Battery assembly and battery pack containing it

Abstract

The technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a battery assembly including: a first cell block including a plurality of first battery cells; a second cell block including a plurality of second battery cells and spaced apart from the first cell block; and a thermally conductive block disposed between the first cell block and the second cell block and thermally coupling a first electrode lead of the first cell block and a second electrode lead of the second cell block.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery assembly and a battery pack including the same.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0119622 filed on September 8, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated as a part of the present specification. [Background Art]

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are widely used as an energy source for various wireless devices such as handsets, notebook computers, and wireless vacuum cleaners. In recent years, due to improvements in energy density and economies of scale, the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has decreased dramatically, and as the cruising range of battery electric vehicles (BEV) has increased to a level equivalent to that of fuel vehicles, the main application of secondary batteries has shifted from mobile devices to mobility. As secondary batteries are used in mobility, research on technologies for increasing the energy density of secondary batteries is being actively conducted. [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a battery assembly and a battery pack including the same. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the technical concept of the present invention provides a battery assembly comprising: a first cell block including a plurality of first battery cells; a second cell block including a plurality of second battery cells and separated from the first cell block; and a thermally conductive block disposed between the first cell block and the second cell block, which thermally connects the first electrode lead of the first cell block and the second electrode lead of the second cell block.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the thermal conductive block is characterized by being in direct contact with the first electrode lead of the first cell block and the second electrode lead of the second cell block.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the thermal conductive block further includes a first busbar coupled to the first electrode lead of the first cell block and a second busbar coupled to the second electrode lead of the second cell block, wherein the thermal conductive block is in direct contact with the first busbar and the second busbar.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention further includes a first busbar frame on which the first busbar is mounted, a second busbar frame on which the second busbar is mounted, and a frame that provides an internal space filled with the thermally conductive block and is coupled to at least one of the first busbar frame and the second busbar frame.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the frame includes two side plates spaced apart with the internal space in between, and the two side plates extend from the first busbar frame to the second busbar frame.

[0010] In exemplary embodiments, the present invention further includes a case for housing the first cell block and the second cell block.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the case includes a first cover plate covering the first surface of the first cell block and the first surface of the second cell block, wherein the first cover plate includes cooling channels, and the thermal conductive block is in contact with the first cover plate.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the case includes side cover plates that cover the sides of the first cell block and the sides of the second cell block, and the side cover plates include fastening flanges configured to be fastened to an external support structure.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the system further includes an inter-block busbar extending between the first cell block and the second cell block, which electrically connects the first cell block to the second cell block.

[0014] In exemplary embodiments, the system further includes an additional thermally conductive block positioned between the first cell block and the second cell block, which thermally connects the other first electrode leads of the first cell block to the other second electrode leads of the second cell block, wherein the additional thermally conductive block is separated from the thermally conductive block.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the first cell block and the second cell block are separated in a first direction, the plurality of first battery cells in the first cell block are stacked in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the plurality of second battery cells in the second cell block are stacked in the second direction.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the thermally conductive block is characterized by including a thermal interface material.

[0017] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the technical concept of the present invention provides a battery pack comprising a pack housing and a battery assembly housed in the pack housing, wherein the battery assembly comprises a first cell block containing a plurality of first battery cells, a second cell block containing a plurality of second battery cells and separated from the first cell block, a thermally conductive block disposed between the first cell block and the second cell block and thermally coupling the first electrode lead of the first cell block and the second electrode lead of the second cell block, and a case housing the first cell block and the second cell block.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the case is characterized by including: a first cover plate that covers the first surface of the first cell block and the first surface of the second cell block and includes a cooling channel; a side cover plate that covers the side surface of the first cell block and the side surface of the second cell block and includes a fastening flange that is fastened to a support structure provided on the bottom plate of the pack housing; and a second cover plate that covers the second surface of the first cell block opposite to the first surface and the second surface of the second cell block opposite to the first surface.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the case is characterized by being separated from the bottom plate of the pack housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each battery assembly includes a cell block having multiple battery cells, thereby achieving increased energy density and larger module sizes.

