Battery pack

Abstract

The technical concept of the present invention provides a battery pack comprising a pack housing and a cell assembly disposed within the pack housing, wherein the cell assembly comprises a heat transfer structure including a plurality of battery cells, a top plate on the plurality of battery cells, and a plurality of side plates in contact with the plurality of battery cells, and the plurality of side plates are each fitted and coupled to the top plate.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0088217 filed on July 4, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated as a part of the present specification. [Background Art]

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are widely used as energy sources for various cordless devices such as handsets, notebook 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 dramatically reduced, and as the cruising range of battery electric vehicles (BEV) 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] As secondary batteries are used in mobility, demands for the safety of secondary batteries are increasing. If an accident such as a fire occurs in a secondary battery used for mobility, it may endanger the life of the driver, so research on technologies for improving the safety of secondary batteries is indispensable. Summary of the Invention Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack. Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the technical concept of the present invention provides a battery pack comprising a pack housing and a cell assembly disposed within the pack housing, wherein the cell assembly comprises a heat transfer structure including a plurality of battery cells, a top plate on the plurality of battery cells, and a plurality of side plates in contact with the plurality of battery cells, and the plurality of side plates are each fitted and coupled to the top plate.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the top plate includes a plurality of insertion holes, and each of the plurality of side plates includes a projection inserted into a corresponding insertion hole among the plurality of insertion holes of the top plate.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the top plate includes a plurality of unit plates separated from each other, and each of the plurality of unit plates is coupled to at least one corresponding side plate from the plurality of side plates.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction, the plurality of side plates are spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and the plurality of unit plates of the top plate are arranged in the first direction.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the pack housing includes a base frame that supports the cell assembly, the base frame being bonded to the plurality of battery cells by a first thermally conductive adhesive layer.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the base frame is characterized by including a first cooling channel through which a cooling fluid flows.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the pack housing further includes an upper cooling structure disposed on the cell assembly, wherein the upper cooling structure is bonded to the top plate of the heat transfer structure by a second thermally conductive adhesive layer.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper cooling structure is characterized by including a second cooling channel through which a cooling fluid flows.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the heat transfer structure further includes a plurality of cell housing spaces separated from each other in a first direction and each extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a plurality of venting channels separated from each other in the first direction and each extending in the second direction, wherein each of the plurality of cell housing spaces houses a corresponding battery cell from the plurality of battery cells, and the plurality of venting channels are each located on the corresponding cell housing spaces from the plurality of cell housing spaces and are configured to guide gas in the second direction.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of venting channels each extend in the second direction from a first end to a second end, the cell assembly includes a shut-off plate that closes the first end of each of the plurality of venting channels, and in each of the plurality of venting channels, the gas flows in a direction from the first end of each of the plurality of venting channels toward the second end of each of the plurality of venting channels.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the blocking plate is characterized by being a part of the top plate of the heat transfer structure.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the pack housing includes a first side wall and a second side wall spaced apart in the second direction, and a third side wall and a fourth side wall spaced apart in the first direction, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of venting channels faces the first side wall, and a venting device is mounted on the third side wall of the pack housing.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction, the pack housing further includes a base frame that supports the cell assembly and a support structure that extends on the base frame in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the cell assembly further includes a fastening frame that is bonded to the outermost battery cell in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells and fastened to the support structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack has a dual cooling structure that cools the battery cells via a base frame provided on the lower side of the cell assembly and an upper cooling structure provided on the upper side of the cell assembly, thereby improving the cooling performance for the battery cells.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a heat transfer structure configured to thermally couple a battery cell to an upper cooling structure can be manufactured relatively easily by a fitting connection between a top plate and a side plate, thereby reducing the difficulty of manufacturing the heat transfer structure.

[0021] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, high-temperature gases generated from multiple battery cells are discharged along one venting direction provided by the heat transfer structure, thereby enabling directional venting that discharges vented gases in a predetermined specific direction.

