Battery devices and electric vehicles including them

Abstract

The technical concept of the present invention provides a battery device comprising a base structure, a plurality of cell assemblies mounted on the base structure and each containing a plurality of battery cells, and a top cover coupled to the base structure and comprising a pair of outer walls spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and an upper plate covering the plurality of cell assemblies and having an upper cooling channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery device and an electric vehicle including the same.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0013654 filed on January 30, 2024 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0148452 filed on October 28, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are widely used as an energy source for various cordless devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, and cordless vacuum cleaners. In recent years, due to improvements in energy density and economies of scale, the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has been significantly reduced, and as the driving range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to a level equivalent to that of fuel vehicles, the main application of secondary batteries has shifted from mobile devices to mobility.

[0004] When secondary batteries are used for mobility, the requirements for the safety of secondary batteries are increasing. Since accidents such as fires in secondary batteries used for mobility can endanger the lives of drivers, research on technologies to improve the safety of secondary batteries is essential.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a battery device and an electric vehicle including the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the technical concept of the present invention provides a battery device comprising a base structure, a plurality of cell assemblies mounted on the base structure and each containing a plurality of battery cells, and a top cover coupled to the base structure and comprising a pair of outer walls spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and an upper plate covering the plurality of cell assemblies and having an upper cooling channel.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the top cover further includes a central wall positioned between the pair of outer walls and extending from the upper plate toward the base structure, wherein at least two of the plurality of cell assemblies are spaced apart from each other in the first direction with the central wall in between.

[0008] In exemplary embodiments, the present invention further includes a plurality of fastening bolts for connecting the pair of outer walls and the central wall to the base structure.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the base structure is characterized by including a lower cooling channel.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention further includes: a lower inlet pipe coupled to the base structure for transmitting a first cooling fluid supplied from the outside to the inlet of the lower cooling channel; a lower outlet pipe coupled to the base structure for transmitting the first cooling fluid supplied from the outlet of the lower cooling channel to the outside; an upper inlet pipe coupled to the upper plate for transmitting a second cooling fluid supplied from the outside to the inlet of the upper cooling channel; and an upper outlet pipe coupled to the upper plate for transmitting the second cooling fluid supplied from the outlet of the upper cooling channel to the outside.

[0011] In exemplary embodiments, the base structure further includes a separation wall connected to the base structure and extending in the first direction, wherein at least two of the plurality of cell assemblies are separated from each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction with the separation wall in between.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the separation wall each includes a lower separation wall and an upper separation wall placed on the lower separation wall, wherein the upper separation wall is attached to a corresponding cell assembly among the plurality of cell assemblies, and the lower separation wall is separated from the corresponding cell assembly among the plurality of cell assemblies with the upper separation wall in between.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention further includes a thermal resin layer attached to each of the plurality of cell assemblies, and a tape disposed between the thermal resin layer and the base structure, wherein the tape includes a portion that protrudes outward from the thermal resin layer.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the tape is interposed between one of the pair of outer walls and the base structure.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the surface of the base structure superimposed perpendicularly to one of the pair of outer walls is coplanar with the surface of the base structure superimposed perpendicularly to one of the plurality of cell assemblies.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the base structure includes an inclined surface that extends inclined from a surface of the base structure superimposed perpendicularly to one of the pair of outer walls to a surface of the base structure superimposed perpendicularly to one of the plurality of cell assemblies, wherein the inclined surface of the base structure is in contact with the tape.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of cell assemblies is attached to the upper plate via a thermally conductive adhesive layer.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the device further includes heat dissipation fins connected to the plurality of cell assemblies, and a thermally conductive adhesive layer for attaching the heat dissipation fins to the upper plate.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the base structure includes a bottom plate supporting the plurality of cell assemblies and a central wall extending from the bottom plate toward the upper plate of the top cover, wherein at least two of the plurality of cell assemblies are spaced apart from each other in the first direction with the central wall in between, and further includes fastening bolts that fasten the central wall of the base structure to the upper plate of the top cover, the fastening bolts passing through the bottom plate, the central wall, and the upper plate.

