Battery module and battery pack including same

Abstract

A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack including a first battery cell stack and a second battery cell stack, each of which has a plurality of stacked battery cells, a module frame that houses the battery cell stack, and an inlet and an outlet for circulating a coolant within the module frame. The coolant flows into the module frame through the inlet and is discharged through the outlet. An insulating plate is disposed between the first battery cell stack and the second battery cell stack, and an opening is formed in the insulating plate through which the coolant passes.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0135644, filed October 20, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0140469, filed October 19, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly to a battery module with improved cooling efficiency and safety and a battery pack including the same. [Background technology]

[0003] As technological development and demand for mobile devices increases, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing. As a result, much research is being conducted into secondary batteries that can meet various demands.

[0004] Secondary batteries are attracting much attention not only for use in mobile devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, and laptop computers, but also as energy sources for power plants such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles.

[0005] Recently, as secondary batteries are being used as energy storage sources and the need for large-capacity secondary battery structures is increasing, there is an increasing demand for battery packs with medium to large modular structures that assemble battery modules in which multiple secondary batteries are connected in series / parallel.

[0006] Meanwhile, when a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series / parallel, a common method is to construct a battery module consisting of at least one battery cell, and then use the at least one battery module to add other components to construct the battery pack.

[0007] Because the battery cells that make up such medium- to large-sized battery modules are composed of rechargeable secondary batteries, such high-power, large-capacity secondary batteries generate a large amount of heat during the charging and discharging process. In this case, the heat generated from the multiple battery cells is combined in a small space, causing a rapid and excessive rise in temperature. In other words, a battery module in which multiple battery cells are stacked and a battery pack equipped with such a battery module can produce high power output, but it is difficult to remove the heat generated by the battery cells during charging and discharging. If the battery cells do not properly dissipate heat, the battery cells will deteriorate more quickly, shortening their lifespan and increasing the risk of explosion or fire.

[0008] Furthermore, battery modules included in vehicle battery packs are frequently exposed to direct sunlight and may be placed in high-temperature conditions such as in summer or desert regions. Also, since multiple battery modules are densely packed together to increase the vehicle's mileage, fire or heat generated in one battery module can easily spread to adjacent battery modules, ultimately leading to fire or explosion of the battery pack itself.

[0009] Furthermore, battery packs are heavy because they are made up of a large number of battery modules combined together, making them unsuitable for loading a large number of batteries into vehicles such as automobiles, and therefore energy density needs to be improved.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional battery pack, and Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack of Fig. 1.

[0011] 1 and 2, a conventional battery pack 10 includes a lower pack frame 11 to which a plurality of battery modules 1 are attached, an upper pack frame 12 located above the battery modules 1, and an internal beam 13 that defines the positions within the battery pack 10 where the battery modules 1 are attached.

[0012] When battery modules 1 are mounted in a battery pack 10, the energy density of the battery pack 10 is reduced by the internal beams 13 that separate the battery modules 1, which causes a problem that a larger number of battery packs 10 must be provided to achieve the efficiency required for a device, etc. Also, the weight of the battery packs 10 limits the number of battery packs 10 that can be mounted in a device. Therefore, in order to reduce the weight of the battery pack 10 and increase the energy density of the battery pack 10, it has been necessary to mount a larger number of battery modules 1 in the battery pack 10.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of one of the battery modules included in the battery pack of FIG.

[0014] 3, a conventional battery module 1 includes a battery cell stack 3 including battery cells 2 stacked in a predetermined direction, and a module frame 4 that houses the battery cell stack 3, and the battery cell stack 3 is fixed to and positioned on a thermally conductive resin layer 5 located on the underside of the module frame 4. In this case, a heat sink 6 located below the bottom of the module frame 4 may be provided to cool the heat generated by the battery cell stack 3.

[0015] However, because the heat sink 6 does not directly contact the battery cell stack 3 to receive heat, it has the disadvantage of not being very efficient at cooling. In particular, an air gap may form between the bottom of the module frame 4 and the thermally conductive resin layer 5, which is a factor that hinders heat transfer. Therefore, a more effective method of cooling the battery module 1 is needed.

[0016] In summary, there is a need for a more effective method for improving the cooling efficiency of battery modules. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module having improved cooling efficiency and improved cooling performance, and a battery pack including the same.

[0018] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above problems, and can be variously expanded within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0019] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack including a first battery cell stack and a second battery cell stack, each of which has a plurality of stacked battery cells, a module frame that houses the battery cell stack, and an inlet and an outlet for circulating a coolant within the module frame. The coolant flows into the module frame through the inlet and is discharged through the outlet. An insulating plate is disposed between the first battery cell stack and the second battery cell stack, and an opening is formed in the insulating plate through which the coolant passes.

[0020] The opening may be formed in the center of the insulating plate.

[0021] The inlet and the outlet may be located on opposite sides of the insulating plate.

[0022] The first battery cell stack may be located between the inlet and the insulating plate, and the second battery cell stack may be located between the outlet and the insulating plate.

[0023] The coolant flowing in through the inlet may pass through the first battery cell stack, the opening of the insulating plate, and the second battery cell stack in sequence, and be discharged through the outlet.

[0024] The inlet may be located below a center of the height of the battery cell stack, and the outlet may be located above the center of the height of the battery cell stack.

[0025] The first battery cell stack and the second battery cell stack may be arranged along a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the battery cells are stacked in the first battery cell stack or the second battery cell stack.

[0026] A first through-hole and a second through-hole may be formed in the insulating plate, and electrical connection between the first battery cell stack and the second battery cell stack may be made through the first through-hole and the second through-hole.

[0027] The battery module may further include a first sealing assembly and a second sealing assembly respectively covering both open sides of the module frame, and the inlet may be formed in the first sealing assembly, and the outlet may be formed in the second sealing assembly.

[0028] The inlet may be located below a center of the height of the first sealing assembly, and the outlet may be located above a center of the height of the second sealing assembly.

[0029] The battery cell may be a pouch-type battery cell and may include electrode leads protruding in both directions.

[0030] When the direction between the electrode leads is defined as a length direction, the first sealing assembly, the first battery cell stack, the insulating plate, the second battery cell stack, and the second sealing assembly may be sequentially positioned along the length direction.

[0031] The refrigerant may be insulating oil.

[0032] The coolant may be in direct contact with the battery cell stack housed inside the module frame.

[0033] The insulating plate may have a shape in which the insulating plate surrounds the periphery of the opening formed in the center of the insulating plate.

[0034] The opening may be formed to have an area of ​​5% to 60% of the area of ​​one surface of the insulating plate.

[0035] The length from the upper edge of the insulating plate to the upper edge of the opening may be 25% or more and 49% or less of the length of the insulating plate along the height direction, and the length from the lower edge of the insulating plate to the lower edge of the opening may be 25% or more and 49% or less of the length of the insulating plate along the height direction.

[0036] An inclined surface may be formed in at least a portion of the region from the upper edge of the insulating plate to the upper edge of the opening, such that the thickness of the insulating plate becomes narrower in the direction from the upper edge of the insulating plate to the upper edge of the opening.

[0037] An inclined surface may be formed in at least a portion of the region from the lower edge of the insulating plate to the lower edge of the opening, such that the thickness of the insulating plate becomes narrower in the direction from the lower edge of the insulating plate to the lower edge of the opening.

[0038] The insulating plate may include at least one rib extending along a height direction of the insulating plate.

[0039] The battery module may further include a first bus bar frame positioned on one side of the first battery cell stack and a second bus bar frame positioned on one side of the second battery cell stack, and the insulating plate may be fixed to at least one of the first bus bar frame or the second bus bar frame.

[0040] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the battery module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling efficiency of the battery module and the battery pack including the battery module can be improved by directly cooling the battery cells with a refrigerant.

[0042] In addition, by arranging multiple battery cell stacks along the length direction within the battery module, it is possible to increase energy density, and by arranging an insulating plate with openings between multiple battery cell stacks, it is possible to improve the fluidity of the refrigerant.

[0043] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional battery pack. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of one of the battery modules included in the battery pack of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a battery cell stack and first and second bus bar assemblies included in the battery module of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing one of the battery cells included in the battery cell stack of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a first battery cell stack and a first bus bar assembly included in the battery module of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the first battery cell stack and the first bus bar assembly of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the battery cell stack and first and second bus bar assemblies of FIG. 6 with side plates further arranged thereon. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the first and second battery cell stacks included in the battery cell stack of FIG. 10, separated from each other. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the battery cell stack, first and second bus bar assemblies, and side plates of FIG. 10 being inserted into a module frame. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial view of A1 in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial view of A2 in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the current transfer path between the first battery cell stack and the second battery cell stack. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a first sealing assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to one side of a module frame. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the process of assembling the first sealing assembly of FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the process of attaching the first sealing assembly of FIG. 16 to one surface of the module frame. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing a first end plate attached to a first sealing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the configuration of FIG. 19 excluding the first end plate, viewed on the yz plane along the −x-axis direction. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion corresponding to A5 in the cross section taken along the line BB' in FIG. [Figure 22]FIG. 22 shows a second sealing assembly attached to the other side of the module frame according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view showing a second end plate attached to a second sealing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the configuration of FIG. 23 excluding the second end plate, viewed along the x-axis direction on the yz plane. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion corresponding to A6 in the cross section taken along the cutting line CC' in FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of a second sealing assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram of FIG. 26 viewed along the −x-axis direction on the yz plane. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 shows the second sealing assembly of FIG. 26 with a second end plate coupled thereto. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is an enlarged partial perspective view of an insulating plate located between the first and second battery cell stacks in FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a partial perspective view showing an insulating plate included in a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31] 31(a) and (b) are diagrams showing a cross section of a battery module according to a comparative example of the present invention and a cross section of a battery module according to an example of the present invention, respectively. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing an insulating plate according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 33] FIG. 33 is a perspective view and a front view showing an insulating plate according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 is a perspective view and a front view showing an insulating plate according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 35] FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD' in FIG. [Figure 36] FIG. 36 is an enlarged partial view showing a portion corresponding to A7 in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily understand and practice the present invention. As the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, it is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0046] In order to clearly describe the present invention, parts that are not relevant to the description will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0047] In addition, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown. Thicknesses are exaggerated in the drawings to clearly show various layers and regions. In the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation.

[0048] Furthermore, when a layer, film, region, plate, or other part is said to be "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 said to be "directly above" another part, it means that there is no other part in between. Furthermore, being "on" or "above" a reference part means being located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean being located "on" or "above" in the direction opposite to gravity.

[0049] Also, throughout the specification, when a part is said to "comprise" a certain element, this does not mean that it excludes other elements, but that it can further include other elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0050] Also, throughout the specification, when we say "on a plane," it means when the subject part is viewed from above, and when we say "on a cross section," it means when the subject part is cut vertically and viewed from the side.

