Battery Assembly

Abstract

The technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a battery assembly including an isolation structure including a plurality of cell accommodating spaces separated from one another in a first direction and a plurality of venting channels separated from one another in the first direction, and a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the cell accommodating spaces of the isolation structure, wherein the plurality of venting channels are each provided on a corresponding one of the plurality of cell accommodating spaces, and the plurality of venting channels each extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to guide gas in the second direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0150636, dated November 3, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of this 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. Research into technologies to improve the safety of secondary batteries is essential, as a fire or other accident involving a secondary battery used in mobility could put the driver's life at risk. 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 assembly and a battery pack including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a battery assembly including an isolation structure including a plurality of cell accommodating spaces separated from each other in a first direction and a plurality of venting channels separated from each other in the first direction, and a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the plurality of cell accommodating spaces of the isolation structure, wherein the plurality of venting channels are each provided on a corresponding one of the plurality of cell accommodating spaces, and the plurality of venting channels each extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to guide gas in the second direction.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the separation structure includes a plurality of separation plates spaced apart in the first direction to define the plurality of cell accommodating spaces and the plurality of venting channels, and a cover plate arranged on the plurality of separation plates to cover the plurality of cell accommodating spaces and the plurality of venting channels.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, adjacent venting channels among the plurality of venting channels and adjacent cell accommodating spaces among the plurality of cell accommodating spaces are separated by corresponding separation plates among the plurality of separation plates.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the cover plate is spaced apart from the battery cells in a vertical direction perpendicular to the first and second directions with the venting channels therebetween, and within the venting channels, gas flows in the second direction along a surface of the cover plate.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of battery cells are attached to corresponding ones of the plurality of separator plates, respectively.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of venting channels extends in the second direction from a first end to a second end, and further includes a blocking plate blocking the first end of each of the plurality of venting channels, and within each of the plurality of venting channels, gas flows in a venting direction from the first end to the second end.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of cell-accommodating spaces accommodates two battery cells spaced apart by a pad.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the separation structure includes a plurality of unit separation structures arranged in the first direction, and each of the plurality of unit separation structures includes a separation plate separating adjacent cell accommodating spaces among the plurality of cell accommodating spaces from adjacent venting channels among the plurality of venting channels, and a unit cover plate connected to an upper portion of the separation plate and covering adjacent venting channels among the plurality of venting channels.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the unit cover plates of the plurality of unit separation structures are connected in the first direction.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, a lower surface of each of the plurality of battery cells is not covered by the isolation structure and is exposed to the outside of the isolation structure.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack may further include a fastening frame attached to an outermost battery cell in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells and fastened to an external support structure.

[0017] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a battery pack including: a pack housing including a bottom plate and a support structure on the bottom plate; and a battery assembly mounted on the pack housing, wherein the battery assembly includes: an isolation structure including a plurality of cell accommodating spaces separated from each other in a first direction and a plurality of venting channels separated from each other in the first direction; a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the cell accommodating spaces of the isolation structure; and a fastening frame attached to an outermost battery cell in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells and fastened to the support structure, wherein the plurality of venting channels are each provided on a corresponding one of the plurality of cell accommodating spaces, and the plurality of venting channels each extend in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction to guide gas in the second direction.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom plate is characterized by including cooling channels configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therethrough.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of venting channels each extend in the second direction from a first end to a second end, and the battery assembly further includes a blocking plate blocking the first end of each of the plurality of venting channels, and within each of the plurality of venting channels, gas flows in a venting direction from the first end to the second end.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the pack housing includes first and second side walls spaced apart in the second direction, and third and fourth side walls spaced apart in the first direction, the second ends of the plurality of venting channels facing the first side walls, and a venting device attached to the third side wall of the pack housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multiple battery cells in a battery assembly are separated by a separation plate of an isolation structure, so that heat transfer between adjacent battery cells can be prevented or suppressed, and chain fires of battery cells can be prevented or suppressed.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a battery assembly may have a cell-to-pack structure in which the battery assembly is directly assembled to a pack housing of a battery pack. In the battery assembly, the plurality of battery cells are exposed without being covered by a structure such as a frame, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the plurality of battery cells. Furthermore, the battery assembly includes a fastening frame configured to be fastened to the pack housing of the battery pack, thereby eliminating an assembly gap between the battery assembly and the pack housing and improving the energy density of the battery pack.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, high-temperature gas generated from a plurality of battery cells is discharged along a venting direction provided by the separation structure, thereby realizing directional venting in which venting gas is discharged in a predetermined specific direction.