[0020] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the technical concept of the present invention provides an electric vehicle comprising a vehicle frame and a battery device connected to the vehicle frame, wherein the battery device comprises a base structure having a lower cooling channel, a plurality of cell assemblies mounted on the base structure and each containing a plurality of battery cells, and a top cover coupled to the base structure and spaced apart in a first direction, and an upper plate covering the plurality of cell assemblies and having an upper cooling channel, and the vehicle frame is coupled to the top cover.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle frame includes a front frame on which the front wheels are mounted and a rear frame on which the rear wheels are mounted and spaced apart from the front frame, and the pair of outer walls of the top cover include a front projection that protrudes forward from the base structure and a rear projection that protrudes rearward from the base structure, and the front frame is coupled to the front projection of the pair of outer walls, and the rear frame is coupled to the rear projection of the pair of outer walls.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the top cover is disposed between the pair of outer walls and further includes a central wall extending from the upper plate toward the base structure, and at least two of the plurality of cell assemblies are spaced apart from each other in the first direction with the central wall therebetween.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, it further includes a plurality of fastening bolts for coupling the pair of outer walls and the central wall to the base structure, a thermal resin layer attached to each of the plurality of cell assemblies, and a tape disposed between the thermal resin layer and the base structure.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the top cover is characterized by being a single integral structure including the pair of outer walls, the upper plate, and the central wall.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the battery device has a dual cooling structure for cooling the battery cells with a base structure having a lower cooling channel and a top cover having an upper cooling channel, so that the cooling performance for the battery cells can be improved. Since the heat generation of the battery device can be effectively controlled, the safety of the battery device can be improved.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a defective cell assembly can be easily separated from the frame, and the defective cell assembly can be replaced with a normal cell assembly. Since the cell assemblies can be separated in unit form, the maintenance cost of the battery device can be reduced.

[0027] The effects obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong from the following description. That is, the unintended effects associated with implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a battery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view of the battery device taken along line II-II' of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view of the battery device taken along line III-III' of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the battery device. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the battery device. [Figure 6a] It is a plan view showing a manufacturing method of a battery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6b] It is a plan view showing a manufacturing method of a battery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6c] It is a plan view showing a manufacturing method of a battery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7a] It is a cross-sectional view showing a method of separating a cell assembly of a battery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7b] It is a cross-sectional view showing a method of separating a cell assembly of a battery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a plan view showing a battery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a battery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]A cross-sectional view showing a part of a battery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] A cross-sectional view showing a part of a battery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] A perspective view showing a battery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] A perspective view showing an electric vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a portion of an electric vehicle. [Figure 15] A perspective view showing a method for separating a cell assembly in an electric vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. As a premise, terms and words used herein and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but rather in a manner consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that inventors may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their own invention.

[0030] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings represent only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention; there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can substitute for them at the time of filing.

[0031] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0032] Since embodiments of the present invention are provided to give a more complete explanation to an ordinary person, the shapes and sizes of the components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for the sake of clarity. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect the actual sizes and proportions.

[0033] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a battery device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery device 10 along the line II-II' in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the battery device 10 along the line III-III' in Figure 1.

[0034] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the battery device 10 may include a frame 100 and a plurality of cell assemblies 210 mounted within the frame 100.

[0035] An individual cell assembly 210 may include a plurality of battery cells 211. Each individual battery cell 211 is the basic unit of a lithium-ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. Each individual battery cell 211 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 membrane interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. Depending on the form of assembly, the electrode assembly may be either a jelly roll type or a stack type. A jelly roll type electrode assembly may include a winding structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator membrane interposed between them. A stack type electrode assembly may include a plurality of sequentially stacked positive electrodes, a plurality of negative electrodes, and a plurality of separator membranes interposed between them. 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.

[0036] Multiple battery cells 211 can be connected in series and / or in parallel. In one example, multiple battery cells 211 can be connected in series with each other. In another example, multiple battery cells 211 can be connected in parallel with each other. In one example, when defining a set of two or more battery cells 211 connected in parallel with each other as a bank, one bank consisting of two or more battery cells 211 connected in parallel with each other can be connected in series with another bank consisting of two or more battery cells 211 connected in parallel with each other.