[0051] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a battery cell stack and first and second bus bar assemblies included in the battery module of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing one of the battery cells included in the battery cell stack of Fig. 6.

[0052] 4 to 7, a battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack 120 including a first battery cell stack 120a and a second battery cell stack 120b, a module frame 200 that houses the battery cell stack 120, and an inlet and an outlet for circulating a coolant inside the module frame 200. The first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b are formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 110. The coolant, the inlet, and the outlet will be described later.

[0053] First, the battery cell 110 may be a pouch-type battery cell and may include electrode leads 130 protruding in both directions. Such a pouch-type battery cell may be formed by housing an electrode assembly in a pouch case made of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, and then bonding the outer periphery of the pouch case. Such a battery cell 110 may have a rectangular sheet structure. Specifically, the battery cell 110 according to this embodiment has a structure in which two electrode leads 130 protrude from one end 114a and the other end 114b of the battery body 113, respectively. More specifically, the electrode leads 130 may protrude in opposite directions, and one of the electrode leads 130 may be a positive electrode lead and the other may be a negative electrode lead. In this embodiment, the direction between the electrode leads 130 protruding in both directions of the battery cell 110 is referred to as the length direction of the battery cell 110. For example, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the direction parallel to the x-axis may correspond to the length direction of the battery cell 110.

[0054] The battery cell 110 may be manufactured by bonding both ends 114a, 114b of the battery case 114 and one side 114c connecting them together while an electrode assembly (not shown) is housed in the battery case 114. In other words, the battery cell 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a total of three sealing portions, which are sealed by a method such as fusion, and the remaining one side may be formed as a folding portion 115.

[0055] A plurality of such battery cells 110 may be configured, and the plurality of battery cells 110 may be stacked to be electrically connected to each other to form a battery cell stack 120. The battery cell stack 120 includes a first battery cell stack 120a and a second battery cell stack 120b. In particular, the battery cells 110 may be stacked in one direction while standing upright, with one side of the battery bodies 113 of the battery cells 110 facing each other. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the battery cells 110 may be stacked in an upright position from one side of the module frame 200 to another side of the module frame 200, with one side of the battery bodies 113 of the battery cells 110 parallel to the side of the module frame 200. As an example, a state in which a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked in a direction parallel to the y-axis is shown. When a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked in a direction parallel to the y-axis in this manner, the electrode leads 130 of a certain battery cell 110 may protrude along the x-axis direction and the -x-axis direction, respectively.

[0056] In one region, a plurality of battery cells 110 may be stacked in a direction parallel to the y-axis to form a first battery cell stack 120a, and in another region, a plurality of battery cells 110 may be stacked in a direction parallel to the y-axis to form a second battery cell stack 120b.

[0057] The battery case 114 generally has a laminate structure of a resin layer / a metal thin film layer / a resin layer. For example, if the surface of the battery case is made of an O(oriented)-nylon layer, it tends to slip easily due to external impact when stacking multiple battery cells to form a medium- to large-sized battery module. Therefore, to prevent this and maintain a stable stacked structure of the battery cells, an adhesive material such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive such as double-sided tape or a chemical adhesive that bonds through a chemical reaction during bonding can be attached to the surface of the battery case to form the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b.

[0058] Meanwhile, the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells 110 in the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b. In other words, the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b may be arranged along the direction in which the electrode leads 130 protrude from the battery cells 110. That is, the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b are arranged along the length direction of the battery cells 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked along a direction parallel to the y-axis to form the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b, the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b may be positioned along a direction parallel to the x-axis.

[0059] The module frame 200 may be configured to protect the battery cell stack 120 and the electrical components connected thereto from external physical shocks. The battery cell stack 120 and the electrical components connected thereto may be accommodated in the internal space of the module frame 200.

[0060] The module frame 200 may have a variety of structures. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the module frame 200 may have a mono-frame structure. Here, the mono-frame may be in the form of a metal plate having an integrated upper surface, lower surface, and both side surfaces. The mono-frame may be manufactured by extrusion molding.

[0061] However, the structure of the module frame 200 is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the module frame 200 may have a structure in which a U-shaped frame and an upper plate are combined. In this case, the U-shaped frame may have a lower surface and side surfaces extending upward from both corners of the lower surface, and the upper plate may be in a plate-like shape. In this case, each frame or plate constituting the U-shaped frame may be manufactured by press molding. Furthermore, the module frame 200 may have a mono-frame or U-shaped frame structure, an L-shaped frame structure, or various other structures not described in the above examples.

[0062] The module frame 200 may be open on both sides. More specifically, the module frame 200 may be provided in a form that is open along the length of the battery cells 110. In this case, the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 120 may not be covered by the module frame 200. The front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 120 may be covered by first and second bus bar assemblies 300a and 300b, a sealing assembly 400, or an end plate 500, which will be described later, thereby protecting the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 120 from external physical impacts, etc.

[0063] The battery module 100 may include a first busbar assembly 300a located on one side and the other side of the first battery cell stack 120a, and a second busbar assembly 300b located on one side and the other side of the second battery cell stack 120b. Specifically, the first busbar assembly 300a may be located in a direction in which the electrode leads 130 of the battery cells 110 included in the first battery cell stack 120a protrude. The second busbar assembly 300b may be located in a direction in which the electrode leads 130 of the battery cells 110 included in the second battery cell stack 120b protrude. The first busbar assembly 300a and the second busbar assembly 300b may each include a busbar frame, a busbar, and a terminal busbar, which will be described later.

[0064] The battery module 100 may include a sealing assembly 400. The sealing assembly 400 may be formed to be located on both open sides of the module frame 200 and cover the battery cell stack 120. The sealing assembly 400 located on one open side of the module frame 200 may be a first sealing assembly 410, and the sealing assembly 400 located on the other open side of the module frame 200 may be a second sealing assembly 450. That is, the battery module 100 according to this embodiment may further include a first sealing assembly 410 and a second sealing assembly 450, which respectively cover both open sides of the module frame 200.

[0065] The sealing assembly 400 can separate the open sides of the module frame 200 from the external environment. Specifically, when a refrigerant is injected into the module frame 200 (described later), the sealing assembly 400 can seal the refrigerant to prevent it from leaking to the outside.

[0066] The end plates 500 may be positioned on both open sides of the module frame 200 to cover the sealing assembly 400. The end plate 500 positioned on one open side of the module frame 200 may be a first end plate 510, and the end plate 500 positioned on the other open side of the module frame 200 may be a second end plate 550.

[0067] Such an end plate 500 can physically protect the battery cell stack 120 and other electrical components from external impacts.

[0068] The components included in the battery module 100 of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0069] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a first battery cell stack and a first bus bar assembly included in the battery module of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the first battery cell stack and the first bus bar assembly of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the battery cell stack and the first and second bus bar assemblies of Fig. 6 with side plates further arranged thereon. Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the first battery cell stack and the second battery cell stack included in the battery cell stack of Fig. 10, separated. Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the battery cell stack, the first and second bus bar assemblies, and the side plates of Fig. 10 being inserted into a module frame.

[0070] 6 and 8 to 12, as described above, the battery cell stack 120 may include a first battery cell stack 120a and a second battery cell stack 120b arranged along the length direction of the battery cells 110. Furthermore, a first bus bar assembly 300a may be located on one side and the other side of the first battery cell stack 120a, and a second bus bar assembly 300b may be located on one side and the other side of the second battery cell stack 120b.

[0071] In this case, the first battery cell stack 120a and the first bus bar assembly 300a may be collectively referred to as the first sub-module 100a, and the second battery cell stack 120b and the second bus bar assembly 300b may be collectively referred to as the second sub-module 100b. Specifically, the battery module 100 according to this embodiment may be formed by electrically coupling the first sub-module 100a and the second sub-module 100b disposed inside the module frame 200.

[0072] First, the first sub-module 100a may include a first battery cell stack 120a and a first bus bar assembly 300a. The first bus bar assemblies 300a may be located on both sides of the first battery cell stack 120a. The first bus bar assemblies 300a may be located in a direction in which the electrode leads 130 of the battery cells 110 included in the first battery cell stack 120a protrude. A first flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) 350a electrically connected to the first bus bar assembly 300a may also be provided.

[0073] The first battery cell stack 120a may include a plurality of battery cells 110, at least one first cooling pin 210a positioned between the plurality of battery cells 110, and a first compression pad 250a provided on one side of the battery cell 110 positioned outermost among the battery cells 110.

[0074] The first cooling pin 210a may be located between a plurality of battery cells 110. For example, the first cooling pin 210a may be located between two battery cells 110. Specifically, one first cooling pin 210a and another adjacent first cooling pin 210a may be located with two battery cells 110 sandwiched between them.

[0075] The first cooling pin 210a may include a first plate 211a that contacts one side surface of the battery cell 110. Here, the one side surface of the battery cell 110 may be one surface of the battery body 113 (see FIG. 7 ) of the battery cell 110, and may be one surface of the battery cell 110 that extends along the length direction (x-axis direction).

[0076] One surface of the first plate 211a may contact one side of the battery cell 110 opposite the one surface of the first plate 211a. The other surface of the first plate 211a may contact one side of another adjacent battery cell 110 opposite the other surface of the first plate 211a. In this case, although not specifically shown, an adhesive member may be interposed between the side surface of the battery cell 110 and the first plate 211a, thereby adhesively fixing the battery cell 110 to the first plate 211a. For example, the adhesive member may be insulating tape.

[0077] The upper surface (z-axis direction) of the first plate 211a may be in contact with the upper surface of the module frame 200, and the lower surface of the first plate 211a may be in contact with the lower surface of the module frame 200. As a result, the first cooling pin 210a may be fixedly positioned within the module frame 200, and as a result, the battery cell 110 attached to the first cooling pin 210a may also be fixedly positioned within the module frame 200.

[0078] If the size of the first plate 211a is larger than the size of the battery cell 110, the upper and lower portions of the battery cell 110 may be positioned at a certain distance from the upper and lower surfaces of the module frame 200. Specifically, if the height of the first plate 211a is greater than the height of the battery cell 110, the battery cell 110 may be positioned at the center of the first plate 211a and adhesively fixed thereto. In this case, the upper and lower portions of the battery cell 110 may be positioned at a certain distance from the upper and lower surfaces of the module frame 200. Here, this refers to the height in the z-axis direction of the battery cell 110 and the first plate 211a.

[0079] The first cooling pin 210a may further include a first plate 211a and a first protrusion 213a protruding from one end of the first plate 211a. As an example, the first cooling pin 210a may be L-shaped. Specifically, referring to FIG. 9, the first cooling pin 210a may include a first plate 211a having a surface that corresponds to or is larger than one side of the battery cell 110, and a first protrusion 213a protruding from one end of the first plate 211a in a direction parallel to the stacking direction (y-axis direction) of the first battery cell stack 120a.

