Battery module, battery pack including same, and automobile

Abstract

A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell assembly including battery cells; a bus bar assembly provided on one side of the battery cell assembly and electrically connected to a plurality of battery cells; a cooling unit spaced a predetermined distance from the bus bar assembly for cooling the battery cell assembly; and a potting resin filled in at least one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the battery cell assembly.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile. This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0018520, filed on February 9, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the relevant application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability to various products and electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by electrical sources. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source because they are environmentally friendly and improve energy efficiency as they do not produce any by-products associated with energy use, as well as having the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels.

[0003] Currently, types of secondary batteries that are widely used include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, and nickel zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell, i.e., a unit battery cell, is about 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack is configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. Also, a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel according to a charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be variously set according to a required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0004] In addition, when a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series and parallel, a common method is to first construct a battery module consisting of at least one battery cell, and then use this at least one battery module to add other components to construct a battery pack or a battery rack.

[0005] In the case of a conventional battery module or battery pack, since it includes a plurality of battery cells, it is important to improve the cooling performance of such battery cells and ensure safety when a dangerous situation occurs due to overheating, etc. In terms of ensuring safety, it is particularly important to more quickly and reliably block the propagation of flames and heat to surrounding battery cells when a fire situation occurs due to abnormal overheating of a specific battery cell among the plurality of battery cells.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a solution that can provide a battery module that can improve cooling performance and ensure safety, as well as a battery pack and an automobile that include the same. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of improving cooling performance, and a battery pack and an automobile including the same.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of ensuring safety when an abnormality occurs due to overheating of a battery cell, and a battery pack and an automobile including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a battery module comprising: a battery cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; a bus bar assembly provided on one side of the battery cell assembly and electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; a cooling unit disposed a predetermined distance away from the bus bar assembly for cooling the battery cell assembly; and a potting resin filled in at least one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the battery cell assembly.

[0010] The bus bar assembly may be provided on an upper portion of the battery cell assembly, and the potting resin may be filled to cover the bus bar assembly.

[0011] The cooling unit may be provided below the battery cell assembly.

[0012] The cooling unit may be provided with a predetermined length along a stacking direction of the battery cell assemblies and disposed between an upper portion and a lower portion of the battery cell assemblies.

[0013] A vent portion for discharging gas may be provided at a lower portion of the plurality of battery cells, and the potting resin may be filled to cover the vent portion at a lower portion of the battery cell.

[0014] The potting resin may include a thermally conductive material.

[0015] The potting resin may include a phase change material.

[0016] The potting resin may include a paraffin substance.

[0017] The potting resin may include a flame retardant.

[0018] The present invention also provides a battery pack, comprising: at least one battery module according to any one of the above-described embodiments; and a pack case packaging the at least one battery module.

[0019] The present invention also provides a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one battery pack according to any of the above-described embodiments. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the various embodiments described above, a battery module capable of improving cooling performance, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle can be provided.

[0021] In addition, through the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a battery module capable of ensuring safety when an abnormal situation occurs due to overheating of a battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0022] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters described in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5]11 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 11 is a graph showing the results of a discharge test to explain the difference in cooling performance between a battery pack filled with a potting resin according to an embodiment of the present invention and a conventional battery pack not filled with a potting resin. [Figure 10] 1 is a graph showing the results of a nail penetration test of a conventional battery pack not filled with a potting resin. [Figure 11] 1 is a graph showing the results of a nail penetration test of a battery pack filled with a potting resin according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments described herein are illustrative in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, and it should be understood that the present invention can be practiced in various forms different from the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the attached drawings may be drawn not to scale but with some components exaggerated.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1 , a battery module 10 may include a battery cell assembly 100, a bus bar assembly 200, a cooling unit 300, and a potting resin 400.

[0027] The battery cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 150.

[0028] The battery cells 150 are secondary batteries and may be cylindrical secondary batteries, pouch secondary batteries, or prismatic secondary batteries. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the battery cells 150 will be described as being cylindrical secondary batteries.

