Battery module, battery pack including such a battery module, and automobile

Abstract

A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cell assembly including a battery cell, a module case that houses the cell assembly and is provided with a vent portion for discharging flames and gases, and a bus bar assembly that is connected to the module case away from the vent portion, is electrically connected to the battery cell, and is configured to cover a portion of the cell assembly in which the electrode leads of the battery cell are arranged, from two adjacent directions in the module case.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including such a battery module, and an automobile, and more particularly to a battery module having improved safety against thermal events, a battery pack including such a battery module, and an automobile.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0170908 filed on December 8, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0038010 filed on March 23, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are easily applicable to various products and have electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by electric sources. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source that is environmentally friendly and improves energy efficiency because they do not generate any by-products due to energy use, as well as having the major advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels.

[0004] Currently, the types of secondary batteries that are widely used include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, and nickel zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell, i.e., a unit battery cell, is about 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. Also, a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel depending on the charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack may be variously set depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] Meanwhile, when configuring a battery pack by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series / parallel, a common method is to first configure a battery module including at least one battery cell, and then use this at least one battery module to add other components to configure a battery pack or a battery rack.

[0006] However, when multiple secondary batteries (battery cells) or multiple battery modules are densely packed in a small space, they may be vulnerable to thermal events. In particular, if an event such as thermal runaway occurs in any battery cell, high-temperature gas, flames, heat, etc. may be generated. If such gas, flames, heat, etc. are transmitted to other battery cells included in the same battery module, an explosive chain reaction situation such as thermal propagation may occur. Furthermore, such a chain reaction may not only cause accidents such as fire or explosion in the battery module, but may also cause fire or explosion in other battery modules.

[0007] Furthermore, in the case of medium to large battery packs such as electric vehicles, the risk of thermal chain reactions may be further increased since a large number of battery cells and battery modules are included to increase the output and / or capacity. In addition, in the case of battery packs mounted on electric vehicles, users such as drivers may be present in the vicinity. Therefore, if a thermal event occurring in a particular battery module cannot be appropriately controlled and a chain reaction occurs, it may cause not only serious property damage but also loss of human life.

[0008] This has led to a need to explore ways to provide battery modules with improved safety against thermal events. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of improving safety against thermal events, and a battery pack and an automobile including the same.

[0010] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a battery module including: a cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; a module case that houses the cell assembly and is provided with a vent portion for discharging flames and gas; and a bus bar assembly that is connected to the module case away from the vent portion, is electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells, and is configured to cover a portion of the cell assembly in which electrode leads of the battery cells are arranged, from two adjacent directions in the module case.

[0012] Also, preferably, the busbar assembly may include a busbar frame through which the electrode leads of the battery cells pass and facing the cell assemblies, a sensing busbar provided on one side of the busbar frame and connected to the electrode leads of the battery cells, and a busbar cover separated from the vent portion and configured to cover one side of the busbar frame in the module case and a portion of the cell assemblies adjacent to the busbar frame.

[0013] Also, preferably, the vent portion is provided on an upper surface of the module case, and the bus bar cover is spaced apart from the vent portion and covers upper ends of both side edges of the cell assembly.

[0014] Also, preferably, each of the plurality of battery cells includes an electrode assembly, a pair of electrode leads connected to the electrode assembly and connected to the sensing bus bar, a case body that houses the electrode assembly, and a cell case having a case terrace extending from the case body and from which the pair of electrode leads protrude, and a portion of the bus bar cover may be disposed between the module case and a portion of the case terrace from which the pair of electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells protrude.

[0015] Also, preferably, the busbar cover may include a first cover covering one side of the busbar frame, and a second cover bent from the first cover to cover a portion of the cell assembly adjacent to the busbar frame.

[0016] Also preferably, the busbar cover is formed from a fire-resistant plastic material.

[0017] Also preferably, the busbar cover may be hook- or hinge-connected to the busbar frame.

[0018] Also, preferably, the bus bar cover may be hook-coupled to an upper portion of the bus bar frame.

[0019] Also preferably, the busbar cover may be hinged to a bottom of the busbar frame.

[0020] The present invention also provides a battery pack including the battery module according to the above embodiment and a pack case that houses the battery module.

