Battery pack

Abstract

According to the technical concept of the present invention, there is provided a battery pack including: a base plate including a lower cooling channel; a cell assembly disposed on the base plate and including a plurality of battery cells; a top plate disposed on the cell assembly and having an upper cooling channel; a front end frame having a first side cooling channel communicating with the upper cooling channel; a rear end frame having a second side cooling channel communicating with the upper cooling channel and the lower cooling channel; an inlet pipe having an inlet channel communicating with the first side cooling channel and configured to transfer a cooling fluid supplied from an outside to the first side cooling channel; and an outlet pipe having an outlet channel communicating with the lower cooling channel.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0014130, filed January 30, 2024, the entire contents of which 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 various cordless devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. In recent years, improvements in energy density and economies of scale have significantly 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 that of fuel-powered vehicles, the primary use of secondary batteries has shifted from mobile devices to mobility.

[0004] The use of secondary batteries in mobility applications has led to increased demand for the safety of secondary batteries. Since a fire or other accident involving a secondary battery used in mobility applications could put the driver's life at risk, research into technologies to improve the safety of secondary batteries is essential. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technical problem that the present invention aims to achieve is to provide a battery pack. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, there is provided a battery pack including: a base plate including a lower cooling channel; a cell assembly disposed on the base plate and including a plurality of battery cells; a top plate disposed on the cell assembly and having an upper cooling channel; a front end frame coupled to the top plate and having a first side cooling channel communicating with the upper cooling channel; a rear end frame extending from the base plate to the top plate and having a second side cooling channel communicating with the upper cooling channel and the lower cooling channel; an inlet pipe coupled to the front end frame and having an inlet channel communicating with the first side cooling channel and configured to transfer cooling fluid supplied from an outside to the first side cooling channel; and an outlet pipe coupled to the base plate and having an outlet channel communicating with the lower cooling channel.

[0007] In one embodiment, the inlet channel, the first side cooling channel, the upper cooling channel, the second side cooling channel, the lower cooling channel, and the outlet channel are in communication with each other in this order.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the first side cooling channel includes a common channel communicating with the inlet channel and a plurality of first vertical channels, the upper cooling channel includes a plurality of sub-upper channels spaced apart from one another, and each of the plurality of first vertical channels extends from a corresponding one of the plurality of sub-upper channels to the common channel.

[0009] In one embodiment, the second side cooling channel includes a plurality of second vertical channels spaced apart from one another, each of the plurality of second vertical channels extending from a corresponding one of the plurality of sub-upper channels to the lower cooling channel.

[0010] In one embodiment, the lower cooling channel includes a plurality of sub-lower channels spaced apart from one another, and each of the plurality of second vertical channels extends from a corresponding sub-upper channel of the plurality of sub-upper channels to a corresponding sub-lower channel of the plurality of sub-lower channels.

[0011] According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of sub-upper channels extends in a first direction, each of the plurality of sub-lower channels extends in the first direction, and each of the plurality of second vertical channels extends in a vertical direction.

[0012] In one embodiment, the top plate includes a first plug having an internal channel inserted into the first side cooling channel.

[0013] In one embodiment, the top plate includes a second plug having an internal channel inserted into the second side cooling channel.

[0014] In one embodiment, the aft end frame includes a third plug having an internal channel inserted into the lower cooling channel.

[0015] In one embodiment, the top plate includes a plurality of segments spaced apart by a venting gap, the venting gap vertically overlapping the cell assembly.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the plurality of battery cells are stacked in a first direction, and each of the plurality of battery cells extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and each of the plurality of battery cells includes a center portion overlapping the venting gap in a vertical direction, and a pair of outer shell portions overlapping the top plate in a vertical direction and spaced apart in the second direction by sandwiching the center portion.

