Battery module with enhanced safety

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery module with enhanced safety. The battery module according to one aspect of the present invention includes a cell assembly having one or more battery cells, a main body frame configured to accommodate the cell assembly in an internal space and having an opening formed on at least one side, an end frame coupled to the opening of the main body frame and having at least one of a terminal part and a connector part provided thereon, and a blocking member interposed between the end frame and the cell assembly and configured to block the progress of a flame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0186634 filed on December 23, 2021, and all of the content disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application is incorporated herein.

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

Background Art

[0003] In recent years, with the rapid growth in demand for portable electronic products such as smartphones, notebook computers, and wearable devices, and the full-scale commercialization of robots, electric vehicles, etc., research on high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged has been actively conducted.

[0004] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among them, lithium secondary batteries have attracted attention for their advantages of being able to be freely charged and discharged with almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, having a very low self-discharge rate, and a high energy density.

[0005] Such lithium secondary batteries mainly often use a lithium-based oxide and a carbon material as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively. A lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with such a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material are disposed with a separator interposed therebetween, and an exterior material that encloses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte, for example, a battery case.

[0006] Generally, lithium secondary batteries can be roughly classified into a can-type secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is built into a metal can, and a pouch-type secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is built into a pouch of an aluminum laminate sheet, according to the shape of the exterior material.

[0007] Recently, secondary batteries have been widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices but also in medium and large-sized devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS) for driving and energy storage. A plurality of such secondary batteries (battery cells) can be electrically connected and housed together inside a module case to form one battery module. Note that a plurality of such battery modules can be connected to form one battery pack.

[0008] However, when a plurality of battery modules are included inside a battery pack in this way, there is a concern that it becomes vulnerable to thermal chain reactions between the battery modules. For example, when an event such as thermal runaway occurs inside a certain battery module, it is necessary to suppress the propagation of such thermal runaway to other battery modules. If the propagation of thermal runaway between battery modules cannot be suppressed, an event that occurs in a specific battery module may cause a chain reaction of a plurality of battery modules, and as a result, there is a risk of causing an explosion or a fire or increasing its scale.

[0009] In particular, when an event such as thermal runaway occurs in a certain battery module, there is a concern that a flame or the like may be discharged to the outside. At this time, if the discharge of the flame cannot be appropriately controlled, the flame may be discharged toward other battery modules, highly likely causing a thermal chain reaction of other battery modules.

[0010] In the case of a battery module, it is configured in a form in which six sides, namely, the upper, lower, left, right, front, and rear sides, are wrapped by a frame centering on the cell assembly housed inside. However, in the case of a conventional battery module, in a situation where thermal runaway or the like occurs inside, it is impossible to completely block a flame or the like, and there is a very high possibility that a flame or the like is exposed to the outside.

[0011] In particular, in a normal battery module, module terminals for supplying and charging electrical energy and module connectors for sensing voltage, temperature, etc. are often provided in a form exposed to the outside. However, in order for the module terminals and module connectors to be exposed to the outside, holes must be formed in the module frame, and gaps may be formed between such holes and the module terminals or module connectors due to tolerances, posing a risk of flames, sparks, etc. being discharged to the outside.

[0012] Furthermore, the surroundings of the module terminals and module connectors may be wrapped by electrically insulating injection materials to ensure insulation distance and watertightness from other parts. However, in situations such as thermal runaway, there is a high risk of flames jetting out from such module terminals or module connectors. Moreover, if exposed to gas and heat, such insulating injection materials may melt, leaving the location where the insulating injection part is located as an empty space (void). And such an empty space may become a passage for a large amount of flames to jet out, risking spreading the thermal runaway situation to other battery modules or causing a fire to other external components. Also, such an empty space may become a passage for external air, etc. to flow into the interior. Therefore, there is also a high concern of causing a fire to the battery module or enlarging the scale of the fire. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0013] Therefore, the present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a battery module with an improved structure so that heat propagation due to flames or the like generated inside the battery module can be effectively suppressed, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile.

[0014] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-described problems at all, and other problems not mentioned should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a battery module includes a cell assembly including one or more battery cells, a main body frame configured to accommodate the cell assembly in an internal space and having an opening formed at least on one side, an end frame coupled to the opening of the main body frame and provided with at least one of a terminal portion and a connector portion, and a blocking member interposed between the end frame and the cell assembly and configured to block the progress of a flame.

[0016] Here, the cell assembly may include a plurality of pouch-type batteries arranged horizontally in a form in which electrode leads are arranged on the opening side of the main body frame.

[0017] Further, the blocking member may be configured to block the progress of a flame with respect to at least one of the terminal portion and the connector portion.

[0018] Furthermore, the blocking member may have a breathable structure.

[0019] Furthermore, the blocking member may include a woven fabric portion configured in a form woven by a plurality of fibers.

[0020] Furthermore, the woven fabric portion may be manufactured using at least one of silica fiber and glass fiber.

[0021] Furthermore, the blocking member may further include a body portion.

[0022] Furthermore, the woven fabric portion may be located at a part of the body portion.

[0023] Furthermore, the blocking member may be configured to have different degrees of air permeability in part.

[0024] Furthermore, the blocking member may be configured such that the air permeability of the upper part is lower than that of the lower part.

[0025] Furthermore, the blocking member may be configured such that the number of stacked layers in the upper part is larger than that in the lower part.

[0026] In addition to these, the upper end of the blocking member may be bent in the direction of the cell assembly.

[0027] Also, a battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object includes the battery module according to the present invention.

[0028] Furthermore, an automobile according to still another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object includes the battery module according to the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0029] According to one aspect of the present invention, thermal propagation between battery modules is effectively suppressed.

