Battery module and battery pack including the same

Abstract

A battery module according to the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in one direction, a module frame that houses the battery cell stack, a bus bar frame that covers a front or rear surface of the battery cell stack, and an end plate that is coupled to the module frame and covers the bus bar frame, wherein at least one opening is formed in the end plate, and a portion of an internal member of the battery module is exposed to the outside through the opening, and a gap between the internal member and the opening is sealed by a sealing member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-reference to related application(s) This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0060831, filed on May 11, 2021, and all the contents disclosed in the document of the Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module with enhanced safety and a battery pack including the same.

Background Art

[0003] As the technology development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source has been rapidly increasing. Therefore, many studies on secondary batteries that can meet various requirements have been conducted.

[0004] Secondary batteries have received great attention not only as an energy source for mobile devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, and notebook computers, but also as an energy source for power devices such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles.

[0005] Recently, there has been an increasing need for large-capacity secondary battery structures, including the use of secondary batteries as an energy storage source, and for battery packs with a medium to large module structure formed by aggregating battery modules in which a number of secondary batteries are connected in series / parallel.

[0006] On the other hand, when configuring a battery pack by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series / parallel, it is common to configure a battery module consisting of at least one battery cell and add other components using at least one battery module to configure the battery pack. Since the battery cells constituting such a medium to large-sized battery module are composed of rechargeable secondary batteries, such high-output large-capacity secondary batteries generate a large amount of heat during the charge and discharge process.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a state at the time of ignition of a battery module mounted on a conventional battery pack. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1, and is a drawing showing the state of a flame that affects an adjacent battery module at the time of ignition of a battery module mounted on a conventional battery pack.

[0008] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional battery module 10 includes a battery cell stack 12 in which a plurality of battery cells 11 are stacked, a frame 20 that houses the battery cell stack 12, end plates 40 formed on the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 12, a terminal bus bar 50 that protrudes outside the end plate, and the like.

[0009] The battery cell stack 12 can be located within a structure sealed by the coupling of the frame 20 and the end plates 40. Thus, when the internal pressure of the battery cell 11 increases due to overcharging or the like, high-temperature heat, gas, or flame can be released to the outside of the battery cell 11. At this time, heat, gas, or flame released from one battery cell 11 can be transmitted to other adjacent battery cells 11 with a narrow gap therebetween, inducing a continuous ignition phenomenon. In addition, heat, gas, or flame released from each battery cell 11 can be discharged toward an opening formed in the end plate 40, and in this process, problems such as damage to the bus bar 50 located between the end plate 40 and the battery cell 11 may occur.

[0010] In addition, in the battery pack, since at least two end plates 40 of the plurality of battery modules 10 are arranged to face each other, when heat, gas, or flame generated within the battery module 10 is discharged to the outside of the battery module 10, it may affect the performance and stability of the plurality of battery cells 11 within an adjacent other battery module 10.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for a design of the battery module 10 that prevents a continuous thermal runaway phenomenon by preventing heat, gas, or flame generated inside the battery module 10 from being discharged to an adjacent battery module 10.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0012] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery module with improved durability and safety by preventing a continuous thermal runaway phenomenon, and a battery pack including the same.

[0013] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and can be variously extended within the scope of the technical idea included in the present invention.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0014] A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in one direction, a module frame that houses the battery cell stack, a bus bar frame that covers the front or rear surface of the battery cell stack, and an end plate that is coupled to the module frame and covers the bus bar frame. At least one opening is formed in the end plate, a part of the internal members of the battery module is exposed to the outside through the opening, and the gap between the internal member and the opening is sealed by a sealing member.

[0015] The battery module includes a bus bar for electrical connection to an external device, and a protruding portion of the bus bar can be exposed to the outside through the opening.

[0016] The sealing member can contact the protruding portion of the bus bar.

[0017] The battery module includes a module connector, and terminals of the module connector can be exposed to the outside through the opening.

[0018] The sealing member can contact the module connector.

[0019] The sealing member may be a flame retardant material.

[0020] The flame retardant material may include silicon or polyurethane.

[0021] A method for manufacturing a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a step of applying a resin in a liquid state around an internal member mounted on a bus bar frame, a step of disposing an end plate on the bus bar frame and coupling the module frame and the end plate, and a step of curing the resin.

[0022] A method for manufacturing a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention includes a step of disposing an end plate on a bus bar frame and coupling the module frame and the end plate, a step of injecting a resin in a liquid state through an opening formed in the end plate, and a step of curing the resin.

