Battery module and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a battery cell stack having a plurality of battery cells stacked thereon, a frame member having an open top that accommodates the battery cell stack, and an upper plate that covers the battery cell stack on the upper part of the frame member, wherein the frame member comprises two side portions facing each other and a bottom portion connecting the two side portions, and a recess formed inwardly on the side portions.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module and a method for manufacturing the same, and more specifically, to a battery module with improved processability and a method for manufacturing the same. Background Technology

[0002] Secondary batteries, which possess electrical characteristics such as high energy density and high applicability across product categories, are widely applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles powered by electric sources, and power storage devices. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for enhancing eco-friendliness and energy efficiency, not only for the primary advantage of drastically reducing the use of fossil fuels but also because they generate no by-products from energy use.

[0003] While small mobile devices use one or two or three battery cells per device, medium-to-large devices such as automobiles require high output and large capacity. Therefore, medium-to-large battery modules in which multiple battery cells are electrically connected are used.

[0004] Since it is desirable for medium-to-large battery modules to be manufactured with the smallest possible size and weight, prismatic batteries and pouch-type batteries, which can be stacked with high integration density and have a low weight-to-capacity ratio, are mainly used as battery cells for medium-to-large battery modules. Meanwhile, the battery module may include a frame member that houses the battery cell stack in an internal space, with the front and rear sides open, to protect the cell stack from external shock, heat, or vibration.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery module having a conventional monoframe.

[0006] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery module may include a battery cell stack (12) formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells (11), a monoframe (20) with an open front and rear to cover the battery cell stack (12), and an end plate (60) covering the front and rear of the monoframe (20). To form such a battery module, horizontal assembly is required so that the battery cell stack (12) is inserted into the open front or rear of the monoframe (20) along the x-axis direction as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1. However, sufficient clearance must be secured between the battery cell stack (12) and the monoframe (20) so that this horizontal assembly can be stable. Here, clearance refers to a gap created by fitting, etc. If the clearance is small, damage to the parts may occur during the horizontal assembly process. Therefore, the height of the monoframe (20) must be designed to be large, taking into account the maximum height of the battery cell stack (12) and the assembly tolerance during the insertion process, which may result in unnecessarily wasted space. Although a guide film is sometimes used to minimize such assembly tolerance, there is a problem in that the guide film breaks during the insertion process or the cost of replacement increases. The problem to be solved

[0007] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a battery module and a method for manufacturing the same, which improves the speed of inserting a battery cell stack into a frame member and enhances rigidity.

[0008] However, the problems that the embodiments of the present invention aim to solve are not limited to the problems described above and can be expanded in various ways within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention. means of solving the problem

[0009] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a battery cell stack having a plurality of battery cells stacked thereon, a frame member having an open top that accommodates the battery cell stack, and an upper plate that covers the battery cell stack on the upper part of the frame member, wherein the frame member comprises two side portions facing each other and a bottom portion connecting the two side portions, and a recess formed inwardly on the side portions.

[0010] The above-mentioned side portion includes a first region where the above-mentioned recess is located and a second region surrounding the first region, and the second region may be located along at least one edge of the above-mentioned side portion.

[0011] The thickness of the first region and the second region may be the same.

[0012] An inclined portion may be formed in the recessed portion adjacent to the upper end of the above-mentioned side portion.

[0013] The lower end of the recess formed on the side portion above may be spaced apart from the bottom portion above.

[0014] The upper end of the recess formed in the above-mentioned side portion can be formed to match the upper end of the above-mentioned side portion.

[0015] The above-mentioned indentations are formed in multiple numbers on the side portions, and the multiple indentations are formed spaced apart from each other along the length direction of the battery cell, and the indentations can extend long in the height direction of the battery cell.

[0016] The above-mentioned indentations are formed in multiple numbers on the side portions, and the multiple indentations are formed spaced apart from each other along the height direction of the battery cell, and the indentations can extend long in the length direction of the battery cell.

[0017] The above-mentioned depression includes a first depression and a second depression, and the area of ​​the second depression may be smaller than the area of ​​the first depression.

[0018] The above side portion may include a first side portion surrounding the first recess and a second side portion located between the first recess and the second recess.

[0019] The bottom part and the side part included in the above frame member can be formed integrally.

[0020] A method for manufacturing a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of inserting a battery cell stack into a frame member having an open top, and forming an upper frame on the battery cell stack to cover the open top of the frame member, wherein the frame member includes a bottom portion and two side portions facing each other, and an inclined portion is formed in the recessed portion adjacent to the upper end of the side portion, and the step of inserting the battery cell stack into the frame member involves inserting the battery cell stack along the recessed portion formed in the side portion, and the battery cell stack can be inserted while the battery cell stack first comes into contact with the inclined portion.

