Battery pack and device including the same

Abstract

A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells stacked in one direction, a pack case that houses the battery cells in an internal space, a cell cover that at least partially surrounds at least some of the plurality of battery cells in the internal space of the pack case, a bus bar assembly that electrically connects the plurality of battery cells, a first seal member attached to the bus bar assembly, and a second seal member attached to the cell cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - reference to Related Applications) This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application Nos. 10 - 2022 - 0089851 filed on July 20, 2022, 10 - 2022 - 0089853 filed on July 20, 2022, and 10 - 2023 - 0090086 filed on July 11, 2023, and all of the contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a device including the same, and more particularly, to a battery pack and a device including the same, which have improved energy density, cooling performance, and enhanced safety.

Background Art

[0003] In modern society, as the use of portable devices such as mobile phones, laptops, video cameras, and digital cameras has become common, technological development in fields related to such mobile devices has become active. In addition, rechargeable secondary batteries are a solution for solving problems such as air pollution in existing gasoline vehicles that use fossil fuels, and are used as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug - in hybrid electric vehicles (P - HEVs), etc., so the need for development of secondary batteries is increasing.

[0004] Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel - cadmium batteries, nickel - metal hydride batteries, nickel - zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention because they have the advantages of free charge and discharge, low self - discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] Such a lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, on which a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material are respectively coated, are arranged with a separator interposed therebetween, and an exterior material that hermetically stores the electrode assembly together with an electrolytic solution, that is, a battery case.

[0006] Generally, secondary batteries are classified into can-type batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a metal can and pouch-type batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a pouch made of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the exterior material.

[0007] Recently, battery packs have been widely used as a drive source or for energy storage in medium to large-sized devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Conventional battery packs include one or more battery modules and a control unit for controlling charging and discharging of the battery pack, for example, a BMS (Battery Management System) inside a pack case. Here, the battery module is configured in a form that includes a plurality of battery cells inside a module case. That is, in the case of a conventional battery pack, a plurality of battery cells (secondary batteries) are housed inside the module case to form respective battery modules, and one or more such battery modules are housed inside the pack case to form the battery pack.

[0008] In particular, in the case of pouch-type batteries, there are various advantages such as being light in weight and having less dead space during lamination, but they are vulnerable to external impacts and have a problem of being slightly inferior in assemblability. Therefore, it is common for a battery pack to be manufactured in a form in which a plurality of cells are first modularized and then housed inside a pack case. As a representative example, in the case of a conventional battery pack, a plurality of battery cells are first housed inside a module case to form a battery module, and then one or more such battery modules are housed inside the pack case. Further, as disclosed in the following prior art (Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0044599), conventional battery modules often laminate a plurality of battery cells using various components such as a plastic laminate frame, also called a cartridge, plates at both ends in the cell lamination direction, and fastening members such as bolts. And the laminate thus formed is often housed inside the module case again and modularized.

[0009] However, in the case of such a conventional battery pack, it may be disadvantageous in terms of energy density. Typically, in the process of housing a plurality of battery cells inside a module case and modularizing them, the volume of the battery pack may increase unnecessarily due to various components such as the module case or the stacking frame, or the space occupied by the battery cells may decrease. Furthermore, the space occupied by the components themselves such as the module case and the stacking frame is of course, and in order to ensure the assembly tolerance for such components, the storage space for the battery cells may decrease. Therefore, in the case of a conventional battery pack, there may be a limit in increasing the energy density.

[0010] Also, in the case of a conventional battery pack, it may be disadvantageous in terms of assemblability. In particular, in order to manufacture a battery pack, first, a plurality of battery cells are modularized to form a battery module, and then the battery module is housed in a pack case, so there is a problem that the manufacturing process of the battery pack becomes complicated. Furthermore, as disclosed in the above prior art document, the process and structure of forming a cell stack using a stacking frame and bolts, plates, etc. may be very complicated.

[0011] Also, in the case of a conventional battery pack, since the module case is housed inside the pack case and the battery cells are housed inside the module case, there is also a problem that it is difficult to ensure excellent cooling performance. In particular, when discharging the heat of the battery cells housed inside the module case to the outside of the pack case through the module case, the cooling efficiency may decrease and the cooling structure may also become complicated.

[0012] Also, a conventional battery pack does not include a separate sealing member, and additionally, neither the battery cells nor the battery module includes a separate sealing member, so there is a problem that moisture, dust, etc. easily flow in from the outside. In this case, since the waterproof grade cannot be satisfied, the necessity of solving the above problems has been raised.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0013]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0014] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack excellent in energy density, assemblability and / or coolability, and a device including an automobile and the like.

[0015] In addition, by preventing a continuous thermal runaway phenomenon caused by the indiscriminate discharge of high-temperature gas, a battery pack with improved durability and safety and a device including the same are provided.

[0016] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not described can be extended to the extent clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the present invention.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0017] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells stacked in one direction, a pack case for housing the battery cells in an internal space, a cell cover for at least partially surrounding at least some of the plurality of battery cells in the internal space of the pack case, a bus bar assembly for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells, and a first seal member attached to the bus bar assembly.

[0018] The bus bar assembly includes a first groove which is a region dug to a certain depth along the periphery, and the first seal member is attached to the first groove.

[0019] The width of the first seal member is smaller than or the same as the width of the first groove, and the height of the first seal member may be higher than or the same as the height of the first groove.

[0020] The first seal member is formed of an elastic material.

[0021] It can further include a second seal member attached to the cell cover.

[0022] The cell cover includes an upper cover portion surrounding the upper part of the battery cell, a first side cover portion extending downward from one end of the upper cover portion, and a second side cover portion extending downward from the other end of the upper cover portion. The second seal member is provided along the inner surfaces of the upper cover portion, the first side cover portion, and the second side cover portion.

[0023] The second seal member is provided in a second groove which is a region dug to a certain depth along the inner surfaces of the upper cover portion, the first side cover portion, and the second side cover portion.

[0024] The second seal member is formed after being applied along the second groove and cured.

[0025] The second seal member is formed of resin.

[0026] The second seal member is formed of a CIPG (Cured In Place Gasket) material.

[0027] The first seal member and the second seal member can be in contact with each other.

[0028] The first seal member has a greater hardness than the second seal member.

[0029] The first seal member has a smaller degree of shape change than the second seal member.