[0080] The first protrusion 213a is a region that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the first plate 211a, and may be in contact with at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface of the module frame 200. Specifically, one surface of the first protrusion 213a may be positioned opposite the upper surface or the lower surface of the battery cell 110, and the other surface of the first protrusion 213a may be in contact with the upper surface or the lower surface of the module frame 200.

[0081] For example, one surface of the first protrusion 213a may be positioned opposite the lower surface of the battery cell 110, and the upper and lower surfaces of the battery cell 110 may be positioned by being adhesively fixed to the first plate 211a at a certain height from the upper and lower surfaces of the module frame 200. In other words, a certain space is provided between one surface of the first protrusion 213a and the lower surface of the battery cell 110, and between the upper surface of the module frame 200 and the upper surface of the battery cell 110, allowing a refrigerant (described later) to move between these spaces. In this case, the distance between one surface of the first protrusion 213a and the lower surface of the battery cell 110 may correspond to the distance between the upper surface of the module frame 200 and the upper surface of the battery cell 110.

[0082] The other surface of the first protrusion 213a may be in contact with the bottom of the module frame 200. Specifically, the other surface of the first protrusion 213a may be in contact with and adhesively fixed to the bottom of the module frame 200, thereby allowing the first cooling pin 210a to be fixed and positioned within the module frame 200.

[0083] However, the shape of the first cooling pin 210a is not limited to that shown in this drawing, and it may be a flat plate shape, or any shape that can contact the battery cell 110 and fix the battery cell 110 is possible.

[0084] The first cooling pin 210a may be made of metal. Specifically, the first cooling pin 210a may be made of metal with high thermal conductivity. Therefore, the first cooling pin 210a can directly transfer heat generated in the battery cell 110 due to charging and discharging of the battery.

[0085] When heat is generated, it is transferred to the first cooling pins 210a that contact the sides of the battery cells 110, thereby providing primary cooling, and a refrigerant, which will be described later, may then directly contact the upper and lower parts of the battery cells 110 to provide secondary cooling. This allows direct cooling of the upper and lower parts of the battery cells, which have traditionally been relatively difficult to cool, thereby improving cooling efficiency.

[0086] The first compression pad 250a may be located at the outermost side of the first battery cell stack 120a. The first compression pad 250a can absorb expansion of the battery cells 110 due to charging and discharging. Specifically, the first compression pad 250a pushes out the side of the module frame 200 as the battery cells 110 expand, thereby preventing the battery cases 114 (see FIG. 7 ) of the battery cells 110 from cracking, thereby improving the safety of the battery module 100.

[0087] However, the first compression pad 250a is not limited to being positioned only on the outermost side of the first battery cell stack 120a, but may also be positioned between the battery cells 110 that make up the first battery cell stack 120a.

[0088] The first bus bar assembly 300a may include a first bus bar frame 310a and a first bus bar 330a attached to the first bus bar frame 310a.

[0089] The first bus bar frame 310a may be located on one side of the first battery cell stack 120a to cover that side and to guide the connection between the first battery cell stack 120a and an external device. The first bus bar frame 310a may be located on both one side and the other side of the first battery cell stack 120a.

[0090] A first bus bar 330 a may be attached to the first bus bar frame 310 a. For example, the inner surface of the first bus bar frame 310 a may face the first battery cell stack 120 a, and the first bus bar 330 a may be attached to the outer surface of the first bus bar frame 310 a.

[0091] The first bus bar frame 310a may include an electrically insulating material, which can limit contact between the first bus bar 330a and other parts of the battery cell 110 other than the part connected to the electrode lead (not shown), thereby preventing an electrical short circuit.

[0092] The first bus bar 330a is attached to the outer surface of the first bus bar frame 310a and electrically connects the battery cells 110 included in the first battery cell stack 120a and may electrically connect the first battery cell stack 120a to an external device circuit. The first bus bar 330a is located on the first bus bar frame 310a, and the first bus bar assembly 300a is covered by the sealing assembly 400 and the end plate 500 (described below), so it can be protected from external impacts and minimize deterioration of durability due to external moisture.

[0093] The first bus bar 330a may be electrically connected to the first battery cell stack 120a through the electrode leads 130 of the battery cells 110. Specifically, the electrode leads 130 of the battery cells 110 may pass through slits formed in the first bus bar frame 310a, bend, and connect to the first bus bar 330a. The battery cells 110 included in the first battery cell stack 120a may be electrically connected in series or parallel by the first bus bar 330a. There are no particular limitations on the connection method between the electrode leads 130 and the first bus bar 330a, and welding may be used, for example.

[0094] The first flexible printed circuit board 350a is attached to extend in the length direction of the battery cells 110 and is configured to sense the battery cells 110. That is, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first flexible printed circuit board 350a is located on the upper surface of the first battery cell stack 120a and senses voltage data and thermal data of the battery cells 110. In particular, one end of the first flexible printed circuit board 350a is bent toward the first bus bar frame 310a and can be electrically connected to the first bus bar 330a. This allows voltage data of each battery cell 110 to be sensed and transmitted to the outside.

[0095] The second sub-module 100b may include a second battery cell stack 120b and a second bus bar assembly 300b, which may include a second bus bar frame 310b and a second bus bar 330b. A second flexible printed circuit board 350b may also be provided to connect the second bus bar assembly 300b.

[0096] The second bus bar frame 310b may be located on one side of the second battery cell stack 120b to cover that side and to guide the connection between the second battery cell stack 120b and an external device. The second bus bar frame 310b may be located on both one side and the other side of the second battery cell stack 120b.

[0097] The components included in the second submodule 100b may have the same or similar structures as the components included in the first submodule 100a described above. Therefore, to avoid duplication, detailed descriptions of the components included in the second submodule 100b will be omitted.

[0098] As described above, the first sub-module 100a and the second sub-module 100b can be electrically connected to each other in the battery module 100. That is, the battery module 100 according to this embodiment corresponds to a twin-model battery module having the first sub-module 100a and the second sub-module 100b.

[0099] 6 and 10 to 12, in this embodiment, the first bus bar assembly 300a located on the other side of the first battery cell stack 120a and the second bus bar assembly 300b located on one side of the second battery cell stack 120b may be electrically connected. In this case, referring to FIG. 11, the first bus bar assembly 300a and the second bus bar assembly 300b may be electrically connected via a connecting cable 380. The connecting cable 380 will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 13.

[0100] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, side plates 210 may be provided on both side surfaces of the first sub-module 100a and the second sub-module 100b.

[0101] The side plate 210 may be a plate extending along the length of the battery cell 110. Specifically, the length of the side plate 210 may correspond to the sum of the lengths of the first submodule 100a and the second submodule 100b.

[0102] The side plate 210 may be positioned to face the outermost battery cell 110 among the battery cells 110 included in the first sub-module 100a and the outermost battery cell 110 among the battery cells 110 included in the second sub-module 100b. Alternatively, the side plate 210 may be positioned to face the first compression pad 250a included in the first sub-module 100a and the second compression pad 250b included in the second sub-module 100b.

[0103] The side plates 210 may be made of a rigid metal. The side plates 210 can protect the outermost battery cells 110 and compression pads 250a, 250b of the first sub-module 100a and the second sub-module 100b when the first sub-module 100a and the second sub-module 100b are inserted and mounted in the module frame 200. The battery module 100 of this embodiment is a twin model having a first battery cell stack 120a and a second battery cell stack 120b. Since the battery cell stack 120 is longer than a typical battery cell stack, it may be difficult to insert the battery cell stack 120 into the module frame 200 and assemble it. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 , the side plates 210 guide the battery cell stack 120 into the module frame 200, allowing the battery module to be easily assembled without damaging the battery cells 110 and compression pads 250a, 250b.

[0104] 13 is a partial view showing an enlarged view of A1 in FIG. 6, and FIG. 14 is a partial view showing an enlarged view of A2 in FIG.

[0105] 6, 11, and 13, a connecting cable 380 is provided between the first sub-module 100a and the second sub-module 100b, thereby electrically connecting the first sub-module 100a and the second sub-module 100b. The connecting cable 380 may be a flexible flat cable (FFC).

[0106] The connection cable 380 may connect the first flexible printed circuit board 350a located in the first sub-module 100a to the second flexible printed circuit board 350b located in the second sub-module 100b. Voltage data and thermal data for the first battery cell stack 120a and voltage data and thermal data for the second battery cell stack 120b may both be transmitted to a Battery Management System (BMS) outside the battery module 100. That is, a low voltage (LV) connection between the first sub-module 100a and the second sub-module 100b may be established by the connection cable 380. Here, the LV connection refers to a sensing connection for sensing and controlling the voltage of the battery cells.

[0107] In addition, as described above, by connecting the first flexible printed circuit board 350a and the second flexible printed circuit board 350b through the connecting cable 380, the overall height of the battery module 100 can be reduced and the energy density of the battery itself can be increased. In addition, installation space for the battery module 100 can be secured, and when the battery module 100 is installed in a device such as an automobile, driving performance and fuel efficiency can be improved.

[0108] 14, the first sub-module 100a and the second sub-module 100b may be electrically connected to each other by connecting the electrode leads 130 to each other. Specifically, the electrode lead 130a of at least one of the battery cells 110 included in the first battery cell stack 120a and the electrode lead 130b of at least one of the battery cells 110 included in the second battery cell stack 120b may overlap and be electrically connected to each other. In this case, the two electrode leads 130a, 130b may be electrically connected to each other by contacting the connecting bus bar 330. The two electrode leads 130a, 130b and the connecting bus bar 330 may be electrically connected to each other by being welded to each other.

[0109] The two electrode leads 130a, 130b connected to the connecting bus bar 330 may be electrode leads protruding from the outermost battery cell 110 of the first battery cell stack 120a and the outermost battery cell 110 of the second battery cell stack 120b, respectively. While the connection between the two electrode leads 130a, 130b and the connecting bus bar 330 is shown as being formed in only one region with reference to FIGS. 6 and 14 , the same connection may be formed in the opposite region based on the stacking direction of the battery cells 110. The electrical connection relationship and current path between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b will be described in more detail below.

[0110] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the current transfer path between the first battery cell stack and the second battery cell stack.

[0111] 15, the electrically connected first submodule 100a and second submodule 100b can be defined as one end in the x-axis direction and the other end in the -x-axis direction, and the region where the first submodule 100a and the second submodule 100b are electrically connected can be defined as a connection region A3. The connection structure and current flow of the electrode leads at the one end, the other end, and the connection region A3 will be described in detail below. For ease of explanation, the electrode leads included in the first submodule 100a will be referred to as first electrode leads, and the electrode leads included in the second submodule 100b will be referred to as second electrode leads.

[0112] The first outermost electrode lead 130a1 located at one end of the first submodule 100a and the first electrode lead 130a6 located adjacent thereto are electrically connected to the outside, and can supply current to the first submodule 100a and the second submodule 100b. In this case, current is supplied to the first submodule 100a from the outside, but since the first electrode lead 130a and the second electrode lead 130b are electrically connected in the connection region A3, the current can also flow to the second submodule 100b.

