Battery Module

Abstract

A battery module according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a case having a storage space in which the battery cells are housed, the case having a plurality of battery cells each having a terminal portion and a plurality of mounting portions in which the battery cells are mounted; an intermediate frame having a plurality of support holes with diameters larger than the diameters of the battery cells and attached to the case so as to partition the storage space within the case into a cooling space in which coolant is housed and a terminal exposed space in which terminal portions of the battery cells are located; and a potting portion having a first region provided in the terminal exposed space to surround the terminal portions of the battery cells and one side of the intermediate frame, and a second region connected to the first region and filled in the space between each battery cell and the support holes.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, and more particularly to a battery module capable of waterproofing a terminal exposure space from a cooling space using a waterproof adhesive.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0069639, filed May 31, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrid vehicles, which use electric motors that generate driving force using electrical energy instead of conventional engines that generate driving force by burning fossil fuels, are being released worldwide as environmentally friendly vehicles.

[0004] Among such environmentally friendly vehicles that use electric energy, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles receive power from an external charging facility connected to the grid, charge the battery installed in the vehicle, and use the charged power in the battery to generate the kinetic energy required to drive the vehicle.

[0005] The batteries used in such environmentally friendly vehicles are required to have high output, which generates a large amount of heat. In order to improve the performance and lifespan of the battery, it is very important to efficiently dissipate the heat generated by the battery and prevent the battery from overheating.

[0006] Conventionally, cooling systems for dissipating heat from a battery include air-cooling systems and water-cooling systems. Among these, the direct water-cooling system is a system in which the battery cells are directly immersed in coolant to directly dissipate heat from the battery cells into the coolant.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration diagram of a battery module according to the prior art, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the battery cell shown in FIG.

[0008] 1 and 2, a direct water-cooled battery module 10 includes a cell frame 20 and a plurality of battery cells 30 arranged inside the cell frame 20. The plurality of battery cells 30 are spaced apart within the cell frame 20, and the cell frame 20 has a structure that allows cooling water W to flow therethrough.

[0009] The cell frame 20 has an assembly hole 21 into which the battery cell 10 is inserted, and a tape 32 made of a compressible material in a ring shape is attached to the battery cell 30. In addition, a tube member 33 is assembled to surround the outer periphery of the battery cell 30 and the tape 32. At this time, the tube member 33 is used to waterproof the battery cell 30 and may be made of a polymer material.

[0010] The tape 32 protrudes in the lateral direction of the battery cell 31 , and the tape 32 is press-fitted into the assembly hole 21 of the cell frame 20 .

[0011] Meanwhile, to achieve a waterproof structure in a conventional battery module 10, tape 32 is wound around the battery cells 30, and then a tube member 33 is heat-treated to surround the outer surface of the battery cells 30. Then, the tape 32 of the battery cells 30 is press-fitted into the assembly holes 21 of the cell frame 20, thereby sealing the gaps between the battery cells 30 and the assembly holes 21 of the cell frame 20.

[0012] The above assembly process is performed for each battery cell 30, but as the number of battery cells 30 increases, assembly defects may occur between the battery cells 30 and the assembly holes 21 of the cell frame 20. Therefore, as the number of battery cells 30 increases, there is a possibility that the coolant W may leak through gaps between the battery cells 30 and the assembly holes 21 of the cell frame.

[0013] Furthermore, in the conventional battery module 10, waterproofing was performed individually for each battery cell 30, and the bonding strength between the cell frame 20 and the battery cell 30 could be weakened due to vibration or impact, which could result in leakage of the cooling water W.

[0014] In addition, the conventional battery module 10 has a problem in that a large number of parts are used to achieve a waterproof structure, and a separate process is required to assemble these parts, making the assembly process of the battery module 10 complicated. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0015] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module in which a waterproof structure for the terminal portions of multiple battery cells can be integrally formed by applying and curing a waterproof adhesive to an intermediate frame that separates the battery cells.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module in which gaps between support holes of an intermediate frame and battery cells can be sealed with a waterproof adhesive.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module having a flame exhaust passage portion in a portion facing a vent portion of a battery cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a case having a storage space in which the plurality of battery cells are housed, the case having a plurality of battery cells each having a terminal portion and a plurality of mounting portions in which the respective battery cells are mounted; an intermediate frame having a plurality of support holes with a diameter larger than that of each battery cell and attached to the case so as to partition the storage space within the case into a cooling space in which coolant is housed and a terminal exposed space in which terminal portions of each battery cell are located; and a potting portion having a first region provided in the terminal exposed space to surround the terminal portions of the battery cells and one side of the intermediate frame, and a second region connected to the first region and filled in the space between each battery cell and the support holes.

