Cell assembly and battery pack including same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cell assembly and a battery pack accommodating the cell assembly, the cell assembly including: a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked, with electrode leads extending from both sides thereof; and bus bars electrically connected to the electrode leads, the cell stack including bus bar frames coupled to front and rear sides thereof, respectively; and a pair of side beams coupled to the bus bar frames to support both sides of the cell stack, wherein at least one of the pair of side beams has a lower end coated with a heat insulating material.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cell assembly and a battery pack including the same. More specifically, the present invention provides a cell assembly including side beams whose lower ends are coated with a heat insulating material, and a battery pack in which heat transfer within the interior space is suppressed by using the side beams of the cell assembly.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0167127, filed December 2, 2022, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0035457, filed March 17, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0172124, filed December 1, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Types of secondary batteries include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, and nickel zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell, i.e., a unit battery cell, is approximately 2.5V to 4.2V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. Alternatively, a battery pack may be configured by connecting a number of battery cells in parallel depending on the required charge / discharge capacity of the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack may be variously set depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0004] For example, when a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series / parallel, a battery module made up of the plurality of battery cells is first constructed.

[0005] 1 is a perspective view of a cell assembly 10 in which pouch-type cells 30 are exposed to the outside, illustrating an example of a conventional battery module. Specifically, the cell assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1 has electrode leads extending from both sides, and bus bar frames 50 covering the electrode leads are coupled to the front and rear of a plurality of cells 30 stacked in one direction.

[0006] The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is a structure that omits a module frame that surrounds and protects the internal cells 30, and has the advantage of being lighter in weight than existing battery modules that encase and seal the cells 30.

[0007] FIG. 2 above is a perspective view and a front view of a conventional cell assembly 10 in which side beams 40 are connected to both sides of the cell block 20 to support the sides thereof, and FIG. 3 shows the shape of the side beams 40 connected to both sides of FIG. 2 above.

[0008] The cell assembly 10 of Fig. 2(a) is characterized by the application of side beams 40 to improve the lateral support force of the cell assembly 10. As shown in Fig. 2(b), the pair of side beams 40 have protrusions 41 formed on the upper and lower parts, respectively, and the protrusions 41 are stepped so as to interlock with each other.

[0009] When the cell assemblies 10 having the above-described side beams are housed in a battery pack, the side beams provided on the sides of each cell assembly 10 are engaged with each other to be coupled.

[0010] 3 shows a pair of cell assemblies 10 housed in the internal space of a pack case 60 included in a battery pack. As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of adjacent cell assemblies 10 are joined together by interlocking the side beams 40 provided on the sides of each cell assembly 10.

[0011] Figure 4 shows a pack case 60 in which the cell assembly 10 of Figure 2 is housed, with a base plate 70, side walls 80, and main walls 90 supporting the bottom and sides of the cell assembly 10, respectively. The pack case 60 in which the cell assembly 10 of the type shown in Figure 2 is housed has the advantage that the side walls 80 and main walls 90 are combined to separate each cell assembly 10, eliminating the need for separate partition walls to divide the interior space. This is because the side beams provided on the sides of the cell assembly 10 can take over the function of existing partition walls.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of a side beam 40 interposed between a pair of joined cell assemblies 10. As shown in FIG.

[0013] The cell assemblies 10 having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 can be physically separated from one another within the pack case 60 by the presence of the side beams 40.

[0014] 5, since the lower ends of the side beams 40 are formed flat, a small gap may exist between the lower ends of the side beams 40 and the flat base plate 70. Such a gap may become a passage through which the gas, flame, heat, etc. may easily be transferred to other normal cell assemblies 10 when one of the cell assemblies 10 experiences thermal runaway.

[0015] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a portion of the conventional pack case 60, from which it can be seen that gas, flame, heat, etc. are transferred between the pair of coupled side beams and the base plate.

[0016] As described above, the cell assembly 10 having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 has a problem in that when it is housed in the pack case 60, high-temperature gas, flames, heat, etc. easily propagate through small gaps.

