Battery cell assembly and battery pack including same

Abstract

The technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a battery cell assembly including: a cell block including a plurality of battery cells; a first cover plate facing a first surface of the cell block and including a first cooling channel; a second cover plate facing a second surface of the cell block and including a second cooling channel; a supply pipe into which a cooling fluid supplied from the outside flows, the supply pipe including a first supply passage connected to an inlet of the first cooling channel and a second supply passage connected to an inlet of the second cooling channel; and a discharge pipe configured to discharge the cooling fluid to the outside, the supply pipe including a first discharge passage connected to an outlet of the first cooling channel and a second discharge passage connected to an outlet of the second cooling channel.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell assembly and a battery pack including the same.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0106728, filed on August 16, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are widely used as energy sources for a variety of wireless devices, such as handsets, laptops, and wireless vacuum cleaners. In recent years, improvements in energy density and economies of scale have dramatically reduced the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries. As the driving range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to the same level as fuel-powered vehicles, the primary use of secondary batteries has shifted from mobile devices to mobility.

[0004] As secondary batteries are used in mobility, there is a growing demand for their safety. If a secondary battery used in mobility were to cause a fire or other accident, it could put the driver's life at risk, so research into technologies to improve the safety of secondary batteries is essential. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A technical problem that the present invention aims to achieve is to provide a battery cell assembly and a battery pack with improved safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a battery cell assembly including: a cell block including a plurality of battery cells; a first cover plate facing a first surface of the cell block and including a first cooling channel; a second cover plate facing a second surface of the cell block and including a second cooling channel; a supply pipe into which a cooling fluid supplied from the outside flows, the supply pipe including a first supply passage connected to an inlet of the first cooling channel and a second supply passage connected to an inlet of the second cooling channel; and a discharge pipe configured to discharge the cooling fluid to the outside, the supply pipe including a first discharge passage connected to an outlet of the first cooling channel and a second discharge passage connected to an outlet of the second cooling channel.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the supply pipe has a single inlet, the first supply flow path extends between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the first cooling channel, and the second supply flow path extends between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the second cooling channel.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the exhaust pipe has a single outlet, the first exhaust flow path extends between the outlet of the first cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe, and the second exhaust flow path extends between the outlet of the second cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the first supply flow path of the supply pipe, the first cooling channel of the first cover plate, and the first discharge flow path of the discharge pipe are connected in sequence, and the second supply flow path of the supply pipe, the second cooling channel of the second cover plate, and the second discharge flow path of the discharge pipe are connected in sequence.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the cell block further includes a third cover plate facing a third surface opposite the second surface and including a third cooling channel, the supply pipe further including a third supply flow path connected to an inlet of the third cooling channel, and the exhaust pipe further including a third exhaust flow path connected to an outlet of the third cooling channel.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the supply pipe has a single inlet, the first supply flow path extends between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the first cooling channel, the second supply flow path extends between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the second cooling channel, and the third supply flow path extends between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the third cooling channel.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the exhaust pipe has a single outlet, the first exhaust flow path extends between the outlet of the first cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe, the second exhaust flow path extends between the outlet of the second cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe, and the third exhaust flow path extends between the outlet of the third cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the first supply flow path of the supply pipe, the first cooling channel of the first cover plate, and the first exhaust flow path of the exhaust pipe are connected in sequence, the second supply flow path of the supply pipe, the second cooling channel of the second cover plate, and the second exhaust flow path of the exhaust pipe are connected in sequence, and the third supply flow path of the supply pipe, the third cooling channel of the third cover plate, and the third exhaust flow path of the exhaust pipe are connected in sequence.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the second cover plate further includes a fastening portion for fastening to an external support structure.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the supply pipe includes a first main supply pipe connected to the first cover plate and a first branch supply pipe extending between the first main supply pipe and the second cover plate, and the first main supply pipe includes a first portion connected to the first cover plate and extending downward from the first cover plate, a second portion extending from the first portion in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first portion, and a third portion extending upward from the second portion and having an inlet through which the cooling fluid provided from the outside flows in.

