BATTERY MODULE, BATTERY PACK, VEHICLE, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING BATTERY MODULE

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery module having improved durability against external impacts and cycle life, and a method for manufacturing such a battery module. To achieve these objects, the battery module according to the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells arranged in at least one direction and spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval, a cell frame having an accommodating space for accommodating the plurality of battery cells, and a foam member provided in a form filled between the cell frame and the plurality of battery cells and / or between the plurality of battery cells.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack, a vehicle, and a method for manufacturing a battery module, and more particularly to a battery module having improved durability against external impact and cycle life, and a method for manufacturing such a battery module.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0019347 filed on February 10, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has increased dramatically and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and artificial satellites has been fully underway, active research has been conducted on high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0004] Currently, secondary batteries such as nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries are commercially available. Among them, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention due to their advantages over nickel-based secondary batteries, such as almost no memory effect, freedom of charging and discharging, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] Such a lithium secondary battery mainly uses a lithium-based oxide and a carbon material as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively, and includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate coated with the positive electrode active material and a negative electrode plate coated with the negative electrode active material are arranged with a separator interposed therebetween, and an exterior material, such as a battery pouch exterior material, that seals and houses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0006] Depending on the shape of the exterior material, lithium secondary batteries can be divided into can-type secondary batteries in which the electrode assembly is housed in a metal can and pouch-type secondary batteries in which the electrode assembly is housed in a pouch made of an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0007] Conventionally, in order to construct a high-capacity battery module, a plurality of pouch-type battery cells, a cell frame that houses such a plurality of pouch-type battery cells, and a plurality of compression pads that are interposed between the plurality of pouch-type battery cells in a compressed form are used.

[0008] However, when a cell assembly is constructed with compression pads interposed between each of the pouch-type battery cells and the cell assembly is housed in the internal space of the cell frame, the force applied to support and move the cell assembly varies from pouch-type battery cell to pouch-type battery cell, and this difference in pressure can easily cause the separation distance between the multiple pouch-type battery cells arranged inside the cell frame to become uneven. As a result, the compression amount of the compression pads varies greatly depending on the position of the multiple pouch-type battery cells, which can easily cause differences in the surface pressure with which the compression pads press the battery cells.

[0009] Furthermore, because the initial thickness of the compression pads before they are placed between the pouch-type battery cells is constant, if the spacing between the multiple pouch-type battery cells is not constant as described above, there will be differences in the degree to which the multiple compression pads are compressed, and this will further increase the difference in surface pressure with which the multiple compression pads press against adjacent battery cells.

[0010] Furthermore, as the conventional battery module is used for a long time and exposed to a high temperature environment, deterioration progresses, and as gas is generated inside the battery module, the volume of the battery cell increases (swelling phenomenon), which causes a problem of the difference in surface pressure between the battery cells becoming larger. In addition, when surface pressure is concentrated on only some of the battery cells, the performance of the pressurized battery cells may be rapidly reduced, resulting in a rapid shortening of the battery cell's lifespan, and the overall charge and discharge performance of the battery module may be significantly reduced. As a result, the conventional battery module has a problem of a rapid decrease in cycle lifespan due to the difference in surface pressure applied between the battery cells. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module having improved durability against external impact and cycle life, and a method for manufacturing such a battery module.

[0012] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood from the following description and will become more apparent from the embodiments of the present invention. Also, the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof as set forth in the claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, a battery module according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: A plurality of battery cells arranged in at least one direction and spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals; a cell frame having a storage space for storing a plurality of battery cells; The battery pack further includes a foam member provided in a filled form between the cell frame and the plurality of battery cells and / or between the plurality of battery cells.

[0014] The battery pack may further include a guide member configured to be located on one side of the battery cells and to support one side of the battery cells so as to guide the arrangement of the battery cells within the accommodation space.

[0015] In addition, the foam member is The separator may be filled in at least one of between the cell frame and the battery cell, and between the plurality of battery cells.

