Battery module with improved cooling structure and battery pack including said battery module

Abstract

A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cell assembly in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in one direction, a heat dissipation member in the cell assembly that contacts the battery cells, and a module frame that houses the cell assembly, wherein the heat dissipation member includes a plate-shaped member parallel to one side of the battery cells, and a reinforcing member extending from at least one of an upper periphery and a lower periphery of the plate-shaped member.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2022 - 0154007 filed on November 16, 2022, and all the contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent application are included as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the battery module, and more specifically, to a battery module having an improved cooling structure and a battery pack including the battery module.

Background Art

[0003] As technology development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source has been rapidly increasing. In particular, secondary batteries have attracted much attention not only as an energy source for mobile devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, notebook computers, and wearable devices, but also for power devices such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles.

[0004] For small mobile devices, one or two, three, or four battery cells are used per device, while for medium - to - large - sized devices such as automobiles, high output and large capacity are required. Therefore, medium - to - large - sized battery modules in which a number of battery cells are electrically connected are used.

[0005] On the other hand, when a plurality of battery cells are connected in series / parallel to form a battery module and / or a battery pack, a method of forming a battery module composed of at least one battery cell and adding other components using at least one battery module to form a battery pack is common.

[0006] The battery cells that make up such medium- and large-sized battery modules are composed of rechargeable secondary batteries, and such high-power, high-capacity secondary batteries generate a large amount of heat during the charging and discharging process. In this case, the heat from many battery cells is amplified in a confined space, which can cause the temperature to rise rapidly and excessively. In other words, while high output can be obtained in battery modules with many battery cells stacked on top of each other and in battery packs with such modules attached, it is not easy to remove the heat generated by the battery cells during charging and discharging. If the heat from the battery cells is not properly dissipated, the degradation of the battery cells accelerates, shortening their lifespan and increasing the risk of explosion or fire.

[0007] Furthermore, battery modules included in vehicle battery packs are frequently exposed to direct sunlight and may be subjected to high-temperature conditions such as summer or desert regions. Also, because numerous battery modules are densely arranged to increase the vehicle's driving range, flames or heat generated in one battery module can easily spread to neighboring modules, potentially leading to the battery pack itself catching fire or exploding.

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a battery cell assembly to which conventional cooling pins are applied. Figure 2 is an exploded view showing the cooling fin structure positioned between the battery cells included in the battery cell assembly of Figure 1.

[0009] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a conventional battery cell assembly 1 includes a plurality of battery cells 10 stacked in a unidirectional arrangement and cooling pins 20 interposed between adjacent battery cells 10. The cooling pins 20 may also include a plate-shaped heat sink 21 shown in Figure 2, coolant pipes 22 formed in the frame of the heat sink 21, and insulating sheet layers 25 formed on the upper and lower surfaces or left and right surfaces of the heat sink 21. In this case, the insulating sheet layers 25 may be omitted, and the surface of the heat sink 21 may be coated with an insulating coating.

[0010] The refrigerant pipe 22 may be hook-connected to the heat sink 21, or the refrigerant pipe 22 and the heat sink 21 may be formed integrally. The refrigerant pipe 22 is formed to be located on the outside of the battery cell 10.

[0011] The battery cell assembly 1 can be housed in a module frame (not shown) to form a battery module, and the heat generated by the battery cells can be cooled by the cooling pins 20 included in the battery cell assembly 1. However, the thickness of the cooling pins 20 and the need for a separate insulating sheet layer or coating layer to ensure electrical insulation result in a low space utilization rate.

[0012] Figure 3 shows the heat dissipation path of a conventional battery module.

[0013] Referring to Figure 3, a conventional battery module 30 includes a cell assembly 70 containing battery cells 60 stacked in a predetermined direction, and a module frame 40 that houses the cell assembly 70, the cell assembly 70 being fixedly positioned on a thermally conductive resin layer 50 located on the lower surface of the module frame 40. In this case, to cool the heat generated in the cell assembly 70, a heat sink 90 is provided that is in contact with the bottom of the module frame 40 located in the -z axis direction in Figure 3, and a thermal conductive pad 80 for heat transfer may be further provided between the heat sink 90 and the bottom of the module frame 40.