[0030] In particular, when a thermal event occurs, there is a risk that a flame containing a large amount of vent gas and a spark may occur inside the battery cell. However, according to the above aspect of the present invention, while the vent gas is discharged to the outside, the release of the flame or spark can be suppressed and its direction can be regulated.

[0031] Furthermore, in the case of a battery module that employs a pouch-type battery as a battery cell, when a thermal event occurs, there is a possibility that gas, flames, etc. will be intensively released from the front and rear portions where the electrode leads are present. Therefore, it is highly likely that flames or sparks, etc. together with the vent gas will be collected in the terrace portion of the battery cell. However, according to the above aspect of the present invention, effective flame control can be performed even in such a case.

[0032] Furthermore, according to one implementation configuration of the present invention, while allowing the vent gas to be discharged smoothly, by blocking flames or the like that can act as a heat source, which is one of the three conditions for a fire, it is possible to effectively prevent a fire from occurring, spreading by burning, or spreading by transferring fire.

[0033] In addition to these, the present invention can have various other additional effects, which will be described in the column of each embodiment, or for effects that are easily understandable to those skilled in the art, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are for the purpose of further understanding the technical idea of the present invention together with the content of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be construed as being limited only to the matters described in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0036] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims are not to be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Instead, in accordance with the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to explain the invention in the best way, they are to be construed in accordance with the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical idea of the present invention.

[0037] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Thus, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0038] On the other hand, in this specification, directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, and back may be used. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art of the present invention that these terms are merely used for ease of explanation and may vary depending on the position of the object being described and the position of the observer. In particular, in each drawing, it can be said that the X-axis direction indicates the front-back direction, the Y-axis direction indicates the left-right direction, and the Z-axis direction indicates the up-down direction.

[0039] And in this specification, terms such as inner and outer may be used for each component. Unless otherwise specified or explained, the inner means the direction facing the center of the battery module in each component, and the outer means the opposite direction.

[0040] Also, this specification may incorporate multiple embodiments. For each embodiment, the detailed description of the parts that are applicable in the same or similar manner to the descriptions of other embodiments will be omitted, and the description will focus on the different parts.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front side of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear side of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the battery module according to the present invention includes a cell assembly 100, a main body frame 200, an end frame 300, and a blocking member 400.

[0043] The cell assembly 100 includes one or more battery cells 110. The battery cell 110 may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a battery case. In particular, the battery cell 110 may be a pouch-type secondary battery. Further, a plurality of battery cells 110 may be provided in the cell assembly 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of pouch-type batteries may be arranged side by side in a stacked form in the horizontal direction (left-right direction, Y-axis direction) with the batteries standing in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0044] Each battery cell 110 may include an electrode lead 111. At this time, the electrode lead 111 may be located at both ends of each battery cell 110, or may be located at one end. The plurality of battery cells 110 may be electrically connected to each other in series and / or in parallel via the electrode leads 111. At this time, the electrode leads 111 of each battery cell 110 may be in direct contact with each other and directly connected, or may be indirectly connected via a bus bar or the like. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a secondary battery in which the electrode lead 111 protrudes in both directions may be referred to as a two-way cell. In contrast, a secondary battery in which the electrode lead 111 protrudes in one direction may be referred to as a one-way cell.

[0045] However, the present invention is not limited by such specific types and forms of secondary batteries, and various forms of secondary batteries that are already known at the time of filing the present invention can be adopted for the cell assembly 100 of the present invention.

[0046] The main body frame 200 may be configured such that an empty space is formed inside thereof to accommodate the cell assembly 100 in such an internal space. And, an opening may be formed on at least one side of the main body frame 200. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the main body frame 200 may have a tubular shape with a hollow formed therein. More specifically, the main body frame 200 may be formed in a square tubular shape. The main body frame 200 having such a shape may be referred to as a mono-frame or the like. At this time, with respect to the internal space as the center, the upper part, the lower part, the left side part, and the right side part of the main body frame 200 may be closed, and openings may be formed in the front and the rear.

[0047] The main body frame 200 may be made of a material having a rigidity above a certain level in order to stably protect the cell assembly 100 housed therein. For example, the main body frame 200 may be made of a plastic material, or a metal material such as steel, stainless steel (SUS), or aluminum.

[0048] The end frame 300 may be coupled to the opening of the main body frame 200. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 or the like, an opening as indicated by O1 may be formed in the front of the main body frame 200, and an opening as indicated by O2 may be formed in the rear of the main body frame 200. At this time, the end frame 300 may also be configured to be coupled to the front opening O1 and the rear opening O2 of the main body frame 200, respectively. For this purpose, the end frame 300 may include a front frame 310 and a rear frame 320.

[0049] The end frame 300 may be coupled to the main body frame 200 by various methods such as welding or bolt tightening. And, the end frame 300 may thus close the internal space of the main body frame 200 by being coupled to the opening of the main body frame 200.

[0050] The end frame 300 can be made of plastic or a metal material. In particular, the end frame 300 can be made of the same or a similar material as the main body frame 200, or can be provided with such a material. In this case, the bonding property can be improved when the end frame 300 is welded or attached to the main body frame 200.

[0051] A terminal portion can be formed on the end frame 300, such as the portion indicated by T in FIG. 1. The terminal portion T is a portion for connecting the battery module to other external components, for example, other battery modules or pack terminals, and can be a terminal through which the charge and discharge power flows. The terminal portion T can include a positive terminal and a negative terminal. Such a positive terminal and a negative terminal can be formed together on one end frame 300, for example, on the front frame 310 side, as shown in FIG. 1. As another example, the positive terminal and the negative terminal can be formed on different frames from each other, for example, on the front frame 310 and the rear frame 320, respectively.