[0016] In order to achieve the above object, the technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a battery pack including: a pack housing; and a battery cell assembly accommodated in the pack housing, wherein the battery cell assembly includes: a cell block including a plurality of battery cells; a first cover plate facing a first surface of the cell block and including a first cooling channel; a second cover plate facing a second surface of the cell block and including a second cooling channel; a supply pipe into which a cooling fluid supplied from an outside flows, the supply pipe including a first supply passage connected to an inlet of the first cooling channel and a second supply passage connected to an inlet of the second cooling channel; and a discharge pipe configured to discharge the cooling fluid to the outside, the first discharge passage connected to an outlet of the first cooling channel and a second discharge passage connected to an outlet of the second cooling channel; and a space is provided between the battery cell assembly and a bottom wall of the pack housing, the battery cell assembly being spaced apart from the bottom wall of the pack housing.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the supply pipe has a single inlet and the exhaust pipe has a single outlet, the first supply flow path extends between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the first cooling channel, the second supply flow path extends between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the second cooling channel, the first exhaust flow path extends between the outlet of the first cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe, and the second exhaust flow path extends between the outlet of the second cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery cell assembly includes a first path formed by sequentially connecting the first supply flow path, the first cooling channel, and the first exhaust flow path, and a second path formed by sequentially connecting the second supply flow path, the second cooling channel, and the second exhaust flow path.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery cell assembly further includes a third cover plate facing a third surface opposite the second surface of the cell block and including a third cooling channel, the supply pipe further includes a third supply flow path extending between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the third cooling channel, the exhaust pipe further includes a third exhaust flow path extending between the outlet of the third cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe, and the third supply flow path, the third cooling channel, and the third exhaust flow path are connected in sequence.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the second cover plate further includes a first fastening portion that fastens to a support structure provided on the bottom wall of the pack housing, and the third cover plate further includes a second fastening portion that fastens to another support structure provided on the bottom wall of the pack housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell assembly has a multi-sided cooling structure that simultaneously cools two or more surfaces of the battery cell assembly, thereby improving heat generation and temperature deviations between battery cells and between battery cell assemblies included in a battery pack. Ultimately, the temperature of the battery cells and battery cell assemblies can be more uniformly controlled, thereby improving the safety and reliability of the battery cell assembly and the battery pack including the same.

[0022] Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell assembly has a multi-sided cooling structure, which can mitigate a temperature rise in the battery cells during fast charging. This can reduce or prevent derating issues caused by a temperature rise in the battery cells, and can satisfy customer demands for shorter fast charging times.

[0023] The effects that can be obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood from the following description by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong. In other words, unintended effects accompanying the implementation of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure by a person having ordinary skill in the art. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a flow path of a cooling fluid within a battery cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a supply pipe provided in a battery cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a discharge pipe provided in a battery cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric vehicle equipped with a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before that, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that are consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that an inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe his own invention.

[0026] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0027] Furthermore, in the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of related publicly known configurations or functions may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0028] The embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, and therefore the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown in a schematic manner for clearer explanation. Therefore, the sizes and proportions of each component do not completely reflect the actual sizes and proportions.

[0029] (First embodiment) 1 to 4 are views showing a battery cell assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the battery cell assembly 100. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a flow path of a cooling fluid within the battery cell assembly 100. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a supply pipe 150 provided in the battery cell assembly 100. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a discharge pipe 160 provided in the battery cell assembly 100.

[0030] 1 to 4, the battery cell assembly 100 may include a cell block (110 in FIG. 5), an upper cover plate 120, a first side cover plate 130, a second side cover plate 140, a lower cover plate 171, a supply pipe 150, and a discharge pipe 160. The upper cover plate 120, the first side cover plate 130, the second side cover plate 140, and the lower cover plate (171 in FIG. 5) may form a case of the battery cell assembly 100 that provides an accommodating space for accommodating the cell block 110. In this specification, the upper cover plate 120 may be referred to as a first cover plate, the first side cover plate 130 may be referred to as a second cover plate, the second side cover plate 140 may be referred to as a third cover plate, and the lower cover plate 171 may be referred to as a fourth cover plate.

[0031] The cell block 110 may include multiple battery cells (111 in FIG. 5). Each battery cell 111 is the basic unit of a lithium-ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. Each battery cell 111 may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a cell case. The electrode assembly housed in the cell case may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. The electrode assembly may be either a jelly roll type or a stack type depending on the assembly form. A jelly roll type electrode assembly may include a wound structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween. A stack type electrode assembly may include multiple positive electrodes, multiple negative electrodes, and multiple separators interposed therebetween, stacked in sequence. The positive electrode may include a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material. The negative electrode may include a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material.

[0032] The plurality of battery cells 111 may be connected in series and / or parallel. For example, the plurality of battery cells 111 may be connected in series to each other. For example, the plurality of battery cells 111 may be connected in parallel to each other. For example, when a set of two or more battery cells 111 connected in parallel to each other is defined as a bank, one bank consisting of two or more battery cells 111 connected in parallel to each other may be connected in series to another bank consisting of two or more battery cells 111 connected in parallel to each other.

[0033] Each battery cell 111 may correspond to a pouch-type battery cell, a cylindrical battery cell, or a prismatic battery cell. The electrode assembly of a pouch-type battery cell is housed in a pouch case including an aluminum laminate sheet. The electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell is housed in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of a prismatic battery cell is housed in a prismatic metal can.

[0034] In the exemplary embodiment, each battery cell 111 corresponds to a pouch-type battery cell, and the plurality of battery cells 111 may be stacked on top of each other in a first direction (X direction) within one battery cell assembly 100. In the exemplary embodiment, each battery cell assembly 100 includes the plurality of battery cells 111 each corresponding to a pouch-type battery cell whose length along the first direction (X direction) is shorter than its length along a second direction (Y direction), and the plurality of battery cells 111 may be stacked on top of each other in the first direction (X direction).