[0017] Conventionally, various solutions have been researched to solve the problems of gas, flame, and heat propagation in a battery pack using a new type of cell assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 2 above. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0018] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that can suppress heat transfer between internal spaces.

[0019] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and become more clearly apparent from the embodiments of the present invention. Also, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof as claimed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cell assembly including: a cell block including a plurality of cells from which electrode leads are drawn; a bus bar frame coupled to the cell block, the bus bar frame including bus bars electrically connected to the electrode leads of the cell block; and a pair of side beams coupled to the bus bar frame to support both sides of the cell block, wherein at least one of the pair of side beams has a lower end coated with a heat insulating material.

[0021] The side beams may include a first side beam coupled to one end of the bus bar frame to support one side of the cell block, and a second side beam coupled to the other end of the bus bar frame to support the other side of the cell block, and the first and second side beams may have interdigitated shapes.

[0022] The side beams may include protrusions that protrude to form steps along the height direction of the cell block.

[0023] The protrusions may include an upper protrusion formed on an upper portion of the first side beam and a lower protrusion formed on a lower portion of the second side beam.

[0024] The first and second side beams may have shapes in which the upper and lower protrusions are engaged with each other.

[0025] the second side beam includes an insertion groove at a lower end thereof into which the heat insulating material is inserted; The heat insulating material may be coated so as to fill the insertion groove.

[0026] The insertion groove may be formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the second side beam.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery pack including the above-described cell assembly and a pack case that provides a space in which the cell assembly is installed, wherein any pair of cell assemblies arranged adjacent to each other are installed in the pack case such that the first side beam of one cell assembly is connected to the second side beam of the other cell assembly.

[0028] The first and second side beams may be coupled to each other to form a partition wall separating a pair of adjacent cell blocks.

[0029] The lower end of the partition wall may be coated with a heat insulating material.

[0030] The partition wall includes an insertion groove at a lower end thereof into which the heat insulating material is inserted, The heat insulating material may be coated so as to fill the insertion groove.

[0031] the pack case includes a base plate that supports a lower portion of the cell assembly; The insulation may provide a seal between the bulkhead and the base plate.

[0032] The bulkhead may be threadably coupled to the base plate.

[0033] The pack case includes a screw-like connecting member that connects the partition wall and the base plate to each other, and the connecting member can be screwed to the base plate by vertically penetrating the partition wall and the insulating material coated on the lower end of the partition wall. [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] According to the battery pack containing the cell assembly of the present invention, even if one of the cell assemblies contained therein experiences thermal runaway, generating high-temperature gas and flame, the gas and flame can be prevented from spreading to other cell assemblies. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] This shows an example of a conventional battery module. [Figure 2] 1 shows a conventional cell assembly to which side beams are applied. [Figure 3] This shows the connection of the cell assembly in the form of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 shows a pack case of a battery pack in which the cell assembly of FIG. 2 is housed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a pair of cell assemblies joined together inside the pack case of FIG. 4 and a portion of a side beam interposed between the cell assemblies. [Figure 6] 3 shows a cross section of a portion of a pack case in which the cell assembly of FIG. 2 is housed. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are perspective and front views of a cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of a second side beam included in the cell assembly. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 1 is a simplified diagram showing the arrangement of side beams of a pair of cell assemblies arranged adjacent to each other inside a pack case. [Figure 11] 1 shows the coupling of a pair of adjacently arranged cell assemblies. [Figure 12] 10 shows a bottom perspective view of a portion of a partition wall included in a pair of joined cell assemblies. [Figure 13] 10 shows a cross-sectional shape of a limited area in which the partition wall is located in the pack case of FIG. 9. [Figure 14] This is a simplified cross-section of a portion of the pack case shown in Figure 9 above, along with a diagram showing the movement of gas, flame, and heat. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of a second side beam included in a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 10 shows a bottom perspective view of a portion of a partition wall included in a pair of joined cell assemblies. [Figure 17] 1 shows a cross section of a portion of the pack case where the partition wall is located. [Figure 18] This is a cross section of a part of the pack case and a simplified illustration of the movement of gas, flame, and heat. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cell assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cell assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cell assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before that, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that are consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of the terms to best describe his own invention.