[0023] A battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention includes at least one of the aforementioned battery modules.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to the embodiment, by sealing the gap around the opening formed in the end plate of the battery module, it is possible to prevent the thermal runaway phenomenon generated in one battery module from spreading to adjacent battery modules.

[0025] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can easily implement them. The present invention can be realized in various different forms other than those described below, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the embodiments described here.

[0028] To clearly explain the present invention, parts that are unnecessary for the explanation are omitted, and the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0029] Also, the size and thickness of each configuration shown in the drawings are arbitrarily enlarged or reduced for the convenience of explanation, and it is obvious that the content of the present invention is not limited to what is illustrated. In the following drawings, the thickness of each layer is enlarged to clearly show a plurality of layers and regions. And in the following drawings, for the convenience of explanation, the thickness of some layers and regions is exaggerated.

[0030] Also, when explaining that a part such as a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is "above" another part, this should be interpreted to include not only the case where the corresponding part such as a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is directly above the other part, but also the case where there are other parts in between. On the contrary, when explaining that the corresponding part such as a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is "directly above" another part, it may mean that there are no other parts in between. Also, being "above" the reference part means being located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean being located "above" in the direction opposite to gravity. On the other hand, similar to the explanation of being "above" another part, the explanation of being "below" another part can also be understood with reference to the above content.

[0031] Also, throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, this means that, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, it does not exclude other components and can further include other components.

[0032] Also, throughout the specification, when referring to "in a plane", this means when looking at the target part from above, and when referring to "in a cross-section", this means when looking at the cross-section obtained by vertically cutting the target part from the side.

[0033] Hereinafter, a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a battery cell included in the battery module of FIG. 3.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a battery cell stack 120 in which a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked along one direction, a module frame 200 that houses the battery cell stack 120, a bus bar frame 300 located on the front and / or rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 120, an end plate 400 that covers the front and / or rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 120, bus bars 510, 520 mounted on the bus bar frame 300, a module connector 600, and a sensing unit 700.

[0036] The battery cell 110 may be provided in a pouch type that can maximize the number of stacked cells per unit area. The battery cell 110 provided in the pouch type may be manufactured by housing an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator in a cell case 114 of a laminate sheet and then thermally welding the sealing portion of the cell case 114. However, it is obvious that the battery cell 110 does not necessarily have to be provided in the pouch type, and it can be provided in a square type, a cylindrical type, or other various forms as long as the storage capacity required by the device to be mounted later is achieved.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 5, the battery cell 110 may include two electrode leads 111, 112. The electrode leads 111, 112 may have a structure that protrudes from one end of the cell body 113, respectively. Specifically, one end of each of the electrode leads 111, 112 is located inside the battery cell 110 to be electrically connected to the positive electrode or the negative electrode of the electrode assembly, and the other end of each of the electrode leads 111, 112 is led out to the outside of the battery cell 110 to be electrically connected to a separate member, for example, a bus bar 500.

[0038] The electrode assembly in the cell case 114 may be sealed by sealing portions 114sa, 114sb, 114sc. The sealing portions 114sa, 114sb, 114sc of the cell case 114 may be located on both end portions 114a, 114b and a side portion 114c connecting them.

[0039] The cell case 114 generally has a laminate structure of a resin layer / a metal thin film layer / a resin layer. For example, when the surface of the cell case is made of an O (oriented)-nylon layer, when a large number of battery cells 110 are stacked to form the medium and large-sized battery module 100, there is a tendency to easily slide due to an external impact. Therefore, in order to prevent this and maintain a stable stacked structure of the battery cells 110, an adhesive member such as an adhesive-type adhesive like a double-sided tape or a chemical adhesive that is bonded by a chemical reaction during adhesion is attached to the surface of the cell case 114 to form the battery cell stack 120.

[0040] The connecting portion 115 may refer to a region that extends along the length direction at one end of the cell case 114 where the above-described sealing portions 114sa, 114sb, and 114sc are not located. A protruding portion 110p of the battery cell 110 called a bat-ear may be formed at the end of the connecting portion 115. Further, the Terrace portion 116 may refer to a region between the electrode leads 111 and 112 that partially protrude outside the cell case 114 and the cell body 113 located inside the cell case 114 with reference to the periphery of the cell case 114.

[0041] Here, the length direction of the battery cell 110 may be defined by the direction in which the electrode leads 111 and 112 protrude from the cell case 114. The length direction of the battery cell 110 may be defined as the x-axis direction or the -x-axis direction.

