Battery module, battery pack including the same, and automobile

Abstract

A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells, a module housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells and includes a first frame covering lower portions of the battery cells and a second frame covering upper portions of the battery cells, and potting glue filled in at least a portion of an interior area of ​​the first frame.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0183107, filed on December 20, 2021, and the entire contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of that application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability across a range of products and electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are powered by electrical sources. These secondary batteries not only have the temporary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also have the advantage of producing no by-products associated with energy use, and are therefore attracting attention as a new energy source that is environmentally friendly and improves energy efficiency.

[0004] Currently widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell, i.e., a unit battery cell, is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack may be configured by connecting multiple battery cells in series. Furthermore, a battery pack may be configured by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel depending on the required charge / discharge capacity of the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack may be variously set depending on the required output voltage and / or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] Meanwhile, the fixing structure of the battery cells in the battery module used in conventional light electric vehicles (LEVs) generally consists of a combination of two frames: an upper cell frame and a lower cell frame.

[0006] However, the above-described existing fixing structure has a structural problem in that the upper and lower regions of the cell are surrounded circumferentially by plastic, making it impossible for glue to be properly filled into the upper and lower regions of the cell. This causes a problem of rupture at the lower end of the cell in the event of a chain reaction fire. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention aims to enhance safety in the event of a fire inside a battery module by properly filling the lower end of the battery cell, which is the main vulnerable part in the event of a fire, with potting glue.

[0008] In another aspect, the present invention aims to strengthen the fixing force of battery cells within a battery module.

[0009] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention given below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a module housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells and includes a first frame that covers lower portions of the battery cells and a second frame that covers upper portions of the battery cells; and potting glue that is filled in at least a portion of an interior area of ​​the first frame.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, the battery cell may include a vent portion configured to be structurally more fragile than a surrounding area so as to be easily broken when pressure is applied to the inside of the battery cell.

[0012] In this case, the vent portion may be disposed in a lower end region of the battery cell.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, the first frame may include at least one first rib surrounding an outer circumferential surface of the battery cell.

[0014] Preferably, the first rib provided on the first frame may surround a central region in a height direction of the battery cell.

[0015] Preferably, a hollow first accommodating space may be provided below the first rib.

[0016] More preferably, the height of the first accommodating space may be 20 to 40% of the total height of the battery cell.

[0017] In still another aspect of the present invention, the potting glue may be filled in a hollow space of the first accommodating space other than a space occupied by the battery cell.

[0018] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the potting glue may include a silicone material.

[0019] In still another aspect of the present invention, at least one of the first frame and the second frame may have at least one injection hole on an upper surface through which the potting glue can be injected.

[0020] In still another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the first ribs may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to a height direction of the battery cell.

[0021] Preferably, the first ribs may have hollow first passages between adjacent first ribs.

[0022] In still another aspect of the present invention, the second frame may include at least one second rib surrounding an outer circumferential surface of the battery cell.

[0023] Preferably, a plurality of the second ribs may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to a height direction of the battery cell.

[0024] Here, the second ribs may have hollow second passages between adjacent second ribs.

[0025] Preferably, a hollow second accommodating space may be provided below the second rib.

[0026] Meanwhile, the present invention provides a battery pack including at least one battery cell according to the above-described embodiment.

[0027] In addition, the present invention provides a vehicle including at least one battery pack according to the above-described embodiment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the present invention, even if a fire occurs in some battery cells in a battery module, the potting glue encasing the lower ends of the battery cells prevents a chain reaction of fires, ensuring safety.

[0029] In another aspect, the present invention allows the fixing force of the battery cells in the battery module to be strengthened.

[0030] However, the effects obtained through the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other technical effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0031] The drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further understand the technical concepts of the present invention as well as the content of the invention, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters depicted in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram for explaining a battery cell included in the battery module of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram for explaining the lower structure of a battery cell included in the battery module of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are views illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are views illustrating a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 2 is a diagram for explaining a battery pack including the battery module of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] 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 the specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as having meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventors themselves can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best explain the invention.

[0034] 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 the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor at the time of this application.

[0035] 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 the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor at the time of this application.

[0036] It should be noted that, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG.

