Battery module and battery pack including same

Abstract

The present invention includes a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and 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 frame including a lower frame on which the battery cell stack is mounted and an upper cover that is coupled to the lower frame while covering the upper part of the battery cell stack; end plates that cover the front and rear of the battery cell stack; heat insulating members that are arranged to cover the upper and both side parts of the module frame and to cover the end plates; and cover members that are positioned on the heat insulating members and are arranged to cover the upper part, both side parts and a portion of the lower part of the module frame and to cover the end plates.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0105716, filed on August 11, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly to a battery module and a battery pack including the same that have improved safety by maintaining the structural stability of the battery module. [Background technology]

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

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

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

[0006] Meanwhile, when connecting multiple battery cells in series or parallel to form a battery pack, a typical method is to form a battery module consisting of at least one battery cell, and then use at least one battery module to add other components to form the battery pack. The battery cells that make up such medium- to large-sized battery modules are composed of rechargeable secondary batteries, and such high-power, large-capacity secondary batteries generate a large amount of heat during the charging and discharging process. This can cause the electrolyte in the battery cell to evaporate, increasing internal pressure and rupturing the battery cell pouch, which can result in exhaust gases and fires. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent this large amount of heat from spreading to adjacent battery modules or causing the battery module to explode.

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional battery module, and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional battery module.

[0008] 1 and 2, a conventional battery module 10 includes a lower frame 11 on which a battery cell stack 22, in which a plurality of battery cells 21 are stacked, is mounted, an upper frame 12 that is coupled to the lower frame 11 while covering the upper portion (z-axis direction) of the battery cell stack 22, and end plates 50 that cover the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 22.

[0009] In this case, if exhaust gas or flames are generated in the battery cells 21, venting may occur in the gap between the lower frame 11 and the upper frame 12, or between the frame and the end plate 50. In this case, the pressure generated during venting may cause the structure of the battery module 10 to collapse, and flames or the like may spread to adjacent battery modules 10, which may cause the entire battery pack to explode.

[0010] Therefore, in order to prevent the above problems, it is necessary to develop a battery module that can ensure the safety of the battery during venting. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module with improved safety, a battery pack including the same, and a method for manufacturing the battery module.

[0012] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and can be expanded to various problems within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] 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 frame including a lower frame on which the battery cell stack is mounted and an upper cover that is coupled to the lower frame while covering an upper portion of the battery cell stack; end plates that cover the front and rear of the battery cell stack; heat insulating members that are arranged to cover the upper and both side portions of the module frame and to cover the end plates; and cover members that are positioned on the heat insulating members and are arranged to cover the upper, both side portions and a portion of the lower portion of the module frame and to cover the end plates.

[0014] The upper cover may include a plurality of vent holes penetrating the upper cover, and the heat insulating member may include a first heat insulating member covering an upper portion of the module frame, the first heat insulating member being provided at a position corresponding to the vent holes and including an heat insulating rupture portion which is a groove formed in the first heat insulating member.

[0015] The cover member may include a first cover member that covers the first insulating member, and the first cover member may include a cover rupture portion that is a groove formed in the first cover member and is provided at a position corresponding to the vent hole.

[0016] A terminal bus bar electrically connected to the battery cell stack is positioned in an exposed state on the end plate, the heat insulating member includes a second heat insulating member covering a front surface and a rear surface of the end plate, and the second heat insulating member includes a terminal heat insulating portion covering a front surface of the terminal bus bar.

[0017] The cover member may include a second cover member that covers the second insulating member, and the second cover member may include a 2-1 cover portion that covers the terminal insulating portion.

[0018] The end plate may include connecting portions located on both side surfaces of the end plate, and upper and lower surfaces of the connecting portions may be disposed at a height difference from the upper and lower surfaces of the end plate.

[0019] The cover member may include a second cover member that covers the end plate, and the second cover member may include a second cover portion that covers an upper surface and a lower surface of the connecting portion.

[0020] The 2-2 cover portion may be formed by bending the second cover member in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the second cover member that is positioned on the end plate.

[0021] The insulating member may include a third insulating member covering both side portions of the module frame, and the cover member may include a third cover member covering the third insulating member, and the third cover member may include a 3-1 cover portion formed by bending the third cover member in a direction perpendicular to one surface located on the third insulating member.

[0022] The 3-1 cover part may cover the front and rear surfaces of the end plate that are not covered by the second cover member that covers the end plate and are exposed to the outside.

[0023] The third cover member may include a third-2 cover portion positioned on both sides of the third cover member and covering the side of the end plate exposed to the outside.

[0024] The third cover member may further include a 3-3 cover portion extending in a length direction of the 3-2 cover portion.

[0025] The 3-3 cover portion may be bent in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the 3-2 cover portion located on the third insulating member, and may cover the front and rear surfaces of the end plate.

[0026] The cover member may include a fourth cover member positioned to cover the bottom portion, which is the lower portion of the lower frame.

[0027] The fourth cover member may be a region extending in the height direction of each of the second cover member covering the end plate and the third cover member covering both side surfaces of the module frame.