[0042] The battery cell stack 120 may be a stack in which a plurality of electrically connected battery cells 110 are stacked along one direction. The direction in which the plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked (hereinafter referred to as the "stacking direction") may be the y-axis direction (or the -y-axis direction as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and hereinafter the expression "axial direction" may be interpreted to include all + / − directions).

[0043] Here, the direction from the front surface to the rear surface of the battery cell stack 120, or the opposite direction, can be defined as the length direction of the battery cell stack 120 and can be the x-axis direction. Also, the direction from the upper surface to the lower surface of the battery cell stack 120, or the opposite direction, can be defined as the width direction of the battery cell stack 120 and can be the z-axis direction.

[0044] The module frame 200 can be for protecting the battery cell stack 120 and the electrical components connected thereto from external physical impacts. The module frame 200 can accommodate the battery cell stack 120 and the electrical components connected thereto in the internal space of the module frame 200. Here, the module frame 200 includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and the internal space of the module frame 200 can be defined by the inner surface.

[0045] The structure of the module frame 200 can be diverse. As an example, the structure of the module frame 200 can be a monoframe structure. Here, the monoframe can be in the form of a metal plate material in which the upper surface, the lower surface, and both side surfaces are integrated. The monoframe can be manufactured by extrusion molding. As another example, the structure of the module frame 200 can be a structure in which a U-shaped frame and an upper plate (upper surface) are joined. In the case of the structure in which the U-shaped frame and the upper plate are joined, the structure of the module frame 200 can be formed by joining the upper plate to the upper side of a U-shaped frame that is a metal plate material in which the lower surface and both side surfaces are joined or integrated, and each frame or plate can be manufactured by press molding. Also, the structure of the module frame 200 can be provided in an L-shaped frame structure other than the monoframe or the U-shaped frame, and can be provided in various structures not described in the above examples.

[0046] The structure of the module frame 200 can be provided in an open form along the length direction of the battery cell stack 120. The front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 120 may not be hidden by the module frame 200. The electrode leads 111 and 112 of the battery cell 110 may not be hidden by the module frame 200. The front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 120 can be hidden by a bus bar frame 300, an end plate 400, a bus bar 500, etc. to be described later, whereby the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack 120 can be protected from external physical impacts and the like.

[0047] On the other hand, a heat conduction member 180 can be provided between the battery cell stack 120 and the inner surface of the module frame 200. The heat conduction member 180 can be for discharging / transferring the heat generated in the battery cell 110 to the outside through the module frame 200. The heat conduction member 180 can be formed of a material having excellent heat conductivity. The heat conduction member 180 can contain an adhesive substance. For example, the heat conduction member 180 can contain at least one of a silicone-based material, a urethane-based material, and an acrylic-based material.

[0048] The heat conduction member 180 can be formed by injecting a heat conductive resin between one side surface of the battery cell stack 120 and the inner surface of the module frame 200. However, it is not limited thereto, and the heat conduction member 180 can be a plate-like member. The heat conduction member 180 can be located on the z-axis of the battery cell stack 120, and the heat conduction member 180 can be located between the battery cell stack 120 and the bottom surface (or bottom) of the module frame 200.

[0049] Also, a compression pad 190 can be located between one side surface of the battery cell stack 120 and the inner surface of the module frame 200. At this time, the compression pad 190 can be located on the y-axis of the battery cell stack 120 and can face at least one of the two battery cells 110 at both ends of the battery cell stack 120.

[0050] The bus bar frame 300 can be located on one surface of the battery cell stack 120 to cover one surface of the battery cell stack 120 and at the same time guide the connection between the battery cell stack 120 and an external device. The bus bar frame 300 can be located on the front or rear surface of the battery cell stack 120. At least one of the bus bar 500 and the module connector 600 can be mounted on the bus bar frame 300. Taking a specific example and referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, one surface of the bus bar frame 300 is connected to the front or rear surface of the battery cell stack 120, and the other surface of the bus bar frame 300 can be connected to the bus bars 510, 520 and / or the module connector 600. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a placement portion 302 and / or a support base 304 for mounting the module connector 600 can be formed on the bus bar frame 300.

[0051] The bus bar frame 300 can include a material that is electrically insulating. The bus bar frame 300 can limit the contact between other parts of the battery cell 110 except for the part where the bus bar 500 is joined to the electrode leads 111, 112, and can prevent an electrical short circuit from occurring.

[0052] There can be two bus bar frames, including a first bus bar frame (which can be referred to as drawing number 300) located on the front surface of the battery cell stack 120 and a second bus bar frame (not shown) located on the rear surface of the battery cell stack 120.

