Battery module housing for accommodating a battery cell stack

Abstract

The present invention relates to a housing for accommodating a battery cell laminate in a battery module. Specifically, in the frame included in the housing, a cutout portion is formed on the inner surface of the frame adjacent to a protruding fragile portion (bat-ear) provided at a part of the corner portions of each battery cell included in the battery cell laminate so as to avoid interference with the protruding fragile portion, and a double injection portion that is joined to the processed surface of the cutout portion by double injection, has a shape recessed compared to the inner surface, covers the cutout portion while avoiding interference with the fragile portion, and is formed so as to constitute a part of the inner surface. The present invention provides a frame including the double injection portion, a housing including the frame, a battery module including the housing, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery pack, etc.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0065622 filed on May 27, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the document of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module housing for accommodating a battery cell stack, and more particularly, to a battery module housing with improved space utilization, insulation, and manufacturing process economy.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are highly applicable to a variety of products and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and power storage devices driven by an electric power source. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency improvement, not only because of their primary advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels but also because they do not generate any by-products during energy use.

[0004] For small mobile devices, one, two, or three battery cells are used per device, while for medium to large-sized devices such as automobiles, high output and large capacity are required. Therefore, medium to large-sized battery modules in which a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected are used.

[0005] Medium to large-sized battery modules are preferably manufactured to be small in size and weight if possible. Therefore, prismatic batteries, pouch-type batteries, etc., which can be stacked with a high degree of integration and have a small weight-to-capacity ratio, are mainly used as the battery cells of medium to large-sized battery modules.

[0006] On the other hand, the battery module may include a frame member with an open front and rear to accommodate the battery cell stack in an internal space in order to protect the battery cell stack from external impacts, heat, or vibrations.

[0007] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view showing a battery module after and before assembly, respectively, each having a U-shaped frame with an open top and front and rear surfaces. Referring to these drawings, a battery module 0 having a U-shaped frame includes a battery cell stack 1 formed by stacking a plurality of pouch-type battery cells 11, and a housing for housing the same. The housing includes a frame 2 covering the lower part and both sides in the width direction (Y1), an upper plate 10 covering the upper part, and a pair of end plates 20 covering both sides in the length direction (X1). The frame 2 has a shape in which a bottom surface 21 and side walls on both sides in the width direction are connected.

[0008] The battery cell stack 1 is an assembly formed by stacking and assembling a plurality of pouch-type battery cells 11, and is housed in the housing such that the normal direction (Z2) of each battery cell 11 coincides with the width direction of the housing.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a single unit of the pouch-type battery cell 11. Referring to this, the battery cell 11 has a structure in which an electrode assembly, an electrode tab, and an electrode lead are housed in a pouch made of a material in which an insulating material is coated on both sides of a metal sheet, and the electrode lead has a portion protruding outside the pouch in the length direction (X2). The pouch is heat-sealed by thermally welding three sides excluding the folding portion while being folded about the length direction axis. At this time, a fragile portion 11b protruding from the one-side end portion in the width direction (Y2) toward one side is formed by pressure bonding at both corner portions located between the one-side end portion on the side where the folding portion is present and both end portions in the length direction sealed on the lead film. The fragile portion 11b has a shape protruding from the battery cell 11 toward one side in the width direction, and there is a possibility of interference with the inner surface of the frame 2 when assembling the battery module 0. If such interference occurs, the sealing of the pouch may become defective and the insulation performance may deteriorate. Further, due to the protruding shape of the fragile portion 11b, the separation distance between the battery cell laminate 1 and the frame 2 increases, and it is necessary to thickly form a thermally conductive resin layer provided between the battery cell laminate 1 and the frame 2 and serving for the cooling action of the battery cell 11, resulting in a problem of reduced economy.