[0021] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode lead of the first cell block and the second electrode lead of the second cell block facing each other and / or the first bus bar and the second bus bar facing each other are thermally coupled by a thermally conductive block, whereby thermal coupling between the cell blocks can be enhanced. This reduces the temperature deviation between the cell blocks, and improves the efficiency of thermal performance management and temperature deviation management for the cell blocks.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a thermally conductive block capable of functioning as a heat diffusion member is attached to the electrode lead and / or the bus bar of the cell block, whereby the phenomenon of increasing heat generation in the electrode lead and / or the bus bar of the cell block can be suppressed while achieving rapid charging conditions according to customer requirements.

[0023] Effects obtainable from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood from the following description by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong. That is, unintended effects accompanying the implementation of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure by those having ordinary knowledge in the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a part of a battery assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating an enlarged region indicated by "EX1" in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view with the inter-block bus bar of FIG. 2 omitted from illustration. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the battery assembly taken along line AA-AA' of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the thermally conductive block of the battery assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 6]It is a cross-sectional view of the battery assembly taken along line BB-BB' in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to that, terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but may be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can properly define the concept of terms in order to describe his own invention in the best way.

[0026] Therefore, the embodiments described in the present specification and the configuration shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, and do not represent all the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can substitute for these at the time of filing the present application.

[0027] In addition, in the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically shown for clearer explanation. Accordingly, the size and proportion of each component do not completely reflect the actual size and proportion.

[0029] First Embodiment Figure 1 is a plan view showing a portion of a battery assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing the region indicated as "EX1" in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of Figure 2, with the interblock busbar 170 omitted from illustration. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the battery assembly 100 along the line AA-AA' in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the thermal conductive block 191 of the battery assembly 100 in Figure 1.

[0030] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the battery assembly 100 may include a first cell block 110 and a second cell block 140 arranged in a first direction (e.g., the Y direction). The first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140 may be separated in the first direction (e.g., the Y direction). Although Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the battery assembly 100 as including two cell blocks, the number of cell blocks included in the battery assembly 100 is not limited to this. For example, the battery assembly 100 may include two or more cell blocks arranged in a first direction (e.g., the Y direction).

[0031] The first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140 can each contain multiple battery cells. Each battery cell is the basic unit of a lithium-ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. Each battery cell can include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a cell case. The electrode assembly housed in the cell case can include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator membrane interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. Depending on the assembly configuration, the electrode assembly can be either a jelly roll type or a stack type. A jelly roll type electrode assembly can include a winding structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator membrane interposed between them. A stack type electrode assembly can include multiple positive electrodes, multiple negative electrodes, and multiple separator membranes interposed between them, stacked sequentially. The positive electrode can include a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material. The negative electrode can include a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material.

[0032] In each of the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140, multiple battery cells can be connected in series and / or in parallel. For example, in each of the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140, multiple battery cells can be connected in series with each other. For example, in each of the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140, multiple battery cells can also be connected in parallel with each other. For example, when defining a bank as a set of two or more battery cells connected in parallel with each other in each of the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140, one bank consisting of two or more battery cells connected in parallel with each other and another bank consisting of two or more battery cells connected in parallel with each other can be connected in series.

[0033] In the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140, each individual battery cell can be a pouch-type battery cell, a cylindrical battery cell, or a prismatic battery cell. The electrode assembly of a pouch-type battery cell is housed in a pouch case containing an aluminum laminate sheet. The electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell is housed in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of a prismatic battery cell is housed in a prismatic metal can.

[0034] In exemplary embodiments, individual battery cells may correspond to pouch-type battery cells. In each of the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140, multiple battery cells may be stacked on top of each other in a second direction (e.g., the X direction). In exemplary embodiments, in each of the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140, multiple battery cells may correspond to pouch-type battery cells in which the length along the second direction (e.g., the X direction) is shorter than the length along the first direction (e.g., the Y direction).