[0019] Furthermore, the second region of the potting may be provided to surround at least a portion of the gap between the support hole and the battery cell. For example, each battery cell may be arranged such that its radial center coincides with the center of the support hole, or such that its radial center does not coincide with the center of the support hole. In this case, a gap may be formed between the support hole and the battery cell due to a difference in diameter between the support hole and the battery cell. The second region of the potting may be filled in the gap to waterproof the terminal exposure space from the cooling space.

[0020] The potting portion may have a first region and a second region integrally formed therewith.

[0021] The battery pack may further include a bus bar electrically connected to the terminal portion of the battery cell in the terminal exposure space, and the potting portion may be configured to surround the terminal portion of the battery cell and the bus bar in the terminal exposure space.

[0022] The terminal unit may include a positive terminal and a negative terminal, and the positive terminal and the negative terminal may be electrically connected to a positive bus bar and a negative bus bar, respectively, in the terminal exposure space. The potting unit may be provided in the terminal exposure space to surround a welding portion between the positive terminal of the battery cell and the positive bus bar and a welding portion between the negative terminal and the negative bus bar.

[0023] In addition, the potting portion may have a first region and a second region formed by applying and curing a waterproof adhesive in the terminal exposure space, and the first region and the second region may be integrally formed by applying and curing a waterproof adhesive in the terminal exposure space.

[0024] The waterproof adhesive may include an epoxy-based base agent having a first viscosity and a curing agent having a second viscosity different from the first viscosity.

[0025] The waterproof adhesive may also have a viscosity in the range of 25,000 cp to 30,000 cp.

[0026] Each battery cell may have a vent portion provided in a direction opposite to the terminal portion connected to the bus bar, and the mounting portion of the case may include a mounting groove for receiving the vent portion of the battery cell.

[0027] The battery module may also include an adhesive portion for adhering the vent portion of the battery cell to the seating groove.

[0028] The case may have a bottom portion provided with a plurality of seating grooves. Each seating groove may be provided on the inner side of the bottom portion (the surface facing the receiving space). The case may also have a plurality of vent grooves on the outer side of the bottom portion opposite the seating grooves.

[0029] Furthermore, each vent groove may be provided so that its center is coaxial with the center of each seating groove.

[0030] The case may also have a seating rib provided between the seating groove and the vent groove, and the seating rib may have a thickness thinner than a thickness of the bottom of the case.

[0031] The battery module may also include a lower frame connected to the case to surround the vent groove.

[0032] In addition, if the seating rib is damaged, the flame emitted through the vent portion of the battery cell may be transferred to the space between the vent groove and the lower frame through the damaged portion of the seating rib. [Effects of the Invention]

[0033] As seen above, the battery module according to at least one aspect of the present invention has the following effects.

[0034] By applying and curing a waterproof adhesive to the intermediate frame that separates the multiple battery cells within the case, it is possible to integrally form a waterproof structure for the terminal portions of the multiple battery cells.

[0035] Also, a gap between the support hole of the intermediate frame through which the battery cell passes and the battery cell can be sealed using a waterproof adhesive.

[0036] Furthermore, the terminal portions of the plurality of battery cells in the case and the gaps between the support holes and the battery cells can be sealed together.

[0037] Compared to a conventional method in which each battery cell is press-fitted into a case, this method seals the gaps between the terminals and support holes of the battery cells and the battery cells by applying and curing a waterproof adhesive to one surface of the intermediate frame while the battery cells are supported by the intermediate frame. In addition, by adjusting the viscosity of the waterproof adhesive and the size of the gap, the gaps between the terminals and support holes of the battery cells and the battery cells can be sealed together.