[0017] In one embodiment, the device further includes an edge wall extending along the edge of the base plate and surrounding the cell assembly, and a pack cover bonded onto the edge wall to cover the cell assembly and the top plate, the pack cover being spaced apart from the top plate by a venting space.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the system further includes an edge wall extending along the edge of the base plate and surrounding the cell assembly, and a pack cover bonded onto the edge wall to cover the cell assembly and the top plate, and the inlet pipe passes through the edge wall.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the upper cooling channel includes a plurality of sub-upper channels spaced apart from each other, the lower cooling channel includes a plurality of sub-lower channels spaced apart from each other, the first side cooling channel includes a plurality of first vertical channels and a common channel communicating with the inlet channel, each of the plurality of first vertical channels connecting a corresponding sub-cooling channel of the plurality of sub-upper channels to the common channel, the second side cooling channel includes a plurality of second vertical channels, each of the plurality of second vertical channels connecting a corresponding sub-upper channel of the plurality of sub-upper channels to a corresponding sub-lower channel of the plurality of sub-lower channels, the top plate includes a plurality of first plugs inserted into the plurality of first vertical channels and a plurality of second plugs inserted into the plurality of second vertical channels, and the rear end frame includes a plurality of third plugs inserted into the plurality of sub-lower channels.

[0020] In one embodiment, the system further includes an edge wall extending along the edge of the base plate and surrounding the cell assembly, and a pack cover coupled onto the edge wall to cover the cell assembly and the top plate and spaced apart from the top plate by a venting space, wherein the inlet pipe passes through the edge wall, and the top plate includes a plurality of segments spaced apart from each other by a venting gap, the venting gap communicating with the venting space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery pack includes a front end frame having a first side cooling channel, a top plate having an upper cooling channel, a rear end frame having a second side cooling channel, and a base plate having a lower cooling channel, thereby providing multi-sided cooling for the battery cells, thereby improving the cooling performance of the battery cells and effectively controlling heat generation from the battery cells, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack.

[0022] In a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, cooling fluid circulates within the battery pack through separated cooling channels, thereby reducing the difference in flow rate of the cooling fluid between regions, thereby enabling more uniform cooling of the battery cells.

[0023] The effects obtained from one embodiment of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood from the following description by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure pertain. 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]1 is a perspective view showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack taken along line II-II' in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack taken along line III-III′ in FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack taken along line IV-IV' in FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a battery pack according to an 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. As a premise, the terms and words used in this 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 concept of terms in order to best describe his / her own invention.

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

[0027] Furthermore, in this specification, 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 may be omitted.

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

[0029] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack 10 taken along line II-II' in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack 10 taken along line III-III' in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack 10 taken along line IV-IV' in Fig. 1.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a battery pack 10 may include a pack housing 100 and a cell assembly 200.

[0031] Battery pack 10 may include one or more cell assemblies 200 mounted in pack housing 100. According to one embodiment, battery pack 10 may include multiple cell assemblies 200 arranged in pack housing 100 in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction).

[0032] The cell assembly 200 may include multiple battery cells 210. Each battery cell 210 is the basic unit of a lithium-ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. Each battery cell 210 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. Depending on the assembly form, the electrode assembly may be either a jelly roll type or a stack type. 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.

[0033] The plurality of battery cells 210 may be connected in series and / or parallel. In one example, the plurality of battery cells 210 may be connected in series to each other. In one example, the plurality of battery cells 210 may be connected in parallel to each other. In one example, when a set of two or more battery cells 210 connected in parallel to each other is defined as a bank, one bank consisting of two or more battery cells 210 connected in parallel to each other and another bank consisting of two or more battery cells 210 connected in parallel to each other may be connected in series.

[0034] The individual battery cells 210 may be pouch-type, cylindrical, or prismatic battery cells. 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.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the cell assembly 200 may include a plurality of battery cells 210 stacked on top of each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). In the cell assembly 200, adjacent battery cells 210 among the plurality of battery cells 210 may be fixed to each other by an adhesive member such as an adhesive tape. Each of the plurality of battery cells 210 may correspond to a pouch-type battery cell whose length along a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) is greater than its length along the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). Each battery cell 210 may extend in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction), and an electrode lead 213 may be provided on at least one of both ends of each battery cell 210 along the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The electrode leads 213 of adjacent battery cells 210 may be physically coupled.

[0036] When viewed from a plan view, the cell assembly 200 may have a rectangular shape. The cell assembly 200 may include top and bottom surfaces that are opposite in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction), first and second sides that are opposite in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and third and fourth sides that are opposite in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The top surface of the cell assembly 200 may include top surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 210, and the bottom surface of the cell assembly 200 may include bottom surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 210.

