Battery module with improved cooling performance and battery pack including the same

Abstract

A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a module case for accommodating the battery cell stack, and a first thermally conductive resin layer disposed inside the module case on an upper side of the battery cell stack.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] 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 performance and a battery pack including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, which cannot be recharged, secondary batteries are batteries that can be charged and discharged. They are used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which are powered by electrical sources.

[0003] Currently widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such unit secondary battery cells, i.e., unit battery cells, is approximately 2.5V to 4.6V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack is constructed by connecting multiple battery cells in series. Alternatively, a battery pack may be constructed by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel depending on the required charge / discharge capacity of the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be variously set depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0004] When a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series / parallel, a common method is to first construct a battery module including at least one battery cell, preferably a plurality of battery cells, and then use at least one such battery module to construct the battery pack by adding other components. Here, the battery module refers to a component in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series or parallel, and the battery pack refers to a component in which a plurality of battery modules are connected in series or parallel to increase capacity, output, etc.

[0005] The battery module constituting such a secondary battery generates heat when it is charged or discharged, and therefore the battery module needs to be cooled. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module with improved cooling performance and a battery pack including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a module case for accommodating the battery cell stack, and a first thermally conductive resin layer disposed inside the module case on an upper side of the battery cell stack.

[0008] The module case also includes a lower plate and an upper plate spaced apart from the lower plate.

[0009] The battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes two block pads spaced apart from each other and disposed below the upper plate.

[0010] The first thermally conductive resin is located between the two block pads.

[0011] The upper plate also includes one or more injection holes for injecting the thermally conductive resin.

[0012] The block pad is also compressible.

[0013] The block pad is a foam pad.

[0014] The opposite ends of the block pad are disposed on both side edges of the upper plate.

[0015] The device further includes a film disposed between the upper plate and the block pad.

[0016] The upper plate has an edge portion with one or more welded sections and one or more non-welded sections arranged along its length.

[0017] In addition, the end of the block pad is disposed in the non-welded section of the upper plate.

[0018] The non-welded sections are disposed between the welded sections.

[0019] In addition, one or more welded sections and one or more non-welded sections are arranged along the length of each of the two side edges of the upper plate, and both ends of the block pad are respectively arranged in the non-welded sections of the upper plate.

[0020] The module case also includes an upper plate assembly, which includes an upper plate disposed above the battery cell stack and two block pads disposed below the upper plate and spaced apart from each other.

[0021] The module case further includes a second thermally conductive resin layer disposed below the battery cell stack inside the module case.

[0022] The module case also includes a lower plate and an upper plate spaced apart above the lower plate, and the second thermally conductive resin layer is disposed on the lower plate.

[0023] The battery pack may further include a bus bar frame disposed on one side of the battery cell stack, and an insulating cover disposed on the outside of the bus bar frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, a battery module with improved cooling performance and a battery pack including the same are provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a terminal bus bar according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insulating cover and an end plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B illustrate a U-shaped frame and battery cell stack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a view showing a state in which an upper plate is separated from a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the top plate assembly of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partial detailed view of the upper plate assembly shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the injection of thermally conductive resin into a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a side view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1 is a perspective view of a car equipped with a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The advantages and features of the present invention, as well as methods for achieving the same, will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be embodied in various different forms. However, these embodiments are provided to fully disclose the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention is defined only by the claims. Therefore, in some embodiments, well-known process steps, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques will not be described in detail to avoid ambiguity. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the specification.

[0027] In the drawings, thicknesses of various layers and regions may be exaggerated to clearly show them. Similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the specification. When a layer, film, region, plate, or other part is said to be "on" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly on" the other part, but also the case where there are other parts between them. Conversely, when a part is said to be "directly on" another part, it means that there are no other parts between them. Furthermore, when a part is said to be "under" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly under" the other part, but also the case where there are other parts between them. Conversely, when a part is said to be "directly under" the other part, it means that there are no other parts between them.