[0022] Effects obtained from 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 from the following description by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong. That is, 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 knowledge in the relevant technical field. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack including a cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view showing a heat transfer structure and a fastening frame of a cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing an assembly process of a unit structure of a heat transfer structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing a unit structure of a heat transfer structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack including a cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing a unit structure of a heat transfer structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view showing a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view showing a part of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack taken along line CC-CC' in Fig. 8. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] 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 ordinary 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 their actual sizes and proportions.

[0028] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a cell assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack 500 including the cell assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the cell assembly 100 taken along the line AA-AA' in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the heat transfer structure 110 and fastening frame 160 of the cell assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the heat transfer structure 110 and a cross-section of the fastening frame 160 taken along the line AA-AA' in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the assembly process of the unit structure 119 of the heat transfer structure 110 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the cell assembly 100 may include a heat transfer structure 110, a plurality of battery cells 130, and a fastening frame 160.

[0030] The heat transfer structure 110 may be connected to a plurality of battery cells 130 and may be configured to transfer heat from the plurality of battery cells 130 to a cooling structure such as a heat sink. The heat transfer structure 110 may include a plurality of side plates 111 spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a top plate 113 positioned on the plurality of side plates 111. Each of the individual side plates 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 top plate 113 may be connected to the upper ends of each of the plurality of side plates 111. The top plate 113 may have a flat plate shape extending in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction).

[0031] The heat transfer structure 110 may contain a material with excellent thermal conductivity. For example, the heat transfer structure 110 may contain aluminum, copper, silver, gold, iron, tungsten, or a combination thereof.

[0032] The heat transfer structure 110 may provide a plurality of cell housing spaces 121 that are separated from each other. Each of the plurality of cell housing spaces 121 may house one or more battery cells 130. The plurality of cell housing spaces 121 may be separated from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and each of the plurality of cell housing spaces 121 may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Adjacent cell housing spaces 121 among the plurality of cell housing spaces 121 may be separated by corresponding side plates 111 among a plurality of side plates 111.

[0033] The heat transfer structure 110 may provide a plurality of venting channels 125 that are separated from each other. The plurality of venting channels 125 may be separated from each other 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 corresponding side plates 111 among the plurality of side plates 111. Individual venting channels 125 may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Individual venting channels 125 may be provided above a corresponding cell housing space 121 among a plurality of cell housing spaces 121 and may communicate with the corresponding cell housing space 121. Individual venting channels 125 may be defined by two adjacent side plates 111, a top plate 113, and the upper surface of one or more battery cells 130 housed in the corresponding cell housing space 121. In other words, individual venting channels 125 may be provided between the top plate 113 and one or more battery cells 130 housed in the cell housing space 121 in the vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction), and between two adjacent side plates 111 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0034] Each venting channel 125 may be configured to guide or transmit hot gases generated from one or more battery cells 130 housed in the corresponding cell housing space 121 in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The top plate 113 may cover multiple venting channels 125 and multiple battery cells 130 so as to block gas flow in the vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction) between the individual venting channels 125 and the upper space of the cell assembly 100. In each venting channel 125, hot gases may flow in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) along the underside of the top plate 113 facing the multiple battery cells 130. Each venting channel 125 may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) and have a first end (1251 in Figure 6) and a second end (1253 in Figure 6) opposite to the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). At least one of the first end 1251 and second end 1253 of each individual venting channel 125 is exposed to the external space outside the cell assembly 100, allowing gas flow between the external space of the cell assembly 100 and the individual venting channels 125.

[0035] Multiple side plates 111 can each be fitted and coupled to the top plate 113. In exemplary embodiments, each of the multiple side plates 111 may include projections 1111 provided on its upper surface, and the top plate 113 may include multiple insertion holes 1131. Each side plate 111 can be coupled to the top plate 113 by inserting the projection 1111 of each side plate 111 into the corresponding insertion hole 1131 of the top plate 113. For example, the insertion hole 1131 of the top plate 113 may have a slit shape extending in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction), and the projection 1111 of each side plate 111 may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) along the insertion hole 1131 of the top plate 113.

