Battery module with improved stability

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery module structure and a method for manufacturing the same, comprising: a cell stack in which a plurality of batteries, each having a pair of electrode leads protruding upward, are stacked in the width direction; a frame that is open at the top and houses the cell stack; and an insulating resin that fills at least a portion of the empty space between the cell stack and the frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0000581 filed on January 2, 2024, and the contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean Patent Application are all included as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a structure of a battery module having improved structural and / or thermal stability and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are highly applicable to a variety of products and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are widely applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles driven by an electric drive source, power storage devices, and the like. These secondary batteries are not only noted for the primary advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels but also as a new energy source that is environmentally friendly and improves energy efficiency in that they produce no by-products from the use of energy.

[0004] For small mobile devices, one or two or three battery cells are used per device, while for medium to large-sized devices such as automobiles, high output and large capacity are required. Therefore, medium to large-sized battery modules in which a number of battery cells are electrically connected are used. Also, since these battery modules also have higher output and larger capacity, a number of them can be integrated to form a battery pack.

[0005] FIG. 1 shows a pouch-type battery cell. Referring to this, a normal pouch-type battery cell 10 is formed by a metal pouch surrounding an electrode assembly and being folded in half and sealed. From the electrode assembly, a pair of electrode leads 100 extend on both sides in the longitudinal direction and protrude outside the pouch, thereby enabling electrical connection of the electrode assembly to the outside.

[0006] Figures 2 and 3 show the structure of a conventional battery module. Referring to these, a conventional battery module (M) comprises a cell stack 1 in which multiple battery cells 10 are stacked, and a frame 2 that houses it. The frame 2 may have a U-shape with the front, rear and top open, and busbars connecting the electrode leads 100 to each other and a pair of end plates covering them are attached to both sides of the cell stack 1 in the longitudinal direction.

[0007] On the other hand, the battery cell 10 generates some heat during charging and discharging. If heat accumulates in the battery cell 10, it can affect the charging and discharging performance, so it is necessary to ensure that this heat is dissipated to the outside of the frame 2. For this reason, the battery module (M) is coated with a resin 3 that is applied to the bottom plate of the frame 2 and hardens after the cell stack 1 is placed on it. The resin 3 includes a thermally conductive resin having high thermal conductivity.

[0008] Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the battery module in Figure 2. Referring to this, the resin 3 adheres to and fixes the cell stack 1 onto the bottom plate of the frame 2, and also conducts the heat generated from the cell stack 1 to the frame 2 for heat dissipation.

[0009] However, since the resin 3 is connected only to the bottom of the cell stack 1, it is not possible to sufficiently dissipate the heat generated in the cell stack 1, which can cause the cell stack 1 to flow without being fixed within the frame 2.

[0010] In particular, the battery cells 10 are at risk of ignition due to short circuits, etc., and it is necessary to block heat transfer between the battery cells 10. However, in this case, the resin 3 easily melts at high temperatures, which impairs the structural and thermal stability of the cell stack 1.

[0011] Furthermore, referring to Figure 3, the battery module (M) with the above structure has the disadvantages of low durability and inconvenient assembly, as it is composed of the joints of multiple parts, including the frame of the housing and a pair of end plates. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The present invention was conceived against the background of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a battery module structure with excellent structural and / or thermal stability, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0013] Specifically, the present invention aims to provide a battery module structure with excellent heat dissipation performance.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a battery module structure that prevents the movement of battery cells within the frame.

[0015] Another technical problem of the present invention is to provide a battery module structure that offers excellent structural stability under thermal runaway conditions and blocks heat transfer between cells.

[0016] The present invention also aims to provide a battery module structure that is easy to manufacture and economical, a battery pack and / or automobile structure including the same, and a method for manufacturing the same, in order to achieve the technical problems described above.

[0017] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the purposes mentioned above. Other purposes and advantages of the present invention not mentioned can be understood from the following description and will be more clearly understood from the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily understood that the purposes and advantages of the present invention can be achieved by the means and combinations thereof described in the claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a battery module structure comprising: a cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells, each having a pair of electrode leads protruding upward, are stacked in the width direction; a frame that is open at the top and houses the cell stack; and an insulating resin that fills at least a portion of the empty space between the cell stack and the frame.