[0028] The fourth cover member may be a portion of the second cover member formed by bending it in a direction perpendicular to a surface located on the end plate, and the third cover member may be a portion of the third cover member formed by bending it in a direction perpendicular to a surface located on both side portions of the module frame.

[0029] The heat insulating member may include silicon (Si).

[0030] The cover member may include an insulating material made of mica or other inorganic material.

[0031] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention may include the battery module described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0032] According to the embodiment, the structural stability of the battery module is maintained during venting, thereby improving the safety of the battery.

[0033] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional battery module. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional battery module. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of the present invention, excluding the heat insulating member and the cover member. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a heat insulating member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cover member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the cover member of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a view of the battery module of FIG. 3 as seen from the −z axis direction. [Figure 10] 4 is a view of the battery module of FIG. 3 as viewed from the x-axis direction and the −x-axis direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view showing a conventional battery module, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view showing a conventional battery module, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 4 is a view of the battery module of FIG. 3 as viewed from the y-axis direction and the −y-axis direction. [Figure 14]FIG. 4 is a view of the battery module of FIG. 3 as seen from the z-axis direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] In order to clearly describe the present invention, parts not necessary for the description will be omitted and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0037] Furthermore, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown. In the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated to clearly show them. In the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation.

[0038] Furthermore, when a layer, film, region, plate, or other part is said to be "on" or "above" another part, this does not only mean that it is "directly above" that part, but also includes cases where there are other parts between them. Conversely, when a part is said to be "directly above" another part, it means that there are no other parts between them. Furthermore, being "on" or "above" a reference part means being located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean being located "above" or "above" the direction opposite to gravity.

[0039] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a part is said to "comprise" a certain element, this does not mean that it may further include other elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0040] Also, throughout the specification, "on a plane" means a view of the subject part from above, and "on a cross section" means a view of the subject part cut vertically from the side.

[0041] Furthermore, although the terms "first" and "second" used in this application can be used to describe various components, the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0042] Furthermore, in this application, the upper and lower are defined to mean the z-axis direction and the -z-axis direction, respectively, the side surface is defined to mean the y-axis direction and the -y-axis direction, and the front surface is defined to mean the x-axis direction and the -x-axis direction, respectively; however, these are arbitrary definitions used within the specification for the sake of convenience, and the scope of rights is not limited to these names.

[0043] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, excluding a heat insulating member and a cover member.

[0044] 3 and 4, a battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack 120 in which a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked, a module frame 200 that houses the battery cell stack 120, end plates 250 that cover the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 120, and a heat insulating member 300 and a cover member 400 that cover the module frame 200 and the end plates 250.

[0045] 3 to 5, the battery cell 110 may be a pouch-type battery cell. Such a pouch-type battery cell may be formed by housing an electrode assembly in a pouch case made of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, and then heat-sealing the sealing portion of the pouch case. In this case, the battery cell 110 may be formed in a rectangular sheet structure. However, the battery cell 110 is not limited to a pouch-type battery cell, and may be various types of battery cells.

[0046] A plurality of such battery cells 110 may be configured, and the plurality of battery cells 110 may be stacked so as to be electrically connected to each other to form a battery cell stack 120. In particular, as shown in Fig. 5, the plurality of battery cells 110 may be stacked along a direction parallel to the y-axis.

[0047] The module frame 200 that houses the battery cell stack 120 may include an upper cover 220 and a lower frame 210 .

[0048] The lower frame 210 may include a bottom portion 210a and two side portions 211 extending upward from both ends of the bottom portion 210a. The bottom portion 210a may cover the lower surface (-z axis direction) of the battery cell stack 120, and the side portions 211 may cover both side surfaces (y axis direction and -y axis direction) of the battery cell stack 120.

[0049] A thermally conductive resin layer 213 may be positioned on the bottom 210a of the lower frame 210. The thermally conductive resin layer 213 is positioned between the battery cell stack 120 and the bottom 210a of the lower frame 210, and the battery cell stack 120 may be fixed to the bottom 210a of the lower frame 210.

[0050] The upper cover 220 may be formed as a single plate-shaped structure that covers the upper portion (z-axis direction) of the battery cell stack 120 except for the lower portion and both side portions that are covered by the lower frame 210. The upper cover 220 and the lower frame 210 may be joined by welding or the like with corresponding edge portions in contact with each other, thereby forming a structure that covers the battery cell stack 120 from above, below, left, and right.

[0051] The upper cover 200 may include vent holes 221, which are a plurality of holes penetrating the upper cover 200. The vent holes 221 may be holes penetrating the upper cover 200 in the height direction (z-axis direction). Thus, if exhaust gas or flames are generated in the battery cells 110, they may be discharged to the outside of the module frame 200 through the vent holes 221.

[0052] The module frame 200 can physically protect the battery cell stack 120. To this end, the module frame 200 can include a metal material having a predetermined strength.

