Battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

A battery pack and a vehicle including the same are disclosed. The battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of cell units stacked on each other, each of the plurality of cell units including at least one battery cell and a cell cover covering the at least one battery cell, and a case accommodating the plurality of cell units, the cell cover including a slot into which the at least one battery cell is inserted, and a gas passage provided on an inner surface of the slot adjacent to the at least one battery cell inserted in the slot.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, and more particularly to a battery pack manufactured by a cell-to-pack method and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2022-0110377 and 10-2022-0110390 filed on August 31, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0065246 filed on May 19, 2023, and the contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of those applications are incorporated herein in their entirety. [Background technology]

[0003] Generally, a secondary battery refers to a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as a lithium-ion battery, lithium polymer battery, nickel-cadmium battery, nickel-metal hydride battery, nickel-zinc battery, etc. The output voltage of a battery cell, which is the basic unit for charging and discharging such a secondary battery, is approximately 2.5V to 4.2V.

[0004] In recent years, as secondary batteries are applied to devices requiring high output voltage and large charging capacity, such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS), battery packs manufactured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series or parallel to form a battery module and then further connecting the plurality of battery modules in series or parallel have become widely used.

[0005] However, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the conventional technology involves manufacturing a battery pack by accommodating battery cells in a box-shaped metal case to form a battery module, and then accommodating the battery module in a battery pack case, which increases the weight and volume of the entire battery pack and reduces the energy density of the battery pack.

[0006] In addition, when a cell-to-pack method in which multiple battery cells are directly attached to a pack case of a battery pack to increase the energy density of the battery pack is applied to a pouch-type battery cell with a soft case, it is difficult to handle or stack multiple battery cells at the same time, and there is a risk of the battery cells being damaged during the process of being attached to the pack case.

[0007] Furthermore, the existing cell-to-pack method places multiple battery cells densely and spatially inside the pack case, making it difficult to exhaust gases and flames generated when a battery cell experiences thermal runaway in the intended direction. This creates the problem that if thermal runaway occurs in some battery cells, it can lead to a chain reaction of thermal runaway in the remaining battery cells. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2379227 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0052183 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including the same that can reduce the overall weight and volume of the battery pack, increase the energy density, and facilitate handling and installation of battery cells built into the battery pack.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including the same that prevent chain reaction thermal runaway by discharging gases and flames generated during thermal runaway of battery cells in a desired direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A battery pack according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a plurality of cell units stacked on each other, each of the plurality of cell units including at least one battery cell and a cell cover covering the at least one battery cell; a case that houses the plurality of cell units, The cell cover includes a slot into which the at least one battery cell is inserted, and a gas passage provided on an inner surface of the slot adjacent to the at least one battery cell inserted in the slot.

[0012] In one embodiment, the gas passage may be formed by a portion of an inner surface of the slot protruding or curving in a direction away from the at least one battery cell.

[0013] In one embodiment, the cell cover includes a first cover portion forming one side wall of the slot, a second cover portion forming the other side wall of the slot facing the one side wall, and a third cover portion connecting the first cover portion and the second cover portion and forming the end portion of the slot, and an entrance to the slot may be provided between the first cover portion and the second cover portion.

[0014] In an embodiment, the gas passage of the cell cover may be provided in at least one of the first cover portion, the second cover portion, and the third cover portion.

[0015] In one embodiment, the cell cover further includes an opening that exposes an electrode lead of the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot to the outside of the cell cover, and the gas passage of the cell cover may extend a predetermined length from other parts of the cell cover excluding the opening toward the opening.

[0016] In one embodiment, the at least one battery cell may include electrode leads at both ends in a first direction, and the gas passage of the cell cover may extend along the first direction.

[0017] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of cell units may further include a bus bar electrically connected to an electrode lead of the at least one battery cell, and a bus bar frame disposed in the opening of the cell cover and supporting the bus bar.

[0018] In one embodiment, the cell cover further includes a vent portion configured to exhaust gas generated in the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot to the outside of the cell cover, and the gas passage of the cell cover may extend a predetermined length from other portions of the cell cover excluding the vent portion toward the vent portion.

[0019] In one embodiment, the gas passage in the cell cover may extend from an inlet side of the slot to the vent side.

[0020] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of cell units may further include a gas filter having a porous structure and disposed in the gas passage of the cell cover.

[0021] In one embodiment, the cell cover includes a plurality of the gas passages, and the plurality of gas passages may be arranged side by side at predetermined intervals.