[0029] The bus bar assembly 200 may be provided on one side of the battery cell assembly 100 and electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 150. Specifically, the bus bar assembly 200 may be provided on an upper portion of the battery cell assembly 100 and electrically connected to the battery cells 150 by wire bonding, laser welding, or the like.

[0030] The cooling unit 300 is for cooling the battery cell assembly 100, and may be disposed at a predetermined distance from the bus bar assembly 200. Specifically, the cooling unit 300 may be provided at a lower portion of the battery cell assembly 100, and may include a cooling passage 350 therein for the flow of coolant or the like. That is, the cooling unit 300 may have a bottom cooling structure.

[0031] The potting resin 400 is a thermally conductive material and may be prepared to be filled in at least one of the upper and lower parts of the battery cell assembly 100 to enhance the cooling performance of the battery cell assembly 100 and to support the battery cell assembly 100 more firmly.

[0032] The potting resin 400 may be filled to cover the bus bar assembly 200 on the upper part of the battery cell assembly 100. The potting resin 400 covers the peripheral area of ​​the bus bar assembly 200 having a relatively high temperature distribution in the battery module 10, and therefore, the cooling performance of the battery cell 150 may be effectively improved.

[0033] The potting resin 400 may also be filled between the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100. Specifically, the potting resin 400 may be filled between the battery cells 150 while covering the bus bar assembly 200 at the upper portion of the battery cell assembly 100. Here, the potting resin 400 may be continuously filled without interruption in the vertical direction of the battery module 10.

[0034] The potting resin 400 may include a silicone resin or a urethane resin having high cooling and adhesive properties, but this is merely an example, and the potting resin 400 may be made of other resin materials such as an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin having high cooling and adhesive properties.

[0035] The potting resin 400 may include a phase change material in order to further improve the cooling performance of the potting resin 400 and to further reduce the thermal energy of the battery cell 150 through a phase change. For example, the potting resin 400 may include a paraffin material. The paraffin material undergoes a phase change at a temperature of 33° C. to 46° C. and undergoes an endothermic reaction, thereby effectively improving the cooling performance of the battery cell 150. The paraffin material may be encapsulated with an acrylic coating or the like to improve the injection performance when the potting resin 400 is injected.

[0036] The potting resin 400 may include a flame retardant. The flame retardant may be a ceramic-based flame retardant that may be added to the potting resin 400. For example, the flame retardant may be provided as aluminum hydroxide.

[0037] As a result, the potting resin 400 is made of a composite resin including a resin material such as a silicone resin or a urethane resin, a paraffin material which is a phase change material, and a flame retardant material such as aluminum hydroxide, thereby significantly improving the cooling performance of the battery cell 150 and more effectively blocking heat transfer to the surrounding area when an abnormality occurs in the battery cell 150.

[0038] Meanwhile, the battery module 10 may further include an upper frame 500, a lower frame 550, an adhesive member 600, and an insulating member 650.

[0039] The upper frame 500 may be disposed on the upper portion of the battery cell assembly 100 and support an upper end portion of the battery cell assembly 100. The upper frame 500 may have at least one opening to guide the injection of the potting resin 400 and the electrical connection between the battery cell 150 and the bus bar assembly 200.

[0040] The lower frame 550 may be disposed below the battery cell assembly 100 and support a lower end of the battery cell assembly 100. Lower ends of the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100 may be inserted into the lower frame 550.

[0041] The lower frame 550 may be an injection frame. Meanwhile, the lower frame 550 may be made of a metal material that can improve a cooling effect. For example, the lower frame 550 may be made of an aluminum material.

[0042] The adhesive members 600 may be provided on the lower frame 550 and the upper frame 500 to more firmly fix the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100 to the lower frame 550 and the upper frame 500 .

[0043] The adhesive member 600 may be provided as a thermally conductive adhesive to improve the cooling performance of the battery cell 150, and may be provided as a composite resin such as the potting resin 400, etc.

[0044] The insulating member 650 is for insulating the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100 and may be disposed between the cooling unit 300 and the adhesive member 600 .