[0035] When viewed from above, the cell block 110 may have a rectangular shape whose length along a first direction (X direction) is shorter than its length along a second direction (Y direction). In this case, the cell block 110 may have a first side and a second side opposite each other in the first direction (X direction), a front side and a back side opposite each other in the second direction (Y direction), and a top side and a bottom side opposite each other in a third direction (Z direction). In this specification, the top side of the cell block 110 may be referred to as a first side, the first side of the cell block 110 may be referred to as a second side, the second side of the cell block 110 may be referred to as a third side, and the bottom side of the cell block 110 may be referred to as a fourth side.

[0036] A busbar frame on which a busbar is mounted may be disposed on each of the front and rear surfaces of the cell block 110. A plurality of busbars may be mounted on the busbar frame on the front surface of the cell block 110, and a plurality of busbars may be mounted on the busbar frame on the rear surface of the cell block 110. The battery cell assembly 100 may include an end plate 175 for covering the busbar frame connected to the front or rear surface of the cell block 110.

[0037] The bus bars may be coupled to the electrode leads of the battery cells 111. For example, the bus bars may be coupled to the electrode leads of the battery cells 111 by welding. For example, each bus bar may be coupled to an electrode lead coupled to different battery cells 111 belonging to the cell block 110, and may be an inter-bus bar for electrically coupling the different battery cells 111. For example, each bus bar may be a terminal bus bar for electrically coupling the battery cell assembly 100 to another external battery cell assembly or other electrical device.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery cell assembly 100 may include a single cell block 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery cell assembly 100 may include a cell block array configured with a plurality of cell blocks 110 arranged in a second direction (Y direction). For example, the battery cell assembly 100 may include two cell blocks 110 arranged in the second direction (Y direction). As an example, the battery cell assembly 100 may include a first cell block and a second cell block arranged in the second direction (Y direction) and electrically connected to each other.

[0039] The top cover plate 120 may cover the top surface of the cell block 110. The top cover plate 120 may be coupled to the top ends of a first side cover plate 130 and a second side cover plate 140 disposed on both sides of the cell block 110. For example, one side of the top cover plate 120 may be coupled to the top end of the first side cover plate 130 by welding, and the other side of the top cover plate 120 may be coupled to the top end of the second side cover plate 140 by welding.

[0040] The upper cover plate 120 may be attached to the upper surface of the cell block 110 and may be thermally coupled to the cell block 110. For example, the upper cover plate 120 may be attached to the upper surface of the cell block 110 via a thermally conductive adhesive layer interposed between the upper cover plate 120 and the upper surface of the cell block 110. For example, the thermally conductive adhesive layer may include a thermal interface material (TIM).

[0041] The upper cover plate 120 may have first cooling channels 123 configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therethrough and may be configured to cool the cell block 110. A cooling fluid provided from the outside of the battery cell assembly 100 may flow into the first cooling channels 123 through inlets 123i of the first cooling channels 123, flow along the first cooling channels 123, and then flow out to the outside of the upper cover plate 120 through outlets 123o of the first cooling channels 123. The first cooling channels 123 may have a single path extending from their inlets 123i to their outlets 123o. The inlets 123i and outlets 123o of the first cooling channels 123 may be disposed at the front end of the upper cover plate 120 or the front end of the battery cell assembly 100. The upper cover plate 120 may have a protrusion protruding in the second direction (Y direction) from the front surface of the cell block 110, and the inlet 123i and the outlet 123o of the first cooling channel 123 may be disposed in the protrusion of the upper cover plate 120, respectively. The inlet 123i and the outlet 123o of the first cooling channel 123 may be provided on a lower surface of the upper cover plate 120. Cooling of the battery cell assembly 100 may be performed while a cooling fluid flows along the first cooling channel 123. For example, the upper cover plate 120 may be manufactured by bonding two plates, and the first cooling channel 123 may include a space defined between the two plates.

[0042] The first side cover plate 130 is disposed to face a first side of the cell block 110 and may cover the first side of the cell block 110. The first side cover plate 130 may have a second cooling channel 133 configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therethrough and may be configured to cool the cell block 110. The first side cover plate 130 may include a pipe 131 having the second cooling channel 133. Cooling fluid provided from the outside of the battery cell assembly 100 may flow into the second cooling channel 133 through an inlet 133i of the second cooling channel 133, flow along the second cooling channel 133, and then flow out of the first side cover plate 130 through an outlet 133o of the second cooling channel 133. The second cooling channel 133 may have a single path extending from its inlet 133i to its outlet 133o. The inlet 133i and the outlet 133o of the second cooling channel 133 may be disposed at the front end of the first side cover plate 130 or the front end of the battery cell assembly 100. While the cooling fluid flows along the second cooling channel 133, cooling of the battery cell assembly 100 may be performed.