[0038] 1 and 2, a battery module 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include battery cells 100, a module housing 200, and a potting glue 300.

[0039] More specifically, the battery module 10 may include a plurality of battery cells 100, a module housing 200 that accommodates the plurality of battery cells 100 and includes a first frame 210 that covers the lower portions of the battery cells 100 and a second frame 220 that covers the upper portions of the battery cells 100, and a potting glue 300 that is filled in at least a portion of the interior area of ​​the first frame 210.

[0040] Generally, since the vent portion 140 is located in the lower end region of the cylindrical battery cell 100, when the battery cell 100 catches fire, fracture occurs mainly in the lower end region of the battery cell 100. That is, when the battery cell 100 catches fire, the lower end region is the main weak point. Therefore, it is necessary to particularly strengthen the safety of the lower end region of the battery cell 100. In this regard, in the present invention, the safety of the lower end region of the battery cell 100 can be particularly strengthened by filling the inner region of the first frame 210 that covers the lower part of the battery cell 100 where the vent portion 140 is located with potting glue 300.

[0041] Meanwhile, the potting glue 300 may include a silicone material, a flame retardant material to reduce some of the weight and suppress combustion, and a phase change material (PCM) to improve cooling performance.

[0042] By including such a material in the potting glue 300, it is possible to prevent chain fires and / or chain explosions in the battery module 10 of the present invention. Furthermore, even if a fire breaks out in the battery module 10, it is possible to suppress further combustion. Furthermore, it is possible to improve the cooling performance of the battery module 10.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the battery cell 100 included in the battery module 10 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the lower structure of the battery cell 100 included in the battery module 10 of FIG.

[0044] The battery cells 100 may be secondary batteries, for example, cylindrical battery cells 100. However, this does not limit the type of the battery cells 100, and other types of battery cells, such as pouch-type cells and prismatic cells, may also be used in the battery module 10 of the present invention. Hereinafter, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a case where the battery cells 100 are cylindrical battery cells 100 will be described as an example.

[0045] 3 and 4, a cylindrical battery cell 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode assembly 110, a battery can 120, and a top cap 130.

[0046] 3 and 4, the electrode assembly 110 includes a first electrode plate having a first polarity, a second electrode plate having a second polarity, and a separator sandwiched between the first and second electrode plates. The electrode assembly 110 may have a jelly-roll shape. That is, the electrode assembly 110 may be manufactured by stacking a first electrode plate, a separator, and a second electrode plate in this order at least once, and winding the stack around the winding center. In this case, a separator may be disposed on the outer periphery of the electrode assembly 110 to insulate it from the battery can 120. The first electrode plate may be a positive or negative electrode plate, and the second electrode plate may be an electrode plate having the opposite polarity to the first electrode plate.

[0047] 3 and 4, the battery can 120 is a cylindrical container having an opening at the top and made of a conductive metal material. The battery can 120 accommodates the electrode assembly 110 through the opening, and also accommodates an electrolyte.

[0048] The battery can 120 is electrically connected to the second electrode tab 112 of the electrode assembly 110. Therefore, the battery can 120 has the same polarity as the second electrode tab 112. That is, the battery can 120 can function as a second electrode terminal of the cylindrical battery cell 100.

[0049] The top cap 130 is a component made of a conductive metal material and covers the top opening of the battery can 120. The top cap 130 is electrically connected to the first electrode tab 111 of the electrode assembly 110 and is electrically insulated from the battery can 120. Therefore, the top cap 130 can function as a first electrode terminal of the cylindrical battery cell 100.

[0050] 3 and 4, the battery cell 100 may include a vent portion 140 that is configured to be structurally more fragile than the surrounding region so that it can easily rupture when pressure is applied to the inside of the battery cell 100. The vent portion 140 may be disposed in a lower end region of the battery cell 100. The vent portion 140 corresponds to a region of the lower surface of the battery can 120 that is thinner than the surrounding region. The vent portion 140 is structurally more fragile than the surrounding region. Therefore, if an abnormality occurs in the cylindrical battery cell 100 and the internal pressure increases above a certain level, the vent portion 140 ruptures, thereby discharging gas generated inside the battery can 120.