[0021] The present invention further provides a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including a battery pack according to the above-described embodiment. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the various embodiments described above, a battery module capable of improving safety against thermal events, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the same can be provided.

[0023] Specifically, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a busbar cover that covers one side of the busbar frame and a portion of the cell assembly adjacent to the busbar frame can provide a primary prevention of structural collapse due to flames in the event of thermal runaway caused by a thermal event.

[0024] In addition, the bus bar covers according to various embodiments of the present invention can prevent the escape of gas or flames near the cell assemblies and bus bar assemblies provided on both sides of the battery module other than the vent portion of the module case, and can guide directional venting toward the vent portion.

[0025] In addition, the present invention can have various other effects, which will be described in each embodiment, or effects that can be easily inferred by a person skilled in the art will not be described.

[0026] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded perspective view of the battery module of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the battery module of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram for explaining a busbar cover of a busbar assembly of the battery module of FIG. 2. FIG. [Diagram 5] 3 is a diagram for explaining a busbar cover of a busbar assembly of the battery module of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a mechanism by which the bus bar cover blocks the path of movement of flames and gases when a thermal event occurs in a battery cell of the battery module of FIG. [Figure 7] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a mechanism by which the bus bar cover blocks the path of movement of flames and gases when a thermal event occurs in a battery cell of the battery module of FIG. [Figure 8] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a mechanism by which the bus bar cover blocks the path of movement of flames and gases when a thermal event occurs in a battery cell of the battery module of FIG. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are views illustrating a busbar cover of a busbar assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 13 is a view illustrating a busbar cover of a busbar assembly according to still another embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 12]1 is a diagram for explaining an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in the present specification and claims are not to be construed as being limited to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but are to be construed as having meanings and concepts according to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventors themselves can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe the invention.

[0029] Therefore, it should be understood that the configurations shown in the embodiments described in this specification are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor at the time of this application.

[0030] Meanwhile, although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used in this specification, these terms are used for convenience of explanation, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art of the present invention that they may change depending on the position of the target object, the position of the observer, etc.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the battery module 10 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the battery module 10 of FIG. 1.

[0032] 1 to 3 , a battery module 10 may include a cell assembly 100, a module case 200, and a busbar assembly 300.

[0033] The cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 110. The plurality of battery cells 110 may be provided as pouch-type secondary batteries and stacked together to form the cell assembly 100. A specific configuration of each battery cell 110 will be described in more detail in the following related description. Meanwhile, although not shown, the cell assembly 100 may further include cooling fins provided between the battery cells 110 and compression pads for controlling cell swelling of the battery cells 110.

[0034] The module case 200 may accommodate the cell assembly 100. To this end, the module case 200 may be provided with a predetermined accommodation space capable of accommodating the cell assembly 100.

[0035] The module case 200 may include a vent portion 205 for discharging flames and gases. The vent portion 205 may break or melt at a predetermined temperature or pressure or more to discharging the high-temperature gases and flames. The vent portion 205 is for discharging high-temperature gases, flames, particles, etc., emitted from the overheated battery cell 110 to the outside of the module case 200 when a thermal event of the battery cell 110, for example, a thermal runaway situation due to overheating of the battery cell 110, occurs, and may break or melt from the module case 200 to quickly discharge high-temperature gases and flames, such as vent gas, to the outside of the module case 200 when the thermal event occurs.

[0036] The bus bar assembly 300 is for sensing the voltages of the battery cells 110 of the cell assembly 100 and may be electrically connected to the battery cells 110. In the present embodiment, the bus bar assembly 300 may be provided on both sides (X-axis direction) of the module case 200.

[0037] The bus bar assembly 300 may be connected to the module case 200 apart from the vent portion 205. In addition, the bus bar assembly 300 may be configured to cover a portion of the cell assembly 100 in which the electrode leads 113 of the battery cells 110 are disposed between the module cases 200 from two adjacent directions.

[0038] In the portion of the battery cell 110 where the electrode lead 113 is disposed, a predetermined step exists due to the shape unique to the pouch-type secondary battery. This step will be considered in the configuration of the battery cell 110 described later, and is due to a height difference between a case body 117 and a case terrace 119 of a cell case 115 that forms the exterior of the battery cell 110. In the case terrace 119, the electrode lead 113 is protruded outside the cell case 115 and sealed by heat fusion or the like, so that a predetermined step is formed between the case body 117 that accommodates the electrode assembly 111. Due to the step between the case body 117 and the case terrace 119, a predetermined space S1 (see FIG. 8) is formed due to the step in a portion of the cell assembly 100 where the electrode lead 113 of the battery cell 110 is disposed.