[0030] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells stacked in one direction, a pack case that houses the battery cells in an internal space, a cell cover that at least partially surrounds at least some of the plurality of battery cells in the internal space of the pack case, a bus bar assembly that electrically connects the plurality of battery cells, and a second seal member attached to the cell cover.

[0031] A device according to still another embodiment of the present invention includes the battery pack described above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0032] According to an embodiment, a plurality of battery cells can be stably housed inside the pack case without a configuration such as a stacking frame like a plastic cartridge or another module case. Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, a battery cell having a case made of a soft material can be made into a simple and strong form, and a configuration in which the battery cells are directly stacked inside the pack case can be more easily realized.

[0033] In particular, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a configuration in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked side by side in a vertically standing state can be easily realized.

[0034] According to one aspect of the present invention, the energy density of the battery pack can be improved.

[0035] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the battery cells are directly housed in the pack case without being modularized, a module case of the battery module and the like are not required. Therefore, the space occupied by such a module case is reduced, and more battery cells are arranged inside the pack case. As a result, there is an effect of further improving the energy density of the battery pack.

[0036] Moreover, according to one aspect of the present invention, the assemblability of the battery pack can be improved. In particular, according to one embodiment of the present invention, steps such as housing battery cells in a module case to provide a battery module and housing one or more of the thus-provided battery modules in a pack case are not performed. Therefore, the manufacturing process is simplified and the manufacturing time can be shortened.

[0037] Moreover, according to one aspect of the present invention, a configuration for changing the number of battery cells surrounded by a cell cover can be easily realized. In particular, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by changing the width of the cell cover, the number of unit cells accommodated by the cell cover can be easily changed. Therefore, in this case, changes to the capacity and output by one cell cover can be easily made.

[0038] Moreover, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a configuration in which bus bars and terminals of each unit are positioned on the side surface, upper part, or lower part of each cell cover can be easily realized for each cell unit.

[0039] Moreover, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in the process of housing a soft battery cell inside a pack case, the cell cover can be gripped without directly gripping the battery cell. Therefore, the process of handling the battery cell is performed more easily and safely. Furthermore, in this case, it is possible to prevent the battery cell from being damaged or broken during the process of handling the cell, such as housing the battery cell inside the pack case.

[0040] Moreover, according to one aspect of the present invention, the cooling efficiency of the battery pack can be further improved. In particular, in the case of one embodiment of the present invention, since a part of each battery cell is directly exposed to the pack case, the heat of each battery cell can be effectively discharged to the outside through the pack case.

[0041] Moreover, according to one embodiment of the present invention, additional surface cooling becomes possible due to the wide surface of the battery cell.

[0042] Moreover, according to one aspect of the present invention, the safety of the battery pack can be improved.

[0043] In particular, according to one embodiment of the present invention, gases and the like discharged from each battery cell can be smoothly discharged to the outside. Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the discharge direction of gases, flames, etc. discharged from the battery cell can be controlled. Therefore, the propagation of thermal runaway between adjacent battery cells can be effectively prevented.

[0044] Also, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by preventing the indiscriminate discharge of high-temperature gases to the outside of the battery cell, a continuous thermal runaway phenomenon can be prevented.

[0045] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0046]

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Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0047] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them. The present invention can be realized in various different forms other than those described below, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the embodiments described here.

[0048] For the sake of clarity in explaining the present invention, parts that are unnecessary for the explanation are omitted, and the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0049] Also, the sizes and thicknesses of the respective configurations shown in the drawings are arbitrarily enlarged or reduced for the convenience of explanation, and it is obvious that the content of the present invention is not limited to the illustration. In the following drawings, the thicknesses of the respective layers are enlarged to clearly represent various layers and regions. And in the following drawings, for the convenience of explanation, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated.

[0050] Also, when explaining that a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is "above" another part, this should be interpreted to include not only the case where the part such as the layer, film, region, or plate is directly above the other part, but also the case where there are other parts in between. Conversely, when explaining that the part such as the layer, film, region, or plate is "directly above" another part, it can be meant that there are no other parts in between. Note that being "above" the reference part means being located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean being located "above" in the opposite direction of gravity. On the other hand, similar to the explanation of being "above" another part, the explanation of being "below" another part will also be understood with reference to the above-described content.

[0051] Also, throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, this means that, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, it does not exclude other components, but can further include other components.

[0052] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when referring to "in a plane", this means when looking at the part from above, and when referring to "in a cross-section", this means when looking at the cross-section obtained by vertically cutting the part from the side.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a separated configuration of a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a separated perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a battery cell and a cell cover housed inside the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration in which the battery cell and the cell cover of FIG. 2 are combined.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell 100, a pack case 300, and a cell cover 200.

[0055] The battery cells 100 are included in a plurality in the battery pack. And such a plurality of battery cells 100 are stacked in at least one direction. For example, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of battery cells 100 are stacked and arranged in the horizontal direction, for example, the left - right direction (the y - axis direction of the drawing). Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of battery cells 100 may be arranged in the front - rear direction (the x - axis direction of the drawing).

[0056] Furthermore, the plurality of battery cells 100 are arranged in the horizontal direction and are arranged in a form of forming a plurality of rows in the left - right direction and the horizontal direction. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the plurality of battery cells 100 are stacked in a form in which two cell rows arranged in the left - right direction (the y - axis direction and the - y - axis direction) are provided in the front - rear direction (the x - axis direction and the - x - axis direction).

[0057] The battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention can employ various forms of battery cells 100 known at the time of filing of the present invention. As an example, the battery cell may be a pouch - type battery cell. Such a pouch - type battery cell is formed by housing an electrode assembly in a pouch case of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer and then fusing the outer peripheral portion of the pouch case. Such a battery cell is formed in a rectangular sheet structure. However, the structure of the battery cell is not limited to this, and various types of battery cells are applicable. Therefore, detailed description of such a configuration of the battery cell and the like is omitted.

[0058] The pack case 300 has an empty space formed inside thereof and can accommodate a plurality of battery cells 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the pack case 300 can include an upper case 310 and a lower case 320. As a more specific example, the lower case 320 is configured in a box shape with an open upper end and can accommodate a plurality of battery cells in the internal space. And the upper case 310 is configured in a lid shape to cover the upper end opening portion of the lower case 320. At this time, the upper case 310 may be configured in a box shape with an open lower end. Also, in the internal space of such a pack case 300, cell covers 200 are also accommodated together with the plurality of battery cells 100. The pack case 300 can be made of plastic or a metal material. In addition, the pack case 300 can adopt various exterior material materials of battery packs known at the time of filing of the present invention.