[0035] In this disclosure, a battery cell included in a first cell block 110 may be referred to as a first battery cell 111. A first battery cell 111 may include a first electrode assembly, a first cell case housing the first electrode assembly, and first electrode leads 113 electrically connected to the first electrode assembly. The first cell case may include a first case body having a housing space for housing the first electrode assembly, and a first cell terrace portion 119 surrounding the first case body. The first cell terrace portion 119 is the outer casing of the first cell case and may extend from the first case body. The first cell terrace portion 119 may include a sealing joint for sealing the first electrode assembly. A portion of the first electrode leads 113 may protrude from the first cell terrace portion 119. Each individual first battery cell 111 may include a pair of first electrode leads 113. In each individual first battery cell 111, one of a pair of first electrode leads 113 may protrude outward from a first cell terrace portion 119 at one end of the first cell case along a first direction (e.g., the Y direction), and the other may protrude outward from a first cell terrace portion 119 at the other end of the first cell case along the first direction (e.g., the Y direction). A first clearance space 114 may be provided between the first cell terrace portions 119 of two adjacent first cell blocks 110 among a plurality of first cell blocks 110.

[0036] In this disclosure, a battery cell included in a second cell block 140 may be referred to as a second battery cell 141. A second battery cell 141 may include a second electrode assembly, a second cell case housing the second electrode assembly, and second electrode leads 143 electrically connected to the second electrode assembly. The second cell case may include a second case body having a housing space for housing the second electrode assembly, and a second cell terrace portion 149 surrounding the second case body. The second cell terrace portion 149 is the outer casing of the second cell case and may extend from the second case body. The second cell terrace portion 149 may include a sealing joint for sealing the second electrode assembly. A portion of the second electrode leads 143 may protrude from the second cell terrace portion 149. Each individual second battery cell 141 may include a pair of second electrode leads 143. In each second battery cell 141, one of a pair of second electrode leads 143 may protrude outward from a second cell terrace portion 149 at one end of the second cell case along a first direction (e.g., the Y direction), and the other may protrude outward from a second cell terrace portion 149 at the other end of the second cell case along the first direction (e.g., the Y direction). A second margin space 144 may be provided between the second cell terrace portions 149 of two adjacent second cell blocks 140 among a plurality of second cell blocks 140.

[0037] In plan view, the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140 may each have a rectangular shape with a length along the second direction (e.g., the X direction) shorter than the length along the first direction (e.g., the Y direction). The first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140 may each have two sides opposite to each other in the second direction (e.g., the X direction), a front and a rear surface opposite to each other in the first direction (e.g., the Y direction), and a first surface (e.g., the top surface) and a second surface (e.g., the bottom surface) opposite to each other in the third direction (e.g., the Z direction). The rear surface of the first cell block 110 may face the front surface of the second cell block 140.

[0038] A first busbar frame 120, on which a first busbar 130 is mounted, can be positioned on the front and rear surfaces of the first cell block 110. The first busbar 130 may include a first interbusbar and a first terminal busbar 131. The first interbusbar can be coupled to the first electrode leads 113 of different first battery cells 111 belonging to the first cell block 110, thereby electrically connecting the different first battery cells 111. The first terminal busbar 131 can be coupled to at least one of the first electrode leads 113 protruding from the first cell terrace portion 119 of the first battery cell 111. The first terminal busbar 131 can electrically connect the first cell block 110 to a second cell block 140 or other external electrical devices. The first busbar frame 120 on the front of the first cell block 110 can be equipped with one or more first interbusbars and one or more first terminal busbars 131, and the first busbar frame 120 on the rear of the first cell block 110 can be equipped with one or more first interbusbars and one or more first terminal busbars 131.

[0039] A second busbar frame 150, on which busbars are mounted, can be positioned on the front and rear surfaces of the second cell block 140. The second busbar 160 may include a second interbusbar and a second terminal busbar 161. The second interbusbar can be coupled to the second electrode leads 143 of different second battery cells 141 belonging to the second cell block 140, thereby electrically connecting the different second battery cells 141. The second terminal busbar 161 can be coupled to at least one of the second electrode leads 143 protruding from the second cell terrace portion 149 of the second battery cell 141. The second terminal busbar 161 can electrically connect the second cell block 140 to the first cell block 110 or other external electrical devices. The second busbar frame 150 located on the front of the second cell block 140 can be equipped with one or more second intermediate busbars and one or more second terminal busbars 161, and the second busbar frame 150 located on the rear of the second cell block 140 can be equipped with one or more second intermediate busbars and one or more second terminal busbars 161.