[0052] The terminal portion T formed on the end frame 300 can be configured in a shape in which the module terminals on the cell assembly 100 side are exposed to the outside. For example, referring to what is shown in FIG. 3, module terminals made of a metallic material such as those indicated by T2 can be provided on the cell assembly 100. The module terminal T2 can be connected to the electrode lead 111 of the battery cell 110. At this time, the module terminal T2 can be made of an electrically conductive material, for example, a metal material such as copper, aluminum, nickel, etc. And on the end frame 300, terminal holes having a shape such as that indicated by T1 can be formed so that such module terminals T2 are exposed to the outside. For example, two terminal holes T1 are formed in the front frame 310, and the positive terminal and the negative terminal can be exposed to the outside through such terminal holes T1, respectively.

[0053] Further, as shown at C in FIG. 2, the end frame 300 may have a connector portion formed thereon. The connector portion C may be configured to transmit and receive information between internal components and external components of the battery module. For example, a control unit such as a battery management system (BMS) may be provided outside the battery module. At this time, the BMS may be connected to the connector portion C to collect information regarding the voltage and current of the cell assembly 100, the temperature inside or outside the battery module, and the like.

[0054] The connector portion C formed on the end frame 300 may be configured such that the connector terminals on the cell assembly 100 side are exposed to the outside. For example, referring to what is shown in FIG. 3, the connector terminals may be arranged on the rear side of the cell assembly 100. And, in the end frame 300, a connector hole having a shape shown at C1 may be formed so that such connector terminals are exposed to the outside. For example, one connector hole C1 may be formed in the rear frame 320, and the connector terminals on the cell assembly 100 side may be exposed to the outside through such a connector hole C1.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, the blocking member 400 may be interposed between the end frame 300 and the cell assembly 100. For example, the blocking member 400 may be interposed between the front side of the cell assembly 100 and the front frame 310. Also, the blocking member 400 may be interposed between the rear side of the cell assembly 100 and the rear frame 320.

[0056] In particular, the blocking member 400 may be configured to block flames. This will be described more specifically with further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0057] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a part of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional configuration along the line A1-A1' in FIG. 1, and can be said to show a cross-sectional configuration on the front side of the battery module. Further, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the portion A2 in FIG. 4.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the blocking member 400 can be configured to block the progress of a flame generated on the cell assembly 100 side. More specifically, first, referring to FIG. 4, when a thermal event such as thermal runaway occurs in some of the battery cells 110 provided in the cell assembly 100, a flame can be discharged together with the vent gas as indicated by the arrow B1. At this time, the flame discharged together with the vent gas may move in a plurality of directions, but its movement can be blocked only when it reaches at least the blocking member 400. For example, referring to FIG. 5, when the flame advancing as indicated by the arrow B1 reaches the blocking member 400, it hits the blocking member 400 and its movement is blocked, and the direction can be switched to the inside where the cell assembly is located as indicated by the arrow B2.

[0059] According to such an embodiment configuration of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the discharge of a flame or the like ejected from the cell assembly 100 side to the outside of the battery module. In particular, according to one aspect of the present invention, since the blocking member 4 is located inside the end frame 300, even if a flame is ejected from the cell assembly 100, it is possible to prevent such a flame from being discharged to the end frame 300 side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the problem that a thermal runaway or a fire or the like is propagated to other components located outside the battery module.

[0060] Furthermore, on the end frame 300 side, other battery modules may be located, or various connection components for power or data transmission may exist. According to the above-described embodiment configuration of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the propagation of a thermal runaway situation to such a battery module, or to protect the connection components.

[0061] On the other hand, in the case of the expression "flame" described in this specification, it encompasses not only the form in which a gas emits light while burning, but also the form in which a solid or liquid substance is heated. For example, sparks and high-temperature active material particles discharged together with the vent gas from the battery cell 110 during thermal runaway can also be included in the flame blocked by the blocking member 400 in a broad sense.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 3, the cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of pouch-type batteries as the battery cells 110. Here, the plurality of pouch-type batteries can be arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, i.e., the left-right direction, with each standing vertically. In particular, each pouch-type battery may include an electrode lead 111. And the electrode lead 111 of each pouch-type battery can be arranged to face the open portion side of the main body frame 200. For example, the plurality of pouch-type batteries may be dual-direction cells, and the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be located at both the front and rear ends. At this time, both ends of the main body frame 200 at the front and rear can be configured in an open shape as indicated by O1 and O2. Therefore, it can be said that the electrode lead 111 is arranged to face the open portion of the main body frame 200. Further, an end frame 300 is located on the open portion side of the main body frame 200, and a blocking member 400 can be located inside such an end frame 300. Therefore, it can be said that the cell assembly 100 is arranged in a form in which the side surface where the electrode lead 111 is provided faces the blocking member 400.

[0063] In such an implementation configuration, the blocking member 400 can be arranged outside the electrode lead 111. For example, when the electrode leads 111 protrude and are arranged on the front and rear sides of the cell assembly 100, two blocking members 400 can be respectively located on the front outer side and the rear outer side of the cell assembly 100.

[0064] According to such an implementation configuration of the present invention, the flame blocking performance discharged from the cell assembly 100 can be further improved. In particular, when a large amount of vent gas or the like is generated inside the battery cell 110, the vent gas or the like may concentrate on the terrace portion such as the portion indicated by E in FIG. 4. Here, the terrace portion E may mean a seal portion among a plurality of seal portions formed at the edge of the pouch-type battery, in which the electrode lead 111 is interposed. When the internal pressure of the battery cell 110 exceeds a certain level, the terrace portion E side may be ruptured or damaged, and there is a possibility that the flame is discharged to the outside together with the internal vent gas. Alternatively, since the space where the terrace portion E is located in the cell assembly 100 has more empty space than other portions, flames and the like tend to accumulate on the terrace portion E side. Further, when a flame or the like is generated inside the battery module, the flame or the like has high-temperature characteristics, and on the upper side of the cell assembly 100, the seal portion at the upper end of each battery cell 110 is located. Therefore, after the flame or the like moves to the upper side of the cell assembly 100, as indicated by the arrow B4 in FIG. 4, it moves in the front-rear direction through the upper space of the cell assembly 100 and tends to concentrate on the terrace portion E side.