[0051] 4 shows only the case where the vent portion 140 is formed continuously in a circular shape on the bottom surface of the battery can 120, but this does not limit the present invention in any way. The vent portion 140 may be formed discontinuously in a circular shape on the bottom surface of the battery can 120, or may be formed linearly or in any other shape.

[0052] As described above, since the vent portion 140 is located in the lower end region of the battery cell 100, when the battery cell 100 catches fire, fracture occurs mainly in the lower end region of the battery cell 100. That is, when the battery cell 100 catches fire, the lower end region becomes the main weak point. Therefore, it is necessary to particularly strengthen the safety of the lower end region of the battery cell 100. In this regard, in the present invention, the safety of the lower end region of the battery cell 100 can be particularly strengthened by filling the internal region of the first frame 210 covering the lower part of the battery cell 100 where the vent portion 140 is located with potting glue 300.

[0053] Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the module housing 200 includes a first frame 210 covering the lower portion of the battery cell 100 and a second frame 220 covering the upper portion of the battery cell 100 .

[0054] The module housing 200 may further include a lower plate 230 below the first frame 210. In this case, the lower plate 230 may be integrally formed with the first frame 210 to become a part of the first frame 210. Alternatively, the lower plate 230 may be provided as a separate component from the first frame 210 and then combined with the first frame 210, as shown in FIGS.

[0055] The module housing 200 may accommodate a plurality of battery cells 100. The module housing 200 may include, for example, a plastic material. However, the material included in the module housing 200 is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that the module housing 200 may include other materials that do not have electrical conductivity.

[0056] 1 and 2, the first frame 210 may include at least one first rib 211 surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the battery cell 100. More specifically, the first rib 211 may be structured to surround a partial area of ​​the outer circumferential surface of the battery cell 100. For example, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, if the battery cell 100 of the present invention is a cylindrical battery cell 100, the first rib 211 may be structured to surround the cylindrical battery cell 100 in the circumferential direction. With this structure, the first rib 211 can surround each battery cell 100 and fix the battery cells 100 in position. Furthermore, collisions between the battery cells 100 can be prevented.

[0057] 1 and 2, the first rib 211 provided on the first frame 210 may preferably be structured to surround a central region of the battery cell 100 in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z axis). The structure of the first rib 211 of the present invention as described above may improve the fixing force of the battery cell 100 in the central region of the battery cell 100. In addition, this structure may allow a hollow first accommodating space S1 to be provided below the first rib 211. Here, preferably, the potting glue 300 may be filled in a hollow space of the first accommodating space S1 other than the space occupied by the battery cell 100.

[0058] As described above, the battery cell 100 of the present invention has the vent portion 140 in its lower region, and therefore, it is necessary to enhance safety by preventing chain fires in the lower region of the battery cell 100. According to the structure of the first rib 211 of the present invention as described above, the fixing force of the battery cell 100 can be increased by fixing the battery cell 100 in the central region of the battery cell 100 with the first rib 211, and a structure that prevents chain fires of the battery cells 100 can be achieved by covering the lower region of the battery cell 100 with the potting glue 300. As a result, even if heat is generated in one battery cell 100, the transfer of radiant heat to the battery cells 100 around the ignited battery cell 100 can be prevented. That is, if the potting glue 300 is filled in the first accommodating space S1, there is a risk that heat generated in the ignited battery cell 100 will be thermally conducted to the surrounding battery cells 100 via the potting glue 300. As a result, the surrounding battery cells 100 receive even less heat than radiant heat. Therefore, the ignition only spreads to the ignited battery cell 100, preventing a chain reaction of ignition to the surrounding battery cells 100. Furthermore, even if the ignited battery cell 100 explodes, the potting glue 300 can prevent the pressure and flames generated by the explosion of the battery cell 100 from spreading to the surrounding battery cells 100. This makes it possible to prevent a secondary explosion.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a battery module 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a battery module 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] In FIG. 5, only the first frame 210 and the battery cells 100 are shown, and for ease of explanation, the second frame 220 is not shown.

[0061] 1 and 5, the height direction length L1 of the first accommodating space S1 may be about 20 to 40% of the total height direction length of the battery cell 100. More preferably, the height direction length L1 of the first accommodating space S1 may be about 28 to 30% of the total height direction length of the battery cell 100.

