Battery module, battery pack including same, and automobile

Abstract

A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a cell stack including a plurality of battery cells each having an electrode lead; a bus bar frame assembly including bus bars electrically connected to the electrode leads and bus bar frames to which the bus bars are attached, the bus bar frame assembly being configured to cover one side of the cell stack; and a fire-resistant cover assembly including a fire-resistant cover configured to cover the bus bar frame assembly and a metal member coupled to at least one of the electrode leads and the bus bars.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0165173 filed on November 30, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0043131 filed on March 31, 2023, and the contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of those applications are incorporated herein in their entirety. [Background technology]

[0003] As demand for portable electronic products such as notebook PCs and smartphones surges and robots and electric vehicles are becoming more widely used, research into high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is actively underway.

[0004] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Of these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention due to their advantages over nickel-based secondary batteries, such as almost no memory effect, freedom in charging and discharging, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] Such secondary batteries mainly use lithium oxide and carbon materials as the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, each coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, are arranged with a separator sandwiched therebetween, and an exterior material, i.e., a battery case, that seals and houses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

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

[0007] Recently, secondary batteries have been widely used for driving and storing energy not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices but also in medium- to large-sized devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS). A battery module can be formed by electrically connecting a plurality of secondary batteries and storing them together inside a module case. A battery pack can be formed by connecting a plurality of such battery modules.

[0008] However, when multiple secondary batteries (battery cells) or multiple battery modules are densely packed in a small space, they can be vulnerable to thermal events. In particular, if a thermal event such as thermal runaway occurs in one battery cell, high-temperature gas, flames, heat, etc. may be generated. If such gas, flames, or heat is transferred to other battery cells or battery modules, a chain reaction such as thermal propagation (TP) may occur.

[0009] Furthermore, in the case of medium to large batteries, such as those used in electric vehicles, the risk of thermal chain reactions can be even greater because multiple battery cells and battery modules are included to increase output and / or capacity. Furthermore, if a thermal event occurring in a specific battery cell or module is not properly controlled and a chain reaction occurs, it can result in significant property damage as well as personal injury.

[0010] In light of this, ensuring TP performance is currently a major topic in the field of technology for automotive battery packs and modules. In particular, battery packs and modules that use pouch cells have difficulty in ensuring TP performance, and to resolve this issue, it is necessary not only to ensure the TP performance of the battery cells themselves, but also to develop comprehensive TP solutions for battery packs and battery modules. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a battery module having an improved structure to provide an effective TP solution, a battery pack including the same, a vehicle, etc.

[0012] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To achieve the above object, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a battery module includes: a cell stack including a plurality of battery cells each having an electrode lead; a bus bar frame assembly including bus bars electrically connected to the electrode leads and bus bar frames to which the bus bars are attached, the bus bar frame assembly being configured to cover one side of the cell stack; and a fire-resistant cover assembly including: a fire-resistant cover configured to cover the bus bar frame assembly; and a metal member coupled to at least one of the electrode leads and the bus bars.

[0014] A welded portion may be formed in an overlapping region between the metal member, the electrode lead, and the bus bar, passing through the metal member and the electrode lead and reaching the bus bar.

[0015] The metal member may be insert-bonded to the fire-resistant cover.

[0016] The metal member may be integrally formed with the refractory cover by insert injection.

[0017] The fire-resistant cover may include a first extension configured to extend from an upper end of the busbar frame in a direction toward the cell stack and to at least partially cover an upper surface of the cell stack.

[0018] The battery cell may include an electrode assembly, a cell case configured to house the electrode assembly, and the electrode lead connected to the electrode assembly and extending to the outside of the cell case.

[0019] The cell case may include a housing portion in which the electrode assembly is housed, and a sealing portion extending outward from a periphery of the housing portion.

[0020] The first extension portion may extend to cover a region of the sealing portion that corresponds to a terrace portion located in a direction in which the electrode lead is drawn out.