[0028] A battery module 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a terminal bus bar according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insulating cover and an end plate according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a U-shaped frame and a battery cell stack according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which a top plate has been separated from a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a top plate assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a partial detailed view of the top plate assembly shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the injection of thermally conductive resin into a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a side view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] A battery module 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery cell stack 100 in which a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked, a module case 200 that houses the battery cell stack 100, a bus bar frame 300 positioned on one side and / or the other side of the battery cell stack 100, an insulating cover 500 disposed on the outside of the bus bar frame 300, and an end plate 400 disposed on the outside of the insulating cover 500.

[0031] The battery cell stack 100 is formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 110 in one direction, and the plurality of battery cells 110 may be electrically connected. The direction in which the plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked may be the X-axis direction (or the −X-axis direction) in FIG. 2 .

[0032] The direction from the front surface to the rear surface of the battery cell stack 100 or the opposite direction may be defined as the length direction of the battery cell stack 100, which may be the Y-axis direction in the drawing. Furthermore, the direction from the top surface to the bottom surface of the battery cell stack 100 or the opposite direction may be defined as the width direction of the battery cell stack 100, which may be the Z-axis direction in the drawing.

[0033] The length direction of the battery cell stack 100 may be substantially the same as the length direction of the battery cells 110. The electrode leads 111, 112 of the battery cells 110 may be located on the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100, and the bus bars 310, 320 of the battery module 1000 may be disposed near the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 so as to easily form electrical connections with the electrode leads 111, 112.

[0034] The battery cells 110 may be provided as pouch-type battery cells, which can maximize the number of stacked cells per unit area. However, the battery cells 110 do not necessarily have to be provided as pouch-type cells, and may also be provided as prismatic, cylindrical, or other various shapes.

[0035] The battery cell 110 provided in a pouch form can include an electrode assembly and a cell case 115 that houses the electrode assembly (see FIG. 3).

[0036] The cell case 115 of the battery cell 110 is for housing the electrode assembly and may be a pouch-type cell case 115. The cell case 115 includes a lower case and an upper case covering the lower case, and the upper and lower cases may be integrated. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the cell case 115 may have a foldable structure in which the connecting portion between the upper and lower cases is folded. As shown in the figure, the upper case may completely cover the lower case, and a sealing portion 114 may be formed around the periphery.

[0037] Both the upper and lower cases may have a laminate structure including an inner coating layer, a metal layer, and an outer coating layer. The inner coating layer is located inside the cell case 115 relative to the metal layer and is in direct contact with the electrode assembly, so it must have insulating and electrolytic resistance. Furthermore, the sealing properties, i.e., the sealing portion where the inner layers are thermally bonded together, must have excellent thermal adhesive strength to seal against the outside. The metal layer is located between the inner and outer coating layers and serves as a barrier layer to prevent moisture and various gases from penetrating into the battery from the outside. A preferred material for the metal layer in contact with the inner coating layer is an aluminum (Al) thin film, which is lightweight yet highly formable. The outer coating layer is located outside the cell case 115 relative to the metal layer. This outer coating layer can be made of a heat-resistant polymer with excellent tensile strength, moisture-proof properties, and air-proof properties to protect the electrode assembly while ensuring heat and chemical resistance. For example, nylon or polyethylene terephthalate can be used.

[0038] The upper case and the lower case may each have a receiving groove 116 formed therein, and the electrode assembly may be received in the receiving groove 116 of the upper case and the lower case.

[0039] The electrode assembly accommodated in the cell case 115 may be one selected from the group consisting of a jelly-roll type electrode assembly in which a separator is interposed between long sheet-shaped positive and negative electrodes and then wound up; a stack type electrode assembly consisting of unit cells in which rectangular positive and negative electrodes are stacked with a separator between them; a stack folding type electrode assembly in which unit cells are wound up with a long separator film; and a lamination stack type electrode assembly in which unit cells are stacked with a separator between them and attached to each other.

[0040] The electrode assembly may also include two electrode tabs and two electrode leads 111 and 112 connected to the electrode tabs via welding, respectively.

[0041] One of the two electrode leads 111, 112 may be a positive electrode lead connected to a positive electrode tab, and the other electrode lead 111, 112 may be a negative electrode lead connected to a negative electrode tab.