[0040] The battery assembly 100 may include a thermally conductive block 191 disposed in the space provided between the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140. The thermally conductive block 191 is thermally conductive and electrically insulated. In exemplary embodiments, the thermally conductive block 191 may be formed from a thermal interface material (TIM) and / or a thermally conductive resin. The thermally conductive block 191 extends between the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140 and can thermally bond the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140. The battery assembly 100 may include one or more thermally conductive blocks 191. In exemplary embodiments, a plurality of thermally conductive blocks 191 spaced apart from each other along a second direction (e.g., the X direction) may be disposed in the space provided between the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the thermally conductive block 191 can be in direct contact with the first electrode lead 113 of the first cell block 110 and the second electrode lead 143 of the second cell block 140, and can thermally bond the first electrode lead 113 of the first cell block 110 and the second electrode lead 143 of the second cell block 140.

[0042] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal conductive block 191 can be in direct contact with the first busbar 130 and the second busbar 160, and can thermally bond the first busbar 130 and the second busbar 160. The thermal conductive block 191 can be bonded to the first interbusbar or the first terminal busbar 131. The thermal conductive block 191 can be bonded to the second interbusbar or the second terminal busbar 161.

[0043] The battery assembly 100 may include a frame 193 that houses a thermal conductive block 191. The thermal conductive block 191 may at least partially fill the internal space provided by the frame 193. The frame 193 may include two side plates separated in a second direction (e.g., the X direction) with the internal space in which the thermal conductive block 191 is housed in between. In plan view, the two side plates of the frame 193 may each extend in a first direction (e.g., the Y direction) between a first busbar frame 120 and a second busbar frame 150. The frame 193 may be coupled to at least one of the first busbar frame 120 and the second busbar frame 150. In exemplary embodiments, the frame 193 may be a part of the first busbar frame 120 or a part of the second busbar frame 150 and may have the same material composition as the first busbar frame 120 or the second busbar frame 150.

[0044] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the first electrode leads 113 of the first cell block 110 and the second electrode leads 143 of the second cell block 140, and / or the first busbars 130 and 2 busbars 160, which face each other, are thermally coupled by the thermally conductive block 191, thereby strengthening the thermal coupling between the cell blocks. This reduces the temperature deviation between the cell blocks and improves the efficiency of thermal performance management and temperature deviation management for the cell blocks.

[0045] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a thermally conductive block 191 that can function as a heat diffusion member is attached to the electrode leads and / or busbars of the cell block, thereby suppressing the deepening of heat generation of the electrode leads and / or busbars of the cell block while achieving rapid charging conditions according to customer requirements.

[0046] The battery assembly 100 may include an inter-block busbar 170 configured to electrically connect the first cell block 110 to the second cell block 140. The inter-block busbar 170 may extend across the space provided between the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140 and extend in a first direction (e.g., the Y direction) from a first terminal busbar 131 provided on the rear surface of the first cell block 110 to a second terminal busbar 161 provided on the front surface of the second cell block 140. The inter-block busbar 170 may be coupled to the first terminal busbar 131 and the second terminal busbar 161 respectively, electrically connecting the first terminal busbar 131 to the second terminal busbar 161. The inter-block busbar 170 may be fastened to the first terminal busbar 131 via a first bolt 181 and to the second terminal busbar 161 via a second bolt 183. The inter-block busbar 170 may include a first end fastened to a first fastening head of the first terminal busbar 131, a second end fastened to a second fastening head of the second terminal busbar 161, and a connecting portion extending between the first and second ends. The connecting portion of the inter-block busbar 170 may include a bent portion to mitigate external impacts.

[0047] The first bolt 181 is inserted into the hole at the first end of the interblock busbar 170 and the hole in the first terminal busbar 131, and the first bolt 181 is fitted into a nut so that the first end of the interblock busbar 170 can be tightly fastened to the first terminal busbar 131. The first end of the interblock busbar 170 and the first fastening head of the first terminal busbar 131 can be accommodated in a first clearance space 114 provided between the first cell terraces 119 of two adjacent first cell blocks 110. The first busbar frame 120 has a first recess 121 located in the first clearance space 114 provided between the first cell terraces 119 of two adjacent first cell blocks 110, and the first recess 121 of the first busbar frame 120 can accommodate and support the first end of the interblock busbar 170 and the first fastening head of the first terminal busbar 131.