[0043] The second side cover plate 140 is disposed to face the second side of the cell block 110 and may cover the second side of the cell block 110. The second side cover plate 140 may have a third cooling channel 143 configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therethrough and may be configured to cool the cell block 110. The second side cover plate 140 may include a pipe 141 having the third cooling channel 143. Cooling fluid provided from the outside of the battery cell assembly 100 may flow into the third cooling channel 143 through an inlet 143i of the third cooling channel 143, flow along the third cooling channel 143, and then flow out of the second side cover plate 140 through an outlet 143o of the third cooling channel 143. The third cooling channel 143 may have a single path extending from its inlet 143i to its outlet 143o. The inlet 143i and the outlet 143o of the third cooling channel 143 may be disposed at the front end of the second side cover plate 140 or the front end of the battery cell assembly 100. While the cooling fluid flows along the third cooling channel 143, cooling of the battery cell assembly 100 may be performed.

[0044] The battery cell assembly 100 may be fastened to the pack housing 501 using a side mounting method in which the battery cell assembly 100 is fastened to the pack housing (501 in FIG. 5) via the first side cover plate 130 and / or the second side cover plate 140. For example, the first side cover plate 130 may include a first fastening portion 139 protruding in a first direction (X direction). The first fastening portion 139 may include a fastening hole through which a fastening member such as a bolt passes. The first fastening portion 139 may be fastened to and supported by a support structure of the pack housing 501 by a fastening member such as a bolt. For example, the second side cover plate 140 may include a second fastening portion (149 in FIG. 5) protruding in the first direction (X direction). The second fastening portion 149 may include a fastening hole through which a fastening member such as a bolt passes. The second fastening portion 149 may be fastened to and supported by a support structure of the pack housing 501 by a fastening member such as a bolt.

[0045] The lower cover plate 171 may be disposed opposite the lower surface of the cell block 110 and cover the lower surface of the cell block 110. The lower cover plate 171 may be coupled to the lower end of each of the first and second side cover plates 130 and 140, which are disposed on both sides of the cell block 110. For example, one side of the lower cover plate 171 may be coupled to the lower end of the first side cover plate 130 by welding, and the other side of the lower cover plate 171 may be coupled to the lower end of the second side cover plate 140 by welding. The lower cover plate 171, the upper cover plate 120, the first side cover plate 130, and the second side cover plate 140 may together form a case that surrounds four surfaces of the cell block 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower cover plate 171 may include a venting passage for exhausting high-temperature gas generated in the cell block 110 to the space below the cell block 110.

[0046] The supply pipe 150 is supplied with cooling fluid provided from an external cooling fluid supply CS and can transmit the cooling fluid to the inlet 123i of the first cooling channel 123 of the upper cover plate 120, the inlet 133i of the second cooling channel 133 of the first side cover plate 130, and the inlet 143i of the third cooling channel 143 of the second side cover plate 140.

[0047] The supply pipe 150 may have a single inlet 151i through which the cooling fluid provided from the cooling fluid supply unit CS flows in. The supply pipe 150 may include a first supply passage 211 extending from the inlet 151i of the supply pipe 150 to the inlet 123i of the first cooling channel 123 of the top cover plate 120, a second supply passage 213 extending from the inlet 151i of the supply pipe 150 to the inlet 133i of the second cooling channel 133 of the first side cover plate 130, and a third supply passage 215 extending from the inlet 151i of the supply pipe 150 to the inlet 143i of the third cooling channel 143 of the second side cover plate 140. The first supply passage 211, the second supply passage 213, and the third supply passage 215 may be in communication with each other.

[0048] The supply pipe 150 may include a main supply pipe 151 coupled to the top cover plate 120, a first branch supply pipe 153 coupled to the main supply pipe 151 and the first side cover plate 130, and a second branch supply pipe 155 coupled to the main supply pipe 151 and the second side cover plate 140. The main supply pipe 151, the first branch supply pipe 153, and the second branch supply pipe 155 may be coupled to each other to form an integrated supply pipe 150.

[0049] In other exemplary embodiments, the first branch supply pipe 153 and the second branch supply pipe 155 may each be physically separated from the main supply pipe 151, in which case the flow paths in the first branch supply pipe 153 and the flow paths in the second branch supply pipe 155 may not each communicate with the flow paths in the main supply pipe 151.

[0050] The main supply pipe 151 may include a first supply passage 211 connected to the inlet 123i of the first cooling channel 123 of the upper cover plate 120. The inlet 151i of the main supply pipe 151 may correspond to the inlet 151i of the supply pipe 150. The first branch supply pipe 153 may branch from the main supply pipe 151 and extend to the inlet 133i of the second cooling channel 133 of the first side cover plate 130. The first branch supply pipe 153 may include at least a portion of the second supply passage 213, and the second supply passage 213 provided in the first branch supply pipe 153 may be connected to the first supply passage 211 of the main supply pipe 151. The second branch supply pipe 155 may branch from the main supply pipe 151 and extend to the inlet 143i of the third cooling channel 143 of the second side cover plate 140. The second branch supply pipe 155 may include at least a portion of the third supply flow path 215, and the third supply flow path 215 provided in the second branch supply pipe 155 may be connected to the first supply flow path 211 of the main supply pipe 151.