[0021] The battery module may include a thermal barrier interposed between the fire-resistant cover assembly and the bus bar frame assembly.

[0022] The thermal barrier may include silicone.

[0023] The thermal barrier may include a barrier hole configured to receive the metal member.

[0024] The metal member may have a thickness corresponding to the sum of the thickness of the refractory cover and the thickness of the thermal barrier.

[0025] The battery module may include a module housing configured to accommodate the cell stack and having an opening formed in a direction in which the electrode leads are drawn out.

[0026] The bus bar frame assembly may be configured to cover the opening.

[0027] The module housing may include a vent portion formed on a surface facing the lower surface of the cell stack.

[0028] In order to achieve the above object, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery module according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above.

[0029] In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heat propagation suppression performance of the battery module is improved.

[0031] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the fastening structure of the fire-resistant cover attached to the front surface of the bus bar frame can be made more solid.

[0032] Yet another embodiment of the present invention allows for directional venting, thereby reducing the risk of venting occurring at unexpected points.

[0033] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the process of fixing the fire-resistant cover and the process of electrically connecting the battery cells are performed simultaneously, thereby improving assembly efficiency and productivity.

[0034] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a separate fixing structure for fixing the fire-resistant cover, and it is not necessary to apply fastening members such as screws and bolts.

[0035] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery module having improved safety against thermal events and a device to which the same is applied. In particular, when the battery module according to the present invention is applied to a vehicle, the safety of passengers can be more effectively ensured.

[0036] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other effects of the present invention not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention.

[0037] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical concept of the present invention, so the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing a structure in which the fire-resistant cover assembly of the present invention is connected to an electrode lead and bus bar combination. [Figure 3] This figure shows a structure in which, unlike that shown in FIG. 2, welds are formed by penetrating the metal member, electrode lead, and bus bar in the overlapping regions of the metal member, electrode lead, and bus bar. [Figure 4] 10 is a view showing a structure in which an extension portion is provided in the fire-resistant cover assembly of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a structure in which an extension provided in the fire-resistant cover assembly of the present invention covers an area corresponding to a terrace portion of a battery cell. [Figure 6] 1A-1C illustrate exemplary configurations of battery cells of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 shows a structure in which a thermal barrier is further applied to the fire-resistant cover assembly. [Figure 8] 8 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between metal members, thermal barriers, electrode leads, and bus bars in the battery module shown in FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a module housing and an end plate applied to the battery module of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a structure in which a vent portion is provided in a module housing of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a structure in which vent portions provided in a module housing of the present invention are formed in areas corresponding to terrace portions of battery cells. [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 shows a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical concept of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concept of terms in order to best explain the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention, and therefore, various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a cell stack 100, a bus bar frame assembly 200, and a fire-resistant cover assembly 300.

[0041] The cell stack 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 110 each having an electrode lead 111. The battery cells 110 may be, for example, pouch-type battery cells. The cell stack 100 may include a pad 120 interposed between adjacent battery cells 110. The pad 120 may be configured to absorb volumetric expansion due to swelling of the battery cells 110. In consideration of this function, the pad 120 may include an elastic material. The pad 120 may include a fire-resistant material. The pad 120 may include a material with low thermal conductivity, thereby functioning as a thermal barrier that delays heat transfer between adjacent battery cells 110. The pad 120 may have an area corresponding to the battery cell 110.

[0042] The bus bar frame assembly 200 may include a bus bar 220 electrically connected to the electrode lead 111 and a bus bar frame 210 to which the bus bar 220 is attached. The bus bar frame assembly 200 may be configured to cover one side of the cell stack 100. The bus bar frame 210 may be configured to cover one side of the cell stack 100. The bus bar frame 210 may include a non-conductive material.

[0043] When the battery module 10 of the present invention includes the pad 120, the bus bar frame 210 may include a pad inserting portion configured to receive an end portion of the pad 120 in the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) thereof. In this case, the pad 120 may be configured to cover the end portion of the battery cell 110 in the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis), thereby enabling the pad 120 to effectively block heat transfer between a pair of adjacent battery cells 110.