[0048] The second bolt 183 is inserted into the hole at the second end of the interblock busbar 170 and the hole in the second terminal busbar 161, and the second bolt 183 engages with a nut so that the second end of the interblock busbar 170 can be tightly fastened to the second terminal busbar 161. The second end of the interblock busbar 170 and the second fastening head of the second terminal busbar 161 can be accommodated in a second clearance space 144 provided between the second cell terraces 149 of two adjacent second cell blocks 140. The second busbar frame 150 has a second recess 151 located in the second clearance space 144 provided between the second cell terraces 149 of two adjacent second cell blocks 140, and the second recess 151 of the second busbar frame 150 can accommodate and support the second end of the interblock busbar 170 and the second fastening head of the second terminal busbar 161.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the fastening portions between the interblock busbar 170 and the first terminal busbar 131, and between the interblock busbar 170 and the second terminal busbar 161, can be aligned in a first direction (e.g., the Y direction), which is the arrangement direction of the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140. In this case, the first bolt 181 fastened to the first fastening head of the first terminal busbar 131 and the second bolt 183 fastened to the second fastening head of the second terminal busbar 161 can be aligned in the first direction (e.g., the Y direction). Furthermore, in plan view, the interblock busbar 170 can extend linearly along a second direction (e.g., the X direction). When the fastening portions between the interblock busbar 170 and the first terminal busbar 131 of the first cell block 110, and between the interblock busbar 170 and the second terminal busbar 161 of the second cell block 140 are aligned in a first direction (e.g., the Y direction), which is the alignment direction of the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140, the risk of loosening of the first bolt 181 and / or the second bolt 183 due to relative movement between the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140 can be reduced, and the reliability of the electrical connection between the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140 can be improved.

[0050] The battery assembly 100 may include a case 201 that houses the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140 and is fastened and supported to an external pack housing (see 501 in Figure 7). The case 201 may include a first cover plate 211, two side cover plates 213, and a second cover plate 215. The first cover plate 211 may be called the upper cover plate, and the second cover plate 215 may be called the lower cover plate.

[0051] The first cover plate 211 can cover the first surface of the first cell block 110 and the first surface of the second cell block 140. The first cover plate 211 can be attached to the first surface of the first cell block 110 and the first surface of the second cell block 140, and can be thermally bonded to the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140. The first cover plate 211 can be attached to the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140, respectively, via a thermally conductive adhesive layer. For example, the thermally conductive adhesive layer may include TIM.

[0052] The first cover plate 211 may have a cooling channel 2111 through which a cooling fluid flows, and may be configured to cool the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140. The first cover plate 211 may be called a cooling plate. The first cover plate 211 may be thermally bonded to the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140 via a thermally conductive adhesive layer, and may be configured to cool the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140. Cooling fluid supplied from outside the battery assembly 100 may flow into the cooling channel 2111 through the inlet of the cooling channel 2111 via a pipe 220, flow along the cooling channel 2111, and discharged through the outlet of the cooling channel 2111, and the cooling fluid may be discharged to the outside via another pipe 220. For example, the cooling channel 2111 may provide a single path from its inlet to its outlet. Cooling of the battery assembly 100 can be performed while the cooling fluid flows along the cooling channel 2111. For example, the first cover plate 211 can be manufactured by joining two plates, and the cooling channel 2111 can include a defined space between the two plates.

[0053] The second cover plate 215 can cover the second surface of the first cell block 110 and the second surface of the second cell block 140. The second cover plate 215 can be separated from the first cover plate 211 in a third direction (e.g., the Z direction) with the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140 in between. The second cover plate 215 may include venting holes for exhausting hot gases originating from the first cell block 110 and / or the second cell block 140 into the space beneath the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140.