[0042] A lead film 113 may be attached to each of the electrode leads 111 and 112. The lead film 113 attached to the electrode leads 111 and 112 is located between the electrode leads 111 and 112 and the cell case 115, and prevents short circuits from occurring between the electrode leads 111 and 112 and the cell case 115, and improves sealing strength to prevent leakage of electrolyte.

[0043] Although the two electrode leads 111, 112 are shown as being located on opposite sides of the electrode assembly, they may be located on only one side of the electrode assembly depending on the placement of the electrode tabs.

[0044] The module case 200 is intended to protect the battery cell stack 100 and the electrical components connected thereto from external physical impacts, and the module case 200 can accommodate the battery cell stack 100 and the electrical components connected thereto in its internal space.

[0045] The module case 200 may have various structures. For example, the module case 200 may have a mono-frame structure. Here, the mono-frame may be formed of a metal plate having an integrated top, bottom, and both side surfaces. The mono-frame may be manufactured by extrusion molding. As another example, the module case 200 may have a structure in which a U-shaped frame 210 and a top plate 201 are coupled together. In the case of a structure in which the U-shaped frame 210 and the top plate 201 are coupled together, the module case 200 may be formed by coupling the top plate 201 to the top of the U-shaped frame 210 (see FIG. 6 ), which is a metal plate having a combined or integrated bottom plate 202 and both side surfaces 203, and each frame or plate may be manufactured by press molding. In addition to the mono-frame or U-shaped frame 210, the module case 200 may also have an L-shaped frame structure, or various other structures not described in the above examples.

[0046] The module case 200 may be provided with an open structure along the length of the battery cell stack 100. The front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 may not be blocked by the module case 200. The electrode leads 111, 112 of the battery cells 110 may not be blocked by the module case 200. The front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 may be blocked by a bus bar frame 300, an end plate 400, or bus bars 310, 320, which will be described later, thereby protecting the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 100 from external physical impacts, etc.

[0047] A compression pad 150 may be disposed between the battery cell stack 100 and one side of the inner surface of the module case 200 .

[0048] The compression pad 150 may be disposed in the battery cell stack 100 so as to face the outermost battery cell 110 of the battery cell stack 100 in the X-axis direction on the drawing.

[0049] Furthermore, a thermally conductive resin may be injected between the battery cell stack 100 and the inner surface of the module case 200, and the injected thermally conductive resin may form a thermally conductive resin layer 610, 620 between the battery cell stack 100 and one of the inner surfaces of the module case 200. Here, the thermally conductive resin layers 610, 620 may be located on the Z-axis of the battery cell stack 100, and may be formed between the battery cell stack 100 and the lower plate 202 located on the -Z-axis of the module case 200. The thermally conductive resin layers 610, 620 will be described later.

[0050] The bus bar frame 300 is positioned on one side of the battery cell stack 100 to cover that side and guide the connection between the battery cell stack 100 and an external device. Specifically, the bus bar frame 300 may be positioned on the front or rear side of the battery cell stack 100 as shown in the figure, or on the top, bottom, or side. At least one of bus bars 310, 320 and a module connector may be attached to the bus bar frame 300. As shown in FIG. 3 , one side of the bus bar frame 300 may be connected to one or the other side of the battery cell stack 100, and the other side of the bus bar frame 300 may be connected to the bus bars 310, 320.

[0051] The bus bar frame 300 may include an electrically insulating material. The bus bar frame 300 can limit contact between the bus bars 310, 320 and other parts of the battery cell 110 other than the parts joined to the electrode leads 111, 112, thereby preventing an electrical short circuit from occurring.

[0052] The bus bar frames 300 may be located on one side and the other side of the battery cell stack 100, respectively.

[0053] The bus bars 310, 320 may be attached to one surface of the bus bar frame 300 and may be used to electrically connect the battery cell stack 100 or the battery cells 110 to an external device circuit. A plurality of bus bars 310, 320 may be arranged, and by being positioned between the battery cell stack 100 or the bus bar frame 300 and the end plate 400, they can be protected from external impacts and minimize deterioration in durability due to external moisture, etc.

[0054] The bus bars 310 , 320 may be electrically connected to the battery cell stack 100 via the electrode leads 111 , 112 of the battery cells 110 .

