Battery module and battery pack including the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more specifically, to a battery module and a battery pack including the same that can be applied to a vehicle type requiring a battery capable of having a lower vent and upper cooling. A battery module according to the present invention may include a battery cell assembly formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells, a heat dissipation layer disposed on the upper surface of the battery cell assembly, and a busbar frame disposed to surround a first surface on which a lead of the battery cell assembly protrudes and a lower surface of the battery cell assembly.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and specifically, has the effect of being applicable to vehicle models that require a battery capable of having a lower vent and upper cooling. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, with rising energy prices due to the depletion of fossil fuels and growing concern over environmental pollution, the demand for eco-friendly alternative energy sources has become an indispensable factor for future life. Accordingly, research on various power generation technologies, such as solar, wind, and tidal power, is ongoing, and there is also significant interest in power storage devices, such as batteries, to utilize this generated electrical energy more efficiently.

[0003] Furthermore, as technological development and demand for battery-powered electronic mobile devices and electric vehicles increase, the demand for batteries as an energy source is rapidly rising, and accordingly, much research is being conducted on batteries capable of meeting various requirements.

[0004] Batteries are receiving significant attention as an energy source in various product categories, including mobile devices and electric vehicles. In particular, rechargeable batteries are gaining prominence as an eco-friendly energy source, serving as an excellent energy resource capable of replacing existing fossil fuel-based products, and because they do not generate byproducts from energy consumption.

[0005] Meanwhile, secondary batteries are also attracting attention as a power source for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (Plug-In HEVs), which are being proposed as solutions to address air pollution caused by conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels. In other words, these secondary batteries are utilized in the form of battery packs containing multiple battery modules.

[0006] Conventionally, battery modules were designed with a structure suitable for an upper vent and lower cooling battery structure. Accordingly, battery cells were fixed to the inner bottom surface of the module using resin, and vent holes were machined in the upper part to allow flames and sparks to exit upwards. However, in this case, there is a problem in that it cannot be applied to a module structure optimized for a lower vent structure. The problem to be solved

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a battery module applicable to vehicle types requiring a battery capable of lower venting and upper cooling, and a battery pack including the same, so as to resolve the aforementioned conventional problems. means of solving the problem

[0008] A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a battery cell assembly formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells, a heat dissipation layer disposed on the upper surface of the battery cell assembly, and a busbar frame disposed to surround a first surface on which a lead of the battery cell assembly protrudes and a lower surface of the battery cell assembly.

[0009] The above heat dissipation layer can secure the battery cell assembly.

[0010] A battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention further includes a monoframe that accommodates the battery cell assembly, the heat dissipation layer, and the busbar frame, and a discharge hole may be formed on the lower surface of the monoframe.

[0011] A battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention may further include an upper frame covering a second side in the longitudinal direction of the heat dissipation layer and the battery cell assembly, and a lower frame coupled to the upper frame and having a discharge hole formed therein.

[0012] The battery module according to embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention may include a battery cell that is sealed and a sealing portion formed on a surface facing the busbar frame.

[0013] The lead of the battery cell may be formed on the lower part of the first surface adjacent to the sealing portion.

[0014] The above busbar frame may further include a connector formed above the portion where the lead is joined.

[0015] The battery module according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention may further include an end plate coupled to the first surface.

[0016] The above-mentioned discharge holes may be formed in multiple numbers.

[0017] The battery pack according to the present invention may include a battery module. Effects of the invention

[0018] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and specifically, has the effect of being applicable to vehicle models that require a battery capable of having a lower vent and upper cooling. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0019] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention provided below; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a battery module according to Example 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the front of a battery cell according to embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a busbar frame coupled to the first surface of a battery module according to embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0020] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following embodiments.

[0021] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of related prior art that are irrelevant to the explanation or that may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention have been omitted. Furthermore, when assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing in this specification, identical or similar reference numerals are assigned to identical or similar components throughout the entire specification.

[0022] Furthermore, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention.

[0024] Example 1

[0025] Hereinafter, a battery module (1) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating a battery module according to embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a battery cell according to embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a busbar frame coupled to a first surface of a battery module according to embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, a battery module (1) according to embodiment 1 of the present invention may include a battery cell assembly (10), a heat dissipation layer (20), and a busbar frame (30).

[0028] The battery cell assembly (10) can be formed by stacking multiple battery cells.