[0059] The cell cover 200 is configured to surround the battery cell 100 in the internal space of the pack case. That is, the cell cover 200 is configured to surround at least some of the plurality of battery cells 100 included in the battery pack. Further, the cell cover is provided so as to at least partially surround the battery cell 100.

[0060] And the cell cover 200 is configured to support the stacked state of the plurality of battery cells 100 inside the pack case 300 by such a structure that surrounds the battery cells. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of battery cells 100 are stacked in the horizontal direction (the y-axis direction in the drawing). At this time, the cell cover 200 is configured so that the stacked state of the plurality of battery cells 100 stacked in the horizontal direction is stably maintained.

[0061] According to such an aspect of the present invention, without a module case, a plurality of battery cells 100 are directly placed and stored inside a pack case 300. In particular, in the case of the battery cell 100, the exterior material is made of a soft material and is vulnerable to external impacts, and it can be said that the hardness is low. Therefore, it is not easy to store only the battery cell 100 itself inside the pack case 300 without storing it in a module case. However, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of battery cells 100 are coupled to a cell cover 200 with at least a part thereof surrounded by the cell cover 200, and are directly stored inside the pack case 300, and the stacked state thereof can be stably maintained.

[0062] Therefore, according to such an aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to additionally provide the battery pack 10 with a module case, a stacking frame, fastening members such as bolts for maintaining the stacked state of the cells, and the like. Therefore, the space occupied by other components such as the module case and the stacking frame and the space for ensuring tolerances due thereto can be removed. Therefore, since the battery cells can occupy the removed space, the energy density of the battery pack can be further improved.

[0063] Also, according to such an aspect of the present invention, since a module case, a stacking frame, bolts, etc. are not provided, the volume and weight of the battery pack are reduced, and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0064] Also, according to such an aspect of the present invention, the handling of the battery cell 100 becomes easier. For example, when storing a plurality of battery cells 100 inside the pack case, the battery cell 100 can be gripped by a jig or the like. At this time, the jig can grip the cell cover 200 surrounding the battery cell 100 instead of directly gripping the battery cell 100. Therefore, damage or breakage of the battery cell 100 by the jig can be prevented.

[0065] Also, according to such an aspect of the present invention, the cell cover 200 is coupled to the battery cell 100, and the battery cell 100 can be effectively protected without a module case.

[0066] The cell cover 200 can be made of various materials to ensure rigidity. In particular, the cell cover 200 is made of a metal material. In such a case of a metal material, the stacked state of the battery cells can be maintained more stably, and the battery cells can be protected more safely from external impacts. In particular, the cell cover 200 can be made of a steel material, and further a stainless steel (SUS) material. For example, the cell cover 200 is entirely made of SUS material.

[0067] In this way, when the cell cover 200 is made of a steel material, since it is excellent in mechanical strength or rigidity, the stacked state of the battery cells 100 can be supported more stably. Also, in this case, damage or breakage of the battery cells 100 from external impacts, such as needle-like bodies, can be more effectively prevented. Moreover, in this case, the handling of the battery cells becomes easier.

[0068] Also, as in the above embodiment, when the cell cover 200 is made of a steel material, due to its high melting point, when a flame occurs from the battery cells 100, the overall structure can be stably maintained. In particular, in the case of a steel material, since the melting point is higher than that of an aluminum material, it does not melt even by the flame ejected from the battery cells 100, and its form can be stably maintained. Therefore, it can be excellent in preventing or delaying the flame propagation between the battery cells 100, the vent control effect, etc.

[0069] The cell cover 200 is configured to surround one or more battery cells 100. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cell cover 200 is configured to surround two or more battery cells 100 together. However, it is not limited thereto, and one cell cover 200 can be configured to surround only one battery cell 100. In this case, it can be said that the cell cover 200 is individually coupled to each of the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0070] The cell cover 200 can be at least partially adhered to the outer surface of the battery cell 100. For example, the inner surface of the cell cover 200 can be adhered to the storage portion of the battery cell 100.

[0071] One or more cell covers 200 may be included in the battery pack 10. In particular, the cell cover 200 is configured to group and unitize a plurality of battery cells 100 included in the battery pack 10. In this case, it can be said that one cell cover 200 constitutes one cell unit. And one cell unit may include one or more battery cells 100. For example, in FIG. 2, as represented by U1, one cell unit is shown. The battery pack 10 may include a plurality of cell units U1, and in this case, it can be said that a plurality of cell covers 200 are included in the battery pack 10. As an example, when the cell cover 200 is configured to surround one battery cell 100, the battery pack 10 may include the same number of cell covers 200 as the number of battery cells 100. As another example, when the cell cover 200 is configured to surround two or more battery cells 100, the battery pack 10 may include a number of cell covers 200 smaller than the number of battery cells 100.

[0072] The cell cover 200 is configured to support a plurality of battery cells 100 in an upright state. Each battery cell 100 has two wide surfaces as shown in FIG. 2, and there may be a seal portion or a folded portion of the pouch exterior material at the corner portion of the wide surface. Therefore, it is generally difficult to stack the battery cells 100 in a form erected in the vertical direction (z-axis direction and -z-axis direction). However, in the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the cell cover 200 is configured to support the surrounded battery cells 100 in an erected state, that is, an upright state while surrounding one or more battery cells 100.

[0073] In particular, the cell cover 200 is configured such that a plurality of battery cells 100 can be horizontally stacked in a state where they are erected in the vertical direction. For example, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of cell covers 200 are horizontally stacked on top of each other, and each cell cover 200 is configured to surround one or more battery cells 100. In this case, the cell cover 200 can stably maintain a configuration in which a plurality of battery cells 100 are horizontally arranged and stacked in a state where they are respectively erected.

[0074] In particular, the cell cover 200 is configured to be self - standing within the internal space of the pack case 300. That is, the cell cover 200 is configured to maintain its standing state by itself without the assistance of other components provided in the battery pack 10, such as the pack case 300 or the battery cell 100.