[0019] The resin is filled between the cell stack and the frame, insulating and fixing the cell stack between them, preventing the cell stack from flowing. As a result, the battery module may have both excellent insulation and structural stability.

[0020] The aforementioned resin may contain insulating and adhesive resins in order to have excellent adhesive and insulating properties. For example, the aforementioned resin may contain a silicone resin.

[0021] The resin may contain at least one of the following materials: a phase change material and a thermally conductive resin. This allows the resin to absorb and dissipate heat generated from the battery cell. For example, the resin may contain paraffin.

[0022] The resin may contain a flame-retardant material. This prevents the resin from completely melting even under the high temperatures caused by thermal runaway of the battery cell, allowing it to maintain its structure. This can improve the stability of the battery module even under thermal runaway conditions. For example, the resin may contain an aluminum hydroxide material.

[0023] The plurality of battery cells may be stacked with an adhesive in between. This prevents not only the flow of the cell stack relative to the frame, but also relative flow between the plurality of battery cells.

[0024] The adhesive material may have various forms such as an adhesive applied to one or both side surfaces of the battery cell, an adhesive tape attached to one or both side surfaces of the battery cell, etc.

[0025] The adhesive material may contain at least one of a phase change material and a thermally conductive resin. Thereby, the adhesive material can absorb and dissipate heat generated from the battery cell. For example, the adhesive material may contain paraffin.

[0026] The adhesive material may contain a flame retardant material. Thereby, the adhesive material cannot be completely melted by the high heat due to thermal runaway of the battery cell and can maintain its structure. Thereby, even in a thermal runaway situation, the stability of the cell stack can be improved. For example, the adhesive material may contain an aluminum hydroxide material.

[0027] The resin may be provided so as to fill the space between at least one pair of battery cells. Thereby, the resin can perform at least one of the functions of blocking heat propagation between the battery cells, fixing between the battery cells, making uniform the surface pressure received by the battery cells in the width direction, and absorbing heat between the battery cells.

[0028] At least one of the plurality of battery cells may be provided with a tapered portion whose width becomes narrower upward at its upper end. When the tapered portion is laminated with other battery cells, the tapered portion may not receive pressure in the lamination direction. At this time, the upper end of the resin is positioned above the height at which the tapered portion starts, so that surface pressure can be applied to the tapered portion to make the surface pressure received by the battery cell constant.

[0029] The upper end of the resin may be located above the upper end of the cell stack excluding the electrode leads. In this case, the resin can apply a uniform pressure to the upper part of the cell stack, fix it, and absorb the heat released upward from the cell stack.

[0030] The lower end of the resin may be located below the lower end of the cell stack. Thereby, the fixing, insulation, and / or heat conductivity between the cell stack and the bottom surface of the frame can be improved.

[0031] The battery module may further include a resin cover that covers the exposed upper surface of the resin. By providing the resin cover, it is possible to prevent the resin from overflowing or being deformed unexpectedly before the resin cures.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of the resin may be located below the upper end of the cell stack. Thereby, the resin cover can be arranged in the width direction and include a plurality of holes through which the plurality of battery cells pass vertically. The plurality of battery cells may be more firmly fixed while maintaining an appropriate interval between them by being sandwiched by the holes.

[0033] The battery module may further include a bus bar that electrically connects the electrode leads above the cell stack to each other. In this case, unlike the case where the bus bar must be connected to both sides in the length direction of the cell stack, the bus bar frame on which the bus bar is installed can be formed of one member, which is economical. When the resin cover is provided, the bus bar can be installed before the resin cures.

[0034] The present invention also provides a battery pack that houses the battery module and the structure of an automobile that houses the battery pack.

[0035] Multiple battery modules can be integrated to form a battery pack to increase their capacity and / or voltage. The battery pack may include a venting device that can expel gases and flames to the outside in the event that the battery modules ignite. The battery pack can be installed as a power source in an automobile. The automobile may include electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and the like.