[0039] When the thermal event occurs, the predetermined space S1 (see FIG. 8) may promote convection of the gas, flame, particles, etc. This may result in unintended ejection of the gas, flame, particles, etc. to the outside not at the vent portion 205 of the module case 200 but at a portion of the module case 200 close to the predetermined space S1.

[0040] The busbar assembly 300 of the present invention is configured to cover a portion of the cell assembly 100 in which the electrode leads 113 of the battery cells 110 are arranged from two adjacent directions between the module cases 200, so that when the thermal event occurs, the movement of the gas, flames, particles, etc. caused by convection in the specified space S1 can be blocked preferentially over the module cases 200.

[0041] As a result, the busbar assembly 300 of the present invention can primarily block the movement path of the gas, flame, particles, etc. in the specified space S1, i.e., in a part of the cell assembly 100 where the electrode lead 113 of the battery cell 110 is arranged, prior to the module case 200, thereby effectively preventing the gas, flame, particles, etc. from being ejected to the outside not only from the vent portion 205 of the module case 200 but also from other parts of the module case 200.

[0042] In addition, the bus bar assembly 300 of the present invention can guide the gas, flame, particles, etc., to move smoothly toward the vent portion 205 when the thermal event occurs, and can effectively induce directional venting in a specific direction. Meanwhile, the directional venting will be described in more detail in the following related description.

[0043] Hereinafter, the bus bar assembly 300 according to the present embodiment will be considered in more detail.

[0044] The bus bar assembly 300 may include a bus bar frame 310 , a sensing bus bar 330 and a bus bar cover 350 .

[0045] The busbar frame 310 may be disposed to face the cell assembly 100. The busbar frame 310 may pass the electrode leads 113 of the battery cells 110. In order to pass the electrode leads 113, the busbar frame 310 may have lead slots 313 having a predetermined opening and width. Also, the number of the lead slots 313 may correspond to the number of the electrode leads 113. After passing through the corresponding lead slots 313, the electrode leads 113 of the battery cells 110 may be connected to a sensing busbar 330, which will be described later, on a surface opposite to a surface facing the cell assembly 100.

[0046] The sensing bus bar 330 may be connected to the electrode lead 113 of the battery cell 110. The sensing bus bar 330 may be provided on one side of the bus bar frame 310. The one side of the bus bar frame 310 may be a side located opposite to a side facing the cell assembly 100. The electrode lead 113 may be bent after passing through the lead slot 313 and connected to the sensing bus bar 330 by laser welding, etc.

[0047] The bus bar cover 350 may be configured to cover one side of the bus bar frame 310 between the module case 200 and a portion of the cell assembly 100 adjacent to the bus bar frame 310. Here, one side of the bus bar frame 310 between the module case 200 and the portion of the cell assembly 100 adjacent to the bus bar frame 310 may be a portion of the cell assembly 100 in which the electrode lead 113 of the battery cell 110 is disposed between the module case 200. This is because a case terrace 119 of the cell case 115, which will be described later, is disposed in a portion of the cell assembly 100 adjacent to the bus bar frame 310, and an end of the electrode lead 113 of the battery cell 110 is exposed outside one side of the bus bar frame 310 for connection with the sensing bus bar 330.

[0048] As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the bus bar cover 350 preferentially blocks the movement of ejections such as gas, flames, and particles caused by the convection phenomenon, and guides such ejections to the vent portion 205 side of the module case 200, thereby guiding the directional vent.

[0049] The above-mentioned directional vent of the present invention will now be considered in more detail.

[0050] The battery module 10 of the present invention has a top venting structure, and has a directional vent structure through the upper end (+Z-axis direction) of the battery cell 110. For such top venting, a cell vent part that breaks or melts at a predetermined temperature or pressure or more may be provided on the upper side of the battery cell 110 of the cell assembly 100. In addition, components related to fire suppression or extinguishing function that can control ejection G (see FIG. 7 ), such as gas, flames, and particles, discharged to the upper side (+Z-axis direction) of the battery module 10 may be provided on the upper side (+Z-axis direction) of the battery module 10.