[0036] In exemplary embodiments, the top plate 113 may include a plurality of unit plates 115. The plurality of unit plates 115 may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and adjacent unit plates 115 may be in contact with each other. When viewed from above, each of the plurality of unit plates 115 may have a rectangular shape, and the top plate 113, which is an assembly of the plurality of unit plates 115, may have a rectangular shape. Each of the plurality of unit plates 115 of the top plate 113 may include an insertion hole 1131 and may be fitted and coupled to at least one side plate 111.

[0037] The heat transfer structure 110 may include a plurality of unit structures 119. The plurality of unit structures 119 may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and the heat transfer structure 110 may be understood as an assembly of the plurality of unit structures 119. Each unit structure 119 may include a single unit plate 115 and at least one side plate 111 coupled to the single unit plate 115. In an exemplary embodiment, each unit structure 119 may include a single unit plate 115 and a single side plate 111, and may have a T-shaped cross-section. To manufacture each unit structure 119, the steps of manufacturing the unit plate 115 and the side plate 111 respectively, and then assembling the unit plate 115 and the side plate 111 may be carried out sequentially. The unit plate 115 and the side plate 111 may each be manufactured by a pressing process using a press die. The assembly between the unit plate 115 and the side plate 111 may include fitting the projection 1111 of the side plate 111 into the insertion hole 1131 of the unit plate 115.

[0038] Multiple battery cells 130 may be housed in multiple cell housing spaces 121 of a heat transfer structure 110 and may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). Battery cells 130 housed in different cell housing spaces 121 of the heat transfer structure 110 may be separated by side plates 111. Individual battery cells 130 may be bonded to a corresponding side plate 111 of the multiple side plates 111 by an adhesive member. The adhesive member may include, for example, an adhesive tape or a resin layer.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the multiple cell housing spaces 121 of the heat transfer structure 110 may house one or more battery cells 130, for example, two battery cells 130, arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0040] In exemplary embodiments, at least one of the multiple cell housing spaces 121 of the heat transfer structure 110 may include a pad 140 and two battery cells 130 separated by the pad 140. The pad 140 may be bonded to each of the two battery cells 130 by an adhesive member consisting of adhesive tape or a resin layer. The pad 140 may correspond to a thermal barrier pad configured to thermally separate the two battery cells 130 and support the two battery cells 130 in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). For example, the pad 140 may include polyurethane, silicone, or a combination thereof.

[0041] The battery cell 130 is housed in the cell housing space 121 of the heat transfer structure 110 and may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) within the cell housing space 121. At least one of the ends of the battery cell 130 along the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) may be provided with electrode leads (131 in Figure 6). When the battery cell 130 is housed in the cell housing space 121 of the heat transfer structure 110, two sides of the battery cell 130 may be covered by two adjacent side plates 111 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and the top surface of the battery cell 130 may be covered by a top plate 113. In exemplary embodiments, the bottom surface of the battery cell 130 may be exposed to the outside of the heat transfer structure 110 without being covered by the heat transfer structure 110.

[0042] Each battery cell 130 is the basic unit of a lithium-ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. Each battery cell 130 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.

[0043] Multiple battery cells 130 can be connected in series and / or in parallel. In one example, multiple battery cells 130 can be connected in series with each other. In another example, multiple battery cells 130 can be connected in parallel with each other. In one example, when a set of two or more battery cells 130 connected in parallel with each other is defined as a bank, one bank consisting of two or more battery cells 130 connected in parallel with each other and another bank consisting of two or more battery cells 130 connected in parallel with each other can be connected in series.

[0044] 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 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. In an exemplary embodiment, each battery cell 130 is a pouch-type battery cell, and the length of each battery cell 130 along a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) may be longer than the length of each battery cell 130 along a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and along a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction).