[0053] Meanwhile, although not specifically shown in the drawings, the module frame 200 according to the modified example may be a monoframe in the form of a metal plate material in which the upper surface, lower surface, and both side surfaces are integrated. That is, instead of a structure in which the lower frame 210 and the upper cover 220 are joined to each other, the module frame 200 may be manufactured by extrusion molding and have a structure in which the upper surface, lower surface, and both side surfaces are integrated. Furthermore, the module frame 200 may be provided as an L-shaped frame structure in addition to a monoframe or lower frame, or may be provided in various structures not described in the above examples.

[0054] Such a module frame 200 structure may be provided in an open form along the length direction of the battery cell stack 120. That is, the front (x-axis direction) and rear (-x-axis direction) of the battery cell stack 120 may not be covered by the module frame 200. Therefore, the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 120 are shielded by the bus bar assembly 130, the end plate 250, etc., thereby protecting the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 120 from external physical impacts, etc.

[0055] The busbar assembly 130 includes a busbar frame and a busbar mounted on one side of the busbar frame.

[0056] The bus bar frame may be located on the front and / or rear surface of the battery cell stack 120 to cover one side of the battery cell stack 120 and guide the connection between the battery cell stack 120 and an external device. A bus bar may be attached to one side of the bus bar frame to electrically connect the battery cell stack 120 or the battery cells 110 to a circuit of an external device.

[0057] The bus bar may include a terminal bus bar 135 for electrically connecting one battery module 100 to another battery module 100. That is, at least a portion of the terminal bus bar 135 may be exposed to the outside of the end plate 250 so that one battery module 100 can be connected to another adjacent battery module 100.

[0058] The terminal bus bar 135 can be connected to other battery modules 100 or a BDU (Battery Disconnect Unit) through a protrusion exposed to the outside of the end plate 250, thereby forming a HV (High Voltage) connection therewith.

[0059] The end plates 250 may serve to protect the battery cell stack 120 and the electrical components connected thereto from external physical impact by sealing the open side of the module frame 200. To this end, the end plates 250 may be made of a material having a predetermined strength. For example, the end plates 250 may include a metal such as aluminum.

[0060] The end plate 250 may include a connecting portion 270 that can connect and fix the battery module 100 and the pack frame with a fastening member. That is, the connecting portion 270 can connect and fix the end plate 250 and the battery pack with a fastening member.

[0061] The connecting portions 270 may be located on both sides of the end plates 250. The connecting portions 270 may include holes penetrating the connecting portions 270 in the height direction (z-axis direction) of the battery module 100, and fastening members may pass through the holes. That is, the fastening members may fixedly couple the battery module and the pack frame through the connecting portions 270, allowing the battery module 100 to be more firmly positioned on the battery pack and improving the mechanical stability of the battery.

[0062] The end plate 250 covers the bus bar assembly 130 located on one side of the battery cell stack 120 and may be coupled (joined, sealed, or hermetically sealed) with the module frame 200 .

[0063] The heat insulating member 300 may be positioned to cover the module frame 200. Specifically, the heat insulating member 300 may be positioned to cover the top, both side surfaces, front surface, and rear surface of the module frame 200. The heat insulating member 300 is made of a material having heat insulating properties and can prevent heat from being easily transferred between one battery module 100 and an adjacent battery module 100. Therefore, even if the temperature of one battery module 100 rises, it is possible to prevent heat from being transferred to an adjacent battery module 100, causing the temperature of the adjacent battery module 10 to rise, or to prevent thermal runaway from occurring due to the temperature rise.

[0064] The insulating member 300 is described in more detail in FIG.

[0065] The cover member 400 may be positioned to cover the module frame 200 and the heat insulating member 300. Specifically, the cover member 400 may be positioned to cover the entire outer periphery of the heat insulating member 300 and to cover at least a portion of the lower portion (-z axis direction) of the module frame 200. In this case, the cover member 400 may be positioned to cover a portion of the bottom portion 210a of the lower frame 210.

[0066] The cover member 400 is positioned to cover the module frame 200 and the heat insulating member 300, thereby ensuring insulation from adjacent battery modules 100 and battery packs even when a thermal runaway phenomenon occurs in the battery module 100, thereby ensuring the safety of the battery.

[0067] In addition, because the cover member 400 is positioned to cover a portion of the bottom 210a of the module frame 200, even if a vent occurs in the battery cell stack 120 and the pressure inside the battery module 100 increases, the cover member 400 can be prevented from falling off or peeling off from the module frame 200. Therefore, the insulation properties of the battery module 100 can be ensured even during venting.

[0068] The cover member 400 is described in more detail in FIGS.

[0069] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a heat insulating member according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] 4 and 6, a heat insulating member 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention is positioned to cover the module frame 200. As shown in FIG.

[0071] The heat insulating member 300 includes a first heat insulating member 310 that covers the top (z-axis direction) of the module frame 200, a second heat insulating member that covers both side surfaces (y-axis direction and -y-axis direction) of the module frame 200, and a third heat insulating member 303 that covers the front and rear surfaces (x-axis direction and -x-axis direction) of the module frame 200. In this case, the first heat insulating member 310, the second heat insulating member 320, and the third heat insulating member 330 can be positioned so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the module frame 200, respectively.