[0010] On the other hand, in order to solve this, conventionally, the bottom surface 21 of the portion in the frame 2 where there is room for interference with the fragile portion 11b is machined to form a stepped portion having a lower height than other bottom surface 21 portions, thereby avoiding interference between the fragile portion 11b and the frame 2 and enhancing space utilization. Then, an insulating tape is attached to the stepped portion to prevent insulation failure. However, the attachment of the insulating tape is an additional operation performed after machining of the stepped portion, and there are problems that the process is troublesome, uneconomical, and defective may occur because it is a manual operation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention was conceived under the background of the prior art as described above, and an object thereof is to provide a battery module housing capable of reducing interference with a vulnerable part provided in a battery cell and ensuring insulation performance.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to maximize space utilization by providing a frame shape corresponding to the protruding shape of the vulnerable part, reducing the separation distance between the battery cell laminate and the frame, and reducing the thickness of the thermally conductive resin layer provided between the battery cell laminate and the frame, thereby ensuring economy.

[0013] Still another technical problem of the present invention is to simplify the complicated processes of machining an existing stepped portion and attaching an insulating tape in a frame where there is no interference with the vulnerable part and insulation performance is ensured, and to provide a housing that exhibits stable performance through an economical process.

[0014] Still another technical problem of the present invention is to reduce the possibility of defects occurring due to the fact that the existing insulating tape attachment process is a manual process.

[0015] Still another technical problem of the present invention is to provide a housing that is produced by the above-mentioned economical process and exhibits stable interference prevention and insulation performance, a battery module including the same, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0016] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the objects mentioned above, and other objects and advantages of the present invention not mentioned can be understood from the following description and can be more clearly understood from the embodiments of the present invention. Also, it is easily understood that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means shown in the claims and combinations thereof.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0017] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a housing for accommodating a battery cell stack in a battery module. In the housing, a portion that can interfere with an end portion of a fragile portion provided to protrude to one side in the width direction of each battery cell is cut off to form a cut-off portion, and the cut-off portion is covered with a double injection portion made of a synthetic resin by double injection molding.

[0018] The housing may include a U-shaped frame in which a bottom surface and both side walls in the width direction (Y1) are connected, an upper plate covering the upper portion, and end plates covering both sides in the length direction (X1). The bottom surface and both side walls of the frame may be a single bent member, or may be joined to each other as separate members.

[0019] The frame may be made of a metal plate material and can be manufactured by plastic deformation by pressing, but those manufactured by other materials and processing methods are not excluded.

[0020] The cut-off portion can be formed in an existing frame by press cutting, and can also be formed in advance when cutting a metal plate material that is plastically deformed by pressing. As long as a shape in which a part of the frame is cut off is formed at a portion that can interfere with the end portion of the fragile portion of the battery cell in the frame to prevent this, the formation can be performed by any method.

[0021] The cut-off portion can be formed on the bottom surface of the frame.

[0022] The cut-off portion can also be machined into a shape that indents into the bottom surface while leaving a part of the thickness of the bottom surface of the frame, or can be cut into a shape that completely penetrates the bottom surface.

[0023] The cut-off portion can be formed at one side or both side ends in the length direction of the frame.

[0024] The cutout portion can be formed at one end in the length direction of the frame, with the corner where both side walls and the bottom surface of the frame intersect as the boundary in the width direction thereof.

[0025] The double injection portion may be made of an insulating synthetic resin.

[0026] The double injection portion may be made of a thermally conductive synthetic resin while being insulating.

[0027] The double injection portion can be joined to the processed surface of the cutout portion by double injection.

[0028] The double injection portion may have a shape sunken more than the bottom surface of the frame where the cutout portion is formed. On the other hand, a thermally conductive resin layer can be provided between the frame and the battery cell laminate. The thickness of these thermally conductive resin layers can be determined by the separation distance between the battery cell laminate and the frame. If the thickness of the thermally conductive resin layer is too thick, the economy will decline. Therefore, the sunken shape can be formed to have a step corresponding to the protruding degree of the vulnerable portion so as to reduce the separation distance.

[0029] The thickness of the double injection portion may be thinner than the thickness of the bottom surface, or may be thicker or the same as that.

[0030] The lower surface of the double injection portion can also form a step with the lower surface of the bottom surface, or may be continuous without a step.