[0022] In one embodiment, the cell cover has a plurality of protrusions protruding from the outer surface of the cell cover corresponding to each of the plurality of gas passages, and the protrusion of a first cell cover among the cell covers of the plurality of cell units may be configured to mesh with the protrusion of a second cell cover adjacent to the first cell cover in the form of gear teeth.

[0023] In one embodiment, the cell cover may further include a blocking portion provided at an entrance of the slot and configured to block removal of the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot.

[0024] In one embodiment, the at least one battery cell may be a pouch-type secondary battery.

[0025] A vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention includes a battery pack according to any one of the above-described embodiments. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the present invention, instead of a plurality of battery cells being housed in a separate module case and then mounted in a battery pack case, the battery cells are partially covered by a cell cover having a simplified structure and then mounted directly in the pack case, thereby reducing the overall weight and volume of the battery pack, increasing the energy density of the battery pack, facilitating safe handling and mounting of the battery cells during battery pack manufacturing, and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0027] Furthermore, since each cell cover is provided with a gas passage for discharging gas from the battery cell covered by that cell cover, the gas and flames generated when the battery cell experiences thermal runaway can be easily discharged in the intended direction, thereby preventing a chain reaction of thermal runaway between battery cells.

[0028] Furthermore, the gas passage of the cell cover is configured to move gas toward the opening or vent of the cell cover, which further facilitates the discharge of gas generated in the battery cell.

[0029] In addition, the cell cover includes a first cover portion covering one side of the at least one battery cell, a second cover portion covering the other side of the at least one battery cell, and a third cover portion covering an upper end of the at least one battery cell, and is provided with openings on both ends of the at least one battery cell in the longitudinal direction, so that gas generated in the battery cell can be discharged in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell.

[0030] In another embodiment, a vent portion configured to exhaust gas is provided at the upper end of the cell cover, and the gas passage is configured to extend toward the vent portion, so that gas generated in the battery cell can be exhausted above the battery cell.

[0031] Furthermore, a porous gas filter is disposed inside the gas passage, thereby preventing sparks, flames, foreign matter, etc. from being discharged to the outside of the cell cover.

[0032] In addition, by providing the gas passages, the protrusions protruding from the outer surface of each cell cover are configured to mesh with the protrusions of adjacent cell covers in the form of gear teeth, which allows multiple cell units to be arranged in a space-concentrated manner within the case, thereby reducing the overall volume of the battery pack.

[0033] In addition, the blocking portion of the cell cover supports the battery cell inserted into the cell cover and blocks the inserted battery cell from being removed, thereby preventing the battery cell from being displaced or the cell cover from being separated to the outside, thereby ensuring the safety and reliability of the battery pack.

[0034] In addition, an insertion groove is provided in the blocking portion of the cell cover so that a jig that comes into contact with the inner surface of the cell cover to change the slot width of the cell cover can be easily inserted, thereby facilitating the process of inserting the battery cell into the cell cover and preventing damage to the battery cell.

[0035] In addition, the cell cover has an opening that exposes the electrode lead of the battery cell inserted into the cell cover to the outside, and the bus bar assembly that is disposed in the opening and electrically connected to the electrode lead has a through hole for gas discharge, so that gas discharged from the electrode lead portion of the battery cell can be quickly discharged to the outside of the cell cover.

[0036] In addition, by configuring the openings or vents on each cell cover to face in the same direction, gases and flames generated during thermal runaway of a battery cell are prevented from being discharged to other battery cells, thereby preventing a chain reaction of thermal runaway.

[0037] In addition, the busbar frame of the busbar assembly disposed in the opening of the cell cover has through holes for gas discharge, and the busbar is disposed between the through holes so as not to block the through holes, thereby ensuring smooth discharge of gas generated in the battery cells within the cell cover.

[0038] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description that various embodiments of the present invention can solve other technical problems not mentioned above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a battery assembly of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the M1 region of FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing a cell unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the cell unit shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cover taken along line A1-A1' in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a stacked state of cell units according to the embodiment of FIG. 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 shows a cell cover according to a modified embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cell cover taken along line A2-A2′ shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] 9 is a diagram showing a stacked state of cell covers according to the embodiment of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a busbar assembly of the cell unit shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a busbar assembly according to a modified embodiment. [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] In order to clarify the solutions to the technical problems of the present invention, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a description of related prior art would unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, that description may be omitted. Furthermore, the terms used in this specification are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, and may vary depending on the intentions or practices of designers, manufacturers, etc. Therefore, the definitions of terms used below should be based on the content of this specification as a whole.

