Battery module and battery pack including the same

Abstract

The present invention includes a battery module and a battery pack including the same. The battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module frame for housing the battery cell stack; an end plate for covering the battery cell stack exposed by the module frame; and a module coupling part which is a protrusion provided on a side surface of the module frame and the end plate, and the module coupling part includes a hole through which a coupling member penetrates.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2022 - 0183602 filed on December 23, 2022, Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2022 - 0181906 filed on December 22, 2022, and Korean Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0185439 filed on December 19, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the literature of the patent applications are included as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more specifically, to a battery module in which assembly is simplified and process costs are reduced, and a battery pack including the same.

Background Art

[0003] With the development of technology and the increasing demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source has been rapidly increasing. Accordingly, many studies on secondary batteries that can meet various requirements have been conducted.

[0004] Secondary batteries with high applicability according to product groups and having electrical characteristics such as high energy density are widely applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles driven by an electric drive source, power storage devices, etc. Such secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency improvement not only because of the primary advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels but also because no by - products are generated by the use of energy.

[0005] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel - cadmium batteries, nickel - metal hydride batteries, nickel - zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are in the spotlight for their advantages of hardly causing a memory effect compared to nickel - based secondary batteries, free charge and discharge, very low self - discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0006] Generally, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into cylindrical or rectangular secondary batteries in which the electrode assembly is housed in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries in which the electrode assembly is housed in a pouch of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the exterior material.

[0007] In recent years, with the utilization of secondary batteries as energy storage sources, the need for large-capacity secondary battery structures has increased, and the demand for battery packs with a medium- to large-module structure that aggregates a number of battery modules connected in series or parallel has been on the rise. Such battery modules improve in capacity and output by forming a battery cell stack in which a number of battery cells are connected to each other in series or parallel. Also, a plurality of battery modules can be mounted together with various control and protection systems such as a BMS (Battery Management System) and a cooling system to form a battery pack.

[0008] However, since the battery pack has a structure in which a number of battery modules are combined, it becomes heavy, and in this case, there is a problem that it is not suitable for loading a large number of batteries on a moving means such as an automobile.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional battery pack.

[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional battery pack 10 includes a lower pack frame 11 on which a plurality of battery modules are mounted, and an upper pack frame 12 located above the battery modules. Here, the lower pack frame 11 and the upper pack frame 12 are joined to each other by a method such as welding, and the inside of the battery pack 10 can be sealed.

[0011] Thus, since the conventional battery pack 10 generally includes a lower pack frame 11 and an upper pack frame 12, problems such as reduction of process costs related to the pack frame and simplification of assembly have continued. Therefore, development of a new battery pack structure for overcoming the above problems is required. Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0012] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an improved battery module and a battery pack including the same, in which cost and process time are reduced, assembly is simplified, and process efficiency is improved.

[0013] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above problems, and can be variously extended within the scope of the technical idea included in the present invention. Means for Solving the Problems

[0014] A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module frame for housing the battery cell stack; an end plate for covering the battery cell stack exposed by the module frame; and a module coupling part which is a protrusion provided on side surfaces of the module frame and the end plate, and the module coupling part includes a hole through which a coupling member penetrates.

[0015] The module coupling part may include a first module coupling part located on a first side surface of the module frame, a second module coupling part located on a second side surface which is an opposite side surface to the first side surface of the module frame, and a third module coupling part protruding from a side end portion of the end plate.

[0016] The first module coupling part provided in the one battery module can be positioned to face the second module coupling part provided in the other one battery module.

[0017] The first module coupling part and the second module coupling part can be positioned on the same line in the height direction at different heights of the battery module.

[0018] The first module coupling part includes a first opening part which is a part where a first hole and a part of an outer peripheral surface which is a periphery of the first hole are open. The second module coupling part includes a second opening part which is a part where a second hole and a part of an outer peripheral surface which is a periphery of the second hole are open. The third module coupling part can include third holes which are at least two holes.

[0019] The first module coupling part and the second module coupling part may be C-shaped holes.

[0020] The first opening part and the second opening part can be opened in opposite directions to each other.

[0021] The third holes can be positioned on the same line in the height direction of the battery module.

[0022] The third holes include a third - 1 hole and a third - 2 hole. The third - 1 hole can be positioned to correspond to the first hole, and the third - 2 hole can be positioned to correspond to the second hole.