[0031] The housing according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a U-shaped frame made by plastically deforming a metal plate material. At one end of the frame in the length direction, with both corners where the bottom surface and both side walls intersect as the boundaries in the width direction, a cutout portion penetrating the bottom surface is provided on the bottom surface. A double injection portion is connected to the processed surface of the cutout portion. The thickness of the double injection portion is thinner than the thickness of the bottom surface. The lower surface of the double injection portion is continuously connected to the lower surface of the bottom surface without a step, and its upper surface may be formed to be recessed downward compared to the upper surface of the bottom surface to form a step with the bottom surface.

[0032] The housing according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a U-shaped frame made by plastically deforming a metal plate material. At one end of the frame in the length direction, with both corners where the bottom surface and both side walls intersect as the boundaries in the width direction, a cutout portion penetrating the bottom surface is provided on the bottom surface. A double injection portion is connected to the processed surface of the cutout portion. The thickness of the double injection portion is the same as the thickness of the bottom surface. The double injection portion protrudes below the bottom surface as a whole, and the upper surface and the lower surface of the bottom surface may be formed to have steps.

[0033] The double injection portion can be formed to cover a part of the inner bottom surface of the processed surface of the cutout portion.

[0034] The housing according to still another embodiment of the present invention includes a U-shaped frame made by plastically deforming a metal plate material. At one end of the frame in the length direction, with both corners where the bottom surface and both side walls intersect as the boundaries in the width direction, a cutout portion penetrating the bottom surface is provided on the bottom surface. The processed surface of the cutout portion, a part of the inner bottom surface of the boundary of the cutout portion, and the double injection portion are connected. The thickness of the double injection portion is thinner than the thickness of the bottom surface. The lower surface of the double injection portion is continuously connected to the lower surface of the bottom surface without a step, and its upper surface may be formed to be recessed downward compared to the upper surface of the bottom surface to form a step with the bottom surface.

[0035] The means for solving the above problems can also be provided by a battery module housing according to the present invention, a battery module including the same, a battery pack including the battery module, a vehicle equipped with the battery pack, and the like.

Effects of the Invention

[0036] According to the present invention, by providing a cut-out portion obtained by cutting out a portion where interference occurs between a frame included in a battery module housing and a vulnerable portion of each battery cell of a battery cell laminate housed therein, interference between the vulnerable portion and the frame can be minimized.

[0037] According to still another aspect of the present invention, by providing the cut-out portion corresponding to the vulnerable portion, the separation distance between the frame and the battery cell laminate is reduced, space utilization is maximized, the thickness of a thermally conductive resin layer provided between the frame and the battery cell laminate can be reduced, and the economic efficiency in the production of the battery module can be improved.

[0038] According to still another aspect of the present invention, by covering the cut-out portion with a double injection portion made of an insulating synthetic resin, the vulnerable portion and the frame are electrically insulated, so that the stability of the battery module can be improved.

[0039] From still another viewpoint, the present invention provides economic efficiency in terms of process because a stepped portion is provided first and then insulated by the two-step process of machining an existing stepped portion and attaching an insulating tape, and in the double injection process, the stepped portion is provided and insulation treatment is performed simultaneously.

[0040] From still another viewpoint, the present invention can prevent defects in the battery module due to defects in the insulating tape by replacing the manual process of attaching the insulating tape with an automatic process of double injection.

[0041] In addition, the present invention can have various effects. Regarding these, the effects will be described in each embodiment, or for effects that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art, the description thereof will be omitted.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0042]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0043] The above-described objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As a result, those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. In describing the present invention, when it is determined that a specific description of the known technology related to the present invention obscures the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0044] Even if terms such as first, second, etc. are used to indicate various components, it goes without saying that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise stated, the first component may, of course, be the second component.

[0045] Throughout the entire specification, unless otherwise stated, each component may be in the singular or plural.

[0046] Hereinafter, when it is stated that an arbitrary configuration is arranged "above (or below)" a component or "on (or under)" a component, it means that the arbitrary configuration is not only arranged in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of the above-mentioned component, but also that other components may be interposed between the above-mentioned component and any configuration arranged "above (or below)" the above-mentioned component.

[0047] Also, when a certain component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that the above-mentioned components may be directly connected or joined to each other, or although they may be connected, other components may be "interposed" between the respective components, or each component may be "connected", "coupled", or "joined" through other components.