[0041] For reference, terms indicating directions in this specification are terms based on the components shown in the accompanying drawings, and are relative terms that may change depending on the attitude and position of the actual components.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery pack 10 includes a battery assembly 100 and a case 300 that houses one or more battery assemblies 100.

[0044] The battery assembly 100 also includes a plurality of cell units 200. Each cell unit 200 includes at least one battery cell and a cell cover that partially surrounds and covers the at least one battery cell.

[0045] The battery cell included in each cell unit 200 may be configured as a pouch-type secondary battery. In this case, the pouch-type secondary battery may be manufactured by placing an electrode assembly and an electrolyte material in a pouch-type case and sealing the case. Depending on the embodiment, the battery cell may be configured in various shapes, such as a prismatic secondary battery or a cylindrical secondary battery.

[0046] A plurality of such cell units 200 can be stacked in one direction and housed in the case 300 .

[0047] The case 300 may have a receiving chamber R1 into which the battery assembly 100 can be directly installed without a separate case. For example, the case 300 may be configured to receive a plurality of battery assemblies 100, each in a separate receiving chamber.

[0048] For this purpose, the case 300 may include a lower case 310 having an opening at an upper end and an internal space connected to the opening, and an upper case 310 covering the opening of the lower case 310.

[0049] The lower case 310 may include partitions 312 that divide the interior space thereof into a plurality of storage rooms R1. A gas inlet 314 through which gas generated in the battery assembly 100 stored in the storage room R1 flows may be provided in the partition 312 of the lower case 310 adjacent to each storage room R1. In addition, a gas valve 316 for discharging gas may be provided on the outer surface of the lower case 310. A gas channel connecting the gas inlet 314 and the gas valve 316 may be provided inside the lower case 310.

[0050] In this case, a gas vent path to the gas valve 316 may be provided for each storage chamber individually. That is, gas generated in a first storage chamber may be discharged through a first gas vent path connected to a first gas inlet, a first gas channel, and the first gas valve, and gas generated in a second storage chamber may be discharged through a second gas vent path connected to a second gas inlet, a second gas channel, and the second gas valve.

[0051] Meanwhile, a heat sink 330 configured to be in thermal contact with the battery assembly 100 and cool the battery cells of the battery assembly 100 may be disposed in each of the receiving rooms R1. The heat sink 330 may be made of a metal material having high thermal conductivity and heat resistance.

[0052] Meanwhile, the case 300 may have an accommodating space R2 for accommodating various electrical components required for the operation of the battery pack 10.

[0053] In one embodiment, the battery pack 10 may further include a control module 340. The control module 340 may include a Battery Management System (BMS) that manages the charge / discharge operation, SOC (State Of Charge), SOH (State Of Health), etc. of the battery cells included in the battery assembly, and may be installed in the receiving space R2 of the case 300.

[0054] The battery pack 10 may further include a switching unit 350. The switching unit 350 may be configured to control an electrical connection between the battery pack 10 and an external circuit. To this end, the switching unit 350 may selectively include a current sensor, a power relay, a fuse, etc.

[0055] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the battery assembly 100 of the battery pack shown in FIG.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, a battery assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of cell units 200 and a support structure 110.

[0057] Each of the plurality of cell units 200 includes at least one battery cell and is configured to be stacked side by side in the width direction (Y-axis direction). As will be described later, each cell unit 200 may include at least one battery cell that serves as a basic unit for charging and discharging, and a cell cover that partially covers and supports the battery cell.

[0058] The support structure 110 is configured to support the plurality of cell units 200 and maintain the stacked state of the plurality of cell units 200. To this end, the support structure 110 may include sidewalls 112 and an integrated end cover 114. Such sidewalls 112 and integrated end covers 114 may be arranged along the periphery of the sides of the plurality of cell units 200 stacked on top of each other.

[0059] In one embodiment, the support structure 110 may include a pair of sidewalls 112 and integrated end covers 114 .

[0060] In this case, the sidewalls 112 may be arranged one at each end of the cell units 200 based on the width direction (Y-axis direction) or stacking direction of the cell units 200, and configured to support the cell units 200.

[0061] That is, of the pair of sidewalls, the first sidewall may be arranged adjacent to the first cell unit located at the outermost edge of one side of the plurality of cell units 200, and the second sidewall may be arranged adjacent to the second cell unit located at the outermost edge of the other side of the plurality of cell units 200.