[0024] 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]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery assembly taken along line AA-AA' in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the separation structure and fastening frame of the battery assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery assembly taken along line BB-BB' in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack taken along line CC-CC' in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before that, it should be noted that 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 the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to best describe his / her invention.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] In this specification, the vertical direction may be defined as the Z direction, and the horizontal direction may be defined as a direction perpendicular to the Z direction. The first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction may be orthogonal to each other, and the first horizontal direction may be defined as the X direction, and the second horizontal direction may be defined as the Y direction.

[0031] (First embodiment) Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery assembly 100 taken along line AA-AA' in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the separation structure 110 and fastening frame 160 of the battery assembly 100 in Figure 1.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a battery assembly 100 may include an isolation structure 110, a plurality of battery cells 130, and a fastening frame 160.

[0033] The separation structure 110 may include a plurality of separation plates 111 spaced apart in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a cover plate 113 disposed on the plurality of separation plates 111. Each separation plate 111 may have a flat plate shape extending in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) and a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction). The cover plate 113 may be connected to an upper end of each of the plurality of separation plates 111. The cover plate 113 may have a flat plate shape extending in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction).

[0034] The separation structure 110 may provide a plurality of cell accommodating spaces 121 that are separated from one another. Each of the plurality of cell accommodating spaces 121 may accommodate one or more battery cells 130. The plurality of cell accommodating spaces 121 may be separated from one another in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction), and the plurality of cell accommodating spaces 121 may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). Adjacent cell accommodating spaces 121 among the plurality of cell accommodating spaces 121 may be separated by corresponding separation plates 111 among the plurality of separation plates 111.

[0035] The isolation structure 110 may provide a plurality of venting channels 125 that are separated from one another. The plurality of venting channels 125 may be separated from one another in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). Adjacent venting channels 125 among the plurality of venting channels 125 may be separated by a corresponding separation plate 111 among the plurality of separation plates 111. Each venting channel 125 may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Each venting channel 125 may be provided above a corresponding cell accommodating space 121 among the plurality of cell accommodating spaces 121 and may communicate with the corresponding cell accommodating space 121. Each venting channel 125 may be defined by the separation plate 111, the cover plate 113, and an upper surface of one or more battery cells 130 accommodated in the corresponding cell accommodating space 121. Individual venting channels 125 may be provided in a vertical direction (e.g., Z direction) between the cover plate 113 and one or more battery cells 130 accommodated in the corresponding cell accommodating space 121, and may be provided between two adjacent separation plates 111 in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction).

[0036] Each venting channel 125 may guide high-temperature gas originating from one or more battery cells 130 accommodated in the corresponding cell accommodating space 121 in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The cover plate 113 may cover the plurality of venting channels 125 and the plurality of battery cells 130 so as to block gas from flowing in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction) between each venting channel 125 and an external space of the battery assembly 100. In each venting channel 125, the high-temperature gas may flow in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) along the lower surface of the cover plate 113 facing the plurality of battery cells 130. Each venting channel 125 may extend in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) and have a first end (1251 in FIG. 4) and a second end (1253 in FIG. 4) opposite the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). At least one of the first end 1251 and the second end 1253 of each venting channel 125 is exposed to the external space of the battery assembly 100, allowing gas flow between the external space of the battery assembly 100 and each venting channel 125.

[0037] In the exemplary embodiment, the separation structure 110 may include a plurality of unit separation structures 110a. Each unit separation structure 110a may include one separation plate 111 and one unit cover plate 115 connected to an upper end of the separation plate 111. The plurality of unit separation structures 110a may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The plurality of unit cover plates 115 of the plurality of unit separation structures 110a may be arranged and connected in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The cover plate 113 may be composed of a plurality of unit cover plates 115.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the individual unitary isolating structures 110a can be manufactured by an extrusion process.

[0039] In the exemplary embodiment, each unit cover plate 115 may include a first segment and a second segment extending in opposite directions from an upper end of the corresponding separation plate 111. The first segment of each unit cover plate 115 may at least partially cover one of two adjacent venting channels 125, and the second segment of each unit cover plate 115 may at least partially cover the other of the two adjacent venting channels 125. When viewed in cross section, each unit separation structure 110a may have a T-shape.