[0051] The vent portion 205 of the module case 200 may be provided on the upper surface of the module case 200 for the upper directional vent. Specifically, the vent portion 205 may be provided near the center of the upper surface of the module case 200, and may be provided in one or more. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the description will be limited to the case where the vent portion 205 is provided in a plurality of portions near the center of the upper surface of the module case 200.

[0052] The bus bar cover 350 may be spaced apart from the vent portion 205 and cover the upper ends of both side (+X-axis direction) edges of the cell assembly 100. Therefore, the bus bar cover 350 of the present invention covers the upper ends of both side edges of the cell assembly 100 within the module case 200, and can block the movement of ejected matter such as gas toward both side edges (X-axis direction) of the module case 200 and can intensively guide the ejected matter such as gas to the vent portion 205 side near the center of the upper surface of the module case 200.

[0053] Therefore, the bus bar cover 350 according to this embodiment can effectively guide the induced ejection of ejected matter such as the gas toward the vent portion 205 side of the module case 200 provided with the top vent structure.

[0054] Hereinafter, the battery cells 110 provided as the pouch-type secondary battery of the cell assembly 100 will be considered in more detail.

[0055] Each of the battery cells 110 may include an electrode assembly 111 , a pair of electrode leads 113 , and a cell case 115 .

[0056] The electrode assembly 111 may be composed of a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, a separator, etc. The electrode assembly 111 is well known, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

[0057] The pair of electrode leads 113 may be connected to the electrode assembly 111 and may protrude to a predetermined length outside a cell case 115 (described later). The pair of electrode leads 113 may be connected to the sensing bus bar 330 for electrical connection with the bus bar assembly 300.

[0058] The cell case 115 forms the exterior of the battery cell 110 and may accommodate the electrode assembly 111 and a part of the electrode lead 113. The cell case 115 may include a case body 117 and a case terrace 119.

[0059] The case body 117 may accommodate the electrode assembly 111 and a portion of the electrode lead 113. To this end, the case body 117 may be provided with an accommodating space capable of accommodating the electrode assembly 111 and a portion of the electrode lead 113.

[0060] The case terrace 119 extends from the case body 117, and allows the pair of electrode leads 113 to protrude outside the case terrace 119 by a predetermined length. The case terrace 119 is a portion for sealing the cell case 115, and is sealed by heat fusion or the like to seal the inside of the case body 117. Thus, the case terrace 119 and the case body 117 have a predetermined step difference from each other, as discussed above. Thus, in the cell assembly 100, a predetermined space S1 (see FIG. 8) due to the step with the case body 117 may be formed on the case terrace 119 side from which the electrode leads 113 of the battery cell 110 protrude.

[0061] A portion of the busbar cover 350 may be disposed between a portion of the case terrace 119 from which a pair of the electrode leads 113 of the plurality of battery cells 110 protrude and the module case 200. In other words, a portion of the busbar cover 350 may be disposed between the module case 200 and a predetermined space S1 (see FIG. 8) defined by a step between the case body 117 and the case terrace 119. More specifically, a portion of the busbar cover 350 may be disposed on an inner wall of an upper edge of the module case 200 so as to cover the predetermined space S1 (see FIG. 8).

[0062] Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, when a thermal event occurs in the battery cell 110, the bus bar cover 350 can block ejections such as high-temperature gas, flames, and particles ejected from the battery cell 110 and rising due to convection in the specified space S1 (see FIG. 8) before the module case 200. As a result, in one embodiment of the present invention, the bus bar cover 350 can effectively prevent the risk of the ejections being ejected outside the upper edge of the module case 200, which is caused by convection in the specified space S1 (see FIG. 8).

[0063] Hereinafter, the bus bar cover 350 according to the present embodiment will be considered in more detail.

[0064] 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the bus bar cover 350 of the bus bar assembly 300 of the battery module 10 of FIG.

[0065] 4, 5 and 1 to 3, the bus bar cover 350 may include a first cover 352 and a second cover 356.

[0066] The first cover 352 may cover one surface of the bus bar frame 310. The first cover 352 may have an area sufficient to cover the entire one surface of the bus bar frame 310.