[0016] The guide member is The cell frame may include a plurality of guide pins each configured to support at least one battery cell and extending across the receiving space of the cell frame.

[0017] The guide member is The cell frame may include a plurality of straps each configured to support at least one battery cell and extending across the receiving space of the cell frame.

[0018] The guide member is The battery cell may include an insulating film configured to support the battery cell and extending across the receiving space of the cell frame.

[0019] The guide member is Each may include a mesh sheet configured to support at least one battery cell and extending across the receiving space of the cell frame.

[0020] In order to achieve the above object, a battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention includes at least one battery module as described above.

[0021] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, a vehicle according to yet another aspect of the present invention includes at least one battery module as described above.

[0022] In order to achieve the above object, a manufacturing method according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned battery module, comprising: a preparation step of preparing a cell frame in which a plurality of guide pins of a guide member are arranged at a distance from each other in an accommodation space in which a plurality of battery cells are accommodated; a receiving step of receiving the plurality of battery cells in the receiving space such that each of the plurality of battery cells is interposed between the plurality of guide pins; and an additional step of filling a foam member between the cell frame and the battery cells and / or between the plurality of battery cells. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, the battery module of the present invention includes a foam member provided in a form filled in at least one of between a cell frame and a plurality of battery cells and between the plurality of battery cells, thereby effectively reducing collisions between the plurality of battery cells or other adjacent components due to external impact (such as vibration). Furthermore, compared to a conventional battery module configured by interposing a plurality of pad members in a compressed state between the plurality of battery cells, the battery module to which the foam member of the present invention is applied can reduce the difference in surface pressure applied to each of the plurality of battery cells by suitably filling the distance between the plurality of battery cells with the foam member. As a result, the battery module of the present invention can reduce the degree of degradation, such as deterioration, that occurs during frequent charging and discharging, and can effectively extend the lifespan.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, the battery module of the present invention includes a guide member, and thus the battery cells can be easily guided to be arranged at a constant distance from each other. This effectively improves the manufacturing efficiency of the battery module. In addition, compared to a conventional battery module configured by interposing a plurality of pad members in a compressed state between the plurality of battery cells, the battery module to which the guide member of the present invention is applied has a constant interval between the plurality of battery cells and a constant interval between the plurality of battery cells and an inner surface of the accommodation space of the cell frame, and therefore the difference in surface pressure applied to the plurality of battery cells by the foam member can be effectively reduced. Therefore, the battery module of the present invention can reduce the degree of degradation, such as deterioration, that occurs during frequent charging and discharging, and effectively extend the lifespan.

[0025] According to one aspect of the present invention, the manufacturing method of the present invention can use a plurality of guide pins to arrange a plurality of battery cells at a fixed distance from each other, thereby effectively reducing the difference in surface pressure applied by the injected foam material. The battery module of the present invention manufactured by this manufacturing method, which has a reduced difference in surface pressure applied to the battery cells, can reduce the variation in the degree of degradation, such as deterioration, that occurs during frequent charging and discharging, and can prevent the lifespan of the battery module from being shortened due to a sudden shortening of the lifespan of any one of the plurality of battery cells.

[0026] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, the manufacturing method of the present invention can reduce the weight of the battery module, secure internal space in the cell frame, and prevent an increase in surface pressure due to swelling of the multiple battery cells by removing the multiple guide pins that supported the multiple battery cells after the positions of the multiple battery cells are fixed by the foam member.

[0027] 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 only to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view taken along line CC' in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a cell frame of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a perspective view illustrating a guide member of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7] 5 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a cell frame and a plurality of battery cells of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 11 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a battery module according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating a cell frame of a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention, cut in a front-rear direction. FIG. [Figure 10] 11 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a battery module according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating a cell frame of a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention, cut in a front-rear direction. FIG. [Figure 12]11 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a battery module according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating a cell frame of a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention, cut in a front-rear direction. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a schematic view of a vehicle according to still another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe the invention.