[0021] In the step of inserting the battery cell stack into the frame member, the battery cell stack can enter through the open upper part of the frame member under the condition that it has a width greater than the inner distance between mutually facing side parts and less than the outer distance between mutually facing side parts.

[0022] The above-mentioned depression can be formed by press molding. Effects of the invention

[0023] According to the embodiments, by stacking battery cell stacks in a vertical direction, the insertion speed can be improved and costs can be reduced by omitting the conventional guide film.

[0024] In addition, by press-forming the inner part of the frame member, the battery cell stack can be naturally inserted into the frame member without having to forcibly spread the upper left and right sides of the frame member.

[0025] In addition, the press-molded structure can prevent performance degradation of the battery cell caused by swelling.

[0026] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description in the claims. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery module having a conventional monoframe. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a method for manufacturing a battery module according to a comparative example of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a frame member included in a battery module and a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a frame member included in the battery module of FIG. 4. Figures 6 and 7 are drawings showing examples of modifications to the frame member of Figure 4. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a battery module including a frame member according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a battery module including a frame member according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front view of the frame member of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a modified example of the frame member of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a battery module including a frame member according to another embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0028] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0029] To clearly explain the present invention, parts unrelated to the explanation have been omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0030] Furthermore, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are depicted arbitrarily for convenience of explanation, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is illustrated. Thicknesses have been enlarged in the drawings to clearly represent various layers and regions. Additionally, for convenience of explanation, the thickness of some layers and regions has been exaggerated in the drawings.

[0031] Furthermore, when a part such as a layer, membrane, region, or plate is said to be "on" or "on" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly above" the other part, but also the case where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part is said to be "directly above" another part, it means that there is no other part in between. Also, saying that a part is "on" or "on" a reference part means that it is located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean that it is located "on" or "on" facing the opposite direction of gravity.

[0032] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a part is described as "including" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0033] Additionally, throughout the specification, "planar" means when the subject part is viewed from above, and "cross-sectional" means when the cross-section obtained by vertically cutting the subject part is viewed from the side.

[0034] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, a battery module (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a battery cell stack (200) formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells (110), a module frame (300) that houses the battery cell stack (200), end plates (650) located on the front and rear sides of the battery cell stack (200), respectively, and a bus bar frame (130) located between the battery cell stack (200) and the end plates (650). Additionally, the battery module (100) may include compression pads (750) located on each side of the battery cell stack (200) and arranged parallel to the battery cells (110).

[0036] The battery cell (110) is a secondary battery and may be composed of a pouch-type secondary battery. The battery cell (110) may be composed of multiple units, and multiple battery cells (110) may be stacked together so as to be electrically connected to each other to form a battery cell stack (200). Although not specifically illustrated, each of the multiple battery cells (110) may include an electrode assembly, a battery case, and an electrode lead protruding from the electrode assembly. Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the multiple battery cells (110) may be arranged parallel to the two side portions (420) of the frame member (400) and stacked sequentially along the y-axis direction.

[0037] The battery cell stack (200) is housed in a module frame (300) that has rigidity for protection against external impacts, etc.

[0038] At this time, the module frame (300) may include a frame member (400) that accommodates a battery cell stack (200) and has an open top (z-axis direction), and an upper frame (450) that covers the open top of the frame member (400). The frame member (400) may include a bottom portion (410) and side portions (420) that extend upward from each of the ends of the bottom portion (410). The frame member (400) may be U-shaped.

[0039] That is, the lower and both sides of the battery cell stack (200) are wrapped by a frame member (400), and the upper part of the battery cell stack (200) can be covered by an upper frame (450).

[0040] A battery cell stack (200) is positioned on the bottom portion (410) of a frame member (400), and then the battery cell stack (200) can be mounted inside a module frame (300) by covering the upper surface of the battery cell stack (200) through an upper frame (450).

[0041] At this time, the frame member (400) and the upper frame (450) may be joined by welding, but the joining method is not limited to this and can be implemented through various embodiments.

[0042] End plates (650) can be attached to the open front and rear sides (x-axis direction and opposite direction) of the frame members (400) and the upper frame (450) that are joined together.

[0043] The end plate (650) can protect various electrical components, including the battery cell stack (200), from external impacts, and at the same time guide the electrical connection between the battery cells (110) of the battery cell stack (200) and an external power source.