[0023] The coupling member can sequentially penetrate the third - 1 hole and the first hole, and sequentially penetrate the third - 2 hole and the second hole.

[0024] The battery module can further include a flange part formed on a side surface of the module frame.

[0025] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention is a battery pack including a plurality of the battery modules described above, and includes a battery pack frame including a side pack frame surrounding the plurality of battery modules. Among the plurality of battery modules, a first battery module and a second battery module are adjacent to each other, and include a coupling member for coupling and fixing the first battery module, the second battery module, and the battery pack frame.

[0026] The coupling member can be coupled and fixed to a pack coupling portion provided in the battery pack frame and a module coupling portion provided in the first battery module and the second battery module.

[0027] The pack coupling portion is at least two holes provided in the side pack frame, and the at least two holes are a first pack coupling portion and a second pack coupling portion.

[0028] The first pack coupling portion and the second pack coupling portion are provided at positions corresponding to the module coupling portion and can be located on the same line in the height direction of the side pack frame.

[0029] The first pack coupling portion is provided at a position corresponding to a second module coupling portion located on a second side surface of the module frame of the first battery module and a first hole (3-1 hole) among the holes of a third module coupling portion located at a side end portion of the end plate of the second battery module.

[0030] The second pack coupling portion is provided at a position corresponding to a first module coupling portion located on a first side surface of the module frame of the second battery module and a second hole (3-2 hole) among the holes of a third module coupling portion located at a side end portion of the end plate of the second battery module.

[0031] Each of the coupling members can sequentially penetrate the first pack coupling portion and the module coupling portion, and can also sequentially penetrate the second pack coupling portion and the module coupling portion.

[0032] The overall structure of the battery pack frame can have a shape that exposes the upper and lower portions of the plurality of battery modules.

[0033] The first battery module and the second battery module each further include a flange portion formed on a side surface of the module frame, and the flange portion of the first battery module and the flange portion of the second battery module may be coupled by a module fastening member in a state of overlapping each other.

[0034] The length of the coupling member may be longer than the sum of the lengths of the side pack frame and the module coupling portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0035] According to the embodiment, the connection between the battery module and the battery pack can be strengthened, and the durability of the battery can be improved.

[0036] Also, by designing the structure of the battery pack differently from the conventional one, the cost and the process cost can be reduced, and by simplifying the assembly of the battery pack, the process efficiency can be improved.

[0037] The advantages of the present invention are not limited to the advantages mentioned above, and other advantages not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0039] 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 belongs can easily implement them. The present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0040] To clearly explain the present invention, parts not related to the explanation are omitted, and the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0041] In addition, the sizes and thicknesses of the respective configurations shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown. In the drawings, the thickness is enlarged to clearly represent various layers and regions. And in the drawings, for the convenience of explanation, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated.

[0042] Also, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is "on" or "above" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly above" the other part, but also the case where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part is "directly above" another part, it means that there is no other part in between. Also, being "on" or "above" a reference part means being located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean being "on" or "above" in the direction opposite to gravity.

[0043] Also, throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it means that, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, it does not exclude other components but can further include other components.

[0044] Also, throughout the specification, "on a plane" means when the target part is viewed from above, and "in a cross-section" means when the cross-section obtained by vertically cutting the target part is viewed from the side.

[0045] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring to Figure 2, the battery pack 1000 of the present invention includes a side pack frame 1150, a front frame 1160, and a rear frame 1170 that surround a plurality of battery modules 100.

[0047] Here, the front and rear surfaces are in the y-axis direction and -y-axis direction of the drawing, the side surfaces are in the x-axis direction and -x-axis direction, and the height can be defined in the z-axis direction. Hereinafter, the invention will be described based on the above-defined content.

[0048] The battery module 100 can include a battery cell stack 120 in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked along a preset direction, and a module frame 200 that houses the battery cell stack 120 and protects the battery cell stack 120 and various electrical components connected thereto from external physical impacts. The module frame 200 can be provided in various structures. For example, the module frame 200 can include an upper cover 210 and a U-shaped frame 250, and the battery cell stack 120 can be mounted between the upper cover 210 and the U-shaped frame 250 to form the battery module 100. However, the module frame 200 is not limited to the above description and may be a monolithic frame in the form of a metal plate material with integrated upper and lower surfaces and both side surfaces. Also, the module frame 200 is formed of a high-rigidity material, and the high-rigidity material can include fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) as a composite material. The high-rigidity module frame 200 can not only control battery cells with high capacity and high swelling degree, but also minimize the pack housing structure and ensure long-term reliability for sealing by the module frame 200 itself serving as a pack housing. Further, by the upper part of the module frame 200 serving as a pack cover, the upper housing in the battery pack can be omitted.