[0053] The bus bar frame 300 can form a bus bar assembly by being coupled to the upper cover 330. The upper cover 330 can cover the corresponding part with a size corresponding to the upper surface of the battery cell stack 120. During the process of housing the battery cell stack 120 inside the module frame 200, the upper cover 330 can protect the sensing unit 700 and the like.

[0054] The end plate 400 can be for protecting the battery cell stack 120 and the electrical components connected thereto from external physical impacts by sealing the open surface of the module frame 200. For this purpose, the end plate 400 can be manufactured from a material having a predetermined strength. For example, the end plate 400 can include a metal such as aluminum.

[0055] The end plate 400 can be coupled (joined, sealed, or closed) to the module frame 200 while covering the bus bar frame 300 or the bus bars 510, 520 located on one surface of the battery cell stack 120. Each edge of the end plate 400 can be coupled to the corresponding edge of the module frame 200 by a method such as welding.

[0056] An insulating cover 800 for electrical insulation can be located between the end plate 400 and the bus bar frame 300. The insulating cover 800 can be located on the inner surface of the end plate 400 and can be attached to the inner surface of the end plate 400, but not limited thereto.

[0057] There can be two end plates 400, which can include a first end plate located on the front surface of the battery cell stack 120 and a second end plate located on the rear surface of the battery cell stack 120.

[0058] The first end plate can be coupled to the module frame 200 while covering the first bus bar frame on the front surface of the battery cell stack 120, and the second end plate can be coupled to the module frame 200 while covering the second bus bar frame.

[0059] The bus bar 500 can be mounted on one surface of the bus bar frame 300 and can be for electrically connecting the battery cell stack 120 or the battery cells 110 to an external device circuit. The bus bar 500 can be protected from external impacts, etc. by being located between the battery cell stack 120 or the bus bar frame 300 and the end plate 400, and a reduction in durability due to external moisture, etc. can be minimized.

[0060] The bus bar 500 can be electrically connected to the battery cell stack 120 through the electrode leads 111 and 112 of the battery cell 110. Specifically, after the electrode leads 111 and 112 of the battery cell 110 pass through the slits formed in the bus bar frame 300, they can bend and be connected (joined or coupled) to the bus bar 500. There is no special limitation on the method by which the electrode leads 111 and 112 are joined to the bus bar 500, but as an example, welding can be applied. The battery cells 110 that make up the battery cell stack 120 can be connected in series or in parallel by the bus bar 500.

[0061] The bus bar 500 can include a terminal bus bar 520 for electrically connecting one battery module 100 to another battery module 100. At least a part of the terminal bus bar 520 can be exposed outside the end plate 400 in order to be connected to another external battery module 100, and the end plate 400 can be provided with a terminal bus bar opening 400H for this purpose. Also, the insulating cover 800 coupled to the end plate 400 can be provided with a corresponding second terminal bus bar opening 800H.

[0062] Unlike the other bus bars 510, the terminal bus bar 520 can further include a protruding portion that protrudes in the outward direction of the battery module 100, and the protruding portion can be exposed outside the battery module 100 through the terminal bus bar opening 400H. The terminal bus bar 520 can be connected to another battery module 100 or a BDU (Battery Disconnect Unit) through the protruding portion exposed through the terminal bus bar opening 400H, and can form an HV (High voltage) connection with these. Here, the HV connection is a connection that serves as a power source for supplying power, and means the connection between the battery cells 110 and the connection between the battery modules 100.

[0063] The module connector 600 and the sensing unit 700 can detect and control phenomena such as overvoltage, overcurrent, and overheating of the battery cell 110. The module connector 600 and the sensing unit 700 are for LV (Low voltage) connection, where the LV connection may mean a sensing connection for sensing and controlling the voltage of the battery cell. Voltage information and temperature information of the battery cell 110 can be transmitted to an external BMS (Battery Management System) through the module connector 600 and the sensing unit 700.

[0064] The module connector 600 can transmit the collected data to an external control device and receive signals from the external control device. The module connector 600 can transmit the data obtained from the temperature sensor 730 and / or the sensing terminal 720 to the BMS (Battery Management System), and the BMS can control the charging and discharging of the battery cell 110 based on the collected voltage data.

[0065] The module connector 600 can be mounted on the bus bar frame 300 described above. At least a part of the module connector 600 can be exposed outside the end plate 400, and the end plate 400 can be provided with a module connector opening 400L for this purpose. The insulating cover 800 coupled to the end plate 400 can also be provided with a corresponding second module connector opening 800L.