[0075] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the cell cover 200 is directly placed on the bottom surface of the lower case 320. At this time, a part of the cell cover 200, for example, the lower end C1 of the cell cover 200 represented by C1 in FIG. 2, is directly in contact with and placed on the bottom surface of the lower case 320. And when the lower end C1 is placed in this way, the cell cover 200 is configured to stably maintain the placement state. At this time, when the cell cover 200 is made of a metal material with excellent rigidity such as steel, especially SUS material, the self - standing state can be maintained more stably. Therefore, in this case, the standing state of the battery cell 100 can be supported more reliably.

[0076] The cell cover 200 is configured to partially surround the battery cell 100 such that at least one side of the surrounded battery cell 100 is exposed to the outside. That is, the cell cover 200 is not configured to completely surround the battery cell 100 entirely, but only surrounds a part of it. In particular, the cell cover 200 is configured such that at least one side of the battery cell 100 is exposed toward the pack case 300.

[0077] For example, referring to the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the cell cover 200 is configured to surround one battery cell 100, and the lower part of the surrounded battery cell 100, that is, the battery cell 100 housed in the internal space, is not surrounded by the cell cover 200. Therefore, the lower part of the battery cell 100 is exposed toward the pack case 300 and can directly face the pack case 300. In particular, referring to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the lower part of the battery cell 100 can be exposed toward the bottom surface of the lower case 320.

[0078] According to such an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling performance of the battery pack 10 can be more effectively ensured. In particular, according to the above embodiment, the battery cell 100 and the pack case 300 can be in direct face-to-face contact. Therefore, the heat released from each battery cell 100 is directly transmitted to the pack case 300, and the cooling performance of the battery can be improved. Also, in this case, since another cooling structure does not need to be provided between the battery cell 100 and the pack case 300, efficient cooling performance can be realized. And in this case, a space for allowing a refrigerant such as air to flow in is not provided between the battery cells 100.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 2, each battery cell 100 can include a storage part represented by R and edge parts represented by E1 to E4. Here, the storage part R may be a part in which an electrode assembly configured by laminating a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate with a separator interposed therebetween is stored. Also, an electrolytic solution is stored in such a storage part R. And the edge parts E1 to E4 are arranged so as to surround the periphery of such a storage part R.

[0080] In particular, the edge portions E1 to E4 may be seal portions where the pouch exterior material, which is the case of the battery cell 100, is sealed. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, four edge portions E1 to E4 are provided, and with respect to the storage portion R, it can be said that they are located at the upper side corner portion (z-axis direction), the lower side corner portion (-z-axis direction), the front side corner portion (x-axis direction), and the rear side corner portion (-x-axis direction), respectively. At this time, all of the four edge portions E1 to E4 may be seal portions. Alternatively, a part of the four edge portions E1 to E4 may be configured in a folded form that is not a seal portion. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the upper side edge portion E1, the front side edge portion E3, and the rear side edge portion E4 are all seal portions, but the lower side edge portion E2 may be a portion where the pouch exterior material is folded. Here, the battery cell 100 in which all of the four edge portions E1 to E4 are sealed can be referred to as a four-sided sealed cell, and the battery cell in which three edge portions E1, E3, and E4 are sealed can be referred to as a three-sided sealed cell.

[0081] In this configuration, the cell cover 200 is configured to surround both sides (y-axis direction and -y-axis direction) of the storage portion R of the battery cell 100 and a part of the edge portions E1 to E4. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when one cell cover 200 is configured to surround one battery cell 100, the cell cover 200 is configured to surround both side surfaces (for example, the left side surface and the right side surface of the same storage portion R) of the storage portion R of the same battery cell 100 and a part of the edge portion of the battery cell 100 from the outside. As another example, when one cell cover 200 is configured to surround a plurality of battery cells 100, for example, a plurality of battery cells arranged in the left-right direction, it is configured to surround the outer surface of the storage portion R of the outermost battery cell 100 and one side edge portion of the entire battery cell 100. As a more specific example, one cell cover 200 is configured to surround three or six battery cells 100 stacked in the left-right direction. At this time, the cell cover 200 is configured to surround the left side surface of the left battery cell, one side edge portion of the three or six battery cells, and the right side surface of the right battery cell.

[0082] According to such an embodiment, as one cell cover 200, a configuration for supporting and protecting one or more battery cells 100 can be easily realized. Further, according to the above embodiment, the process of handling one or more battery cells 100 by the cell cover 200 is easily and safely performed. Further, according to the above embodiment, one cell cover 200 can face the surfaces of two storage portions R with respect to the battery cell 100 housed therein. Therefore, the cooling performance can be further improved between the storage portion R and the cell cover 200. In particular, in this case, surface cooling is realized by the wide surface of the storage portion R, and the cooling efficiency is improved.

[0083] On the other hand, in the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, in order to enhance the heat transfer performance between different components, a TIM (Thermal Interface Material) can be interposed. For example, the TIM can be filled between the battery cell 100 and the cell cover 200, between the cell cover 200 and the pack case 300, and / or between the battery cell 100 and the pack case 300. In this case, the cooling performance of the battery pack, for example, the dual cooling performance and the like, can be further improved.

[0084] In particular, the cell cover 200 is configured to surround an edge portion among some edge portions of the battery cell 100 housed therein, where the electrode lead 110 is not provided. For example, referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the battery cell 100 can include two electrode leads 110, that is, a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead. At this time, the two electrode leads 110 can be respectively located at the front side edge portion E3 and the rear side edge portion E4. At this time, the cell cover 200 is configured to surround one of the remaining two edge portions E1 and E2 excluding such a front side edge portion E3 and a rear side edge portion E4.

[0085] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the battery cell 100 can be said to be formed in a substantially hexahedron shape. And on two of the six faces, electrode leads 110, that is, a negative electrode lead and a positive electrode lead are respectively formed. And the cell cover 200 is provided so as to surround at least a part of three of the remaining four faces excluding the two faces on which the electrode leads 110 are formed in the six-faced battery cell 100.

[0086] According to such an embodiment of the present invention, the discharge direction of gas, flame, etc. can be induced to the exposed side surface of the cell cover 200. For example, according to the above embodiment, since the front side (x-axis direction) and the rear side (-x-axis direction) of the cell cover 200 where the electrode lead 110 is located are open, gas, flame, etc. are discharged in such an open direction. In particular, when the cell cover 200 is configured in a form where the front and rear are open as described above, side directional venting can be easily realized.