[0030] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for them at the time of this application.

[0031] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view taken along line CC' in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a plurality of battery cells of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. For reference, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction shown in Fig. 1 respectively refer to the right side, the rear, and the top.

[0032] 1 to 3, a battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells 110, a cell frame 120, and a foam member 130.

[0033] Specifically, the battery cells 110 may be arranged in a left-right direction. The battery cells 110 may be arranged at a predetermined interval from each other. For example, the battery cells 110 may be arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction). The battery cells 110 may be pouch-type battery cells 110 including an electrode assembly (not shown), an electrolyte (not shown), and a pouch 116 that accommodates the electrode assembly therein. In particular, the pouch 116 may include a housing 115 that accommodates the electrode assembly therein. The battery cell 110 may include a positive terminal 111b and a negative terminal 111a on both sides in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The outer periphery of the pouch 116 may be sealed by heat sealing.

[0034] In addition, the volume of the battery cell 110 may expand due to gas generated by a side reaction during charging and discharging. That is, since the pouch 116 is flexible, the volume of the pouch 116 may expand as the gas pressure inside the pouch 116 increases. However, the battery module 100 according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned pouch-type battery cell 110, and various types of battery cells 110 known at the time of filing the present application may be used as long as the battery cell 110 expands in volume during charging and discharging or exposure to high temperatures.

[0035] The battery module 100 may further include at least one bus bar (not shown) configured to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells 110 to each other. Specifically, the bus bar may include a conductive metal, such as copper, aluminum, nickel, etc. Although not shown, a known general bus bar may be applied as long as it has a form that allows electrical connection with the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead.

[0036] Furthermore, the cell frame 120 may have an accommodating space 121 configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells 110 therein. The accommodating space 121 may be a rectangular parallelepiped space. The cell frame 120 may be a rectangular tubular shape with an open interior. The cell frame 120 may include an electrically insulating material. The electrically insulating material may be, for example, polyvinyl chloride or polycarbonate. The cell frame 120 may include a first plate portion 120a located on the upper side, a second plate portion 120b located on the lower side, a third plate portion 120c located on the left side, and a fourth plate portion 120d located on the right side. The first plate portion 120a may be located on the upper side of the plurality of battery cells 110. The second plate portion 120b may be located on the lower side of the plurality of battery cells 110. The third plate portion 120c may be located on the left side of the plurality of battery cells 110. The fourth plate portion 120d may be located on the right side of the plurality of battery cells 110.

[0037] The foam member 130 may be provided in a form filled in one or more of between the cell frame 120 and the battery cell 110 and between the plurality of battery cells 110. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the foam member 130 may be interposed between the third plate portion 120c and the battery cell 110 located at the leftmost position among the plurality of battery cells 110. The foam member 130 may be interposed between the fourth plate portion 120d and the battery cell 110 located at the rightmost position among the plurality of battery cells 110. Also, six foam members 130 may be interposed between every seven battery cells 110.

[0038] Furthermore, the foam member 130 may be a porous material. For example, the foam member 130 may be a polymer foam. More specifically, the foam member 130 may be a polyurethane foam. The foam member 130 may be formed using a foamable synthetic resin as paint. For example, in order to manufacture the battery module 100 of the present invention, a highly fluid liquid foamable synthetic resin may be applied (injected) into the storage space 121 of the cell frame 120 in which the plurality of battery cells 110 are stored. At this time, the foamable synthetic resin may be injected using an injection machine equipped with a nozzle. The principle of generating polyurethane foam is that the injected foamable synthetic resin undergoes a chemical reaction to make the molecules gigantic, and the volume expands due to the gas generated, becoming a spherical, hemispherical, or polygonal cellular tissue, which then hardens to become polyurethane foam.