[0049] Here, since there is no particular limitation on the type of the battery cell, it may be a pouch-type secondary battery or a prismatic secondary battery, but a pouch-type secondary battery is preferred.

[0050] A plurality of battery modules 100 are mounted at a distance from each other, but can be arranged in a direction facing each other. As an example, a pair of battery modules 100 can be arranged such that the end plates 400 (shown in FIG. 3) included in each battery module 100 face each other. The end plate 400 can be located on the first side (y-axis direction) and the second side (-y-side direction) of the module frame 200 and can be formed to cover the battery cell stack 120. The end plate can physically protect the battery cell stack 120 and other electrical components from external impacts.

[0051] The side pack frame 1150 can be positioned facing the end plate 400 of the battery module 100. Specifically, the side pack frame 1150 can be arranged facing the end plates 400 of a pair of battery modules 100 that do not face each other.

[0052] The front pack frame 1160 and the rear pack frame 1170 can be positioned to surround the remaining sides of the battery module 100 excluding a portion surrounded by the side pack frame 1150. Specifically, the front pack frame 1160 and the rear pack frame 1170 can be positioned to surround the region where the end plates 400 of the battery module 100 are not located.

[0053] The side pack frame 1150 can be positioned with both ends in contact with the front pack frame 1160 and the rear pack frame 1170.

[0054] The side pack frame 1150, the front pack frame 1160, and the rear pack frame 1170 surround the plurality of battery modules 100 and can protect each battery module 100 from external impacts.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the battery module of the present invention.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, the battery module of the present invention includes a module coupling portion 300 provided in the module frame 200 and the end plate 400.

[0057] The module coupling portion 300 is provided on the side surfaces (x-axis direction and -x-axis direction) of the module frame 200 and the end plate 400. The module coupling portion 300 may be a protrusion provided on the side surfaces of the module frame 200 and the end plate 400. The module coupling portion 300 may be a region where it is coupled to the side pack frame 1150 (see FIG. 2) by a coupling member. The module coupling portion 300 can be positioned facing the side pack frame 1150.

[0058] The module coupling portion 300 can include a first module coupling portion 310 and a second module coupling portion 320 formed on the side surface of the module frame 200, and a third module coupling portion 330 formed on the side surface of the end plate 400.

[0059] The first module coupling portion 310 can be located on the first side surface 251 of the module frame 200. The first module coupling portion 310 may be a portion where a region of the first side surface 251 of the module frame 200 protrudes.

[0060] The first module coupling portion 310 can include a hole with a part opened. The first module coupling portion 310 can include a first hole 311 and a first opening portion 313 which is a part of the outer peripheral surface where a part of the periphery of the first hole 311 is opened.

[0061] The first opening portion 313 may be a portion where a part of the outer peripheral surface of the first hole 311 is opened toward the outside of the module frame 200. The first opening portion 313 may be a portion where a part of the outer peripheral surface of the first hole 311 is opened in the direction opposite to the first side surface 251. Therefore, the first module coupling portion 310 may be a C-shaped hole.

[0062] The second module coupling part 320 can be located on the second side surface 252 of the module frame 200. The second side surface 252 may be a side surface of the module frame 200 facing the first side surface 251. The second module coupling part 320 may be a portion where an area of the second side surface 252 of the module frame 200 protrudes.

[0063] The second module coupling part 320 can include a hole with a part opened. The second module coupling part 320 can include a second hole 321 and a second opening part 323 which is a part where a part of the outer peripheral surface which is the periphery of the second hole 321 is opened.

[0064] The second opening part 323 may be a part where a part of the outer peripheral surface of the second hole 321 is opened toward the outside of the module frame 200. The second opening part 323 may be a part where a part of the outer peripheral surface of the second hole 321 is opened in the direction opposite to the second side surface 252. Therefore, the second module coupling part 320 may be C-shaped.