[0040] The plurality of battery cells 130 may be accommodated in the plurality of cell accommodating spaces 121 of the separation structure 110 and may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction). The battery cells 130 accommodated in different cell accommodating spaces 121 of the separation structure 110 may be separated by separation plates 111. Each battery cell 130 may be attached to a corresponding one of the plurality of separation plates 111 by an adhesive member. The adhesive member may include, for example, an adhesive tape or a resin layer.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the plurality of cell accommodating spaces 121 of the isolation structure 110 can accommodate a plurality of battery cells 130, for example, two battery cells 130, arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the plurality of cell accommodating spaces 121 of the isolation structure 110 may include a pad 140 and two battery cells 130 spaced apart with the pad 140 interposed therebetween. The pad 140 may be attached to each of the two battery cells 130 by an adhesive member made of an adhesive tape or a resin layer. The pad 140 may correspond to a thermal barrier pad configured to thermally isolate the two battery cells 130 and support the two battery cells 130.

[0043] The battery cell 130 may be accommodated in the cell accommodating space 121 of the separation structure 110 and may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) within the cell accommodating space 121. Electrode leads (131 in FIG. 4) may be provided at both ends of the battery cell 130 along the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). When the battery cell 130 is accommodated in the cell accommodating space 121 of the separation structure 110, two side surfaces of the battery cell 130 may be covered by two separation plates adjacent to each other in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and the top surface of the battery cell 130 may be covered by the cover plate 113. In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom surface of the battery cell 130 may be exposed to the outside of the separation structure 110 without being covered by the separation structure 110.

[0044] Each battery cell 130 is the basic unit of a lithium-ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. Each battery cell 130 can include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a cell case. The electrode assembly housed in the cell case can 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 can be either a jelly roll type or a stack type. A jelly roll type electrode assembly can include a wound structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween. A stack type electrode assembly can include multiple positive electrodes, multiple negative electrodes, and multiple separators interposed therebetween, stacked in sequence. The positive electrode can include a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material. The negative electrode can include a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material.

[0045] The plurality of battery cells 130 may be connected in series and / or parallel. In one example, the plurality of battery cells 130 may be connected in series to each other. In one example, the plurality of battery cells 130 may be connected in parallel to each other. In one example, when a set of two or more battery cells 130 connected in parallel to each other is defined as a bank, one bank consisting of two or more battery cells 130 connected in parallel to each other may be connected in series to another bank consisting of two or more battery cells 130 connected in parallel to each other.

[0046] Each battery cell 130 may be 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. In an exemplary embodiment, each battery cell 130 is a pouch-type battery cell, and the length of each battery cell 130 along the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction) may be longer than the length of each battery cell 130 along the first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction).

[0047] The plurality of battery cells 130 may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) to form a cell stack. When viewed from a plane, the cell stack may have a rectangular shape. The cell stack may have two opposite sides (i.e., a first side and a second side) in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction), a front side and a rear side opposite in the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction), and a top side and a bottom side opposite in the vertical direction (e.g., Z direction).

[0048] A frame 171 supporting electrode leads 131 of the plurality of battery cells 130 may be disposed on each of the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack. The frame 171 on the front surface of the cell stack may be provided with slits into which the electrode leads 131 are inserted, and the frame 171 on the rear surface of the cell stack may be provided with slits into which the electrode leads 131 are inserted.

[0049] The frame 171 may support bus bars 173. The bus bars 173 may be electrically and physically coupled to at least one of the electrode leads 131 of the plurality of battery cells 130. The bus bars 173 may be joined to at least one of the electrode leads 131 of the plurality of battery cells 130 by welding. The bus bars 173 may include terminal bus bars for electrically coupling the cell stack of the battery assembly 100 to a cell stack of another battery assembly or an external device. In an exemplary embodiment, the bus bars 173 may include inter-bus bars coupled to the electrode leads 131 of different battery cells 130 to electrically couple the different battery cells 130 to each other.

[0050] The battery assembly 100 may further include insulating covers 175 coupled to the frame 171. One insulating cover 175 covers the frame 171 on the front side of the cell stack and may at least partially cover each of the electrode leads 131 and each of the bus bars 173 supported by the frame 171 on the front side of the cell stack. The other insulating cover 175 covers the frame 171 on the rear side of the cell stack and may at least partially cover each of the electrode leads 131 and each of the bus bars 173 supported by the frame 171 on the rear side of the cell stack.