[0044] Meanwhile, the battery cell (110) may be a lithium secondary battery or a pouch-type secondary battery. Since such pouch-type secondary batteries are generally provided in a form in which an electrode assembly is embedded in a laminate sheet, they have the advantage of high energy density relative to their small size and weight, but have the disadvantage of weak mechanical strength. In particular, in the case of lithium secondary batteries, the electrode may thicken during the repeated charging and discharging process, or the internal electrolyte may decompose due to side reactions, causing gas to be generated. At this time, the phenomenon in which the pouch-type secondary battery cell swells due to electrode expansion or generated gas is called the 'swelling phenomenon'.

[0045] In this embodiment, compression pads (750) can be placed on each side of the battery cell stack (200). Through these compression pads (750), the battery cells (110) can be strongly compressed from the beginning, thereby reducing the thickness expansion due to swelling relatively, preventing performance degradation of the battery cells (110) due to swelling, and reducing changes in the external shape of the battery module (100).

[0046] These compression pads (750) may include polyurethane foam to suppress swelling.

[0047] Meanwhile, when placing compression pads (750) on each side of the battery cell stack (200), double-sided tape can be provided between each of the battery cell stack (200) and the compression pad (750) to primarily fix the compression pad (750) to the battery cell stack (200).

[0048] Additionally, the compression pad (750) can be secured using a sprayed adhesive instead of double-sided tape. Specifically, the adhesive can be sprayed onto each side of the battery cell stack (200) and then the compression pad (750) can be attached thereon. The adhesive can be sprayed from a nozzle by a pressure pump in a high-temperature molten form.

[0049] Meanwhile, the battery cell stack (200) can be positioned on the bottom portion (410) of the frame member (400) through the open upper surface (z-axis direction) of the frame member (400), but at this time, a defect may occur in which the compression pad (750) is rolled up by the side portion (420). Such a defect has a significant adverse effect on the automated process for manufacturing the battery module (100). To prevent such defects, the battery cell stack insertion process can be carried out using a device such as a spreading jig.

[0050] The battery module (100) according to the present embodiment may further include a thermally conductive resin layer (411) located on the lower surface of the battery cell stack (200). Additionally, when one or more battery modules (100) constitute a battery pack, a heat sink may be located at the bottom of the battery module (100).

[0051] The thermally conductive resin layer (411) may include a thermally conductive resin, and in particular may include a thermally conductive adhesive material. For example, it may include at least one of a silicone-based material, a urethane-based material, and an acrylic-based material, and it is particularly preferable to include a urethane-based material.

[0052] The above thermally conductive resin is a material with excellent thermal conductivity, so that heat generated in the battery cells can be discharged to the outside through the thermally conductive resin layer (411) and the heat sink. However, the above thermally conductive resin includes a thermally conductive adhesive material, and although it is in a liquid state when applied, it can be cured after the battery cell stack (200) is stacked on top of it. Therefore, the thermally conductive resin layer (411) can fix the battery cell stack (200) within the battery module (100). That is, the thermally conductive resin layer (411) in this embodiment not only improves the heat dissipation characteristics of the battery cell stack (200) but also has the effect of effectively fixing the battery cell stack (200).

[0053] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a method for manufacturing a battery module according to a comparative example of the present invention.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 3, the battery module manufacturing method according to the comparative example can forcibly open both sides of the frame member (30) using a spreading jig (35) before mounting the battery cell stack (70) to the bottom of the frame member (30). With both sides of the frame member (30) forcibly opened by the spreading jig (35), the battery cell stack (70) can be inserted into the bottom of the frame member (30). However, depending on the width and height of the frame member (30), if the amount of opening becomes large, there is a problem that it may exceed the elastic limit and cause permanent deformation.

[0055] Accordingly, the battery module (100) according to the present embodiment is designed to eliminate manufacturing process defects as described above by allowing the battery cell stack to be naturally inserted into the frame member without forcibly opening the frame member, and this will be described later.

[0056] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a frame member included in a battery module and a method for manufacturing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a frame member included in the battery module of FIG. 4.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the frame member (400) included in the battery module according to the present embodiment includes a bottom portion (410) and side portions (420) that extend upward from each of the ends of the bottom portion (410). At this time, the bottom portion (410) and the two side portions (420) can be formed integrally.

[0058] A recess (420p) is formed in the side portion (420) of the frame member (400) by press molding. The side portion (420) may include a first region (P1) where the recess (420p) is located and a second region (P2) surrounding the first region (P1). According to the present embodiment, the thickness of the first region (P1) of the side portion (420) where the recess (420p) is formed and the thickness of the second region (P2) of the side portion (420) where the recess (420p) is not formed may be the same.