[0067] The second cover 356 may extend integrally from the first cover 352 and be bent approximately perpendicularly from the first cover 352. Thus, the bus bar cover 350 may have an approximately L-shape as an integral structure. The second cover 356 may cover a portion of the cell assembly 100 adjacent to the bus bar frame 310.

[0068] As such, the busbar cover 350 according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided with an integrated folded structure of the first cover 352 and the second cover 356, and can cover both the busbar frame 310 and a portion of the cell assembly 100 adjacent to the busbar frame 310 as a single member.

[0069] Meanwhile, the bus bar cover 350 may be hook-coupled to the bus bar frame 310. Specifically, the bus bar cover 350 may be hook-coupled to an upper portion of the bus bar frame 310. For the hook coupling, the bus bar cover 350 may be provided with a coupling hook 355. The coupling hooks 355 may be formed on an inner surface of a bottom portion of the second cover 356, and may be provided in a pair and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. In addition, the bus bar frame 310 may be formed with a pair of hook holes 315 into which the pair of coupling hooks 355 are engaged. The coupling hooks 355 may be formed near a bent portion with the first cover 352 spaced apart from an end of the second cover 356 by a predetermined distance so that the coupling hooks 355 are not easily removed from the hook holes 315 after being coupled to the hook holes 315.

[0070] As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the busbar cover 350 and the busbar frame 310 can be connected to each other by the hook connection, and the connection structure between the busbar cover 350 and the busbar frame 310 can be simplified, thereby improving the efficiency of the assembly process.

[0071] The bus bar cover 350 may be made of a fire-resistant plastic material. Specifically, the bus bar cover 350 may be provided by a plastic injection molding including a fire-resistant material. The bus bar cover 350 may improve the fire resistance of the battery module 10, and may minimize an increase in weight due to the addition of the bus bar cover 350, thereby reducing the weight of the battery module 10.

[0072] Also, in an embodiment of the present invention, the busbar frame 310 may be made of the same material as the busbar cover 350. That is, the busbar frame 310 may be made of a plastic injection molding containing a fire-resistant material. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the fire resistance of the entire busbar assembly 300 can be improved, and the weight of the busbar assembly 300 can be reduced, thereby reducing the weight of the entire battery module 10. Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the busbar frame 310 and the busbar cover 350 are made of the same material and manufactured in the same manner, thereby simplifying the assembly process of the entire battery module 10 and significantly improving the efficiency of the entire process.

[0073] Hereinafter, a mechanism for blocking the movement path of flames, gases, etc. using the bus bar cover 350 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be considered in more detail.

[0074] 6 to 8 are diagrams for explaining a mechanism for blocking the movement path of flames and gases using the bus bar cover 350 when a thermal event occurs in the battery cell 110 of the battery module 10 of FIG.

[0075] 6 to 8, when a thermal event occurs in the battery module 10, high-temperature flames, gas, particles, and other ejections G may occur in at least some of the battery cells 110 of the cell assembly 100. If the high-temperature flames, gas, particles, and other ejections G continue to remain in the module case 200, a serious dangerous situation such as an explosion of the entire battery module 10 due to thermal runaway may occur. Therefore, it is necessary to quickly exhaust the high-temperature flames, gas, particles, and other ejections G generated during such a thermal event to the outside of the module case 200. However, since it is dangerous if the ejections G are ejected in different directions, it is also important to control the ejection direction of the ejections G. In the present invention, the ejections G can be exhausted only to the upper center portion of the module case 200 through a vent portion 205 provided near the center of the upper surface of the module case 200.

[0076] However, due to a convection effect in the predetermined space S1 caused by a step between the case body 117 and the case terrace 119 of the cell case 115 of the cell assembly 100, the ejected material G, such as high-temperature flames, gas, particles, etc., may move to both side edge portions of the module case 200. At this time, the bus bar cover 350 blocks the ejected material G preferentially over the module case 200 in the predetermined space S1, and can effectively prevent the ejected material G from moving toward both side edge portions of the module case 200. In addition, since the bus bar cover 350 prevents the ejected material G from moving toward both side edge portions of the module case 200, the moving direction of the ejected material G can be relatively guided toward the center of the upper surface of the module case 200 where the vent portion 205 is provided. Therefore, the bus bar cover 350 according to an embodiment of the present invention can guide the ejected material G to be ejected toward the center of the upper surface of the module case 200.