[0062] If the height L1 of the first accommodating space S1 is less than approximately 20% of the total height of the battery cell 100, the amount of potting glue 300 filled will be too small, reducing the effectiveness of preventing chain fires. Conversely, if the height L1 of the first accommodating space S1 is greater than approximately 40% of the total height of the battery cell 100, the amount of potting glue 300 will be too large, potentially increasing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, if the amount of potting glue 300 is too large, the curing time will be extended, potentially reducing the efficiency of the manufacturing process. Therefore, the height L1 of the first accommodating space S1 is preferably approximately 20 to 40% of the total height of the battery cell 100, and more preferably approximately 28 to 30%.

[0063] 1 and 5, one of the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 may have at least one injection hole H on the upper surface thereof through which the potting glue 300 can be injected.

[0064] 5, it can be seen that an injection hole H through which the potting glue 300 can be injected is provided on the upper surface of the second frame 220 covering the lower part of the battery cells 100. In this case, after inserting a plurality of battery cells 100 into the first frame 210, the potting glue 300 can be injected through the injection hole H provided on the upper surface of the first frame 210. The second frame 220 can then be assembled to complete the battery module 10. With this structure, the potting glue 300 can be selectively injected only into the lower regions of the battery cells 100 without being injected into the upper regions.

[0065] 5, a plurality of the first ribs 211 may be arranged in a direction (parallel to the XY plane) perpendicular to the height direction (parallel to the Z axis) of the battery cell 100. That is, a plurality of the first ribs 211 may be arranged in a horizontal direction. Referring to FIG. 1, a structure may be such that each of the plurality of first ribs 211 arranged in the horizontal direction surrounds a plurality of battery cells 100 accommodated in the battery module 10.

[0066] Here, the first ribs 211 may have hollow first passages 213 formed between adjacent first ribs 211. The first passages 213 may be connected to the injection holes H. Thus, the potting glue 300 injected through the injection holes H can move through the first passages 213.

[0067] Preferably, the first passage 213 may be connected to the hollow first accommodating space S1. Thus, the potting glue 300 injected through the injection hole H can reach the first accommodating space S1 through the first passage 213. As a result, the potting glue 300 can fill the hollow space of the first accommodating space S1 other than the space occupied by the battery cell 100. Thus, the potting glue 300 covers the lower region of the battery cell 100, thereby preventing a chain reaction of fire.

[0068] In addition, such a structure of the first frame 210 allows the potting glue 300 to be selectively injected only into the lower region without injecting the potting glue 300 into the upper region of the battery cell 100. Therefore, it is possible to apply the minimum amount of potting glue 300 required to prevent a chain reaction of fire.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the above structure, the first frame 210 is capable of injecting the potting glue 300 by itself without the assistance of the second frame 220, which significantly reduces structural restrictions on the second frame 220. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the second frame 220 may not be provided with any components for injecting the potting glue 300. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, ribs or injection holes H may not be separately provided on the second frame 220. In this case, after inserting a plurality of battery cells 100 into the first frame 210, the potting glue 300 may be injected through the injection holes H provided on the top surface of the first frame 210, and then the second frame 220 may be assembled to complete the battery module 10.

[0070] Alternatively, in other embodiments, the second frame 220 may have the form shown in Fig. 7 or 8, which will be described later. That is, the structure of the first frame 210 of the present invention allows for increased structural flexibility for the second frame 220.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a battery module 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] The module housing 200 according to this embodiment is similar to the module housing 200 according to the above-described embodiment, and therefore, for configurations that are substantially identical or similar to those of the above-described embodiment, redundant explanations will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the above-described embodiment.

[0073] 1 and 7, an injection hole H through which the potting glue 300 can be injected may be provided on the upper surface of the second frame 220 covering the upper portion of the battery cell 100. In this case, since the upper surface of the second frame 220 becomes the upper surface of the battery module 10, the potting glue 300 can be injected through the injection hole H provided on the upper surface of the battery module 10.

[0074] According to this structure, the potting glue 300 does not need to be injected during the manufacturing process of the battery module 10, but can be injected after the assembly of the battery module 10 is completed, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency and manufacturing flexibility.