[0045] Multiple battery cells 130 can be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) to form a cell block. When viewed from above, the cell block may have a rectangular shape. The cell block may have two opposite sides (i.e., a first side and a second side) in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), a front and a rear surface opposite in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction), and a top and a bottom surface opposite in the vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction).

[0046] Busbar frames 171 supporting electrode leads 131 of multiple battery cells 130 may be arranged on the front and rear surfaces of the cell block, respectively. The busbar frame 171 on the front of the cell block may be provided with slits into which the electrode leads 131 are inserted, and the busbar frame 171 on the rear of the cell block may be provided with slits into which the electrode leads 131 are inserted.

[0047] The busbar frame 171 may support the busbar 173. The busbar 173 may be electrically and physically connected to at least one of the electrode leads 131 of a plurality of battery cells 130. The busbar 173 may be joined to at least one of the electrode leads 131 of a plurality of battery cells 130 by welding. The busbar 173 may include terminal busbars for electrically connecting cell blocks of cell assemblies 100 to cell blocks of other cell assemblies or external devices. In exemplary embodiments, the busbar 173 may include interbusbars connected to the electrode leads 131 of different battery cells 130 and for electrically connecting different battery cells 130.

[0048] The cell assembly 100 may further include insulating covers 175 connected to the busbar frame 171. One insulating cover 175 may cover the busbar frame 171 on the front of the cell block and cover the electrode leads 131 and busbars 173 supported by the busbar frame 171 on the front of the cell block. Another insulating cover 175 may cover the busbar frame 171 on the rear of the cell block and cover the electrode leads 131 and busbars 173 supported by the busbar frame 171 on the rear of the cell block.

[0049] Each fastening frame 160 can be bonded to each of the battery cells 130 that are furthest out in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) among a plurality of battery cells 130. The fastening frames 160 can be fastened to an external support structure 530. For example, the support structure 530 is provided to the pack housing (see 501 in Figure 8) of a battery pack 500 on which the cell assembly 100 is mounted, and the cell assembly 100 can be mounted in the pack housing 501 by the connection between the fastening frames 160 and the support structure 530.

[0050] The fastening frame 160 may cover one side of the battery cell 130 and may be bonded to that side of the battery cell 130 by an adhesive member consisting of adhesive tape or a resin layer. The fastening frame 160 may be fastened to an external support structure 530 by bolts 551. For example, the fastening frame 160 may include a fixing plate 161 bonded to the battery cell 130 and a flange 163 fastened to the external support structure 530 by bolts 551. The flange 163 may be connected to the upper part of the fixing plate 161 and secured on the external support structure 530.

[0051] The battery pack 500 may include a cell assembly 100, a base frame 510 supporting the cell assembly 100, and an upper cooling structure 560 on the cell assembly 100. The base frame 510 and the upper cooling structure 560 may be part of the pack housing 501.

[0052] A base frame 510 may be provided beneath a cell assembly 100 and may support a plurality of battery cells 130. A first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191 may be placed between each of the plurality of battery cells 130 and the base frame 510. The first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191 may bond each of the plurality of battery cells 130 to the base frame 510. The upper part of the first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191 may be in direct contact with each of the plurality of battery cells 130, and the lower part of the first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191 may be in direct contact with the base frame 510. The first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191 may thermally and physically bond each of the plurality of battery cells 130 to the base frame 510. The first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191 may include a thermal resin and / or a thermal interface material (TIM).

[0053] The base frame 510 may include a first cooling channel 511 through which a cooling fluid flows. The first cooling channel 511 of the base frame 510 may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) within the base frame 510. A cooling fluid supplied from outside the base frame 510 may be supplied to the inlet of the first cooling channel 511, flow along the first cooling channel 511, and be discharged to the outside through the outlet of the first cooling channel 511. Cooling of the cell assembly 100 may occur while the cooling fluid flows along the first cooling channel 511. The cooling fluid may include coolant and / or refrigerant. In this disclosure, the base frame 510 may be referred to as the lower cooling structure.