[0037] Each battery cell 211 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 containing 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.

[0038] In exemplary embodiments, the cell assembly 210 may include a plurality of battery cells 211 stacked on top of each other in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). In the cell assembly 210, adjacent battery cells 211 can be fixed to each other via an adhesive member such as adhesive tape. For example, each of the battery cells 211 may correspond to a pouch-type battery cell whose length along a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) is greater than its length along a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Each individual battery cell 211 may extend in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and electrode leads may be provided at least one of the ends of each individual battery cell 211 along the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The electrode leads of adjacent battery cells 211 can be physically coupled.

[0039] When viewed from above, the cell assembly 210 may have a rectangular shape. The cell assembly 210 may include opposite top and bottom surfaces in the vertical direction (e.g., Z direction), opposite first and second sides in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction), and opposite third and fourth sides in the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). The top surface of the cell assembly 210 may include the top surfaces of multiple battery cells 211, and the bottom surface of the cell assembly 210 may include the bottom surfaces of multiple battery cells 211.

[0040] The frame 100 may include a base structure 110, a top cover 130, and a separation wall 120.

[0041] The base structure 110 can generally 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 structure 110 can support a plurality of cell assemblies 210. A thermal resin layer 221 can be interposed between each of the plurality of cell assemblies 210 and the base structure 110. Each of the plurality of cell assemblies 210 can be physically and thermally bonded to the base structure 110 via the thermal resin layer 221. The thermal resin layer 221 may include, for example, a thermosetting resin and a thermally conductive filler.

[0042] The base structure 110 may include a lower cooling channel 119 configured for the flow of a first cooling fluid. The base structure 110 may be connected to a lower inlet pipe 151 and a lower outlet pipe 153. The lower inlet pipe 151 can transmit the first cooling fluid supplied from the outside to the inlet of the lower cooling channel 119. The lower outlet pipe 153 can transmit the first cooling fluid supplied from the outlet of the lower cooling channel 119 to the outside. The lower cooling channel 119 may include a first subchannel extending in a first flow direction from the front to the rear of the frame 100, a second subchannel extending in a second flow direction from the rear to the front of the frame 100, and a connecting channel connecting the first subchannel and the second subchannel and extending in a direction perpendicular to the first flow direction. The first cooling fluid flows through the lower inlet pipe 151 to the inlet of the lower cooling channel 119, and then can sequentially flow along the first subchannel, the connecting channel, the second subchannel, and the lower outlet pipe 153. Cooling can be performed on multiple cell assemblies 210 while the first cooling fluid flows. The first cooling fluid may include coolant and / or refrigerant. In exemplary embodiments, individual battery cells 211 can be thermally coupled to the base structure 110 via a thermal resin layer 221. In some exemplary embodiments, individual battery cells 211 may be thermally coupled to the base structure 110 via heat dissipation fins (see 215 in Figure 5).

[0043] The top cover 130 can be bonded onto the base structure 110 so as to cover a plurality of cell assemblies 210. The top cover 130 may include a pair of outer walls 133, a central wall 135, and an upper plate 131. The top cover 130 may be a single integrated structure including a pair of outer walls 133, a central wall 135, and an upper plate 131. In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal section of the top cover 130 may have an inverted W shape.

[0044] The upper plate 131 can cover multiple cell assemblies 210. The upper plate 131 can generally 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).

[0045] A pair of outer walls 133 can be spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) with a plurality of cell assemblies 210 in between. Individual outer walls 133 can extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) and can extend vertically (e.g., the Z direction) between the upper plate 131 and the base structure 110. Individual outer walls 133 can be fastened to the edges of the base structure 110 by fastening bolts 161. A gasket 181 can be placed between the bottom surface of an individual outer wall 133 and the top surface of the base structure 110. The fastening bolts 161 can be inserted into holes in the base structure 110 and holes in the gasket 181 and fastened to the outer walls 133. The fastening bolts 161 can penetrate the base structure 110 vertically (e.g., the Z direction) and can partially penetrate the outer walls 133.