[0075] 7, the second frame 220 may include at least one second rib 221 surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the battery cell 100. More specifically, the second rib 221 may be structured to surround a partial area of ​​the outer circumferential surface of the battery cell 100. For example, referring to FIG. 7, when the battery cell 100 of the present invention is a cylindrical battery cell 100, the second rib 221 may be structured to surround the cylindrical battery cell 100 in the circumferential direction. With this structure, the second rib 221 can surround each battery cell 100 and fix the battery cell 100 in a fixed position.

[0076] 7, a plurality of second ribs 221 may be arranged in a direction (parallel to the XY plane) perpendicular to the height direction (parallel to the Z axis) of the battery cell 100. That is, a plurality of second ribs 221 may be arranged in a horizontal direction. Referring to FIG. 7, a structure may be such that each of the plurality of second ribs 221 arranged in the horizontal direction surrounds a plurality of battery cells 100 accommodated in the battery module 10.

[0077] Here, the second ribs 221 may have hollow second passages 223 formed between adjacent second ribs 221. The second passages 223 may be connected to an injection hole H formed on the upper surface of the second frame 220. Thus, the potting glue 300 injected through the injection hole H formed on the upper surface of the second frame 220 can move through the second passages 223.

[0078] Preferably, the second passage 223 may be connected to an injection hole H provided on the upper surface of the first frame 210. Thus, the potting glue 300 injected through the injection hole H provided on the upper surface of the second frame 220 can pass through the second passage 223 and reach the injection hole H provided on the upper surface of the first frame 210. Furthermore, the potting glue 300 injected through the injection hole H provided on the upper surface of the first frame 210 can pass through the first passage 213 and reach the first accommodating space S1. As a result, the potting glue 300 can fill hollow spaces in the first accommodating space S1 other than the spaces occupied by the battery cells 100. As a result, the potting glue 300 covers the lower regions of the battery cells 100, thereby preventing chain fires and improving the safety of the battery module 10.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a battery module 10 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] The module housing 200 according to this embodiment is similar to the module housing 200 according to the above-described embodiment, and therefore, for configurations that are substantially identical or similar to those of the above-described embodiment, redundant explanations will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the above-described embodiment.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 8, the second rib 221 provided on the second frame 220 may be structured to surround the upper end region of the battery cell 100 in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z axis).

[0082] According to the above-described structure of the second rib 221 of the present invention, it is possible to improve the fixing force of the battery cell 100 in the upper end region of the battery cell 100. Moreover, since the first rib 211 has already fixed the central region of the battery cell 100, according to the above-described structure of the second rib 221, it is possible to further improve the fixing force of the battery cell 100.

[0083] 8, in another aspect of the present invention, a hollow second accommodating space S2 may be provided below the second rib 221. Preferably, the potting glue 300 may be filled in a hollow space of the second accommodating space S2 other than the space occupied by the battery cell 100.

[0084] This structure allows the potting glue 300 to be further applied to the approximate center region of the battery cell 100. This makes it possible to prevent a chain reaction of fire even if a rupture and / or fire occurs on the side of the battery cell 100, particularly in the center region of the side, thereby further increasing the safety of the battery module 10. Furthermore, the cooling efficiency of the side of the battery cell 100 is also increased.

[0085] In another embodiment, the second rib 221 may be configured to surround a region other than the upper end of the battery cell 100 in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z axis). For example, the second rib 221 may be disposed in a central region of the second frame 220 in the height direction. In this case, a hollow second accommodating space S2 may be provided in each of an upper region and a lower region of the second rib 221. Alternatively, for example, the second rib 221 may be disposed in a lower end region of the second frame 220 in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z axis). In this case, a hollow second accommodating space S2 may be provided in the upper region of the second rib 221. In this way, the position of the second rib 221 in the height direction may be variable.

[0086] In contrast, the position of the first rib 211 in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z-axis) is relatively less variable than the position of the second rib 221 in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z-axis). For example, it is preferable that the first rib 211 is not provided in the lower end region of the first frame 210. If the first rib 211 were provided in the lower end region of the first frame 210, the first accommodating space S1 would be provided in the upper end region of the first frame 210, and the potting glue 300 would not be able to directly cover the lower end region of the battery cell 100. Ultimately, this would weaken the safety of the battery cell 100. Therefore, it is preferable that the first rib 211 be provided in a region other than the lower end region of the first frame 210, for example, in the central region or upper end region.