[0045] As such, the battery module 10 according to this embodiment can significantly improve the cooling performance of the battery cells 150 by guiding uniform heat distribution of the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100 through the potting resin 400 containing a phase change material and a flame retardant.

[0046] In addition, the battery module 10 according to this embodiment can effectively prevent problems that could lead to chain fires by blocking direct propagation of flames, etc. to adjacent battery cells 150 when an abnormality such as overheating or a fire occurs in at least one of the battery cells 150 due to the potting resin 400 containing the flame retardant.

[0047] That is, in the battery module 10 according to this embodiment, the potting resin 400 prevents explosions due to thermal runaway caused by chain fires when an abnormal situation occurs, such as overheating of the battery cells 150, thereby ensuring the safety of the battery module 10.

[0048] In addition, in the battery module 10 according to this embodiment, the potting resin 400 is filled between the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100, thereby reinforcing the rigidity of the battery cell assembly 100 and allowing the potting resin 400 to form a module case of the battery module 10 without adding a separate member such as a side frame.

[0049] Therefore, the battery module 10 according to the present embodiment can improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process of the battery module 10 by using the potting resin 400, and can also significantly reduce the manufacturing cost in terms of price competitiveness. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Since the battery module 20 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery module 10 according to the previously described embodiment, redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previously described embodiment will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiment.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 2 , the battery module 20 may include a battery cell assembly 100 including a plurality of battery cells 150, a bus bar assembly 200, a potting resin 400, an upper frame 500, a lower frame 550, an adhesive member 600, and a cooling unit 700.

[0052] The battery cell assembly 100, the bus bar assembly 200, the potting resin 400, the upper frame 500, the lower frame 550, and the adhesive member 600 are substantially the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiments, and therefore, redundant description will be omitted below.

[0053] The cooling unit 700 may be provided with a predetermined length along the stacking direction of the battery cell assemblies 100 and disposed between the upper and lower parts of the battery cell assemblies 100. The cooling unit 700 may be provided with at least one cooling flow passage 750 formed with a predetermined length along the stacking direction for the flow of a coolant such as coolant. That is, the cooling unit 700 may have a side cooling structure.

[0054] As described above, the potting resin 400 according to the present embodiment can be applied to the cooling method of the side-cooling structure. That is, the potting resin 400 can also provide significant effects such as improved cooling performance, safety such as prevention of chain fire, improved manufacturing efficiency, and reduced manufacturing costs, similar to the above-described embodiments, in the battery module 20 having the side-cooling structure according to the present embodiment.

[0055] 3 and 4 are views illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] The battery module 30 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery modules 10 and 20 according to the previously described embodiments, so we will omit redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previously described embodiments, and will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiments below.

[0057] 3 and 4, the battery module 30 may include a battery cell assembly 100, a bus bar assembly 200, a potting resin 400, an upper frame 500, a lower frame 550, an adhesive member 600, and a cooling unit 700.

[0058] The battery cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 160.

[0059] A vent portion 165 for discharging gas or flame F may be provided at the bottom of the plurality of battery cells 160. The vent portion 165 may be formed at a lower end of the battery cell 160 with a thickness thinner than that of the surrounding area. This is because, when an abnormal condition occurs in the battery cell 160 and the internal voltage increases above a certain level, the vent portion 165 is broken, thereby discharging the gas or flame F to the outside of the battery cell 160 more easily.

[0060] The vent portion 165 may be provided in the form of an opening or a notch of a predetermined size, and may be formed in a structure in which a film that breaks when pressure exceeds a certain level is added to the opening of the predetermined size.

[0061] Meanwhile, the vent portion may be provided at an upper end, i.e., an upper portion of the battery cell 160, rather than at a lower end. In other words, the vent portion may be provided in a structure that is broken at the upper portion of the battery cell 160 to exhaust the gas or flame F to the outside above the battery cell 160. That is, the vent portion may be provided in a structure that is broken so as to exhaust the gas or flame F from at least one or both of the lower and upper portions of the battery cell 160.

[0062] The bus bar assembly 200 is substantially the same as or similar to the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0063] The potting resin 400 may be filled between the battery cells 160. In addition, the potting resin 400 may be filled to cover the vent portion 165 at the lower part of the battery cell 160.