[0046] The length of each outer wall 133 along the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) may be greater than the length of the base structure 110 along the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Each outer wall 133 may include a forward projection 1331 projecting forward from the base structure 110 and a rearward projection 1332 projecting backward from the base structure 110.

[0047] The central wall 135 may include a central wall 135 positioned between a pair of outer walls 133 in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The central wall 135 may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) and may extend vertically (e.g., the Z direction) from the upper plate 131 to the base structure 110. The central wall 135 allows at least two of the multiple cell assemblies 210 to be spaced apart from each other in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) with the central wall 135 in between. The central wall 135 may be fastened to the base structure 110 by fastening bolts 162. The length of the central wall 135 along the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) may be less than the length of the base structure 110 along the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction).

[0048] The top cover 130 may include an upper cooling channel 139 configured for the flow of a second cooling fluid. The upper cooling channel 139 may be provided in the upper plate 131. In some exemplary embodiments, the upper cooling channel 139 may also be provided in the central wall 135 and / or outer wall 133 in addition to the upper plate 131. In Figure 1, the upper cooling channel 139 is shown by dotted and dashed lines. An upper inlet pipe 155 and an upper outlet pipe 157 may be coupled to the upper plate 131. The upper inlet pipe 155 can transport the second cooling fluid supplied from the outside to the inlet of the upper cooling channel 139. The upper outlet pipe 157 can transport the second cooling fluid supplied from the outlet of the upper cooling channel 139 to the outside. The upper cooling channel 139 may include a first subchannel extending in a first flow direction from the front to the rear of the frame 100, a second subchannel extending in a second flow direction from the rear to the front of the frame 100, and a connecting channel connecting the first and second subchannels and extending in a direction perpendicular to the first flow direction. The second cooling fluid may flow into the inlet of the upper cooling channel 139 through the upper inlet pipe 155 and then sequentially flow along the first subchannel, the connecting channel, the second subchannel, and the upper outlet pipe 157. Cooling of multiple cell assemblies 210 may occur while the second cooling fluid flows. The second cooling fluid may include cooling water and / or a refrigerant.

[0049] The separation wall 120 can be positioned on the base structure 110. The separation wall 120 can extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) between a pair of outer walls 133. Separation walls 120 can be attached to both sides of opposite individual cell assemblies 210 in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction).

[0050] The separation wall 120 may include a lower separation wall 121 and an upper separation wall 123. The lower separation wall 121 can be fastened to the base structure 110. The upper separation wall 123 can be placed on the lower separation wall 121. The upper separation wall 123 can be fastened to the lower separation wall 121 via fastening bolts 163. The upper separation wall 123 can be attached to the side of a corresponding cell assembly 210 among a plurality of cell assemblies 210. The lower separation wall 121 can be separated from the corresponding cell assembly 210 with the upper separation wall 123 in between. The individual cell assemblies 210 and the two upper separation walls 123 attached to both sides of the cell assemblies 210 can together constitute a single unit (see 201 in Figure 7b).

[0051] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the battery device 10 has a dual cooling structure that cools the battery cells 211 with a base structure 110 having a lower cooling channel 119 and a top cover 130 having an upper cooling channel 139, thereby improving the cooling performance for the battery cells 211. Since the heat generated by the battery device 10 can be effectively controlled, the safety of the battery device 10 can be improved.

[0052] (Second Embodiment) Figures 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views showing parts of the battery device 10, respectively.

[0053] Referring to Figure 4, a thermally conductive adhesive layer 223 can be interposed between the cell assembly 210 and the upper plate 131 of the top cover 130. The battery cells 211 of the cell assembly 210 can be thermally and physically bonded to the upper plate 131 by the thermally conductive adhesive layer 223. For example, the thermally conductive adhesive layer 223 may include a thermal resin and / or a thermal interface material.