[0038] Furthermore, the assembly process of the battery module can be simplified and the waterproofing efficiency of the battery module can be improved.

[0039] It also reduces the possibility of multiple battery cells catching fire. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a battery module according to the prior art. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the battery cell shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 4 is a schematic diagram of the battery module shown in FIG. 3 with each component separated. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the function of a flame exhaust passage portion when a battery cell ignites. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] Hereinafter, a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Furthermore, regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or corresponding components will be given the same or similar reference numbers, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted. For convenience of explanation, the size and shape of each component shown may be exaggerated or reduced.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the battery module shown in FIG. 3 with each component separated.

[0044] A battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells 130 having terminal units 131. The battery cells 130 are secondary batteries and may be cylindrical, pouch, or prismatic battery cells. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the battery cells 130 will be described as cylindrical battery cells.

[0045] Each battery cell 130 may be provided with a vent portion 132 for discharging gases, flames, etc. The vent portion 132 may be formed to have a thickness thinner than that of the surrounding area of ​​the battery cell 130. In this structure, when the internal pressure of the battery cell 130 increases above a certain level, the vent portion 132 is preferentially ruptured to discharge the gases or flames from the battery cell 130.

[0046] In this specification, the Y-axis direction indicates the longitudinal direction of the battery cell, and the X-axis direction indicates the radial direction of the battery cell.

[0047] Each battery cell 130 may have a terminal portion 131 provided at one end along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) and a vent portion 132 provided at the other end. The vent portion 132 is located in the opposite direction from the terminal portion 131.

[0048] In this specification, the terminal unit 131 includes a positive terminal 131a and a negative terminal 131b, and the positive terminal 131a and the negative terminal 131b are electrically connected to a positive bus bar 161 and a negative bus bar 162, respectively. In addition, the positive terminal 131a and the negative terminal 131b are electrically connected to the positive bus bar 161 and the negative bus bar 162, respectively, at one end of the battery cell 130.

[0049] The battery cell 130 has a terminal portion 131 electrically connected to the bus bar 160 at one end along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction), and a vent portion 132 at the other end.

[0050] The battery module 100 includes a case 110 having a plurality of mounting portions 117 for mounting the respective battery cells 130 and an accommodating space 112 for accommodating the plurality of battery cells 130 .

[0051] The case 110 has a bottom 116 provided with a seat 117 , and the seat 117 is provided on an inner side 116 a of the bottom 116 .

[0052] The battery module 100 also includes an intermediate frame 150 having a plurality of support holes 151 with a diameter R1 larger than a diameter R2 of each battery cell 130. When the battery cells 130 are cylindrical battery cells, the support holes 151 may be circular or elliptical. The number of the support holes 151 may be equal to the number of the battery cells 130 arranged in the accommodating space 112. The intermediate frame 150 may have a plurality of support holes 115 in accordance with the arrangement of the plurality of battery cells 130 in the case 110.

[0053] The intermediate frame 150 is attached to the case 110 so as to divide the storage space 112 within the case 110 into a cooling space 113 in which coolant W is stored and a terminal exposure space 114 in which the terminal portions 131 of each battery cell 130 are located.

[0054] The intermediate frame 150 may have a plate shape. The intermediate frame 150 may have one surface 152 facing the terminal exposure space 114 and another surface 153 facing the cooling space 113. The other surface 153 is a surface facing the bottom 116 of the case 110.

[0055] 4 and 5, the battery module 100 includes a potting portion 170 having a first region 171 provided in the terminal exposure space 114 to surround the terminal portion 131 of the battery cell 130 and one surface 152 of the intermediate frame 150, and a second region 173 connected to the first region 171 and filled in the space (gap) between each battery cell 130 and the support hole 151.

[0056] The potting portion 170 may be provided such that the second region 173 surrounds at least a portion of the gap between the support hole 151 and the battery cell 130. Furthermore, the potting portion 170 may be provided such that the second region 173 surrounds the entire gap between the support hole 151 and the battery cell 130 along the circumferential direction of the battery cell 130.