[0037] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0038] Furthermore, in describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related publicly known configurations or functions may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0039] The embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, and therefore the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown in a schematic manner for clearer explanation. Therefore, the sizes and proportions of each component do not completely reflect the actual sizes and proportions.

[0040] The present invention relates to a cell assembly and a battery pack including the same. More specifically, an embodiment of the present invention provides a cell assembly including side beams whose lower ends are coated with a heat insulating material, and provides a battery pack in which heat transfer within an internal space is suppressed by using the side beams of the cell assembly.

[0041] Figures 7 to 8 relate to a cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figures 9 to 14 relate to a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figures 15 to 18 relate to a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 19 to 21 relate to a cell assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Hereinafter, a cell assembly and a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0043] <Cell assembly 1000>

[0044] The cell assembly 1000 of this embodiment includes a cell block 1100, a bus bar frame 1200 coupled to the cell block 1100, and a pair of side beams 1300 coupled to both sides of the cell block 1100, respectively.

[0045] The cell block 1100 includes a plurality of cells 1110 .

[0046] The cell 1110 includes an electrode assembly (not shown) formed by alternately stacking electrodes and separators, and a case (not shown) that encloses and seals the electrode assembly.

[0047] The cell 1110 is classified into a pouch type, a square type, and a cylindrical type depending on the shape of the electrode assembly and the case.

[0048] The cell assembly 1000 may further include a module frame surrounding the periphery of the cell block 1100 so that each cell 1110 can be protected from external impact. In this case, the module frame may be provided to support or protect only a portion of the cell block 1100, or may be provided on all exposed portions of the cell block 1100 to completely isolate the cell block 1100 from the outside.

[0049] Fig. 7 is a perspective view and a front view of a cell assembly 1000 of this embodiment. More specifically, Fig. 7 shows the cell assembly 1000 containing a pouch-type cell 1110 (for ease of understanding, the following description will focus on the cell assembly 1000 and the battery pack including the pouch-type cell 1110 in Figs. 7 to 18).

[0050] The cell block 1100 is composed of a plurality of cells 1110 including electrode leads (not shown), as shown in Fig. 7. More specifically, the cell block 1100 is composed of a plurality of cells 1110 stacked in one direction.

[0051] The bus bar frame 1200 includes bus bars (not shown) electrically connected to the electrode leads of the cell block 1100 and is coupled to the cell block 1100 .

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7(b), the side beam 1300 includes a first side beam 1300a coupled to one side of the cell block 1100 and a second side beam 1300b coupled to the other side of the cell block 1100.

[0053] More specifically, the first side beam 1300a is coupled to one end of the bus bar frame 1200 to support one side of the cell block 1100, and the second side beam 1300b is coupled to the other end of the bus bar frame 1200 to support the other side of the cell block 1100.

[0054] The side beams 1300 include protrusions that protrude to form steps along the height direction of the cell block 1100. Specifically, each of the pair of side beams 1300 includes a protrusion on the other surface opposite to the surface that contacts the cell block 1100.

[0055] The protrusion is formed on the upper part of one of the pair of side beams 1300, and the protrusion is formed on the lower part of the other of the pair of side beams 1300. That is, the first side beam 1300a and the second side beam 1300b have shapes that interlock with each other through the protrusions formed at different positions.

[0056] The protrusions include an upper protrusion 1300a1 formed on the upper part of the first side beam 1300a and a lower protrusion 1300b1 formed on the lower part of the second side beam 1300b.

[0057] The first and second side beams 1300a and 1300b have shapes in which the upper protrusions 1300a1 and the lower protrusions 1300b1 are engaged with each other to be coupled together.

[0058] The cell assembly 1000 of this embodiment is characterized in that it includes a heat insulating material 3000 at the lower end of one of the pair of side beams 1300 .

[0059] Preferably, the thermal insulation material 3000 is included in the second side beam 1300b, which includes a lower end projection.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of a second side beam 1300b included in the cell assembly 1000. As shown in FIG.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, the heat insulating material 3000 is coated on the lower end of the second side beam 1300b.