[0064] The upper frame 500, the lower frame 550, the adhesive member 600, and the cooling unit 700 are substantially the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, redundant description will be omitted below.

[0065] In this embodiment, since the vent 165 is disposed at the lower part of the battery module 30, when an abnormality in the battery cell 160 causes overheating or a fire, internal gas or flame F can be discharged to the lower part of the battery module 30 instead of the upper part of the battery module 30. For example, when the battery module 30 is installed in a vehicle, passengers such as a driver are usually positioned at the upper part of the battery module 30, so that the safety of passengers such as the driver can be maximized by guiding gas or flame F to the lower part of the battery module 30.

[0066] In addition, in the case of this embodiment, when an abnormality occurs in the battery cell 160 causing overheating or a fire, internal gas or flame F is guided downward to the battery module 30 by the vent portion 165, so that the risk of chain fire due to the transmission of gas or flame F to the adjacent battery cell 160 from the battery cell 160 in which the abnormality occurs can be largely prevented.

[0067] In addition, in this embodiment, since the potting resin 400 is filled in the lower part of the vent portion 165 of the battery cell 160, it is possible to effectively prevent the propagation of flames F, etc. to the adjacent battery cell 160 in which the vent portion 165 is opened due to an abnormal situation.

[0068] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, when the flame F occurs, the lower frame 550 may be made of a material that is easily broken by the flame F, etc., so that the flame F, etc. can escape outside the battery module 30 more quickly before it spreads to the adjacent battery cell 160 around the battery cell 160 where the abnormal situation occurs.

[0069] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] The battery module 40 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery modules 10, 20, and 30 according to the previously described embodiments, so we will omit redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previously described embodiments, and will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiments below.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 5, the battery module 40 may include a battery cell assembly 100 including a plurality of battery cells 150, a bus bar assembly 200, a potting resin 400, an upper frame 500, a lower frame 550, a side frame 570, an adhesive member 600, a cooling unit 800, and an insulating tube 850.

[0072] The battery cell assembly 100 and the bus bar assembly 200 are substantially the same as or similar to the above-described embodiments, and therefore, redundant description will be omitted below.

[0073] The potting resin 400 may be filled on the upper side of the battery cell assembly 100 so as to cover the bus bar assembly 200 on the upper side of the upper frame 500 .

[0074] The upper frame 500 and the lower frame 550 are substantially the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0075] The side frame 570 may be coupled to the upper frame 500 and the lower frame 550, and together with the upper frame 500 and the lower frame 550, package the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100 therein.

[0076] The adhesive member 600 is substantially the same as or similar to the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0077] The cooling unit 800 may be provided as a coolant (cooling unit) 800, and may be filled between the battery cells 150 in the upper frame 500, the lower frame 550, and the side frame 570. The coolant (cooling unit) 800 may be cooling water or insulating oil. That is, in this embodiment, the battery module 40 may have a direct water-cooling structure using the coolant (cooling unit) 800.

[0078] The insulating tube 850 is for insulating the plurality of battery cells 150 and may cover outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 150. Thus, a plurality of the insulating tubes 850 may be provided corresponding to the number of the plurality of battery cells 150. The plurality of insulating tubes 850 may be provided as shrink tubes.

[0079] In this embodiment, the spaces between the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100 are cooled by a direct cooling method using the coolant (cooling unit) 800, and in the upper part of the battery module 40 where the bus bar assembly 200 is disposed, the potting resin 400 can be used to guide heat dispersion while cooling the peripheral area of ​​the bus bar assembly 200.

[0080] As described above, in the present embodiment, the potting resin 400 can significantly improve the cooling performance of the battery module 40 even in the battery module 40 having a direct water-cooling structure. In addition, the potting resin 400 of the battery module 40 of the present embodiment can also realize significant effects such as ensuring safety, such as preventing chain fires, improving manufacturing efficiency, and reducing manufacturing costs, as in the above-described embodiments.