[0048] The singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless clearly indicated otherwise in the context. Terms such as "composed of" or "including" in this application should not be construed as necessarily including all of the multiple components or multiple steps described in the specification. Among them, some components or some steps may not be included, or it should be construed that additional components or steps may be further included.

[0049] When "A and / or B" is used in the entire specification, unless otherwise stated, it means A, B, or both A and B. When "C to D" is used, unless otherwise stated, it means C or more and D or less.

[0050] For the sake of convenience in description, in this specification, for the battery module, the direction parallel to the bottom surface of the frame and passing through both end plates of the battery module is defined as the length direction (X1), the normal direction of the plane formed by each battery cell included in the battery cell stack is the width direction (Y1), and the normal direction of the bottom surface of the frame is the height direction (Z1).

[0051] Also, in this specification, for the battery cell, the direction parallel to the battery cell and passing through both side electrode leads is defined as the length direction (X2), the direction perpendicular to the length direction and parallel to the battery cell is the width direction (Y2), and the direction corresponding to the normal direction of the battery cell is the normal direction or the height direction (Z2).

[0052] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view showing, respectively, the assembled state and the pre-assembled state of the battery module 0 having a U-shaped frame 2 with the upper part and the front and rear surfaces open. Referring to these drawings, the battery module 0 having the U-shaped frame 2 can include a battery cell stack 1 in which battery cells 11 are stacked, and a housing for housing the same. The housing can include a frame 2 covering the lower part and both sides in the width direction (Y1), an upper plate 10 covering the upper part, and a pair of end plates 20 covering both sides in the length direction (X1).

[0054] The frame 2 may be U-shaped with the bottom surface 21 and both side walls in the width direction connected. The U-shaped frame 2 may be formed by joining the plate material forming the bottom surface 21 and the plate materials forming both side walls, or may be formed from a single plate material bent at both corner portions where the bottom surface 21 and both side walls intersect.

[0055] The frame 2 may be made of a metal sheet material and can be manufactured by plastically deforming the metal sheet material by pressing. However, regardless of the material and manufacturing process, it may be any one having a U-shape as described above.

[0056] The frame 2 can be assembled with the end plate 20 and the upper plate 10 to form a housing. The assembly may be by joining such as welding, or may be by other methods such as friction fitting or bolt fastening.

[0057] On the other hand, the battery cell laminate 1 is an assembly in which a plurality of pouch-type battery cells 11 are laminated and assembled, and electrode leads (there are a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead) protruding and extending outside the battery cell 11 may include bus bars to which the same polarity or different polarities are connected to each other. The bus bars can be electrically connected to the end plate 20 respectively so that the battery cell laminate 1 is electrically connected to the outside.

[0058] The battery cell laminate 1 can be housed in the housing so that the normal direction (Z2) of each battery cell 11 coincides with the width direction of the housing. At this time, the battery cell laminate 1 may be housed in the housing such that a vulnerable portion 11b of the battery cell 11 described later faces the bottom surface 21 of the frame 2 in the width direction.

[0059] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one unit of the pouch-type battery cell 11. Referring to FIG. 3, the battery cell 11 mainly has an electrode assembly, an electrode tab, and an electrode lead housed in a pouch made of a material in which an insulating material is coated on both sides of a metal sheet, and a part of the electrode lead protrudes and extends outside the pouch.

[0060] The electrode assembly has a structure in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are laminated multiple times with a separator interposed therebetween. The electrode tabs can extend and project from the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate respectively, and the same polarities of each other can overlap and be configured. The electrode lead is welded to the electrode tab and electrically connected, and a part of the electrode lead projects and extends in the length direction (X2) outside the lead film surrounding the electrode lead and the pouch thermally welded thereon, and the electrode assembly can be electrically connected to the outside.

[0061] The pouch is made of a metal sheet coated with an insulating material. A symmetrical rectangular metal sheet is folded in half with its symmetrical axis (which becomes one end in the width direction after folding) as a reference, and the other three sides except the folding part are thermally welded and sealed to form the shape of the pouch. At this time, both corner portions between the folding part at one end in the width direction and both side ends in the adjacent length direction are crimped during the sealing process, so that a vulnerable part (bat-ear) 11b having a shape protruding from the corner portion to one side in the width direction can be formed. Since the vulnerable part 11b has a protruding shape, it may interfere with the frame 2. When such interference occurs, the sealing and / or insulation performance of the vulnerable part 11b may deteriorate.