[0014] However, since the heat sink 90 does not directly contact the cell assembly 70 to transfer heat, the cooling efficiency is not very high, and a cooling path is formed in one direction (-z axis direction) within the width direction of the battery cell, which may cause a temperature gradient. In addition, in the structure shown in Figure 3, the thermally conductive resin layer 50 fixes the cell assembly 70 on one side, so if large expansion occurs in high-capacity batteries such as all-solid-state batteries or silicon-based batteries, there is a possibility that pouch cell cracks may occur.

[0015] Therefore, in order to extend the lifespan of battery modules and / or battery packs, it is necessary to improve the cooling efficiency of the battery modules / battery packs to prevent the temperature of the battery cells from rising, and to reinforce their structural stability. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0016] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a battery module and a battery pack that can improve heat transfer performance by changing the conventional cooling fin structure.

[0017] Furthermore, in order to achieve high-speed charging and high-capacity cells, it is possible to provide battery modules and battery packs that increase space utilization while maintaining a uniform cell temperature, even with larger cells.

[0018] Furthermore, the impregnation cooling structure eliminates spatial non-uniformity in cooling performance caused by the cell body not being directly cooled, thereby providing a battery module and battery pack that extend cell life.

[0019] Furthermore, it is possible to provide battery modules and battery packs that reinforce structural stability in the z-axis direction.

[0020] The problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and any problems not mentioned should be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0021] A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cell assembly in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked along one direction, a heat dissipation member that contacts the battery cells within the cell assembly, and a module frame that houses the cell assembly. The heat dissipation member includes a plate-like member parallel to one surface of the battery cell and a reinforcing member extending from at least one of a first portion and a second portion of the plate-like member.

[0022] A cell unit including the battery cell and the heat dissipation member includes a first battery cell and a second battery cell, a first heat dissipation member located on one surface of the first battery cell, and a second heat dissipation member located on one surface of the second battery cell. Among the extensions of the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member included in the first heat dissipation portion and the second heat dissipation member respectively, a first open portion exposing a part of the first battery cell and the second battery cell may be formed between the extensions contacting the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

[0023] A second open portion exposing a part of the module frame may be formed between the extension of the first reinforcing member and the extension of the second reinforcing member.

[0024] Cooling channels are formed inside the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member, an insulating coolant is impregnated in the cooling channels, and the insulating coolant and the battery cell may be in direct contact through the open portion.

[0025] A plurality of the cell units are stacked within the cell assembly, and the battery module may further include a compression pad located between adjacent cell units among the plurality of stacked cell units.

[0026] The cell unit may further include a compression pad located between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

[0027] The cell units are stacked in plurality within the cell assembly, and the battery module may further include compression pads positioned between adjacent cell units among the plurality of stacked cell units.

[0028] The reinforcing member includes at least two extension parts parallel to each other, and a cooling flow path may be formed between the two extension parts.

[0029] The insulating coolant may be impregnated in the cooling flow path, and the insulating coolant and the reinforcing member may be in direct contact.

[0030] The reinforcing member may have an extruded structure.

[0031] At least two of the extension parts may extend from the plate-shaped member in the same direction.

[0032] The reinforcing member may have a press-formed structure.

[0033] The reinforcing member may extend from the plate-shaped member in a zigzag form and be formed in the space between the battery cell and the module frame.

[0034] The reinforcing members are respectively formed at the upper and lower peripheries of the plate-shaped member, and the reinforcing members may respectively contact the upper and lower parts of the module frame.

[0035] The plate-shaped member and the reinforcing member included in the heat dissipation member are integrally formed, and the reinforcing member may be formed by bending the plate-shaped member.

[0036] The heat dissipation member may include aluminum, stainless steel, copper, gold, graphite, graphene, CNT (carbon nanotube) or a composite material thereof.