[0037] The pack housing 100 may be provided with an accommodation space for accommodating the cell assembly 200. The pack housing 100 may include a base plate 110, an edge wall 171, a first separation wall 173, a second separation wall 175, a top plate 130, a front end frame 120, a rear end frame 140, an inlet pipe 150, an outlet pipe 160, and a pack cover 191.

[0038] The base plate 110 can support the cell assembly 200. The base plate 110 can have a flat plate shape extending in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The base plate 110 can have a generally square flat plate shape in a plan view.

[0039] The base plate 110 may include a lower cooling channel 111 configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therethrough. The lower cooling channel 111 may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The cooling fluid may include a coolant and / or a refrigerant.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the lower cooling channel 111 may include a plurality of sub-lower channels 1111 spaced apart from one another. The plurality of sub-lower channels 1111 may be spaced apart from one another in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction), and each sub-lower channel 1111 may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The plurality of sub-lower channels 1111 may be joined at a merging channel 112 at the front end of the base plate 110, and the merging channel 112 may communicate with an outlet channel 161 of an outlet pipe 160 (described below). In addition, a horizontal connecting channel (116 in FIG. 6) extending in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) may be provided at the rear end of the base plate 110 to connect the plurality of sub-lower channels 1111.

[0041] According to one embodiment, a thermally conductive adhesive layer may be interposed between the bottom surface of the cell assembly 200 and the base plate 110. The cell assembly 200 may be thermally and physically coupled to the base plate 110 by the thermally conductive adhesive layer. For example, the thermally conductive adhesive layer may include a thermal resin and / or a thermal interface material.

[0042] The edge wall 171 may be disposed on the base plate 110 and may define the exterior of the pack housing 100. The edge wall 171 may extend along the edge of the base plate 110 and surround the multiple cell assemblies 200 mounted on the base plate 110. The base plate 110 and the edge wall 171 may together define the storage space of the pack housing 100. The edge wall 171 may include a front wall 1711 and a rear wall 1713 that are opposite in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a pair of side walls 1715 that are opposite in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The front wall 1711 of the edge wall 171 may define the front surface of the pack housing 100, and the rear wall 1713 of the edge wall 171 may define the rear surface of the pack housing 100.

[0043] The first separation wall 173 and the second separation wall 175 are disposed on the base plate 110 and can partition or separate the internal space of the pack housing 100 into multiple spaces. A cell assembly 200 can be disposed in each of the multiple spaces separated by the first separation wall 173 and the second separation wall 175. The first separation wall 173 can extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). Some of the multiple cell assemblies 200 can be separated in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) by sandwiching the first separation wall 173 between them. The second separation wall 175 can extend in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Some of the multiple cell assemblies 200 can be separated in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) by sandwiching the second separation wall 175 between them.

[0044] The top plate 130 may be disposed on the cell assembly 200. The top plate 130 may have a flat plate shape extending in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The top plate 130 may extend in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) from the front end frame 120 to the rear end frame 140 and face the upper surface of the cell assembly 200 disposed in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0045] The top plate 130 may include upper cooling channels 131 configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow through them. The upper cooling channels 131 may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0046] According to one embodiment, the upper cooling channel 131 may include a plurality of spaced-apart upper sub-channels 1311. The plurality of upper sub-channels 1311 may be spaced apart from one another in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction), and each upper sub-channel 1311 may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0047] According to one embodiment, a thermally conductive adhesive layer may be interposed between the upper surface of the cell assembly 200 and the top plate 130. The cell assembly 200 may be thermally and physically coupled to the top plate 130 by the thermally conductive adhesive layer. For example, the thermally conductive adhesive layer may include a thermal resin and / or a thermal interface material.

[0048] The front end frame 120 may extend in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction) between the base plate 110 and the top plate 130 and may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) along the surface of the base plate 110 between a pair of side walls 1715. An upper portion of the front end frame 120 may be coupled to the front end of the top plate 130, and a lower portion of the front end frame 120 may be coupled to the base plate 110. According to one embodiment, the front end frame 120 may be fastened to the top plate 130 with bolts. If necessary, the top plate 130 can be separated from the front end frame 120 by removing the bolts. The front end frame 120 may face the front wall 1711 of the edge wall 171 and be disposed on one side of the cell assembly 200 that is outermost in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) among the plurality of cell assemblies 200.