[0062] The heat insulating material 3000 is formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the second side beam 1300b at the lower end of the second side beam 1300b.

[0063] The heat insulating material 3000 may include at least one of organic and inorganic materials. For example, the heat insulating material 3000 may be cork, cotton, felt, charcoal, rubber, asbestos, glass wool, quartz wool, diatomaceous earth, magnesium carbonate powder, etc. However, the types of the heat insulating material 3000 are not limited to those listed above, and any material that has low thermal conductivity or can effectively slow heat transfer may be used.

[0064] The heat insulating material 3000 may be attached to the lower end of the second side beam 1300b in a solid form, or may be applied in a slurry form to form a coating.

[0065] The cell assembly 1000 of this embodiment may also include a second side beam 1300b having an insertion groove 1300b2 at its lower end into which the insulating material 3000 can be inserted to more stably attach the insulating material 3000.

[0066] The insertion groove 1300b2 will be described in more detail in a second embodiment of the battery pack later with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0067] <Battery pack>

[0068] The battery pack of this embodiment is characterized by including a cell assembly 1000 having a second side beam 1300b on one side thereof, the second side beam 1300b including a heat insulator 3000 at a portion of the lower end thereof.

[0069] (First embodiment) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] The battery pack includes a pack case 2000 that provides a space in which a plurality of cell assemblies 1000 are placed, as shown in FIG.

[0071] The pack case 2000 includes a base plate 2100 that supports the lower part of the cell assembly 1000, side walls 2200 that are connected along the edges of the base plate 2100 to support the sides of each cell assembly 1000, and a main wall 2300 that is connected to the base plate 2100 across the center of the pack case 2000.

[0072] The main wall 2300 is formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the pack case 2000 and is coupled to the base plate 2100 so as to divide the internal space of the pack case 2000 into two large sections.

[0073] A plurality of cell assemblies 1000 are arranged on both sides of the main wall 2300 and mounted on the base plate 2100. At this time, each cell assembly 1000 is arranged so that the side beams 1300 provided on the sides are interlocked with each other.

[0074] FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram showing the arrangement of the side beams 1300 of a pair of cell assemblies 1000 arranged adjacent to each other inside the pack case 2000.

[0075] 10, a pair of adjacent cell assemblies 1000 are configured such that a first side beam 1300a of one cell assembly 1000 and a second side beam 1300b of the other cell assembly 1000 are interlocked with each other. Specifically, an upper protrusion 1300a1 of a first side beam 1300a provided on one side of one cell assembly 1000 is fitted into an upper portion of a lower protrusion 1300b1 of a second side beam 1300b provided on one side of the other cell assembly 1000. Therefore, the first and second side beams 1300a and 1300b facing each other can be coupled together by interlocking the upper protrusions 1300a1 and lower protrusions 1300b1.

[0076] FIG. 11 shows the coupling of a pair of adjacently positioned cell assemblies 1000.

[0077] The first side beam 1300a and the second side beam 1300b of each cell assembly 1000 are joined together to form one partition wall 2400 as shown in FIG.

[0078] The partition wall 2400 formed by joining the pair of side beams 1300 can serve to separate a pair of adjacent cell blocks 1100 from each other in the internal space of the pack case 2000, and also serves to support the sides of each cell block 1100.

[0079] The partition wall 2400 serves to prevent gas, flame, and heat generated in each cell assembly 1000 from being transferred to other cell assemblies 1000 .

[0080] A partition wall 2400 formed by joining the side beams 1300 includes a heat insulating material 3000 at the lower end.

[0081] FIG. 12 shows a bottom perspective view of a portion of a septum 2400 included in a pair of mated cell assemblies 1000.

[0082] The partition wall 2400 is formed by combining a first side beam 1300a and a second side beam 1300b, which includes a heat insulating material 3000 at its lower end.

[0083] Specifically, the heat insulating material 3000 is included in the lower end of the lower protrusion 1300b1 of the second side beam 1300b. Since the lower portion of the partition wall 2400 is mostly occupied by the lower protrusion 1300b1 of the second side beam 1300b, the lower end of the partition wall 2400 is mostly occupied by the heat insulating material 3000 included in the lower end of the second side beam 1300b.