[0081] 6 and 7 are views illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] The battery module 50 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery modules 10, 20, 30, and 40 according to the previously described embodiments, so we will omit redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previously described embodiments, and will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiments below.

[0083] 6 and 7, the battery module 50 may include a battery cell assembly 100, a bus bar assembly 200, a potting resin 400, an upper frame 500, a lower frame 550, a side frame 570, an adhesive member 600, a cooling unit 800, and an insulating tube 850.

[0084] The battery cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 160. A vent portion 165 may be provided on the lower side of each of the plurality of battery cells 160.

[0085] The bus bar assembly 200 is substantially the same as or similar to the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0086] The potting resin 400 may be filled to cover the underside of the battery cell assembly 100 so as to cover the gas vent portion (vent portion) 165 of the battery cell 160 .

[0087] The upper frame 500, the lower frame 550, the side frame 570, the adhesive member 600, the cooling unit 800, and the insulating tube 850 are substantially the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0088] In this embodiment, the potting resin 400 can guide gas or flame F to the lower portion of the battery module 50 like the battery module 30 described above, thereby realizing a significant effect such as prevention of chain fire like the battery module 30 described above. That is, even in the battery module 50 having a direct water-cooling structure as in this embodiment, the potting resin 400 can provide the significant effect realized by the potting resin 400 in the battery module 30 of the above embodiment.

[0089] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 8, a battery pack 1 may include at least one of the battery modules 10 according to the above-described embodiments, a pack case 70 packaging the battery module 10, and a PCM resin 75.

[0091] A plurality of battery modules 10 may be provided. Here, the battery module may be provided as the battery modules 20, 30, 40, 50 of the other embodiments described above, or may be provided as an assembly of these. The battery module may also be provided as other battery modules in addition to the embodiments described above. The battery module may also be provided in a structure in which a plurality of battery cells are directly attached to the pack case 70 without a separate case structure as an assembly of the battery cells.

[0092] Meanwhile, it is also possible to configure a battery pack with only at least one battery module without the pack case 70. In other words, the battery module can be provided in place of a conventional battery pack. That is, it is also possible to directly configure the battery cells as a battery pack without configuring a conventional battery module with battery cells.

[0093] The PCM resin 75 may be filled to cover the at least one battery module 10. The PCM resin 75 may be made of the same potting resin as the potting resin 400 of the above-described embodiment.

[0094] In the battery pack 1 according to this embodiment, since the PCM resin 75 covers the at least one battery module 10, the cooling performance and safety of the battery pack 1 can be further ensured.

[0095] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the results of a discharge test to illustrate the difference in cooling performance between a battery pack filled with a potting resin according to an embodiment of the present invention and a conventional battery pack not filled with a potting resin.

[0096] 9, in the graph, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents temperature. In the graph, the dashed dotted line may represent a preset time axis and a temperature axis according to a preset safety range.

[0097] Specific discharge test conditions for examining the difference in cooling performance are as follows.

[0098] First, regarding discharge, the Max Load may be 84A (3C), the cut off current may be 0.582A (0.02C), and the cut off voltage may be 42V (4.15V to 3.0V based on the battery cell). In addition, under external insulation conditions, the ambient temperature of the battery pack may be set to 25°C, and the dangerous temperature may be set to about 90°C by the temperature diagnosis unit. Meanwhile, in the battery pack PP filled with potting resin, the potting resin may be the PCM resin of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0099] As a result of the test, the difference in cooling performance between the battery pack PP filled with the potting resin and the conventional battery pack NP not filled with the potting resin may be in the range of about 13.2° C. Specifically, it is found that the battery pack PP filled with the potting resin has a maximum temperature range that is about 13.2° C. lower than the battery pack NP not filled with the potting resin.

[0100] In the case of the battery pack NP not filled with the potting resin, the maximum temperature exceeds 90°C, which is a dangerous temperature, whereas in the case of the battery pack PP filled with the potting resin of the present invention, the maximum temperature has a temperature range that is much lower than the dangerous temperature of 90°C.