[0087] Furthermore, the cell cover 200 is provided in a form that covers both side surfaces and the upper side edge portion E1 of the storage portion R with respect to one or more battery cells 100 housed and surrounded inside. For example, referring to FIG. 2, when the cell cover 200 is configured to surround six battery cells 100 laminated in the left-right direction, the cell cover 200 includes the left surface of the storage portion of the leftmost outer corner battery cell, the upper side edge portion E1 of the six battery cells, and the right surface of the storage portion of the rightmost outer corner battery cell. configured to surround. As another example, it may be configured to surround all of the left surface, the right surface, and the upper side edge portion E1 of the storage portion R with respect to one battery cell 100.

[0088] According to such an embodiment of the present invention, as one cell cover 200, a configuration for supporting and protecting one or more battery cells 100 can be easily realized. In particular, according to the above embodiment, the lower side edge portion E2 is not surrounded by the cell cover 200 and can be in direct face-to-face contact with the pack case 300. Therefore, the heat of the battery cell 100 surrounded by the cell cover 200 can be quickly and smoothly discharged to the lower pack case 300 side. Therefore, the cooling performance of the battery pack can be more effectively ensured.

[0089] In particular, such a configuration can be more effectively implemented when cooling is mainly performed at the lower part of the pack case 300. For example, in the case of a battery pack mounted on an electric vehicle, since it is mounted at the lower part of the vehicle body, cooling is mainly performed at the lower part of the pack case 300. At this time, when the lower side edge portion E2 of each battery cell 100 is in face-to-face contact with the pack case 300 as in the above embodiment, heat can be quickly transferred from each battery cell 100 to the pack case 300 side, and the cooling performance can be further improved.

[0090] Also, according to the above embodiment, when high-temperature gas, flame, etc. are discharged from the battery cell 100 in a situation such as thermal runaway, it is possible to effectively prevent the discharged gas, flame, etc. from heading upward. In particular, when a passenger is located on the upper side of the battery pack 10, such as in an electric vehicle, according to the above embodiment, it is possible to suppress or delay the gas, flame, etc. from heading toward the passenger side.

[0091] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be said that the cell cover 200 is formed in a shape similar to a substantially n shape. And the cell cover 200 is configured to cover other portions of the battery cell 100 housed inside, excluding the front side (x-axis direction), the rear side (-x-axis direction), and the lower side (-z-axis direction) where the electrode lead 110 protrudes. That is, the cell cover 200 is provided to cover the outside and the upper side of the storage portion R of the battery cell 100 housed inside.

[0092] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cell cover 200 can include an upper cover portion 210, a first side cover portion 220, and a second side cover portion 230.

[0093] Here, the upper cover portion 210 is configured to surround the upper part of the upper edge portion E1 of the battery cell 100 housed therein. In particular, the upper cover portion 210 is configured to be in contact with or separated from the upper edge portion E1 of the battery cell 100. Further, the upper cover portion 210 is configured to be planar. In this case, the upper cover portion 210 has a cross-section formed in a straight line in the horizontal direction and can surround the upper edge portion E1 of the battery cell 100 linearly from the outside.

[0094] The first side cover portion 220 is configured to extend downward from one end of the upper cover portion 210. For example, the first side cover portion 220 is configured to extend long downward (in the -z-axis direction of the drawing) from the left end portion (-y-axis direction) of the upper cover portion 210. Further, the first side cover portion 220 is formed to be planar. At this time, the first side cover portion 220 is configured in a form bent from the upper cover portion 210.

[0095] And the first side cover portion 220 is configured to surround the outside of one side storage portion R of the battery cell 100 housed therein. For example, when one battery cell 100 is housed in the cell cover 200, the first side cover portion 220 is configured to surround the left surface of the storage portion R of the housed battery cell 100 from the left side. Here, the first side cover portion 220 can be in direct contact with the outer surface of the storage portion R.

[0096] The second side cover portion 230 can be positioned horizontally spaced apart from the first side cover portion 220. And the second side cover portion 230 is configured to extend in a downward direction (-z-axis direction) from the other end of the upper cover portion 210. For example, the second side cover portion 230 is configured to extend long in a downward direction (-z-axis direction) from the right end portion (y-axis direction) of the upper cover portion 210. Further, the second side cover portion 230 is also configured in a planar shape similar to the first side cover portion 220. At this time, it can be said that the second side cover portion 230 and the first side cover portion 220 are arranged parallel to each other in a horizontally spaced state.

[0097] And the second side cover portion 230 is configured to surround the outside of the other side storage portion R of the battery cell 100 housed inside. For example, when one or more battery cells 100 are housed in the cell cover 200, the second side cover portion 230 is configured to surround the right side surface of the storage portion R of the rightmost battery cell 100 at the outermost corner from the right side. Here, the second side cover portion 230 can be in direct contact with the outer surface of the storage portion R.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the internal space is limited by the upper cover portion 210, the first side cover portion 220, and the second side cover portion 230. And the cell cover 200 can house one or more battery cells in the thus limited internal space.

[0099] Also, in the above embodiment, the lower end portions of the first side cover portion 220 and the second side cover portion 230 as represented by C1 in FIG. 2 can contact the bottom surface of the pack case 300. In particular, the contact configuration between the lower end portion C1 of the first side cover portion 220 and the second side cover portion 230 and the pack case 300 is formed in a form extending long in the front-rear direction (x-axis direction and -x-axis direction in the drawing). According to such an embodiment, a self-standing configuration of the cell cover 200 that can maintain the battery cell 100 housed inside in an upright state can be realized more stably.

[0100] Furthermore, the first side cover portion 220 and the second side cover portion 230 can have the same height as each other. That is, the first side cover portion 220 and the second side cover portion 230 may have the same length extending in the downward direction from the upper cover portion 210. In this case, the self-standing configuration of the cell cover 200 can be more easily achieved.

[0101] On the other hand, if the cell cover 200 and the battery cell 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention are described again, the upper cover portion 210 can face the upper edge portion E1 of the battery cell 100, and can surround the upper edge portion E1 together with the first side cover portion 220 and the second side cover portion 230.