[0062] The sidewalls 112, together with the integrated end covers 114 described below, tightly seal the cell units 200 together to form a single cell unit block that can be handled simultaneously. In this case, the sidewalls 112 can distribute pressure applied to the cell units 200 evenly across the entire cell units 200.

[0063] The sidewall 112 may be made of a metal material including aluminum or stainless steel, or may be made of a material in which metal and polymeric synthetic resin are combined by insert molding.

[0064] The integrated end cover 114 may be disposed at each end of the plurality of cell units 200 based on the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the plurality of cell units 200. The integrated end cover 114 may have one end connected to the first sidewall and the other end connected to the second sidewall, and may be configured to cover the openings of two or more cell covers of the plurality of cell units 200.

[0065] For this purpose, the sidewalls 112 may include connecting portions 112a provided at both ends thereof, respectively, that are connected to one end or the other end of the integrated end cover 114. Correspondingly, the integrated end cover 114 may include a main body portion that covers the openings of the plurality of cell units 200, and a corresponding connecting portion 114a that extends from the main body portion and is connected to the connecting portion 112a of the sidewalls 112.

[0066] In one embodiment, the integrated end cover 114 may be provided with vent holes 114b for discharging gas generated in the battery cells of each cell unit at portions of the integrated end cover 114 corresponding to the openings of the multiple cell units 200.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 2, the integrated end cover 114 may include a support portion 114c that extends from its main body toward the lower ends of the cell units 200 and supports the lower ends of the cell units 200.

[0068] Such an integrated end cover 114 may be made of a metal material including aluminum or stainless steel, or a polymeric synthetic resin, or may be made of a material that combines metal and polymeric synthetic resin by insert molding.

[0069] In this way, by applying an integrated end cover 114 that supports the cell unit and covers the opening of the cell unit as a whole to the battery assembly 100, it is possible to omit the individual end covers that are applied to each cell unit, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process of the battery assembly.

[0070] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the M1 region in FIG.

[0071] 3, the sidewalls 112 and the integrated end cover 114 included in the support structure 110 of the battery assembly 100 may be connected to each other to support a plurality of cell units 200. To this end, the connecting portion 112a of the sidewalls 112 may have an insertion groove into which the corresponding connecting portion 114a of the integrated end cover 114 is inserted.

[0072] The corresponding connecting portion 114a of the integrated end cover 114 can be inserted into an insertion groove provided in the connecting portion 112a of the sidewall 112 and then fixed to the connecting portion 112a of the sidewall 112 by a fastening member S1 such as a screw or a bolt.

[0073] Furthermore, the support portion 114c of the integrated end cover 114 may be configured to extend from the main body of the integrated end cover 114 toward the lower ends of the multiple cell units 200 and support the lower ends of the multiple cell units 200. In this case, the support portion 114c of the integrated end cover 114 may be configured to support the bus bar frame of each cell unit 200.

[0074] FIG. 4 shows a cell unit 200 of a battery assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 4, the cell unit 200 may include a cell cover 210 that partially covers and supports at least one battery cell, maintaining it in an upright state.

[0076] The cell cover 210 may include a protrusion 212 formed by protruding a portion of the cell cover 210 in a direction away from the battery cell inserted inside the cell cover 210. A gas passage, which will be described later, is provided inside the protrusion 212.

[0077] Meanwhile, the cell unit 200 may further include a bus bar assembly 220. The bus bar assembly 220 includes a bus bar electrically connected to an electrode lead of a battery cell, and may be disposed at both ends of the cell cover 210 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction).

[0078] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the cell unit 200 shown in FIG.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 5 , the cell unit 200 may include at least one battery cell 202 and a cell cover 210 .

[0080] The battery cell 202 is the most basic rechargeable secondary battery, and may be manufactured by housing an electrode assembly and an electrolyte inside a case and sealing the case. The electrode assembly may be manufactured by interposing a separator between a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

[0081] The battery cell 202 may be a pouch-type secondary battery having a predetermined length and height, and may have electrode leads 202a electrically connected to the electrode assembly at both ends of the battery cell 202 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction).

[0082] The cell cover 210 may be configured to support and maintain an upright state of at least one battery cell 202 while partially covering it. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the cell cover 210 may be configured to support and partially cover three battery cells 202 stacked on top of each other while maintaining the battery cells in an upright state.