[0066] The sensing unit 700 can include a sensing terminal 720 for sensing the voltage value of the bus bar 500, a temperature sensor 730 for sensing the temperature inside the battery module 100, and a connecting member 710 for connecting them.

[0067] Here, the connecting member 710 can be arranged in a form that extends along the length direction on the upper surface of the battery cell laminate 120. The connecting member can be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB: Flexible Printed Circuit Boardd) or a flexible flat cable (FFC: Flexible Flat Cable).

[0068] On the other hand, as described above, a fire occurrence phenomenon may occur inside the battery module 100 in which the battery cells 110 are stacked at a high density. When a fire occurrence phenomenon occurs in one battery module 100, gas or the like is discharged through the openings 400H and 400L provided in the end plate, which may damage the terminal bus bar 520 or the like, or heat, gas, or flame of the battery module 100 may be transmitted to the adjacent battery module 100, resulting in a continuous fire occurrence phenomenon.

[0069] Specifically, the dimensions of the terminal bus bar opening 400H or the module connector opening 400L can be mainly determined by the size around the terminal bus bar 520 or the terminal size of the module connector 600. However, for ease of assembly or due to reasons in the manufacturing process, the sizes of the openings 400H and 400L may be larger than the size of the exposed portion of the internal member, and a gap may occur between the openings 400H and 400L and the internal member exposed to the outside. Also, since the internal member described above is located between the bus bar frame 300 and the end plate 400, if the bus bar frame 300 and the end plate 400 are not completely in close contact around the internal member, when an internal fire occurs in the battery module 100, there is a problem that gas or the like concentrates in such a gap space, promoting gas discharge through the openings 400H and 400L. Here, the internal member can be the terminal bus bar 520 or the module connector 600. Also, here, although the "gap space" and the "gap" can be understood as being distinguished from each other, they can also be collectively referred to by the general term "gap" in a broad sense.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a sealing member included in the battery module of FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is a drawing of the battery module of FIG. 3 with the end plate omitted, and FIG. 8 is another drawing for explaining the sealing member included in the battery module of FIG. 3.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, a battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be provided with a sealing member 900 for sealing openings 400H and 400L provided in an end plate. The sealing member 900 can form a seal around the periphery of an internal member protruding to the outside, whereby gas discharge through the openings 400H and 400L can be minimized.

[0072] On the other hand, when explaining the relationship between the end plate 400 and other members in this specification, the end plate 400 can be interpreted as including an insulating cover 800 or other members attached / bonded to the inner surface of the end plate 400. For example, the gap between the terminal bus bar opening 400H and the terminal bus bar 520 can be interpreted as the gap between the second terminal bus bar opening 800H and the terminal bus bar 520. Another example is that the gap space between the bus bar frame 300 around the terminal bus bar 520 and the end plate 400 can be interpreted as the gap space between the bus bar frame 300 and the insulating cover 800.

[0073] The sealing member 900 can include a first sealing member 910 for sealing the terminal bus bar opening 400H and a second sealing member 920 for sealing the module connector opening 400L.

[0074] The sealing member 900 can form a seal between the internal member and the openings 400H, 400L. The sealing member 900 can seal the gap between the internal member and the openings 400H, 400L. The sealing member 900 can contact around the protruding portion of the terminal bus bar 520 and can contact the terminal bus bar opening 400H or the inside of its opening. The sealing member 900 can contact around the module connector 600 and can contact the module connector opening 400L or the inside of its opening. Thereby, the gap between the internal member and the openings 400H, 400L can be filled by the sealing member 900. The sealing member 900 can prevent gas from being discharged through the openings 400H, 400L. The relative movement between the internal member and the openings 400H, 400L can be prevented by the sealing member 900, and the two parts can be prevented from colliding with each other due to an external force.

[0075] The sealing member 900 can form a seal between the bus bar frame 300 and the end plate 400 around the internal member. The sealing member 900 can seal the gap space around the terminal bus bar 520 or the module connector 600. The contact portion 930 of the sealing member 900 can be located between the bus bar frame 300 and the end plate 400 and can fill the gap between the two members. The sealing member 900 can prevent gas from being discharged through the openings 400H, 400L due to the movement of gas or the like along the gap space. The bus bar frame 300 and the end plate 400 can be fixed to each other and supported by each other by the sealing member 900.