[0087] In yet another aspect of the present invention, although not shown, a bond for fixing the battery cells 100 may be applied to the lower plate 230 of the present invention. This structure can restrict movement of the battery cells 100 in the vertical direction. For example, there may be excess space, play, or gaps in the vertical direction within the battery module 10. Even in such cases, the battery cells 100 can be fixed to the lower end of the first frame 210, thereby preventing unnecessary movement of the battery cells 100 within the battery module 10. Furthermore, even if a portion of the first frame 210 or the second frame 220 is damaged, creating a missing area large enough for the battery cells 100 to slip out, the fixing bond can prevent the battery cells 100 from detaching.

[0088] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a battery pack including the battery module of FIG.

[0089] 9, a battery pack 1 according to the present invention may include at least one battery module 10 according to the present invention described above. The battery pack 1 according to the present invention may also include a pack case 50 capable of accommodating the at least one battery module 10. In addition to the battery module 10, the battery pack 1 may further include various other components, such as a battery management system (BMS), a pack case, a relay, a current sensor, and other components of a battery pack 1 that are known at the time of filing of the present invention.

[0090] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 10, a motor vehicle V according to the present invention may include at least one battery pack 1 according to the present invention.

[0092] According to the various embodiments described above, even if a fire occurs in some of the battery cells 100 in the battery module 10, the potting glue 300 encasing the lower ends of the battery cells 100 will prevent a chain reaction of fires, thereby ensuring the safety of the battery module 10. Furthermore, the fixing force of the battery cells 100 in the battery module 10 can be strengthened.

[0093] Therefore, according to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a battery module 10 with improved safety, a battery pack 1 including the same, and an automobile V.

[0094] On the other hand, although directional terms such as "up" and "down" are used in this specification, these terms are used merely for ease of explanation, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art of the present invention that these terms may differ depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc.

[0095] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to these in any way, and it goes without saying that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and variations within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] V Automobile 200 Module Housing 1 battery pack 210 1st Frame 10 Battery Module 211 First Rib 50 pack case 213 1st aisle 100 battery cells 220 2nd Frame 110 Electrode assembly 221 Second Rib 111 First electrode tab 223 2nd aisle 112 Second electrode tab 230 Lower Plate 120 Battery Can H injection hole 130 Top Cap S1 First Storage Space 140 Vent S2 Second storage space 300 potting glue

Claims

1. a plurality of battery cells; a module housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells and includes a first frame that covers lower portions of the battery cells and a second frame that covers upper portions of the battery cells; A potting glue filled in at least a part of the interior of the first frame; Including, The first frame is At least one first rib surrounding an outer periphery of the battery cell; The first rib provided on the first frame is The battery cell is provided with a central region in a height direction of the battery cell. The lower part of the first rib has: A hollow first storage space is provided, The second frame is at least one second rib surrounding an outer circumferential surface of the battery cell; The lower part of the second rib has A hollow second storage space is provided, the potting glue is filled in hollow spaces of the first accommodating space and the second accommodating space other than the spaces occupied by the battery cells.

2. the battery cell includes a vent portion configured to be structurally more fragile than a surrounding area so as to be easily broken when pressure is applied to the interior of the battery cell; The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the vent portion is disposed in a lower end region of the battery cell.

3. The length of the first storage space in the height direction is The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the height of the battery cell is 20 to 40% of the total length in the height direction of the battery cell.

4. The potting glue is The battery module of claim 1 , comprising a silicon material.

5. The second frame is The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein the upper surface is provided with at least one injection hole through which the potting glue can be injected.

6. a plurality of the first ribs are arranged in a direction perpendicular to a height direction of the battery cell, The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the first ribs have hollow first passages between adjacent first ribs.

7. a plurality of the second ribs are arranged in a direction perpendicular to a height direction of the battery cell, The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the second ribs have hollow second passages between adjacent second ribs.

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

9. 9. A motor vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to claim 8.

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