[0051] The fastening frame 160 may be attached to each of the battery cells 130 located at the outermost position in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) among the plurality of battery cells 130. The fastening frame 160 may be fastened to an external support structure 530. For example, the external support structure 530 may be provided on a pack housing (501 in FIG. 5) of a battery pack (500 in FIG. 5) in which the battery assembly 100 is mounted, and the battery assembly 100 may be mounted on the pack housing 501 via the fastening frame 160 in a side-mounting manner.

[0052] The fastening frame 160 may cover one side of the battery cell 130 and may be attached to the one side of the battery cell 130 by an adhesive member formed of an adhesive tape or a resin layer. The fastening frame 160 may be fastened to the external support structure 530 by bolts 551. For example, the fastening frame 160 may include a fixing plate 161 attached to the battery cell 130 and a flange 163 fastened to the external support structure 530 by the bolts 551. The flange 163 may be connected to an upper portion of the fixing plate 161 and placed on the external support structure 530.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, an upper cooling plate may be attached onto the isolation structure 110. The upper cooling plate may include cooling channels configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therethrough. The upper cooling plate may be thermally and physically coupled to the isolation structure 110 by a thermally conductive adhesive layer, such as a thermal resin, applied along a cover plate 113 of the isolation structure 110. The upper cooling plate may be thermally coupled to the battery cells 130 via the thermally conductive adhesive layer and the isolation structure 110.

[0054] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the multiple battery cells 130 in the battery assembly 100 are separated by the separation plate 111 of the separation structure 110, thereby preventing or suppressing thermal propagation between adjacent battery cells 130 and preventing or suppressing chain fires of the battery cells 130.

[0055] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the battery assembly 100 may have a cell-to-pack structure in which the battery assembly 100 is directly assembled to the pack housing 501 of the battery pack 500. In the battery assembly 100, the plurality of battery cells 130 are exposed without being covered by a structure such as a frame, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the plurality of battery cells 130. In addition, the battery assembly 100 includes a fastening frame 160 configured to be fastened to the pack housing 501 of the battery pack 500, thereby eliminating an assembly gap between the battery assembly 100 and the pack housing 501 and improving the energy density of the battery pack 500.

[0056] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the battery assembly 100 taken along line BB-BB' in FIG.

[0057] 1 to 4, the battery assembly 100 may include a blocking plate 150 connected to an end portion of the isolation structure 110 along the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The blocking plate 150 may close one end of each of the plurality of venting channels 125 so that gas is discharged from the plurality of venting channels 125 of the isolation structure 110 in only one direction.

[0058] The blocking plate 150 can close the first end 1251 of each venting channel 125 provided in the isolation structure 110 so that gas is not allowed to flow through the first end 1251 of each venting channel 125. Because the first end 1251 of each venting channel 125 is closed by the blocking plate 150, gas in each venting channel 125 can flow only in one venting direction VD1 from the first end 1251 to the second end 1253 of each venting channel 125 and can be released to the outside of the battery assembly 100 through the second end 1253 of each venting channel 125. The second end 1253 of each venting channel 125 can be an outlet of the venting channel 125 through which gas is discharged to the outside.

[0059] When gas is generated from the battery cell 130, the gas generated from the battery cell 130 flows into the venting channel 125 on the upper side of the battery cell 130, then flows through the venting channel 125 in one venting direction VD1, and can then be released to the outside through the second end 1253 of the venting channel 125.

[0060] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, high-temperature gas generated from the plurality of battery cells 130 is discharged along one venting direction VD1 provided by the separation structure 110, thereby realizing directional venting in which venting gas is discharged in a predetermined specific direction.

[0061] (Second embodiment) Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a battery pack 500 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack 500 taken along line CC-CC' in Fig. 5.

[0062] 5 and 6 in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 4, a battery pack 500 may include a pack housing 501 and a battery assembly 100 mounted in the pack housing 501. The battery pack 500 may include one or more battery assemblies 100 mounted in the pack housing 501. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack 500 may include a plurality of battery assemblies 100 arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction).