[0065] At this time, if the blocking member 400 is located outside the terrace portion E, even if the flame concentrates on the terrace portion E, it is possible to block the progress of the flame toward the end frame 300 side. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively suppress the discharge of the flame to the outside of the battery module through the end frame 300.

[0066] Furthermore, the blocking member 400 may be configured to block the progress of the flame with respect to the terminal portion T and / or the connector portion C. That is, the blocking member 400 may be configured to block the flame from heading toward the terminal portion T or the connector portion C side in the end frame 300.

[0067] The terminal part T and the connector part C can be configured such that a hole-like structure is formed in the end frame 300, and the terminals located on the cell assembly 100 side are exposed to the outside through such holes. At this time, there is a high risk that flames, sparks, etc. will be discharged from the holes formed in the end frame 300, for example, the terminal holes T1 and the connector holes C1. In particular, in a configuration where the module terminals T2 and the connector terminals are exposed to the terminal holes T1 and the connector holes C1, there is a high possibility that the flames will be exposed due to tolerances or gaps. Therefore, as in the above-described embodiment configuration, it is preferable that the blocking member 400 preferentially blocks the flames from the cell assembly 100 side toward the terminal part T and the connector part C.

[0068] According to such an embodiment configuration of the present invention, the risk of flames being exposed to the outside of the battery module can be further reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent heat propagation between modules due to the exposure of flames and damage or fire occurrence in other components located outside.

[0069] In particular, since a path through which the charge and discharge power source of the battery module can flow can be connected to the terminal part T, it is possible to prevent such a charge and discharge power source path from being blocked or damaged by flames or the like. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an overall shutdown of the device to which the battery module belongs. In addition, a cable or the like for transferring data related to the battery module can be connected to the connector part C. According to the above-described embodiment configuration, it is possible to prevent or reduce the problem that such a cable is damaged by flames or the like and related information such as a thermal runaway state cannot be properly transferred.

[0070] The terminal portion T and the connector portion C can be located on the upper side in the battery module, particularly in the end frame 300. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the terminal portion T can be configured in a shape that covers the upper side inside the end frame 300. That is, the blocking member 400 is configured to extend in a long shape from the upper end to the lower end of the cell assembly 100, but does not extend to the lower end of the cell assembly 100 and may be configured to extend only to the central portion of the cell assembly 100. That is, the blocking member 400 can be configured in a shape that covers the central portion and the upper portion inside the end frame 300.

[0071] According to such an implementation configuration of the present invention, the blocking member 400 located on the upper side can prevent the flame from moving from the terminal portion T toward the connector portion C side. And the vent gas or the like can bypass and move to the end frame 300 side through the lower space where the blocking member 400 is not provided. Therefore, although the flame (such as a spark) with strong straightness is restricted by the blocking member 400 from moving to the end frame 300, particularly the terminal portion T and the connector portion C side, the vent gas or the like can smoothly move to the end frame 300 side through the lower portion of the blocking member 400 and be discharged.

[0072] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a partial configuration of the cell assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 6, the cell assembly 100 may further include a bus bar unit 120.

[0074] The bus bar unit 120 may include a bus bar terminal 121 and a bus bar housing 122. The bus bar terminal 121 may be made of an electrically conductive material, such as a metal material like copper, aluminum, nickel, etc. And the bus bar terminal 121 can directly contact the electrode lead 111 to electrically connect two or more electrode leads 111. At this time, as the coupling and fixing method between the electrode lead 111 and the bus bar terminal 121, methods such as laser welding or ultrasonic welding can be used, but other various fastening methods can also be applied.

[0075] Also, the bus bar terminal 121 may be connected to one or more electrode leads 111 and configured to transfer sensing information to a control unit such as a battery management system (BMS). Furthermore, the bus bar terminal 121 can be connected to a connector terminal.

[0076] The bus bar housing 122 may be made of an electrically insulating material, such as a plastic material. And the bus bar housing 122 can be configured such that the bus bar terminal 121 is placed and fixed thereon. Furthermore, slits may be formed in the bus bar housing 122. And the bus bar terminal 121 can be attached to the outside of the bus bar housing 122, for example, the front side. In this case, the electrode lead 111 can pass through the slit of the bus bar housing 122 and contact the bus bar terminal 121 located outside. In particular, the electrode lead 111 can be coupled and fixed to the bus bar terminal 121 alone or in a state where two or more are laminated.

[0077] Also, the bus bar unit 120 may include a module terminal T2. At this time, the module terminal T2 may be provided as a part of the bus bar terminal 121, or may be configured to be connected to the bus bar terminal 121 as a separate component from the bus bar terminal 121.

[0078] On the one hand, as shown in FIG. 6, a bus bar unit 120 located on the front side of the battery module is shown, but a bus bar unit 120 having substantially the same shape can also be provided on the rear side of the battery module.

[0079] The cutoff member 400 can be configured with a breathable structure. That is, the cutoff member 400 can be configured to block flames while allowing vent gas emitted from the battery cells 110 within the module to pass through. This will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. 7.

[0080] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a functional configuration of the cutoff member 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 7, when vent gas and flames (sparks), etc. occur in a specific battery cell 110 among the plurality of battery cells 110 included in the cell assembly 100, the generated gas, flames, etc. can be ejected and move as indicated by arrow B1. In particular, as shown in FIG. 7, vent gas and flames (sparks), etc. can accumulate in the terrace portion E, which is the portion indicated by E.