[0037] The heat dissipation member may have a laminated form in which at least two or more of the following are bonded together: aluminum, stainless steel, copper, gold, graphite, graphene, and CNTs (carbon nanotubes).

[0038] The module frame may be impregnated with an insulating coolant.

[0039] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the battery module described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0040] According to the examples, heat transfer performance can be improved by realizing a heat dissipation component using a lighter and thinner material compared to existing materials.

[0041] Furthermore, in an impregnation cooling structure, the cooling efficiency can be enhanced by having a heat dissipation member interposed between the battery cells extend from the top and / or bottom of the cell assembly and directly contact the insulating coolant.

[0042] Furthermore, the structural stability of the battery module can be improved by adding a shape that reinforces the rigidity of the cell unit, which is formed by combining the battery cell and the heat dissipation member.

[0043] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and any effects not mentioned should be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0044] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a battery cell assembly to which conventional cooling pins are applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded view showing the cooling fin structure positioned between the battery cells included in the battery cell assembly of Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the heat dissipation path of a conventional battery module. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing one battery cell included in the cell assembly shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the cell unit included in the battery module shown in Figure 4. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a front view of the cell unit shown in Figure 6, viewed along the x-axis. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a cell unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a front view of the cell unit shown in Figure 8, viewed along the x-axis. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows a portion of the cell assembly, including the cell unit shown in Figure 6. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows a modified version of the cell assembly shown in Figure 10. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows a modified example of the cell assembly in Figure 10. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows a portion of the cell assembly, including the cell unit shown in Figure 8. [Figure 14] Figure 14 shows a modified version of the cell assembly shown in Figure 13. [Figure 15] Figure 15 shows a modified version of the cell assembly shown in Figure 13. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] The following describes in detail, with reference to the attached drawings, various embodiments of the present invention so that those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them. The present invention can be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0046] To clearly explain the present invention, unnecessary explanatory parts have been omitted, and the same or similar reference numerals have been used throughout the specification for identical or similar components.

[0047] Furthermore, the dimensions and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrary for the sake of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown. The thicknesses are shown enlarged in the drawings to clearly represent various layers and regions. In addition, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated in the drawings for the sake of explanation.

[0048] Furthermore, when a specification states that a part of it "includes" a certain component, unless otherwise specified, this means that it can further include other components rather than excluding them.

[0049] Furthermore, throughout the specification, "on a plane" means when the subject is viewed from above, and "on a cross-section" means when the subject is viewed from the side of a cross-section obtained by cutting the subject perpendicularly.

[0050] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing one battery cell included in the cell assembly of Figure 4.

[0051] Referring to Figure 4, the battery module according to this embodiment includes a cell assembly 120 formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 110 in one direction, a module frame 200 with open front and rear surfaces to house the cell assembly 120, and end plates 150 that cover the front and rear surfaces of the module frame 200.

[0052] The end plate 150 may be positioned on the open first side (x-axis direction) and second side (-x-side direction) of the module frame 200 and formed to cover the cell assembly 120. Such an end plate 150 can physically protect the cell assembly 120 and other electrical components from external impacts. Furthermore, the battery module according to this embodiment may further include a busbar frame (not shown) positioned between the cell assembly 120 and the end plate 150, and an insulating cover (not shown) positioned between the busbar frame and the end plate 150. On the busbar frame, electrode leads protruding from the battery cells 110 and busbars for electrical connection between adjacent cells may be coupled. The insulating cover can serve to provide electrical insulation between the electrical components on the cell assembly 120 and / or the busbar frame and the end plate 150.

[0053] In this embodiment, the module frame 200 is shown as a monoframe that surrounds the four sides (top, bottom, left, and right) of the cell assembly 120, but is not limited to this. The left, right, and bottom sides of the cell assembly 120 may be covered by a U-shaped lower frame, the top side of the cell assembly 120 may be covered by an upper plate, and then the U-shaped lower frame and the upper plate may be joined together.