[0036] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a battery module, which includes, in sequence, the steps of: arranging the cell stack within the frame; and injecting the resin into the frame before it hardens.

[0037] According to the present invention, the resin, which hardens and fills the gap between the cell stack and the frame on its own, can improve the electrical, structural, and / or thermal stability of the battery module, thus providing a simple and economical method for manufacturing a battery module.

[0038] The resin may be partially injected before the cell stack is placed in the frame, and then injected again after the cell stack is placed in the frame. This ensures that sufficient resin is interposed between the cell stack and the bottom surface of the frame.

[0039] The method for manufacturing the battery module may further include the steps of waiting for the resin to harden and installing busbars that electrically connect the electrode leads to each other.

[0040] Alternatively, if the battery module includes the resin cover, the method for manufacturing the battery module may further include the steps of: installing the resin cover to cover the exposed upper surface of the resin; and installing busbars to electrically connect the electrode leads to each other. In this case, the busbars can be installed without waiting for the resin to harden, which is efficient. [Effects of the Invention]

[0041] The present invention can provide a battery module structure with excellent structural and / or thermal stability, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0042] Specifically, the present invention provides a battery module structure with excellent heat dissipation performance due to the large contact area between the battery cell and the resin.

[0043] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a battery module structure in which the battery cells are fixed to the frame over a wide area, thereby preventing the battery cells from moving within the frame.

[0044] Another advantage of the present invention is that by providing a flame-retardant resin between the battery cells, it is possible to provide a battery module structure that offers excellent structural stability under thermal runaway conditions and blocks heat transfer between cells.

[0045] The present invention also provides a battery module structure and manufacturing method that do not require many steps for assembly, use simple materials, and are economical.

[0046] Furthermore, the present invention can produce a variety of other effects, which will be explained in each embodiment, or, in cases where such effects can be easily inferred by an ordinary person, such explanations will be omitted. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0047] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing a pouch-type battery cell. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the structure of a conventional battery module. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the structure of a conventional battery module. [Figure 4] This figure shows a cross-section of the battery module shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] This figure shows the structure of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows the structure of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows a cross-section of a cell stack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention with the resin cover removed. [Figure 9] This figure shows a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention with the resin cover removed. [Figure 10] This figure shows a resin cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure shows a cross-sectional view of the external appearance of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This figure shows a cross-sectional view of the external appearance of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This figure shows a battery pack containing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This figure shows an automobile equipped with a battery pack containing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] This figure shows a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0048] The aforementioned objectives, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, so that a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the technical concept of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if a specific description of known technology according to the present invention is deemed to obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0049] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to indicate various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are simply used to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, the first component may also be the second component.

[0050] In the entire specification, unless otherwise stated, each component may be singular or plural.

[0051] Hereinafter, the placement of any configuration on the "upper (or lower)" or "above (or below)" of a component means not only that the configuration is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component, but also that other configurations may be interposed between the component and any configuration placed on (or below) it.

[0052] Furthermore, when it is stated that one component is “linked,” “joined,” or “connected” to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly linked or connected to one another, but may also be “interposed” between each component, or each component may be “linked,” “joined,” or “connected” through other components.

[0053] In this specification, singular expressions include plural expressions unless otherwise explicitly stated in the context. Terms such as “composed of” or “including” in this application should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the multiple components or stages described in the specification, but rather as meaning that some of the components or stages may not be included, or that further components or stages may be included.

[0054] In the entire specification, "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B unless otherwise specified, and "C to D" means C or greater and D or less unless otherwise specified.

[0055] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] [Structure of battery module and cell stack] In the following, with reference to Figures 5 to 8, the structure of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention and the cell stack contained therein will be described in detail.

[0057] Figure 5 shows the structure of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the battery module (M) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cell stack 1 in which a plurality of battery cells 10 are stacked in the width direction, a frame 2 which is open at the top and houses the cell stack 1, and an insulating resin 3 which fills at least a portion of the empty space between the cell stack 1 and the frame 2.

[0058] The shape of the frame 2 may include, but is not limited to, a rectangular box shape with a substantially open top.