[0054] The upper cooling structure 560 may be placed on the top plate 113 of the heat transfer structure 110, and a second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 may be placed between the upper cooling structure 560 and the top plate 113 of the heat transfer structure 110. The second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 may bond the upper cooling structure 560 to the top plate 113 of the heat transfer structure 110. The upper part of the second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 may be in direct contact with the upper cooling structure 560, and the lower part of the second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 may be in direct contact with the top plate 113 of the heat transfer structure 110. The second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 may thermally and physically bond the upper cooling structure 560 to the heat transfer structure 110. Multiple battery cells 130 are thermally bonded to the upper cooling structure 560 by the heat transfer structure 110 and the second thermal conductive adhesive layer 193, so that heat generated from the multiple battery cells 130 can be transferred to the upper cooling structure 560 via the heat transfer structure 110 and the second thermal conductive adhesive layer 193. The second thermal conductive adhesive layer 193 may contain a thermal resin and / or TIM. Since the second thermal conductive adhesive layer 193 is positioned on the top plate 113 of the heat transfer structure 110, the multiple battery cells 130 can be separated from the second thermal conductive adhesive layer 193 by the heat transfer structure 110.

[0055] The upper cooling structure 560 may include a second cooling channel 561 through which a cooling fluid flows. The second cooling channel 561 of the upper cooling structure 560 may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) within the upper cooling structure 560. Cooling fluid provided to the outside of the upper cooling structure 560 may be supplied to the inlet of the second cooling channel 561, flow along the second cooling channel 561, and discharged to the outside through the outlet of the second cooling channel 561. Cooling of the cell assembly 100 may occur while the cooling fluid flows along the second cooling channel 561. The cooling fluid may include cooling water and / or a refrigerant.

[0056] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 500 has a dual cooling structure that cools the battery cells 130 via a base frame 510 provided on the lower side of the cell assembly 100 and an upper cooling structure 560 provided on the upper side of the cell assembly 100, thereby improving the cooling performance for the battery cells 130.

[0057] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat transfer structure 110 configured to thermally bond the battery cell 130 to the upper cooling structure 560 can be easily manufactured by fitting and connecting the top plate 113 and the side plate 111, thereby reducing the difficulty of manufacturing the heat transfer structure 110.

[0058] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the battery pack 500 is disassembled for rework, the battery cells 130 are covered and protected by the heat transfer structure 110 without coming into direct contact with an adhesive such as TIM or thermal resin, thereby preventing damage to the battery cells 130 during rework.

[0059] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cell assembly 100 may have a cell-to-pack structure that is directly assembled to the pack housing 501 of the battery pack 500. The battery cells 130 of the cell assembly 100 can be thermally coupled to a cooling structure that cools the battery cells 130 without being covered by a structure such as a module frame, thereby improving the cooling efficiency for multiple battery cells 130. Furthermore, since the cell assembly 100 includes a fastening frame 160 configured to be fastened to the pack housing 501 of the battery pack 500, the assembly gap between the cell assembly 100 and the pack housing 501 can be eliminated, thereby improving the energy density of the battery pack 500.

[0060] (Second Embodiment) Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a unit structure 119A of a heat transfer structure 110 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Referring to Figure 5 in conjunction with Figure 3, in the heat transfer structure 110, each individual unit structure 119A may include a single unit plate 115A and a plurality of side plates 111 coupled to the single unit plate 115A. In Figure 5, an example is shown in which five side plates 111 are coupled to a single unit plate 115A, but this is not limited to this, and the number of side plates 111 coupled to a single unit plate 115A may be two or more. In the heat transfer structure 110, the rigidity of each individual unit structure 119A can be adjusted by adjusting the number of side plates 111 coupled to a single unit plate 115A.

[0062] In some exemplary embodiments, the top plate 113 of the heat transfer structure 110 may be a single plate, and all side plates 111 of the heat transfer structure 110 may be coupled to a single plate.