[0082] At this time, flames, etc. collected in the terrace portion E can be reflected by the cutoff member 400 and the movement to the outside can be restricted as indicated by arrow B2 in FIG. 7. Therefore, according to such an implementation configuration, it is possible to prevent the flames from advancing to the end frame 300 side and being exposed to the outside.

[0083] And vent gas composed of pure gas, for example, can continue to proceed toward the end frame 300 side through the blocking member 400 as indicated by arrow B3 in FIG. 7. For this purpose, the blocking member 400 can be configured in a shape made of a material having a permeability function that allows gas to pass through. For example, the blocking member 400 can be configured in a shape having minute pores or gaps that allow vent gas to pass through. More specifically, the blocking member 400 can be configured in a shape having pores of 1 mm or less, further 100 μm or less, and even further 10 μm or less.

[0084] According to such an implementation configuration, while suppressing the discharge of flames and the like to the end frame 300 side, the vent gas can be discharged. Therefore, while preventing the occurrence of a fire or the spread or transfer of combustion due to the discharge of flames, the internal gas of the battery module in which an event has occurred can be quickly discharged to the outside, blocking the explosion of the battery module and alleviating the thermal runaway phenomenon.

[0085] The blocking member 400 can include a fabric part. The fabric part can be configured in a form woven by a large number of fibers. In particular, the fabric part can be configured in the shape of a planar body having a predetermined width by the warp and weft intersecting with each other vertically and being woven finely and densely. Such a fabric part can be configured in the shape of a fiber or a woven fabric.

[0086] According to such an implementation configuration of the present invention, it becomes possible to more easily manufacture the blocking member 400. In particular, according to such an implementation configuration of the present invention, a configuration in which pores are formed so that the vent gas can pass through while blocking the flame can be easily realized. That is, by manufacturing a fabric (fiber) in which the warp and weft intersect, minute pores having a pore diameter of several tens of μm to several hundreds of μm can be naturally formed in the blocking member 400, and a separate process or structure for forming minute pores or the like is unnecessary.

[0087] The blocking member 400 can be made of a material that can withstand high temperatures, for example, temperatures of 400 °C or higher. In particular, the blocking member 400 can be configured in a heat-resistant and fire-resistant shape from a material with strong heat resistance and fire resistance so as not to be damaged by high-temperature vent gas, flames (sparks), etc.

[0088] In particular, the blocking member 400 can be manufactured using at least one of silica fiber and glass fiber. For example, the blocking member 400 can be configured in the form of a woven fabric in which silica fiber or glass fiber is finely and densely woven. In this case, a blocking configuration that can smoothly discharge the vent gas while blocking flames (including sparks, etc.) and can stably withstand high temperatures can be easily realized.

[0089] The blocking member 400 can be made of such silica fiber or glass fiber material, or can be configured in a form including such a material. Also, in addition to such silica fiber or glass fiber, the blocking member 400 can be made of or configured in a form including a variety of other materials.

[0090] For example, the blocking member 400 can include at least one of mica, silicone, carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP), and aerogel blanket.

[0091] More specifically, the blocking member 400 can be configured in a form in which micro pores are formed in glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP). In this case, while allowing the vent gas to be discharged through the blocking member 400, the flames can be effectively blocked.

[0092] The cutoff member 400 can be configured such that the air permeability varies partially. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8.

[0093] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the functional configuration of the cutoff member 400 included in the battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 8, vent gas and flames, etc. can be discharged from the side of the battery cell 110 as indicated by arrow B1 and head towards the cutoff member 400 side. At this time, the flame cannot pass through the cutoff member 400 as indicated by arrow B2 and is blocked from moving outside. In contrast, different from the flame, the vent gas can at least partially pass through the cutoff member 400 as indicated by arrow B3'.

[0095] In particular, the cutoff member 400 can be configured such that the air permeability of the vent gas, that is, the possibility of the vent gas passing through or the amount of gas passing through varies partially. In FIG. 8, the passage configuration of the vent gas is indicated by arrow B3'. And the degree of the vent gas being able to pass through is shown so as to be distinguishable by the difference in the length of arrow B3'. That is, in FIG. 8, it is shown that the higher the air permeability of the vent gas, the relatively longer the length of the arrow.

[0096] According to the above-described implementation configuration, the cutoff member 400 can be configured such that the presence or absence of the vent gas passing through or the degree of passage varies by part, so that the effect of blocking or controlling the direction of the vent gas or the flame can be further enhanced. For example, for the part where the flame, etc. should be firmly prevented from heading towards, by reducing the air permeability of the vent gas, it is possible to maximize the suppression of the flame leaking out through the pores of the cutoff member 400. In contrast, for the part where the necessity of blocking the flame is relatively low, the pores, etc. can be widened so that the discharge capacity of the vent gas can be further increased.

[0097] Furthermore, according to the above-described implementation configuration, the blocking member 400 can be configured to extend in a long shape from the upper end to the lower end of the battery cell 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, it is easy for the blocking member 400 to be configured to extend in a long shape from the upper end to the lower end of the battery cell 110. In this case, components that can block flames while allowing vent gas to pass through can be provided throughout the entire length from the upper end to the lower end of the end frame 300.

[0098] In the above-described implementation configuration, the configuration of making the air permeability of the blocking member 400 different partially can be realized in various forms. For example, the blocking member 400 can be configured such that the pore diameters of the pores are different partially. Alternatively, the blocking member 400 can be configured to include materials with different air permeabilities partially. Alternatively, the blocking member 400 can be configured such that the thickness is different partially. In this case, the thinner part can have a higher air permeability than the thicker part. Also, the blocking member 400 can be configured in the form of a woven fabric, but it may be configured such that the thicknesses of the weft and / or warp are different partially. In this case, the part with a larger thickness of the weft or warp can have a lower porosity than the part with a smaller thickness.