[0051] In the illustrative embodiment, the main supply pipe 151 may have a U-shaped cross section. More specifically, the main supply pipe 151 may include a first portion extending downward from the inlet 123i of the first cooling channel 123 of the upper cover plate 120, a second portion extending from the first portion in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first portion, and a third portion extending upward from the second portion. An outlet connected to the inlet 123i of the first cooling channel 123 of the upper cover plate 120 may be provided at an upper end of the first portion of the main supply pipe 151, and an inlet 151i through which a cooling fluid provided from the outside flows in may be provided at an upper end of the third portion of the main supply pipe 151.

[0052] The discharge pipe 160 can discharge the cooling fluid discharged from the upper cover plate 120, the first side cover plate 130 and the second side cover plate 140 towards the cooling fluid supply part CS.

[0053] The discharge pipe 160 may have a single outlet 161o configured to discharge the cooling fluid to the outside. The discharge pipe 160 may include a first discharge passage 221 extending from the outlet 123o of the first cooling channel 123 in the top cover plate 120 to the outlet 161o of the discharge pipe 160, a second discharge passage 223 extending from the outlet 133o of the second cooling channel 133 in the first side cover plate 130 to the outlet 161o of the discharge pipe 160, and a third discharge passage 225 extending from the outlet 143o of the third cooling channel 143 in the second side cover plate 140 to the outlet 161o of the discharge pipe 160. The first discharge passage 221, the second discharge passage 223, and the third discharge passage 225 may be in communication with each other.

[0054] The discharge pipe 160 may include a main discharge pipe 161 coupled to the top cover plate 120, a first branch discharge pipe 163 coupled to the main discharge pipe 161 and the first side cover plate 130, and a second branch discharge pipe 165 coupled to the main discharge pipe 161 and the second side cover plate 140. The main discharge pipe 161, the first branch discharge pipe 163, and the second branch discharge pipe 165 may be coupled to each other to form an integrated discharge pipe 160.

[0055] In other exemplary embodiments, the first branch discharge pipe 163 and the second branch discharge pipe 165 may each be physically separated from the main discharge pipe 161, in which case the flow paths in the first branch discharge pipe 163 and the flow paths in the second branch discharge pipe 165 may not each communicate with the flow paths in the main discharge pipe 161.

[0056] The main exhaust pipe 161 may include a first exhaust passage 221 connected to the outlet 123o of the first cooling channel 123 of the upper cover plate 120. The outlet 161o of the main exhaust pipe 161 may correspond to the outlet 161o of the exhaust pipe 160. The first branch exhaust pipe 163 may branch from the main exhaust pipe 161 and extend to the outlet 133o of the second cooling channel 133 of the first side cover plate 130. The first branch exhaust pipe 163 may include at least a portion of the second exhaust passage 223, and the second exhaust passage 223 provided in the first branch exhaust pipe 163 may be connected to the first exhaust passage 221 of the main exhaust pipe 161. The second branch exhaust pipe 165 may branch from the main exhaust pipe 161 and extend to the outlet 143o of the third cooling channel 143 of the second side cover plate 140. The second branch exhaust pipe 165 may include at least a portion of the third exhaust flow path 225, and the third exhaust flow path 225 provided in the second branch exhaust pipe 165 may be connected to the first exhaust flow path 221 of the main exhaust pipe 161.

[0057] In the exemplary embodiment, the main discharge pipe 161 may have a U-shaped cross section. More specifically, the main discharge pipe 161 may include a fourth portion extending downward from the outlet 123o of the first cooling channel 123 of the upper cover plate 120, a fifth portion extending from the fourth portion in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the fourth portion, and a sixth portion extending upward from the fifth portion. An inlet connected to the outlet 123o of the first cooling channel 123 of the upper cover plate 120 may be provided at an upper end of the fourth portion of the main discharge pipe 161, and an outlet 161o through which the cooling fluid is discharged to the outside may be provided at an upper end of the sixth portion of the main discharge pipe 161.

[0058] The flow path of the cooling fluid in the battery cell assembly 100 will be described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, arrows indicate the flow direction of the cooling fluid. In Fig. 2, the first supply flow path 211, the second supply flow path 213, and the third supply flow path 215 are indicated by dashed lines, and the first discharge flow path 221, the second discharge flow path 223, and the third discharge flow path 225 are indicated by dotted lines.

[0059] The cooling fluid supply unit CS can supply cooling fluid to the inlet 151i of the supply pipe 150. The cooling fluid is supplied to each of the top cover plate 120, the first side cover plate 130, and the second side cover plate 140 through the supply pipe 150, and the cooling fluid that is heated by heat exchange with the cell block 110 while flowing along the top cover plate 120, the first side cover plate 130, and the second side cover plate 140 is discharged through the discharge pipe 160 toward the cooling fluid supply unit CS.