[0113] In the connection region A3, the first electrode lead 130a located at the outermost position of the first battery cell stack 120a of the first submodule 100a and the second electrode lead 130b located at the outermost position of the second battery cell stack 120b of the second submodule 100b may be electrically connected to each other. Specifically, the outermost first electrode leads 130a2 and 130a3 located at the other end of the first submodule 100a may be electrically connected to the outermost second electrode leads 130b1 and 130b5 located at one end of the second submodule 100b.

[0114] In this case, the electrode leads, excluding the outermost first electrode leads 130a2 and 130a3 and the outermost second electrode leads 130b1 and 130b5, may be electrically connected to adjacent electrode leads. More specifically, at the other end of the first submodule 100a, the first electrode leads, excluding the outermost first electrode leads 130a2 and 130a3, may be electrically connected to adjacent first electrode leads in pairs. Similarly, at one end of the second submodule 100b, the second electrode leads, excluding the outermost second electrode leads 130b1 and 130b5, may be electrically connected to adjacent second electrode leads in pairs.

[0115] At one end of the first submodule 100a excluding the connection region A3, the remaining first electrode leads excluding the first outermost electrode lead 130a1 electrically connected to an external power source and the adjacent first electrode lead 130a6 may be electrically connected to adjacent first electrode leads. For example, adjacent first electrode leads may be electrically connected in pairs.

[0116] The other end of the second submodule 100b, excluding the connection region A3, may be electrically connected to adjacent second electrode leads. For example, adjacent second electrode leads may be electrically connected in pairs. Here, the second outermost electrode leads 130b2 and 130b4 of the second submodule 100b may also be electrically connected to adjacent second electrode leads in pairs.

[0117] As explained above, when an electrical connection between the electrode leads 130a, 130b is formed, current can travel along such an electrical connection between the electrode leads 130a, 130b.

[0118] In other words, the arrows in this drawing indicate the flow of current, and the current flow is not limited to that illustrated in this drawing, but can be anything that can be easily changed by a skilled artisan by changing the electrical connection of the electrode lead.

[0119] In this embodiment, a twin-model battery module 100 is formed by arranging a first battery cell stack 120a and a second battery cell stack 120b along the length of one battery module 100. Compared to two single-model battery modules each including one battery cell stack, the twin-model battery module of this embodiment can significantly reduce the required space in the length direction. In other words, the battery module 100 of this embodiment has the advantages of being able to reduce the number of components and, as a result of the reduced required space, being able to improve energy density and space utilization.

[0120] The structure for circulating the refrigerant inside the battery module according to this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0121] 4, 5, and 11 again, the battery module 100 according to this embodiment includes an inlet 421 and an outlet 461 for circulating a refrigerant inside the module frame 200. The refrigerant flows into the module frame 200 through the inlet 421 and is then discharged to the outside of the battery module 100 through the outlet 461.

[0122] The coolant is in direct contact with the battery cell stack 120, the first and second bus bar assemblies 300a, 300b, and other electrical components housed inside the module frame 200, and is able to receive heat generated therefrom.

[0123] The coolant may be a fluid. However, since the coolant comes into direct contact with the battery cell stack 120, the first and second bus bar assemblies 300a, 300b, and other electrical components within the battery module 100, the coolant must be electrically insulated. Therefore, the coolant may be an insulating material. For example, the coolant may be insulating oil.

[0124] That is, in this embodiment, the refrigerant directly contacts and receives heat from the battery cell stack 120, the first and second bus bar assemblies 300a, 300b, and other electrical components that generate heat within the battery module 100, thereby directly cooling them. Therefore, compared to the conventional battery module 1 (see FIG. 3 ), which indirectly cools the battery module 1 using a heat sink 6 or the like, the battery module 100 of this embodiment can improve cooling efficiency through direct cooling, thereby extending the battery life.

[0125] In this embodiment, an insulating plate 700 is disposed between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b, and an opening 700H through which the coolant passes is formed in the insulating plate 700. For example, the opening 700H may be formed in the center of the insulating plate 700. More specifically, the opening 700H may be formed in the shape of a rectangle whose top and bottom sides are longer than the other sides. That is, the opening 700H may be formed so as to extend along the direction in which the battery cells 110 are stacked.

[0126] The insulating plate 700 may include an electrically insulating material. As an example, the insulating plate 700 may be a plastic injection molding.

[0127] More specifically, the inlet 421 and the outlet 461 may be located on opposite sides of the insulating plate 700. The first battery cell stack 120a may be located between the inlet 421 and the insulating plate 700, and the second battery cell stack 120b may be located between the outlet 461 and the insulating plate 700.

[0128] The coolant flowing in through the inlet 421 may pass through the first battery cell stack 120a, the opening 700H of the insulating plate 700, and the second battery cell stack 120b in sequence, and then be discharged through the outlet 461.

[0129] Because both the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b are included within one module frame 200, there is a risk of a short circuit occurring due to contact between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b, or contact between the first bus bar assembly 300a located on the other side of the first battery cell stack 120a and the second bus bar assembly 300b located on one side of the second battery cell stack 120b.

[0130] As described above, the battery module 100 according to this embodiment includes the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b and has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction. When the refrigerant circulates inside the module frame 200, a section where the flow of the refrigerant stagnates may occur between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b.

[0131] Therefore, in this embodiment, an insulating plate 700 having electrical insulation properties is placed between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b. The insulating plate 700 is used to ensure electrical insulation and creepage distance between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b, or between the first bus bar assembly 300a and the second bus bar assembly 300b.

[0132] Additionally, the insulating plate 700 is designed to have an opening 700H in the center of the insulating plate 700 through which the coolant passes, preventing congestion of the coolant flow in the space between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b. In other words, the flow of the coolant is ensured to improve cooling performance.

[0133] 13 to 15, the electrical connection between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b, for example, the electrical connection between the outermost first electrode leads 130a2, 130a3 and the outermost second electrode leads 130b1, 130b5 in the connection area A3 and the LV connection using the connection cable 380, were described above. Referring to FIG. 11 together with FIGS. 13 to 15, such electrical connection between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b may be made through the first and second through-holes 700H1, 700H2 formed in the insulating plate 700.

[0134] Specifically, the outermost first electrode lead 130a2 of the first battery cell stack 120a and the outermost second electrode lead 130b1 of the second battery cell stack 120b may be connected to each other by passing through one of the first through holes 700H1 formed in the insulating plate 700. Then, the outermost first electrode lead 130a3 of the first battery cell stack 120a and the outermost second electrode lead 130b5 of the second battery cell stack 120b may be connected to each other by passing through another of the first through holes 700H1 formed in the insulating plate 700. The first through hole 700H1 is preferably opened to a size just large enough for the outermost first electrode leads 130a2, 130a3 and the outermost second electrode leads 130b1, 130b5 to pass through.

[0135] A connection cable 380 connecting the first flexible printed circuit board 350a located in the first sub-module 100a and the second flexible printed circuit board 350b located in the second sub-module 100b can pass through a second through-hole 700H2 formed in the insulating plate 700. The second through-hole 700H2 is preferably opened to a size just large enough for the connection cable 380 to pass through.

[0136] Meanwhile, the opening 700H according to this embodiment may be opened to have an area of ​​5% to 60% of the area of ​​one surface of the insulating plate 700. Here, the area of ​​one surface of the insulating plate 700 may be an area including the opening areas of the first and second through-holes 700H1 and 700H2. In other words, the area of ​​one surface of the insulating plate 700 when the first and second through-holes 700H1 and 700H2 are assumed to be closed may be the basis for the ratio.

[0137] If the area of ​​the opening 700H is less than 5% of the area of ​​one surface of the insulating plate 700, the area through which the coolant passes may be too narrow, which may hinder the flow of the coolant. Also, if the area of ​​the opening 700H is more than 60% of the area of ​​one surface of the insulating plate 700, the area of ​​the opening 700H is too large, which may prevent the coolant from flowing smoothly in the space between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b, which may result in a short circuit between the first sub-module 100a and the second sub-module 100b.

[0138] The specific positions where the inlet 421 and the outlet 461 according to this embodiment are formed will be described in detail below.

[0139] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a first sealing assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to one side of a module frame.

[0140] 4 to 7 and 16, as described above, the battery module 100 may include a first sealing assembly 410 and a second sealing assembly 450, which respectively cover both open sides of the module frame 200. The inlet 421 may be formed in the first sealing assembly 410, and the outlet 461 may be formed in the second sealing assembly 450.

[0141] As described above, the battery cell 110 according to this embodiment is a pouch-type battery cell and may include electrode leads 130 protruding in both directions. The direction between the electrode leads 130 protruding in both directions may be referred to as the length direction of the battery cell 110. The direction parallel to the x-axis may correspond to the length direction of the battery cell 110. The first sealing assembly 410, the first battery cell stack 120a, the insulating plate 700, the second battery cell stack 120b, and the second sealing assembly 450 may be sequentially positioned along this length direction. That is, the coolant flowing in through the inlet 421 formed in the first sealing assembly 410 may pass through the first battery cell stack 120a, the opening 700H of the insulating plate 700, and the second battery cell stack 120b in sequence, and be discharged through the outlet 461 formed in the second sealing assembly 450.

[0142] In the battery module 100 according to this embodiment, the first bus bar assembly 300a electrically connected to the battery cell stack may be located on one open side of the module frame 200, and the first sealing assembly 410 may be attached to cover the first bus bar assembly 300a. More specifically, the first sealing assembly 410 may cover the first bus bar assembly 300a located on one side of the first battery cell stack 120a.

[0143] The first sealing assembly 410 may include a first sealing cover 420, which is a plate that covers one open side of the module frame 200, an inlet 421, which is a hole formed in the first sealing cover 420, and a module connector 430 attached to one area of ​​the first sealing cover 420.

[0144] The first sealing cover 420 is a plate that covers one open side of the module frame 200, and may have a size corresponding to the size of the one open side of the module frame 200. That is, the first sealing cover 420 may be attached to the module frame 200 while covering the one open side of the module frame 200. For example, the first sealing cover 420 may be inserted into and coupled with the module frame 200.

[0145] The inlet 421 may be a hole formed in one region of the first sealing cover 420. The inlet 421 may be a hole that protrudes toward the outer surface (x-axis direction) of the first sealing cover 420. That is, the inlet 421 may be a hole that protrudes in the direction opposite to the direction in which the module frame 200 is located. The protruding inlet 421 may pass through an inlet opening 540 formed in the first end plate 510, which will be described later.

[0146] The inlet 421 may be located below the center of the height of the battery cell stack 120. The inlet 421 may be located near the lower part of the first sealing assembly 410. Specifically, the inlet 421 may be located below the center of the height of the first sealing assembly 410. Here, the height of the battery cell stack 120 or the first sealing assembly 410 refers to the length in the z-axis direction in the drawing.