[0099] The blocking member 400 can be configured such that the air permeability of the upper part is lower than that of the lower part. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the blocking member 400 can be configured such that the air permeability gradually increases as it progresses from the upper part to the lower part. To give a more specific example, the air permeability of the upper part of the blocking member 400 can be configured to have an air permeability of generally 50% or less compared to the air permeability of the lower part. Furthermore, the blocking member 400 can be configured such that the air permeability of the upper part is smaller than that of the lower part, for example, 30% or less. In particular, in the case of the uppermost end, the blocking member 400 may be configured such that the air permeability becomes 0. In this case, the upper end of the blocking member 400 is not air-permeable and can be regarded as being completely blocked.

[0100] In such an implementation configuration, even if approximately the same amount of vent gas reaches the upper and lower portions of the blocking member 400 respectively, the amount of vent gas passing through at the upper portion of the blocking member 400 may be zero or small, while the amount of vent gas passing through at the lower portion of the blocking member 400 may be large.

[0101] According to such an implementation configuration of the present invention, vent gas is allowed to pass through the upper side of the blocking member 400, but the amount is controlled so as not to increase, thereby suppressing as much as possible the discharge of flames and the like through the pores and gaps of the blocking member 400. On the contrary, the lower side of the blocking member 400 can discharge the vent gas more quickly by enhancing the discharge effect of the vent gas rather than the blocking effect of flames and the like.

[0102] In particular, since the flame may have a strong tendency to move to the upper side of the blocking member 400, according to the above implementation configuration, it is more advantageous to suppress the discharge of the flame. Also, the upper side of the blocking member 400 is likely to face the terminal portion T and the connector portion C of the end frame 300, so it is possible to maximally suppress the flame heading towards the upper side of the blocking member 400 and prevent the flame from being exposed to the terminal portion T and the connector portion C. Furthermore, in the case of a battery module used in an automobile or the like, there may be passengers such as a driver on the upper side. Therefore, when blocking the flame heading towards the upper side as in the above implementation configuration, the safety of the passengers can be further improved.

[0103] The blocking member 400 can be configured such that the number of stacked layers is partially different. In particular, the blocking member 400 can be configured such that the number of stacked layers in the upper portion is more than that in the lower portion. This will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. 9.

[0104] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view schematically showing the configuration of different portions of one shutoff member 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, FIG. 9(a) is an example of an enlarged configuration of the upper portion of the shutoff member 400, for example, the portion A3 in FIG. 8, and FIG. 9(b) can be an example of an enlarged configuration of the lower portion of the shutoff member 400, for example, the portion A4 in FIG. 8.

[0105] First, referring to FIG. 9(a), the shutoff member 400 can be at least partially composed of a plurality of layers. For example, the upper side of the shutoff member 400 can be configured in a three-layer structure as shown by L1, L2, and L3. At this time, each unit layer may be configured in the same shape as each other, or may be configured in different shapes from each other. For example, the three unit layers can be configured in a form woven by silica fiber or glass fiber respectively. In particular, the three unit layers can be configured to have pores with different pore diameters from each other. Alternatively, the three unit layers can be arranged in an alternating shape so that the pores are not arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. In this case, the upper side of the shutoff member 400 can be configured to have a low air permeability.

[0106] Next, referring to FIG. 9(b), the other portion of the shutoff member 400 can be composed of a single layer. For example, the lower side of the shutoff member 400 can be configured in a single-layer structure as shown by L1. At this time, the unit layer shown in FIG. 9(b) can be one of the three unit layers shown in FIG. 9(a). That is, in the implementation configuration of FIGS. 8 and 9, the shutoff member 400 is provided with three unit layers L1, L2, and L3 at the upper end, but only L1, which is one of these unit layers, can be configured in a shape that extends in a long shape to the lower part. In this case, the lower side of the shutoff member 400 can be configured to have a relatively higher air permeability than the upper side.

[0107] According to such an implementation configuration, it becomes possible to easily realize a configuration in which the blocking member 400 has partially different air permeabilities from each other. In particular, even by simply arranging the number of layers of the blocking member 400 configured in the shape of fibers to be partially different from each other as in the above implementation configuration, a partial difference in air permeability can be easily derived.

[0108] On the other hand, the configuration in which the air permeability of the blocking member 400 is partially different can be realized by various other methods. For example, when the blocking member 400 is configured in a form including a fabric part, the fabric part on the upper side and the fabric part on the lower side can have minute pores with different pore diameters from each other. In particular, the fabric part on the upper side can be configured to be woven with fibers having a larger thickness than the fabric part on the lower side. In this case, the fabric part on the upper side can be formed so that the pore diameter of the minute pores is smaller than that of the fabric part on the lower side.

[0109] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the blocking member 400 included in the battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 10, the blocking member 400 may further include a body part 420 together with the fabric part 410. The body part 420 may be configured in a shape different from that of the fabric part 410. In particular, the body part 420 may be configured to have lower air permeability than the fabric part 410. Further, the body part 420 may be configured to have an air permeability of zero (0) so that vent gas does not pass through. Alternatively, the body part 420 may be configured to have an air permeability formed at a certain level or higher. For example, the body part 420 may be configured to form minute pores.

[0111] The body part 420 can be composed of a variety of materials that can block flames and withstand high temperatures. For example, the body part 420 can be configured in the form of an injection of heat-resistant plastic. Alternatively, the body part 420 can be composed of mica or silicone materials. Alternatively, the body part 420 can be made of materials such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) or glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP).

[0112] In such an implementation configuration, the body part 420 can be easily configured in a form that is advantageous for blocking flames compared to the fabric part 410. Also, according to the above implementation configuration, the body part 420 is advantageously more structurally stable than the fabric part 410. Therefore, the body part 420 can serve to stably hold the position and shape of the fabric part 410 inside the battery module. In particular, when the fabric part 410 is configured in the type of woven fabric, there may be difficulties in maintaining the shape, but when the body part 420 is deployed together, the structure of the fabric part 410 can be more stably maintained.