[0062] On one hand, a thermally conductive resin layer can be provided between the battery cell laminate 1 and the frame 2 for the cooling effect of the battery cell laminate 1. The cooling effect means that the heat generated in the battery cell laminate 1 cannot be effectively discharged to the outside of the battery module due to the heat insulation effect of the separation space between the battery cell laminate 1 and the frame 2. To prevent the performance degradation of the battery, the thermally conductive resin layer conducts the heat generated in the battery cell laminate 1 to the frame 2 between the battery cell laminate 1 and the frame 2, making it easier to discharge to the outside. At this time, the larger the separation space is, the thicker the thermally conductive resin layer has to be, and the production economy deteriorates. However, due to the protruding shape of the vulnerable part 11b, when the battery cell laminate 1 is accommodated in the frame 2 having a flat inner surface, in other parts except for the protruding part of the vulnerable part 11b, the separation distance between the battery cell laminate 1 and the frame 2 is too far, resulting in poor space utilization and the problem that the thermally conductive resin layer may become too thick.

[0063] In this regard, the present invention provides a battery module housing having a structure in which a cutout portion 22 formed by cutting off a portion where interference may occur with the protruding end portion of the vulnerable portion 11b in the frame 2 is covered by a double injection portion 23.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a U-shaped frame 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the end portion of the vulnerable portion 11b in the U-shaped frame 2 and the portion where interference occurs are cut off to provide a cutout portion 22, and a double injection portion 23 double-injected with a synthetic resin covers the cutout portion 22.

[0065] The cut-out portion 22 can be formed by additionally cutting the existing frame 2 by pressing, and can also be formed in advance during the process of cutting a metal sheet that plastically deforms into the shape of the frame 2 by pressing. As long as the cut-out portion 22 has a shape in which a part of the frame 2 is cut off to avoid interference between the vulnerable portion 11b and the frame 2, the forming method can be various.

[0066] The cut-out portion can be formed on the bottom surface 21 of the frame 2. For example, the cut-out portion 22 can be formed at one end portion in the length direction of the bottom surface 21 of the frame 2. Alternatively, the cut-out portion 22 can also be formed on the side wall of the frame 2. The position of the cut-out portion 22 can be anywhere as long as there is room for interference with the vulnerable portion 11b. For example, the position of the cut-out portion 22 can be at the edge portion of the frame 2 or inside any surface of the frame 2.

[0067] The cut-out portion 22 can be formed in a shape that indents into the surface while leaving a part of the thickness of the bottom surface 21 or the inner surface of the frame 2, or can also be formed so as to completely penetrate the forming surface. For example, the cut-out portion 22 can be formed by cutting a part of one side or both side ends in the length direction of the bottom surface 21 of the frame 2 so as to completely penetrate. When trimming processing is performed with a press, it is possible to form the cut-out portion 22 in a form that completely penetrates the frame 2 at a low cost.

[0068] The cut-out portion 22 can be formed on the bottom surface 21 of the frame 2 with both corners where the bottom surface 21 intersects the side walls on both sides in the width direction as its width direction boundaries.

[0069] The double injection part 23 may be made of synthetic resin and can be formed to be connected to the processed surface 22m of the cutout part 22 and cover the cutout part 22 by double injection. The cover means that the double injection part 23 fills the cutout part 22 space generated by the inner surface of the frame 2 indenting or penetrating to the outside, thereby constituting a part of the inner wall of the frame 2.

[0070] The double injection part 23 may cover the cutout part 22 and may also protrude and extend to the outside. For example, even after the double injection part 23 covers the cutout part 22 formed at one end part in the length direction of the bottom surface 21 of the frame 2, it may protrude and extend in the length direction compared to the side wall of the frame 2.

[0071] The double injection part 23 may not cover all of the indented or penetrated space of the cutout part 22 and may have a shape that indents or penetrates at one end thereof. The penetrated shape of the indented or penetrated part can be formed such that corresponding parts of other members, such as the end plate 20, cover it.