[0063] (Third embodiment) Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack 500A including a cell assembly 100A according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the cell assembly 100A taken along the line corresponding to the BB-BB' line in Figure 1. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a unit structure 119B of a heat transfer structure 110A according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the cell assembly 100A may include a shut-off plate 150 connected to the end of the heat transfer structure 110A along a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The shut-off plate 150 may close one end of each of the multiple venting channels 125 of the heat transfer structure 110A so that gas is discharged in only one direction within the multiple venting channels 125. For example, the shut-off plate 150 may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) to close one end of each of the multiple venting channels 125.

[0065] The blocking plate 150 can close the first end 1251 of each venting channel 125 so as not to allow gas flow through the first end 1251 of each venting channel 125 provided to the heat transfer structure 110A. Since the first end 1251 of each venting channel 125 is closed by the blocking plate 150, gas within each venting channel 125 can flow in one venting direction VD1 from the first end 1251 to the second end 1253 of each venting channel 125 and be released to the outside of the cell assembly 100A through the second end 1253 of each venting channel 125. The second end 1253 of each venting channel 125 can be the outlet of the venting channel 125 through which the gas is discharged to the outside. If gas is generated from the battery cell 130, the gas generated from the battery cell 130 may flow in one venting direction VD1 along the venting channel 125 located on the upper side of the battery cell 130, and then be released to the outside of the cell assembly 100A through the second end 1253 of the venting channel 125.

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the blocking plate 150 may be part of the top plate 113A of the heat transfer structure 110A. The top plate 113A may include a main plate to which a plurality of side plates 111 are joined, and a blocking plate 150 extending along one edge of the main plate. For example, a top plate 113A having a main plate and a blocking plate 150 can be manufactured by bending a flat plate-shaped member. In an exemplary embodiment, the top plate 113A is an assembly of a plurality of unit plates 115B, and each unit plate 115B may include a unit blocking plate 151. The blocking plate 150 may be an assembly of a plurality of unit blocking plates 151 of a plurality of unit plates 115B connected in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0067] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the high-temperature gas generated from the plurality of battery cells 130 is discharged along one venting direction VD1 provided by the heat transfer structure 110A, thereby realizing directional venting that discharges the vented gas in a predetermined specific direction.

[0068] (Fourth Embodiment) Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a battery pack 500B according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a portion of the battery pack 500B according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack 500B along the line CC-CC' in Figure 8.

[0069] Referring to Figures 8 to 10 in conjunction with Figures 6 and 7, the battery pack 500B may include a pack housing 501 and a plurality of cell assemblies 100A mounted within the pack housing 501. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack 500B may include a plurality of cell assemblies 100A arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction).

[0070] The pack housing 501 may provide a housing space in which cell assemblies 100A are housed. The pack housing 501 may include a base frame 510, side frames 520, and an upper cooling structure 560. The side frames 520 may be coupled to the edges of the base frame 510 and may extend along the perimeter of the side frames 520 to surround a plurality of cell assemblies 100A. The upper cooling structure 560 may be coupled on the side frames 520 to cover the housing space of the pack housing 501. The housing space of the pack housing 501 may be a sealed space.

[0071] The base frame 510 may have a flat plate shape parallel to a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The base frame 510 can support a cell assembly 100A. The cell assembly 100A may be thermally bonded to the base frame 510 via a first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191 interposed between the cell assembly 100A and the base frame 510. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower surfaces of a plurality of battery cells 130 are not covered by the heat transfer structure 110A so as to be exposed to the outside of the heat transfer structure 110A, and the bottom surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 130 may be connected to the base frame 510 via the first thermally conductive adhesive layer 191.