[0065] The first hole 311 of the first module coupling part 310 and the second hole 321 of the second module coupling part 320 may be opened in opposite directions to each other. That is, the first opening part 313 and the second opening part 323 may be opened in opposite directions to each other.

[0066] Different from the first module coupling part 310 and the second module coupling part 320 of the present invention, a conventional module coupling part can be composed of a general hole. Specifically, the conventional module coupling part may be a hole provided in an area where one side surface of the battery module protrudes. Conversely, the module coupling part 300 of the present invention, specifically the first module coupling part 310 and the second module coupling part 320, can include a first module opening part 313 and a second module opening part 323 where an area of the outer peripheral surfaces of the first hole 311 and the second hole 321 is opened. That is, the first module coupling part 310 and the second module coupling part 320 may be C-shaped holes.

[0067] Therefore, compared with the conventional module coupling part, the first module coupling part 310 and the second module coupling part 320 of the present invention including holes with one region of the outer peripheral surface opened can project less on the side surface (x-axis direction) of the battery module 100 only by the first module opening part 313 and the second module opening part 323. Thereby, the distance between adjacent battery modules 100 can be reduced compared with the conventional case, and the energy density of the battery pack can be increased.

[0068] The third module coupling part 330 can be located at the side end part of the end plate 400. The third module coupling part 330 can be located at the side end part of the end plate 400 corresponding to the first side surface 251 of the battery module 100 where the first module coupling part 310 is located. The third module coupling part 330 can be located at the side end part of the end plate 400 facing the second side surface 252 of the battery module 100 where the second module coupling part 320 is located.

[0069] The third module coupling part 330 may be a region protruding at the side end part of the end plate 400. In this case, the third module coupling part 330 can protrude from the end plate 400 and be located on the same plane as the end plate 400 in the xz plane. Also, the side end part of the end plate 400 is aligned on the same plane as the first side surface 251 of the module frame 200, but in the assembled state, the side end part of the end plate 400 can be an extension surface of the first side surface 251, and the third module coupling part 330 has a shape protruding at such a side end part of the end plate 400.

[0070] The third module coupling part 330 can be provided with a third hole 331. The third holes 331 are at least two and can be located on the same line in the height direction (z-axis direction) of the battery module 100.

[0071] Further, it can be seen that in the first module coupling portion 310 and the second module coupling portion 320, the width of the portion protruding from the module frame 200 becomes narrow, and the first hole 311 and the second hole 321 having a C shape are formed. It can be seen that in the third module coupling portion 330, the width of the portion protruding from the end plate 400 becomes narrow, and the third hole 331 is formed.

[0072] In other words, it can be seen that the shapes of the first module coupling portion 310 and the second module coupling portion 320, which are protruding portions, become wider as they go in the direction of the module frame 200 from the first hole 311 and the second hole 321, and the shape of the third module coupling portion 330, which is a protruding portion, becomes wider as it goes in the direction of the end plate 400 from the third hole 331.

[0073] This is because, generally, the module coupling portion 300 is formed by protruding in the shape of the hole itself, and the peripheral portion of the hole is formed wider, so the rigidity of the module coupling portion 300 is increased, and thereby the durability of the battery can be increased.

[0074] On the other hand, the battery modules 100 adjacent to each other can be coupled by a module fastening member 1001 (shown in FIG. 6) such as a bolt in a state where the flange portions 200F formed on the side surfaces of the module frame 200 overlap each other. At this time, the flange portions 200F can be formed one each on the upper side and the lower side of the side surface of the module frame 200. With such a coupling structure, the pack housing configuration can be omitted, the pack housing components can be minimized, and in particular, since the module fastening member 1001 is coupled at the overlapping portion of the flange portions 200F formed on the upper and lower sides of the side surface of the flange portion 200F, components such as a rigid beam can be omitted. In other words, the coupling portion including the module fastening member 1001 at the overlapping portion of the flange portions 200F can serve as a rigid beam in the pack structure. A plurality of module fastening members 1001 can be formed so as to be spaced apart from each other along the length direction (y-axis direction) of the battery module 100.

[0075] Hereinafter, the structural connection relationship of the first module coupling portion 310, the second module coupling portion 320, and the third module coupling portion 330 will be described in more detail.