[0060] More specifically, the cooling fluid may sequentially flow through the first supply flow path 211 of the supply pipe 150, the first cooling channel 123 of the upper cover plate 120, and the first discharge flow path 221, and then be discharged to the cooling fluid supply unit CS through the outlet 161o of the discharge pipe 160. The first supply flow path 211 of the supply pipe 150, the first cooling channel 123 of the upper cover plate 120, and the first discharge flow path 221 may be sequentially connected to form a first circulation path for the cooling fluid provided to the battery cell assembly 100. In addition, the cooling fluid may sequentially flow through the second supply flow path 213 of the supply pipe 150, the second cooling channel 133 of the first side cover plate 130, and the second discharge flow path 223, and then be discharged to the cooling fluid supply unit CS through the outlet 161o of the discharge pipe 160. The second supply flow path 213 of the supply pipe 150, the second cooling channel 133 of the first side cover plate 130, and the second discharge flow path 223 may be sequentially connected to form a second circulation path for the cooling fluid provided to the battery cell assembly 100. The cooling fluid may sequentially flow through the third supply flow path 215 of the supply pipe 150, the third cooling channel 143 of the second side cover plate 140, and the third discharge flow path 225, and then be discharged to the cooling fluid supply unit CS through the outlet 161o of the discharge pipe 160. The third supply flow path 215 of the supply pipe 150, the third cooling channel 143 of the second side cover plate 140, and the third discharge flow path 225 may be sequentially connected to form a third circulation path for the cooling fluid provided to the battery cell assembly 100.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell assembly 100 has a multi-sided cooling structure that simultaneously cools two or more surfaces of the battery cell assembly 100, thereby improving heat generation and temperature deviations between the battery cells 111 and between the battery cell assemblies 100 included in the battery pack. Ultimately, the temperatures of the battery cells 111 and the battery cell assemblies 100 can be controlled more uniformly, thereby improving the safety and reliability of the battery cell assembly 100 and the battery pack including the same.

[0062] Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell assembly 100 has a multi-sided cooling structure, which can mitigate a temperature rise in the battery cells 111 during fast charging. This can reduce or prevent derating issues caused by a temperature rise in the battery cells 111, and can meet customer demands for shorter fast charging times.

[0063] (Second embodiment) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a battery pack 500 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] 5, a battery pack 500 may include a pack housing 501 and a battery cell assembly 100 mounted in the pack housing 501. The battery pack 500 may include one or more battery cell assemblies 100 mounted in the pack housing 501. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack 500 may include two or more battery cell assemblies 100 arranged in a first direction (X direction).

[0065] The pack housing 501 may include a lower housing 510 having an accommodation space in which the battery cell assemblies 100 are accommodated, and a pack lid 520 coupled to the lower housing 510 so as to cover the lower housing 510 in which the battery cell assemblies 100 are accommodated. The accommodation space of the lower housing 510 may be defined by a bottom wall 511 facing the lower surfaces of the cell blocks 110 of the individual battery cell assemblies 100, and side walls 513 located on the edges of the bottom wall 511.

[0066] When the battery pack 500 is mounted on a vehicle, a cabin room where passengers board may be located above the pack lid 520, and the ground on which the vehicle runs may be located below the lower housing 510.

[0067] The battery cell assembly 100 may be mounted on the pack housing 501 using a side mounting method. More specifically, the first fastening portion 139 of the first side cover plate may be fastened to and supported by a corresponding one of the support structures 515 provided on the lower housing 510 using bolts BT, and the second fastening portion 149 of the second side cover plate may be fastened to and supported by a corresponding one of the support structures 515 provided on the lower housing 510 using bolts BT.

[0068] A free volume FV may be provided between the bottom wall 511 of the lower housing 510 and the battery cell assembly 100. Gas and flames generated in a thermal runaway situation may be transferred through the free volume FV. That is, the free volume FV serves as a venting passage through which high-temperature gas and flames may be transferred.

[0069] In addition, even when a strong impact occurs due to foreign objects being thrown onto the underside of the vehicle when driving on hard ground such as an unpaved road, the impact can be absorbed via the free volume FV. Therefore, the plurality of battery cell assemblies 100 can be prevented from being damaged by the impact. The free volume FV can be understood as an empty space between each of the plurality of battery cell assemblies 100 and the lower housing 510. When the lower housing 510 deforms toward the battery cell assembly 100 due to an impact applied to the underside of the vehicle, the free volume FV can be used as a space that allows the lower housing 510 to deform to a certain extent.

