and various electric devices in addition to an automobile.

[0139] As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of battery cells are not housed in a separate module case and then attached to a battery pack case, but are partially covered by a cell cover having a simplified structure and then directly attached to the pack case, thereby reducing the overall weight and volume of the battery pack and increasing the energy density of the battery pack, while facilitating safe handling and installation of the battery cells during battery pack manufacture, and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0140] In addition, since each cell cover has a gas passage for discharging gas from the battery cell covered by the cell cover, gas and flames generated during thermal runaway of a battery cell can be easily discharged in the intended direction, thereby preventing chain reaction thermal runaway between battery cells.

[0141] In addition, by configuring the gas passage of the cell cover to move gas toward the opening or vent side of the cell cover, the gas generated in the battery cell can be discharged more smoothly.

[0142] In addition, the cell cover includes a first cover portion covering one side of the at least one battery cell, a second cover portion covering the other side of the at least one battery cell, and a third cover portion covering an upper end of the at least one battery cell, and is provided with openings on both longitudinal ends of the at least one battery cell, thereby enabling gas generated in the battery cell to be discharged in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell.

[0143] In another embodiment, a vent portion configured to exhaust gas is provided at the upper end of the cell cover, and the gas passage is configured to extend toward the vent portion, so that gas generated in the battery cell can be exhausted above the battery cell.

[0144] In addition, a gas filter having a porous structure is disposed inside the gas passage, thereby making it possible to prevent sparks, flames, or foreign matter from being discharged to the outside of the cell cover.

[0145] In addition, by providing the gas passages, the protrusions protruding from the outer surface of each cell cover are configured to mesh with the protrusions of the adjacent cell covers in the form of gear teeth, allowing multiple cell units to be arranged in a spatially concentrated manner within the case, thereby reducing the overall volume of the battery pack.

[0146] In addition, the blocking portion of the cell cover supports the battery cell inserted into the cell cover and blocks removal of the inserted battery cell, thereby preventing the battery cell from being displaced or coming off the cell cover to the outside, thereby ensuring safety and reliability of the battery pack.

[0147] In addition, an insertion groove is provided in the blocking portion of the cell cover so that a jig that comes into contact with the inner surface of the cell cover to change the slot width of the cell cover can be easily inserted, thereby facilitating the process of inserting the battery cell into the cell cover and preventing damage to the battery cell.

[0148] In addition, the cell cover has an opening that exposes the electrode lead of the battery cell inserted into the cell cover to the outside, and a busbar assembly that is disposed in the opening and electrically connected to the electrode lead has a through hole for discharging gas, so that gas discharged from the electrode lead portion of the battery cell can be quickly discharged to the outside of the cell cover.

[0149] In addition, by configuring the openings or vents on each cell cover to face in the same direction, gases and flames generated during thermal runaway of a battery cell are prevented from being discharged to other battery cells, thereby preventing a chain reaction of thermal runaway.

[0150] In addition, the busbar frame of the busbar assembly disposed in the opening of the cell cover has a through-hole for discharging gas, and the busbar is disposed between the through-holes so as not to block the through-hole, thereby ensuring smooth discharge of gas generated in the battery cell inside the cell cover.

[0151] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the embodiments of the present invention can solve various other technical problems in the art, as well as in related arts, other than those mentioned in this specification.

[0152] The present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modified embodiments can be embodied within the technical scope of the present invention. Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be considered from an explanatory perspective, not a limiting one. In other words, the true technical spirit of the present invention is set forth in the claims, and all differences within the scope of the claims should be interpreted as being included in the present invention.

Claims

1. A plurality of cell units stacked on each other, each of the plurality of cell units including at least one battery cell and a cell cover covering the at least one battery cell; a case that houses the plurality of cell units; Including, The cell cover is a slot into which the at least one battery cell is inserted; a gas passage provided on an inner surface of the slot adjacent to the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot; A battery pack comprising:

2. The cell cover is a first cover portion forming one side wall of the slot; a second cover portion forming the other side wall of the slot facing the one side wall; a third cover portion connecting the first cover portion and the second cover portion and forming an end portion of the slot; Including, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein an entrance of the slot is provided between the first cover part and the second cover part.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the gas passage of the cell cover is provided in at least one of the first cover part, the second cover part, and the third cover part.

4. the cell cover further includes an opening for exposing an electrode lead of the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot to the outside of the cell cover; 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the gas passage of the cell cover extends from a portion of the cell cover other than the opening toward the opening by a predetermined length.

5. The at least one battery cell includes electrode leads at both ends in a first direction, The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the gas passage of the cell cover extends along the first direction.

6. Each of the plurality of cell units is a bus bar electrically connected to an electrode lead of the at least one battery cell; a bus bar frame disposed in the opening of the cell cover and supporting the bus bar; The battery pack of claim 4 , further comprising:

7. the cell cover further includes a vent portion for discharging gas generated in the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot to the outside of the cell cover; 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the gas passage of the cell cover extends from a portion of the cell cover other than the vent portion toward the vent portion by a predetermined length.

8. 8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the gas passage of the cell cover extends from an inlet side of the slot to a vent side.

9. Each of the plurality of cell units is The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a gas filter having a porous structure and disposed in the gas passage of the cell cover.

10. the cell cover includes a plurality of the gas passages; 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of gas passages are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals.

11. the cell cover includes a plurality of protrusions protruding from an outer surface of the cell cover in correspondence with the plurality of gas passages, 11. The battery pack according to claim 10, wherein a protrusion of a first cell cover among the cell covers of the plurality of cell units is configured to mesh with a protrusion of a second cell cover adjacent to the first cell cover in the form of gear teeth.

12. 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the cell cover further comprises a blocking portion provided at an entrance of the slot and configured to block removal of the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot.

13. 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the at least one battery cell is a pouch-type secondary battery.

14. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the gas passage is formed by a part of an inner surface of the slot protruding or curving in a direction away from the at least one battery cell.

15. A vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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