[0044] A plurality of bus bars 220 may be provided depending on the number of battery cells 110 to be electrically connected. The bus bars 220 may be located on opposite sides of the cell stack 100 across the bus bar frame 210. The electrode leads 111 may be coupled to the bus bars 220 by passing through slits formed in the bus bar frame 210. For example, a pair of electrode leads 111 provided on each of a pair of adjacent battery cells 110 may be coupled to one bus bar 220, thereby electrically connecting the pair of adjacent battery cells 110.

[0045] A pair of bus bar frame assemblies 200 may be provided. In this case, each of the pair of bus bar frame assemblies 200 may be configured to cover one side and the other side of the cell stack 100. At least one of the pair of bus bar frame assemblies 200 may include a terminal 230. A pair of terminals 230 may be provided. Depending on the electrical connection method of the plurality of battery cells 110 constituting the battery module 10 of the present invention, the pair of terminals 230 may be provided on one bus bar frame assembly 200, or one may be provided on each of the pair of bus bar frame assemblies 200. The terminal 230 may be electrically coupled to, for example, the electrode lead 111 of the battery cell 110 arranged at the outermost position among the plurality of battery cells 110 constituting the cell stack 100. The terminal 230 may be directly coupled to the bus bar frame 210, or alternatively, may be coupled to a bus bar 220 coupled to the bus bar frame 210.

[0046] The fire-resistant cover assembly 300 may include a fire-resistant cover 310 and a metal member 320. The fire-resistant cover 310 may be configured to cover the bus bar frame assembly 200. When the bus bar frame assemblies 200 are provided in pairs, the fire-resistant cover assemblies 300 may also be provided in pairs. The fire-resistant cover 310 may be configured to protect and support the bus bar frame 210 in a high-temperature environment caused by a thermal event. The fire-resistant cover 310 may be configured to have a higher melting point than the bus bar frame 210. The fire-resistant cover 310 may include, for example, a fire-resistant resin. The fire-resistant cover 310 may have an area equal to or larger than that of the opposing bus bar frame 210, thereby preventing the bus bar frame 210 from being exposed to the outside of the fire-resistant cover 310.

[0047] The metal member 320 may be bonded to the fire-resistant cover 310. The metal member 320 may be insert-bonded to the fire-resistant cover. The metal member 320 may be integrally formed with the fire-resistant cover 310 by insert injection. The metal member 320 may include a conductive metal. The metal member 320 may include, for example, aluminum. A plurality of the metal members 320 may be provided.

[0048] 1 and 2, the metal member 320 may be coupled to at least one of the electrode lead 111 and the bus bar 220. The metal member 320 may be coupled to the external terminal 230. In this case, the metal member 320 may be coupled to a combination of the bus bar 220 and the electrode lead 111 that has been previously formed by welding, or to a combination of the external terminal 230 and the electrode lead 111 that has been previously formed by welding, by further welding.

[0049] 3, instead, a weld W may be formed in the overlapping region of the metal member 320, the electrode lead 111, and the bus bar 220 (or the terminal 230) that penetrates the metal member 320 and the electrode lead 111 and reaches the bus bar 220 (or the terminal 230). With this structure, a single welding process for joining the bus bar 220 (or the terminal 230), the electrode lead 111, and the metal member 320 may both electrically connect the components and secure the fire-resistant cover assembly 300.

[0050] Although the drawings of the present invention only show the case where the metal member 320 is exposed to the outside from the outer surface of the fire-resistant cover 310, the present invention is not limited thereto. The metal member 320 may be configured to be exposed only from the surface of the fire-resistant cover 310 that faces the bus bar frame assembly 200. In this case, there is no risk of unnecessary electrical connection occurring on the outer surface of the fire-resistant cover 310, i.e., the surface opposite to the surface facing the bus bar frame assembly 200.