[0059] Figure 6 shows the structure of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the battery cell 10 may include an electrode assembly and a pouch that surrounds it and folds in half to seal it. A pair of electrode leads 100 may extend from the electrode assembly and protrude from the outside of the pouch.

[0060] According to this embodiment, the pair of electrode leads 100 may protrude from one end of the battery cell 10 in the same direction. Specifically, the pair of electrode leads 100 may protrude from the long side of the pouch that is sealed.

[0061] Figure 7 shows a cross-section of a cell stack according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, a plurality of the battery cells 10 can be stacked in the width direction to constitute the cell stack 1. In this case, the thickness direction of the battery cells 10 may be aligned with the width direction of the cell stack 1.

[0062] The cell stack 1 may include an adhesive 11 interposed between the battery cells 10 and stacked together. The adhesive 11 can prevent relative flow between the battery cells 10 and can improve the overall structural stability of the cell stack 1.

[0063] The adhesive 11 may take various forms, such as an adhesive applied to one or both sides of the battery cell 10, or an adhesive tape attached to one or both sides of the battery cell 10.

[0064] The adhesive 11 may contain at least one of a phase change material and a thermally conductive resin. This allows the adhesive 11 to absorb and dissipate heat generated from the battery cell 10. For example, the adhesive 11 may contain paraffin.

[0065] The adhesive 11 may contain a flame-retardant material. This prevents the adhesive 11 from completely melting even under the high temperatures caused by thermal runaway of the battery cell 10, thus maintaining its structure. This can improve the stability of the cell stack 1 even under thermal runaway conditions. For example, the adhesive 11 may contain an aluminum hydroxide material.

[0066] Referring further to Figure 5, the cell stack 1 may be housed in the frame 2 such that the electrode leads 100 face upward. According to one embodiment of the present invention, since all of the electrode leads 100 protrude upward, the frame 2 may be formed as an open, integrated structure at the top, rather than having a complex configuration such as including a U-shaped frame and a pair of end plates, thus providing excellent sealing and structural stability.

[0067] [Material and shape of resin] Referring further to Figure 5, after the cell stack 1 is housed in the frame 2, at least a portion of the other space inside the frame 2 may be filled with the resin 3. The resin 3 may be filled in the frame 2 by being injected and cured. However, the method of filling the frame 2 with the resin 3 is not limited to this, and various methods such as the cell stack 1 being partially immersed in the resin 3 after it has been injected, or foam filling, may be used.

[0068] The resin 3 fills the space between the cell stack 1 and the frame 2, insulating the cell stack 1 from the frame 2 and providing adhesive fixation, preventing the cell stack 1 from flowing. As a result, the battery module (M) may simultaneously possess excellent insulation and structural stability.

[0069] The following describes in detail the material and shape of the resin according to one embodiment of the present invention with reference to Figures 8 and 9.

[0070] Figures 8 and 9 show a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention with the resin cover removed. Referring to these, the resin 3 may be provided to fill the space between at least one pair of battery cells 10. In this way, the resin 3 can perform at least one of the following functions: blocking heat transfer between the battery cells 10, fixing the battery cells 10 together, making the surface pressure on the battery cells 10 in the width direction uniform, and absorbing heat between the battery cells 10.

[0071] If the battery cell 10 is subjected to uneven surface pressure in the stacking direction, the spacing between electrodes and / or the distribution of the charged electrolyte inside the battery cell 10 will change, which can affect the performance of the battery cell 10. This can also cause short circuits due to electrolyte deposition. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the battery cell 10 is subjected to uniform surface pressure in the stacking direction.

[0072] At least one of the plurality of battery cells 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may have a tapered portion 101 at its upper end that narrows in width towards the top. The tapered portion 101 may not be subjected to pressure in the stacking direction when any of the battery cells are stacked together with other battery cells. In this case, the upper end of the resin 3 is located above the height at which the tapered portion 101 begins, thereby applying surface pressure to the tapered portion 101 and making the surface pressure received by the battery cell 10 constant.

[0073] In one embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of the resin 3 may be located below the upper end of the cell stack 1.