[0083] For this purpose, the cell cover 210 may be configured to cover at least one battery cell 202 inserted into the slot 214, and to have a slot 214 into which at least one battery cell 202 is inserted and an opening 216 through which the electrode lead 202a of the at least one battery cell 202 inserted into the slot 214 is exposed.

[0084] As will be described further below, the cell cover 210 includes a gas passage provided on the inner surface of the slot 214 adjacent to at least one battery cell 202 inserted into the slot 214. In one embodiment, the gas passage may be formed by a portion of the inner surface of the slot 214 protruding or curving away from the at least one battery cell. By providing such a gas passage, a protrusion 212 corresponding to the gas passage may be formed on the outer surface of the cell cover 210.

[0085] In this case, the gas passage may be configured to extend a predetermined length from the other portion of the cell cover 210 excluding the opening 216 toward the opening 216 .

[0086] For example, if a battery cell inserted into the cell cover 210 has electrode leads 202a at both ends of its longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), the cell cover 210 may have openings 216 at both ends of the longitudinal direction, and the gas passage may be configured to extend along the longitudinal direction.

[0087] Such a cell cover 210 may be configured in an "n" or "u" shape surrounding three sides of the at least one battery cell.

[0088] For example, the cell cover 210 may include a first cover portion 210a that forms one side wall of a slot 214 into which at least one battery cell is inserted, a second cover portion 210b that forms the other side wall of the slot 214, and a third cover portion 210c that connects the first cover portion 210a and the second cover portion 210b and forms the end portion of the slot 214.

[0089] That is, the first cover portion 210a may cover one side of the battery cell inserted into the slot 214. The second cover portion 210b may cover the other side of the inserted battery cell. The third cover portion 210c may cover the top end of the inserted battery cell.

[0090] In this case, an entrance to the slot 214 and an opening 216 through which the electrode lead 202a of at least one battery cell 202 inserted into the slot 214 is exposed may be provided between the first cover part 210a and the second cover part 210b.

[0091] Although FIG. 5 shows three battery cells 202 covered by one cell cover 210, the number of battery cells covered by the cell cover 210 can be varied depending on the scale of the cell cover 210.

[0092] In one embodiment, the cell unit 200 may further include a bus bar assembly 220. The bus bar assembly 220 may include a bus bar 222 electrically connected to the electrode lead 202 a of the battery cell 202 inserted into the cell cover 210, and a bus bar frame 224 disposed in the opening 216 of the cell cover 210 to support the bus bar 222.

[0093] The bus bar assembly 220 may further include an insulating cover 226 disposed between the bus bar frame 224 and the integrated end cover 114 to prevent short-circuiting of the bus bars 222. The insulating cover 226 may be made of an insulating polymer synthetic resin.

[0094] In one embodiment, the cell cover 210 may further include a blocking portion 218 that is provided at the entrance of the slot 214 and blocks removal of the battery cell inserted into the slot 214. The blocking portion 218 may be configured to protrude toward the entrance of the slot 214 from the end of each of the first cover portion 210a and the second cover portion 210b and support the lower end of the battery cell inserted into the slot 214.

[0095] In addition, in one embodiment, the blocking portion 218 may have an insertion groove 218a into which a jig finger is inserted to contact the inner surface of the cell cover 210 and change the width of the slot 214, i.e., the distance between the first cover portion 210a and the second cover portion 210b.

[0096] The battery cell cover 210 may be integrally formed, for example, by a sheet metal processing process or an injection molding process.

[0097] In this way, the cell cover 210 with a simplified structure is made of a metal material having higher rigidity than the battery cell case, and can protect the battery cell covered by the cell cover from external shocks and vibrations. For example, the battery cell cover 210 can be made of a material including stainless steel (SUS), which is easy to process and has high corrosion resistance.

[0098] 4 and 5, the cell unit 200 may further include a clamping member configured to clamp the cell cover 210. In this case, the clamping member may be configured to clamp the cell cover 210 with at least one battery cell inserted therein, thereby preventing the slot 214 of the cell cover 210 from widening or the battery cell 202 inserted in the slot 214 from coming off the cell cover 210. Such a clamping member may be made of tape or a band-shaped metal material.

[0099] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cell cover 210 shown in FIG. 5 taken along line A1-A1'.

[0100] 6, the cell cover 210 has a gas passage 212a formed by a portion of the inner surface of the slot 214 adjacent to at least one battery cell 202 protruding or curving away from the battery cell 202. By providing such gas passage 212a, a protrusion 212 corresponding to the gas passage is formed on the outer surface of the cell cover 210.