[0051] As described above, the battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the fire-resistant cover assembly 300 configured to cover the bus bar frame assembly 200, thereby preventing or delaying structural collapse of the bus bar frame 210 in a high-temperature environment due to a thermal event, etc. In another aspect, the battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the metal member 320 provided in the fire-resistant cover assembly 300 is coupled to a component including a metal component provided in the bus bar frame assembly 200, thereby preventing the transfer of high-temperature gas and / or flame from the cell stack 100 to the outside or from the outside to the cell stack 100 even after the bus bar frame 210 is damaged.

[0052] 4 and 5, a battery module 10 is shown that further includes additional elements compared to the battery modules according to the previously described embodiments. The battery module 10 differs from the battery modules according to the previously described embodiments in the structure of the fire-resistant cover 310.

[0053] In the battery module 10, the fire-resistant cover 310 may include a first extension 311. The first extension 311 may extend from an upper end of the bus bar frame 210 toward the cell stack 100 and may be configured to at least partially cover an upper surface (a surface parallel to the XY plane) of the cell stack 100. When the first extension 311 is provided, it is possible to prevent or suppress vent gas generated at one end of the battery cell 110 in its longitudinal direction (a direction parallel to the X-axis) from escaping upwards in the cell stack 100.

[0054] The first extension portion 311 may extend over the entire area of ​​the sealing portion 12b of the battery cell 110 so that the terrace portion T (see FIG. 5), which is the area located in the direction in which the electrode lead 111 is drawn out, is not exposed above the cell stack 100.

[0055] 6 in addition to FIGS. 4 and 5, the battery cell 110 may include an electrode assembly (not shown), a cell casing 112 configured to house the electrode assembly, and an electrode lead 111 connected to the electrode assembly and configured to be extended to the outside of the cell casing 112. The battery cell 110 may include a lead film 113 that partially surrounds the electrode lead 111 and is interposed between the sealing region of the electrode lead 111 and the cell casing 112. The battery cell 110 may be a pouch-type battery cell as described above. A pair of electrode leads 111 may be provided, and in this case, the pair of electrode leads 111 may be extended from the cell casing 112 in opposite directions as shown in the drawings of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the pair of electrode leads 111 may also be extended in the same direction.

[0056] When a pair of electrode leads 111 are extended in the same direction, one bus bar frame assembly 200 may be provided. When a pair of electrode leads 111 are extended in opposite directions, a pair of bus bar frame assemblies 200 may be provided.

[0057] The cell casing 112 may include a housing portion 112a configured to house an electrode assembly, and a sealing portion 112b extending outward from the periphery of the housing portion 112a. Within the entire area of ​​the sealing portion 112b, the area located in the direction in which the electrode lead 111 is drawn out may be defined as the terrace portion T, as described above. When the shape of the cell casing 112 in plan view is approximately rectangular as shown in the drawings of the present invention, for example, the entire area from one end of one side of the sealing portion 112b formed on the periphery of the cell casing 112 to the other end may be referred to as the terrace portion T.

[0058] Because the terrace portion T is the region through which the electrode lead 111 is drawn out, the structure of the joint between the upper case and the lower case constituting the cell case 112 may be curved rather than flat like the remaining sealing region. Due to this structural characteristic, the terrace portion T may be broken earlier than the remaining sealing portion 112b when the internal pressure of the battery cell 110 increases. Furthermore, in a pouch-type battery cell 110, a gas collection space where gas generated inside the battery cell 110 collects may exist between the terrace portion T and the electrode assembly (not shown). As a result, venting may occur preferentially in the terrace portion T due to the pressure of the gas collected in the gas collection space. When vent gas is discharged from the terrace portion T, the first extension portion 311 can prevent the vent gas from moving upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis) of the battery module 10, thereby inducing directional venting.

[0059] The first extension 311 may be in close contact with the upper end of the cell stack 100. In the battery cell 110, the sealing portion 112b located on the side of the sealing portion 112b of the cell case 112, i.e., the sealing portions 112b located at both ends in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z axis) of the cell stack 100, may be folded toward the receiving portion 112a. The first extension 311 may be configured to be in close contact with the folded sealing portion 112b.