[0072] The first insulating member 310 may include an insulating rupture portion 311 .

[0073] The adiabatic rupture section 311 is a groove formed in the first insulating member 310, and ruptures due to internal pressure, allowing exhaust gases and flames generated in the battery cell stack 120 to be discharged to the outside.

[0074] A plurality of adiabatic rupture portions 311 may be formed in the first insulating member 310. Specifically, the adiabatic rupture portions 311 may be grooves formed in one region of the first insulating member 310 facing the vent holes 221 of the upper cover 220. Therefore, the number and size of the adiabatic rupture portions 311 may correspond to the number and size of the vent holes 221. The number of the adiabatic rupture portions 311 may be the same as the number of the vent holes 221, and the size of the adiabatic rupture portions 311 may be the same as or smaller than the size of the vent holes 221.

[0075] In this figure, the adiabatic rupture portion 311 is shown as a single straight line with both ends of the line split into two, but it is not limited to this shape and can be changed to any shape as long as it corresponds to the size of the vent hole 221.

[0076] If exhaust gas or a flame is generated in one battery cell 110, it can travel to the outside of the module frame 200 only through some of the vent holes 221. In this case, only the adiabatic rupture parts 311 provided at positions corresponding to some of the vent holes 221 through which the exhaust gas or flame has traveled may rupture due to internal pressure. As a result, only some of the adiabatic rupture parts 311 rupture, while the other adiabatic rupture parts 311 do not rupture, separating the battery cell stack 120 from the external environment and preventing exhaust gas, flame, high-temperature particles, etc. from backflowing into the module frame 200. Therefore, exhaust gas, flame, high-temperature particles, etc. discharged to the outside may not affect normal battery cells 110, improving battery safety.

[0077] The second insulating member 320 may include a terminal insulating portion 321 .

[0078] Terminal heat insulating portion 321 may be configured to cover a part of terminal bus bar 135 exposed to the outside of end plate 250. Specifically, terminal heat insulating portion 321 may be configured to cover the front surface (x-axis direction) of terminal bus bar 135 exposed to the outside of end plate 250.

[0079] The terminal bus bar 135 is configured to be exposed due to the electrical connection between one battery module and an adjacent battery module, and typically, the battery modules are electrically connected via the upper surface (z-axis direction) of the terminal bus bar 135. In this case, the side surface of the terminal bus bar 135 is not used for electrical connection with other battery modules and can be exposed to the outside, so this area can be covered with the terminal insulation part 321. This prevents short circuits with adjacent battery modules. Furthermore, if a thermal runaway phenomenon occurs in one battery module, this prevents heat or flame transfer to other battery modules and prevents backflow of exhaust gas or flame, thereby improving battery safety.

[0080] The heat insulating member 300 may be made of a material having heat insulating properties. For example, the heat insulating member 300 may be made of silicon (Si).

[0081] In summary, the heat insulating member 300 covers the top, both sides, front and rear of the module frame 200, thereby protecting the module frame 200 exposed to the outside from exhaust gases and flames when a thermal runaway phenomenon occurs. In addition, by covering as many components as possible that are unavoidably exposed to the outside, it is possible to prevent backflow of exhaust gases and flames, thereby improving the safety of the battery.

[0082] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cover member according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8 is a plan view of the cover member of Figure 7.

[0083] 4, 7 and 8, a cover member 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention is positioned to cover the module frame 200 and the heat insulating member 300. As shown in FIG.

[0084] The cover member 400 includes a first cover member 410 that covers the top (z-axis direction) of the heat insulating member 300, a second cover member 420 that covers both side surfaces (y-axis direction and -y-axis direction) of the heat insulating member 300, a third cover member 430 that covers the front and rear surfaces (x-axis direction and -x-axis direction) of the heat insulating member 300, and a fourth cover member 440 that covers the bottom 210a of the module frame 200. In this case, the first cover member 410, the second cover member 420, and the third cover member 430 may be positioned to cover the outer peripheral surfaces of the heat insulating member 300, respectively, and the fourth cover member 440 may be positioned to partially cover the bottom 210a of the module frame 200.

[0085] The first cover member 410, the second cover member 420, the third cover member 430, and the fourth cover member 440 may all be connected together and may be folded and divided to correspond to the shape of the module frame. Specifically, the first cover member 410, the second cover member 420, the third cover member 430, and the fourth cover member 440 may be folded and divided along the dotted lines shown in FIG. 8.

[0086] The cover member 400 may be formed of a fire-resistant and / or flame-retardant material. For example, the cover member 400 may include an insulating material made of mica or an inorganic material. Such a cover member 400 can withstand temperatures of approximately 1000°C or more. The cover member 400 can improve the stability of the battery by preventing short circuits that may occur between one battery module and an adjacent battery module or between a battery module and a battery pack.

[0087] FIG. 9 is a view of the battery module of FIG. 3 as seen from the −z-axis direction.