[0059] The second region (P2) may be located along at least one side edge of the side portion (420). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the recess (420p) may be formed excluding the upper end and both side ends of the side portion (420). An inclined portion (420ps) may be formed in the portion of the recess (420p) adjacent to the upper end of the side portion (420). In this way, the recess (420p) and the inclined portion (420ps) formed by press molding according to the present embodiment serve to allow the battery cell stack (200) to be naturally inserted during the process of inserting the battery cell stack (200) into the frame member (400). At this time, the battery cell stack (200) can be entered through the open upper portion of the frame member (400) under the condition that it has a width greater than the inner distance (d1) between the side portions (420) of the frame members (400) facing each other and less than the outer distance (d2) between the side portions (420) of the frame members (400) facing each other. The width of the battery cell stack (200) may refer to the length in the y-axis direction, which is the direction in which the battery cells (110) are stacked, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0060] The side portion (420) according to the present embodiment may be formed of a metal material, for example, steel or aluminum alloy. The side portion (420) may have a level of rigidity such that the battery cell stack (200) can slide over the side portion (420) of the frame member (400).

[0061] We will now describe the method for manufacturing the battery module described above.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the step of inserting a battery cell stack (200) into a frame member (400) with an open top. At this time, the battery cell stack (200) is inserted along a recess (420p) formed in a side portion (420), and the battery cell stack (200) is inserted while first coming into contact with an inclined portion (420ps) formed in the recess (420p) portion adjacent to the upper end of the side portion (420).

[0063] Subsequently, an upper frame (450) is formed on a battery cell stack (200) to cover the open upper portion of the frame member (400), and the upper frame (450) can be joined to the frame member (400) by means such as welding. Subsequently, end plates (650) can be attached to the open front and rear portions (x-axis direction and opposite direction) of the frame member (400) and the upper frame (450) joined together.

[0064] As such, according to the battery module and the method for manufacturing the same according to the present embodiment, assembly is possible within the elastic limit range of the frame member material regardless of the width and height of the frame member, and the process time can be shortened by omitting the spreading process of the frame member.

[0065] Figures 6 and 7 are drawings showing examples of modifications to the frame member of Figure 4.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 6, unlike what is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the bottom of the recess (420p') formed in the side portion (420) may be spaced apart from the bottom portion (410). In this embodiment, the bottom of the recess (420p') is shown in FIG. 6 in a slanted shape, but unlike the top of the recess (420p'), it may not be slanted and may be perpendicular to the side portion (420).

[0067] Referring to FIG. 7, unlike what is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the upper end of the recess (420p'') formed in the side portion (420) can be formed to substantially match the upper end of the side portion (420).

[0068] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a battery module including a frame member according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 8, the frame member (500) according to the present embodiment includes a bottom portion (510) and side portions (520) that extend upward from each end of the bottom portion (510). At this time, the bottom portion (510) and the two side portions (520) can be formed integrally. In the frame member (400) shown in FIG. 5, a single recess (420p) is formed, whereas in the side portions (520) of the frame member (500) according to the present embodiment, a plurality of recesses (520p) are formed by press molding. The plurality of recesses (520p) can be formed spaced apart from each other along the x-axis direction, which is the length direction of the battery cell (110) shown in FIG. 2. Each recess (520p) extends long in the z-axis direction, which is the height direction of the battery cell (110).

[0070] According to the present embodiment, structural rigidity can be improved by forming a plurality of recesses (520p) through press molding.

[0071] The frame member (500) of FIG. 8 is a modified example of the frame member (400) described in FIG. 5, and all the contents described in FIG. 5, in addition to the differences described above, can be applied to this embodiment.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a battery module including a frame member according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front view of the frame member of FIG. 9.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the frame member (600) according to the present embodiment includes a bottom portion (610) and side portions (620) that extend upward from each end of the bottom portion (610). At this time, the bottom portion (610) and the two side portions (620) can be formed integrally. In the frame member (400) shown in FIG. 5, a single recess (420p) is formed, whereas in the side portion (620) of the frame member (600) according to the present embodiment, a plurality of recesses (620p) are formed by press molding. In the frame member (500) shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of recesses (520p) are formed spaced apart from each other along the length direction of the battery cell, but in the frame member (500) shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of recesses (620p) according to the present embodiment can be formed spaced apart from each other along the z-axis direction, which is the height direction of the battery cell (110). Each recess (620p) extends long in the x-axis direction, which is the length direction of the battery cell (110).

[0074] The frame member (600) of FIG. 9 is a modified example of the frame member (400, 500) described in FIG. 5 and 8, and in addition to the differences described above, all the contents described in FIG. 5 and 8 can be applied to this embodiment.