[0060] As described above, when the cell stack 100 of the present invention includes the pad 120, the height (length along the Z-axis direction) of the pad 120 may correspond to the height of the cell stack 100. In this case, the first extension 311 may be configured to be in close contact with the upper ends of each of the battery cells 110 and the pad 120 that constitute the cell stack 100.

[0061] As described above, the first extension portion 311 is configured to be in close contact with the upper end of the cell stack 100, thereby more reliably preventing the vent gas discharged from the terrace portion T from leaking upward in the cell stack 100. This maximizes the directional venting effect.

[0062] Meanwhile, the fire-resistant cover 310 may include a first receiving portion 310a configured to receive the terminal 230. When the battery module 10 of the present invention includes the terminal 230, a hole through which the terminal 230 can pass may be formed in the fire-resistant cover 310 depending on the extension direction and / or extension length of the terminal 230. The first receiving portion 310a may be a hole having a shape corresponding to the terminal 230. One or two first receiving portions 310a may be provided depending on the number of terminals 230. The first receiving portion 310a may be formed in the first extension portion 311 or in a region other than the first extension portion 311 depending on the extension direction and / or extension length of the terminal 230.

[0063] When the fire-resistant cover 310 includes the first receiving portion 310a, the fire-resistant cover assembly 300 can be connected to the combined body of the cell stack 100 and the bus bar frame assembly 200 by the terminal 230 including a metal material. Therefore, even if the bus bar frame 210 is damaged in a high-temperature environment, the position of the fire-resistant cover assembly 300 can be maintained. Furthermore, when the first receiving portion 310a is provided, a process of aligning the positions of the objects to be welded can be facilitated in the process of welding the metal member 320 to the electrode lead 111 and / or the bus bar 220, thereby improving productivity and quality.

[0064] 7, a battery module 10 further including a thermal barrier 400 compared to the above-described embodiment is shown. The battery module 10 may include the thermal barrier 400 interposed between the fire-resistant cover assembly 300 and the bus bar frame assembly 200. The thermal barrier 400 may be configured to minimize heat transfer between the cell stack 100 and the battery module 10 in a high-temperature environment due to a thermal event. The thermal barrier 400 may include, for example, silicone. When the bus bar frame assemblies 200 are provided in pairs, the thermal barriers 400 may also be provided in pairs.

[0065] The thermal barrier 400 may include a second extension 410. The second extension 410 may extend from an upper end of the bus bar frame 210 toward the cell stack 100 and may be configured to at least partially cover an upper surface (a surface parallel to the XY plane) of the cell stack 100. When the second extension 410 is provided, it may be possible to prevent or suppress vent gas generated at one end of the battery cell 110 in its longitudinal direction (a direction parallel to the X axis) from escaping upward in the cell stack 100.

[0066] The second extension portion 410 may extend so as to prevent a terrace portion T (see FIG. 5), which is a region located in a direction in which the electrode lead 111 is drawn out over the entire region of the sealing portion 112b of the battery cell 110, from being exposed above the cell stack 100. When vent gas is discharged from the terrace portion T, the second extension portion 410 may prevent the vent gas from moving upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis) of the battery module 10, thereby inducing directional venting.

[0067] The second extension 410 may be in close contact with the upper end of the cell stack 100. In the battery cell 110, the sealing portions 112b located on the sides of the sealing portion 112b of the cell case 112, i.e., the sealing portions 112b located at both ends in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z axis) of the cell stack 100, may be folded toward the receiving portion 112a. The second extension 410 may be configured to be in close contact with the folded sealing portions 112b.

[0068] As described above, when the cell stack 100 of the present invention includes the pad 120, the height (length along the Z-axis direction) of the pad 120 may correspond to the height of the cell stack 100. In this case, the second extension 410 may be configured to be in close contact with the upper ends of each of the battery cells 110 and the pad 120 that constitute the cell stack 100.