[0054] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the cell assembly 120 includes a plurality of battery cells 110 stacked in one direction, and the plurality of battery cells 110 may be stacked in the y-axis direction, as shown in Figure 4. The battery cells 110 are preferably pouch-type battery cells. For example, referring to Figure 5, the battery cell 110 according to this embodiment may have a structure in which two electrode leads 111 and 112 protrude from one end 114a and the other end 114b of the cell body 113 in opposite directions. The battery cell 110 may be manufactured by bonding one end 114a and the other end 114b of the cell case 114 to the two side surfaces 114c that connect them, with the electrode assembly (not shown) housed in the cell case 114. In other words, the battery cell 110 according to this embodiment has a total of three sealing portions 114sa, 114sb, and 114sc, and the sealing portions 114sa, 114sb, and 114sc are sealed by methods such as heat fusion, and the remaining other side portion may consist of a connecting portion 115. The distance between one end 114a and the other end 114b of the cell case 114 can be defined as the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 110, and the distance between the side portion 114c connecting the one end 114a and the other end 114b of the cell case 114 and the connecting portion 115 can be defined as the width direction of the battery cell 110.

[0055] The connecting portion 115 is a region that extends along one frame of the battery cell 110, and a protruding portion 110p of the battery cell 110 may be formed at the end of the connecting portion 115. The protruding portion 110p may be formed at least one of the ends of the connecting portion 115 and may protrude perpendicular to the direction in which the connecting portion 115 extends. The protruding portion 110p may be located between the connecting portion 115 and one of the sealing portions 114sa, 114sb of one end 114a and the other end 114b of the cell case 114.

[0056] The cell case 114 generally consists of a laminated structure of a resin layer / metal thin film layer / resin layer. For example, if the surface of the cell case is made of an O(oriented)-nylon layer, when stacking a large number of battery cells to form a medium-to-large battery module, it tends to slip due to external impact. Therefore, in order to prevent slippage caused by external impact and to maintain a stable stacked structure of the battery cells, an adhesive member such as double-sided tape or a chemical adhesive that bonds by a chemical reaction during bonding may be attached to the surface of the cell case to form the cell assembly 120. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a heat dissipation member is formed in contact with the battery cell 110 as described later. For example, the heat dissipation member may be formed between adjacent battery cells 110, and the heat dissipation member and the battery cell 110 may be fixed with an adhesive member or the like to form the cell assembly 120, or the cell assembly 120 may be formed using other fixing members without using an adhesive member.

[0057] In this embodiment, the cell assembly 120 may be housed inside the module frame 200 and cooled by an insulating coolant impregnated into the module frame 200. The insulating coolant may be electrically insulating cooling water or insulating oil. When the insulating coolant is impregnated into the module frame 200 and cooling is performed, the battery cell 110 and the coolant come into direct contact, which can improve cooling efficiency. However, the portion of the battery cell 110 corresponding to the cell body 113 shown in Figure 5 is not directly exposed to the insulating coolant, which may cause spatial non-uniformity in cooling performance. This can result in a localized temperature rise in the battery cell 110, which may cause battery cell degradation.

[0058] To solve these problems, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a heat dissipation member, described later, is formed in the cell assembly 120 so as to be interposed between the first battery cell and the second battery cell. For example, the heat dissipation member may be placed between adjacent battery cells 110. The heat dissipation member may be formed one for every two battery cells 110, or one for every four battery cells 110.

[0059] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the cell unit included in the battery module of Figure 4. Figure 7 is a front view of the cell unit of Figure 6, viewed along the x-axis.

[0060] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the cell unit 125 according to this embodiment includes a battery cell 110 and a heat dissipation member 130. The heat dissipation member 130 includes a plate-shaped member 131 parallel to one surface of the battery cell 110 and a reinforcing member 132 extending from at least one of the first and second portions of the plate-shaped member 131. For example, the first portion of the plate-shaped member 131 may be the upper periphery, and the second portion may be the lower periphery. The reinforcing member 132 in the embodiment of Figure 7 has a structure that extends from the upper and lower peripheries of the plate-shaped member 131.