[0029] A heat dissipation layer (20) may be placed on the upper surface of a battery cell assembly (10). The heat dissipation layer (20) may secure the battery cell assembly. The temperature of the battery cell assembly (10) may be lowered through the heat dissipation layer (20). The material of the heat dissipation layer (20) may be resin. Resin is an amorphous solid or semi-solid composed of organic compounds and derivatives, and may be a natural resin or a synthetic resin (plastic).

[0030] The busbar frame (30) can be positioned to surround the first surface (11) where the lead (13) of the battery cell assembly (10) protrudes and the lower surface of the battery cell assembly (10). A busbar can be attached to the busbar frame (30). The busbar frame (30) can also serve to support the lower surface of the battery cell assembly (10). A busbar can be formed on the busbar frame (30) facing the first surface (11). A lead (13) can be attached to the busbar.

[0031] The busbar frame (30) can connect the battery cells of the battery cell assembly (10) in series or in parallel and may include a busbar that electrically connects them.

[0032] A battery module (1) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may further include a monoframe (40). The monoframe (40) may accommodate a battery cell assembly (10), a heat dissipation layer (20), and a busbar frame (30). An emission hole (41) may be formed on the lower surface of the monoframe (40). The emission hole (41) may be formed in multiple numbers. A flame or fire of the battery module (1) may be emitted through the emission hole (41).

[0033] When a battery cell in a battery module (1) operates abnormally due to overcharging, over-discharging, overheating, etc., gas may be generated, and the generated gas may cause ignition or explosion of the battery cell. Therefore, gas, flames, etc. are discharged through the discharge hole (41).

[0034] The battery module (1) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may further include a sealing portion (12). More precisely, the sealing portion (12) may be formed on each battery cell constituting the battery module (1). Each battery cell includes an electrode and must be sealed. Thus, the sealing portion (12) is formed. The sealing portion (12) may be formed on the surface facing the busbar frame (30) and sealing the battery cell.

[0035] And the opposite side of the sealing part (12) can become the cooling surface (14). Since the opposite side of the sealing part (12) is a smooth surface without sealing marks (or protrusions), it can become the cooling surface (14) with good cooling efficiency.

[0036] In the case of a conventional battery cell, the lead (13) was positioned close to the cooling surface where the battery cell assembly (10) was cooled. In the past, the heat dissipation layer was located at the bottom of the battery module, and the busbar frame was located at the top. In this case, the lead (13) of the battery cell could be formed at the bottom of the first surface close to the cooling surface.

[0037] However, in the present invention, the heat dissipation layer (20) is located on the upper side of the battery module (1) and the busbar frame (30) is located on the lower side. Therefore, in configuring the lead (13), the battery module (1) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may be configured by inverting the existing battery cell. Accordingly, the lead (13) of the battery cell may be formed on the upper side of the first surface (11). However, in this case, there may be insufficient space to place the connector (70), etc., described later. Therefore, in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, to improve this, the lead (13) of the battery cell may be configured to be formed on the lower side of the first surface (11) close to the sealing part (12). This can be achieved by configuring the lead (13) to be located close to the sealing part (12) from the battery cell manufacturing stage.

[0038] The lead (13) is formed by welding together the positive tabs connected to the positive electrode of the battery cell and the negative tabs connected to the negative electrode.

[0039] Thus, in the present invention, a battery cell in which a lead (13) is formed on the lower part of a first surface (11) adjacent to a sealing portion (12) may be used. To this end, it may be necessary to change the position of the lead (13) portion during the notching process of the battery cell. Additionally, it may be necessary to change the position where the lead (13) protrudes during the process of manufacturing a pouch containing the battery cell.

[0040] The battery module (1) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may further include a connector (70). The connector (70) may be disposed on the busbar frame (30). The connector (70) may be formed above the portion where the lead (13) is coupled to the busbar frame (30). The connector (70) may electrically connect the battery cell assembly (10) to the outside. The connector (70) may serve to connect the charging / discharging function to the outside.

[0041] A battery module (1) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may further include an end plate (80). The end plate (80) may be formed as a pair. The end plate (80) may be joined at a portion corresponding to the first surface (11). The end plate (80) may be joined to a monoframe (40). The end plate (80) and the monoframe (40) may be joined to completely enclose the battery cell assembly (10). The end plate (80) and the monoframe (40) may be joined using a welding method.