[0147] The module connector 430 may detect and control phenomena such as overvoltage, overcurrent, and overheating of the battery cells. The module connector 430 is for LV (Low voltage) connection, and can transmit voltage information and temperature information of the battery cells to an external BMS (Battery Management System) through the module connector 430.

[0148] The module connector 430 may be attached to the first sealing cover 420. In this case, the module connector 430 may be coupled to the first sealing cover 420 via a coupling member 440. At least a portion of the module connector 430 may be exposed to the outside of a first end plate 510, which will be described later, and the first end plate 510 may be provided with a module connector opening 530 for this purpose.

[0149] The first sealing cover 420 may be provided with a terminal bus bar 340. The terminal bus bar 340 may include a first terminal bus bar 341 and a second terminal bus bar 343, and the first terminal bus bar 341 and the second terminal bus bar 343 may have opposite polarities.

[0150] The terminal bus bar 340 may be electrically connected to a bus bar or an electrode lead to electrically connect one battery module 100 to another battery module 100. The first terminal bus bar 341 and the second terminal bus bar 343 may be connected to a first outermost electrode lead 130a1 (see FIG. 15) located at one end of the first sub-module 100a and a first electrode lead 130a6 (see FIG. 15) located adjacent thereto, respectively. To connect one battery module 100 to another external battery module 100, at least a portion of the terminal bus bar 340 may be exposed to the outside of an end plate 510 (described below), and the end plate 500 may be provided with a terminal bus bar opening 520 for this purpose.

[0151] The terminal bus bar 340 may further include a protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the first sealing cover 420. The protrusion may be exposed to the outside of the battery module 100 through a terminal bus bar opening 520, which will be described later. The terminal bus bar 340 may be connected to another battery module 100 or a BDU (Battery Disconnect Unit) through the protrusion exposed through the terminal bus bar opening 520, and may form a high voltage (HV) connection therewith.

[0152] Figure 17 is a diagram showing the process of assembling the first sealing assembly of Figure 16. Figure 17(a) is a diagram showing the module connector being coupled to the first sealing cover. Figure 17(b) is a diagram showing the sensing unit being coupled to the first sealing cover. Figure 17(c) is a diagram showing both the module connector and the sensing unit being coupled to the first sealing cover.

[0153] Referring to (a), (b), and (c) of Figures 17, a module connector 430 may be attached to one side of the first sealing assembly 410, and a sensing unit 360 may be attached to the other side of the first sealing assembly 410, and the module connector 430 and the sensing unit 360 may be electrically connected to each other.

[0154] The module connector 430 may be attached to one surface of the first sealing cover 420. Specifically, the module connector 430 may be attached to an outer surface 420a of the first sealing cover 420. The outer surface 420a of the first sealing cover 420 may be the surface facing a first end plate 510 (see FIG. 19) described below, and may be the surface opposite to the surface facing the module frame 200 (see FIG. 16).

[0155] 17(a), the module connector 430 may be attached to and positioned in a fourth region A4, which is a region of the outer surface 420a of the first sealing cover 420. The fourth region A4 is a region corresponding to the size of the module connector 430, and a hole penetrating the first sealing cover 420 may be provided in the center of the fourth region A4, and a groove into which the coupling member 440 is attached may be provided at the apex of the fourth region A4. In this case, the coupling member 440 may be provided at the apex of the module connector 430, and the coupling member 440 may be located in a region corresponding to the groove in the fourth region A4. Therefore, the coupling member 440 may be coupled to the groove in the fourth region A4, thereby attaching the module connector 430 to the fourth region A4.

[0156] The coupling member 440 may be any member that couples and fixes the module connector 430 to the fourth area A4, and may be, for example, a bolt and nut or a rivet.

[0157] 17(b) and (c), the sensing unit 360 may be attached to one surface of the first sealing cover 420. Specifically, the sensing unit 360 may be attached to the inner surface 420b of the first sealing cover 420. The inner surface 420b of the first sealing cover 420 is the surface facing the module frame 200 (see FIG. 16), and may be the surface opposite the surface facing the end plate 510 (see FIG. 19), which will be described later.

[0158] The sensing unit 360 may include a sensing printed circuit board 361 and a sensing cable 363 electrically connected to the sensing printed circuit board 361. The sensing printed circuit board 361 may be electrically connected to the module connector 430. The sensing printed circuit board 361 may be located in an area corresponding to the module connector 430. Specifically, the sensing printed circuit board 361 may be located in a fourth area A4. The sensing printed circuit board 361 may be located so as to be electrically connected to the module connector 430 through a hole in the fourth area A4.

[0159] The sensing cable 363 is a cable electrically connected to the sensing printed circuit board 361 and may include a cable connecting portion 363a and a cable extending portion 363b.

[0160] The cable connection part 363a may be connected to the sensing printed circuit board 361 and be located in contact with the inner surface 420b of the first sealing cover 420. The cable connection part 363a is fixed in contact with the inner surface 420b of the first sealing cover 420 and does not move arbitrarily within the battery module 100, so it may not cause damage to components.

[0161] Specifically, the cable connecting portion 363a may extend from the sensing printed circuit board 361 to the lower portion of the first sealing cover 420 and be bent and extended from the lower portion of the first sealing cover 420. In this case, the portion bent and extended from the cable connecting portion 363a at the lower portion of the first sealing cover 420 may be defined as a cable extension portion 363b.

[0162] The cable extension 363b may be electrically connected to a first flexible printed circuit board 350a located on the bus bar assembly, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0163] Figure 18 illustrates a process in which the first sealing assembly of Figure 16 is attached to one side of the module frame. Figure 18(a) illustrates the sensing cable being electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board. Figure 18(b) illustrates the first sealing assembly being coupled to the module frame. Figure 18(c) illustrates the sealing of the first sealing assembly and the module frame.

[0164] 17(c) and 18(a), the sensing cable 363 may be electrically connected to the first flexible printed circuit board 350a located on the bus bar structure. In this case, the sensing cable 363 may transmit battery cell voltage information, temperature information, etc. obtained from the first flexible printed circuit board 350a to the sensing printed circuit board 361. In this case, the sensing printed circuit board 361 may transmit the information obtained from the first flexible printed circuit board 350a to the module connector 430. That is, the sensing unit 360 may transmit battery cell data obtained from the first flexible printed circuit board 350a to the module connector 430.

[0165] Therefore, the module connector 430 can transmit data obtained from the first flexible printed circuit board 350a and the sensing unit 360 to a BMS (Battery Management System), and the BMS can control the charging and discharging of the battery cells based on the collected voltage data.

[0166] 18(a) and 18(b), the first sealing cover 420 may be attached to the module frame 200 while covering one open side of the module frame 200. As an example, the first sealing cover 420 may be insert-coupled to the module frame 200. In this case, the periphery of the first sealing cover 420 may include a protrusion that protrudes in the direction of coupling with the module frame 200 (the -x-axis direction). The periphery of the module frame 200 that is coupled to the first sealing cover 420 may be formed with a step so that the peripheral protrusion of the first sealing cover 420 can fit into it. Thus, the first sealing cover 420 and the module frame 200 may be insert-coupled.

[0167] 18(c), when the first sealing cover 420 is coupled to the open side of the module frame 200, a first sealing member 610 may be interposed along the periphery of the first sealing cover 420 and the module frame 200. When the first sealing cover 420 and the module frame 200 are coupled together, a small gap may occur between them due to assembly tolerances, and this gap can be sealed with the first sealing member 610 to improve the sealing performance of the battery module 100. Therefore, leakage of the refrigerant located inside the battery module 100 can be prevented, and leakage of gas generated inside the battery module 100 can also be prevented and the direction of gas discharge can be controlled, thereby improving the safety of the battery module 100.

[0168] In this case, the first sealing member 610 may be, for example, an adhesive tape.

[0169] Although not specifically shown, after the first sealing assembly 410 is coupled to the module frame 200 and the periphery is sealed by the first sealing member 610, any gaps present in the first sealing assembly 410 can be sealed with a second sealing member 620 (see FIG. 21). This is because the second sealing member 620 is used to seal portions of the first sealing assembly 410 other than the periphery that cannot be sealed by the first sealing member 610, thereby further improving the sealing performance of the battery module 100. The second sealing member 620 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 21.

[0170] FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing a first end plate attached to a first sealing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0171] Referring to FIG. 19, in the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first end plate 510 may be positioned to cover the first sealing assembly 410.

[0172] The first end plate 510 may have terminal bus bar openings 520, module connector openings 530, and inlet openings 540 formed therein.

[0173] The terminal bus bar opening 520 may be an opening formed in an area corresponding to the position of the terminal bus bar 340 provided in the first sealing assembly 410. The terminal bus bar opening 520 may be in a form that protrudes from the first end plate 510 toward the outside of the battery module 100, and only the upper surface of this protruding form may be open. A portion of the terminal bus bar 340 may be exposed to the outside through this open portion.

[0174] The size of the terminal bus bar opening 520 may be determined mainly by the circumference of the terminal bus bar 340. However, for ease of assembly or for reasons of the manufacturing process, the size of the terminal bus bar opening 520 may be larger than the size of the exposed portion of the terminal bus bar 340, and in this case, a gap may occur between the terminal bus bar opening 520 and the terminal bus bar 340 exposed to the outside.

[0175] The module connector opening 530 and the inlet opening 540 are openings provided in the first end plate 510 and are holes that penetrate the first end plate 510. Specifically, the module connector opening 530 may be an opening formed in an area corresponding to the position of the module connector 430 provided in the first sealing assembly 410, and the inlet opening 540 may be an opening formed in an area corresponding to the position of the inlet 421 provided in the first sealing assembly 410. As a result, even when the first end plate 510 is attached, at least a portion of the module connector 430 and the inlet 421 may be exposed to the outside through the module connector opening 530 and the inlet opening 540, respectively.

[0176] The sizes of the module connector opening 530 and the inlet opening 540 can be determined based on the circumferential sizes of the module connector 430 and the inlet 421. However, for ease of assembly or for reasons of the manufacturing process, the sizes of the module connector opening 530 and the inlet opening 540 may be larger than the sizes of the exposed portions of the module connector 430 and the inlet 421. In this case, gaps may occur between the module connector opening 530 and the exposed portions of the module connector 430 and between the inlet opening 540 and the exposed portions of the inlet 421.

[0177] The terminal bus bar 340 and the module connector 430 are exposed to the outside through the terminal bus bar opening 520 and the module connector opening 530, respectively, facilitating HV and LV connections to external electrical components, thereby improving the efficiency of the assembly process.

[0178] Since the inlet 421 is exposed to the outside of the battery module 100 through the inlet opening 540, when the refrigerant flows in through the inlet 421, the refrigerant can be prevented from leaking between the first sealing assembly 410 and the first end plate 510. Therefore, the refrigerant does not come into contact with the terminal bus bar 340 or the module connector 430, which electrically connects to the outside. In other words, it is possible to prevent a short circuit between the above components and improve the safety of the battery module 100.