[0072] The double injection part 23 may have a shape that is recessed compared to the inner surface of the frame 2 where the cutout part 22 is formed. The recess means that a relative depth is formed compared to the inner surface of the part that is not the cutout part 22 among the surfaces where the cutout part 22 is formed. For example, the recessed part may have a shape such as a groove, a groove, or a stepped part. By providing the recessed shape, even though the double injection part 23 covers the cutout part 22, it is possible to prevent the vulnerable part 11b of the battery cell 11 from interfering with the double injection part 23.

[0073] The degree of depression of the double injection part 23 can be determined so as to form a step corresponding to the degree of protrusion of the fragile part 11b. By the double injection part 23 being depressed compared to the inner surface of the frame 2 by the amount by which the fragile part 11b protrudes, the separation distance between the battery cell laminate 1 and the frame 2 can be decreased. Thus, the heat conductive resin layer can be made thinner and be economical, or even if there is no heat conductive resin layer, the heat generated in the battery cell laminate 1 can be easily conducted to the frame 2 and discharged to the outside.

[0074] The depressed shape or step can be formed in the width direction and / or the length direction along the processed surface 22m of the cutout part 22. For example, as in the embodiment described later, the double injection part 23 may have a shape depressed more than the bottom surface 21 with reference to the width direction boundary and the length direction boundary of the cutout part 22.

[0075] The double injection part 23 may be made of an insulating synthetic resin. In this case, even if the sealing or insulation of the fragile part 11b becomes poor or interference occurs between the fragile part 11b and the double injection part 23, since the double injection part 23 is insulating, the insulating state can be maintained.

[0076] The double injection part 23 may be made of a heat conductive synthetic resin, or may be insulating and at the same time made of a heat conductive synthetic resin. In this case, in the double injection part 23 as well, it may become easier to conduct and discharge the heat generated in the battery cell laminate 1 to the outside.

[0077] In the embodiment, it is exemplified that the double injection part 23 is manufactured by double injection, but it is also possible to configure the double injection part 23 by insert injection or the like. That is, the term "double injection part" itself does not limit that the manufacturing method of the said structure must be double injection.

[0078] FIG. 5 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the double injection portion 23 can have a shape recessed compared to the bottom surface 21 by being formed with a thickness thinner than the bottom surface 21 of the frame 2. At this time, the lower surface of the bottom surface 21 and the lower surface of the double injection portion 23 may be continuously connected without a step therebetween. In this case, when the frame 2 is placed on a flat bottom, a stable structure can be maintained. FIG. 5 shows only a side surface, that is, a cross-section in the width direction of the frame 2. However, when the processed surface 22m of the cutout portion 22 is also formed in the length direction, the same applies to the front surface, that is, the cross-section in the length direction of the frame 2.

[0079] For example, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a U-shaped frame 2 made by plastically deforming a metal plate material. At one end portion in the length direction of the frame 2, with both corners where the bottom surface 21 and both side walls intersect as the boundaries in the width direction, a cutout portion 22 penetrating the bottom surface 21 is provided on the bottom surface 21. A double injection portion 23 is connected to the processed surface 22m of the cutout portion 22. The thickness of the double injection portion 23 is thinner than the thickness of the bottom surface 21. The lower surface of the double injection portion 23 is continuously connected without a step with the same height as the lower surface of the bottom surface 21. Its upper surface may be recessed downward compared to the upper surface of the bottom surface 21 so as to form a step corresponding to the protruding degree of the vulnerable portion 11b of the battery cell 11 and the upper surface of the bottom surface 21.

[0080] FIG. 6 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, although the thickness of the double injection part 23 is the same as the thickness of the bottom surface 21 of the frame 2, the double injection part 23 itself protrudes downward compared to the bottom surface 21, and the upper surface of the double injection part 23 has a negative step with respect to the upper surface of the bottom surface 21, and the lower surface of the double injection part 23 may be formed to have a positive step with respect to the lower surface of the bottom surface 21. The negative or positive step means that the upper or lower surface of the double injection part 23 sinks or protrudes compared to the upper or lower surface of the bottom surface 21. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the double injection part 23 or the bottom surface 21 from becoming unnecessarily thick or becoming so thin that the strength cannot be maintained, and it is possible to form a sunken shape in which the interference does not occur. FIG. 6 shows only the side surface, that is, the cross-section in the width direction of the frame 2. When the processed surface 22m of the cutout part 22 is also formed in the length direction, it is the same as above also in the front view, that is, the cross-section in the length direction of the frame 2.