[0084] FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional shape of a limited area in which the partition wall 2400 is located in the pack case 2000 of FIG.

[0085] 13, a partition wall 2400 formed by joining a first side beam 1300a and a second side beam 1300b is interposed between a pair of adjacent cell blocks 1100. In addition, a heat insulating material 3000 is interposed between the partition wall 2400 and a base plate 2100 that supports the lower part of the cell assembly 1000.

[0086] As described above, the insulation material 3000 seals and fills any gaps that may form between the partition wall 2400 and the base plate 2100, effectively isolating the internal space of the pack case 2000 in which each cell assembly 1000 is located.

[0087] The battery pack of this embodiment is characterized in that when any one of the cell assemblies 1000 housed therein undergoes thermal runaway and emits high-temperature gas, flame, and heat, the gas, flame, and heat are blocked by the partition wall 2400 and the heat insulator 3000 provided at the lower end of the partition wall 2400, thereby protecting the other normal cell assemblies 1000.

[0088] FIG. 14 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of the pack case 2000 of FIG. 9 and shows the movement of gas, flame, and heat.

[0089] As shown in Figure 14 above, gases, flames, heat, etc. generated from the thermal runaway cell assembly 1000 are blocked by the insulation material 3000 interposed between the partition wall 2400 and the base plate 2100, and cannot move to other spaces.

[0090] The cell assembly 1000 of this embodiment can be fixed by being screwed with a fastening member such as a bolt into the internal space of the pack case 2000. Specifically, the partition wall 2400 is screwed to the base plate 2100.

[0091] The pack case 2000 may further include a screw-type connecting member (not shown) for connecting the partition wall 2400 and the base plate 2100 to each other, and the connecting member may be screwed to the base plate 2100 by vertically penetrating the partition wall 2400 and the heat insulating material 3000 coated on the lower end of the partition wall 2400. At this time, since the connecting member is screwed to the base plate 2100 by vertically penetrating the partition wall 2400 and the heat insulating material 3000 coated on the lower end of the partition wall 2400, the heat insulating material 3000 may also be stably fixed to the partition wall 2400 and the base plate 2100 by the connecting member.

[0092] The connecting member is screwed to the base plate 2100 by simultaneously passing through the upper protrusion 1300a1 of the first side beam 1300a and the lower protrusion 1300b1 of the second side beam 1300b, so that the first side beam 1300a and the second side beam 1300b can also be connected and fixed to each other by the connecting member.

[0093] (Second embodiment) In the battery pack of this embodiment, a groove may be formed at the lower end of the partition wall 2400 so that the heat insulator 3000 used to block gas, fire, heat, etc. may be attached more stably.

[0094] FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of a second side beam 1300b included in a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 15, the second side beam 1300b includes an insertion groove 1300b2 at its lower end, into which the heat insulating material 3000 is inserted.

[0096] The insertion groove 1300b2 may be formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the second side beam 1300b.

[0097] The heat insulating material 3000 may be inserted into the insertion groove 1300b2 and attached or coated thereon.

[0098] The heat insulating material 3000 is filled into the entire insertion groove 1300b2 formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the second side beam 1300b.

[0099] FIG. 16 shows a bottom perspective view of a portion of a septum 2400 included in a pair of mated cell assemblies 1000.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 16, the insertion groove 1300b2 formed at the lower end of the partition wall 2400 is filled with the heat insulating material 3000.

[0101] FIG. 17 shows a cross section of a portion of the pack case 2000 where the partition wall 2400 is located.

[0102] 16 and 17, the heat insulating material 3000 may be exposed to the outside to a minimum when inserted into the insertion groove 1300b2, and the side support force may be improved by the insertion groove 1300b2.

[0103] Specifically, the insulation material 3000 filled in the insertion groove 1300b2 formed extending along the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 2400 is prevented from being pushed out or slipping out horizontally due to the lateral support force of the insertion groove 1300b2, and can be stably interposed and positioned between the partition wall 2400 and the base plate 2100.