[0101] The gas passage 212a may be provided in at least one of the first cover portion 210a, the second cover portion 210b, and the third cover portion 210c of the cell cover 210. The gas passage 212a may be configured to extend a predetermined length from other portions of the cell cover 210 excluding the opening 216 toward the opening 216.

[0102] In one embodiment, the cell unit 200 may include a plurality of the above-described gas passages 212a. In this case, the plurality of gas passages 212a may be arranged side by side along the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the cell unit 200 at predetermined intervals.

[0103] The cell unit 200 may further include a gas filter 230 having a porous structure and disposed in the gas passage 212a of the cell cover 210. In this manner, by disposing the gas filter 230 having a porous structure inside the gas passage 212a, it is possible to prevent sparks, flames, or foreign matter from being discharged to the outside of the cell unit 200.

[0104] FIG. 7 shows a stacked state of cell units according to the embodiment of FIG.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of cell units 200A, 200B can be stacked side by side in one direction.

[0106] Furthermore, the cell cover 210 of each cell unit may have a plurality of protrusions 212 that protrude from the outer surface of the cell cover 210 and correspond to the plurality of gas passages formed on the inner surface of the cell cover 210, respectively.

[0107] In this case, the protruding portion of a first cell cover among the cell covers of the plurality of cell units 200A, 200B may be configured to mesh with the protruding portion of a second cell cover adjacent to the first cell cover in the form of gear teeth.

[0108] FIG. 8 shows a modified embodiment of a cell cover 210'.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 8 , the cell cover 210′ ​​may include a slot 214 into which at least one battery cell is inserted and an opening 216 through which an electrode lead of the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot 214 is exposed, and may be configured to cover the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot 214.

[0110] In particular, the cell cover 210' has a gas passage formed by a portion of the inner surface of the slot 214 adjacent to the battery cell inserted into the cell cover 210' protruding or curving away from the battery cell. By providing such a gas passage, a protrusion 212' corresponding to the gas passage is formed on the outer surface of the cell cover 210'.

[0111] Such a cell cover 210 may be configured in an "n" or "u" shape surrounding three sides of the at least one battery cell.

[0112] For example, the cell cover 210 may include a first cover portion 210a that forms one side wall of a slot 214 into which at least one battery cell is inserted, a second cover portion 210b that forms the other side wall of the slot 214, and a third cover portion 210c that connects the first cover portion 210a and the second cover portion 210b and forms the end portion of the slot 214.

[0113] The cell cover 210' may further include a vent portion 210d configured to exhaust gas generated from a battery cell inserted into the slot 214 to the outside of the cell cover 210'. The vent portion 210d may be provided by forming a through-hole or various types of notches or grooves on the surface of the cell cover 210'. For example, the vent portion 210d may be provided on the third cover portion 210c of the cell cover 210'.

[0114] In this case, the gas passage of the cell cover 210' may extend a predetermined length from other parts of the cell cover 210' excluding the vent portion 210d toward the vent portion 210d. For example, the gas passage of the cell cover 210' may extend from the inlet side of the slot 214 toward the vent portion 210d.

[0115] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cell cover 210' shown in FIG. 8 taken along line A2-A2'.

[0116] 9, the cell cover 210' has a gas passage 212'a formed by a portion of the inner surface of the slot 214 adjacent to the battery cell inserted in the slot 214 protruding or curving away from the battery cell. By providing such gas passage 212'a, a protrusion 212' corresponding to the gas passage 212'a is formed on the outer surface of the cell cover 210'.

[0117] The gas passage 212'a may be provided in at least one of the first cover portion 210a, the second cover portion 210b, and the third cover portion 210c of the cell cover 210'. For example, the gas passage 212'a may be provided in the first cover portion 210a and the second cover portion 210b.

[0118] Meanwhile, the third cover portion 210c may be provided with a vent portion 210d configured to exhaust gas generated from the battery cell inserted into the slot 214.

[0119] In this case, the gas passage 212'a may be configured to extend a predetermined length from other parts of the cell cover 210' excluding the vent portion 210d toward the vent portion 210d. For example, the gas passage of the cell cover 210' may extend from the inlet side of the slot 214 toward the vent portion 210d.

[0120] In one embodiment, the cell unit 200 may include a plurality of the gas passages 212'a. In this case, the plurality of gas passages 212'a may be arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the cell unit 200 at predetermined intervals.