[0076] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the coupling portion of the battery module of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the coupling portion of the battery module of the present invention.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the battery modules 100 of the present invention are mounted adjacent to each other, the first module coupling portion 310, the second module coupling portion 320, and the third module coupling portion 330 can be positioned overlapping each other.

[0078] Specifically, the first module coupling portion 310 and the third module coupling portion 330, and the second module coupling portion 320 and the third module coupling portion 330 can be respectively positioned on the same line in the length direction (y-axis direction) of the battery module 100.

[0079] First, referring to FIG. 4, in a state where a plurality of battery modules 100 are mounted in a battery pack, the first module coupling portion 310 and the second module coupling portion 320 can be respectively positioned on adjacent battery modules 100. Specifically, when the first module coupling portion 310 is positioned on the first side surface of one battery module 100a, the second module coupling portion 320 can be positioned on the second side surface of the battery module 100b adjacent to the battery module 100a.

[0080] That is, with a plurality of battery modules 100 mounted on the battery pack, the first module coupling part 310 and the second module coupling part 320 can be positioned on the same line in the height direction (z-axis direction) of the battery module 100. Specifically, in the height direction (z-axis direction) of the battery module 100, the first module coupling part 310 is provided at a position lower than that of the second module coupling part 320. Therefore, when a plurality of battery modules 100a and 100b are mounted and arranged, the first module coupling part 310 and the second module coupling part 320 can overlap and be positioned on one line parallel to the height direction (z-axis direction) at different heights from each other.

[0081] However, the above positions are exemplary and not limited thereto, and the second module coupling part 320 may be provided at a position lower than that of the first module coupling part 310.

[0082] The first module coupling part 310 and the second module coupling part 320 may be provided to extend in the length direction (y-axis direction) of the battery module 100. Specifically, the first module opening part 313 of the first module coupling part 310 and the second module opening part 323 of the second module coupling part 320 may be provided to extend in the length direction (y-axis direction) of the battery module 100.

[0083] At this time, the degrees to which the first module coupling part 310 and the second module coupling part 310 protrude from the battery module 100 can correspond to each other. Specifically, the degrees to which the first module coupling part 310 and the second module coupling part 310 protrude from the battery module 100 may be the same.

[0084] The third module coupling part 330 can be positioned closer to the side pack frame 1150 (described later in FIG. 6) than the first module coupling part 310 and the second module coupling part 320. Specifically, referring to FIG. 5, the third module coupling part 330 can be positioned closer to the front or rear surface of the battery module 100 than the first module coupling part 310 and the second module coupling part 320.

[0085] The third holes 331 of the third module coupling part 330 can respectively correspond to the first module coupling part 310 and the second module coupling part 320.

[0086] Specifically, the third module coupling part 330 can include a third-1 hole 331a and a third-2 hole 331b. The third-1 hole 331a and the third-2 hole 331b can be located on the same line in the height direction (z-axis direction) of the battery module 100. At this time, the third-1 hole 331a may be provided at a position higher than that of the third-2 hole 332b.

[0087] In this drawing, the third-1 hole 331a can correspond to the second module coupling part 320, and the third-2 hole 331b can correspond to the first module coupling part 310. More specifically, the third-1 hole 331a can be provided at the same position as the second hole 321 of the second module coupling part 320 in the height direction (z-axis direction) of the battery module 100, and the third-2 hole 331b can be provided at the same position as the first hole 311 of the first module coupling part 310 in the height direction (z-axis direction) of the battery module 100.

[0088] At this time, the third-1 hole 331a can be located at the same height as the second hole 321 of the second module coupling part 320, and the sizes of the third-1 hole 331a and the second hole 321 may be the same. The third-2 hole 331b can be located at the same height as the first hole 311 of the first module coupling part 310, and the sizes of the third-2 hole 331b and the first hole 311 may be the same.

[0089] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the coupling of the battery module and the battery pack of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the battery module and the battery pack of the present invention are coupled.

[0090] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the side pack frame 1150 can be coupled and fixed to the battery module 100 by a coupling member 410.

[0091] The coupling member 410 can couple and fix the side pack frame 1150, the battery module 100, and the battery module 100 adjacent to the battery module 100. The coupling member 410 can be coupled and fixed to the pack coupling portion 1200 provided on the side pack frame 1150 and the module coupling portion 300 provided on the battery module 100.