[0054] Referring to Figure 5, the cell assembly 210 may include a plurality of heat dissipation fins 215 attached to the battery cells 211. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 215 may be attached to the corresponding battery cells 211 among the plurality of battery cells 211 and attached to the upper plate 131 of the top cover 130 by a thermally conductive adhesive layer 223. The battery cells 211 can be thermally bonded to the upper plate 131 via the plurality of heat dissipation fins 215 and the thermally conductive adhesive layer 223. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 215 may include materials with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, gold, silver, or a combination thereof.

[0055] (Third embodiment) Figures 6a to 6c are plan views showing a method for manufacturing a battery device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the method for manufacturing the battery device 10 described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3, with reference to Figures 6a to 6c together.

[0056] Referring to Figure 6a, a base structure 110 is prepared, and the lower separation wall 121 is connected to the base structure 110.

[0057] Referring to Figure 6b, a thermal resin layer 221 is formed on the base structure 110. The thermal resin layer 221 can be formed by coating the base structure 110 with resin.

[0058] Referring to Figure 6c, multiple cell assemblies 210 are mounted on the base structure 110. Mounting individual cell assemblies 210 on the base structure 110 may include the steps of: preparing a cell assembly 210 and a unit (see 201 in Figure 7b) with upper separation walls 123 attached to both sides of the cell assembly 210; positioning the unit 201 on the base structure 110 such that the lower surface of the cell assembly 210 is in contact with the thermal resin layer 221 and the upper separation wall 123 rests on the lower separation wall 121; and fastening the upper separation wall 123 and the lower separation wall 121 with fastening bolts 163.

[0059] Next, referring to Figure 1, the top cover 130 is fastened to the base structure 110. In order to fasten the top cover 130 to the base structure 110, the top cover 130 is positioned on the base structure 110, the outer wall 133 is fastened to the base structure 110 with fastening bolts 161, and the central wall 135 is fastened to the base structure 110 with fastening bolts 162.

[0060] (Fourth Embodiment) Figures 7a and 7b are cross-sectional views showing a method for separating the cell assembly 210 of a battery device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the method for separating the cell assembly 210 of the battery device 10 described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3, with reference to Figures 7a and 7b together.

[0061] Referring to Figures 3 and 7a, the top cover 130 is separated from the base structure 110. To separate the top cover 130 from the base structure 110, the fastening bolts 161 are removed from the outer wall 133 and the base structure 110, and the fastening bolts 162 are removed from the central wall 135 and the base structure 110.

[0062] Referring to Figure 7b, the fastening bolts 163 are removed from the separation wall 120 so that the upper separation wall 123 can be separated from the lower separation wall 121. Next, the unit 201, including the cell assembly 210, is lifted using the lifting mechanism to separate the cell assembly 210 from the base structure 110.

[0063] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a defective cell assembly 210 can be easily separated from the frame 100, and the defective cell assembly 210 can be replaced with a normal cell assembly 210. According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, since the cell assembly 210 can be separated on a unit basis, the maintenance cost of the battery device 10 can be reduced.

[0064] (Fifth embodiment) Figure 8 is a plan view showing a battery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The battery device shown in Figure 8 will be described below, focusing on the differences from the battery device 10 described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0065] Referring to Figure 8, in the battery device, the battery cells 211a of the cell assembly 210a may each be cylindrical battery cells. The battery cells 211a can be arranged horizontally (for example, in the X and Y directions) on the base structure 110.

[0066] (Sixth Embodiment) Figures 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views showing a portion of a battery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The battery device shown in Figures 9 and 10 will be described below, focusing on the differences from the battery device 10 described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0067] Referring to Figures 9 and 10, in the battery device, a tape 230 can be interposed between the base structure 110 and the thermal resin layer 221. The cell assembly 210 can be thermally and physically bonded to the base structure 110 via the thermal resin layer 221 and the tape 230. The tape 230 may include a base layer and an adhesive layer applied to at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the base layer. For example, the tape 230 may be a double-sided tape.

[0068] In exemplary embodiments, the tape 230 may protrude outward from the thermal resin layer 221. A portion of the tape 230 may not be covered by the cell assembly 210 and the thermal resin layer 221, and may protrude outward from the cell assembly 210 and the thermal resin layer 221.