[0076] The sealing member 900 can contain a flame-retardant substance. For example, the flame-retardant substance contained in the sealing member 900 can be silicon or polyurethane. However, the flame-retardant substance contained in the sealing member 900 of this embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned examples.

[0077] The sealing member 900 can be formed through the curing of a resin. Specifically, the resin can be applied to the object to be sealed in a viscous liquid state, and the sealing member 900 can be formed by the curing of the applied resin. The specific shapes of the sealing members 900 appearing in the battery module 100 can be different from each other.

[0078] In the assembly process of a normal battery module 100, after an internal member such as a bus bar 500 or a module connector 600 is mounted on the bus bar frame 300, the end plate 400 and the module frame 200 are coupled. Since the sealing member 900 in the battery module 100 comes to be positioned between the bus bar frame 300 and the end plate 400, the liquid resin forming the sealing member 900 can be applied before the assembly of the end plate 400.

[0079] Specifically, the manufacturing method 1000S) of the battery module can include a step 1100S of applying a liquid resin around the periphery of the internal member mounted on the bus bar frame 300; a step 1200S of disposing the end plate 400 on the bus bar frame 300 and coupling the module frame 200 and the end plate 400; and a step 1300S of curing the resin.

[0080] Here, the step 1100S of applying the resin can include a step 1110S of applying the resin around the protruding portion of the terminal bus bar 520; and / or a step 1120S of applying the resin around the module connector 600.

[0081] Here, the step 1300S of curing the resin can include a step 1310S of curing the resin around the protruding portion of the terminal bus bar 520; and / or a step 1320S of curing the resin around the module connector 600.

[0082] Also, the liquid resin forming the sealing member 900 can be injected through the openings 400H, 400L formed in the end plate 400 after the assembly of the end plate 400.

[0083] Specifically, the manufacturing method 2000S of the battery module includes: a step 2100S of disposing an end plate 400 on a bus bar frame 300 and coupling the module frame 200 and the end plate 400; a step 2200S of injecting a resin in a liquid state through openings 400L and 400H formed in the end plate 400; and a step 2300S of curing the resin.

[0084] Here, the step 2200S of injecting the resin can include a step 2210S of injecting the resin through the terminal bus bar opening 400H; and / or a step 2220S of injecting the resin through the module connector opening 400L.

[0085] Here, the step 2300S of curing the resin can include a step 2310S of curing the resin around the protrusion of the terminal bus bar 520; and / or a step 2320S of curing the resin around the module connector 600.

[0086] On the other hand, the battery module 100 described above can be included in a battery pack. The battery pack can have a structure in which one or more battery modules according to this embodiment are included, and a battery management system (BMS) for managing the temperature, voltage, etc. of the battery and a cooling device are added and packed.

[0087] The battery module and the battery pack including the same can be applied to various devices. Such devices can be applied to transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention is applicable to various devices that can use the battery module and the battery pack including the same, and this also belongs to the scope of rights of the present invention.

[0088] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the rights of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the claims also belong to the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0089] 100: Battery module 110: Battery cell 111, 112: Electrode leads 120: Battery cell laminate 200: Module frame 300: Bus bar frame 400: End plate 400H: Terminal bus bar opening 400L: Module connector opening 510: Bus bar 520: Terminal bus bar 600: Module connector 700: Sensing unit 800: Insulating cover 900: Sealing member

Claims

1. A battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in one direction, A module frame that houses the battery cell stack, A bus bar frame that covers the front or rear surface of the battery cell stack, and An end plate that is coupled to the module frame and covers the bus bar frame In a battery module including: At least one opening is formed in the end plate, A part of the internal member of the battery module is exposed to the outside through the opening, The gap between the part of the internal member and the opening is sealed by a sealing member, The battery module includes a module connector and a bus bar for electrical connection with an external device, The bus bar includes a protruding portion that protrudes through the opening toward the outside of the battery module, The opening has a bus bar opening and a module connector opening, Through the bus bar opening, the protruding portion of the bus bar is exposed to the outside, Through the module connector opening, the terminals of the module connector are exposed to the outside, The sealing member contacts the protruding portion of the bus bar and contacts the bus bar opening or the inside of the bus bar opening, The sealing member contacts the module connector and contacts the module connector opening or the inside of the module connector opening, The sealing member can seal the gap space around the bus bar and the module connector, The sealing member prevents gas from being discharged through the bus bar opening and the module connector opening by gas moving along the gap space. A battery module.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is a flame-retardant substance.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the flame-retardant substance includes silicone or polyurethane.

4. A battery pack including at least one battery module according to claim 1.

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