[0121] The cell unit 200 may further include a gas filter 230 having a porous structure and disposed in the gas passage 212'a of the cell cover 210'. In this manner, by disposing the gas filter 230 having a porous structure inside the gas passage 212'a, it is possible to prevent sparks, flames, or foreign matter from being discharged to the outside of the cell unit 200.

[0122] FIG. 10 shows a stacked state of cell units according to the embodiment of FIG.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of cell units 200'A and 200'B can be stacked side by side in one direction.

[0124] Furthermore, the cell cover 210' of each cell unit may have a plurality of protrusions 212' that protrude from the outer surface of the cell cover 210' and correspond to the plurality of gas passages formed on the inner surface of the cell cover 210'.

[0125] In this case, the protrusion of a first cell cover among the cell covers of the plurality of cell units 200'A, 200'B may be configured to mesh with the protrusion of a second cell cover adjacent to the first cell cover in the form of gear teeth.

[0126] FIG. 11 shows the busbar assembly 220 of the cell unit of FIG.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 11 , the bus bar assembly 220 may include a bus bar 222 and a bus bar frame 224 .

[0128] The bus bar 222 is configured to be electrically connected to the electrode lead of the battery cell inserted into the slot of the cell cover, and for this purpose, the bus bar 222 may be made of an electrically conductive material.

[0129] The bus bar frame 224 is disposed in an opening of the cell cover and configured to be coupled with the bus bar 222 to support the bus bar 222. The bus bar 222 may have through holes 224a and 224b. The first through hole 224a of the through holes 224a and 224b may be configured to receive an electrode lead of a battery cell connected to the bus bar 222. The second through hole 224b of the through holes 224a and 224b may be configured to exhaust gas generated from a battery cell inserted in the cell cover to the outside of the cell cover.

[0130] In this case, the bus bar 222 may have a width W narrower than the distance d between the through holes 224a and 224b formed in the bus bar frame 224, and may be disposed between the through holes 224a and 224b. The bus bar 222 may also extend a predetermined length in a direction away from the through holes 224a and 224b, thereby expanding the contact surface for electrical connection with the electrode leads.

[0131] FIG. 12 shows a busbar assembly 220' according to a modified embodiment.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 12, a bus bar 222 ′ of a modified bus bar assembly 220 ′ may have corresponding through holes 222 ′ a communicating with the through holes 224 a and 224 b of the bus bar frame 224 .

[0133] In this case, the through holes 224a and 224b of the bus bar frame 224 may be configured to be positioned within the opening area of ​​the corresponding through hole 222'a.

[0134] In this manner, the busbar frame 224 of the busbar assembly 220, 220′ disposed in the opening 216 of the cell cover 210, 210′ ​​has a gas discharge through-hole, and the busbars 222, 222′ are disposed between the through-holes of the busbar frame 224 so as not to block the through-holes, thereby ensuring smooth discharge of gas generated in the battery cells within the cell cover 210, 210′.

[0135] FIG. 13 shows a vehicle 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 13, a vehicle 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs 10 according to the various embodiments described above.

[0137] In this way, the battery pack 10 applied to the vehicle 2 can provide the electrical energy required for various operations of the vehicle 2.

[0138] For reference, it is needless to say that the battery pack according to the present invention can be applied to an ESS (Energy Storage System) and various electric devices in addition to automobiles.

[0139] As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of battery cells are not housed in a separate module case and then attached to a battery pack case, but are partially covered by a cell cover having a simplified structure and then attached directly to the pack case. This reduces the overall weight and volume of the battery pack, increases the energy density of the battery pack, and facilitates safe handling and attachment of the battery cells during battery pack manufacturing, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0140] Furthermore, each cell cover is provided with a gas passage for discharging gas from the battery cell covered by that cell cover, so that gas and flames generated during thermal runaway of a battery cell can be easily discharged in the intended direction, thereby preventing a chain reaction of thermal runaway between battery cells.

[0141] Furthermore, the gas passage of the cell cover is configured to move gas toward the opening or vent of the cell cover, which further facilitates the discharge of gas generated in the battery cell.

[0142] In addition, the cell cover includes a first cover portion covering one side of the at least one battery cell, a second cover portion covering the other side of the at least one battery cell, and a third cover portion covering an upper end of the at least one battery cell, and is provided with openings on both ends of the at least one battery cell in the longitudinal direction, so that gas generated in the battery cell can be discharged in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell.

[0143] In another embodiment, a vent portion configured to exhaust gas is provided at the upper end of the cell cover, and the gas passage is configured to extend toward the vent portion, so that gas generated in the battery cell can be exhausted above the battery cell.