[0069] In exemplary embodiments, a portion of the tape 230 may be interposed between the outer wall 133 of the top cover 130 and the base structure 110. In some exemplary embodiments, the tape 230 may extend outward from the thermal resin layer 221 toward the outer wall 133 and be separated from the outer wall 133. In exemplary embodiments, the surface 114 of the base structure 110 superimposed perpendicularly (e.g., in the Z direction) to the outer wall 133 of the top cover 130 may be coplanar with the surface 113a of the base structure 110 superimposed perpendicularly (e.g., in the Z direction) to the cell assembly 210. The surface 114 of the base structure 110 superimposed perpendicularly (e.g., in the Z direction) to the outer wall 133 of the top cover 130 and the surface 113 of the base structure 110 superimposed perpendicularly (e.g., in the Z direction) to the cell assembly 210 may each be a flat surface.

[0070] In exemplary embodiments, a method for separating the cell assembly 210 of the battery device may include the step of removing the tape 230 after the step of separating the top cover 130 from the base structure 110. For example, the portion of the tape 230 protruding from the thermal resin layer 221 can be grasped by the extraction machine 310, and then the extraction machine 310 can be moved to remove the tape 230. In this case, the tape 230 can have sufficient tensile strength so that it does not break while the extraction machine 310 pulls and removes the tape 230.

[0071] In the comparative example battery device, the base to which the cell assembly is attached has an outer wall that covers the sides of the cell assembly, and a flat pack lid is bonded to the outer wall of the base. In this case, even if the pack lid is removed, it is difficult to secure working space to remove the tape interposed between the cell assembly and the base, and the tape removal path includes a path that is bent at a near right angle, so there is a risk that stress will concentrate on a specific part of the tape during the tape removal process, causing the tape to break.

[0072] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, by separating the top cover 130 from the base structure 110, a workspace for removing the tape 230 can be secured. Furthermore, since the tape 230 can be smoothly removed along the tape removal path that extends laterally (for example, in the X direction), it is possible to prevent the tape 230 from breaking during the tape removal process. This can make it easier to separate defective cell assemblies 210 in the battery device.

[0073] (Seventh Embodiment) Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a battery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The battery device shown in Figure 11 will be described below, focusing on the differences from the battery devices described with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

[0074] Referring to Figure 11, the base structure 110 may include an inclined surface 115 that extends inclined from the surface 113 of the base structure 110 superimposed perpendicularly to the cell assembly 210 (e.g., in the Z direction) to the surface 114 of the base structure 110 superimposed perpendicularly to the outer wall 133 of the top cover 130 (e.g., in the Z direction). The tape 230 can extend along the inclined surface 115 of the base structure 110. By separating the top cover 130 from the base structure 110, a working space is provided for removing the tape 230, so that the tape 230 can be smoothly removed along a laterally extending tape removal path.

[0075] (Eighth embodiment) Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a battery device 10A according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The battery device 10A shown in Figure 12 will be described below, focusing on the differences from the battery device 10 described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0076] Referring to Figure 12, in the battery device 10A, the top cover 130A may include a pair of outer walls 133 and an upper plate 131, and the base structure 110A may include a bottom plate 111 supporting a plurality of cell assemblies 210 and a central wall 112. The central wall 112 of the base structure 110A may extend vertically (e.g., in the Z direction) from the bottom plate 111 to the upper plate 131 of the top cover 130A. The central wall 112 may be between the pair of outer walls 133 of the top cover 130A. The central wall 112 may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., in the Y direction) along the bottom plate 111. At least two of the cell assemblies 210 may be separated from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., in the X direction) with the central wall 112 in between.