[0113] In such an implementation configuration, the fabric part 410 can be located in a part of the body part 420. For example, in the implementation configuration of FIG. 10, the fabric part 410 can be located at the lower end of the body part 420. At this time, the fabric part 410 can be coupled and fixed to the body part 420 in a variety of forms. For example, the fabric part 410 is provided only at the lower end of the body part 420 and can be coupled and fixed to the lower end of the body part 420 by various methods such as bolting, adhesion, welding, insertion, and hook connection.

[0114] When the body part 420 is located at the upper part and the fabric part 410 is located at the lower part as in the above-described implementation configuration, while the flame blocking effect can be stably achieved through the body part 420, the exhaust effect of the vent gas can be smoothly performed through the fabric part 410. In particular, since the flame has the property of tending to go toward the upper side and the terminal part T and the connector part C are likely to be located on the upper side, when the body part 420 is located on the upper side of the blocking member 400, it is more suitable for ensuring safety through flame blocking. Further, according to the above-described implementation configuration, by arranging the fabric part 410 and the body part 420 to be located only on a part of the blocking member 400 respectively, it becomes even more advantageous in terms of weight reduction of the battery module or cost reduction of production.

[0115] As another example, the fabric part 410 may be configured to be inserted into the body part 420. More specifically, the body part 420 is made of a plastic material, but the fabric part 410 made of silica fiber or glass fiber can be manufactured in a shape where it is insert-molded. Further, in this case, throughout the entire inside of the body part 420, for example, it can be configured in a shape where the fabric part 410 is inserted in a long shape from the upper part to the lower part of the body part 420. According to such an implementation configuration, while the bonding property between the fabric part 410 and the body part 420 can be ensured more stably, the flame blocking effect in the body part 420 can be further improved. Also, in the case of the above-described implementation configuration, by ensuring that the vent gas is smoothly exhausted from the fabric part 410, the rapidity for vent gas exhaust can be ensured.

[0116] The blocking member 400 may be configured such that its upper end is bent toward the cell assembly 100. This will be described more specifically with further reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0117] Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views schematically showing how the configuration of the cutoff member 400 included in the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention looks when viewed from the front and the rear. For example, Figures 11 and 12 can be views that enlarge and show the configuration of the cutoff member 400 disposed on the front side of the battery module in Figure 3.

[0118] Referring to Figures 11 and 12, the cutoff member 400 may include a cover portion configured in the shape of a plate that is generally erected to cover the front of the cell assembly 100, like the portion indicated by D1. At this time, through holes may be formed in the cover portion D1, as indicated by H1. The module terminal T2 of the cell assembly 100 and the connector terminal described above may penetrate through such through holes H1. And the cutoff member 400 may include an upper end bent portion that is bent rearward (in the direction of the -X axis) from the upper end of such a cover portion D1 toward the battery cell 110, as indicated by D2. In this case, the upper end bent portion D2 of the cutoff member 400 may be configured to wrap around the upper end portion of the cell assembly 100.

[0119] According to such an implementation configuration of the present invention, the bonding property between the cell assembly 100 and the cutoff member 400 can be further improved. Also, according to the above implementation configuration, it is possible to more firmly prevent flames and the like from heading from the battery cell 110 side to the upper side.

[0120] For example, inside the battery module, the upper end bent portion D2 of the cutoff member 400 may be disposed like the portion indicated by A5 in the implementation configuration of Figure 8. In such an implementation configuration, the flame heading from the battery cell 110 side to the cutoff member 400 side can be bent upward, as indicated by arrow B2, after being blocked by the cutoff member 400. However, in the case of the above implementation configuration, it is suppressed that the flame blocked by the cutoff member 400 heads toward the upper side of the battery module by the upper end bent portion D2 of the cutoff member 400. Therefore, it is more advantageous for protecting passengers and the like located on the upper side of the battery module.

[0121] Further, the blocking member 400 may include side bent portions bent from the side portion of the cover portion D1 toward the battery cell 110, as shown by D3 in FIGS. 11 and 12. For example, when the blocking member 400 in FIGS. 11 and 12 is a member located on the front side of the cell assembly 100, the left end portion and the right end portion may be configured to be bent rearward toward the cell assembly 100, as shown by the portion indicated by D3. In this case, the side bent portion D3 of the blocking member 400 may be configured to wrap around the end portions of the left side portion and the right side portion of the cell assembly 100.

[0122] According to such an embodiment of the present invention, it is advantageous in enhancing the coupling force between the cell assembly 100 and the blocking member 400, and it becomes possible to more firmly prevent the flame ejected from the battery cell 110 from leaking into the gap between the blocking member 400 and the main body frame 200.

[0123] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the blocking member 400 included in the battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear side. For example, it can be said that FIG. 13 is a modified example of FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion A6 in FIG. 13.

[0124] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the blocking member 400 may include blocking ribs as shown by R around the through hole H1. Here, a module terminal T2 or the like may penetrate through the through hole H1 of the blocking member 400 as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 14. And the blocking rib R may be configured to protrude from around the through hole H1 toward the inner side where the cell assembly 100 is located. For example, in the case of the blocking member 400 located on the front side of the cell assembly 100, a blocking rib R having a shape protruding rearward (in the direction of the -X axis) may be provided on the inner surface.

[0125] Furthermore, the module terminal T2 and the connector terminal are often located on the upper side of the battery module. In this case, the through-hole H1 can be located on the upper side of the blocking member 400. In such a configuration, the blocking rib R can be located below the through-hole H1. Therefore, the blocking rib R can be regarded as being located below the module terminal T2 and the connector terminal.