[0081] For example, the housing according to an embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 includes a U-shaped frame 2 made by plastically deforming a metal plate material. At one end in the length direction of the frame 2, with both corners where the bottom surface 21 and both side walls intersect as the boundaries in its width direction, a cutout part 22 formed to penetrate the bottom surface 21 is provided, and a double injection part 23 is connected to the processed surface of the cutout part 22. The thickness of the double injection part 23 is the same as the thickness of the bottom surface 21, and the double injection part 23 as a whole protrudes downward from the bottom surface 21. The upper surface and the lower surface of the bottom surface 21 may be formed to have a step only by the protruding degree of the vulnerable part 11b of the battery cell 11.

[0082] FIG. 7 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the double injection part 23 can cover not only the cut-out part 22 but also a part of the inner bottom surface 21 of the boundary of the cut-out part 22. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon that the insulation and sealing of the battery cell 11 are damaged due to the occurrence of a sharp step part or the like at the boundary part of the part where the depression occurs, and to prevent possible insulation performance defects. FIG. 7 shows only the side surface, that is, the cross-section in the width direction of the frame 2. When the processed surface 22m of the cut-out part 22 is also formed in the length direction, the same applies to the front surface, that is, the cross-section in the length direction of the frame 2.

[0083] For example, the housing according to an embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7 includes a U-shaped frame 2 made by plastically deforming a metal plate material. At one end in the length direction of the frame 2, with both corners where the bottom surface 21 and both side walls intersect as its width direction boundaries, a cut-out part 22 penetrating the bottom surface 21 is provided on the bottom surface 21. The processed surface 22m of the cut-out part 22 and a part of the inner bottom surface 21 of the boundary of the cut-out part 22 are connected to the double injection part 23. The thickness of the double injection part 23 is thinner than the thickness of the bottom surface 21. The lower surface of the double injection part 23 is continuously connected to the lower surface of the bottom surface 21 without a step, and its upper surface is recessed downward compared to the upper surface of the bottom surface 21 and formed to have a step corresponding to the degree of protrusion of the vulnerable part 11b of the battery cell 11 and the upper surface of the bottom surface 21.

[0084] FIG. 8 shows a vehicle (V) equipped with a battery pack (P) including a battery module including an improved housing. Of course, the present invention can provide a battery module including the housing disclosed above, a battery pack (P) including the battery module, and a vehicle (V) equipped with the battery pack (P). Since manufacturing methods such as the above-mentioned battery pack (P) and vehicle (V) are known to ordinary technicians, descriptions thereof are omitted in this specification.

[0085] The above-described embodiments should all be understood as illustrative and not restrictive in any way. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below, rather than by the detailed description above. And, of course, all changes and deformable forms conceivable from the equivalent concept of the meaning and scope of the claims described below should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention.

[0086] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the exemplary drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made by those of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. In addition, even if the effects of the present invention due to the configuration are not explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects predictable by the configuration should also be recognized.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0087] 0 Battery module 10 Upper plate 20 End plate 1 Battery cell stack 11 Battery cell 11b Weak part / bat-ear 2 Frame 21 Bottom surface 22 Cutout part 22m Machined surface 23 Double injection part V Automobile P Battery pack X1 Length direction of the frame (bottom surface) Y1 Width direction of the frame (bottom surface) Z1 Height direction of the frame X2 Length direction of the battery cell Y2 Width direction of the battery cell Z2 Height direction (normal direction) of the battery cell

Claims

1. A housing for accommodating a battery cell laminate, the housing comprising: a frame for accommodating the battery cell laminate; a cut-out portion formed by cutting out a portion of the frame that interferes with an end portion of a weak portion provided to protrude to one side in the width direction of each battery cell of the battery cell laminate; and a double injection portion connected to the cut-out portion; The housing.

2. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the frame is made of a metal plate material and the double injection portion is made of an insulating synthetic resin.

3. The housing according to claim 2, wherein the insulating synthetic resin is simultaneously a thermally conductive synthetic resin.

4. The frame has a U-shape with both sides and the upper portion in the length direction open, The cut-out portion is formed at one end portion in the length direction of the bottom surface of the frame, and has a shape that indents into the bottom surface with both corners where the both side walls and the bottom surface of the frame intersect as its width direction boundaries. The housing according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The housing according to claim 4, wherein the double injection portion is continuous with at least a part of the processed surface of the cut-out portion, replaces the indented bottom surface of the frame, and constitutes a part of the bottom surface.

6. The housing according to claim 5, wherein the height of the bottom surface of the double injection portion is recessed from the height of the bottom surface of the frame to form a step.

7. The housing according to claim 6, wherein the double injection portion protrudes and extends in the length direction from the frame.

8. The housing according to claim 6, wherein the thickness in the height direction of the double injection portion is the same as the thickness in the height direction of the bottom surface of the frame, and the lower surface of the double injection portion is formed to protrude downward compared to the lower surface of the frame.

9. The housing according to claim 6, wherein the thickness in the height direction of the double injection portion is thinner than the thickness in the height direction of the bottom surface of the frame, and the lower surface of the double injection portion is formed continuously at the same height as the lower surface of the frame.

10. The double injection portion covers a part of the inner bottom surface of the boundary surface of the cut-out portion, The housing according to claim 6.

11. The frame has a U-shape with both sides and the upper portion in the length direction open, The cut-out portion is formed at one end portion in the length direction of the bottom surface of the frame, and is formed to completely penetrate the bottom surface with both corners where the both side walls and the bottom surface of the frame intersect as its width direction boundaries. The housing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the double injection part is formed so as to cover the penetrated area.

12. The housing according to claim 11, wherein the height of the bottom surface of the double injection part is recessed more than the height of the bottom surface of the frame to form a step.

13. The housing according to claim 12, wherein the double injection part protrudes and extends in the length direction from the frame.

14. The housing according to claim 12, wherein the thickness of the double injection part in the height direction is the same as the thickness of the bottom surface of the frame in the height direction, and the lower surface of the double injection part is formed to protrude downward compared to the lower surface of the frame.

15. The housing according to claim 12, wherein the thickness of the double injection part in the height direction is thinner than the thickness of the bottom surface of the frame in the height direction, and the lower surface of the double injection part is continuously formed at the same height as the lower surface of the frame.

16. The housing according to claim 12, wherein the double injection part covers a part of the inner bottom surface of the boundary surface of the cut-out part.

17. A battery module including a battery cell laminate in which battery cells provided with a fragile part are laminated, and a housing that houses the battery cell laminate, wherein the housing a frame for housing the battery cell laminate; a cut-out part, wherein the cut-out part is formed by cutting out a part of the frame where interference occurs with an end part of a fragile part provided to protrude to one side in the width direction of each battery cell of the battery cell laminate; and a double injection part connected to the cut-out part; including a battery module.

18. The cut-out part is formed so as to completely penetrate a part of the frame, The battery module according to claim 17, wherein the double injection part is formed so as to cover the penetrated area.

19. The battery module according to claim 17, wherein the inner surface of the double injection part includes a surface that is further recessed than the inner surface of the frame provided with the cut-out part.

20. The frame includes both side walls arranged apart from each other in the width direction, and a bottom surface connecting lower end parts of the both side walls in the width direction, The battery module according to claim 17, wherein the cut-out part is arranged at one end part in the length direction of the bottom surface.

21. The battery module according to claim 20, wherein the cutout portion provides a portion where one end portion of the bottom surface of the frame is recessed inward in the length direction from one end portion in the length direction of both side walls.

22. The battery module according to claim 17, wherein the double injection portion covers a part of the inner bottom surface of the boundary surface of the cutout portion.

23. A battery pack including the battery module according to any one of claims 17 to 22.

24. A vehicle equipped with the battery pack according to claim 23.

Images