[0039] Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, the foam member 130 is provided in a form filled in at least one of between the cell frame 120 and the plurality of battery cells 110 and between the plurality of battery cells 110, thereby effectively reducing collision between the plurality of battery cells 110 or between adjacent components due to external impact (such as vibration). Furthermore, compared to a conventional battery module 100 configured by interposing a plurality of pad members in a compressed state between each of the plurality of battery cells 110, the battery module 100 of the present invention can reduce the difference in surface pressure applied to each of the plurality of battery cells 110 by suitably filling the distance between the plurality of battery cells with the foam member. The battery module 100 of the present invention with the reduced difference in surface pressure can reduce the degree of degeneration, such as deterioration, that occurs during frequent charging and discharging, and can effectively extend the lifespan.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a cell frame of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a guide member of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a cell frame and a plurality of battery cells of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] 4 to 7, a battery module 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention further includes a guide member 140, compared to the battery module 100 of FIG 1. Other configurations are the same as those of the battery module 100 of FIG 1.

[0042] Specifically, the guide member 140 may be configured to guide the arrangement of the plurality of battery cells 110 in the accommodation space 121. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the guide member 140 may include a guide plate 140a and a plurality of guide pins 141. The guide plate 140a may fix the plurality of guide pins 141 in a form in which the guide pins 141 are spaced apart at a predetermined interval. The guide plate 140a may be connected to each end of the plurality of guide pins 141. The plurality of guide pins 141 may be spaced apart at a certain interval. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of guide pins 141 may be inserted into the accommodation space 121 of the cell frame 120 and spaced apart from an inner surface of the cell frame 120 by a predetermined distance.

[0043] If necessary, the guide pins 141 may be configured to remain inside the cell frame 120. At this time, the respective connection portions between the guide plate 140a and the plurality of guide pins 141 may be cut to separate the guide plate 140a from the plurality of guide pins 141. For example, after the plurality of battery cells 110 are placed in the accommodation space 121 of the cell frame 120 and the foam member 130 is filled in the spaces between the plurality of battery cells 110, the foam member 130 hardens to fix the plurality of battery cells 110 and the plurality of guide pins 141 by the foam member 130, the plurality of guide pins 141 can be separated from the guide plate 140a.

[0044] If necessary, the guide pins 141 may be removed from the cell frame 120. For example, when a plurality of battery cells 110 are placed in the accommodation space 121 of the cell frame 120 and the foam member 130 is filled in the spaces between the plurality of battery cells 110, the plurality of guide pins 141 can be ejected (removed) from the cell frame 120 before the filled foam member 130 hardens.

[0045] At least one of the plurality of guide pins 141 may be located on one side of the battery cell 110. The guide member 140 may be configured to support one side of the battery cell 110. That is, by being supported by the plurality of guide pins 141, the plurality of battery cells 110 may be disposed spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Also, by being supported by the plurality of guide pins 141, at least some of the plurality of battery cells 110 may be disposed spaced apart from an inner surface of the cell frame 120 by a predetermined distance.

[0046] Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, the guide member 140 configured to guide the arrangement of the battery cells 110 is provided, so that the battery cells 110 can be easily guided to be arranged at a constant distance from each other. This can effectively improve the manufacturing efficiency of the battery module 100. In addition, compared to the conventional battery module 100 configured by interposing a plurality of pad members in a compressed state between the battery cells 110, the battery module 100 to which the guide member 140 of the present invention is applied has a constant interval between the battery cells 110 and a constant interval between the battery cells 110 and the inner surface of the accommodation space 121 of the cell frame 120, so that the difference in surface pressure applied by the foam member 130 can be effectively reduced. The battery module 100 of the present invention with a reduced difference in surface pressure can reduce the degree of degeneration such as deterioration occurring during frequent charging and discharging, and can effectively extend the lifespan.

[0047] 4 to 7, a battery module 100A according to another embodiment of the present invention may be provided with a foam member 130 filled in one or more of between the cell frame 120 and the battery cell 110 and between the plurality of battery cells 110. For example, the foam member 130 may be interposed between the plurality of guide pins 141 and may also be interposed between the inner surface of the accommodation space 121 of the cell frame 120 and the battery cell 110.