[0077] The base structure 110A can be fastened to the upper plate 131 of the top cover 130A by fastening bolts 168. The fastening bolts 168 can be inserted into holes in the bottom plate 111, holes in the central wall 112, and holes in the upper plate 131. The fastening bolts 168 can penetrate the bottom plate 111, the central wall 112, and the upper plate 131 vertically (for example, in the Z direction). The fastening bolts 168 may include a projection that protrudes upward from the upper plate 131 of the top cover 130A, and a nut 169 can be fitted to the projection of the fastening bolt 168. By fastening the nut 169 to the projection of the fastening bolt 168, a connection between the upper plate 131 of the top cover 130A and the central wall 112 of the base structure 110A can be achieved. For example, when joining the top cover 130A and the base structure 110A, the fastening bolts 168 can be inserted into the holes in the bottom plate 111, the central wall 112, and the upper plate 131, and the nuts 169 can be attached to the protruding parts of the fastening bolts 168. For example, when separating the top cover 130A and the base structure 110A, the nuts 169 can be separated from the fastening bolts 168, and the fastening bolts 168 can be removed from the base structure 110A and the top cover 130A.

[0078] (Ninth Embodiment) Figure 13 is a perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of the electric vehicle 500 of the present invention. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing a part of the electric vehicle 500 shown in Figure 13.

[0079] Referring to Figures 13 and 14 in conjunction with Figure 1, the electric vehicle 500 can include a vehicle frame 510 and a battery unit 10. In Figures 13 and 14, only a portion of the electric vehicle 500 is shown for the sake of simplicity.

[0080] The vehicle frame 510 may include a front frame 511 on which the front wheels 521 are mounted, and a rear frame 513 on which the rear wheels 523 are mounted. The front frame 511 and the rear frame 513 can be separated from each other with the battery device 10 in between.

[0081] The top cover 130 of the battery unit 10 can be coupled to the vehicle frame 510 and together with the vehicle frame 510 constitute the vehicle chassis. The battery unit 10 may have a cell-to-chassis structure. The front frame 511 and the rear frame 513 can each be coupled to the top cover 130. The front frame 511 may be coupled to the front projection 1331 of the outer wall 133 of the top cover 130, and the rear frame 513 may be coupled to the rear projection 1332 of the outer wall 133 of the top cover 130.

[0082] (Tenth embodiment) Figure 15 is a perspective view showing a method for separating the cell assembly 210 in an electric vehicle 500 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] Referring to Figures 1-3, 13, and 15, the fastening bolts 161 and 162 are removed to separate the base structure 110 to which the cell assembly 210 is attached from the top cover 130. Subsequently, the defective cell assembly 210 can be separated from the base structure 110 by substantially the same process as the separation method of the cell assembly 210 described with reference to Figures 7a and 7b and / or the separation method of the cell assembly 210 described with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

[0084] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described herein are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for them at the time of filing. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 10 Battery device 10A Battery Device 100 frames 110 Base Structure 110A Base Structure 111 Bottom plate 112 Center wall 113 Surface 113a surface 114 Surface 115 Slope 119 Lower cooling channel 120 Separation wall 121 Lower separation wall 123 Upper separation wall 130 Top Cover 130A Top Cover 131 Top plate 133 Outside wall 135 Center wall 139 Upper cooling channel 151 Lower inlet pipe 153 Lower outlet pipe 155 Upper inlet pipe 157 Upper outlet pipe 161 Fastening bolts 162 fastening bolts 163 Fastening bolts 168 fastening bolts 169 Nut 181 Gasket 201 units 210-cell assembly 210a Cell Assembly 211 battery cells 211a battery cell 215 heat dissipation fins 221 Thermal resin layer 223 Thermally conductive adhesive layer 230 Tapes 310 Extraction Machine 500 Electric Vehicles 510 Vehicle Frame 511 Front frame 513 Rear frame 521 Front Wheel 523 Rear wheel 1331 Forward protrusion 1332 Posterior protrusion

Claims

1. Base structure, Multiple cell assemblies, each containing multiple battery cells, are mounted on the aforementioned base structure, and A top cover comprising a pair of outer walls coupled to the base structure and spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and an upper plate covering the plurality of cell assemblies and having an upper cooling channel, A battery device, including a battery.

2. The top cover further includes a central wall positioned between the pair of outer walls and extending from the upper plate toward the base structure, The battery device according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of cell assemblies are spaced apart from each other in the first direction with the central wall in between.

3. The battery device according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of fastening bolts for connecting the pair of outer walls and the central wall to the base structure.

4. The battery device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base structure includes a lower cooling channel.