[0088] 4 and 7 to 9, the first cover member 410 according to the embodiment of the present invention is positioned to cover the upper portion (z-axis direction) of the battery module 100. As shown in FIG.

[0089] The first cover member 410 may be positioned to cover the upper cover 220 of the module frame 200 and the upper portion (z-axis direction) of the heat insulating member 300 located on the upper portion of the battery module.

[0090] Since the first cover member 410 can be disposed to cover the entire outer circumferential surface of the upper cover 220, the size of the first cover member 410 may be the same as or larger than the size of the upper cover 220. Furthermore, since the first cover member 410 can be disposed to cover the entire upper portion of the heat insulating member 300, the size of the first cover member 410 may be the same as or larger than the size of the upper portion of the heat insulating member 300.

[0091] The first cover member 410 may include a plurality of cover rupture portions 411 .

[0092] The cover rupture part 411 is a groove formed in the first cover member 410, and can discharge exhaust gases, flames, etc. discharged through the vent holes 221 of the cover 220 and the adiabatic rupture part 311 of the heat insulating member 300 to the outside. At this time, the cover rupture part 411 can rupture due to internal pressure increased by the exhaust gases, flames, etc., thereby discharging them to the outside.

[0093] The cover rupture portion 411 may be a plurality of grooves formed in the first cover member 410. Specifically, the cover rupture portion 411 may be a plurality of grooves formed in one region of the first cover member 410 facing the vent holes 221 provided in the upper cover 220. Alternatively, the cover rupture portion 411 may be a plurality of grooves formed in one region of the first cover member 410 facing the adiabatic rupture portion 311 provided on the upper part of the heat insulating member 300. Therefore, the cover rupture portion 411 may be provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of vent holes 221 and the adiabatic rupture portion 311, respectively.

[0094] The cover rupture portion 411 may be a groove formed in the same shape as the vent hole 221 provided in the upper cover 220. Therefore, when the cover rupture portion 411 ruptures due to internal pressure, it may form a hole in the same shape as the vent hole 221. However, the shape of the cover rupture portion 411 is not limited thereto and may be changed to any shape that can be changed by an ordinary engineer.

[0095] If exhaust gas or flame is generated in one battery cell 110, it can move to the outside of the module frame 200 only through some of the vent holes 221. In this case, only the adiabatic rupture parts 311 provided at positions corresponding to some of the vent holes 221 to which the exhaust gas or flame has moved can rupture due to internal pressure. In this way, the exhaust gas or flame that has moved through the adiabatic rupture parts 311 provided at positions corresponding to some of the vent holes 221 can be discharged to the outside by rupturing the cover rupture parts 411 provided at the corresponding positions.

[0096] As a result, only some of the multiple cover rupture portions 411 rupture, while the other cover rupture portions 411 do not rupture, separating the battery cell stack 120 from the external environment, which may prevent exhaust gas, flames, high-temperature particles, etc. from flowing back into the module frame 200. Therefore, exhaust gas, flames, high-temperature particles, etc. discharged to the outside may not affect normal battery cells 110, improving battery safety.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 9, when the battery module 100 is viewed from above in the z-axis direction, the exposed portions of the module frame 200, excluding the terminal bus bars 135, may be covered by the first cover member 410 and the folding cover portion 423a.

[0098] Here, the folding cover portion 423a constitutes the second cover member 420, which will be considered in more detail below while explaining the second cover member 420.

[0099] Fig. 10 is a view of the battery module of Fig. 3 as seen from the x-axis direction and the -x-axis direction. Fig. 11(a) and Fig. 12(a) are perspective views showing a conventional battery module. Fig. 11(b) and Fig. 12(b) are perspective views of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] Referring to Figures 4, 7, 8 and 10, the second cover member 420 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be positioned to cover the front (x-axis direction) and rear (-x-axis direction) of the battery module.

[0101] The second cover member 420 may be positioned to cover the end plates 250 and the heat insulating members 300 located on one side (x-axis direction) and the other side (-x-axis direction) of the battery module 100. One side of the battery module 100 may be the front side of the battery module 100, and the other side of the battery module 100 may be the other side of the battery module 100. Here, FIG. 10(a) shows that the second cover member 420 is positioned to cover the front side of the battery module 100 of the present invention, and FIG. 10(b) shows that the second cover member 420 is positioned to cover the rear side of the battery module 100 of the present invention.

[0102] The second cover member 420 may be positioned to cover the entire outer periphery of the end plate 250, and therefore the size of the second cover member 420 may be the same as or larger than the size of the end plate 250. Furthermore, the second cover member 420 may be positioned to cover the entire front and rear surfaces of the heat insulating member 300, and therefore the size of the second cover member 420 may be the same as or larger than the size of the heat insulating member 300.

[0103] In this case, the second cover member 420 covering the front surface of the battery module 100 where the terminal bus bar 135 is located may include a 2-1 cover portion 421 and a 2-2 cover portion 423 .