[0102] Also, the cross-sectional areas of the first side cover portion 220 and the second side cover portion 230 are provided to be larger than the cross-sectional area of the battery cell 100 where the first side cover portion 220 and the second side cover portion 230 face each other, preventing the storage portion R from being exposed to the outside and ensuring maximum safety.

[0103] In particular, the battery cell 100 can include a sealed portion and an unsealed portion as edge portions E1 to E4. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the upper edge portion E1 may be a portion that is DSF (Double Side Folding) as the sealed portion of the battery cell 100, and the lower edge portion E2 may be the unsealed portion of the battery cell 100.

[0104] Here, the cell cover 200 surrounds the battery cell 100, and at least a part of the sealing part among the edge parts E1 to E4 is surrounded, while at least a part of the unsealed part is exposed to the outside without being surrounded. For example, referring to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the cell cover 200 is configured to cover the upper side edge part E1 which is a part of the sealing part of the battery cell 100. In this case, it can be said that the battery cell 100 housed inside the cell cover 200 is configured such that the upper side edge part E1 of the sealing part faces the upper cover part 210. Also, the cell cover 200 can surround the battery cell 100 so as to be exposed to the outside with respect to the lower side edge part E2 which is the unsealed part of the battery cell 100. In this case, it can be said that the lower side edge part E2 of the unsealed part in the battery cell 100 is disposed on the open surface of the cell cover 200.

[0105] As the upper side edge part E1 of the sealing part in the battery cell 100, it may be more vulnerable to the discharge of relatively high-temperature gas or flame than the lower side edge part E2 of the unsealed part. However, according to the above embodiment, the upper side edge part E1 of the sealing part is disposed to face the upper cover part 210, which is advantageous due to directional venting.

[0106] Also, as the lower side edge part E2 which is the unsealed part in the battery cell 100, it is provided with a relatively wider and flatter cross-sectional area shape than the upper side edge part E1 of the sealing part, is disposed on the open surface of the cell cover 200, and can be in direct contact with the thermal resin 326 described later to increase the cooling efficiency.

[0107] Furthermore, when the lower case 320 is placed on one surface of the vehicle body, the first side cover part 220 and the second side cover part 230 can extend from the upper cover part 210 toward one surface of the vehicle body, and the upper side edge part E1 is disposed farther from one surface of the vehicle body than the lower side edge part E2. That is, when the lower case 320 is placed on one surface of the vehicle body, the cell cover 200 is configured in a form in which the part close to one surface of the vehicle body is opened.

[0108] Conversely, when the upper case 310 is placed on one side of the vehicle body, the first side cover portion 220 and the second side cover portion 230 can extend away from one side of the vehicle body from the upper cover portion 210, and the upper side edge portion E1 is disposed closer to one side of the vehicle body than the lower side edge portion E2. That is, when the upper case 310 is placed on one side of the vehicle body, the cell cover 200 is configured in a form in which the surface disposed relatively far from one side of the vehicle body is opened.

[0109] That is, the arrangement of the cell cover 200 and the battery cell 100 can be variously set according to the relationship with the vehicle body, the pack case 300, and the configuration arranged on the vehicle body other than the pack case 300.

[0110] On the other hand, in the above embodiment, the cell cover 200 is illustrated or described mainly in a configuration formed in an n shape, but the cell cover 200 can be configured in various other forms. For example, the cell cover 200 may be formed in various other shapes such as an I shape, a U shape, an L shape, etc.

[0111] The battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a bus bar assembly 700. Here, the bus bar assembly 700 is configured to electrically connect a plurality of battery cells 100 to each other. For example, the bus bar assembly 700 is coupled to the electrode leads 110 of two battery cells 100 to electrically connect between the two battery cells 100 in series and / or in parallel. The bus bar assembly 700 can include a bus bar terminal made of an electrically conductive material such as copper or aluminum and directly contacting the electrode lead 110, and a bus bar housing made of an electrically insulating material such as plastic and supporting the bus bar terminal.

[0112] Furthermore, when the electrode leads 110 are provided on both sides of the battery cell 100, the bus bar assembly 700 is also entirely included on both sides where the electrode leads 110 are provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the electrode leads 110 all protrude on the front side (in the x-axis direction of the drawing) and the rear side (in the -x-axis direction of the drawing), the bus bar assembly 700 can also be entirely positioned on the front side and the rear side.

[0113] The bus bar assembly 700 is coupled to one or more cell covers 200. For example, referring to FIG. 1, two or more cell covers 200 are configured to surround different battery cells 100 respectively and are stacked in the horizontal direction (the y-axis direction and the -y-axis direction). At this time, the bus bar assembly 700 is coupled to the front end (x-axis direction) and the rear end (-x-axis direction) of two or more cell covers 200 respectively. In particular, in such an embodiment, one bus bar assembly 700 is coupled to the ends of two or more cell covers 200. As another example, one bus bar assembly 700 may be coupled to the end of one cell cover 200. At this time, one or more battery cells 100 are accommodated in one cell cover 200.

[0114] The bus bar assembly 700 can be coupled to the cell cover 200 in various ways. For example, the bus bar assembly 700 is coupled and fixed to the cell cover 200 by various fastening methods such as adhesion, welding, fitting, hook coupling, bolting, riveting, etc.

[0115] Additionally, the bus bar assembly 700 can include a first groove 710 formed along the periphery. The first groove 710 is provided with a first seal member 500. When the bus bar assembly 700 is coupled to the cell cover 200, the first seal member 500 is interposed therebetween to enable coupling without assembly tolerance. That is, the first seal member 500 is mounted on the bus bar assembly 700. Thereby, the waterproof and vibration-proof performance of the battery pack can be improved, and the assemblability can be improved.

[0116] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an insulating cover portion 780. At this time, the insulating cover portion 780 is made of an electrically insulating material, can prevent the busbar assembly 700 from being exposed to the outside by the end plate, and can ensure and maintain electrical insulation.

[0117] On the other hand, the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an end cover 800. The end cover 800 is mounted on the open both side surfaces of the cell cover 200 while surrounding the busbar assembly 700 and the insulating cover portion 780 (covering). The end cover 800 can fix the busbar assembly 700 and the insulating cover portion 780 to ensure the structural stability of the cell unit. In addition, the end cover 800 can protect the busbar assembly 700, the plurality of battery cells 100 and other electrical components from external impacts. The end cover 800 is provided with at least one or more holes so that a part of the insulating cover portion 780 is exposed. Thereby, when high-temperature gas or flame is generated from the battery cell 100 under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, it can be discharged to the outside.