[0077] Meanwhile, the ejection material G in the predetermined space S1 may move to the outside of one side of the bus bar frame 310 through the lead slots 313 of the bus bar frame 310. That is, the ejection material G may move to the predetermined space S2 in the upper part of one side of the bus bar frame 310 as shown in Fig. 8 due to convection. Since the bus bar cover 350 according to an embodiment of the present invention covers one side of the bus bar frame 310 as well, the ejection material G that has moved to the predetermined space S2 in the upper part of one side of the bus bar frame 310 may be blocked preferentially over the module case 200.

[0078] In the end, the bus bar cover 350 of one embodiment of the present invention blocks ejections G such as high-temperature gas, flames, and particles that rise due to the convection action in the areas of both side edges of the module case 200 preferentially over the module case 200, thereby significantly reducing the possibility of ejections G being discharged to the outside in the areas of both side edges of the module case 200.

[0079] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a busbar cover 550 of a busbar assembly 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] Since the busbar assembly 500 according to this embodiment is similar to the busbar assembly 300 according to the above embodiment, a redundant description of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those in the above embodiment will be omitted, and the following discussion will focus on the differences from the above embodiment.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 9 , the bus bar assembly 500 may include a bus bar frame 510, a sensing bus bar 530, and a bus bar cover 550.

[0082] The bus bar frame 510 may be hinged to a bus bar cover 550, which will be described later. Such a hinge structure will be described in detail in the description of the bus bar cover 550, which will be described later.

[0083] The sensing bus bar 530 is similar to the sensing bus bar 330 of the above embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0084] The bus bar cover 550 may be hinged to the bus bar frame 510. Specifically, the bus bar cover 550 may be hinged to a bottom of the bus bar frame 510.

[0085] The structure of the busbar cover 550 with respect to the hinge connection will be discussed in more detail below.

[0086] The bus bar cover 550 may include a first cover 552 and a second cover 556. A hinge portion 555 may be provided at a bottom portion of the first cover 552. The hinge portion 555 may rotatably connect the first cover 552 to the bus bar frame 510. The second cover 556 may be bent and extended from the first cover 552 as in the above embodiment.

[0087] In this manner, the bus bar cover 550 may be connected to the bus bar frame 510 through a hinge structure. By simplifying the hinge structure and the interconnection structure between the bus bar cover 550 and the bus bar frame 510, the convenience of the assembly process can be improved.

[0088] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a busbar cover 650 of a busbar assembly 600 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] Since the busbar assembly 600 according to this embodiment is similar to the busbar assembly 300 according to the above embodiment, a redundant description of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those in the above embodiment will be omitted, and the following discussion will focus on the differences from the above embodiment.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 10 , the bus bar assembly 600 may include a bus bar frame 610 , a sensing bus bar 630 and a bus bar cover 650 .

[0091] The bus bar frame 610 and the sensing bus bar 630 are similar to those in the above embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0092] The bus bar cover 650 may include a first cover 652, a second cover 656, and a third cover 658. The bus bar cover 650 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the third cover 658, unlike the above embodiment. The third cover 658 may be bent from the bottom of the first cover 652 and provided on the inner surface of the module case 200. The third cover 658 may be parallel to the first cover 652 and have the same length as the first cover 652. As a result, the second cover 656 may be bent and extended at an upper end of the first cover 652 to a predetermined length, and the third cover 658 may be bent and extended at a lower end of the first cover 652 to a predetermined length. A U-shaped structure may be formed by the structure of the first cover 652 to the third cover 658.

[0093] The bus bar cover 650 may be fitted to the inner surface of the module case 200 by inserting the bus bar frame 610 therein. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the coupling structure between the bus bar cover 650 and the bus bar frame 610 may be further simplified.

[0094] 1-3, the battery module 10 may include an end plate 400.

[0095] The end plates 400 may be provided in a pair, cover the bus bar assembly 300, and be connected to both side ends of the module case 200. The pair of end plates 400 may form the exterior of the battery module 10 together with the module case 200. In addition, components such as terminals for connecting the bus bar assembly 300 to external electrical components may be provided on the pair of end plates 400.