[0104] 2-1 cover portion 421 may be configured to cover a portion of terminal bus bar 135 exposed to the outside of end plate 250. Specifically, 2-1 cover portion 421 may be configured to cover heat insulating member 300 that covers a portion of terminal bus bar 135 exposed to the outside of end plate 250. Here, heat insulating member 300 that covers a portion of terminal bus bar 135 may be terminal heat insulating portion 321 (see FIG. 6).

[0105] The second-first cover portion 421 may be configured to cover a region of the terminal bus bar 135 that is not used for electrical connection between the battery modules and is exposed to the outside. Specifically, the second-first cover portion 421 may be positioned to cover the terminal insulation portion 321 of the insulation member 300 again.

[0106] 11(a) and 12(a), the terminal bus bar 13 is attached to the end plate 50 located on the front portion (x-axis direction) of the conventional battery module 10 in a state where it is partially exposed to the outside. Specifically, in the conventional battery module 10, not only the top surface of the terminal bus bar 13, which is used for electrical connection with the battery module, but also the entire side surface is exposed to the outside. That is, unlike the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the conventional battery module 10 does not include a heat insulating member or cover member for covering the end plate 50 and the terminal bus bar 13, which creates a problem that the terminal bus bar 15 may short-circuit with other battery modules or battery packs. Furthermore, if exhaust gas or fire is generated and discharged from an adjacent battery module, the exhaust gas or fire may enter within the assembly tolerance between the terminal bus bar 13 and the end plate 50, or between the terminal bus bar 13 and the module frames 11 and 12, which may cause an explosion or other problem, thereby reducing the safety of the battery.

[0107] 11(b) and 12(b), it can be seen that in the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the module frame is entirely covered not only by the heat insulating member but also by the cover member 400. Specifically, it can be seen that the second cover member 420 covers the front portion of the battery module 100, and the second-first cover portion 421 also covers the side of the terminal bus bar 135. That is, the second-first cover portion 421 covers the side of the terminal bus bar 135 that is unnecessarily exposed to the outside, thereby preventing a short circuit between one battery module and an adjacent battery module or battery pack. Furthermore, unlike the conventional battery module 10, if exhaust gas or a fire is generated in an adjacent battery module and discharged to the outside, the second cover member 420 covers the tolerances of the components assembled to the terminal bus bar 13, preventing the inflow of the exhaust gas or fire, thereby improving the safety of the battery.

[0108] 4, 7, and 8 again, the 2-2 cover portions 423 may be located on both sides of the second cover member 420 and may be formed by bending the second cover member 420 in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the second cover member 420 located on the end plate 250. In this case, the 2-2 cover portions 423 may be located to cover the connecting portion 270 of the end plate 250. Specifically, the 2-2 cover portions 423 may be located to cover the upper surface (z-axis direction) and lower surface (-z-axis direction) of the connecting portion 270.

[0109] In the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper and lower surfaces of the connecting portion 270 are disposed at a height different from the upper and lower surfaces of the end plate 250, and therefore may not be covered by the first cover member 410 or the fourth cover member 440. Therefore, in order to prevent exhaust gases, flames, etc. from entering the battery module 100 due to the upper and lower surfaces of the connecting portion 270 being inevitably exposed to the outside, the second-second cover member 423 may be positioned to cover the connecting portion 270.

[0110] 11(a) and 12(a), the end plates 50 covering the front and rear surfaces (x-axis direction and -x-axis direction) of the conventional battery module 10 may include connecting portions 51 provided on both sides of the end plates 250. In this case, not only the connecting portions 51 but also the end plates 50 and module frames 11 and 12 may all be exposed to the outside.

[0111] That is, unlike the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the conventional battery module 10 does not have insulating or cover members covering the end plates 50, connecting portions 51, module frames 11 and 12, etc. Therefore, if exhaust gas or flames are generated in adjacent battery modules and discharged to the outside, the exhaust gas or flames may enter the assembly tolerances of the end plates 50 and module frames 11 and 12, which are inevitably exposed to the outside, and cause an explosion or other problem, thereby reducing the safety of the battery. Also, if a thermal runaway phenomenon occurs and the outer shape of the battery module 10 is distorted, there is a risk of a short circuit occurring between battery modules or between a battery module and a battery pack.

[0112] 11(b) and 12(b), it can be seen that in the battery module 100 of the present invention, not only the module frame 200 but also the connecting portion 270 of the end plate 250 is covered by the cover member 400. Specifically, the second cover member 420 covers the front and rear surfaces of the battery module 100, and the second-second cover portion 423, which is folded while connected to the second cover member 420, can cover the upper and lower surfaces of the connecting portion 270.

[0113] In this case, the 2-2 cover part 423 may include a first folding cover part 423a that covers the upper surface of the connecting part 270 and a second folding cover part 423b that covers the lower surface of the connecting part 270. The first folding cover part 423a and the second folding cover part 423b are positioned to cover the upper and lower surfaces of the connecting part 270, respectively, which are inevitably exposed to the outside, thereby preventing exhaust gases, flames, etc. from entering the battery module 100 and preventing thermal runaway and other phenomena. Furthermore, even if thermal runaway and other phenomena occur and the outer shape of the battery module 100 is distorted, the 2-2 cover part 423 is positioned to cover both the upper and lower surfaces of the connecting part 270, thereby preventing short circuits between battery modules and between the battery module and the pack, thereby improving battery safety.