[0055] Specifically, the electrode leads 111, 112 of the battery cells 110 may pass through lead slits formed in the bus bar frame 300 and then bend to be connected to the bus bars 310, 320. The bus bars 310, 320 can connect the battery cells 110 that make up the battery cell stack 100 in series or in parallel.

[0056] The bus bars 310, 320 may include a terminal bus bar 320 for electrically connecting one battery module 100 to another battery module 100. To connect to another battery module 100, at least a portion of the terminal bus bar 320 is exposed to the outside of the end plate 400, and the end plate 400 may have a terminal opening 410 for this purpose.

[0057] One end (second portion 322 ) of terminal bus bar 320 may be exposed through opening 510 in insulating cover 500 and terminal opening 410 in end plate 400 .

[0058] 4, the terminal bus bar 320 may include a first portion 321 connected to the electrode leads 111 and 112 of the battery cell 110 and a second portion 322 exposed to the outside through the terminal opening 410. The terminal bus bar 320 may further include a bending portion 323 formed between the first portion 321 and the second portion 322.

[0059] In terminal bus bar 320, first portion 321 is connected to second portion 322 via bent portion 323, and one surface of first portion 321 and one surface of second portion 322 may be perpendicular to each other. That is, by forming bent portion 323 in terminal bus bar 320, second portion 322 may protrude and seat on seat portion 530 of insulating cover 500, and second portion 322 may be electrically connected to an inter-bus bar (not shown). Second portion 322 constituting one end of terminal bus bar 320 has coupling hole 322a, and second portion 322 of terminal bus bar 320 is fixed by a fixing pin (not shown) inserted into coupling hole 322a.

[0060] The end plate 400 may serve to protect the battery cell stack 100 and the electrical components connected thereto from external physical impact by sealing the open side of the module case 200. To this end, the end plate 400 may be made of a material having a predetermined strength, and for example, the end plate 400 may include a metal such as aluminum or a plastic material.

[0061] Terminal openings 410 may be formed in the end plate 400. The terminal openings 410 may be arranged on both sides of the end plate 400, and a portion of the insulating cover 500 and one end (second portion 322) of the terminal bus bar 320 may be exposed through the terminal openings 410.

[0062] A connector opening is located between the terminal openings 410 located on both sides of the end plate 400, and the module connector may be exposed to the outside through the connector opening.

[0063] The end plate 400 may be coupled to the module case 200 while covering the bus bar frame 300 or the bus bars 310, 320 located on one side of the battery cell stack 100. Each corner of the end plate 400 may be coupled to a corresponding corner of the module case 200 by welding, bolting, hook fastening, or the like.

[0064] The end plates 400 may be located on one and the other sides of the module case 200 so as to cover both sides of the battery cell stack 100. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the end plates 400 are located on the front and rear sides of the module case 200.

[0065] In addition, an insulating cover 500 for electrical insulation may be positioned between the end plate 400 and the bus bar frame 300. That is, the bus bar frame 300, the insulating cover 500, and the end plate 400 may be positioned in this order from the outside of the battery cell stack 100. As with the end plate 400, a plurality of bus bar frames 300 and a plurality of insulating covers 500 may each be provided.

[0066] The insulating cover 500 may include an electrically insulating material and may block contact between the bus bars 310 and 320 and the end plate 400 .

[0067] The insulating cover 500 may include an opening 510 and a seat 530. The openings 510 are disposed on both sides of the upper portion of the insulating cover 500, and one end (second portion 322) of the terminal bus bar 320 may be exposed through the openings 510.

[0068] A connector opening may be located between the openings 510 located on both sides of the insulating cover 500, and the module connector may be exposed to the outside through the connector opening.

[0069] The insulating cover 500 may be positioned on the inner surface of the end plate 400 and may be in close contact with the inner surface of the end plate 400, but is not necessarily limited to this.

[0070] As described above, one end (second portion 322) of terminal bus bar 320 may be exposed through opening 510, and this exposed one end (second portion 322) of terminal bus bar 320 may be seated on seat 530. Thus, seat 530 may be disposed adjacent to opening 510 and on the upper outer surface.