[0048] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the foam member 130 is positioned between the multiple guide pins 141, so that the foam member 130 pressurizes the battery cells 110, thereby preventing movement of the battery cells 110 due to external impact (vibration) applied to the battery module 100A, and effectively reducing damage caused by the external impact.

[0049] Furthermore, the multiple guide pins 141 may be configured to support at least one battery cell 110, for example. For example, the right side surface of the guide pin 141 may support the left side surface of the battery cell 110, and the left side surface of the guide pin 141 may support the right side surface of another battery cell 110. The multiple guide pins 141 may each have a shape extended across the accommodation space 121 of the cell frame 120. The guide pin 141 may have a rectangular prism shape extended long in the front-rear direction. The thickness (t) of the guide pin 141 in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) may correspond to an appropriate separation distance between the multiple battery cells 110. That is, the separation distance between the multiple battery cells 110 may be set according to the thickness (t) of the guide pin 141. The guide pin 141 may include a hard material. For example, the guide pin 141 may include an electrically insulating plastic material. For example, the guide pin 141 may include polyethylene terephthalate.

[0050] Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, the guide pins 141 are provided to guide the arrangement of the battery cells 110 at a predetermined distance. This effectively improves the manufacturing efficiency of the battery module 100A. In addition, compared to the conventional battery module 100A configured by interposing a plurality of pad members in a compressed state between the battery cells 110, the battery module 100A to which the guide pins 141 of the present invention are applied has a constant interval between the battery cells 110 and a constant interval between the battery cells 110 and the inner surface of the accommodation space 121 of the cell frame 120, so that the difference in surface pressure applied to the battery cells 110 by the foam member 130 can be effectively reduced. The battery module 100A of the present invention, which has a reduced difference in surface pressure, reduces the variation in the degree of degeneration, such as deterioration, that occurs during frequent charging and discharging, and can prevent the lifespan of the battery module from being shortened due to a sudden shortening of the lifespan of any one of the battery cells 110.

[0051] Meanwhile, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing the battery module 100A.

[0052] 4 to 7 together with FIG. 2, the method for manufacturing the battery module 100A of the present invention includes: The method includes a preparation process of preparing a cell frame 120 in which a plurality of guide pins 141 of a guide member 140 are arranged at a distance from each other in an accommodation space 121 in which a plurality of battery cells 110 are accommodated; a storage process of storing the plurality of battery cells 110 in the accommodation space 121 so that each of the plurality of battery cells 110 is interposed between the plurality of guide pins 141; and an addition process of filling a foam member 130 between the cell frame 120 and the battery cells 110 and / or between the plurality of battery cells 110.

[0053] In the process of preparing the cell frame 120, each of the multiple guide pins 141 may be arranged at a predetermined distance apart in the accommodation space 121 of the cell frame 120. For example, the multiple guide pins 141 may be arranged at a constant distance apart from each other in the X-axis direction. At least a portion of the multiple guide pins 141 may be fixed to the cell frame 120.

[0054] In the process of storing the multiple battery cells 110, each of the multiple battery cells 110 may be inserted into a space formed by the multiple guide pins 141 spaced apart in the X-axis direction. Each of the multiple guide pins 141 may be in close contact with the battery cell 110 so as to support one side or the other side of the battery cell 110.

[0055] In the process of adding the foam member 130, a highly fluid liquid foamable synthetic resin (not shown) may be applied (injected) into the receiving space 121 of the cell frame 120. At this time, the foamable synthetic resin may be injected using an injection machine (not shown) equipped with a nozzle. The injected foamable synthetic resin may expand in volume to become a spherical, hemispherical, or polygonal cellular tissue, and then harden to become a foam. For example, the foam member 130 may expand in volume to fill the spaces between the multiple battery cells 110. By this manufacturing method, a battery module 100A having a shape similar to that of the battery module 100A shown in FIG. 4 may be manufactured.