[0114] Referring to Figures 4, 7, 8 and 13, the third cover member 430 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be positioned to cover both side portions (y-axis direction and -y-axis direction) of the battery module 100.

[0115] The third cover member 430 may be positioned to cover the side surfaces 211 (see FIG. 5) of the module frame 200 located on both side surfaces of the battery module and both side surfaces of the heat insulating member 300. That is, the third cover member 430 may be positioned to cover the third heat insulating member 330 (see FIG. 6).

[0116] The third cover member 430 may be positioned to cover the entire outer periphery of the side surface portion 211 of the module frame 200, and therefore the size of the third cover member 430 may be the same as or larger than the size of the side surface portion 211. Furthermore, the third cover member 430 may be positioned to cover the entire both side surfaces of the heat insulating member 300, and therefore the size of the third cover member 430 may be the same as or larger than the size of both side surfaces of the heat insulating member 300.

[0117] The third cover member 430 may include a third-1 cover portion 431 and a third-2 cover portion 433 .

[0118] 8, 11(b), and 12(b), the third-1 cover portions 431 may be located on both sides of the third cover member 430 and may be formed by bending the third cover member 430 in a direction perpendicular to a surface thereof located on the third insulating member 330. In this case, the third-1 cover portions 431 may be located to cover the end plate 250. Specifically, the third-1 cover portions 431 may be located to cover a region of the end plate 250 that is not covered by the first cover member 410 and is exposed to the outside. Here, the region of the end plate 250 covered by the third-1 cover portions 431 may be a front portion of the end plate 250 at a position corresponding to the top and bottom surfaces of the connecting portion 270.

[0119] 8, 11(b), 12(b), and 13, the 3-2 cover portion 433 may be located on both side surfaces (x-axis direction and −x-axis direction) of the third cover member 430 and may be configured to cover the side surfaces (y-axis direction and −y-axis direction) of the end plate 250 that are exposed to the outside. Here, the side surfaces of the end plate 250 that are covered by the third cover member 430 may be the connecting portion 270.

[0120] Specifically, the 3-2 cover part 433 may be positioned to cover a region of the connecting part 270 that is not covered by the first cover member 410 and is exposed to the outside. In this case, the region of the connecting part 270 may be a side surface of the connecting part 270.

[0121] The 3-2 cover portion 433 may be located on both sides of the third cover member 430 and cover the connecting portion 270, as shown in FIG. 13, or may further include a 3-3 cover portion 435 extending in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction and -x-axis direction) of the 3-2 cover portion 433, as shown in FIG. 11(b) and FIG. 12(b).

[0122] The 3-3 cover part 435 may be positioned to cover the front and rear surfaces of the end plate 250 by bending the 3-2 cover part 433 in a direction perpendicular to a side surface of the module frame 200, i.e., a surface located on the third insulating member 330 (see FIG. 6). Specifically, the 3-3 cover part 435 may be positioned to surround a portion of the first cover member 410 that covers the front and rear surfaces of the end plate 250.

[0123] In this case, the 3-3 cover part 435 is positioned so as to surround one area of ​​the first cover member 410 again, thereby more reliably protecting the area of ​​the battery module 100 exposed to the outside, thereby preventing short circuits between the battery module and other electrical equipment and preventing the inflow of exhaust gases, flames, etc., thereby improving the safety of the battery.

[0124] FIG. 14 is a view of the battery module of FIG. 3 as viewed from the z-axis direction.

[0125] 8, 12(b), and 14, the fourth cover member 440 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be positioned to cover the bottom portion 210a, which is the lower portion (-z axis direction) of the battery module 100. Specifically, the fourth cover member 440 may be positioned to partially cover the bottom portion 210a of the battery module 100.

[0126] The fourth cover member 440 may be a region in which the second cover member 420 and the third cover member 430 extend in the height direction (z-axis direction), and may be a portion formed by bending the second cover member 420 and the third cover member 430 in a direction perpendicular to a surface located on the battery module 100. In other words, the fourth cover member 440 may be a portion formed by bending the second cover member 420 in a direction perpendicular to a surface located on the end plate 250, or may be a portion formed by bending the third cover member 430 in a direction perpendicular to a surface located on both side surfaces of the module frame 200.

[0127] Because the fourth cover member 440 is positioned to cover only a portion of the bottom 210a, an adhesive (not shown) is applied to the area of ​​the bottom 210a where the fourth cover member 440 is not positioned, allowing the battery module 100 to be fixed and positioned on the battery pack frame. This allows the cover member 400 to maximize the assembly tolerance between the module frame and end plates that constitute the battery module 100, while also ensuring a fixing force between the battery module 100 and the battery pack, thereby simultaneously improving the safety and mechanical stability of the battery.