[0070] The height of the free volume FV and the distance between the bottom wall of the lower housing 510 and the battery cell assembly 100 may be set sufficiently to absorb external impacts. The height of the free volume FV may be determined in consideration of the dimensions and rigidity of the vehicle frame, the dimensions and rigidity of the lower housing 510, the dimensions of the battery pack 500, the amount of gas generated and the rate of gas discharge during thermal runaway, and the like. For example, when the thickness or rigidity of the vehicle frame or the bottom wall of the lower housing 510 is relatively large, at least one of the size and height of the free volume FV may be relatively small. Furthermore, when the thickness or rigidity of the vehicle frame or the bottom wall of the lower housing 510 is relatively small, there is a high possibility of deformation of the bottom wall of the lower housing 510. Therefore, to protect the battery cell assembly 100, at least one of the size and height of the free volume FV may be relatively increased. Furthermore, when the size of the battery pack 500 is relatively large according to the battery pack 500 specifications, a relatively large free volume FV may be ensured. When the size of the battery pack 500 is relatively small, the height of the free volume FV that can be secured may be relatively small, and it may be necessary to relatively increase the thickness and rigidity of the bottom wall of the lower housing 510. Furthermore, if the height of the free volume FV is too low, the gas discharge path becomes small, and the internal pressure of the battery pack 500 may rise rapidly during thermal runaway. Therefore, the size and height of the free volume FV can be determined taking into account the amount of gas generated and the discharge speed.

[0071] The maximum height of the free volume FV may be determined depending on the degree of damage to the battery cells 111 included in the battery cell assembly 100. For example, if the damage tolerance limit of the battery cell 111 is 1 mm, the free volume FV may be determined so that the battery cell 111 does not deform more than 1 mm when the lower housing 510 deforms and presses the lower surface of the battery cell 111. In this case, the amount of deformation of the lower housing 510 may vary depending on the thickness and rigidity of the lower housing 510. Therefore, the size and height of the free volume FV may be determined taking into consideration both the damage tolerance limit of the battery cell 111 and the thickness and rigidity of the lower housing 510.

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper surface of the battery cell assembly 100 may be in close contact with the lower surface of the pack lid 520. If there is a space between the battery cell assembly 100 and the pack lid 520, high-temperature gas may be introduced into the space between the battery cell assembly 100 and the pack lid 520 during thermal runaway, and heat and flame may propagate to other adjacent battery cell assemblies 100. In addition, heat and flame may be transmitted to the pack lid 520, potentially affecting the cabin room above the pack lid 520. Therefore, by bringing the upper surface of the battery cell assembly 100 and the lower surface of the pack lid 520 into close contact, gas and flame generated inside the battery pack 500 can be guided to the free volume FV.

[0073] (Third embodiment) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric vehicle 1000 equipped with a battery pack 1100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] 6, for simplicity of illustration, only the vehicle body frame 1200 forming the lower skeleton of the vehicle, the battery pack 1100 coupled to the vehicle body frame 1200, and tires are shown. The battery pack 1100 may include the battery pack 500 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0075] In a typical battery pack, a battery cell assembly is installed at the bottom of the pack housing of the battery pack. In this embodiment, a free volume (see FV in FIG. 5 ) may be provided below the battery cell assembly 100 of the battery pack 1100. That is, there is no space between the battery cell assembly 100 and the pack lid 520, which can prevent gas generated in the battery cell assembly 100 from being transmitted to the cabin room above the vehicle. The gas is guided to the free volume FV provided between the battery cell assembly 100 and the pack housing of the battery pack 1100. The gas flows through the free volume FV and can be discharged to the underside of the vehicle through a gas exhaust port provided in the battery pack 1100. In addition, according to this embodiment, since the free volume FV is provided between the battery cell assembly 100 and the pack housing within the battery pack 1100, damage to the battery cell assembly 100 can be prevented even if the pack housing is deformed.

[0076] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 1100 and the electric vehicle 1000 including the same can enhance passenger safety, protect the battery cell assembly 100, which is a core component, and improve the durability of the battery pack 1100 and the electric vehicle 1000.

[0077] The present invention has been described in more detail above through the drawings and embodiments, etc. However, the configurations shown in the drawings or embodiments in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of filing this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 100 Battery Cell Assembly 110 Cell Block 111 Battery Cells 120 Upper cover plate 123 First Cooling Channel 123i entrance 123o exit 130 First side cover plate 131 Pipe 133 Second Cooling Channel 133i entrance 133o exit 139 1st fastening section 140 Second side cover plate 141 Pipe 143 Third Cooling Channel 143i entrance 143o exit 149 Second fastening part 150 Supply Pipe 151 Main supply pipe 151i entrance 153 First Branch Supply Pipe 155 Second branch supply pipe 160 Exhaust pipe 161 Main exhaust pipe 161o exit 163 First Branch Discharge Pipe 165 Second branch discharge pipe 171 Lower cover plate 175 End plate 211 First supply channel 213 Second supply channel 215 Third supply channel 221 First discharge flow path 223 Second discharge flow path 225 Third discharge channel 500 battery pack 501 Pack Housing 510 Lower Housing 511 Bottom wall 513 Side wall 515 Support Structure 520 Pack Lid 1000 electric cars 1100 Battery Pack 1200 body frame

Claims

1. a cell block including a plurality of battery cells; a first cover plate facing the first surface of the cell block and including a first cooling channel; a second cover plate facing the second surface of the cell block and including a second cooling channel; a supply pipe into which a cooling fluid supplied from an external source flows, the supply pipe including a first supply passage connected to an inlet of the first cooling channel and a second supply passage connected to an inlet of the second cooling channel; an exhaust pipe configured to exhaust the cooling fluid to the outside, the exhaust pipe including a first exhaust passage connected to an outlet of the first cooling channel and a second exhaust passage connected to an outlet of the second cooling channel; a battery cell assembly including:

2. the supply pipe has a single inlet; the first supply passage extends between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the first cooling channel; The battery cell assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the second supply passage extends between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the second cooling channel.