[0054] The two side cover plates 213 can be separated from each other in a second direction (e.g., the X direction) with the first cell block 110 and the second cell block 140 in between. One of the two side cover plates 213 can cover the first side of the first cell block 110 and the first side of the second cell block 140 and be coupled to the first cover plate 211 and the second cover plate 215. The other of the two side cover plates 213 can cover the second side of the first cell block 110 and the second side of the second cell block 140 and be coupled to the first cover plate 211 and the second cover plate 215. Each side cover plate 213 may include a plurality of fastening flanges 2131 that are fastened to and supported by an external pack housing (see 501 in Figure 7).

[0055] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the battery assembly 100 includes cell blocks (e.g., a first cell block 110 and a second cell block 140) each having a plurality of battery cells, thereby enabling increased energy density and larger modules.

[0056] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the battery assembly 100 along the line BB-BB' in Figure 1.

[0057] Referring to Figure 6 in conjunction with Figures 1 to 5, the thermal conductive block 191 can extend in a third direction (e.g., the Z direction) between the first cover plate 211 and the second cover plate 215 of the case 201. The thermal conductive block 191 can be coupled to the first cover plate 211 having a cooling channel 2111. In this case, the thermal conductive block 191 can provide a heat conduction path between the first cell block 110 and the first cover plate 211, and a heat conduction path between the second cell block 140 and the second cover plate 215. More specifically, the first electrode leads 113 and / or the first busbar 130 of the first cell block 110 can be thermally coupled to the first cover plate 211 via the thermal conductive block 191, and the second electrode leads 143 and / or the second busbar 160 of the second cell block 140 can be thermally coupled to the first cover plate 211 via the thermal conductive block 191. Since the electrode leads and / or busbars of the cell block can be cooled by heat conduction, thermal damage to the electrode leads and / or busbars of the cell block can be prevented.

[0058] (Second Embodiment) Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack 500 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereafter, explanations that overlap with those described above will be omitted or simplified.

[0059] Referring to Figure 7, the battery pack 500 may include a pack housing 501 and a battery assembly 100 mounted on the pack housing 501. The battery pack 500 may include one or more battery assemblies 100 mounted on the pack housing 501.

[0060] The pack housing 501 may include a lower housing 510 having a housing space for housing a battery assembly 100, and a pack lid 520 coupled to the lower housing 510 so as to cover the lower housing 510 housing the battery assembly 100. The housing space of the lower housing 510 may be defined by a bottom plate 511 facing the lower surface of the battery assembly 100, and side walls 513 located at the edge of the bottom plate 511. Multiple support structures 515 for supporting the battery assembly 100 may be provided on the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510. The multiple support structures 515 may be spaced apart from each other in a second direction (e.g., the X direction), and each of the multiple support structures 515 may extend in a first direction (e.g., the Y direction). The length of an individual support structure 515 along the first direction (e.g., the Y direction) may be the same as or longer than the length of the battery assembly 100 along the first direction (e.g., the Y direction).

[0061] The battery assembly 100 can be mounted in the pack housing 501 using a side-mounting method. Multiple support structures 515, each extending in a first direction (e.g., the Y direction), can be provided on the bottom plate of the pack housing 501, and the battery assembly 100 can be fastened to these support structures 515 by fastening members such as bolts BT. More specifically, the battery assembly 100 can be mounted in the pack housing 501 by fastening the fastening flanges 2131 of the side cover plate 213 to corresponding support structures 515 using bolts BT.

[0062] When the battery pack 500 is installed in the vehicle, a passenger cabin room can be located above the pack lid 520, and the ground on which the vehicle travels can be located below the lower housing 510.

[0063] The battery assembly 100 can be supported by a support structure 515 provided on the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 in a side-mounting manner, and a free volume FV can be provided between the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 and the battery assembly 100, with the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 and the battery assembly 100 separated in a third direction (e.g., the Z direction). Gases and flames generated in thermal runaway conditions can be moved through the free volume FV. In other words, the free volume FV becomes a venting passage through which hot gases and flames can be moved.

[0064] Furthermore, when foreign objects are scattered under the vehicle and a strong impact occurs during driving on hard ground such as unpaved roads, the free volume FV can absorb that impact. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery assembly 100 from being damaged by the impact. The free volume FV may include the empty space between the battery assembly 100 and the lower housing 510. When the lower housing 510 deforms towards the battery assembly 100 due to an impact applied to the underside of the vehicle, the free volume FV can tolerate the deformation of the lower housing 510 to a certain extent.