[0096] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a battery pack 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an automobile V according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] 11 and 12, a battery pack 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include at least one or more of the battery modules 10 according to the above embodiment, and a pack case 50 that accommodates the battery modules 10.

[0098] The battery pack 1 may further include electrical components such as a BMS for controlling the battery module 10 and a cooling unit such as a heat sink for cooling the battery module 10.

[0099] The battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include various components other than the battery pack 1 that are known at the time of filing of the present invention. For example, the battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include components such as a current sensor, a fuse, and a service plug.

[0100] Furthermore, the automobile V according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs 1 according to the present invention. Furthermore, the automobile V according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include various other components included in an automobile, in addition to the battery pack 1. For example, the automobile V according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a vehicle body, a motor, a control device such as an ECU (electronic control unit), and the like, in addition to the battery pack 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the battery pack 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be installed in other devices, mechanisms, and equipment, such as an energy storage system that uses a secondary battery, in addition to the automobile V.

[0102] As described above, since the battery pack 1 and the automobile V according to one embodiment of the present invention include the battery module 10 of the above embodiment, safety against the above-mentioned thermal events can be ensured even for the battery pack 1 and the automobile V alone.

[0103] According to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a battery module 10 capable of improving safety against thermal events, and a battery pack 1 and an automobile V including the battery module 10.

[0104] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific embodiments, and various modifications may be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood separately from the technical ideas and perspectives of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1 Battery Pack 10 Battery Module 50 pack case 100 Cell Assembly 110 Battery Cell 111 Electrode assembly 113 Electrode Lead 115 Cell Case 117 Case Body 119 Case Terrace 200 module case 205 Vent 300 Busbar Assembly 310 Busbar Frame 313 Lead Slot 315 Hook hole 330 Sensing Busbar 350 Busbar cover 352 First Cover 355 Connecting Hook 356 Second Cover 400 End Plate 500 Busbar Assembly 510 Busbar Frame 530 Sensing Busbar 550 Busbar Cover 552 First Cover 555 Hinge part 556 Second Cover 600 Busbar Assembly 610 Busbar Frame 630 Sensing Busbar 650 Busbar Cover 652 First Cover 656 Second Cover 658 3rd Cover G ejecta S1 Predetermined space S2 Specified space V Automobile

Claims

1. A battery module, a cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; a module case that houses the cell assembly and is provided with a vent for discharging flame or gas; a bus bar assembly connected to the module case at a distance from the vent portion, the bus bar assembly being electrically connected to a plurality of the battery cells and configured to cover a portion of the cell assembly in which electrode leads of the battery cells are arranged, from two adjacent directions in the module case.

2. The bus bar assembly includes: a bus bar frame through which the electrode leads of the battery cells pass and which faces the cell assembly; a sensing bus bar provided on one surface of the bus bar frame and connected to an electrode lead of the battery cell; 2. The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising: a bus bar cover spaced from the vent portion and configured to cover one surface of the bus bar frame in the module case and a portion of the cell assembly adjacent to the bus bar frame.

3. The vent portion is provided on the upper surface of the module case, The bus bar cover is The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the upper ends of both side edges of the cell assembly are separated from the vent portions.

4. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes An electrode assembly; a pair of electrode leads connected to the electrode assembly and to the sensing bus bar; a cell case including a case body that houses the electrode assembly and a case terrace that extends from the case body and from which the pair of electrode leads protrude, A portion of the bus bar cover The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein a pair of the electrode leads of the plurality of the battery cells are disposed between the protruding portion of the case terrace and the module case.

5. The bus bar cover is a first cover for covering one surface of the bus bar frame; 3. The battery module according to claim 2, further comprising: a second cover folded from the first cover and covering a portion of the cell assembly adjacent to the bus bar frame.

6. The bus bar cover is 3. The battery module of claim 2, formed from a fire-resistant plastic material.

7. The bus bar cover is The battery module according to claim 2 , which is hook-connected or hinge-connected to the bus bar frame.

8. The bus bar cover is The battery module according to claim 7 , wherein the battery module is hook-coupled to an upper portion of the bus bar frame.

9. The bus bar cover is The battery module of claim 7 , hinged to a bottom of the bus bar frame.

10. A battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9; a pack case that houses the battery module.

11. A motor vehicle comprising the battery pack of claim 10.

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