[0118] FIG. 4 is a view showing a seal member mounted on a busbar assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 4, a first seal member 500 is mounted on the busbar assembly 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, the busbar assembly 700 may include a first groove 710 on which the first seal member 500 is mounted.

[0120] The first groove 710 may be an area dug to a certain depth along the periphery of the busbar assembly 700. The first seal member 500 is mounted in the first groove 710.

[0121] The first sealing member 500 is an additional member located on the bus bar assembly 700. When the bus bar assembly 700 is coupled to the cell cover 200, the degree of sealing can be improved, and the waterproof and vibration-proof performance of the battery pack can be enhanced. Further, the first sealing member 500 may be configured such that the cell cover 200 and the bus bar assembly 700 are coupled without assembly tolerance, so that high-temperature gas or flame generated in the battery cell is not discharged to the outside.

[0122] The shape of the first sealing member 500 can correspond to the shape of the periphery of the bus bar assembly 700. That is, the shape of the first sealing member 500 can correspond to the shape of the first groove 710 of the bus bar assembly 700.

[0123] Specifically, the width of the first sealing member 500 may be smaller than or the same as the width of the first groove 710. The height of the first sealing member 500 may be higher than or the same as the height of the first groove 710.

[0124] The first sealing member 500 is formed of an elastic material. For example, the first sealing member 500 is formed of rubber. Therefore, when pressure is applied to the first sealing member 500, the shape of the first sealing member 500 can change as the pressure is applied. For example, when pressure is applied to the first sealing member 500, the shape of the first sealing member 500 mounted in the first groove 710 changes so that no empty space is generated in the first groove 710. Therefore, it is possible to prevent moisture, dust, etc. from entering the battery pack from the outside, and the waterproof and vibration-proof performance of the battery pack can be improved. Further, when the temperature and pressure inside the battery cell increase during charging and discharging of the battery, generating high-temperature gas or flame, the first sealing member 500 closes the gap between the cell cover 200 and the bus bar assembly 700, and high-temperature gas or flame cannot be discharged through the gap, so that the vent direction of the gas or flame can be controlled. Therefore, the safety of the battery can be improved.

[0125] The first seal member 500 can be fitted into the first groove 710. That is, pressure can be applied to the first groove 710 to fit the first seal member 500, and the assemblability is easy.

[0126] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a battery cell and a cell cover housed inside a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view showing a seal member attached to the cell cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0127] FIG. 5 is a modification of FIGS. 1 to 3, and the description of the same configuration as that described above will be omitted.

[0128] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, second seal members 600 are attached to both open side surfaces of the cell cover 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The second seal member 600 serves to improve the sealing degree of the battery pack so that moisture, dust, etc. do not flow into the inside of the battery pack from the outside. Further, the second seal member 600 may be configured such that the cell cover 200 and the bus bar assembly 700 are coupled without assembly tolerance, so that high-temperature gas and flame generated in the battery cell are not discharged to the outside.

[0129] The second seal member 600 is attached to an area of the cell cover 200 to which the bus bar assembly 700 is attached. The second seal member 600 is provided along the inner surfaces of the upper cover portion 210, the first side cover portion 220, and the second side cover portion 230 of the cell cover 200. The second seal member 600 is provided in a second groove 240 dug to a certain depth along the inner surfaces of the upper cover portion 210, the first side cover portion 220, and the second side cover portion 230. The second seal member 600 is of a dispensing type and is formed after being applied along the second groove 240 formed on the inner surfaces of the upper cover portion 210, the first side cover portion 220, and the second side cover portion 230 and then cured.

[0130] The shape of the second seal member 600 can correspond to the shape of the second groove 240. The width of the second seal member 600 is smaller than the thickness of the second groove 240 or can correspond to the thickness of the second groove 240. The height of the second seal member 600 can correspond to the height of the second groove 240.

[0131] The second seal member 600 is formed of resin. For example, the second seal member 600 is formed of resin such as resin. For example, the second seal member 600 is formed of a CIPG (Cured In Place Gasket) material. The CIPG material is a substance that, after applying a liquid material, cures and hardens like rubber and changes to a solid state. Since the CIPG material has a high elastic recovery force, when pressure is applied to the second seal member 600, its shape can change as the pressure is applied. Therefore, when the second groove 240 is combined with other components constituting the battery pack, for example, the bus bar assembly 700, the second seal member 600 can play a role of filling the gap between the components constituting the battery pack while changing its shape. That is, since it is possible to prevent moisture, dust, etc. from entering the battery pack from the outside, the waterproof and vibration-proof performance of the battery pack can be improved. Also, when high-temperature gas or flame is generated in the battery cell due to charging and discharging of the battery, it is possible to prevent these from being discharged into the gap between the cell cover 200 and the bus bar assembly 700, so the safety of the battery can be improved by controlling the vent direction.

[0132] Also, although the second seal member 600 is shown to be provided along the second groove 240 in this drawing, this is only one example of an embodiment and is not limited thereto.

[0133] FIG. 7 is a separated perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a battery cell and a cell cover housed inside a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a separated perspective view showing a configuration in which seal members are respectively coupled to the cell cover and the bus bar assembly of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along B-B' when the cell cover and the bus bar assembly of FIG. 8 are coupled.

[0134] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a first seal member 500 is attached to a bus bar assembly 700 according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and second seal members 600 are attached to both open side surfaces of the cell cover 200. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' when the cell cover and the bus bar assembly in FIG. 8 are coupled together.

[0135] The content described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 is a modification of an embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 5, and detailed description of the same configurations as those described above is omitted.

[0136] Specifically, in the cell cover 200 according to still another embodiment of the present invention, all of the first seal member 500 and the second seal member 600 are applied.

[0137] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, the peripheries of the cell cover 200 and the bus bar assembly 700 according to still another embodiment of the present invention can be in contact with each other. In this case, the first seal member 500 provided along the first groove 710 of the bus bar assembly 700 and the second seal member 600 provided along the second groove 240 of the cell cover 200 can be in contact with each other.