[0074] In contrast, the upper end of the resin 3 may be located above the upper end of the cell stack 1 excluding the electrode lead 100. In this case, the resin 3 can apply uniform pressure to the upper part of the cell stack 1, fix it in place, and absorb the heat released upward from the cell stack 1.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lower end of the resin 3 may be located below the lower end of the cell stack 1. This can improve the fixation, insulation, and / or thermal conductivity between the cell stack 1 and the bottom surface of the frame 2.

[0076] In contrast, the lower end of the resin 3 may coincide with or be located above the lower end of the cell stack 1.

[0077] The resin 3 may contain at least one of the following materials: a phase change material and a thermally conductive resin. This allows the resin 3 to absorb and dissipate heat generated from the battery cell 10. For example, the resin 3 may contain paraffin.

[0078] The resin 3 may contain a flame-retardant material. This prevents the resin 3 from completely melting even under the high temperatures caused by thermal runaway of the battery cell 10, thus maintaining its structure. This can improve the stability of the battery module (M) even under thermal runaway conditions. For example, the resin 3 may contain an aluminum hydroxide material.

[0079] [Plastic cover and busbar] Referring further to Figure 5, the battery module (M) may further include a resin cover 4 that covers the exposed upper surface of the resin 3.

[0080] The following describes in detail the shape of the resin cover and the installation of the busbar according to one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to Figures 10 and 11.

[0081] Figure 10 shows a resin cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, in this embodiment, the upper end of the resin 3 is located below the upper end of the cell stack 1, so that the exposed surface of the resin 3 is formed excluding the protruding regions of the battery cells 10. This allows the resin cover 4 to have a plurality of holes 40 through which the plurality of battery cells 10 pass vertically. The plurality of holes 40 may extend in the length direction and be arranged in the width direction, similar to the plurality of battery cells 10.

[0082] Figures 11 and 12 show a cross-sectional view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these drawings, the resin cover 4 may be installed so as to cover the exposed surface of the resin 3. In this case, the plurality of battery cells 10 may be held at appropriate intervals from each other and more firmly fixed by being sandwiched in the holes 40.

[0083] In one modified example, the upper end of the resin 3 may be positioned above the upper end of the cell stack 1 excluding the electrode lead 100, and the resin cover 4 may not have the hole 40, or it may be configured so that only the electrode lead 100 passes through the hole 40.

[0084] According to this embodiment, the provision of the resin cover 4 prevents the resin 3 from overflowing or deforming unexpectedly before the resin 3 hardens.

[0085] The battery module (M) may further include a busbar (not shown) that electrically connects the electrode leads 100 above the cell stack. The busbar may be included in a busbar frame provided above the cell stack 1 and / or the resin cover 4.

[0086] According to this embodiment, the resin cover 4 prevents the resin 3 from overflowing or deforming, so the busbar may be installed even before the resin 3 hardens. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the electrode leads 100 all protrude upward, the busbar frame can be provided integrally above the battery module (M) instead of being provided in pairs on the front and rear sides, making assembly simpler and more economical.

[0087] In one modified example, the battery module (M) may not include the resin cover 4, and the busbar may be installed after the resin 3 has hardened.

[0088] [Battery pack and automobile structure] In the following, with reference to Figures 13 and 14, a battery pack housing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the structure of an automobile in which it is installed will be described.

[0089] Figures 13 and 14 show, respectively, a battery pack housing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the structure of an automobile that incorporates the battery pack. Referring to these drawings, multiple battery modules (M) can be integrated to form a battery pack (P) in order to increase their capacity and / or voltage. The battery pack (P) may include a vent device that can discharge gases and flames to the outside in the event that the battery module (M) ignites. The battery pack (P) can be incorporated into an automobile (V) as a power source. The automobile (V) may include electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and the like.

[0090] [Manufacturing method for battery modules] The following describes in detail a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to Figure 15.

[0091] Figure 15 shows a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may sequentially include the steps of placing the cell stack 1 inside the frame 2 (S2); and injecting the resin 3 before it hardens into the frame 2 (S3).