[0092] The pack coupling portion 1200 may be a hole provided in the side pack frame 1150. The pack coupling portion 1200 may be at least two holes provided in the side pack frame 1150.

[0093] The pack coupling portion 1200 may include a first pack coupling portion 1200a and a second pack coupling portion 1200b. The first pack coupling portion 1200a and the second pack coupling portion 1200b can be located on the same line in the height direction (z-axis direction) of the side pack frame 1150. At this time, the first pack coupling portion 1200a may be provided at a higher position than the second pack coupling portion 1200b.

[0094] The pack coupling portion 1200 may be a hole provided at a position corresponding to the module coupling portion 300. The first pack coupling portion 1200a may be provided at a position corresponding to the second module coupling portion 320 and the third module coupling portion 330, and the second pack coupling portion 1200b may be provided at a position corresponding to the first module coupling portion 310 and the third module coupling portion 330. Specifically, the first pack coupling portion 1200a may be provided at a position corresponding to the second hole 321 of the second module coupling portion 320 and the third - 1 hole 331a of the third module coupling portion 330, and the second pack coupling portion 1200b may be provided at a position corresponding to the first hole 311 of the first module coupling portion 310 and the third - 2 hole 331b of the third module coupling portion 330.

[0095] The coupling member 410 that couples and fixes the pack coupling portion 1200 and the module coupling portion 300 can sequentially penetrate the pack coupling portion 1200 and the module coupling portion 300. Specifically, after the coupling member 410 penetrates the pack coupling portion 1200 of the side pack frame 1150, by penetrating the module coupling portion 300 of the battery module 100, the side pack frame 1150 and the battery module 100 can be coupled and fixed.

[0096] The coupling member 410 can penetrate the first pack coupling portion 1200a and the second pack coupling portion 1200b of the side pack frame respectively. One coupling member 410 can sequentially penetrate the first pack coupling portion 1200a, the 3-1 hole 331a of the third module coupling portion 330, and the second module coupling portion 320. The other coupling member 410 can sequentially penetrate the second pack coupling portion 1200b, the 3-2 hole 331b of the third module coupling portion 330, and the first module coupling portion 310.

[0097] Such a coupling member 410 may be, for example, a screw. In this case, the length (in the y-axis direction) of the coupling member 410 may be long enough to penetrate the first module coupling portion 310 or the second module coupling portion 320. Specifically, the length (in the y-axis direction) of the coupling member 410 may be longer than the total length (in the y-axis direction) of the side pack frame 1150, the first module coupling portion 310 or the second module coupling portion 320, and the third module coupling portion 330.

[0098] When the coupling member 410 is a screw, the angle of the thread that constitutes the main body of the coupling member 410 may be around 60 degrees. Thereby, when the coupling member 410 is coupled to the module coupling portion 300, due to the angle of the screw, a force is applied in the radial direction to expand the hole of the module coupling portion 300. Therefore, the fixing force between the coupling member 410 and the battery module 100 can be increased.

[0099] Furthermore, since the coupling member 410 is coupled and fixed to the pack coupling portion 1200 and at least two module coupling portions 300, the fixing force between the battery pack and the battery module can be improved, and the safety of the battery can also be improved.

[0100] And, since the coupling member 410 is more firmly fixed to the side pack frame 1150 and the battery module 100, it is not necessary to additionally provide an upper pack frame for fixing the battery module 100. At this time, as described above, the upper and lower portions of the module frame 200 are formed of a high-rigidity material and can form the upper and lower portions of the battery pack 1000. Therefore, the upper and lower portions of the module frame 200 formed of a high-rigidity material form the upper cover and the lower cover of the pack frame 1100 without additional upper and lower covers, and at the same time, the side pack frame 1150 and the battery module 100 are firmly coupled via the coupling member 410. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the battery is reduced, and the weight of the battery is also reduced, so that the energy density of the battery can be improved.

[0101] The aforementioned battery module and the battery pack including the same can be applied to various devices. Such devices can be applied to transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention is applicable to various devices that can use the battery module and the battery pack including the same, and this also belongs to the scope of rights of the present invention.