[0179] A third sealing member 630 may be interposed between the first end plate 510 and the first sealing assembly 410 .

[0180] The third sealing member 630 may have a shape corresponding to the periphery of the first sealing assembly 410 or the periphery of the first end plate 510. The third sealing member 630 may be a resin that is applied to correspond to the periphery of the first sealing assembly 410 or the periphery of the first end plate 510 and then hardened. Specifically, the third sealing member 630 may be applied to the first groove 411, which is a groove formed along the periphery of the first sealing assembly 410, and may be hardened after the first sealing assembly 410 and the first end plate 510 are combined. As an example, the third sealing member 630 may include an epoxy resin.

[0181] In other words, by interposing the third sealing member 630 between the first sealing assembly 410 and the first end plate 510, the first sealing assembly 410 and the first end plate 510 can be joined and sealed without any gaps formed due to assembly tolerances.

[0182] Therefore, the sealing performance of the battery module 100 is improved, and the cooling medium located inside the battery module 100 is prevented from leaking, thereby improving the cooling performance of the battery module 100.

[0183] In addition, the venting direction can be adjusted while preventing venting gas generated within the battery module 100 above a certain temperature and pressure from being discharged to the outside through the gap, thereby improving the safety of the battery module 100.

[0184] The type and method of forming the third sealing member 630 are not limited to those described above, and may be a gasket-like form made of an elastic material, or any other material that can serve to seal the first sealing assembly 410 and the first end plate 510.

[0185] Fig. 20 is a view of the configuration in Fig. 19 excluding the first end plate, viewed along the -x-axis direction on the yz plane. Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion corresponding to A5 in a cross section taken along the cutting line B-B' in Fig. 20.

[0186] Referring to Figures 20 and 21, a first sealing member 610 and a third sealing member 630 may be positioned along the periphery of the first sealing assembly 410, and a second sealing member 620 may be positioned in one area of ​​the first sealing assembly 410.

[0187] 21 , the second sealing member 620 may be located in an area of ​​the first sealing assembly 410 excluding the peripheral area. That is, the second sealing member 620 can seal the remaining area of ​​the first sealing assembly 410 that the first sealing member 610 and the third sealing member 630 cannot cover. Specifically, the second sealing member 620 can seal an area of ​​the first sealing assembly 410 where there is a gap. However, the area where the second sealing member 620 is located is not limited to the area shown in this drawing. For example, the second sealing member 620 can seal a portion of the area of ​​the first sealing assembly 410 where the module connector 430 is coupled.

[0188] In addition to the peripheral portion of the first sealing assembly 410, the portion where the gap is located is also sealed by the second sealing member 620, thereby improving the sealing performance of the battery module 100 and preventing leakage of the refrigerant inside the battery module 100. This improves the cooling performance of the battery module 100. In addition, gas generated inside the battery module 100 above a certain temperature and pressure is not released between the gap between the first sealing assembly 410 and the first end plate 510, thereby improving the safety of the battery module 100.

[0189] FIG. 22 shows a second sealing assembly attached to the other side of the module frame according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0190] 5, 6, and 22, the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a second sealing assembly 450 attached to the other open side of the module frame 200. Specifically, in the battery module 100 according to this embodiment, the second bus bar assembly 300b electrically connected to the battery cell assemblies may be located on the other open side of the module frame 200, and the second sealing assembly 450 may be attached to cover the second bus bar assembly 300b.

[0191] The second sealing assembly 450 may include a second sealing cover 460 which is a plate covering the other open side of the module frame 200 and an outlet 461 which is a hole formed in the second sealing cover 460 .

[0192] The second sealing cover 460 is a plate that covers the other open side of the module frame 200, and may have a size corresponding to the size of the other open side of the module frame 200. That is, the second sealing cover 460 may be attached to the module frame 200 while covering the other open side of the module frame 200. For example, the second sealing cover 460 may be inserted into and coupled with the module frame 200.

[0193] The outlet 461 may be a hole formed in one region of the second sealing cover 460. The outlet 461 may be a hole that protrudes toward the outer surface (negative x-axis direction) of the second sealing cover 460. That is, the outlet 461 may be a hole that protrudes in the opposite direction to the direction in which the module frame 200 is located. The protruding outlet 461 may pass through an outlet opening 560 formed in a second end plate 550, which will be described later.

[0194] The outlet 461 may be located above the center of the height of the battery cell stack 120. The outlet 461 may be located near the upper part of the second sealing assembly 450. Specifically, the outlet 461 may be located above the center of the height of the second sealing assembly 450. The location of the outlet 461 is not limited thereto, but this allows the interior of the module frame 200 to be sufficiently filled with coolant. Here, the height of the battery cell stack 120 or the second sealing assembly 450 refers to the length in the z-axis direction in the drawing.

[0195] Considering the positions of the inlet 421 and the outlet 461 described above, the inlet 421 may be located below the center of the height of the battery cell stack 120, and the outlet 461 may be located above the center of the height of the battery cell stack 120. In other words, the inlet 421 may be located near the lower portion of the first sealing assembly 410, and the outlet 461 may be located near the upper portion of the second sealing assembly 450.

[0196] If the inlet 421 were located above the center of the battery cell stack 120, the refrigerant would flow into the battery module 100 from a high position, causing bubbles to form inside the refrigerant, which could impede the cooling effect.

[0197] Furthermore, if the outlet 461 is located below the center based on the height of the battery cell stack 120, the refrigerant that flows into the battery module 100 will fill up to the height of the outlet 461 and then escape to the outside, which may prevent the battery module 100 from being filled with a sufficient amount of refrigerant, resulting in a decrease in cooling performance.

[0198] Therefore, in order to prevent bubbles from forming in the refrigerant flowing in and to ensure that the inside of the battery module 100 is filled with refrigerant, it is preferable that the inlet 421 be located below the center of the height of the battery cell stack 120 and the outlet 461 be located above the center of the height of the battery cell stack 120.

[0199] When the second sealing assembly 450 and the other open side of the module frame 200 are coupled to each other, a first sealing member 610 can be interposed along the periphery of the second sealing cover 460 and the module frame 200. When the second sealing cover 460 and the module frame 200 are coupled together, minute gaps may occur between them due to assembly tolerances, and these gaps can be sealed with the first sealing member 610 to improve the sealing performance of the battery module 100. Therefore, leakage of the refrigerant located inside the battery module 100 can be prevented, and the leakage of venting gas generated inside the battery module 100 can also be prevented and the direction of gas discharge can be controlled, thereby improving the safety of the battery module 100.

[0200] In this case, the first sealing member 610 may be, for example, an adhesive tape.

[0201] Although not specifically shown, after the second sealing assembly 450 is coupled to the module frame 200 and the periphery is sealed by the first sealing member 610, any gaps present on the second sealing assembly 450 can be sealed with the second sealing member 620 (see FIG. 25). This is because the second sealing member 620 seals the portions of the second sealing assembly 450 other than the periphery that cannot be sealed by the first sealing member 610, thereby further improving the sealing performance of the battery module 100. The second sealing member 620 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 25.

[0202] FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view showing a second end plate attached to a second sealing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0203] Referring to FIG. 23, in the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second end plate 550 may be positioned to cover the second sealing assembly 450 .

[0204] The second end plate 550 may have an outlet opening 560 formed therein.

[0205] The outlet opening 560 is an opening provided in the second end plate 550, and is a hole that penetrates the second end plate 550. Specifically, the outlet opening 560 may be an opening formed in an area corresponding to the position of the outlet 461 provided in the second sealing assembly 450. Thus, even when the second end plate 550 is attached, at least a portion of the outlet 461 may pass through the outlet opening 560 and be exposed to the outside.

[0206] The size of the outlet opening 560 may be determined mainly by the circumference of the outlet 461. However, for ease of assembly or for reasons of the manufacturing process, the size of the outlet opening 560 may be larger than the size of the exposed portion of the outlet 461, and in this case, a gap may occur between the outlet 461 exposed outside the outlet opening 560.

[0207] The outlet 461 is exposed to the outside of the battery module 100 through the outlet opening 560, so that when the refrigerant flowing into the module frame 200 is discharged to the outside through the outlet 461, the refrigerant can be prevented from leaking between the second sealing assembly 450 and the second end plate 550. Therefore, since the refrigerant does not come into contact with other electrical components, short circuits can be prevented, and the safety of the battery module 100 can be improved.

[0208] A third sealing member 630 may be interposed between the second end plate 550 and the second sealing assembly 450 .

[0209] The third sealing member 630 may have a shape corresponding to the periphery of the second sealing assembly 450 or the periphery of the second end plate 550. The third sealing member 630 may be a resin that is applied to correspond to the periphery of the second sealing assembly 450 or the periphery of the second end plate 550 and then hardened. Specifically, the third sealing member 630 may be applied to a second groove 451 that is a groove formed along the periphery of the second sealing assembly 450, and may be hardened after the second sealing assembly 450 and the second end plate 550 are coupled together. As an example, the third sealing member 630 may be an epoxy resin.

[0210] In other words, by interposing the third sealing member 630 between the second sealing assembly 450 and the second end plate 550, the second sealing assembly 450 and the second end plate 550 can be joined and sealed without any gaps formed due to assembly tolerances.

[0211] Therefore, the sealing performance of the battery module 100 is improved, and the cooling medium located inside the battery module 100 is prevented from leaking, thereby improving the cooling performance of the battery module 100.

[0212] In addition, the venting direction can be adjusted while preventing venting gas generated within the battery module 100 above a certain temperature and pressure from being discharged to the outside through the gap, thereby improving the safety of the battery module 100.

[0213] The type and method of forming the third sealing member 630 are not limited to those described above, and may be a gasket-like form made of an elastic material, or any other material that can serve to seal the second sealing assembly 450 and the second end plate 550.

[0214] Fig. 24 is a view of the configuration of Fig. 23 excluding the second end plate, viewed along the x-axis direction on the yz plane. Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion corresponding to A6 in the cross section cut along the cutting line CC' in Fig. 24.

[0215] 24 and 25, a first sealing member 610 and a third sealing member 630 may be located along the periphery of the second sealing assembly 450, and a second sealing member 620 may be located in one area of ​​the second sealing assembly 450.

[0216] 25 , the second sealing member 620 may be located in an area excluding the peripheral area of ​​the second sealing assembly 450. That is, the second sealing member 620 can seal the remaining area of ​​the second sealing assembly 450 that cannot be covered by the first sealing member 610 and the third sealing member 630. Specifically, the second sealing member 620 can seal an area of ​​the first sealing assembly 410 where there is a gap. However, the area where the second sealing member 620 is located is not limited to the area shown in this drawing.

[0217] In addition to the peripheral portion of the second sealing assembly 450, the portion where the gap is located is also sealed by the second sealing member 620, thereby improving the sealing performance of the battery module 100 and preventing leakage of the refrigerant inside the battery module 100. This improves the cooling performance of the battery module 100. In addition, gas generated inside the battery module 100 above a certain temperature and pressure is not released between the gap between the second sealing assembly 450 and the second end plate 550, thereby improving the safety of the battery module 100.