[0057] In addition, the potting portion 170 may be integrally formed with a first region 171 and a second region 173, and the battery module 100 includes a bus bar 160 electrically connected to the terminal portion 131 of the battery cell 130 in the terminal exposure space 114.

[0058] The potting portion 170 may be provided to surround the terminal portion 131 of the battery cell 130 and the bus bar 160 in the terminal exposure space 114 .

[0059] The bus bar 160 includes a positive bus bar 161 and a negative bus bar 162, and a positive terminal 131a and a negative terminal 131b constituting the terminal unit 160 may be electrically connected to the positive bus bar 161 and the negative bus bar 162, respectively, at one end of the battery cell 130. That is, in each battery cell 130, a welding portion between the positive terminal 131a and the positive bus bar 161 and a welding portion between the negative terminal 131b and the negative bus bar 162 are located at one end of the battery cell 130, and a welding portion between the positive terminal 131a and the positive bus bar 161 and a welding portion between the negative terminal 131b and the negative bus bar 162 are located in the terminal exposed space 114. At this time, the potting portion 170 surrounds the welded portion between the positive terminal 131 a and the positive bus bar 161 and the welded portion between the negative terminal 131 b and the negative bus bar 162 .

[0060] In addition, the potting portion 170 may be formed with a first region 171 and a second region 173 by applying and curing a waterproof adhesive in the terminal exposing space 114. In addition, the potting portion 170 may be formed with the first region 171 and the second region 173 integrally.

[0061] 6 to 10 are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the function of a flame exhaust passage when a battery cell ignites.

[0062] A battery module 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells 130, each having a terminal portion 131 and a vent portion 132 on the opposite side of the terminal portion 131, and a case 110 having a plurality of mounting grooves 117 in which the vent portions 132 of each battery cell 130 are mounted, a cooling space 113 in which coolant W is accommodated, and a terminal exposure space 114 in which the terminal portions 131 of each battery cell 130 are located.

[0063] The battery module 100 may also include an intermediate frame 150 provided in the case 110 to have a plurality of support holes 151 through which the respective battery cells 130 pass and to separate the cooling space 113 from the terminal exposure space 114, and a potting portion 170 provided in the terminal exposure space 114 to surround the terminal portions 131 of the battery cells 130 and one side of the intermediate frame 150.

[0064] The case 110 has an accommodating space 112 for accommodating a plurality of battery cells 130. For example, the case 110 may have a cylindrical shape with an open top. The case 110 has an insertion opening 111 at the open top. The plurality of battery cells 130 may enter the inside of the case 110 through the insertion opening 111.

[0065] In addition, the seating portion of the case 110 may include a seating groove 117 in which the vent portion 132 of the battery cell 130 is received.

[0066] The case 110 may include one or more inlet ports 241 for introducing the cooling water W into the cooling space 113 and one or more outlet ports 243 for discharging the cooling water W from the cooling space 113 to the outside.

[0067] The accommodating space 112 may be partitioned by the intermediate frame 150 into a cooling space 113 in which coolant W is accommodated and a terminal exposure space 114 in which the terminal portions 131 of the battery cells 130 are located. As an example, the accommodating space 112 may be partitioned into the cooling space 113 and the terminal exposure space 114 along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery cells 130 arranged in the accommodating space 112. At this time, it is important to prevent the coolant W in the cooling space 113 from leaking into the terminal exposure space 114.

[0068] In addition, a step portion 115 may be formed on the inner surface of the case 110. An intermediate frame 150 may be seated on the step portion 115. The intermediate frame 150 is inserted into the receiving space 112 of the case 110 such that the frame of the intermediate frame 150 is hung on the step portion 115.

[0069] The potting part 170 may include a third region 175 provided to fill a gap between the intermediate frame 150 and the case 110. The third region 175 may serve to seal a gap between the intermediate frame 150 and the stepped portion 115 of the case 110. In addition, the potting part 170 may have a first region 171, a second region 173, and a third region 175 integrally formed therein via the waterproof adhesive.

[0070] In this manner, the first region 171 of the potting portion 170 may seal the welding portion between the positive terminal 131a and the positive bus bar 161 and the welding portion between the negative terminal 131b and the negative bus bar 162 in the battery cell 130, the second region 173 of the potting portion 170 may seal the gap between the support hole 151 and the battery cell 130, and the third region 175 of the potting portion 170 may seal the gap between the intermediate frame 150 and the step portion 115 of the case 110.