[0069] As described above, the second extension portion 410 is configured to be in close contact with the upper end of the cell stack 100, thereby more reliably preventing the vent gas discharged from the terrace portion T from leaking upward in the cell stack 100. This maximizes the directional venting effect.

[0070] Meanwhile, in the battery module 10 of the present invention, when both the first extension 311 of the fire-resistant cover 310 and the second extension 410 of the thermal barrier 400 are provided, the first extension 311 may be configured to at least partially cover the second extension 410. When the first extension 311 and the second extension 410 overlap in this manner, the upward movement of vent gas in the cell stack 100 can be more reliably prevented.

[0071] The thermal barrier 400 may include a second receiving portion 400a configured to receive the terminal 230. When the battery module 10 of the present invention includes the terminal 230, a hole through which the terminal 230 can pass may be formed in the thermal barrier 400 depending on the extension direction and / or extension length of the terminal 230. One or two second receiving portions 400a may be provided depending on the number of terminals 230. The second receiving portion 400a may be formed in the second extension portion 410 depending on the extension direction and / or extension length of the terminal 230, or may be formed in a region other than the second extension portion 410.

[0072] 7 and 8, the thermal barrier 400 may have barrier holes 400b into which the metal members 320 of the fire-resistant cover assembly 300 are inserted. The number of the barrier holes 400b may correspond to the number of the metal members 320. The barrier holes 400b may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the metal members 320. The metal members 320 of the fire-resistant cover assembly 300 may pass through the barrier holes 400b of the thermal barrier 400 to be coupled to the electrode leads 111 and / or the bus bars 220. The metal members 320 may have a thickness corresponding to the sum of the thicknesses of the fire-resistant cover 310 and the thermal barrier 400. In this case, when the metal members 320 are coupled to the electrode leads 111 and / or the bus bars 220, the fire-resistant cover assembly 300, the thermal barrier 400, and the electrode leads 111 (or the bus bars 220) are in close contact with each other, thereby preventing the occurrence of dead spaces.

[0073] As described above, thermal propagation can be more effectively restricted when the battery module 10 of the present invention includes both the fire-resistant cover assembly 300 and the thermal barrier 400. In addition, the close contact structure between the fire-resistant cover 310 and the thermal barrier 400 can minimize a reduction in energy density due to the addition of additional components.

[0074] Next, referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a module housing 500 and an end plate 600 provided in the battery module 10 of the present invention.

[0075] The module housing 500 may be configured to accommodate the cell stack 100 or a combination of the cell stack 100 and the bus bar frame assembly 200. The module housing 500 may have an opening formed in a direction in which the electrode leads 111 are drawn out. Such an opening may be provided on one or both sides of the module housing 500 in the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis). The bus bar frame assembly 200 may be configured to cover the opening of the module housing 500. Although the drawings of the present invention only show the module housing 500 composed of two parts, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the module housing 500 may be a one-piece housing having an opening.

[0076] 10 together with FIG. 9 , the module housing 500 may include a vent portion 510 formed on a surface facing the lower surface (a surface parallel to the XY plane) of the cell stack 100. The vent portion 510 may be formed, for example, by partially reducing the thickness of a plate constituting the module housing 500. However, the structure of the vent portion 510 is not limited thereto, and the vent portion 510 may be formed by applying a material to the module housing 500 that is weaker than the surrounding area. Alternatively, the vent portion 510 may be a valve that penetrates the module housing 500 and is configured to release internal pressure when the internal pressure exceeds a critical pressure. The valve may be a one-way valve that can be opened only from the inside to the outside of the battery module 10. One or more vent portions 510 may be provided.

[0077] 11, the vent portion 510 may be provided at a position corresponding to the terrace portion T of the battery cell 110. When the fire-resistant cover 310 of the present invention is configured to cover an area corresponding to the terrace portion T on the upper side of the cell stack 100 and the vent portion 510 is provided at a position corresponding to the terrace portion T on the lower surface of the module housing 500, the directional venting effect can be increased. In addition, the speed of gas discharge can also be improved.