[0042] In the prior art, a heat dissipation layer (20) capable of fixing and cooling the battery cells is formed at the bottom of the battery module (1), and the structure is designed such that flames or fire are discharged from the top of the battery module (1). However, due to technological advancements and the devices to which the battery module (1) is applied, a structure in which flames or fire are discharged from the bottom of the battery module (1) has become necessary. Furthermore, when the battery module (1) is applied to a vehicle, a structure in which the configuration for discharging flames or fire from the battery module (1) is designed to be located under the vehicle has become necessary for safety purposes.

[0043] Accordingly, the present invention is devised, and unlike conventional inventions, a heat dissipation layer (20) is formed on the upper part of a battery module (1), and a busbar frame (30) is disposed on the lower part. The heat dissipation layer (20) disposed on the upper part can fix and cool the battery cell assembly (10). The busbar frame (30) disposed on the lower part of the battery module (1) includes a discharge hole (31), so that the flame or fire of the battery module (1) can be discharged downward.

[0045] Example 2

[0046] Hereinafter, a battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

[0047] In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, there may be a difference from Embodiment 1 in that it may include an upper frame (50) and a lower frame (60). Common details with Embodiment 1 will be omitted as much as possible, and Embodiment 2 will be described focusing on the differences.

[0048] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0049] The battery module (1) according to embodiment 2 of the present invention may further include an upper frame (50) and a lower frame (60).

[0050] The upper frame (50) can cover the heat dissipation layer (20) and the second surface (14). The second surface (14) may be a longitudinal side of the battery cell assembly (10). The upper frame (50) may be formed in a U-shape.

[0051] The lower frame (60) can be combined with the upper frame (50). The lower frame (60) and the upper frame (50) can be combined by welding. An emission hole (61) can be formed in the lower frame (60). Multiple emission holes (61) can be formed in the lower frame (60). A flame or fire from the battery module (1) can be emitted through the emission hole (61).

[0052] The upper frame (50) and the lower frame (60) can be combined with the end plate (80) to wrap the battery cell assembly (10). The upper frame (50) and the lower frame (60) can each be combined with the end plate (80).

[0053] The battery module (1) according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention can have the same effect as the battery module (1) according to Embodiment 1 by forming a discharge hole (61) at the bottom of the battery module (1) to discharge flames or flames downward and forming a heat dissipation layer (20) at the top. In the case of Embodiment 2, it has the effect of being applicable to a structure using a battery module frame different from that of Embodiment 1.

[0054] The battery pack may include a battery module (1) according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention.

[0056] Although the present invention has been described above by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Explanation of the symbols

[0057] 1: Battery module 10: Battery cell assembly 11: Page 1 12: Sealing part 13: Lead 20: Heat dissipation layer 30: Busbar frame 40: Monoframe 41,61: Ejection hole 50: Upper frame 60: Lower frame 70: Connector 80: End plate

Claims

Claim 1 A battery module comprising: a battery cell assembly formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells; a heat dissipation layer disposed on the upper surface of the battery cell assembly; and a busbar frame disposed to surround the front surface of a first surface and the lower surface of the battery cell assembly, wherein the first surface is a surface on which a lead of the battery cell assembly protrudes, and a discharge hole is formed in the lower portion of the busbar frame. Claim 2 In claim 1, the heat dissipation layer is a battery module that fixes the battery cell assembly. Claim 3 A battery module according to paragraph 2, further comprising a monoframe accommodating the battery cell assembly, the heat dissipation layer, and the busbar frame, wherein a discharge hole is formed on the lower surface of the monoframe. Claim 4 A battery module according to paragraph 2, further comprising: an upper frame covering the heat dissipation layer and a second side in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell assembly; and a lower frame coupled to the upper frame and having a discharge hole formed therein. Claim 5 A battery module according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the battery cell is sealed and includes a sealing portion formed on the surface facing the busbar frame. Claim 6 In paragraph 5, the lead of the battery cell is a battery module formed on the lower part of the first surface adjacent to the sealing portion. Claim 7 A battery module according to claim 1, further comprising a connector formed above the portion where the lead is joined in the busbar frame. Claim 8 A battery module according to claim 1, further comprising an end plate coupled to the first surface. Claim 9 In paragraph 3, the battery module is formed with a plurality of discharge holes. Claim 10 A battery pack comprising the battery module described in paragraph 1.

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