[0061] Specifically, referring to Figure 7, the reinforcing member 132 according to this embodiment includes a first reinforcing member 132a and a second reinforcing member 132b. The first reinforcing member 132a and the second reinforcing member 132b each include at least two extensions 133 and 134 arranged parallel to each other. In this case, at least two extensions 133 and 134 may extend from the plate-shaped member 131 in the same direction.

[0062] Each of the first reinforcing member 132a and the second reinforcing member 132b includes a first extension 133 bent from one peripheral edge of the plate-shaped member 131 and covering the upper and lower surfaces of the battery cell 110, a connecting portion 135 extending at regular intervals from one peripheral edge of the plate-shaped member 131 in the same direction as the plate-shaped member 131 extending, and a second extension 134 bent from the end of the connecting portion 135.

[0063] The reinforcing member 132 in this embodiment may have an extruded structure.

[0064] A first open portion 136 may be formed between the first extension 133 of the first reinforcing member 132a and the first extension 133 of the second reinforcing member 132b, exposing a portion of the upper and / or lower surfaces of the battery cell 110. The first extension 133 may be in contact with the battery cell 110.

[0065] A second open portion 137 may be formed between the second extension 134 of the first reinforcing member 132a and the second extension 134 of the second reinforcing member 132b, exposing a part of the module frame 200 (Figure 10). In this case, a cooling channel CP is formed inside the first reinforcing member 132a and the second reinforcing member 132b, and an insulating coolant is impregnated into the cooling channel CP, allowing the insulating coolant and the battery cell 110 to come into direct contact through the first open portion 136.

[0066] Furthermore, the insulating coolant and the module frame 200 (Figure 10) can come into direct contact through the second open section 137. Thus, according to this embodiment, the insulating coolant can come into direct contact with the battery cell 110 and / or the module frame 200 (Figure 10), thereby improving cooling performance. In addition, vertical vibrations can be absorbed through the reinforcing members 132 located above and below the battery cell 110, thereby improving structural stability.

[0067] The heat generated in the battery cell 110 is transferred along the plate-shaped members 131a and 131b, and the reinforcing members 132a and 132b exert a cooling effect by coming into direct contact with the insulating coolant through the cooling channel CP.

[0068] Thus, according to this embodiment, in a cooling structure in which an insulating coolant is impregnated into the module frame 200 (Figure 4), the cooling efficiency can be increased by having a heat dissipation member 130 interposed between the battery cells 110, extending from the top and / or bottom of the cell assembly 120 (Figure 4) and directly contacting the insulating coolant. Furthermore, since heat is completely transferred from the plate-shaped member 131 of the heat dissipation member 130 that contacts the cell body of the battery cell 110 to the top and bottom of the battery module, large temperature deviations do not occur, thus extending the lifespan of the battery cell 110.

[0069] The heat dissipation member 130 may be formed from a material with high thermal conductivity. For example, the heat dissipation member 130 according to this embodiment includes aluminum, stainless steel, copper, gold, graphite, graphene, CNT (carbon nanotubes), or composite materials thereof. As an example, the thermal conductivity and weight can be adjusted using an aluminum-graphite composite material. The heat dissipation member 130 may have a laminated form in which at least two or more of aluminum, stainless steel, copper, gold, graphite, graphene, and CNT (carbon nanotubes) are bonded together. Furthermore, by laminating a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) insulating layer with the composite material, a heat dissipation structure that is lighter and thinner and more effective than the cooling fin structure of conventional heat dissipation members can be formed. The PET insulating layer can provide insulation between the battery cell 110 and the heat dissipation member 130. The PET insulating layer may be bonded to the front and rear surfaces of the aluminum-graphite composite material layer so as to be positioned between the heat dissipation member 130 and the battery cell 110. To bond the aluminum-graphite composite layer and the PET insulating layer, an adhesive may be applied between them or a heat-sealing method may be used. In comparison, when an insulating coating is applied to the heat dissipation member 130, the coating liquid may accumulate in the areas of the heat dissipation member 130 that are being insulated, making it difficult to achieve a uniform coating thickness.