[0049] The front end frame 120 may include a first side cooling channel 121 configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therethrough. The first side cooling channel 121 may extend vertically (e.g., in the Z direction). The first side cooling channel 121 may communicate with an upper cooling channel 131 of the top plate 130.

[0050] The rear end frame 140 may extend in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction) between the base plate 110 and the top plate 130 and may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) along the surface of the base plate 110. An upper portion of the rear end frame 140 may be coupled to the rear end of the top plate 130, and a lower portion of the rear end frame 140 may be coupled to the base plate 110. According to one embodiment, the rear end frame 140 may be fastened to the top plate 130 with bolts. If necessary, the top plate 130 can be separated from the rear end frame 140 by removing the bolts. The rear end frame 140 may face the rear wall 1713 of the edge wall 171 and be disposed on one side of the cell assembly 200 that is outermost in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) among the multiple cell assemblies 200. The rear end frame 140 may be spaced apart from the front end frame 120 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) by sandwiching the cell assembly 200 therebetween.

[0051] The rear end frame 140 may include a second side cooling channel 141 configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow through it. The second side cooling channel 141 may extend vertically (e.g., in the Z direction) from the upper surface to the lower surface of the rear end frame 140. The second side cooling channel 141 may be in communication with the upper cooling channel 131 of the top plate 130 and the lower cooling channel 111 of the base plate 110. The upper cooling channel 131 of the top plate 130 may be connected to the lower cooling channel 111 of the base plate 110 via the second side cooling channel 141.

[0052] The inlet pipe 150 may be coupled to the front end frame 120 and may be configured to receive cooling fluid from an external cooling fluid source. The inlet pipe 150 may have an inlet channel 151 in communication with the first side cooling channel 121 of the front end frame 120. The inlet pipe 150 may be configured to transmit the cooling fluid supplied from the outside to the first side cooling channel 121 of the front end frame 120. According to one embodiment, the inlet pipe 150 may extend through the edge wall 171 and be coupled to the front end frame 120 so as to be in fluid communication with the front end frame 120. A portion of the inlet pipe 150 may be outside the edge wall 171, and another portion of the inlet pipe 150 may be within an interior space of the pack housing 100 surrounded by the edge wall 171.

[0053] The outlet pipe 160 may be coupled to the base plate 110 and may be configured to discharge the cooling fluid to an external cooling fluid source. The outlet pipe 160 may have an outlet channel 161 in communication with the lower cooling channel 111 of the base plate 110. The outlet pipe 160 may be configured to transmit the cooling fluid discharged from the outlet of the lower cooling channel 111 to the external cooling fluid source. According to one embodiment, the outlet pipe 160 may be coupled to a portion of the base plate 110 external to the edge wall 171.

[0054] In the embodiment, the inlet channel 151 of the inlet pipe 150, the first side cooling channel 121 of the front end frame 120, the upper cooling channel 131 of the top plate 130, the second side cooling channel 141 of the rear end frame 140, the lower cooling channel 111 of the base plate 110, and the outlet channel 161 of the outlet pipe 160 can be connected in this order. An integrated cooling channel can be configured in which the inlet channel 151 of the inlet pipe 150, the first side cooling channel 121 of the front end frame 120, the upper cooling channel 131 of the top plate 130, the second side cooling channel 141 of the rear end frame 140, the lower cooling channel 111 of the base plate 110, and the outlet channel 161 of the outlet pipe 160 are connected in this order.

[0055] Cooling fluid provided from the outside is supplied to the inlet channel 151 of the inlet pipe 150, flows sequentially along the inlet channel 151 of the inlet pipe 150, the first side cooling channel 121 of the front end frame 120, the upper cooling channel 131 of the top plate 130, the second side cooling channel 141 of the rear end frame 140, the lower cooling channel 111 of the base plate 110, and the outlet channel 161 of the outlet pipe 160, and can then be discharged to the outside through the outlet channel 161 of the outlet pipe 160. While the cooling fluid is flowing, cooling of the cell assembly 200 is performed.