[0128] Conventional battery modules 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) not only do not have a structure for covering a module frame like cover member 400 of the present invention, but even if they have a structure corresponding to cover member 400, it generally does not cover the lower part of the battery module. In other words, even if a conventional battery module has a structure corresponding to cover member 400 of the present invention, it only covers the upper part, both side parts, front and rear parts of the battery module, and does not cover the lower part.

[0129] In contrast, the cover member 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fourth cover member 440, and therefore can cover not only the top, both side surfaces, front and rear surfaces of the battery module 100 but also the bottom. In this case, the cover member 400 is positioned to hang down from the bottom of the battery module 100, and therefore can prevent the cover member 400 from coming off the battery module 100 even if high pressure is applied from the inside to the outside of the cover member 400 due to a thermal runaway phenomenon or the like. In addition, flames and exhaust gases can be prevented from entering assembly tolerances between the module frame and end plates, and heat transfer can be more effectively delayed, thereby improving battery safety.

[0130] The battery module and the battery pack including the same can be applied to various devices, including transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrid cars, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be applied to various devices that can use the battery module and the battery pack including the same, which are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0131] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the claims below also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 100 battery modules 135 Terminal busbar 200 Module Frame 210 Lower Frame 220 Upper cover 221 Vent Hole 250 end plate 270 Connection section 300 Heat insulating material 400 Cover material 410 First cover member 411 Cover rupture part 420 Second cover member 421 No. 2-1 Cover 423 No. 2-2 Cover Section 430 Third cover member 431 3-1 Cover Section 433 No. 3-2 Cover 440 Fourth cover member

Claims

1. a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module frame including a lower frame on which the battery cell stack is mounted, and an upper cover coupled to the lower frame while covering an upper portion of the battery cell stack; end plates covering the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack; a heat insulating member disposed to cover the top and both side surfaces of the module frame and to cover the end plate; and a cover member positioned on the heat insulating member, arranged to cover the upper portion, both side portions and a part of the lower portion of the module frame, and arranged to cover the end plate; a battery module including:

2. the top cover includes a plurality of vent holes extending therethrough; the heat insulating member includes a first heat insulating member covering an upper portion of the module frame, The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the first insulating member includes an insulating rupture portion, which is a groove formed in the first insulating member, at a position corresponding to the vent hole.

3. the cover member includes a first cover member that covers the first heat insulating member, The battery module of claim 2 , wherein the first cover member includes a cover rupture portion, which is a groove formed in the first cover member, at a position corresponding to the vent hole.

4. a terminal bus bar electrically connected to the battery cell stack is positioned on the end plate and is partially exposed; the heat insulating member includes a second heat insulating member covering a front surface and a rear surface of the end plate; The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the second insulating member includes a terminal insulating portion that covers a front surface of the terminal bus bar.

5. the cover member includes a second cover member that covers the second heat insulating member, The battery module according to claim 4 , wherein the second cover member includes a second-1 cover portion that covers the terminal heat insulating portion.

6. The end plate includes connecting portions located on both side surfaces of the end plate, The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the connecting portions are disposed at different heights from the upper and lower surfaces of the end plates.

7. the cover member includes a second cover member that covers the end plate, The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the second cover member includes a second-2 cover portion that covers an upper surface and a lower surface of the connecting portion.

8. 8. The battery module according to claim 7, wherein the second-2 cover portion is formed by bending the second cover member in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the second cover member that is positioned on the end plate.

9. the heat insulating member includes a third heat insulating member covering both side surfaces of the module frame, the cover member includes a third cover member that covers the third heat insulating member, 2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the third cover member includes a 3-1 cover portion formed by bending the third cover member in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the third cover member located on the third insulating member.

10. 10. The battery module of claim 9, wherein the 3-1 cover portion covers the front and rear surfaces of the end plates that are not covered by the second cover member that covers the end plates and are exposed to the outside.

11. 10. The battery module of claim 9, wherein the third cover member includes a third-2 cover portion located on both sides of the third cover member and covering the side surfaces of the end plates exposed to the outside.

12. The battery module of claim 11, wherein the third cover member further includes a third-third cover portion extending in a length direction of the third-second cover portion.

13. 13. The battery module of claim 12, wherein the 3-3 cover portion is bent in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the 3-2 cover portion located on the third insulating member, and covers the front and rear surfaces of the end plate.

14. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the cover member includes a fourth cover member positioned to cover a bottom portion of the lower frame.

15. The battery module according to claim 14 , wherein the fourth cover member is a region extending in a height direction of each of the second cover member covering the end plate and the third cover member covering both side surfaces of the module frame.

16. The fourth cover member is the second cover member is a portion formed by being bent in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the second cover member positioned on the end plate, The battery module according to claim 15 , wherein the third cover member is a portion formed by bending in a direction perpendicular to one surface located on both side surfaces of the module frame.

17. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the heat insulating member contains silicon (Si).

18. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the cover member includes an insulating material made of mica or an inorganic material.

19. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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