[0070] Therefore, the heat dissipation member 130 according to this embodiment can effectively transfer the heat generated in the cell assembly 120 to the outside, thereby improving the cooling performance of the battery module 100.

[0071] The heat dissipation member 130 in this embodiment may be a thin film. The thickness of the heat dissipation member 130 may be less than the thickness of the battery cell 110. Preferably, the thickness of the heat dissipation member 130 may be approximately 50% or less of the thickness of the battery cell 110, and more preferably 20% or less. Here, the thickness of the battery cell 110 may be a size based on the y-axis direction in Figure 6.

[0072] The thickness of the heat dissipation member 130 may be 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm. Therefore, even if the area covered by the heat dissipation member 130 is large, including the surface corresponding to the cell body 113 of each battery cell 110 constituting the cell assembly 120, and the upper or lower part of the battery cell 110, it may not significantly affect the energy density of the battery module.

[0073] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a cell unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a front view of the cell unit of Figure 8, viewed along the x-axis.

[0074] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the cell unit 225 according to this embodiment includes a battery cell 110 and a heat dissipation member 230. The heat dissipation member 230 includes a plate-shaped member 231 parallel to one surface of the battery cell 110 and a reinforcing member 232 extending from at least one of the first and second portions of the plate-shaped member 231. For example, the first portion of the plate-shaped member 231 may be the upper periphery, and the second portion may be the lower periphery. The reinforcing member 232 in the embodiment of Figure 9 has a structure that extends from the upper and lower peripheries of the plate-shaped member 231.

[0075] Specifically, referring to Figure 9, the reinforcing member 232 in this embodiment includes a first reinforcing member 232a and a second reinforcing member 232b. The first reinforcing member 232a and the second reinforcing member 232b may each be formed extending in a zigzag shape from a plate-shaped member 231.

[0076] Each of the first reinforcing member 232a and the second reinforcing member 232b includes a first extension 233 bent from one peripheral edge of the plate-shaped member 231 to cover the upper and lower surfaces of the battery cell 110, a connecting portion 235 bent from one peripheral edge of the first extension 233 and extending at regular intervals in the same direction as the plate-shaped member 231, a second extension 238 bent from the end of the connecting portion 235, a connecting portion 235 bent from the end of the second extension 238 and extending at regular intervals in the same direction as the plate-shaped member 231, and a third extension 234 bent from the end of the connecting portion 235.

[0077] The connecting portions 235 are arranged parallel to each other, and the first extension portion 233, the second extension portion 238, and the third extension portion 234 may also be arranged parallel to each other.

[0078] The reinforcing member 232 in this embodiment may have a press-formed structure.

[0079] A first open portion 236 may be formed between the first extension 233 of the first reinforcing member 232a and the first extension 233 of the second reinforcing member 232b, exposing a portion of the upper and / or lower surfaces of the battery cell 110. The first extension 233 can come into contact with the battery cell 110.

[0080] A second open portion 237 may be formed between the third extension 234 of the first reinforcing member 232a and the third extension 234 of the second reinforcing member 232b, exposing a part of the module frame 200 (Figure 13). In this case, a cooling channel CP is formed inside the first reinforcing member 232a and the second reinforcing member 232b, and an insulating coolant is impregnated into the cooling channel CP, allowing the insulating coolant and the battery cell 110 to come into direct contact through the first open portion 236. In addition, the insulating coolant and the module frame 200 (Figure 13) can come into direct contact through the second open portion 237. Thus, according to this embodiment, the insulating coolant can come into direct contact with the battery cell 110 and / or the module frame 200 (Figure 13), thereby improving cooling performance.

[0081] In addition to the differences described above, the materials and structure of the heat dissipation member 130, the heat transfer path, etc., as described in Figures 6 and 7 can also be applied to the heat dissipation member 230 in this embodiment.

[0082] Figure 10 shows a portion of the cell assembly, including the cell unit shown in Figure 6.