[0102] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, but the scope of 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 rights of the present invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0103] 100: Battery module 200: Module frame 300: Module coupling portion 310: First module coupling part 311: First module coupling part 313: First module release part 320: Second module coupling part 321: Second hole 323: Second module release part 330: Third module coupling part 331: Third hole 331a: Third - 1 hole 331b: Third - 2 hole 400: End plate 410: Coupling member 1000: Battery pack 1150: Side pack frame 1200: Pack coupling part 1200a: First pack coupling part 1200b: Second pack coupling part

Claims

1. A battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; A module frame for housing the battery cell stack; An end plate for covering the battery cell stack exposed by the module frame; and including a module coupling portion which is a protruding portion provided on a side surface of the module frame and a side surface of the end plate, The module coupling portion includes a hole through which a coupling member penetrates, a battery module.

2. The module coupling portion is A first module coupling portion located on a first side surface of the module frame, A second module coupling portion located on a second side surface which is a side surface opposite to the first side surface of the module frame, and including a third module coupling portion protruding from a side end portion of the end plate, the battery module according to claim 1.

3. A plurality of the battery modules are formed, The first module coupling portion provided in one of the battery modules is positioned facing the second module coupling portion provided in another one of the battery modules, the battery module according to claim 2.

4. The first module coupling portion and the second module coupling portion are at different heights of the battery module and are located on the same line in the height direction, the battery module according to claim 3.

5. The first module coupling portion is a C-shaped hole including a first hole and a first opening portion which is a portion where a part of an outer peripheral surface which is a peripheral edge of the first hole is open, The second module coupling portion is a C-shaped hole including a second hole and a second opening portion which is a portion where a part of an outer peripheral surface which is a peripheral edge of the second hole is open, The battery module according to claim 3, wherein the third module coupling part includes third holes, which are at least two holes.

6. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein the first opening part and the second opening part are opened in opposite directions to each other.

7. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein the third holes are located on the same line in the height direction of the battery module.

8. The third holes include a third - 1 hole and a third - 2 hole, The battery module according to claim 5, wherein the third - 1 hole is located corresponding to the first hole, and the third - 2 hole is located corresponding to the second hole.

9. The coupling member, sequentially penetrates through the third - 1 hole and the first hole, The battery module according to claim 8, which sequentially penetrates through the third - 2 hole and the second hole.

10. The battery module according to claim 1, further including a flange part formed on a side surface of the module frame.

11. A battery pack including a plurality of battery modules according to claim 1, including a battery pack frame including a side - surface pack frame surrounding the plurality of battery modules, among the plurality of battery modules, a first battery module and a second battery module are adjacent to each other, The battery pack includes a coupling member for coupling and fixing the first battery module, the second battery module and the battery pack frame.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein the coupling member is coupled and fixed to a pack coupling part provided on the battery pack frame and module coupling parts provided on the first battery module and the second battery module.

13. The pack coupling part is at least two holes provided in the side pack frame, The at least two holes are a first pack coupling part and a second pack coupling part, and the battery pack according to claim 12.

14. The first pack coupling part and the second pack coupling part are provided at positions corresponding to the module coupling part, The battery pack according to claim 13, which is located on the same line in the height direction of the side pack frame.

15. The first pack coupling part is A second module coupling part located on the second side surface of the module frame of the first battery module, and a third - 1 hole which is one of the holes of the third module coupling part located at the side end of the end plate of the second battery module, and is provided at a position corresponding thereto, and the battery pack according to claim 13.

16. The second pack coupling part is A first module coupling part located on the first side surface of the module frame of the second battery module and a third - 2 hole which is one of the holes of the third module coupling part located at the side end of the end plate of the second battery module, and is provided at a position corresponding thereto, and the battery pack according to claim 13.

17. The coupling member is The battery pack according to claim 13, which sequentially penetrates the first pack coupling part and the module coupling part, and sequentially penetrates the second pack coupling part and the module coupling part.

18. The overall structure of the battery pack frame has a shape that exposes the upper and lower parts of the plurality of battery modules, and the battery pack according to claim 11.

19. The first battery module and the second battery module further include flange parts formed on the side surfaces of the module frames respectively, The flange portion of the first battery module and the flange portion of the second battery module are coupled by a module fastening member in a state where they overlap each other. The battery pack according to claim 11.

20. The length of the coupling member is longer than the sum of the lengths of the side pack frame and the module coupling portion. The battery pack according to claim 11.

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