[0075] FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a modified example of the frame member of FIG. 10.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 11, unlike in FIG. 10, among the plurality of recesses (620p') formed in the side portion (620), the lower end of the recess (620p') located at the bottom of the side portion (620) may be spaced apart from the bottom portion (610). In this embodiment, the lower end of the recess (620p') is shown in FIG. 11 in a slanted shape, but unlike the upper end of the recess (620p'), it may not be slanted and may be perpendicular to the side portion (620).

[0077] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a battery module including a frame member according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 12, the frame member (700) according to the present embodiment includes a bottom portion (710) and side portions (720) that extend upward from each of the ends of the bottom portion (710). At this time, the bottom portion (710) and the two side portions (720) can be formed integrally. In the frame member (400) shown in FIG. 5, a single recess (420p) is formed, whereas in the side portions (720) of the frame member (700) according to the present embodiment, a plurality of recesses (720p) are formed by press molding. In particular, the recesses (720p) according to the present embodiment include a first recess (720p1) and a second recess (720p2), and the area of ​​the second recess (720p2) is smaller than the area of ​​the first recess (720p1). The first recess (720p1) is formed along the edge of the side portion (720), and the second recess (720p2) can be formed in the center of the side portion (720) that is not press-formed.

[0079] The side portion (720) according to the present embodiment may include a first side portion (720a) surrounding a first recess (720p1) and a second side portion (720b) ​​located between the first recess (720p1) and the second recess (720p2).

[0080] The frame member (600) of FIG. 9 is a modified example of the frame member (400, 500) described in FIG. 5 and 8, and in addition to the differences described above, all the contents described in FIG. 5 and 8 can be applied to this embodiment.

[0081] Meanwhile, one or more battery modules according to an embodiment of the present invention may be packaged within a pack case to form a battery pack.

[0082] The battery module or battery pack according to the embodiment described above can be applied to various devices. Such devices may be applied to means of transportation such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be applied to various devices capable of using the battery module and the battery pack including it, and this also falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0083] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention as defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0084] 110: Battery cell 200: Battery cell stack 300: Module Frame 400, 500, 600, 700: Frame member 420, 520, 620, 720: Side 420p, 520p, 620p, 720p: Depression 420ps: Inclined section

Claims

Claim 1 A battery module comprising a battery cell stack having a plurality of battery cells stacked thereon, a frame member having an open top that accommodates the battery cell stack, and an upper plate covering the battery cell stack on the upper part of the frame member, wherein the frame member includes two side portions facing each other and a bottom portion connecting the two side portions, wherein the side portions include a recess formed by a portion being indented inward through press molding, and the edge of the recess adjacent to the upper end of the side portion has a slanted shape. Claim 2 In claim 1, the side portion comprises a first region where the recess is located and a second region surrounding the first region, and the second region is a battery module located along at least one edge of the side portion. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the thickness of the first region and the second region are the same for the battery module. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 In claim 1, the lower end of the recess formed on the side portion is spaced apart from the bottom portion of the battery module. Claim 6 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of the recess formed on the side portion is formed to coincide with the upper end of the side portion. Claim 7 In claim 1, the recesses are formed in plurality on the side portions, the plurality of recesses are formed spaced apart from each other along the length direction of the battery cell, and the recesses extend long in the height direction of the battery cell. Claim 8 In claim 1, the recesses are formed in plurality on the side portions, the plurality of recesses are formed spaced apart from each other along the height direction of the battery cell, and the recesses extend long in the length direction of the battery cell. Claim 9 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the recessed portion includes a first recessed portion and a second recessed portion, and the area of ​​the second recessed portion is smaller than the area of ​​the first recessed portion. Claim 10 In claim 9, the battery module comprises a first side portion surrounding the first recess and a second side portion located between the first recess and the second recess. Claim 11 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion and the side portion included in the frame member are integrally formed. Claim 12 A method for manufacturing a battery module comprising the steps of: inserting a battery cell stack into a frame member having an open top; and forming an upper frame on the battery cell stack to cover the open top of the frame member, wherein the frame member includes a bottom portion and two side portions facing each other, and each of the two side portions includes a recess formed by a portion being indented inward through press molding, and the edge of the recess adjacent to the upper end of each of the two side portions has an inclined shape, and the step of inserting the battery cell stack into the frame member involves inserting the battery cell stack along the recess formed in the side portions, and the battery cell stack is inserted while first coming into contact with the inclined shape. Claim 13 A method for manufacturing a battery module according to claim 12, wherein, in the step of inserting the battery cell stack into the frame member, the battery cell stack enters through the open upper portion of the frame member under the condition that the battery cell stack has a width greater than the inner distance between mutually facing side portions and less than the outer distance between mutually facing side portions. Claim 14 delete

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