[0083] Referring to Figure 10, multiple cell units 125 described in Figures 6 and 7 may be stacked to form a cell assembly 120. The cell unit 125 in this embodiment may include a first battery cell 110a and a second battery cell 110b that are in contact with each other, a first heat dissipation member 131a located on one side of the first battery cell 110a, and a second heat dissipation member 131b located on one side of the second battery cell 110b. Such cell units 125 may be repeatedly arranged to form a cell assembly. According to this embodiment, compression pads 161 may be located between adjacent cell units 125 in a stack of multiple cell units 125. The compression pads 161 may be formed in pairs with one cell unit 125, or one may be formed for every two cell units 125. However, the number of compression pads 161 formed is not limited to this and can be varied.

[0084] Figures 11 and 12 show modified versions of the cell assembly in Figure 10.

[0085] The embodiment described in Figures 11 and 12 is almost identical to the embodiment described in Figure 10, and the differences will be explained below.

[0086] Referring to Figure 11, a compression pad 161 may be formed between the first battery cell 110a and the second battery cell 110b contained in a single cell unit 125. In this case, adjacent cell units 125 may be in contact with each other. Cell units 125 that are in contact with each other may be fixed to each other with an adhesive member (not shown) or the like.

[0087] Referring to Figure 12, a compression pad 161 may be formed between the first battery cell 110a and the second battery cell 110b contained in a single cell unit 125, and furthermore, the compression pad 161 may be located between adjacent cell units 125 in a stack of multiple cell units 125.

[0088] In addition to the differences described above, the content described in Figure 10 can be applied entirely to the embodiments in Figures 11 and 12.

[0089] The aforementioned compression pad 161 reduces the change in the shape of the battery module when the battery cell 110 expands, thereby enhancing safety. When the embodiments in Figure 10, Figure 11, and Figure 12 are referred to as the first embodiment, second embodiment, and third embodiment, respectively, the degree of shock mitigation against expansion increases in the order of the third embodiment, second embodiment, and first embodiment, which allows for a variety of designs that take into account the level required by the user for battery module design.

[0090] Figure 13 shows a portion of the cell assembly, including the cell unit shown in Figure 8.

[0091] Referring to Figure 13, multiple cell units 225 described in Figures 8 and 9 may be stacked to form a cell assembly 120. The cell unit 225 in this embodiment may include a first battery cell 110a and a second battery cell 110b that are in contact with each other, a first heat dissipation member 231a located on one side of the first battery cell 110a, and a second heat dissipation member 231b located on one side of the second battery cell 110b. Such cell units 225 may be repeatedly arranged to form a cell assembly. According to this embodiment, compression pads 161 may be located between adjacent cell units 225 in a stack of multiple cell units 225. The compression pads 161 may be formed in pairs with one cell unit 225, or one may be formed for every two cell units 225. However, the number of compression pads 161 formed is not limited to this and can be varied.

[0092] Figures 14 and 15 show modified versions of the cell assembly in Figure 13.

[0093] The embodiment described in Figures 14 and 15 is almost identical to the embodiment described in Figure 13, and the differences will be explained below.

[0094] Referring to Figure 14, a compression pad 161 may be formed between the first battery cell 110a and the second battery cell 110b contained in a single cell unit 225. In this case, adjacent cell units 225 may be in contact with each other. Cell units 225 that are in contact with each other may be fixed to each other with an adhesive member (not shown) or the like.

[0095] Referring to Figure 15, a compression pad 161 may be formed between the first battery cell 110a and the second battery cell 110b contained in a single cell unit 225, and furthermore, the compression pad 161 may be located between adjacent cell units 225 in a stack of multiple cell units 225.

[0096] In addition to the differences described above, everything explained in Figure 13 can be applied to the embodiments in Figures 14 and 15.

[0097] The aforementioned compression pad 161 reduces the change in the shape of the battery module when the battery cell 110 expands, thereby enhancing safety. The embodiments in Figure 13, Figure 14, and Figure 15 are referred to as the fourth, fifth, and sixth embodiments, respectively. The degree of shock mitigation against expansion increases in the order of the sixth embodiment, the fifth embodiment, and the fourth embodiment, which allows for a variety of designs that take into account the level required by the user for battery module design.