[0065] The height of the free volume FV and the distance between the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 and the battery assembly 100 can be set to a sufficient extent to absorb external shocks. The height of the free volume FV can be determined by considering the dimensions and rigidity of the vehicle frame, the dimensions and rigidity of the lower housing 510, the dimensions of the battery pack 500, the amount of gas generated and the exhaust rate during thermal runaway, etc. For example, if the thickness or rigidity of the vehicle frame or the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 is relatively large, at least one of the size and height of the free volume FV can be made relatively smaller. Also, if the thickness or rigidity of the vehicle frame or the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510 is relatively small, there is a high possibility of deformation of the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510, so at least one of the size and height of the free volume FV can be made relatively larger to protect the battery assembly 100. Furthermore, if the size of the battery pack 500 is relatively large according to the specifications of the battery pack 500, a relatively large free volume FV can be ensured. When the size of the battery pack 500 is relatively small, the available height of the free volume FV may be relatively low, which may necessitate increasing the thickness and rigidity of the bottom plate 511 of the lower housing 510. Furthermore, if the height of the free volume FV is too low, the gas exhaust passage becomes smaller, potentially causing a rapid increase in the internal pressure of the battery pack 500 during thermal runaway. Therefore, the size and height of the free volume FV can be determined by considering the gas generation rate and exhaust rate.

[0066] The maximum height of the free volume FV can be determined according to the damage tolerance limit of the battery cells 111 contained in the battery assembly 100. For example, if the damage tolerance limit of the battery cells 111 is 1 mm, the free volume FV can be determined so that the battery cells 111 do not deform by more than 1 mm when the lower housing 510 deforms and presses against the lower surface of the battery cells 111. In this case, the amount of deformation of the lower housing 510 may vary depending on the thickness and rigidity of the lower housing 510. Therefore, the size and height of the free volume FV can be determined by considering both the damage tolerance limit of the battery cells 111 and the thickness and rigidity of the lower housing 510.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper surface of the battery assembly 100 can be in close contact with the lower surface of the pack lid 520. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery assembly 100 can be suspended and supported by the pack lid 520. If there is a space between the battery assembly 100 and the pack lid 520, during thermal runaway, hot gases can be introduced into the space between one battery assembly 100 and the pack lid 520, allowing heat and flames to propagate to other adjacent battery assemblies 100, and also to the pack lid 520, potentially affecting the cabin room above the pack lid 520. Therefore, by ensuring that the upper surface of the battery assembly 100 and the lower surface of the pack lid 520 are in close contact, gases and flames generated inside the battery pack 500 can be directed to the free volume FV.

[0068] (Third embodiment) Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle 1000 equipped with a battery pack 1100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Figure 8 shows, for the sake of simplicity, only the vehicle body frame 1200, which forms the lower frame of the vehicle, the battery pack 1100 connected to the vehicle body frame 1200, and the tires. The battery pack 1100 may include the battery pack 500 described with reference to Figure 7.

[0070] In a typical battery pack, the battery module is installed at the bottom of the battery pack housing. In this embodiment, a free volume (see FV in Figure 7) can be provided below the battery assembly 100 of the battery pack 1100, and there may be no space or only a very narrow space between the battery assembly 100 and the pack lid 520. This prevents gases generated in the battery assembly 100 from being transmitted to the cabin room above the vehicle, and these gases are guided to the free volume FV provided between the battery assembly 100 and the pack housing 501 of the battery pack 1100. The gases can flow through the free volume FV and be discharged to the underside of the vehicle through a gas exhaust section installed in the battery pack 1100. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since a free volume FV is provided between the battery assembly 100 and the pack housing 501 within the battery pack 1100, damage to the battery assembly 100 can be prevented even if the pack housing 501 deforms.

[0071] According to embodiments of the present invention, the battery pack 1100 and the electric vehicle 1000 equipped therewith can enhance passenger safety. Furthermore, the battery assembly 100, which is a core component, can be protected, improving the durability of the battery pack 1100 and the electric vehicle 1000.