[0218] Fig. 26 is an exploded perspective view of a second sealing assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 27 is a view of Fig. 26 as viewed along the -x axis direction on the yz plane.

[0219] 26 and 27, a second sealing assembly 450 according to another embodiment of the present invention may include an outlet 461 and a module venting portion 470. The outlet 461 is the same as described above, so the following description will focus on the module venting portion 470.

[0220] The module venting unit 470 can discharge gas generated inside the battery module 100 above a certain temperature and pressure to the outside. Specifically, the module venting unit 470 can discharge gas inside the battery module 100 to the outside while preventing leakage of the refrigerant inside the battery module 100.

[0221] The module venting portion 470 may be provided in a region of the second sealing cover 460. The module venting portion 470 may include a venting hole 471, a membrane 473, a fixed cover 475, and a venting protrusion 477.

[0222] The venting hole 471 may be a passage through which gas generated inside the battery module 100 moves to the outside. The venting hole 471 may be at least one hole provided in one region of the second sealing cover 460. The venting hole 471 may be structurally connected to a module connecting part 472, which will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 28.

[0223] The membrane 473 can exhaust gas present inside the battery module 100 to the outside through the venting holes 471, but the refrigerant may be a thin film that prevents leakage to the outside.

[0224] The membrane 473 may be located between the inner surface 460b of the second sealing cover 460 and the fixed cover 475. The membrane 473 may be located in contact with the inner surface 460b of the second sealing cover 460. In this case, one surface of the membrane 473 may be located in contact with and fixed to the inner surface 460b of the second sealing cover 460, and the other surface of the membrane 473 may be located in contact with and fixed to one surface of the fixed cover 475.

[0225] The fixed cover 475 allows the gas and coolant inside the battery module 100 to pass through temporarily. The fixed cover 475 may be positioned closest to the battery cell stack.

[0226] The fixed cover 475 may be positioned in contact with the membrane 473. Specifically, one surface of the fixed cover 475 may be adhered and fixed to the other surface of the membrane 473. In this case, the size of the fixed cover 475 may correspond to the size of the membrane 473 or may be larger than the size of the membrane 473.

[0227] The fixed cover 475 may have a shape in which holes are provided in a flat plate, although the holes may not be located in the peripheral region of the fixed cover 475.

[0228] The peripheral region of the fixing cover 475 may be in contact with at least one of the membrane 473 or the inner surface 460b of the second sealing cover 460. In this case, although not shown in the drawings, an adhesive member may be interposed along the peripheral region of the fixing cover 475, and the fixing cover 475 may be fixed to the second sealing cover 460 by the adhesive member. The holes provided in the fixing cover 475 allow gas and refrigerant located inside the battery module 100 to move to the membrane 473.

[0229] The venting protrusion 477 may be a region that protrudes from a region corresponding to the module venting portion 470 toward the outside of the battery module 100. The venting protrusion 477 may be a region that protrudes from a region where the venting hole 471 is provided toward the outside. A portion of the venting protrusion 477 may pass through the second end plate 550 and be exposed to the outside, thereby allowing the venting gas to be completely discharged to the outside of the battery module 100. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 28.

[0230] FIG. 28 shows the second sealing assembly of FIG. 26 with a second end plate coupled thereto.

[0231] Referring to Figure 28, when the second end plate 550 is attached over the second sealing assembly 450, at least a portion of the outlet 461 and the module venting portion 470 may pass through the second end plate 550 and be exposed to the outside.

[0232] Specifically, the outlet 461 may be partially exposed to the outside by passing through an outlet opening 560 provided in the second end plate 550. The module venting portion 470 may be partially exposed to the outside by passing through a venting opening 570 provided in the second end plate 550.

[0233] The outlet 461 and the outlet opening 560 are the same as those described above with reference to FIG. 23, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only the module venting section 470 and the venting opening 570 will be described.

[0234] The module venting portion 470 includes a venting protrusion 477 that protrudes to the outside through the venting opening 570, and the venting protrusion 477 may be provided with a module connecting portion 472.

[0235] The module connecting portion 472 is a hole communicating with the venting hole 471, and like the venting protrusion 477, may penetrate the venting opening 570 of the second end plate 550 and be partially exposed to the outside. The module connecting portion 472 may be connected to a pack venting device (not shown) of the battery pack so that venting gas migrated through the venting hole 471 can be discharged to the outside. At this time, since at least a portion of the module connecting portion 472 penetrates the second end plate 550 and is exposed to the outside, assembly with the pack venting device is facilitated. This improves the efficiency of the assembly process. In addition, the venting gas discharged through the module connecting portion 472 may not remain in the space between the second end plate 550 and the second sealing assembly 450. This prevents venting gas from remaining inside the battery module 100, thereby improving the safety of the battery module 100.

[0236] The venting opening 570 is an opening provided in the second end plate 550, and is a hole penetrating the second end plate 550. Specifically, the venting opening 570 may be an opening formed in an area corresponding to the position of the venting protrusion 477 provided in the second sealing assembly 450. In this case, the venting protrusion 477 may pass through the venting opening 570 together with the module connecting portion 472, thereby exposing at least a portion of the venting protrusion 477 and the module connecting portion 472 to the outside.

[0237] The size of the venting opening 570 may be determined mainly by the circumference of the venting protrusion 477. However, for ease of assembly or for reasons of the manufacturing process, the size of the venting opening 570 may be larger than the size of the exposed portion of the venting protrusion 477, and in this case, a gap may occur between the venting opening 570 and the venting protrusion 477 exposed to the outside.

[0238] Various configurations of insulating plates according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 29 to 31. FIG.

[0239] FIG. 29 is an enlarged partial perspective view of an insulating plate located between the first and second battery cell stacks in FIG. 11. FIG.

[0240] 11 and 29, an insulating plate 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a shape in which the insulating plate 700 surrounds the periphery of an opening 700H formed in the center of the insulating plate 700. As described above, the coolant can flow from the first battery cell stack 120a to the second battery cell stack 120b through the opening 700H formed in the center of the insulating plate 700.

[0241] FIG. 30 is a partial perspective view showing an insulating plate included in a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0242] Referring to both Figures 4 and 30, an insulating plate 700' according to another embodiment of the present invention may not have the first and second through holes 700H1 and 700H2 as shown in Figure 29, but may only have an opening 700H.

[0243] The insulating plate 700' according to this embodiment may be applied to a battery module model in which there is no electrical connection between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b, and instead the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b are electrically connected to external electrical components separately. In the battery module of this embodiment, the HV and LV connections in the first battery cell stack 120a may be formed independently of the second battery cell stack 120b, and similarly, the HV and LV connections in the second battery cell stack 120b may be formed independently of the first battery cell stack 120a.

[0244] Therefore, since there is no need to perform HV and LV connections between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b, there is no need to form first and second through holes in the insulating plate 700'.

[0245] The effects and detailed configuration of the insulating plate according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32. FIG.

[0246] 31(a) and (b) are diagrams showing a cross section of a battery module according to a comparative example of the present invention and a cross section of a battery module according to an example of the present invention, respectively.

[0247] 4 to 6, 11, and 31(a), a battery module 100CE according to a comparative example of the present invention includes a first battery cell stack 120a, a second battery cell stack 120b, a module frame 200, a first end plate 510, and a second end plate 550. Detailed descriptions of the components included in the battery module 100CE will be omitted as they overlap with those previously described. Unlike the battery module according to the present embodiment, the battery module 100CE according to this comparative example does not have an insulating plate interposed between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b.

[0248] A coolant C flows into the interior space of the module frame 200 through an inlet 421 formed in the first end plate 510, flows along the interior space of the module frame 200, and is then discharged through an outlet 461 in the second end plate 550. The first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b are immersed in the coolant C.

[0249] In this case, the battery module 100CE has a structure that includes a first battery cell stack 120a and a second battery cell stack 120b and extends in the longitudinal direction. With this structure, the space S between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b can become a region where the flow of the refrigerant C stagnates. Because the refrigerant C flows along the empty space S, the flow rate is slow, and in severe cases, congestion of the flow of the refrigerant C occurs. If the flow of the refrigerant stagnates, the cooling performance and cooling efficiency of the battery module 100CE may be reduced.

[0250] 4 to 6, 11, and 31(a), in the battery module 100 according to this embodiment, the problem of the comparative example can be solved by the insulating plate 700 disposed between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b. In the battery module 100 according to this embodiment, the insulating plate 700 having an opening 700H formed therein is disposed in the space S between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b.

[0251] The flow of the coolant C through the openings 700H of the insulating plate 700 means that the coolant C flows through a relatively narrow area compared to the comparative example. In other words, by passing through a relatively narrow area, the coolant C flows faster, preventing stagnation of the flow of the coolant C. Ultimately, the elimination of congestion in the flow of the coolant C can improve the cooling performance and efficiency of the battery module 100. In other words, the insulating plate 700 of this embodiment ensures an insulation distance between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b to prevent short circuits, and eliminates congestion in the flow of the coolant C between the first battery cell stack 120a and the second battery cell stack 120b to improve the cooling performance and efficiency.

[0252] As described above, the opening 700H may be opened to have an area of ​​5% to 60% of the area of ​​one surface of the insulating plate 700. The range of the ratio of the opening area of ​​the opening 700H is related to the function of eliminating stagnation of the flow of the refrigerant C. A detailed description of this range will be omitted as it overlaps with the content described above.

[0253] FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing an insulating plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0254] 9, 11, and 32, an opening 700H is formed in the insulating plate 700 according to this embodiment, and first and second through-holes 700H1, 700H2 may be further formed as necessary. The opening 700H may be formed in the center of the insulating plate 700. Specifically, the length L1 from the upper edge 700U of the insulating plate 700 to the upper edge 700HU of the opening 700H may be 25% or more and 49% or less of the length H of the insulating plate 700 in the height direction. Furthermore, the length L2 from the lower edge 700L of the insulating plate 700 to the lower edge 700HL of the opening 700H may be 25% or more and 49% or less of the length H of the insulating plate 700 in the height direction. Here, the height direction of the insulating plate 700 refers to the direction between the upper edge 700U and the lower edge 700L of the insulating plate 700. More specifically, the height direction of the insulating plate 700 may be perpendicular to both the direction in which the battery cells 110 are stacked in the first and second battery cell stacks 120a, 120b (direction parallel to the y-axis) and the direction in which the first and second battery cell stacks 120a, 120b are arranged (direction parallel to the x-axis), and may be parallel to the z-axis. The opening 700H may be formed in the center of the insulating plate 700 while satisfying the above range.