[0101] In addition, in the case of the battery pack PP filled with the potting resin of the present invention, even within the preset safety range shown by the dotted line (for example, the temperature does not exceed 70°C during continuous discharge up to about 758 seconds), it has a temperature range of about 66.7°C, so higher safety can be ensured than with the battery pack NP which is not filled with the potting resin.

[0102] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the results of a nail penetration test of a battery pack not filled with a conventional potting resin, and FIG. 11 is a graph showing the results of a nail penetration test of a battery pack filled with a potting resin according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] 10 and 11, the nail penetration test may refer to a test for testing the risk of chain reaction fire of a battery pack. In the graphs, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents temperature.

[0104] In the case of a battery pack NP that is not filled with a conventional potting resin, the maximum temperature during a nail penetration test can exceed 1,300°C in about 100 seconds. Normally, if the maximum temperature is 1,000°C or higher, a chain reaction occurs. On the other hand, in the case of a battery pack PP filled with the potting resin of the present invention, the maximum temperature during a nail penetration test is in the range of about 600°C, so there is no risk of a chain reaction.

[0105] As described above, the battery pack PP filled with the potting resin according to this embodiment has significantly improved cooling performance compared to the battery pack NP not filled with the potting resin, and can effectively prevent the risk of chain fires that may occur in the event of a dangerous situation due to penetration, etc.

[0106] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 12, a vehicle V may be provided as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and may include at least one battery pack 1 of the above-described embodiments and a PCM resin R filled to cover such at least one battery pack 1.

[0108] A plurality of battery packs 1 may be provided depending on a required design capacity, etc. The battery pack 1 may be attached to the automobile V after a separate pack frame is attached, or may be directly attached to the chassis of the automobile V.

[0109] The PCM resin R may be filled to cover the at least one battery module 10. The PCM resin R may be provided as the potting resin 400, such as the PCM resin 75 in the above-described embodiment.

[0110] In the automobile V according to this embodiment, the PCM resin R covers the at least one battery pack 1, so that the cooling performance and safety of the automobile V can be further ensured.

[0111] Through the various embodiments as described above, it is possible to provide the battery modules 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 capable of improving cooling performance, the battery pack 1 including the same, and the automobile V.

[0112] In addition, through the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide the battery modules 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 capable of ensuring safety when an abnormal situation occurs due to overheating of a battery cell, the battery pack 1 including the same, and the automobile V.

[0113] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the specific preferred embodiments described above, and that various modifications may be made by anyone having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from the spirit of the present invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications are included within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Battery Module 100 Battery Cell Assembly 200 Busbar Assembly 300, 700, 800 Cooling Units 400 Potting Resin

Claims

1. A battery module, a battery cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; a bus bar assembly provided on one side of the battery cell assembly and electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; a cooling unit disposed at a predetermined distance from the bus bar assembly for cooling the battery cell assembly; a potting resin filled in at least one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the battery cell assembly; a vent portion for discharging gas, the vent portion being provided at a lower portion of the plurality of battery cells; Including, When an abnormal situation occurs in the battery cell, a vent portion of the battery cell in which the abnormal situation occurs breaks, and a portion of a frame located immediately below the vent portion of the battery cell in which the abnormal situation occurs breaks, and gas and / or flame inside the battery cell in which the abnormal situation occurs is exhausted to the outside of the battery module through the broken vent portion and frame portion.

2. The bus bar assembly is provided on an upper portion of the battery cell assembly, The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the potting resin is filled to cover the bus bar assembly.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cooling unit is provided below the battery cell assembly.

4. 4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the cooling unit is provided with a predetermined length along a stacking direction of the battery cell assemblies and is disposed between an upper portion and a lower portion of the battery cell assemblies.

5. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the potting resin is filled to cover the vent portion at a lower portion of the battery cell.

6. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the potting resin comprises a thermally conductive material.

7. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the potting resin contains a phase change material.

8. The battery module according to claim 7 , wherein the potting resin comprises a paraffin material.

9. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the potting resin contains a flame retardant.

10. At least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9; a pack case that packages the at least one battery module; A battery pack comprising:

11. A motor vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to claim 10.

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