[0056] However, the shape of the foam member 130 is not necessarily limited to this shape, and according to other embodiments, the foam member 130 may be filled in the spaces between the guide pins 141 and positioned to surround the outer surfaces of the guide pins 141. In such an embodiment, by configuring the foam member 130 to surround the outer surfaces of the guide pins 141, the guide pins 141 do not come into direct contact with the battery cells 110, and damage to the battery cells 110 due to the hard guide pins 141 can be prevented.

[0057] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the manufacturing method of the present invention can arrange the plurality of battery cells 110 at a constant distance using the plurality of guide members 140, thereby effectively reducing the difference in surface pressure applied by the injected foam member 130. The battery module (100A in FIG. 4) of the present invention, which is manufactured by this manufacturing method and has a reduced difference in surface pressure applied to the battery cells 110, reduces the variation in the degree of degeneration, such as deterioration, that occurs during frequent charging and discharging, and can prevent the lifespan of any one of the plurality of battery cells 110 from being suddenly shortened, thereby preventing the lifespan of the battery module from being shortened.

[0058] Furthermore, the method of manufacturing the battery module 100A according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a process of removing the plurality of guide members 140 from the cell frame 120 after the attachment process. For example, the plurality of guide pins 141 may be released from a state in which they are fixed to the cell frame 120, thereby detaching the plurality of guide pins 141 from the cell frame 120. That is, by removing the plurality of guide members (guide pins) in this manner, the battery module 100 as shown in FIG. 2 may be manufactured.

[0059] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, after the positions of the multiple battery cells 110 are fixed by the foam member 130, the multiple guide members 140 that supported the multiple battery cells 110 can be removed, thereby reducing the weight of the battery module 100, securing internal space in the cell frame 120, and preventing an increase in surface pressure due to swelling of the multiple battery cells 110.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a battery module according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a cell frame of a battery module according to yet another embodiment of the present invention cut in the front-rear direction.

[0061] 8 and 9, a battery module 100B according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of strings 142 as the guide member 140. Specifically, each of the plurality of strings 142 may be configured to support at least one battery cell 110. The plurality of strings 142 may be extended across the receiving space 121 of the cell frame 120. The plurality of strings 142 may be arranged spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Both ends (upper and lower ends) of the plurality of strings 142 may be fixed to an inner surface of the receiving space 121 of the cell frame 120. For example, the upper and lower ends of the plurality of strings 142 may be fixed to a lower surface of the first plate portion 120a and an upper surface of the second plate portion 120b of the cell frame 120, respectively. The plurality of strings 142 may be configured to support one surface of the battery cell 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, each of the plurality of battery cells 110 may have a plurality of strings 142 located on the left side and a plurality of strings 142 located on the right side. The multiple strings 142 located on the left side may be configured to support a left side surface of the battery cell 110. The multiple strings 142 located on the right side may be configured to support a right side surface of the battery cell 110.

[0062] Also, the strings 142 may be ropes made of synthetic fiber bundles. However, the strings 142 are not limited to this, and may be made of a rubber material that is elastically stretchable in length.

[0063] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, when the guide member 140 includes the strings 142, not only can the strings 142 guide the battery cells 110 to be spaced apart at a certain interval, but also, since the volume and weight of the strings 142 are not large, it is possible to reduce a decrease in the energy density of the battery module 100B caused by the strings 142. In addition, the strings 142 can elastically buffer the surface pressure caused by the volume expansion of the battery cells 110, so that it is possible to effectively prevent a decrease in the performance of the battery cells 110 caused by a sudden increase in the surface pressure of the battery cells 110.

[0064] FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a battery module according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a cell frame of a battery module according to yet another embodiment of the present invention cut in the front-rear direction.

[0065] 10 and 11, a battery module 100 according to still another embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of insulating films 143 as the guide member 140. For example, the insulating film 143 may include an electrically insulating polymer film. More specifically, the insulating film 143 may be a polyethylene film.