[0056] The pack cover 191 may be disposed on the edge wall 171 of the pack housing 100. The pack cover 191 may have a flat plate shape extending in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The pack cover 191 may be coupled to the edge wall 171 of the pack housing 100 so as to cover the cell assembly 200. For example, the pack cover 191 may be coupled to the edge wall 171 of the pack housing 100 by bolts.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the top plate 130 may include a venting gap 139 that overlaps the cell assembly 200 in a vertical direction. The top plate 130 may include multiple segments, and each of the multiple segments of the top plate 130 may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) from the front end frame 120 to the rear end frame 140. The multiple segments of the top plate 130 may be separated in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) by the venting gap 139. The venting gap 139 of the top plate 130 may overlap with the center of each of the battery cells 210 stacked in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). Because the top plate 130 has the venting gap 139, when a thermal event such as thermal runaway occurs, high-temperature gas generated in the battery cells 210 may be vented upward through the venting gap 139 of the top plate 130.

[0058] The top plate 130 may be separated from the pack cover 191 by sandwiching a venting space 181. That is, the venting space 181 may refer to a space provided between the top plate 130 and the pack cover 191 when the top plate 130 and the pack cover 191 are separated from each other in a vertical direction (e.g., Z direction). The venting space 181 may be in communication with a venting gap 139 of the top plate 130. The venting space 181 and the venting gap 139 of the top plate 130 may be used as a venting passage for venting high-temperature gas generated in the battery cells 210. For example, when a thermal event such as thermal runaway occurs, high-temperature gas generated in the battery cell 210 flows through the venting gap 139 and venting space 181 of the top plate 130 to a venting device (e.g., a relief valve and / or a rupture valve) attached to the edge wall 171 of the pack housing 100, and can be discharged to the outside of the pack housing 100 via the venting device.

[0059] According to one embodiment, each battery cell 210 may include a center portion overlapping the venting gap 139 in the vertical direction and a pair of outer shell portions spaced apart in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) with the center portion sandwiched therebetween. The pair of outer shell portions of each battery cell 210 may include electrode leads 213, respectively. In this case, the top plate 130 may be disposed to overlap the pair of outer shell portions of each battery cell 210 in the vertical direction. In general, heat generation in each battery cell 210 is greater in the outer shell portions of the battery cell 210 including the electrode leads 213 than in the center portion of the battery cell 210. According to one embodiment, in the battery pack 10, the outer shell portions of the battery cells 210, which generate relatively more heat, have a dual cooling structure formed by the top plate 130 and the base plate 110, thereby effectively controlling heat generation in the battery cells 210.

[0060] (Second embodiment) Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] 1 to 6 , the first side cooling channel 121 of the front end frame 120 may include a common channel 123 and a plurality of first vertical channels 125. The common channel 123 may be connected to the inlet channel 151 of the inlet pipe 150. Each of the plurality of first vertical channels 125 may extend in a vertical direction (e.g., Z direction) from the common channel 123. The plurality of first vertical channels 125 may connect the common channel 123 and the upper cooling channel 131. Each of the plurality of first vertical channels 125 may extend in a vertical direction (e.g., Z direction) from a corresponding one of the plurality of sub-upper channels 1311 to the common channel 123. The cooling fluid flowing into the common channel 123 via the inlet channel 151 of the inlet pipe 150 may be split into the plurality of first vertical channels 125 and then supplied to each of the plurality of sub-upper channels 1311.

[0062] The top plate 130 may include a first plug 133 inserted into the first side cooling channel 121 and having an internal channel 1331. According to one embodiment, the top plate 130 may include a plurality of first plugs 133 inserted into the plurality of first vertical channels 125. The internal channel 1331 of each first plug 133 may be connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of sub-upper channels 1311. The cooling fluid provided from the first vertical channel 125 may be supplied to the sub-upper channel 1311 through the internal channel 1331 of the first plug 133. Because the top plate 130 has a plurality of first plugs 133 inserted into the plurality of first vertical channels 125, the physical connection between the top plate 130 and the front end frame 120 is strengthened, and leakage of the cooling fluid between the top plate 130 and the front end frame 120 can be prevented.

[0063] According to an embodiment, a sealing member such as a gasket 183 and an O-ring may be provided between the top plate 130 and the front end frame 120 to prevent leakage of the cooling fluid.