[0071] The seating portion 530 can seat the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 on its upper surface, and thus the upper surface of the seating portion 530 can form a seating surface. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the seating portion 530 can include a fixing portion 531 for fixing the terminal bus bar 320.

[0072] The fixing member 531 can fix the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 and can include a fixing hole 531a.

[0073] A fixing pin (not shown) may be inserted into the fixing hole 531a. The fixing pin (not shown) is inserted into a coupling hole 322a formed in the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 and coupled to the fixing hole 531a, thereby fixing the second portion 322 of the terminal bus bar 320 to the insulating cover 500.

[0074] Therefore, second portion 322 of terminal bus bar 320 is seated on seating portion 530 of insulating cover 500 , and second portion 322 is seated on and comes into contact with fixing member 531 arranged on seating portion 530 .

[0075] A terminal cover portion (not shown) that covers one end (second portion 322) of the exposed terminal bus bar 320 may be disposed on the insulating cover 500.

[0076] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, in this embodiment, the battery module 1000 may include thermal resin layers 610 and 620.

[0077] 6 , in this embodiment, a second thermally conductive resin layer 610 may be disposed on the lower plate 202 of the module case 200. Therefore, the second thermally conductive resin layer 610 may be disposed below the battery cell stack 100 within the module case 200.

[0078] In this embodiment, the second thermally conductive resin layer 610 may be formed by applying or injecting a thermally conductive resin onto the upper surface of the lower plate 202 of the module case 200 (the upper surface of the lower plate 202 facing the inside of the module 1000). The second thermally conductive resin layer 610 disposed between the battery cell stack 100 and the lower plate 202 of the module case 200 can transfer heat from the battery cell stack 100 to the lower plate 202 of the module case 200, thereby cooling the battery cell stack 100.

[0079] The module case 200 shown in FIG. 6 has a structure including a U-shaped frame 210, but may also be made of a monoframe.

[0080] In addition, although the second thermally conductive resin layer 610 is disposed on the lower plate 202 of the module case 200 in FIG. 6, it may be disposed on the lower plate 202 and the side surface 203 of the module case 200 .

[0081] In this embodiment, the thermally conductive resin may have adhesive properties and thermoplastic properties, and various thermally conductive adhesives may be used as the thermally conductive resin. For example, various organic and / or inorganic thermally conductive adhesives such as a thermally conductive epoxy adhesive, a thermally conductive silicone adhesive, or a thermally conductive urethane adhesive may be used in the battery module 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 11, and 12, in this embodiment, a first thermally conductive resin layer 620 may be disposed on the upper side of the battery cell stack 100.

[0083] The first thermally conductive resin layer 620 may be formed by injecting or applying a thermally conductive resin onto the upper surface or upper side of the battery cell stack 100. The first thermally conductive resin layer 620 disposed between the battery cell stack 100 and the upper plate 201 can transfer heat from the battery cell stack 100 to the upper plate 201 of the module case 200, thereby cooling the battery cell stack 100.

[0084] Specifically, in this embodiment, the thermally conductive resin for forming the first thermally conductive resin layer 620 may be injected through the upper plate assembly 200 coupled to the upper side of the U-shaped frame 210. Therefore, in this embodiment, the module case 200 may include the U-shaped frame 210 and the upper plate assembly 220 shown in FIG.

[0085] As shown in Figures 8, 11, and 12, in this embodiment, the upper plate assembly 220 may include an upper plate 201 coupled to the upper side of the U-shaped frame 210, a film 221 disposed on the upper plate 201, and a block pad 230 disposed on the film 221.

[0086] The upper plate 201 is connected to the upper side of the U-shaped frame 210, and may be connected to the U-shaped frame 210 by welding. Specifically, both side edges of the upper plate 201 may be connected to the upper ends of both side surfaces 203 of the U-shaped frame 210 by welding. For example, the upper plate 201 may be connected to the U-shaped frame 210 by laser welding.

[0087] Both side edges of the upper plate 201 may include welded sections 201b that are welded along the length direction, and non-welded sections 201c that are not welded between the welded sections 201b.

[0088] 8, 11, and 12 show an example in which four welded sections 201b and three non-welded sections 201c are formed on the upper plate 201, but the numbers of welded sections 201b and non-welded sections 201c can be changed.