[0255] The opening 700H may be formed in a rectangular shape with the top side 700HU and bottom side 700HL longer than the side edges 700HS. Alternatively, one or more openings 700H may be formed in the insulating plate 700. The openings 700H may be positioned along the width direction of the insulating plate 700. Here, the width direction of the insulating plate 700 refers to the direction between the side edges 700S of the insulating plate 700, and may be parallel to the direction in which the battery cells 110 are stacked in the battery cell stacks 120a and 120b and parallel to the y-axis. For example, FIG. 32 shows three openings 700H positioned along the width direction of the insulating plate 700.

[0256] An insulating plate 700'' according to a modified embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0257] Figures 33 and 34 are a perspective view and a front view showing an insulating plate according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. Figure 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD' in Figure 34. Figure 36 is an enlarged partial view showing a portion corresponding to A7 in Figure 35.

[0258] 33 to 36, an insulating plate 700" according to a modified embodiment of the present invention has an opening 700H formed therein. In this case, an inclined surface 700C may be formed in at least one of an upper region or a lower region of the opening 700H of the insulating plate 700". That is, the inclined surface 700C may be formed in either an upper region or a lower region of the opening 700H of the insulating plate 700", or the inclined surface 700C may be formed in both an upper region and a lower region of the opening 700H of the insulating plate 700".

[0259] Specifically, an inclined surface 700C may be formed in at least a portion of the region from the upper edge 700U or the lower edge 700L of the insulating plate 700'' to the upper edge 700HU or the lower edge 700HL of the opening 700H so that the thickness of the insulating plate 700'' narrows in the direction from the upper edge 700U or the lower edge 700L of the insulating plate 700'' to the upper edge 700HU or the lower edge 700HL of the opening 700H. Here, the thickness of the insulating plate 700'' refers to the thickness of the plate-shaped insulating plate 700'', and may correspond to the length of the insulating plate 700'' in a direction parallel to the x-axis direction in the drawing.

[0260] More specifically, an inclined surface 700C may be formed in at least a part of the region from the upper edge 700U of the insulating plate 700'' to the upper edge 700HU of the opening 700H, so that the thickness of the insulating plate 700'' narrows in the direction from the upper edge 700U of the insulating plate 700'' to the upper edge 700HU of the opening 700H (in the -z-axis direction on the drawing). Furthermore, an inclined surface 700C may be formed in at least a part of the region from the lower edge 700L of the insulating plate 700'' to the lower edge 700HL of the opening 700H, so that the thickness of the insulating plate 700'' narrows in the direction from the lower edge 700L of the insulating plate 700'' to the lower edge 700HL of the opening 700H (in the +z-axis direction on the drawing).

[0261] That is, the inclined surface 700C may be formed in either the upper region of the opening 700H or the lower region of the opening 700H, or may be formed in both the upper region of the opening 700H and the lower region of the opening 700H. The inclined surface 700C may also be formed on either one of the opposing surfaces of the insulating plate 700" or on both opposing surfaces of the insulating plate 700". Here, the opposing surfaces of the insulating plate 700" refer to the surfaces of the insulating plate 700" that face the first battery cell stack 120a (see FIG. 11) and the second battery cell stack 120b (see FIG. 11).

[0262] The inclined surface 700C formed on the insulating plate 700'' according to this embodiment can improve the flow of the coolant passing through the opening 700H of the insulating plate 700''. In other words, the inclined surface 700C can guide the flow of the coolant in the space between the first battery cell stack 120a (see FIG. 11) and the second battery cell stack 120b (see FIG. 11) so that the coolant flows smoothly toward the opening 700H of the insulating plate 700''.

[0263] Meanwhile, the inclination angle TA formed by the inclined surface 700C may be 80 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less, or 85 degrees or more and 87 degrees or less. As shown in Fig. 36, the inclination angle TA formed by the inclined surface 700C refers to the acute angle formed between the inclined surface 700C and the ground. Here, the ground may correspond to a plane aligned with the xy plane.

[0264] In the insulating plate 700″ according to this embodiment, the area, position, number, etc. of the inclined surfaces 700C can be appropriately changed in consideration of the flow rate of the refrigerant depending on the size of the internal space of the battery module 100 through which the refrigerant flows, the material properties of the refrigerant, etc.

[0265] Meanwhile, the insulating plate 700'' according to this embodiment may include at least one rib 700R extending along the height direction of the insulating plate 700''. That is, the insulating plate 700'' may include one rib 700R or multiple ribs 700R. When multiple ribs 700R are formed, the multiple ribs 700R may be arranged at predetermined intervals along the width direction. The opening 700H may be divided into multiple parts by such a rib 700R.

[0266] According to this embodiment, at least one rib 700R may be provided to supplement the rigidity of the insulating plate 700''. There is no particular limit to the number or thickness of the ribs 700R, and these may be appropriately adjusted taking into consideration the size and material of the insulating plate 700''. In particular, since the thickness of the insulating plate 700'' where the inclined surface 700C is formed is thin, it is preferable that at least one rib 700R for supplementing rigidity is formed on the insulating plate 700'' where the inclined surface 700C is formed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and at least one rib 700R may be formed on an insulating plate 700'' where the inclined surface 700C is not formed, for example, the insulating plate 700 of FIG. 32.

[0267] 29, 32, and 33, the insulating plate 700, 700' according to this embodiment may be fixed to at least one of the first bus bar frame 310a or the second bus bar frame 310b. For example, the insulating plate 700, 700'' according to this embodiment may include a mounting portion 700M fixed to the first bus bar frame 310a or the second bus bar frame 310b. The mounting portion 700M may protrude from the insulating plate 700, 700'' toward the first bus bar frame 310a or the second bus bar frame 310b, and a fastening hole may be formed in the mounting portion 700M.

[0268] For example, a portion of the mounting portion 700M may protrude toward the first bus bar frame 310a, and the remaining portion of the mounting portion 700M may protrude toward the second bus bar frame 310b. A bolt may pass through a fastening hole of the mounting portion 700M protruding toward the first bus bar frame 310a and then be fastened to the first bus bar frame 310a. Another bolt may pass through a fastening hole of the mounting portion 700M protruding toward the second bus bar frame 310b and then be fastened to the second bus bar frame 310b. In particular, the mounting portion 700M may be formed adjacent to the upper side 700U or the lower side 700L of the insulating plate 700, 700″. Thus, the bolt passing through the mounting portion 700M may also be fastened to an adjacent region of the upper side or lower side of the first bus bar frame 310a or the second bus bar frame 310b.

[0269] In the above manner, the insulating plates 700, 700'' may be fixed to at least one of the first bus bar frame 310a or the second bus bar frame 310b. However, this is an example in which the insulating plates 700, 700'' are fixed to at least one of the first bus bar frame 310a or the second bus bar frame 310b, and the insulating plates 700, 700'' may be fixed in other manners.

[0270] In this embodiment, terms indicating directions such as front, back, left, right, up, and down are used, but these terms are used only for convenience of explanation and may change depending on the position of the object of interest, the position of the observer, etc.

[0271] One or more battery modules according to the above-described embodiments may be installed together with various control and protection systems such as a BMS (Battery Management System), a BDU (Battery Disconnect Unit), and a cooling system to form a battery pack.

[0272] The battery module or battery pack may be applied to various devices, specifically, but not limited to, transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrids, and ESS (Energy Storage Systems).

[0273] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0274] 100: Battery module 110: Battery cell 120: Battery cell stack 120a: First battery cell stack 120b: Second battery cell stack 200:Module frame 300a: First bus bar assembly 300b: Second bus bar assembly 400: Sealing assembly 500: End plate 610: First sealing member 620: Second sealing member 630: Third sealing member 700: Insulation plate 700H: Opening

Claims

1. a battery cell stack including a first battery cell stack and a second battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module frame that houses the battery cell stack; an inlet and an outlet for circulating a refrigerant inside the module frame; Including, The refrigerant flows into the module frame through the inlet and is discharged through the outlet, an insulating plate disposed between the first battery cell stack and the second battery cell stack, and an opening formed in the insulating plate through which the coolant passes.

2. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the opening is formed in the center of the insulating plate.

3. The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the inlet and the outlet are located on opposite sides of the insulating plate.

4. the first battery cell stack is located between the inlet and the insulating plate; The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein the second battery cell stack is located between the outlet and the insulating plate.

5. 5. The battery module of claim 4, wherein the refrigerant flowing in through the inlet passes through the first battery cell stack, the opening of the insulating plate, and the second battery cell stack in sequence, and is discharged through the outlet.

6. the inlet is located below the center of the battery cell stack based on the height of the battery cell stack; The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the outlet is located above a center of the battery cell stack in terms of height.

7. 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the first battery cell stack and the second battery cell stack are arranged along a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the battery cells are stacked in the first battery cell stack or the second battery cell stack.

8. a first through hole and a second through hole are formed in the insulating plate; The battery module of claim 7 , wherein electrical connection between the first battery cell stack and the second battery cell stack is achieved through the first through-hole and the second through-hole.

9. the module frame further includes a first sealing assembly and a second sealing assembly, each of which covers both open sides of the module frame; The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the inlet is formed in the first sealing assembly and the outlet is formed in the second sealing assembly.

10. The inlet is located below a center of the first sealing assembly based on the height of the first sealing assembly, The battery module of claim 9 , wherein the outlet is located above a center of the second sealing assembly based on a height of the second sealing assembly.

11. the battery cell is a pouch-type battery cell and includes electrode leads protruding in both directions; 10. The battery module of claim 9, wherein the first sealing assembly, the first battery cell stack, the insulating plate, the second battery cell stack, and the second sealing assembly are sequentially positioned along the length direction, where the direction between the electrode leads is defined as the length direction.

12. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant is insulating oil.

13. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the coolant is in direct contact with the battery cell stack housed inside the module frame.

14. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating plate has a shape in which the insulating plate surrounds the periphery of the opening formed at the center of the insulating plate.

15. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the opening has an area of ​​5% to 60% of the area of ​​one surface of the insulating plate.

16. a length from an upper edge of the insulating plate to an upper edge of the opening is 25% or more and 49% or less of a length of the insulating plate along a height direction, The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the length from the lower edge of the insulating plate to the lower edge of the opening is 25% to 49% of the length of the insulating plate along its height direction.

17. 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein an inclined surface is formed in at least a portion of a region from an upper edge of the insulating plate to an upper edge of the opening, such that the thickness of the insulating plate becomes narrower in a direction from the upper edge of the insulating plate to the upper edge of the opening.

18. 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein an inclined surface is formed in at least a portion of a region from the lower edge of the insulating plate to the lower edge of the opening, such that the thickness of the insulating plate becomes narrower in a direction from the lower edge of the insulating plate to the lower edge of the opening.

19. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating plate includes at least one rib extending along a height direction of the insulating plate.

20. the battery cell stack further includes a first bus bar frame positioned on one surface of the first battery cell stack and a second bus bar frame positioned on one surface of the second battery cell stack, The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the insulating plate is fixed to at least one of the first bus bar frame and the second bus bar frame.

21. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to claim 1.

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