[0063] The pack housing 501 may provide an accommodation space in which the battery assembly 100 is accommodated. The pack housing 501 may include a bottom plate 510 and side walls (i.e., first to fourth side walls 521, 523, 525, and 527) connected to edges of the bottom plate 510. The pack housing 501 may further include a pack lid connected to the side walls of the pack housing 501 to cover the accommodation space. The accommodation space of the pack housing 501 may be a sealed space.

[0064] The bottom plate 510 may have a flat plate shape parallel to a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). The bottom plate 510 may support the battery assembly 100. The battery assembly 100 may be thermally and physically coupled to the bottom plate 510 via a thermally conductive adhesive layer interposed between the battery assembly 100 and the bottom plate 510. In an exemplary embodiment, lower surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 130 may be connected to the bottom plate 510 without being covered by the isolation structure 110 so as to be exposed to the outside of the isolation structure 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 130 may be thermally and physically coupled to the bottom plate 510 via a thermally conductive adhesive layer. The thermally conductive adhesive layer may include a thermal interface material (TIM) or a thermal resin.

[0065] The bottom plate 510 may include cooling channels 511 configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therethrough and may be configured to cool the battery assembly 100. The cooling fluid provided from outside the battery pack 500 may be supplied to an inlet of the cooling channels 511, flow along the cooling channels 511, and be discharged to the outside through an outlet of the cooling channels 511. While the cooling fluid flows along the cooling channels 511, cooling may be provided to the plurality of battery cells 130 of the battery assembly 100. The cooling fluid may include coolant and / or refrigerant. In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom plate 510 may be formed by an extrusion process.

[0066] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 130 are not covered by the isolation structure 110 or other frame, so that a thermally conductive adhesive layer can be used to thermally couple the plurality of battery cells 130 to the bottom plate 510 having the cooling channels 511. Because the plurality of battery cells 130 of the battery assembly 100 are thermally coupled to the bottom plate 510 of the pack housing 501 having the cooling channels 511, cooling for the plurality of battery cells 130 can be enhanced.

[0067] The side walls of the pack housing 501 may include a first side wall 521 and a second side wall 523 that are opposed and spaced apart in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction), and a third side wall 525 and a fourth side wall 527 that are opposed and spaced apart in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction). The side walls of the pack housing 501 may enclose an accommodating space. The third side wall 525 of the pack housing 501 may be a front wall that constitutes a front portion of the battery pack 500, and the fourth side wall 527 of the pack housing 501 may be a rear wall that constitutes a rear portion of the battery pack 500.

[0068] A venting device 540 may be attached to the third side wall 525 of the pack housing 501. The venting device 540 may be attached to an exhaust passage provided between the accommodation space of the pack housing 501 and the external space of the pack housing 501, and may be configured to selectively exhaust gas between the accommodation space of the pack housing 501 and the external space of the pack housing 501. In an exemplary embodiment, the venting device 540 may include a check valve, a relief valve, a safety valve, and / or a rupture disc.

[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, the venting device 540 may be a relief valve or a check valve configured to selectively open and close a gas exhaust passage in response to the internal pressure of the storage space of the pack housing 501. The check valve may be configured to open the gas exhaust passage to exhaust gas to the outside of the pack housing 501 when the internal pressure of the storage space of the pack housing 501 becomes higher than a reference pressure, and to close the gas exhaust passage when the internal pressure of the storage space of the pack housing 501 becomes lower than the reference pressure as the gas is exhausted.

[0070] The pack housing 501 may include a plurality of support structures 530 provided on the bottom plate 510. The plurality of support structures 530 may be provided on an upper surface of the bottom plate 510 and may be spaced apart from one another in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). Each of the plurality of support structures 530 may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Each of the plurality of support structures 530 may be referred to as a cross beam structure. The plurality of support structures 530 may separate or partition the storage space of the pack housing 501 into a plurality of sub-storage spaces. The sub-storage spaces are separated or partitioned in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and one battery assembly 100 may be disposed in each of the sub-storage spaces.

[0071] The fastening frame 160 of each battery assembly 100 can be placed on a corresponding one of the plurality of support structures 530. Each battery assembly 100 can be fastened to the pack housing 501 by fastening the fastening frame 160 to a corresponding one of the plurality of support structures 530 with bolts 551. More specifically, each battery assembly 100 can be fastened to the pack housing 501 by fastening a pair of fastening frames 160 to a corresponding pair of support structures 530 of the plurality of battery support structures 530.