[0089] Furthermore, one or more injection holes 201a may be formed in the upper plate 201. The injection holes 201a are for injecting thermally conductive resin, and the thermally conductive resin may be injected through the injection holes 201a from outside the battery module 1000. Fig. 8 shows an example in which four injection holes 201a are formed in this embodiment, but the number of injection holes 201a can be changed.

[0090] In the upper plate assembly 220, a film 221 may be attached to the upper plate 201, and may be, for example, a polycarbonate film. The film 221 is disposed between the upper plate 201 and the battery cell stack 100 and can serve as electrical insulation between the upper plate 201 and the battery cell stack 100.

[0091] 8, the film 221 may have through holes 221a formed therein. The through holes 221a are arranged at positions corresponding to the injection holes 201a of the upper plate 201 and can communicate with the injection holes 201a, allowing thermally conductive resin to be injected from the outside into the upper side of the battery cell stack 100 through the injection holes 201a and the through holes 221a.

[0092] In the upper plate assembly 220 , a block pad 230 may be bonded onto the film 221 to restrict the flow of the thermally conductive resin injected onto the battery cell stack 100 .

[0093] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, two block pads 230 may be arranged in parallel on the film 221, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the upper plate 201 (or the longitudinal direction of the battery module 100, Y-axis direction).

[0094] Therefore, the thermally conductive resin injected through the injection hole 201 a and the through-hole 221 a cannot flow beyond the block pads 230 on the battery cell stack 100 , and instead fills the space between the block pads 230 .

[0095] Each end of the block pad 230 may extend to an edge of the upper plate 201. Specifically, in FIG. 8 , the upper end of the block pad 230 may extend to an upper edge of the upper plate 201, and the lower end of the block pad 230 may extend to a lower edge of the upper plate 201.

[0096] 8, the upper end of the block pad 230 may be located in the non-welded section 201c at the upper edge of the upper plate 201, and the lower end of the block pad 230 may be located in the non-welded section 201c at the lower edge of the upper plate 201.

[0097] As described above, the edge of the upper plate 201 is provided with a welded section 201b and a non-welded section 201c along its length, and the end of the block pad 230 is disposed in the non-welded section 201c, where the end is not welded. This prevents the block pad 230 from being deformed or altered during the welding process of the upper plate 201, and prevents the functionality of the block pad 230 from being reduced.

[0098] A compressible material may be used for the block pad 230. The block pad 230 is compressed in contact with the top surface of the battery cell stack 100 within the module case 200, and the block pad 230 is thus in close contact with the top surface of the battery cell stack 100, firmly preventing the flow of the injected thermally conductive resin.

[0099] The block pad 230 may be a foam pad, and may be made of, for example, urethane foam, shock-absorbing memory foam, or a rubber pad.

[0100] Meanwhile, although it has been described that in the upper plate assembly 220, the film 221 is disposed on the upper plate 201 and the block pad 230 is disposed on the film 221, in the battery module 1000, the film 221 may be disposed below the upper plate 201 and the block pad 230 may be disposed below the film 221.

[0101] In this manner, the upper plate assembly 220, in which the film 221 is attached to the upper plate 201 and the block pad 230 is coupled to the film 221, is assembled, and then coupled to the U-shaped frame 210 to form the module case 200.

[0102] 10 is a diagram showing the injection of thermally conductive resin through the upper plate 201 of the module case 200 of the battery module 1000 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the battery module 1000 according to this embodiment, after the upper plate 201 or the upper plate assembly 220 is completely welded to the U-shaped frame 210, the thermally conductive resin can be injected through the four injection holes 201a.

[0103] When the thermally conductive resin is injected through the injection hole 201a, the injected thermally conductive resin moves to the upper surface of the battery cell stack 100 through the through holes 221a of the film 221 attached to the underside of the upper plate 201, and the thermally conductive resin that has moved to the upper surface of the battery cell stack 100 moves to the two block pads 230 that face each other in the longitudinal direction of the battery module 1000 (Y-axis direction or -Y-axis direction), and then moves to both side surfaces 203 of the module case 200 in the width direction of the battery module 1000 (X-axis direction or -X-axis direction).