5. A lower inlet pipe is connected to the base structure and transmits a first cooling fluid supplied from the outside to the inlet of the lower cooling channel, A lower outlet pipe is connected to the base structure and transmits the first cooling fluid provided from the outlet of the lower cooling channel to the outside, An upper inlet pipe, coupled to the upper plate, transmits a second cooling fluid supplied from the outside to the inlet of the upper cooling channel, An upper outlet pipe coupled to the upper plate, which transmits the second cooling fluid provided from the outlet of the upper cooling channel to the outside, The battery device according to claim 4, further comprising:

6. The base structure is further connected to a separation wall extending in the first direction, The battery device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least two of the plurality of cell assemblies are separated from each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction with the separating wall in between.

7. Each of the separation walls includes a lower separation wall and an upper separation wall placed on the lower separation wall. The upper separation wall is attached to the corresponding cell assembly among the plurality of cell assemblies. The battery device according to claim 6, wherein the lower separation wall is separated from a corresponding cell assembly among the plurality of cell assemblies with the upper separation wall in between.

8. A thermal resin layer attached to each of the aforementioned plurality of cell assemblies, A tape disposed between the thermal resin layer and the base structure, It further includes, The battery device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tape includes a portion that protrudes outward from the thermal resin layer.

9. The battery device according to claim 8, wherein a portion of the tape is interposed between one of the pair of outer walls and the base structure.

10. The battery device according to claim 8, wherein the surface of the base structure superimposed perpendicularly to any one of the pair of outer walls is coplanar with the surface of the base structure superimposed perpendicularly to any one of the plurality of cell assemblies.

11. The base structure includes an inclined surface that extends inclined from the surface of the base structure superimposed perpendicularly to one of the pair of outer walls to the surface of the base structure superimposed perpendicularly to one of the plurality of cell assemblies, The battery device according to claim 8, wherein the inclined surface of the base structure is in contact with the tape.

12. The battery device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the plurality of cell assemblies is attached to the upper plate via a thermally conductive adhesive layer.

13. Heat dissipation fins connected to the aforementioned plurality of cell assemblies, A thermally conductive adhesive layer for attaching the heat dissipation fins to the upper plate, A battery device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

14. The base structure includes a bottom plate that supports the plurality of cell assemblies and a central wall that extends from the bottom plate toward the upper plate of the top cover, At least two of the plurality of cell assemblies are separated from each other in the first direction with the central wall in between, The battery device according to claim 1, further comprising fastening bolts for fastening the central wall of the base structure to the upper plate of the top cover, wherein the fastening bolts penetrate the bottom plate, the central wall, and the upper plate.

15. Vehicle frame and A battery device connected to the vehicle frame, Includes, The aforementioned battery device Base structure having a lower cooling channel, Multiple cell assemblies, each containing multiple battery cells, are mounted on the aforementioned base structure, and A top cover comprising a pair of outer walls coupled to the base structure and spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and an upper plate covering the plurality of cell assemblies and having an upper cooling channel, Includes, The vehicle frame is coupled to the top cover, in an electric vehicle.

16. The aforementioned vehicle frame is A front frame with a front wheel, A rear wheel is mounted, and the rear frame is separated from the front frame, Includes, The pair of outer walls of the top cover include a forward projection that protrudes forward from the base structure and a rearward projection that protrudes rearward from the base structure. The front frame is connected to the forward projections of the pair of outer walls, The electric vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the rear frame is coupled to the rear projections of the pair of outer walls.

17. The top cover further includes a central wall positioned between the pair of outer walls and extending from the upper plate toward the base structure, The electric vehicle according to claim 15 or 16, wherein at least two of the plurality of cell assemblies are separated from each other in the first direction with the central wall in between.

18. A plurality of fastening bolts connect the pair of outer walls and the central wall to the base structure, A thermal resin layer attached to each of the aforementioned plurality of cell assemblies, A tape disposed between the thermal resin layer and the base structure, The electric vehicle according to claim 17, further comprising:

19. The electric vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the top cover is a single, integrated structure including the pair of outer walls, the upper plate, and the central wall.

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