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, two battery assemblies 100 adjacent in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) can share the same single support structure 530. That is, one of the two battery assemblies 100 adjacent in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) can be fastened to the single support structure 530, and the other of the two battery assemblies 100 adjacent in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) can be fastened to the same single support structure 530.

[0073] In an exemplary embodiment, each battery assembly 100 may be configured to exhaust gas in one venting direction VD1, and an outlet of each battery assembly 100 in the one venting direction VD1 may face one of the first side wall 521 and the second side wall 523. Each battery assembly 100 may be mounted in the pack housing 501 such that a second end 1253 of the venting channel 125, where an outlet of the venting channel 125 is provided, faces one of the first side wall 521 and the second side wall 523. In this case, gas exhausted from each battery assembly 100 may flow along the first side wall 521 or the second side wall 523 in the venting direction VD2 parallel to the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and flow to the third side wall 525, and the gas guided to the third side wall 525 may be exhausted to the outside of the battery pack 500 through a venting device 540 provided in the third side wall 525.

[0074] In the exemplary embodiment, the battery pack 500 may include a plurality of battery assemblies 100 arranged in two rows. The battery assemblies 100 in the first row may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and may be closer to the first side wall 521 than to the second side wall 523. The battery assemblies 100 in the second row may be arranged in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and may be closer to the second side wall 523 than to the first side wall 521. The battery assemblies 100 in the first row may be arranged such that an outlet in one venting direction VD1 faces the first side wall 521, and the battery assemblies 100 in the second row may be arranged such that an outlet in one venting direction VD1 faces the second side wall 523. In each of the battery assemblies 100 in the first row, the second ends 1253 of the venting channels 1250 of the isolation structures 110 that are not closed by the blocking plates 150 can face the first side wall 521, and the first ends 1251 of the venting channels 1250 of the isolation structures 110 that are closed by the blocking plates 150 can face the second side wall 523. In each of the battery assemblies 100 in the second row, the second ends 1253 of the venting channels 1250 of the isolation structures 110 that are not closed by the blocking plates 150 can face the second side wall 523, and the first ends 1251 of the venting channels 1250 of the isolation structures 110 that are closed by the blocking plates 150 can face the first side wall 521. Gas discharged from the battery assemblies 100 in the first row may flow along the first side wall 521 in a venting direction VD2 parallel to the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and flow to the third side wall 525, and the gas guided to the third side wall 525 may be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 500 through the venting device 540 provided in the third side wall 525. Gas discharged from the battery assemblies 100 in the second row may flow along the second side wall 523 in a venting direction VD2 parallel to the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and flow to the third side wall 525, and the gas guided to the third side wall 525 may be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 500 through the venting device 540 provided in the third side wall 525.

[0075] In some exemplary embodiments, in the battery pack 500, the plurality of battery assemblies 100 may each be configured to discharge gas toward a center of the battery pack 500. The battery pack 500 may include a first row of battery assemblies 100 relatively adjacent to the first side wall 521 and a second row of battery assemblies 100 relatively adjacent to the second side wall 523. In each of the battery assemblies 100 in the first row, the second end 1253 of the venting channel 1250 of the isolation structure 110 that is not closed by the blocking plate 150 may face the second side wall 523, and the first end 1251 of the venting channel 1250 of the isolation structure 110 that is closed by the blocking plate 150 may face the first side wall 521. In each of the battery assemblies 100 in the second row, the second end 1253 of the venting channel 1250 of the separation structure 110 that is not closed by the blocking plate 150 may face the first side wall 521, and the first end 1251 of the venting channel 1250 of the separation structure 110 that is closed by the blocking plate 150 may face the second side wall 523. Gas discharged from the battery assemblies 100 in the first row and / or the battery assemblies 100 in the second row may flow along a venting direction parallel to the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) along the space provided between the battery assemblies 100 in the first row and the battery assemblies 100 in the second row, and may flow to the third side wall 525. The gas guided to the third side wall 525 may be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 500 through a venting device 540 provided in the third side wall 525.

[0076] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack 500 may further include an upper cooling plate (not shown) provided on the battery assembly 100. A thermally conductive adhesive layer, such as a thermal interface material (TIM) or thermal resin, may be interposed between each of the isolation structures 110 of the battery assembly 100 and the upper cooling plate. The isolation structures 110 of the battery assembly 100 may be thermally and physically coupled to the upper cooling plate by the thermally conductive adhesive layer. The upper cooling plate may include cooling channels configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow, and the battery cells 130 of the battery assembly 100 may be cooled while the cooling fluid flows along the cooling channels of the upper cooling plate.