[0066] Also, each of the insulating films 143 may be configured to support the battery cell 110. The insulating films 143 may extend across the receiving space 121 of the cell frame 120. The insulating films 143 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Both ends (upper and lower ends) of the insulating films 143 may be fixed to the inner surface of the receiving space 121 of the cell frame 120. For example, the upper and lower ends of the insulating films 143 may be fixed to the lower surface of the first plate portion 120a and the upper surface of the second plate portion 120b of the cell frame 120, respectively. The insulating film 143 may be configured to support one surface of the battery cell 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, each of the battery cells 110 may have the insulating film 143 located on the left side, the insulating film 143 located on the right side, or the insulating film 143 located on both the left and right sides. The insulating film 143 located on the left side may be configured to support a left side surface of the battery cell 110. The insulating film 143 located on the right side may be configured to support a right side surface of the battery cell 110.

[0067] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, when a plurality of insulating films 143 are provided as the guide member 140, the volume and weight occupied by the plurality of insulating films 143 are not large, so it is possible to reduce a decrease in energy density of the battery module 100 due to the plurality of insulating films 143. Furthermore, when the insulating film 143 is made of a soft material such as a polyethylene film, it is possible to buffer the surface pressure caused by the volume expansion of the plurality of battery cells 110, so that it is possible to effectively prevent a decrease in performance of the battery cells 110 due to a sudden increase in the surface pressure of the battery cells 110.

[0068] FIG. 12 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a battery module according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a cell frame of a battery module according to yet another embodiment of the present invention cut in the front-rear direction.

[0069] 12 and 13, a battery module 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of mesh sheets 144 as a guide member 140. Specifically, each of the plurality of mesh sheets 144 may be configured to support a battery cell 110. The plurality of mesh sheets 144 may be extended across the receiving space 121 of the cell frame 120. The plurality of mesh sheets 144 may be disposed at a predetermined distance from each other. Both ends (upper and lower ends) of the plurality of mesh sheets 144 may be fixed to an inner surface of the receiving space 121 of the cell frame 120. For example, the upper end and the lower end of the mesh sheet 144 may be fixed to a lower surface of the first plate portion 120a and an upper surface of the second plate portion 120b of the cell frame 120, respectively. The mesh sheet 144 may be configured to support one side of the battery cell 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, each of the plurality of battery cells 110 may have a mesh sheet 144 located on the left side and a mesh sheet 144 located on the right side. The mesh sheet 144 located on the left side may be configured to support a left side surface of the battery cell 110. The mesh sheet 144 located on the right side may be configured to support a right side surface of the battery cell 110.

[0070] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, when a plurality of mesh sheets 144 are provided as the guide member 140, the volume and weight occupied by the plurality of mesh sheets 144 are not large, so that it is possible to reduce a decrease in energy density of the battery module 100 caused by the plurality of mesh sheets 144. In addition, since the mesh sheet 144 can buffer the surface pressure caused by the volume expansion of the plurality of battery cells 110, it is possible to effectively prevent a decrease in performance of the battery cells 110 caused by a sudden increase in the surface pressure of the battery cells 110.

[0071] Meanwhile, a battery pack (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include various devices (not shown) for controlling charging and discharging of the above-mentioned battery module 100, such as a BMS (Battery Management System) module, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0072] FIG. 14 is a side view that shows a schematic view of a vehicle according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] 14, the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be included in an automobile 200, such as an electric automobile or a hybrid automobile. That is, the automobile 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be equipped with the above-described battery module 100 inside the vehicle body.

[0074] In this specification, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such terms are used merely for convenience of explanation and may vary depending on the position of the object of interest, the position of the observer, etc.