[0104] Therefore, the thermally conductive resin injected through the injection hole 201a of the upper plate 201 fills the space defined by the upper surface of the battery cell stack 100, the two opposing block pads 230, the side surface 203 of the module case 200, and the upper plate 201, forming a first thermally conductive resin layer 620 on the upper side of the battery cell stack 100.

[0105] As described above, in the battery module 1000 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first thermally conductive resin layer 620 is formed on the upper side of the battery cell stack 100, and the second thermally conductive resin layer 610 is formed on the lower side of the battery cell stack 100.

[0106] As described above, in this embodiment, the first and second thermally conductive resin layers 620, 610 are formed on the top and bottom sides of the battery module 1000, thereby allowing heat to be transferred to the top and bottom sides of the battery cell stack 100, thereby further improving cooling performance. Furthermore, during fast charging, a higher current flows in, requiring increased cooling performance, and the battery module 1000 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention has improved cooling performance, thereby improving fast charging capability.

[0107] One or more battery modules 1000 according to the present invention as described above may form a battery pack 2000. As shown in Fig. 13, a battery pack 2000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may accommodate at least one battery module 1000 inside a pack case 2100, and may include various control and protection systems such as a BMS (Battery Management System) and a cooling system.

[0108] The pack case 2100 may include a lower housing 2110 and an upper housing (not shown) coupled to the upper side of the lower housing 2110, and may accommodate a plurality of battery modules 1000 in the internal spaces of the lower housing 2110 and the upper housing.

[0109] Meanwhile, in the embodiment of the present invention, an example in which a plurality of battery modules 1000 are accommodated inside the battery pack 2000 has been described, but a plurality of battery cells 110 may be directly disposed inside the battery pack 2000.

[0110] The battery module 1000 and the battery pack according to the present invention configured as described above can be applied to various devices, specifically, but not limited to, transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrid cars, and energy storage systems (ESS).

[0111] 14 is a diagram showing an electric vehicle V equipped with a battery pack 2000. In the electric vehicle V, the wheels are driven by a motor powered by the battery pack 2000, so that the electric vehicle can be operated.

[0112] Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiments as above, it is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0113] The present invention provides a battery module with improved cooling performance and a battery pack including the same.

Claims

1. a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module case for accommodating the battery cell stack; a first thermally conductive resin layer disposed inside the module case and above the battery cell stack.

2. The module case includes: The bottom plate and The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising: an upper plate spaced apart above the lower plate.

3. The battery module according to claim 2 , further comprising two block pads spaced apart from each other and disposed below the upper plate.

4. The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein the first thermally conductive resin layer is located between two of the block pads.

5. The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein the upper plate includes one or more injection holes for injecting thermally conductive resin.

6. The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein the block pad is compressible.

7. The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein the block pad is a foam pad.

8. The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein both ends of the block pad are respectively disposed on both side edges of the upper plate.

9. The battery module according to claim 3 , further comprising a film disposed between the upper plate and the block pad.

10. The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein the edge of the upper plate has one or more welded sections and one or more non-welded sections arranged along the length thereof.

11. The battery module according to claim 10 , wherein an end of the block pad is disposed in a non-welded section of the upper plate.

12. The battery module according to claim 10 , wherein the non-welded sections are disposed between the welded sections.

13. One or more welded sections and one or more non-welded sections are arranged along the length of each of both side edges of the upper plate, The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein both ends of the block pad are respectively disposed in the non-welded section of the upper plate.

14. the module case includes a top plate assembly; The upper plate assembly includes: an upper plate disposed on the upper side of the battery cell stack; The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising: two block pads spaced apart from each other and disposed below the upper plate.

15. The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising a second thermally conductive resin layer disposed inside the module case below the battery cell stack.

16. The module case includes: The bottom plate and an upper plate disposed above and spaced apart from the lower plate, The battery module according to claim 15 , wherein the second thermally conductive resin layer is disposed on the lower plate.

17. a bus bar frame disposed on one side of the battery cell stack; The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising: an insulating cover disposed on an outer side of the bus bar frame.

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