[0104] The heat insulating material 3000 filled in the insertion groove 1300b2 can effectively block gas, flame, and heat that may move through the gap between the partition wall 2400 and the base plate 2100.

[0105] FIG. 18 shows a cross section of a portion of the pack case 2000 and a simplified illustration of the movement of gas, flame, and heat.

[0106] As shown in Figure 18 above, gas, flame, heat, etc. generated from the thermal runaway cell assembly 1000 are blocked by the insulation material 3000 inserted into the insertion groove 1300b2 between the partition wall 2400 and the base plate 2100 and cannot move to other spaces.

[0107] 19 to 21 show other embodiments of the cell assembly of this embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 are perspective views of a cell assembly 1000 including rectangular cells 1110, and Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a cell assembly 1000 including cylindrical cells 1110.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 19, a cell block 1100 includes rectangular cells 1110 each having an electrode lead formed on the top thereof.

[0109] The cell block 1100 may further include a connecting member 1400 that electrically connects the electrode leads of adjacent cells 1110 .

[0110] The bus bar frame 1200 includes bus bars (not shown) electrically connected to the electrode leads or connection members 1400 of the cell block 1100 and is coupled to the cell block 1100 .

[0111] 19, the side beams 1300 include a first side beam 1300a coupled to one side of the cell block 1100 and a second side beam 1300b coupled to the other side of the cell block 1100. The side beams 1300 include protrusions that protrude to form a step along the height direction of the cell block 1100. Specifically, each of the pair of side beams 1300 includes a protrusion on the other surface opposite to the one surface that contacts the cell block 1100.

[0112] The protrusions include an upper protrusion 1300a1 formed on the upper part of the first side beam 1300a and a lower protrusion 1300b1 formed on the lower part of the second side beam 1300b.

[0113] The cell assembly 1000 of this embodiment is characterized in that it includes a heat insulating material 3000 at the lower end of one of the pair of side beams 1300 .

[0114] Preferably, the thermal insulation material 3000 is included in the second side beam 1300b, which includes a lower end projection.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 20, a cell block 1100 includes rectangular cells 1110 each having an electrode lead formed on the top thereof.

[0116] The cell block 1100 may further include a module frame 1500 including connection terminals (not shown) to which the electrode leads of the cells 1110 may be electrically connected.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 20, the module frame 1500 is coupled to the upper portion of the cell block 1100, and through this coupling, connection terminals included in the module frame 1500 electrically connect electrode leads of each cell 1110.

[0118] The bus bar frame 1200 includes bus bars (not shown) electrically connected to connection terminals of the module frame 1500 and is coupled to the cell block 1100 .

[0119] 20, the side beams 1300 include a first side beam 1300a coupled to one side of the cell block 1100 and a second side beam 1300b coupled to the other side of the cell block 1100. The side beams 1300 include protrusions that protrude to form a step along the height direction of the cell block 1100. Specifically, each of the pair of side beams 1300 includes a protrusion on the other surface opposite to the one surface that contacts the cell block 1100.

[0120] The protrusions include an upper protrusion 1300a1 formed on the upper part of the first side beam 1300a and a lower protrusion 1300b1 formed on the lower part of the second side beam 1300b.

[0121] The cell assembly 1000 of this embodiment is characterized in that it includes a heat insulating material 3000 at the lower end of one of the pair of side beams 1300 .

[0122] Preferably, the thermal insulation material 3000 is included in the second side beam 1300b, which includes a lower end projection.

[0123] According to FIG. 21, a cell block 1100 includes a cylindrical cell 1110 containing an electrode lead at the top.

[0124] The cell block 1100 may further include a pair of module frames 1500 including connection terminals (not shown) to which the electrode leads of the cells 1110 may be electrically connected.

[0125] The module frame 1500 is coupled to the upper and lower parts of the cell block 1100, respectively, and through this coupling, connection terminals included in the module frame 1500 electrically connect electrode leads of each cell 1110.

[0126] The bus bar frame 1200 includes bus bars (not shown) electrically connected to connection terminals of the module frame 1500 and is coupled to the cell block 1100 .