[0078] 9 , the end plate 600 may be configured to cover an opening of the module housing 500 when the combined assembly including the cell stack 100, the bus bar frame assembly 200, and the fire-resistant cover assembly 300 is housed in the module housing 500. The number of end plates 600 may correspond to the number of openings provided in the module housing 500.

[0079] 12, a battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery pack 1 may include a pack housing 20 configured to house the battery module 10. However, the battery pack 1 of the present invention is not limited thereto. The battery pack 1 may include a plurality of battery modules 10. In this case, the plurality of battery modules 10 may be electrically connected to each other.

[0080] 13, a vehicle V according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle V may be configured to operate by receiving power from the battery pack 1. The vehicle V may be, for example, an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).

[0081] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited examples and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is of course possible for a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] V Automobile 1 battery pack 20 pack housing 10 Battery Module 110 battery cells 111 Electrode lead 112 Cell Case 112a Storage section 112b Sealing part T Terrace section 113 Lead Film 120 pads 200 Busbar Frame Assembly 210 Busbar Frame 220 Busbar 230 terminal 300 Fire Resistant Cover Assembly 310 Fireproof Cover 310a First storage section 311 Extension 320 Metallic parts W welded section 400 Thermal Barrier 410 Second extension 400a Second storage section 400b Barrier Hole 500 Module Housing 510 Vent 600 End Plate

Claims

1. a cell stack including a plurality of battery cells each having an electrode lead; a bus bar frame assembly including a bus bar electrically connected to the electrode lead and a bus bar frame to which the bus bar is attached, the bus bar frame assembly being configured to cover one side of the cell stack; a fire-resistant cover assembly including: a fire-resistant cover configured to cover the bus bar frame assembly; and a metal member coupled to at least one of the electrode leads and the bus bars; Including a battery module.

2. 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a welded portion is formed in an overlapping region between the metal member, the electrode lead, and the bus bar, the welded portion penetrating the metal member and the electrode lead and reaching the bus bar.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the metal member is insert-bonded to the fire-resistant cover.

4. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the metal member is integrally formed with the fire-resistant cover by insert injection.

5. The fire-resistant cover is 2. The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising a first extension portion configured to extend from an upper end of the bus bar frame toward the cell stack and to at least partially cover an upper surface of the cell stack.

6. the battery cell includes an electrode assembly, a cell case that houses the electrode assembly, and the electrode lead that is connected to the electrode assembly and extends to the outside of the cell case, The battery module according to claim 5 , wherein the cell case includes a receiving portion in which the electrode assembly is received, and a sealing portion extending outward from a periphery of the receiving portion.

7. The first extension portion is The battery module according to claim 6 , wherein the sealing portion extends to cover an area corresponding to a terrace portion, the terrace portion being an area in a direction in which the electrode leads are drawn out.

8. The battery module includes: The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising a thermal barrier interposed between the fire-resistant cover assembly and the bus bar frame assembly.

9. The battery module of claim 8 , wherein the thermal barrier comprises silicone.

10. The thermal barrier is The battery module according to claim 8 , further comprising a barrier hole configured to receive the metal member.

11. The battery module according to claim 10, wherein the metal member has a thickness corresponding to the sum of the thickness of the fire-resistant cover and the thickness of the thermal barrier.

12. The battery module includes: The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising: a module housing configured to accommodate the cell stack and having an opening formed in a direction in which the electrode leads are drawn out.

13. The bus bar frame assembly includes: The battery module according to claim 12 , configured to cover the opening.

14. the fire-resistant cover includes a first extension portion configured to extend from an upper end of the bus bar frame in a direction toward the cell stack and to at least partially cover an upper surface of the cell stack; The battery module according to claim 13 , wherein the module housing includes a vent portion formed on a surface facing the lower surface of the cell stack.

15. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A motor vehicle comprising the battery pack of claim 15.

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