[0077] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to 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 assembly 110 Separation structure 110a Unit isolation structure 111 Separation plate 113 Cover plate 115 unit cover plate 121 Cell Containment Space 125 Venting Channel 130 battery cells 131 Electrode Lead 140 pads 150 Shut-off Plate 160 Fastening Frame 161 Fixed plate 163 flange 171 frames 173 Busbar 175 Insulation cover 500 Battery Pack 501 Pack Housing 510 bottom plate 511 Cooling Channel 521 First side wall 523 Second side wall 525 Third side wall 527 4th side wall 530 Support Structure 530 Battery Support Structure 540 Venting Equipment 551 volts 1250 Venting Channel 1251 First end 1253 Second end

Claims

1. an isolation structure including a plurality of cell accommodating spaces separated from one another in a first direction and a plurality of venting channels separated from one another in the first direction; a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the plurality of cell accommodating spaces of the separation structure; Including, the plurality of venting channels are provided on corresponding cell accommodating spaces among the plurality of cell accommodating spaces, The plurality of venting channels extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction so as to guide gas in the second direction.

2. The isolation structure comprises: a plurality of separation plates spaced apart in the first direction to define the plurality of cell accommodating spaces and the plurality of venting channels; a cover plate disposed on the plurality of separation plates so as to cover the plurality of cell accommodating spaces and the plurality of venting channels; 10. The battery assembly of claim 1, comprising:

3. The battery assembly according to claim 2 , wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of venting channels and adjacent ones of the plurality of cell accommodating spaces are separated by corresponding ones of the plurality of separator plates.

4. the cover plate is spaced apart from the battery cells in a vertical direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction with the venting channels interposed therebetween; 3. The battery assembly of claim 2, wherein within the plurality of venting channels, gas flows in the second direction along a surface of the cover plate.

5. The battery assembly according to claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of battery cells is attached to a corresponding one of the plurality of separator plates.

6. Each of the plurality of venting channels extends in the second direction from a first end to a second end, a blocking plate blocking the first end of each of the plurality of venting channels; 2. The battery assembly of claim 1, wherein within each of the plurality of venting channels, gas flows in a venting direction from the first end toward the second end.

7. 2. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of cell-accommodating spaces accommodates two battery cells spaced apart by a pad.

8. the separation structure includes a plurality of unit separation structures arranged in the first direction, Each of the plurality of unit isolation structures is a separation plate separating adjacent cell accommodating spaces from adjacent venting channels; a unit cover plate connected to an upper portion of the separation plate and covering adjacent venting channels among the plurality of venting channels; 10. The battery assembly of claim 1, comprising:

9. The battery assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the unit cover plates of the plurality of unit isolation structures are connected in the first direction.

10. The battery assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a lower surface of each of the plurality of battery cells is not covered by the isolation structure and is exposed to an outside of the isolation structure.

11. a fastening frame attached to the outermost battery cell in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells and fastened to an external support structure; The battery assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

12. a pack housing including a bottom plate and a support structure on the bottom plate; a battery assembly mounted in the pack housing; Including, The battery assembly includes: an isolation structure including a plurality of cell accommodating spaces separated from one another in a first direction and a plurality of venting channels separated from one another in the first direction; a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the plurality of cell accommodating spaces of the separation structure; a fastening frame attached to an outermost battery cell in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells and fastened to the support structure; Including, the plurality of venting channels are provided on corresponding cell accommodating spaces among the plurality of cell accommodating spaces, The plurality of venting channels extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to guide gas therethrough.

13. The battery pack of claim 12 , wherein the bottom plate includes a cooling channel configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therethrough.

14. Each of the plurality of venting channels extends in the second direction from a first end to a second end, the battery assembly further includes a blocking plate blocking the first end of each of the plurality of venting channels; The battery pack of claim 12 , wherein within each of the plurality of venting channels, gas flows in a venting direction from the first end toward the second end.

15. The pack housing includes: a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced apart in the second direction; a third side wall and a fourth side wall spaced apart in the first direction; Including, the second ends of the plurality of venting channels face the first sidewall; The battery pack of claim 14 , wherein a venting device is attached to the third side wall of the pack housing.

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