[0127] 21, the side beams 1300 include a first side beam 1300a coupled to one side of the cell block 1100 and a second side beam 1300b coupled to the other side of the cell block 1100. The side beams 1300 include protrusions that protrude to form a step along the height direction of the cell block 1100. Specifically, each of the pair of side beams 1300 includes a protrusion on the other surface opposite to the one surface that contacts the cell block 1100.

[0128] The protrusions include an upper protrusion 1300a1 formed on the upper part of the first side beam 1300a and a lower protrusion 1300b1 formed on the lower part of the second side beam 1300b.

[0129] The cell assembly 1000 of this embodiment is characterized in that it includes a heat insulating material 3000 at the lower end of one of the pair of side beams 1300 .

[0130] Preferably, the thermal insulation material 3000 is included in the second side beam 1300b, which includes a lower end projection.

[0131] The present invention has been described in more detail above through the drawings and embodiments, etc. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of filing this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 10: (Prior Art) Cell Assembly 20: (Prior Art) Cell Block 30: (Prior Art) Cell 40: (Conventional technology) Side beam 41: (Prior Art) Protrusion 50: (Prior Art) Busbar Frame 60: (Conventional technology) Pack case 70: (Prior Art) Base Plate 80: (Prior Art) Sidewall 90: (Conventional technology) Main wall 1000: Cell assembly 1100: Cell Block 1110: Cell 1200: Busbar frame 1300: Side beam 1300a: 1st side beam 1300a1: Upper protrusion 1300b: Second side beam 1300b1: Lower protrusion 1300b2: Insertion groove 1400: Connecting member 1500:Module frame 2000: Pack case 2100: Base plate 2200: Side wall 2300: Main wall 2400: Bulkhead 3000:Insulation material M: Gas, flame, and heat transfer

Claims

1. a cell block including a plurality of cells from which electrode leads are drawn out; a bus bar frame coupled to the cell block, the bus bar frame including a bus bar electrically connected to the electrode lead of the cell block; a pair of side beams coupled to the bus bar frame to support both sides of the cell block; At least one of the pair of side beams has a lower end coated with a heat insulating material.

2. The side beams are a first side beam coupled to one end of the bus bar frame to support one side of the cell block; a second side beam coupled to the other end of the bus bar frame to support the other side of the cell block, The cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first side beam and the second side beam have interlocking shapes.

3. The cell assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the side beams include protruding portions that protrude to form steps along the height direction of the cell block.

4. The cell assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the protrusions comprise an upper protrusion formed on an upper portion of the first side beam and a lower protrusion formed on a lower portion of the second side beam.

5. The cell assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first side beam and the second side beam have shapes such that the upper protrusions and the lower protrusions are interlocked with each other.

6. the second side beam includes an insertion groove at a lower end thereof into which the heat insulating material is inserted; The cell assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the insulating material is coated so as to fill the insertion groove.

7. The cell assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the insertion groove is formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the second side beam.

8. A cell assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a pack case providing a space in which the cell assembly is installed; A battery pack in which any pair of cell assemblies arranged adjacent to each other are installed in the pack case so that the first side beam of one of the cell assemblies is connected to the second side beam of the other cell assembly.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the first side beam and the second side beam are coupled to each other to form a partition wall separating a pair of adjacent cell blocks.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9 , wherein a lower end of the partition wall is coated with a heat insulating material.

11. The partition wall includes an insertion groove at a lower end thereof into which the heat insulating material is inserted, The battery pack according to claim 10 , wherein the heat insulating material is coated so as to fill the insertion groove.

12. the pack case includes a base plate that supports a lower portion of the cell assembly; The battery pack according to claim 9 , wherein the thermal insulator forms a seal between the partition wall and the base plate.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12 , wherein the partition wall is screw-coupled to the base plate.

14. the pack case includes a screw-like connecting member that connects the partition wall and the base plate to each other, The battery pack according to claim 13 , wherein the connecting member is screw-connected to the base plate by vertically penetrating the partition wall and the heat insulating material coated on the lower end of the partition wall.

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