[0144] In addition, a porous gas filter is disposed inside the gas passage, thereby preventing sparks, flames, or foreign matter from being discharged to the outside of the cell cover.

[0145] In addition, by providing the gas passages, the protrusions protruding from the outer surface of each cell cover are configured to mesh with the protrusions of adjacent cell covers in the form of gear teeth, allowing multiple cell units to be arranged in a space-concentrated manner within the case, thereby reducing the overall volume of the battery pack.

[0146] In addition, the blocking portion of the cell cover supports the battery cell inserted into the cell cover and blocks the inserted battery cell from being removed, thereby preventing the battery cell from being displaced or the cell cover from being separated to the outside, thereby ensuring the safety and reliability of the battery pack.

[0147] In addition, an insertion groove is provided in the blocking portion of the cell cover so that a jig that comes into contact with the inner surface of the cell cover to change the slot width of the cell cover can be easily inserted, thereby facilitating the process of inserting the battery cell into the cell cover and preventing damage to the battery cell.

[0148] In addition, the cell cover has an opening that exposes the electrode lead of the battery cell inserted into the cell cover to the outside, and the bus bar assembly that is disposed in the opening and electrically connected to the electrode lead has a through hole for gas discharge, so that gas discharged from the electrode lead portion of the battery cell can be quickly discharged to the outside of the cell cover.

[0149] In addition, by configuring the openings or vents on each cell cover to face in the same direction, gases and flames generated during thermal runaway of a battery cell are prevented from being discharged to other battery cells, thereby preventing a chain reaction of thermal runaway.

[0150] In addition, the busbar frame of the busbar assembly disposed in the opening of the cell cover has through holes for gas discharge, and the busbar is disposed between the through holes so as not to block the through holes, thereby ensuring smooth discharge of gas generated in the battery cells within the cell cover.

[0151] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the embodiments of the present invention can solve various other technical problems in the technical field in question as well as in related technical fields other than those mentioned in this specification.

[0152] The present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that various modifications can be made within the technical scope of the present invention. Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be considered from an illustrative rather than a restrictive perspective. In other words, the true technical spirit of the present invention is defined in the claims, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

Claims

1. a plurality of cell units stacked on each other, each of the plurality of cell units including at least one battery cell and a cell cover covering the at least one battery cell; a case that houses the plurality of cell units; In a battery pack comprising: The cell cover is a slot into which the at least one battery cell is inserted; a gas passage provided on an inner surface of the slot adjacent to the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot; Equipped with The gas passage forms a protrusion that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the cell cover.

2. The cell cover is a first cover portion forming one side wall of the slot; a second cover portion forming the other side wall of the slot facing the one side wall; a third cover portion connecting the first cover portion and the second cover portion and forming an end portion of the slot; Including, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein an entrance of the slot is provided between the first cover part and the second cover part.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the gas passage of the cell cover is provided in at least one of the first cover portion, the second cover portion, and the third cover portion.

4. the cell cover further includes an opening that exposes an electrode lead of the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot to the outside of the cell cover; 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the gas passage of the cell cover extends a predetermined length from a portion of the cell cover other than the opening toward the opening.

5. the at least one battery cell has electrode leads at both ends in a first direction, The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the gas passage of the cell cover extends along the first direction.

6. Each of the plurality of cell units is a bus bar electrically connected to an electrode lead of the at least one battery cell; a bus bar frame disposed in the opening of the cell cover and supporting the bus bar; The battery pack of claim 4, further comprising:

7. the cell cover further includes a vent portion that discharges gas generated in the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot to the outside of the cell cover; 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the gas passage of the cell cover extends a predetermined length from a portion of the cell cover other than the vent portion toward the vent portion.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the gas passage of the cell cover extends from the inlet side of the slot to the vent side.

9. Each of the plurality of cell units is The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a gas filter having a porous structure and disposed in the gas passage of the cell cover.

10. the cell cover includes a plurality of the gas passages; 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of gas passages are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals.

11. A battery pack as described in Claim 10, characterized in that the protruding portion of a first cell cover among the cell covers of the plurality of cell units is configured to engage with the protruding portion of a second cell cover adjacent to the first cell cover in the form of gear teeth.

12. 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the cell cover further comprises a blocking portion provided at an entrance of the slot and configured to block removal of the at least one battery cell inserted into the slot.

13. 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the at least one battery cell is a pouch-type secondary battery.

14. A vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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