[0071] The cooling space 113 may be a space between the bottom 116 of the case 110 and the intermediate frame 150. Special insulating oil or general vehicle cooling water may be used as the cooling water W. However, if general vehicle cooling water is used as the cooling water W, a waterproofing treatment may be added to the outer surface of the battery cell 130.

[0072] The terminal exposure space 114 is a space where the terminal portion 131 of the battery cell 130 is located, and may be a space between the insertion opening 111 of the case 110 and one surface 152 of the middle frame 150 .

[0073] The intermediate frame 150 may laterally support the outer circumferential surface of the battery cell 130. The lateral direction may be a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery cell from the terminal portion 131 to the vent portion 132, and may be a radial direction (X-axis direction) of the battery cell.

[0074] Furthermore, a diameter R1 of the support hole 151 may be larger than a diameter R2 of the battery cell 130. Each battery cell 130 may pass through the support hole 151 so that a lower end (other end) of the battery cell 130 provided with a vent portion 132 is inserted into the cooling space 113, and an upper end (one end) of the battery cell 130 provided with a terminal portion 131 is positioned in the terminal exposure space 114. As an example, the diameter difference R1 to R2 may be set to 1 mm or less.

[0075] The potting portion 170 may be provided to surround the outer peripheral surface of one end of the battery cell 130 exposed to the terminal exposure space 114 from one surface 152 of the intermediate frame 150, and to integrally surround the terminal portions 131 of the plurality of battery cells 130.

[0076] In addition, the potting portion 170 may be provided to surround the gap between the support hole 151 and the battery cell 130 .

[0077] The potting portion 170 may be provided by applying and curing a waterproof adhesive from the terminal exposure space 114 to one surface of the intermediate frame 150. In addition, the potting portion 170 may be adhered to one surface 152 of the intermediate frame 150 by applying and curing the waterproof adhesive.

[0078] The waterproof adhesive may have both waterproof and adhesive properties. For example, the waterproof adhesive may be an epoxy-based hybrid structural adhesive. The waterproof adhesive may be a hybrid two-component adhesive.

[0079] The waterproof adhesive may have a viscosity ranging from 25,000 cp to 30,000 cp. The waterproof adhesive may include an epoxy-based base agent having a viscosity (first viscosity) of 24,000 cp and a curing agent having a viscosity (second viscosity) of 20,000 cp. By adjusting the viscosity of the waterproof adhesive within an appropriate range, when the waterproof adhesive is applied from the terminal exposure space 114 to the one surface 152 of the middle frame 150, the applied waterproof adhesive can flow into the gap between the support hole 151 and the battery cell 130.

[0080] In this way, the waterproof adhesive seals the gap between the support hole 151 of the intermediate frame 150 and the battery cell 130, thereby preventing leakage of the cooling water W through the gap between the support hole 151 and the battery cell 130.

[0081] Furthermore, the waterproof adhesive seals the gap between the intermediate frame 150 and the stepped portion 115 of the case 110, thereby preventing the cooling water W from leaking.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 5, a bottom 116 of the case 110 may be provided with a plurality of seating grooves 117 and a plurality of vent grooves 118, respectively.

[0083] The plurality of seating grooves 117 may seat the vent portions 132 of the respective battery cells 130. Each seating groove 117 may accommodate a partial area of ​​the other end of the battery cell 130, including the vent portion 132 of the battery cell 130. The plurality of seating grooves 117 are provided on the inner side 116a of the bottom 116. The seating grooves 117 may have a diameter larger than the diameter R2 of the battery cell 130.

[0084] A plurality of vent grooves 118 may be provided on the outer side 116b of the bottom portion 116.

[0085] Each vent groove 118 may be provided to overlap a portion of the corresponding seating groove 117. For example, each vent groove 118 may be provided so that its center is positioned on the same axis L as the center of each seating groove 117. Also, each vent groove 118 may be provided so as to be recessed toward each seating groove 117.