[0072] The upper cooling structure 560 may be arranged on a plurality of cell assemblies 100A. The upper cooling structure 560 may have a flat plate shape parallel to a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Individual cell assemblies 100A may be coupled to the upper cooling structure 560 via a second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193 interposed between the heat transfer structure 110A and the upper cooling structure 560. The battery cells 130 of individual cell assemblies 100A may be thermally coupled to the upper cooling structure 560 via the heat transfer structure and the second thermally conductive adhesive layer 193. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper cooling structure 560 may be a pack lid connected on a side frame 520 so as to cover the housing space of the pack housing 501. In another exemplary embodiment, the pack housing 501 may include a pack lid separate from the upper cooling structure 560, and the upper cooling structure 560 may be arranged between the pack lid and the cell assemblies 100A.

[0073] The side frame 520 may include a first side wall 521 and a second side wall 523 that are separated from and facing a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction), and a third side wall 525 and a fourth side wall 527 that are separated from and facing a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The side walls of the pack housing 501 may enclose the housing space. The third side wall 525 of the pack housing 501 may be the front wall constituting the front part of the battery pack 500B, and the fourth side wall 527 of the pack housing 501 may be the rear wall constituting the rear part of the battery pack 500B.

[0074] A venting device 540 may be mounted on the third side wall 525 of the pack housing 501. The venting device 540 may be mounted in an exhaust passage provided between the containment 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 containment space of the pack housing 501 and the external space of the pack housing 501. In exemplary embodiments, the venting device 540 may include a check valve, a relief valve, a safety valve, and / or a rupture disc.

[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, the venting device 540 may be a relief valve configured to selectively open and close a gas exhaust passage in response to the internal pressure of the containment space of the pack housing 501. The relief valve may be configured to open a gas exhaust passage to discharge gas to the outside of the pack housing 501 when the internal pressure of the containment space of the pack housing 501 rises above a reference pressure, and to close the gas exhaust passage when the gas has been discharged and the internal pressure of the containment space of the pack housing 501 falls below the reference pressure.

[0076] The pack housing 501 may include a plurality of support structures 530 provided on a base frame 510. The plurality of support structures 530 are provided on the upper surface of the base frame 510 and may be spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The plurality of support structures 530 may each extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The plurality of support structures 530 may each be called a crossbeam structure. The plurality of support structures 530 may separate or partition the accommodation space of the pack housing 501 into a plurality of sub-accommodation spaces. The plurality of sub-accommodation spaces may be separated or partitioned in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and one cell assembly 100A may be placed in each sub-accommodation space.

[0077] The fastening frame 160 of each cell assembly 100A may be placed on a corresponding support structure 530 among a plurality of support structures 530. Each cell assembly 100A may be fastened to the pack housing 501 by fastening the fastening frame 160 to a corresponding support structure 530 among the plurality of support structures 530 with bolts 551. More specifically, each cell assembly 100A may be fastened to the pack housing 501 by fastening a pair of fastening frames 160 to a corresponding pair of support structures 530 among a plurality of battery support structures 530.

[0078] In an exemplary embodiment, two cell assemblies 100A adjacent to each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) may share the same single support structure 530. That is, the single support structure 530 may be fastened to the fastening frame 160 of one of the two adjacent cell assemblies 100A, and to the fastening frame 160 of the other of the two adjacent cell assemblies 100A.

[0079] In exemplary embodiments, each cell assembly 100A may be configured to discharge gas in one venting direction VD1, and the outlet of each cell assembly 100A in one venting direction VD1 may be directed toward either the first side wall 521 or the second side wall 523. Each cell assembly 100A may be mounted in the pack housing 501 such that the second end 1253 of the venting channel 125, which is provided with the outlet of the venting channel 125, faces directly toward either the first side wall 521 or the second side wall 523. In this case, the gas discharged from each cell assembly 100A may flow along the first side wall 521 or the second side wall 523 along a venting direction VD2 parallel to the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) to reach 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 500B via a venting device 540 provided on the third side wall 525.