[0064] The second side cooling channel 141 of the rear end frame 140 may include a plurality of second vertical channels 1411 spaced apart from one another. Each of the plurality of second vertical channels 1411 may extend in a vertical direction (e.g., Z direction) from an upper surface of the rear end frame 140 in contact with the top plate 130 to a lower surface of the rear end frame 140 in contact with the base plate 110. The plurality of second vertical channels 1411 may extend in a vertical direction (e.g., Z direction) from a corresponding sub-upper channel 1311 of the plurality of sub-upper channels 1311 to a corresponding sub-lower channel 1111 of the plurality of sub-lower channels 1111.

[0065] The top plate 130 may include a second plug 135 inserted into the second side cooling channel 141 and having an internal channel 1351. According to an embodiment, the top plate 130 may include a plurality of second plugs 135 inserted into the plurality of second vertical channels 1411. The internal channel 1351 of each second plug 135 may be connected to a corresponding sub-upper channel 1311 among the plurality of sub-upper channels 1311. The cooling fluid provided from the sub-upper channel 1311 may be supplied to the second vertical channel 1411 through the internal channel 1351 of the second plug 135. Since the top plate 130 has a plurality of second plugs 135 inserted into the plurality of second vertical channels 1411, the physical connection between the top plate 130 and the rear end frame 140 is strengthened, and leakage of the cooling fluid between the top plate 130 and the rear end frame 140 can be prevented.

[0066] According to an embodiment, a sealing member such as a gasket 185 and an O-ring may be provided between the top plate 130 and the rear end frame 140 to prevent leakage of the cooling fluid.

[0067] The rear end frame 140 may include a third plug 143 having an internal channel 1431 and inserted into the lower cooling channel 111. According to one embodiment, the rear end frame 140 may include a plurality of third plugs 143 inserted into the plurality of sub-lower channels 1111. The internal channel 1431 of each third plug 143 may be connected to a corresponding second vertical channel 1411 among the plurality of second vertical channels 1411. The cooling fluid provided from the second vertical channel 1411 may be supplied to the sub-lower channel 1111 through the internal channel 1431 of the third plug 143. Because the rear end frame 140 has a plurality of third plugs 143 inserted into the plurality of sub-lower channels 1111, the physical connection between the rear end frame 140 and the base plate 110 may be strengthened, and leakage of the cooling fluid between the rear end frame 140 and the base plate 110 may be prevented.

[0068] According to an embodiment, a sealing member such as a gasket 187 and an O-ring may be provided between the rear end frame 140 and the base plate 110 to prevent leakage of the cooling fluid.

[0069] According to one embodiment, some of the plurality of sub-lower channels 1111 may not be directly connected to the second side cooling channel 141 of the rear end frame 140. In this case, the cooling fluid provided from the second side cooling channel 141 of the rear end frame 140 may be supplied to the sub-lower channel 1111 that is not directly connected to the second side cooling channel 141 of the rear end frame 140 through the horizontal connecting channel 116.

[0070] According to the battery pack 10 of one embodiment of the present invention, the front end frame 120 having the first side cooling channel 121, the top plate 130 having the upper cooling channel 131, the rear end frame 140 having the second side cooling channel 141, and the base plate 110 having the lower cooling channel 111 can perform multi-sided cooling for the battery cells 210, thereby improving the cooling performance of the battery cells 210. Since heat generation from the battery cells 210 can be effectively controlled, the safety of the battery pack 10 can be improved.

[0071] In the battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the cooling fluid circulates within the battery pack 10 through separated cooling channels, thereby reducing the difference in the flow rate of the cooling fluid between regions and providing more uniform cooling to the battery cells 210.

[0072] In a typical battery pack, a number of pipes for inflow and outflow of cooling fluid are connected to the base plate, making the battery pack vulnerable to external impacts. However, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the cooling fluid is supplied to the inside of the pack housing 100 through the inlet pipe 150 and then separated from the front end frame 120 inside the pack housing 100, thereby significantly reducing the number of pipes connected to the base plate 110 and preventing damage to the battery pack 10 from external vibrations and impacts.