3. the discharge pipe has a single outlet; the first exhaust passage extends between the outlet of the first cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe; The battery cell assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the second exhaust flow path extends between the outlet of the second cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe.

4. the first supply passage of the supply pipe, the first cooling channel of the first cover plate, and the first discharge passage of the discharge pipe are connected in sequence; The battery cell assembly of claim 2 or 3, wherein the second supply passage of the supply pipe, the second cooling channel of the second cover plate, and the second discharge passage of the discharge pipe are connected in sequence.

5. a third cover plate facing a third surface of the cell block opposite the second surface, the third cover plate including a third cooling channel; further comprising the supply pipe further includes a third supply passage connected to the inlet of the third cooling channel; The battery cell assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the exhaust pipe further includes a third exhaust passage connected to an outlet of the third cooling channel.

6. the supply pipe has a single inlet; the first supply passage extends between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the first cooling channel; the second supply passage extends between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the second cooling channel; The battery cell assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the third supply flow path extends between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the third cooling channel.

7. the discharge pipe has a single outlet; the first exhaust passage extends between the outlet of the first cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe; the second exhaust passage extends between the outlet of the second cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe; The battery cell assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the third exhaust flow path extends between the outlet of the third cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe.

8. the first supply passage of the supply pipe, the first cooling channel of the first cover plate, and the first discharge passage of the discharge pipe are connected in sequence; the second supply passage of the supply pipe, the second cooling channel of the second cover plate, and the second discharge passage of the discharge pipe are connected in sequence; The battery cell assembly of claim 6 or 7, wherein the third supply passage of the supply pipe, the third cooling channel of the third cover plate, and the third discharge passage of the discharge pipe are connected in sequence.

9. The battery cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second cover plate further includes a fastening portion fastened to an external support structure.

10. The supply pipe a first main supply pipe connected to the first cover plate; a first branch supply pipe extending between the first main supply pipe and the second cover plate; Including, The first main supply pipe a first portion connected to the first cover plate and extending downward from the first cover plate; a second portion extending from the first portion in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the first portion; a third portion extending upward from the second portion and having an inlet through which the cooling fluid provided from outside flows; The battery cell assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 7, comprising:

11. A pack housing; a battery cell assembly housed in the pack housing; Including, The battery cell assembly a cell block including a plurality of battery cells; a first cover plate facing the first surface of the cell block and including a first cooling channel; a second cover plate facing the second surface of the cell block and including a second cooling channel; a supply pipe into which a cooling fluid supplied from an external source flows, the supply pipe including a first supply passage connected to an inlet of the first cooling channel and a second supply passage connected to an inlet of the second cooling channel; an exhaust pipe configured to exhaust the cooling fluid to the outside, the exhaust pipe including a first exhaust passage connected to an outlet of the first cooling channel and a second exhaust passage connected to an outlet of the second cooling channel; Including, The battery pack further comprises a space between the battery cell assembly and the bottom wall of the pack housing, the space being defined by separating the battery cell assembly from the bottom wall of the pack housing.

12. the supply pipe has a single inlet; the discharge pipe has a single outlet; the first supply passage extends between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the first cooling channel; the second supply passage extends between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the second cooling channel; the first exhaust passage extends between the outlet of the first cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe; The battery pack according to claim 11 , wherein the second exhaust flow path extends between the outlet of the second cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe.

13. The battery cell assembly a first path formed by sequentially connecting the first supply flow path, the first cooling channel, and the first discharge flow path; a second path formed by sequentially connecting the second supply flow path, the second cooling channel, and the second discharge flow path; 13. The battery pack of claim 12, comprising:

14. The battery cell assembly a third cover plate facing a third surface of the cell block opposite the second surface, the third cover plate including a third cooling channel; further comprising the supply pipe further includes a third supply passage extending between the inlet of the supply pipe and the inlet of the third cooling channel; the exhaust pipe further includes a third exhaust passage extending between the outlet of the third cooling channel and the outlet of the exhaust pipe; The battery pack according to claim 13 , wherein the third supply channel, the third cooling channel, and the third discharge channel are connected in sequence.

15. the second cover plate further includes a first fastening portion fastened to a support structure provided on the bottom wall of the pack housing; The battery pack according to claim 14 , wherein the third cover plate further includes a second fastening portion fastened to another support structure provided on the bottom wall of the pack housing.

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