[0126] According to such an implementation configuration of the present invention, it is possible to more firmly prevent flames or the like from flowing out through the through-hole H1 of the blocking member 400. For example, referring to what is shown in FIG. 14, when a flame or the like is ejected from the battery cell 110, it can proceed as indicated by the arrow B1. At this time, the blocking rib R can block the flame from directly heading toward the through-hole H1. Also, the flame can continue to proceed after being reflected from the inner surface of the blocking member 400 as indicated by the arrow B2. According to the above implementation configuration, in this way, by also blocking the flame that proceeds in a shape reflected from the inner surface of the blocking member 400, it is possible to extremely suppress the flame from being discharged to the outside through the through-hole H1.

[0127] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged partial configuration of the blocking member 400 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. For example, FIG. 15 can be a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 14.

[0128] Referring to FIG. 15, the blocking member 400 includes the blocking rib R, but the end of the blocking rib R can be configured in a bent shape. For example, the blocking rib R is formed to protrude and extend horizontally inward from the cover portion D1 of the blocking member 400, but can have a shape in which the inner end is bent downward like the portion indicated by A7.

[0129] According to such an implementation configuration of the present invention, the effect of suppressing the discharge of flames into the through-hole H1 of the blocking rib R becomes even higher. For example, the flame reaching the lower surface of the blocking rib R can be directed downward as indicated by arrow B5 by the bent portion inside the blocking rib R. Therefore, since the flame moves further away from the through-hole H1, the possibility of the flame being exposed to the through-hole H1 becomes even lower.

[0130] FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing a top view of the configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0131] Referring to FIG. 16, the battery pack according to the present invention may include one or more of the battery modules M according to the present invention described above. In particular, when a plurality of battery modules M are included inside the pack housing PH, the battery pack according to the present invention can effectively prevent the propagation of thermal events between the battery modules. Furthermore, according to an implementation configuration of the present invention, vent gas can be discharged from a specific battery module indicated by M1, as shown by the portion indicated by A8 in FIG. 16. However, in this case, there may be no heat source such as a flame (such as a spark) in the discharged vent gas as indicated by X. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent damage caused by flames between the battery modules M and the propagation of thermal runaway.

[0132] In addition to such battery modules, the battery pack according to the present invention may further include various other components, such as a battery management system (BMS), a bus bar (connection between battery modules, connection between battery modules and pack terminals, etc.), a relay, a current sensor, and various other components known at the time of filing the present invention that are components of a battery pack.

[0133] On the one hand, components such as a BMS, bus bar, relay, current sensor, etc. may also be included as components of the battery module according to the present invention. In this case, components such as a BMS, bus bar, relay, current sensor, etc. may be located inside a module case including a main body frame 200 and an end frame 300. At this time, the battery module may be referred to as a battery pack, and the module case may be referred to as a pack case or pack housing.

[0134] The battery module according to the present invention can be applied to automobiles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. That is, an automobile according to the present invention may include the battery module or the battery pack according to the present invention. In addition, an automobile according to the present invention may further include various other components included in the automobile in addition to such a battery module or battery pack. For example, an automobile according to the present invention may further include, in addition to the battery module according to the present invention, a vehicle body, a motor, a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU), etc.

[0135] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, but the technical idea of the present invention is not limited thereto at all, and it goes without saying that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and variations within the equivalent scope of the technical idea of the present invention and the scope of the claims to be described below.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0136] 100 Cell Assembly 110 Battery Cell 111 Electrode Lead 120 Bus Bar Unit 121 Bus Bar Terminal 122 Bus Bar Housing 200 Main Body Frame 300 End Frame 310 Front Frame 320 Rear Frame 400 Blocking Member 410 Fabric Part 420 Body Part T Terminal Part T1 Terminal Hole T2 Module Terminal C Connector Part C1 Connector Hole E Terrace Part D1 Cover Part D2 Upper End Bending Part D3 Side Bending Part H1 Through-Hole R Blocking Rib M Battery Module PH Pack Housing

Claims

1. A cell assembly including one or more battery cells; A main body frame configured to accommodate the cell assembly in an internal space and having an opening formed on at least one side; An end frame coupled to the opening of the main body frame and provided with at least one of a terminal portion and a connector portion; A blocking member interposed between the end frame and the cell assembly and configured to block the progress of a flame; comprising; The blocking member includes a woven fabric portion formed by weaving a plurality of fibers; The woven fabric portion is manufactured using at least one of silica fibers and glass fibers; The blocking member further includes a body portion; The woven fabric portion is a battery module located in a part of the body portion.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the cell assembly includes a plurality of pouch-type batteries arranged horizontally in such a manner that electrode leads are disposed on the opening side of the main body frame.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member is configured to block the progress of a flame with respect to at least one of the terminal portion and the connector portion.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member has a breathable structure.

5. A cell assembly including one or more battery cells; A main body frame configured to accommodate the cell assembly in an internal space and having an opening formed on at least one side; An end frame coupled to the opening of the main body frame and provided with at least one of a terminal portion and a connector portion; A blocking member interposed between the end frame and the cell assembly and configured to block the progress of a flame; comprising; The blocking member is configured to have partially different degrees of air permeability, a battery module.

6. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein the blocking member is configured such that the air permeability of the upper portion is lower than that of the lower portion.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the blocking member is configured such that the number of stacked layers in the upper portion is larger than that in the lower portion.

8. A cell assembly including one or more battery cells; A main body frame configured to accommodate the cell assembly in an internal space and having an opening formed on at least one side; An end frame coupled to the open portion of the main body frame and provided with at least one of a terminal portion and a connector portion; A blocking member interposed between the end frame and the cell assembly and configured to block the progress of a flame; comprising; The blocking member is a battery module whose upper end is bent toward the cell assembly.

9. A battery pack including the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An automobile including the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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