[0086] In this structure, when the seating groove 117 is recessed into the outer side 116b of the bottom 116 and the vent groove 118 is recessed into the inner side 116a of the bottom 116, the thickness D1 of the area between the seating groove 117 and the vent groove 118 is thinner than the thickness D2 of the bottom 116 of the case 110.

[0087] The case 110 has a seating rib 119 provided between the seating groove 117 and the vent groove 118. The seating rib 119 is disposed to face the vent portion 132 of the battery cell .

[0088] The seating rib 119 has a thickness thinner than that of the bottom 116 of the case 110. The seating rib 119 may be provided so as to be broken by the pushing force of the vent portion 132 of the ignited battery cell 130 when one of the plurality of battery cells 130 housed in the case 110 ignites.

[0089] The seating rib 119 is thinner than the thickness D2 of the bottom 116 of the case 110. The thickness D1 of the seating rib 119 may be the distance between the seating groove 117 and the vent groove 118, and the thickness D2 of the bottom 116 may be the distance between the inner side 116a of the bottom 116 and the outer side 116b of the bottom 116.

[0090] When a fire breaks out inside the battery cell 130, the vent 132 of the battery cell 130 may be damaged by the internal pressure of the battery cell 130. At this time, the flames erupting from the vent 132 of the battery cell 130 may damage the seating rib 119 on which the vent 132 is seated. The flames that are discharged to the outside of the battery cell 130 through the vent 132 may be discharged to the outside of the bottom 116 of the case 110 through the damaged portion of the seating rib 119.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 11, the battery module 100 may include a lower frame 210 connected to the case 110 to surround the vent groove 118.

[0092] Flames exhausted through the vent portion of the battery cell 130A may move to the space between the vent groove 118 and the lower frame 210. At this time, the flames may not be exhausted to the outside of the battery module 100 by the lower frame 210. In addition, the space between the vent groove 118 and the lower frame 210 may function as a flame exhaust passage portion 211.

[0093] Meanwhile, since the direction of flame discharge in the battery cell 130 is toward the bottom 116 of the case 110, the flame retardancy grade of the potting portion 170 surrounding the terminal portion 131 is not affected, and the manufacturing cost of the battery module 100 can be reduced.

[0094] A method for manufacturing the battery module 100 having the above structure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0095] A waterproof adhesive is applied to the seating groove 117 of the bottom 116 of the case 110. The waterproof adhesive applied to the seating groove 117 serves to fix the other end of the battery cell 130 and forms an adhesive joint 120 after hardening. The waterproof adhesive applied to the seating groove 117 may be an epoxy-based hybrid structural adhesive.

[0096] 7 and 8, a plurality of battery cells 130 are inserted into the case 110. At this time, each battery cell 130 is disposed such that the vent portion 132 is received in the seating groove 117 of the case 110 and the terminal portion 131 faces the insertion opening 111. When all of the battery cells 130 are inserted into the receiving space 112, the intermediate frame 150 is attached to the case 110.

[0097] 9, the bus bars 160 (positive and negative bus bars) are electrically connected to the terminal portions 131 of the battery cells 130. The bus bars 160 are well-known components, and therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] After the intermediate frame 150 is coupled to the case 110, the bus bars 160 may be welded to the terminal portions 131 of the battery cells 130, and the bus bars 160 may be electrically connected to the terminal portions 131 of the battery cells 130. In addition, the positive electrode terminal 131a and the negative electrode terminal 131b may be electrically connected to the positive electrode bus bar 161 and the negative electrode bus bar 162, respectively, at one end of the battery cells 130.

[0099] After welding of the bus bar 160 is completed, a waterproof adhesive is applied to one surface 152 of the intermediate frame 150 facing the terminal exposure space 114, and the applied waterproof adhesive is cured to form the potting portion 170. At this time, the potting portion 170 includes a first region 171, a second region 173, and a third region 175, and the respective regions 171, 173, and 175 may be integrally formed.

[0100] The waterproof adhesive is filled in the terminal exposure space 114 so that the terminal portion 131 of the battery cell 130 and the welded portion between the terminal portion 131 and the bus bar 160 are not exposed to the outside.