[0075] As described above, the present invention has been described using limited embodiments and drawings. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations can be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs within the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D: Battery module 110: Battery cell 120: Cell Frame 130: Foam member 140: Guide member 140a: Guide plate 141: Guide pin 142: String 143: Insulating film 144: Mesh sheet 121: Containment Space 120a: First plate part 120b: second plate part 120c: Third plate part 120d: 4th plate section 200: Automobiles

Claims

1. A plurality of battery cells arranged in at least one direction and spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals; a cell frame having a storage space formed therein for storing the plurality of battery cells; a foam member provided in a form filled in any one or more of between the cell frame and the plurality of battery cells and between the plurality of battery cells, a guide member configured to be positioned on one side of the battery cells and to support the one side of the battery cells so as to guide the arrangement of the battery cells in the accommodation space, the guide member includes a portion that guides a central region of the plurality of battery cells and contacts a foam member that covers the central region; one side of the plurality of battery cells contacts the portion of the guide member and the foam member; Battery module.

2. The foam member comprises: The battery cell is filled between the cell frame and the battery cell, or between the battery cells. The battery module according to claim 1 .

3. A plurality of battery cells arranged in at least one direction and spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals; a cell frame having a storage space formed therein for storing the plurality of battery cells; a foam member provided in a form filled in any one or more of a space between the cell frame and the plurality of battery cells and a space between the plurality of battery cells; a guide member configured to be located on one side of the battery cells and to support the one side of the battery cells so as to guide the arrangement of the battery cells in the accommodation space, The guide member is a plurality of guide pins each configured to support at least one of the battery cells and extending across the receiving space of the cell frame; Battery module.

4. A plurality of battery cells arranged in at least one direction and spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals; a cell frame having a storage space formed therein for storing the plurality of battery cells; a foam member provided in a form filled in any one or more of a space between the cell frame and the plurality of battery cells and a space between the plurality of battery cells; a guide member configured to be located on one side of the battery cells and to support the one side of the battery cells so as to guide the arrangement of the battery cells in the accommodation space, The guide member is a plurality of straps each configured to support at least one of the battery cells and extending across the receiving space of the cell frame; Battery module.

5. A plurality of battery cells arranged in at least one direction and spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals; a cell frame having a storage space formed therein for storing the plurality of battery cells; a foam member provided in a form filled in any one or more of a space between the cell frame and the plurality of battery cells and a space between the plurality of battery cells; a guide member configured to be located on one side of the battery cells and to support the one side of the battery cells so as to guide the arrangement of the battery cells in the accommodation space, The guide member is an insulating film configured to support the battery cell and extending across the receiving space of the cell frame; Battery module.

6. A plurality of battery cells arranged in at least one direction and spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals; a cell frame having a storage space formed therein for storing the plurality of battery cells; a foam member provided in a form filled in any one or more of a space between the cell frame and the plurality of battery cells and a space between the plurality of battery cells; a guide member configured to be located on one side of the battery cells and to support the one side of the battery cells so as to guide the arrangement of the battery cells in the accommodation space, The guide member is each of which is configured to support at least one of the battery cells and includes a mesh sheet extending across the receiving space of the cell frame; Battery module.

7. A battery pack comprising at least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A motor vehicle comprising at least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. A method for manufacturing the battery module according to any one of claims 3 to 6, comprising the steps of: a preparation step of preparing a cell frame in which a plurality of guide pins, strings, insulating films, or mesh sheets of guide members are arranged at intervals in an accommodation space in which a plurality of battery cells are accommodated; a receiving step of receiving the plurality of battery cells in the receiving space such that each of the plurality of battery cells is interposed between the plurality of guide pins, strings, insulating films, or mesh sheets; and an additional step of filling a foam member between the cell frame and the battery cell and / or between the plurality of battery cells.

10. A manufacturing method for manufacturing a battery module, comprising: a preparation step of preparing a cell frame having a plurality of guide pins spaced apart from each other in an accommodation space in which a plurality of battery cells are accommodated; a receiving step of receiving the plurality of battery cells in the receiving space such that each of the plurality of battery cells is interposed between the plurality of guide pins; an additional step of filling a foam member between the cell frame and the battery cell and / or between the battery cells; and removing the guide pin from the cell frame after the attaching step. Manufacturing method.

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