[0138] The first seal member 500 has a higher hardness than the second seal member 600. Therefore, when the bus bar assembly 700 is coupled to the cell cover 200, pressure is applied to the first seal member 500 and the second seal member 600, respectively. In this case, the degree of shape change of the first seal member 500 is smaller than that of the second seal member 600. Therefore, the first seal member 500 and the second seal member 600 are coupled while meshing with each other without generating an assembly tolerance.

[0139] Referring to this, unlike the conventional battery pack, there is no assembly tolerance between the components to be assembled, and the possibility of moisture, dust, etc. flowing into the battery pack from the outside is reduced. That is, the waterproof and shockproof performance of the battery pack can be improved without being affected by the assembly situation. Also, since each component is assembled firmly without assembly tolerance, the possibility of high-temperature gas or flame being discharged into the gaps between the components is low. That is, instead of discharging gas or flame indiscriminately, venting is possible in the direction intended by the user, so the safety of the battery can be improved.

[0140] Figs. 10 to 12 are partial perspective views schematically showing a part of the configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0141] More specifically, Fig. 10 is a view showing a configuration in which a heat sink 301 is provided in the lower case 320 of the battery pack, and Fig. 11 is a view showing a configuration in which a thermal resin 326 is applied to the heat sink 301 of Fig. 8. Also, Fig. 12 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration in which a plurality of cell units of Fig. 2 are stacked in the internal space of the lower case 320 of Fig. 10.

[0142] First, referring to Fig. 10, the pack case 300 can include a heat sink 301. And a plurality of battery cells 100 to which the cell cover 200 is coupled can be thermally coupled to such a heat sink 301. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the lower case 320 of the pack case 300 is provided with a lower heat sink 321. And a plurality of cell units U2 are directly placed on the upper surface of the lower heat sink 321 as shown in Fig. 12. In particular, the cell cover 200 and the battery cell 100 provided in each cell unit U2 are placed with their lower ends directly contacting the upper part of the lower heat sink 321 in a form standing in the vertical direction (z-axis direction and -z-axis direction).

[0143] In such an implementation configuration, a thermal resin can be interposed between the heat sink 301 and the plurality of battery cells 100. For example, referring to FIG. 11, a thermal resin 326 is applied to the upper surface of the lower heat sink 321. Then, on the upper surface of the lower heat sink 321 to which the thermal resin 326 is applied in this way, as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of cell units U2, that is, a plurality of battery cells 100 and a plurality of cell covers 200 are placed.

[0144] Here, the thermal resin 326 is made of a material that conducts heat and has adhesiveness. The thermal resin 326 can transfer heat to the heat sink 301 so that the heat generated in the battery cell 100 is dissipated through the heat sink 301. Moreover, since the thermal resin 326 has adhesiveness, the cell cover 200 and / or the battery cell 100 can be mechanically coupled to the heat sink 301.

[0145] In such an implementation configuration, the plurality of battery cells 100 to which the cell covers 200 are coupled are directly placed on the upper surface of the lower heat sink 321 to which the thermal resin 326 is applied, as shown in FIG. 12. In this case, the plurality of cell units U2 are stably coupled and fixed to the upper surface of the lower heat sink 321 by the thermal resin 326. In particular, the battery cells 100 and the cell covers 200 included in each cell unit U2 are formed such that the length in the vertical direction (z-axis direction and -z-axis direction) is longer than the width in the horizontal direction (y-axis direction and -y-axis direction). Therefore, it can be said that the battery cells 100 and the cell covers 200 are placed in a standing state, that is, in an upright state, on the upper surface of the lower heat sink 321. At this time, the thermal resin 326 makes the upright state of the battery cells 100 and the cell covers 200 more stable.

[0146] On the other hand, although not specifically mentioned above, the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may additionally include a battery management system (BMS) for managing the temperature, voltage, etc. of the battery and / or a cooling device.

[0147] The battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to various devices. For example, the devices to which the battery pack is applied may be transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles. However, the above-described devices are not limited thereto, and in addition to the above examples, the battery pack according to this embodiment can be used in various devices, which also belongs to the scope of the rights of the present invention.

[0148] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail. However, the scope of the rights of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also belong to the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0149] 10: Battery pack 100: Battery cell 200: Cell cover 210: Upper cover portion 220: First side cover portion 230: Second side cover portion 240: Second groove 300: Pack case 301: Heat sink 310: Upper case 320: Lower case 326: Thermal resin 500: First seal member 600: Second seal member 700: Bus bar assembly 710: First groove 780: Insulating cover portion 800: End cover

Claims

1. A plurality of battery cells stacked in one direction; A pack case for housing the battery cells in an internal space; A cell cover that at least partially surrounds at least some of the plurality of battery cells in the internal space of the pack case; A bus bar assembly for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells; A battery pack including a first seal member attached to the bus bar assembly.

2. The bus bar assembly includes a first groove that is an area dug to a certain depth along a periphery, The first seal member is attached to the first groove. The battery pack according to claim 1.

3. The width of the first seal member is smaller than or the same as the width of the first groove, The height of the first seal member is higher than or the same as the height of the first groove. The battery pack according to claim 2.

4. The first seal member is formed of an elastic material. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further including a second seal member attached to the cell cover.

6. The cell cover includes an upper cover portion that surrounds an upper portion of the battery cell, A first side cover portion extending downward from one end of the upper cover portion, A second side cover portion extending downward from the other end of the upper cover portion, The second seal member is provided along inner surfaces of the upper cover portion, the first side cover portion, and the second side cover portion. The battery pack according to claim 5.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the second sealing member is provided in a second groove which is a region dug to a certain depth along the inner surfaces of the upper cover portion, the first side cover portion, and the second side cover portion.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the second sealing member is formed by being applied along the second groove and then cured.

9. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the second sealing member is formed of resin.

10. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the second sealing member is formed of a CIPG (Cured In Place Gasket) material.

11. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the first sealing member and the second sealing member are in contact with each other.

12. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the first sealing member has a greater hardness than the second sealing member.

13. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the first sealing member has a smaller degree of shape change than the second sealing member.

14. A plurality of battery cells stacked in one direction, A pack case for housing the battery cells in an internal space, A cell cover in the internal space of the pack case that at least partially surrounds at least some of the plurality of battery cells, A bus bar assembly for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells, A battery pack including a second sealing member attached to the cell cover.

15. A device including the battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 14.

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