[0101] 3, cooling water W may be supplied to the cooling space 113 in the case 110. At this time, the cooling water W may be cooled by a cooling device (chiller) 240 installed outside the battery module 100.

[0102] In addition, the battery module 100 may include an upper frame 230 attached to the case 110 to surround the potting portion 170 .

[0103] In addition, the lower frame 210 may form a flame exhaust passage 211 in the space between each vent groove 118 .

[0104] 11, when one battery cell 130A among the plurality of battery cells 130 built in the battery module 100 catches fire, the seating rib 119 facing the ignited battery cell 130A is damaged. Flames emitted from the ignited battery cell 130A are discharged to the flame discharge passage 211 through the vent groove 118 connected to the damaged seating rib 119.

[0105] At this time, the flame discharged into the flame discharge passage portion 211 is prevented from being discharged to the outside of the battery module 100 by the lower frame 210. In addition, the flame of the ignited battery cell 130A can be prevented from being transmitted to the surrounding battery cells 130.

[0106] The above-described preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art having ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the following claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0107] According to at least one embodiment of the battery module of the present invention, a waterproof structure for the terminal portions of the multiple battery cells can be integrally formed by applying and curing a waterproof adhesive to an intermediate frame that separates the multiple battery cells within the case. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 110 cases 112 Containment Space 113 Cooling space 114 Terminal exposure space 117 Safe Place 130 battery cells 150 Intermediate Frame 151 Support hole 170 Potting section 171 First Area (Potting Section) 173 Second Area (Potting Section)

Claims

1. a plurality of battery cells each having a terminal portion; a case having a plurality of mounting portions for mounting the battery cells, and an accommodating space for accommodating the plurality of battery cells; an intermediate frame having a plurality of support holes with diameters larger than the diameters of the battery cells, the intermediate frame being attached to the case so as to partition an accommodation space within the case into a cooling space in which coolant is accommodated and a terminal exposure space in which terminal portions of the battery cells are located; a potting portion including a first region provided in the terminal exposure space to surround a terminal portion of the battery cell and one surface of the intermediate frame, and a second region connected to the first region and filled in a space between each battery cell and the support hole; Including a battery module.

2. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the potting portion is provided such that the second region surrounds at least a portion of a gap space between the support hole and the battery cell.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the first region and the second region of the potting portion are integrally formed.

4. 2. The battery module of claim 1, further comprising a bus bar electrically connected to the terminal portion of the battery cell in the terminal exposure space, wherein the potting portion is configured to surround the terminal portion of the battery cell and the bus bar in the terminal exposure space.

5. the terminal portion includes a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal, The battery module according to claim 4 , wherein the positive and negative terminals are electrically connected to a positive bus bar and a negative bus bar, respectively, in the terminal exposure space.

6. The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the potting portion is formed by applying and curing a waterproof adhesive in the terminal exposure space, so that the first region and the second region are formed.

7. 7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the waterproof adhesive is a mixture of an epoxy-based base agent having a first viscosity and a curing agent having a second viscosity different from the first viscosity.

8. The battery module according to claim 6 , wherein the waterproof adhesive has a viscosity in the range of 25,000 cp to 30,000 cp.

9. Each of the battery cells has a bent portion provided in a direction opposite to a terminal portion connected to the bus bar, The battery module according to claim 4 , wherein the mounting portion of the case includes a mounting groove that receives a vent portion of the battery cell.

10. The battery module of claim 9 , further comprising an adhesive portion for adhering the vent portion of the battery cell to the seating groove.

11. the case has a bottom portion provided with a plurality of the seating grooves, The battery module according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the case has a plurality of vent grooves on an outer side of the bottom opposite to the seating groove.

12. The battery module according to claim 11 , wherein the center of each of the vent grooves is coaxial with the center of each of the seating grooves.

13. 12. The battery module according to claim 11, wherein the case has a seating rib disposed between the seating groove and the vent groove, and the seating rib has a thickness thinner than a thickness of a bottom of the case.

14. The battery module of claim 13 , further comprising a lower frame connected to the case to surround the vent groove.

15. The battery module according to claim 14 , wherein the flame discharged through the vent portion of the battery cell is transferred to a space between the vent groove and the lower frame.

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