[0072] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described herein are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for them at the time of filing. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 100 Battery Assembly 110 Cell Block 1 111 First battery cell 113 First electrode lead 114 First Spare Space 119 First Cell Terrace Section 120 First busbar frame 121 First recess 130 First Bus Bar 131 Terminal 1 Bus Bar 140 Cell Block 2 141 Second battery cell 143 Second electrode lead 144 Second Spare Space 149 Second Cell Terrace Section 150 Second Busbar Frame 151 Second recess 160 Second Bus Bar 161 Terminal 2 Bus Bar 170-block busbar 181 First bolt 183 Second bolt 191 Thermally conductive block 193 frames 201 cases 211 First cover plate 213 Side cover plate 215 Second cover plate 220 pipe 500 Battery Pack 501 Pack Housing 510 Lower Housing 511 Bottom plate 513 Side wall 515 Support Structure 520 Pack Lid 1000 electric vehicles 1100 Battery Pack 1200 Body frame 2111 Cooling Channel 2131 Fastening flange

Claims

1. A first cell block including multiple first battery cells, A second cell block comprising multiple second battery cells, separated from the first cell block, A thermally conductive block is positioned between the first cell block and the second cell block, and thermally connects the first electrode lead of the first cell block and the second electrode lead of the second cell block. A first busbar coupled to the first electrode lead of the first cell block, A second busbar coupled to the second electrode lead of the second cell block, Includes, The thermally conductive block is a battery assembly that is in direct contact with the first busbar and the second busbar.

2. A first busbar frame to which the first busbar is attached, The second busbar frame to which the second busbar is attached, A frame that provides an internal space filled with the aforementioned heat-conductive block and is coupled to at least one of the first busbar frame and the second busbar frame, The battery assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The frame includes two side plates separated by the internal space between them, The battery assembly according to claim 2, wherein the two side plates extend from the first busbar frame to the second busbar frame.

4. The battery assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a case for housing the first cell block and the second cell block.

5. The case includes a first cover plate that covers the first surface of the first cell block and the first surface of the second cell block. The first cover plate includes a cooling channel. The battery assembly according to claim 4, wherein the thermal conductive block is in contact with the first cover plate.

6. The case includes side cover plates that cover the sides of the first cell block and the sides of the second cell block. The battery assembly according to claim 4, wherein the side cover plate includes a fastening flange configured to be fastened to an external support structure.

7. An inter-block busbar extending between the first cell block and the second cell block, electrically connecting the first cell block to the second cell block. The battery assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. The present invention further includes an additional thermally conductive block positioned between the first cell block and the second cell block, which thermally connects the other first electrode leads of the first cell block to the other second electrode leads of the second cell block. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the additional thermal conductive block is separated from the thermal conductive block.

9. The first cell block and the second cell block are separated in a first direction. In the first cell block, the plurality of first battery cells are stacked in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein in the second cell block, the plurality of second battery cells are stacked in the second direction.

10. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive block includes a thermal interface material.

11. Pack housing and The battery assembly housed in the aforementioned pack housing, Includes, The aforementioned battery assembly is A first cell block including multiple first battery cells, A second cell block comprising multiple second battery cells, separated from the first cell block, A thermally conductive block is positioned between the first cell block and the second cell block, and thermally connects the first electrode lead of the first cell block and the second electrode lead of the second cell block. A case for housing the first cell block and the second cell block, A first busbar coupled to the first electrode lead of the first cell block, A second busbar coupled to the second electrode lead of the second cell block, Includes, The thermal conductive block is in direct contact with the first busbar and the second busbar of the battery pack.

12. The aforementioned case is, A first cover plate covering the first surface of the first cell block and the first surface of the second cell block, including a cooling channel, A side cover plate including fastening flanges that cover the sides of the first cell block and the sides of the second cell block and are fastened to a support structure provided on the bottom plate of the pack housing, A second cover plate covering the second surface of the first cell block opposite to the first surface and the second surface of the second cell block opposite to the first surface, The battery pack according to claim 11, including the following:

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein the case is separated from the bottom plate of the pack housing.

Images