[0098] Another embodiment of the present invention includes the battery module described above. In addition, the battery pack according to this embodiment may have a structure in which one or more battery modules are grouped together and packaged with a battery management system (BMS) for managing the temperature and voltage of the batteries, a cooling device, and the like.

[0099] The aforementioned battery pack can be applied to a variety of devices. Such devices can be used as means of transport, such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles, but the present invention is not limited thereto and is applicable to a variety of devices that can use a battery module, and this also falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0100] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications and improvements by those skilled in the art, using the basic concepts of the present invention as defined in the following claims, also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 100: Battery Module 110: Battery cell 113: Cell Body 120: Cell Assembly 130, 230: Heat dissipation components 131, 231: Plate-shaped member 132, 232: Reinforcement members 132a, 232a: First reinforcing member 132b, 232b: Second reinforcing member 133, 134, 233, 234, 238: Extension part 135, 235: Connection part 136, 236: First Open Section 137, 237: Second Open Section 161: Compression pad 200: Module Frame 125, 225: Cell Unit CP: Cooling channel

Claims

1. A cell assembly in which multiple battery cells are stacked in one direction, A heat dissipation member that is in contact with the battery cell within the cell assembly, A module frame housing the cell assembly, In a battery module, the heat dissipation member includes a plate-shaped member parallel to one surface of the battery cell, and reinforcing members extending from the upper and lower periphery of the plate-shaped member, respectively. The cell unit is The cell assembly includes a first battery cell and a second battery cell, The heat dissipation member includes a first heat dissipation member located on one surface of the first battery cell and a second heat dissipation member located on one surface of the second battery cell, A battery module in which, among the extensions of the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member included in the first heat dissipation member and the second heat dissipation member, respectively, a first open portion is formed between the extensions that extend from the upper periphery and the lower periphery, respectively, so as to contact the upper surface and the lower surface of the first battery cell and the second battery cell, thereby exposing a part of the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a second open portion is formed between the extension of the first reinforcing member and the extension of the second reinforcing member, which are arranged outward from the upper periphery and the lower periphery respectively and extend at a constant interval relative to each other, exposing a part of the module frame.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein cooling channels are formed inside the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member, an insulating coolant is impregnated into the cooling channels, and the insulating coolant and the battery cell are in direct contact through the first open portion.

4. Multiple cell units are stacked within the cell assembly. The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising compression pads located between adjacent cell units among a plurality of stacked cell units.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the cell unit further includes a compression pad located between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

6. Multiple cell units are stacked within the cell assembly. The battery module according to claim 5, further comprising compression pads located between adjacent cell units among the multiple stacked cell units.

7. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a cooling channel is formed between the two extensions.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, wherein the cooling channel is impregnated with an insulating coolant, and the insulating coolant and the reinforcing member are in direct contact.

9. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member has an extruded structure.

10. The battery module according to claim 7, wherein at least two of the extensions extend from the plate-like member in the same direction.

11. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member has a press-formed structure.

12. The battery module according to claim 11, wherein the reinforcing member extends in a zigzag shape from the plate-like member and is formed in the space between the battery cell and the module frame.

13. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing members are formed on the upper and lower peripheries of the plate-shaped member, and the reinforcing members are in contact with the upper and lower parts of the module frame, respectively.

14. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the plate-shaped member and the reinforcing member included in the heat dissipation member are formed integrally, and the reinforcing member is formed by bending the plate-shaped member.

15. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the heat dissipation member comprises aluminum, stainless steel, copper, gold, graphite, graphene, CNT (carbon nanotube), or a composite material thereof.

16. The battery module according to claim 15, wherein the heat dissipation member has a form in which at least two or more of the following are bonded together (lamination): aluminum, stainless steel, copper, gold, graphite, graphene, and CNT (carbon nanotube).

17. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein an insulating coolant is impregnated into the module frame.

18. A battery pack comprising a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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