[0092] According to the present invention, the resin 3, which hardens and fills the gap between the cell stack 1 and the frame 2 on its own, can improve the electrical, structural, and / or thermal stability of the battery module (M), thus providing a simple and economical method for manufacturing a battery module (M).

[0093] The resin 3 may be partially injected before the cell stack 1 is placed in the frame 2, and then injected again after the cell stack 1 is placed in the frame 2. In other words, the method for manufacturing the battery module may further include a step (S1) of applying a portion of the resin 3 to the bottom surface of the frame 2 before the step (S2) of placing the cell stack 1 in the frame. This ensures that sufficient resin 3 is interposed between the cell stack 1 and the bottom surface of the frame 2.

[0094] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method for manufacturing the battery module may further include the steps of installing the resin cover (S4) and installing the busbar (S5). In this case, the busbar can be installed without waiting for the resin 3 to harden, which is efficient.

[0095] In contrast, if the battery module (M) does not include the resin cover 4, the method for manufacturing the battery module may include a step of waiting for the resin 3 to harden before the step of installing the busbar.

[0096] The embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the present invention is indicated more by the claims described below than by the detailed description above. Furthermore, the meaning and scope of the claims described below, as well as any modified and transformable forms conceived from their equivalent concepts, should all be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention.

[0097] As described above, the present invention has been explained with reference to the illustrative drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and it is self-evident that various modifications can be made by an ordinary person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, even if the effects of the configuration of the present invention are not explicitly described in the embodiments described above, it is natural that the effects that can be predicted by such configuration should also be recognized. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0098] 1-cell laminate 10 battery cells 100 electrode leads 101 Tapered section 11 Adhesive 2 frames 3 Resin 4. Resin cover 40 holes M Battery Module P Battery Pack V Automobile

Claims

1. A cell stack consisting of multiple battery cells, each having a pair of electrode leads protruding upwards, stacked in the width direction; A frame that is open at the top and houses the cell stack; and An insulating resin that fills at least a portion of the empty space between the cell stack and the frame; At least one of the aforementioned plurality of battery cells has a tapered portion at its upper end, which narrows in width towards the top. The upper end of the resin is located above the height at which the tapered portion begins. Battery module.

2. The aforementioned plurality of battery cells are stacked with an adhesive in between. The battery module according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned resin includes at least one of the materials selected from a phase change material and a thermally conductive resin. The battery module according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned resin includes a flame-retardant material. The battery module according to claim 1.

5. The adhesive comprises at least one of the following materials: a phase change substance and a thermally conductive resin. The battery module according to claim 2.

6. The adhesive includes a flame-retardant material. The battery module according to claim 2.

7. The resin fills the space between at least one pair of battery cells. The battery module according to claim 1.

8. The upper end of the resin is located above the upper end of the cell stack excluding the electrode leads. The battery module according to claim 1.

9. The lower end of the resin is located below the lower end of the cell stack. The battery module according to claim 1.

10. The resin cover further includes a resin cover that covers the exposed upper surface of the aforementioned resin. The battery module according to claim 1.

11. The upper end of the resin is located below the upper end of the cell stack. The resin cover is arranged in the width direction and has multiple holes through which the multiple battery cells pass vertically. The battery module according to claim 10.

12. The cell stack further includes busbars that electrically connect the electrode leads to each other above the cell stack. The battery module according to claim 1.

13. A battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 12 is housed inside. Battery pack.

14. An automobile having the battery pack described in claim 13 installed inside.

15. In a method for manufacturing a battery module as described in claim 1, The step of arranging the cell stack within the frame; and The steps include, sequentially, injecting the resin into the frame before it hardens; A method for manufacturing battery modules.

16. The resin is partially injected before the cell stack is placed in the frame, and again after the cell stack is placed in the frame. A method for manufacturing a battery module according to claim 15.

17. The step of waiting for the resin to harden; and The step of installing busbars that electrically connect the electrode leads to each other; further comprising A method for manufacturing a battery module according to claim 15.

18. The step of installing a resin cover that covers the exposed upper surface of the resin; and The step of installing busbars that electrically connect the electrode leads to each other; further comprising A method for manufacturing a battery module according to claim 15.

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