[0073] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the drawings and embodiments, etc. However, the configurations described in the drawings and embodiments in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

Claims

1. a base plate including a lower cooling channel; a cell assembly disposed on the base plate and including a plurality of battery cells; a top plate disposed in the cell assembly and having an upper cooling channel; a front end frame coupled to the top plate and having a first side cooling channel in communication with the upper cooling channel; a rear end frame having a second side cooling channel extending from the base plate to the top plate and communicating with the upper cooling channel and the lower cooling channel; an inlet pipe coupled to the front end frame, the inlet pipe having an inlet channel communicating with the first side cooling channel and configured to transfer cooling fluid supplied from an external source to the first side cooling channel; an outlet pipe coupled to the base plate and having an outlet channel communicating with the lower cooling channel; Including the battery pack.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the inlet channel, the first side cooling channel, the upper cooling channel, the second side cooling channel, the lower cooling channel, and the outlet channel are in communication with each other in this order.

3. The first side cooling channel comprises: a common channel communicating with the inlet channel; a plurality of first vertical channels; Including, the upper cooling channel includes a plurality of upper sub-channels spaced apart from one another; The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of first vertical channels extends from a corresponding one of the plurality of sub-upper channels to the common channel.

4. the second side cooling channel includes a plurality of spaced-apart second vertical channels; The battery pack of claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of second vertical channels extends from a corresponding one of the plurality of sub-upper channels to the lower cooling channel.

5. the lower cooling channel includes a plurality of spaced-apart lower sub-channels; 5. The battery pack of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of second vertical channels extends from a corresponding sub-upper channel of the plurality of sub-upper channels to a corresponding sub-lower channel of the plurality of sub-lower channels.

6. Each of the plurality of sub-upper channels extends in a first direction; Each of the plurality of sub-lower channels extends in the first direction, The battery pack of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of second vertical channels extends vertically.

7. The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein the top plate includes a first plug inserted into the first side cooling channel and having an internal channel.

8. The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein the top plate includes a second plug inserted into the second side cooling channel and having an internal channel.

9. The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein the rear end frame includes a third plug inserted into the lower cooling channel and having an internal channel.

10. the top plate includes a plurality of segments spaced apart by a venting gap; The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein the venting gap vertically overlaps the cell assembly.

11. the plurality of battery cells are stacked in a first direction; Each of the plurality of battery cells extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, Each of the plurality of battery cells a central portion vertically overlapping the venting gap; a pair of outer shell portions that overlap the top plate in the vertical direction and are spaced apart in the second direction while sandwiching the center portion; 11. The battery pack of claim 10, comprising:

12. an edge wall extending along an edge of the base plate and surrounding the cell assembly; a pack cover coupled to the edge wall so as to cover the cell assembly and the top plate; Further comprising: The battery pack according to claim 10 , wherein the pack cover is spaced apart from the top plate by a venting space therebetween.

13. an edge wall extending along an edge of the base plate and surrounding the cell assembly; a pack cover coupled to the edge wall so as to cover the cell assembly and the top plate; Further comprising: The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein the inlet pipe passes through the edge wall.

14. the upper cooling channel includes a plurality of upper sub-channels spaced apart from one another; the lower cooling channel includes a plurality of spaced-apart lower sub-channels; the first side cooling channel includes a plurality of first vertical channels and a common channel communicating with the inlet channel; Each of the plurality of first vertical channels connects a corresponding sub-cooling channel of the plurality of sub-upper channels to the common channel; the second side cooling channel includes a plurality of second vertical channels; each of the plurality of second vertical channels connects a corresponding one of the plurality of sub-upper channels to a corresponding one of the plurality of sub-lower channels; the top plate includes a plurality of first plugs inserted into the plurality of first vertical channels and a plurality of second plugs inserted into the plurality of second vertical channels; The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the rear end frame includes a plurality of third plugs inserted into the plurality of sub-lower channels.

15. an edge wall extending along an edge of the base plate and surrounding the cell assembly; a pack cover coupled to the edge wall so as to cover the cell assembly and the top plate and spaced apart from the top plate by a venting space; Further comprising: the inlet pipe passes through the edge wall; the top plate includes a plurality of segments spaced apart by a venting gap; The battery pack according to claim 14 , wherein the venting gap is in communication with the venting space.

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