[0080] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack 500B may include a plurality of cell assemblies 100A arranged in two rows. The first row of cell assemblies 100A may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and may be adjacent to the first side wall 521 rather than the second side wall 523. The second row of cell assemblies 100A may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and may be adjacent to the second side wall 523 rather than the first side wall 521. In this case, each cell assembly 100A in the first row may be arranged so that the outlet in one venting direction VD1 faces the first side wall 521, and each cell assembly 100A in the second row may be arranged so that the outlet in one venting direction VD1 faces the second side wall 523. Gas discharged from the first row of cell assemblies 100A may flow along the first side wall 521 along a venting direction VD2 parallel to the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) to reach 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 500B via a venting device 540 provided on the third side wall 525. Similarly, gas discharged from the second row of cell assemblies 100A may flow along the second side wall 523 along a venting direction VD2 parallel to the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) to reach 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 500B via a venting device 540 provided on the third side wall 525.

[0081] 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.

Claims

1. Pack housing and A cell assembly arranged within the aforementioned pack housing, Includes, The aforementioned cell assembly is Multiple battery cells, A heat transfer structure including a top plate on the plurality of battery cells and a plurality of side plates in contact with the plurality of battery cells, Includes, A battery pack in which the aforementioned multiple side plates are each fitted and coupled to the top plate.

2. The aforementioned top plate includes a plurality of insertion holes, The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of side plates includes a projection inserted into a corresponding insertion hole among the plurality of insertion holes of the top plate.

3. The top plate includes a plurality of unit plates separated from each other, The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of unit plates is coupled to at least one corresponding side plate among the plurality of side plates.

4. The plurality of battery cells are arranged in the first direction, The plurality of side plates are spaced apart from each other in the first direction, The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of unit plates of the top plate are arranged in the first direction.

5. The pack housing includes a base frame that supports the cell assembly, The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the base frame is bonded to the plurality of battery cells by a first thermally conductive adhesive layer.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the base frame includes a first cooling channel through which a cooling fluid flows.

7. The pack housing further includes an upper cooling structure disposed on the cell assembly, The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the upper cooling structure is bonded to the top plate of the heat transfer structure by a second thermally conductive adhesive layer.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the upper cooling structure includes a second cooling channel through which a cooling fluid flows.

9. The heat transfer structure is A plurality of cell housing spaces, each separated from each other in a first direction and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, A plurality of venting channels separated from each other in the first direction and each extending in the second direction, It further includes, Each of the aforementioned cell housing spaces houses a corresponding battery cell from among the aforementioned battery cells. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of venting channels is located on a corresponding cell housing space among the plurality of cell housing spaces and is configured to guide gas in the second direction.

10. Each of the aforementioned venting channels extends in the second direction from the first end to the second end, The cell assembly includes a shut-off plate that closes the first end of each of the plurality of venting channels. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein in each of the plurality of venting channels, the gas flows in a direction from the first end of each of the plurality of venting channels toward the second end of each of the plurality of venting channels.

11. The battery pack according to claim 10, wherein the shielding plate is a part of the top plate of the heat transfer structure.

12. The aforementioned pack housing is The first side wall and the second side wall separated in the second direction, and The third and fourth side walls separated in the first direction, Includes, Each of the aforementioned plurality of venting channels has a second end that faces the first side wall, The battery pack according to claim 10, wherein a venting device is attached to the third side wall of the pack housing.

13. The plurality of battery cells are arranged in the first direction, The pack housing further includes a base frame that supports the cell assembly and a support structure that extends on the base frame in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising a fastening frame bonded to the outermost battery cell in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells and fastened to the support structure.

14. The aforementioned pack housing is A base frame supporting the cell assembly and including a first cooling channel through which cooling fluid flows, An upper cooling structure is placed on the cell assembly and includes a second cooling channel through which a cooling fluid flows, Includes, The aforementioned battery pack is A first thermally conductive adhesive layer for bonding the base frame to the plurality of battery cells, A second thermally conductive adhesive layer for bonding the upper cooling structure to the top plate of the heat transfer structure, The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising:

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