Battery module and battery pack including 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 busbar frame connected to the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack, respectively; and a module frame that accommodates the battery cell stack with the busbar frame mounted thereon, wherein the busbar frame includes a support portion that surrounds the end of the battery cell stack and may further include an insulating member extending from the lower surface of the support portion toward the outside of the support portion.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more specifically, to a battery module with improved insulation performance and a battery pack including the same. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing technological development and demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing. In particular, secondary batteries are attracting significant interest as an energy source not only for mobile devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, laptops, and wearable devices, but also for power devices such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles.

[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 consisting of multiple battery cells 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 module frame that houses the battery cell stack in an internal space, with the front and rear sides open, to protect the battery cell stack from external shock, heat, or vibration.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional battery module. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the components included in the battery module of FIG. 1.

[0006] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional battery module (10) comprises a battery cell stack (12) in which a plurality of battery cells (11) are stacked in one direction, a module frame (30, 40) that accommodates the battery cell stack (12), an end plate (15) that covers the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack, and a busbar frame (13) formed between the end plate (15) and the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack (12). The module frame (30, 40) includes a lower frame (30) that covers the lower and both sides of the battery cell stack (12) and an upper plate (40) that covers the upper surface of the battery cell stack (12). In the battery module (10), a thermally conductive resin layer (31) is applied to the lower surface of the lower frame (30) that covers the lower part of the battery cell stack (120), so that the heat generated by the battery cell stack (12) can be cooled.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state before the battery cell stack equipped with the busbar frame of FIG. 2 is combined with the module frame. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the battery cell stack equipped with the busbar frame of FIG. 2 is combined with the module frame.

[0008] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a conventional battery module (10) has stepped portions (30s) formed at both ends of a lower frame (30). Here, an insulating member (33) is attached to at least a portion of the stepped portions (30s), and a blocking pad (35) is attached adjacent to the stepped portions (30s) at the center of the lower frame (30).

[0009] Recently, as battery modules and battery packs are applied to high-performance vehicles, the demand for high-voltage modules and packs is increasing. However, referring to FIG. 4, the boundary portion (30A) located at the boundary between the center of the lower frame (30) and the step portion (30s) is formed with a step formed by the step portion (30s). Here, since the insulating member (33) is not located in the portion corresponding to the boundary portion (30A), sufficient insulation may not be performed between the battery cell (11) and the boundary portion (30A). Accordingly, it is necessary to develop a battery module in which the insulating member (33) is formed in an appropriate location so that the insulation performance between the lower frame (30) and the battery cell (11) is improved. The problem to be solved

[0010] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery module with improved insulation performance and a battery pack including the same.

[0011] The problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the attached drawings. means of solving the problem

[0012] 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 busbar frame connected to the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack, respectively; and a module frame that accommodates the battery cell stack with the busbar frame mounted thereon, wherein the busbar frame includes a support portion that surrounds the end of the battery cell stack and further includes an insulating member that extends from the lower surface of the support portion toward the outside of the support portion.

[0013] The end of the battery cell includes a protrusion formed in the width direction of the battery cell, the protrusion is located on the support member, and the support member may be located between the protrusion and the step formed at one end of the module frame.

[0014] A portion of the insulating member may be located between the support portion and the protrusion, and the remaining portion of the insulating member may be located between the battery cell stack and the lower surface of the module frame.

[0015] The above insulating member can cover the boundary line between the center of the lower surface of the module frame and the stepped portion.

[0016] The insulating member may be extended along the length direction of the stepped portion.

[0017] A blocking pad is located on the lower surface of the above module frame, and the blocking pad may be located adjacent to the above step portion.

[0018] The remaining portion of the above insulating member may be located between the battery cell stack and the blocking pad.

[0019] The above blocking pad may be extended along the width direction of the module frame.

[0020] The above blocking pad may include a resin material.

[0021] The insulating member may include at least one of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PC (polycarbonate), PI (polyimide), and PA (polyamide) materials.

[0022] The above module frame may include a lower frame covering the lower part and both sides of the battery cell stack, and an upper plate covering the upper surface of the battery cell stack.

[0023] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the battery module described above. Effects of the invention

[0024] According to embodiments, the present invention includes an insulating member extending from a support portion of a busbar frame toward the lower surface of a module frame, thereby improving the insulation performance of the battery module.

[0025] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the accompanying drawings. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional battery module. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the components included in the battery module of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state before the battery cell stack equipped with the busbar frame of FIG. 2 is combined with the module frame. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which a battery cell stack equipped with the busbar frame of FIG. 2 is combined with a module frame. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the components included in the battery module of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a battery cell included in the battery module of FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state before the battery cell stack equipped with the busbar frame of FIG. 5 is combined with the module frame. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a cross-section cut along the A-A' axis of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a battery cell stack equipped with the busbar frame of FIG. 9 is combined with a module frame. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a part is described as “comprising” a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0031] 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.

[0032] Hereinafter, a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, the description herein will be based on the front side of the battery module, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and the description may be identical or similar in the case of the rear side.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of components included in the battery module according to FIG. 5.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, the battery module (100) comprises a battery cell stack (120) in which a plurality of battery cells (110) are stacked in one direction, a module frame (300, 400) that accommodates the battery cell stack (120), an end plate (150) that covers the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack, and a busbar frame (130) formed between the end plate (150) and the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack (120). Here, a busbar electrically connected to the battery cell stack (120) may be located on the busbar frame (130).

[0035] Additionally, the module frame (300, 400) includes a lower frame (300) with an open top surface, front surface, and rear surface, and an upper plate (400) that covers the top of the battery cell stack (120). However, the module frame (300, 400) is not limited to this and may be replaced with a frame such as one side being connected to the top of an L-shaped frame, or a mono frame with the center of the bottom being open, which surrounds the battery cell stack (120) excluding the front and rear surfaces. The following description will focus on the lower frame (300), but if it is replaced with another frame as described above, it can be described in the same way as the lower surface of the module frame (300, 400).

[0036] Additionally, a thermally conductive resin layer (310) may be positioned between the battery cell stack (120) and the lower frame (300). The thermally conductive resin layer (310) may be formed by applying and curing a thermally conductive resin on the lower frame (300) before the battery cell stack (120) is mounted on the lower frame (300). Accordingly, the thermally conductive resin layer (310) can transfer heat generated from the battery cell (110) to the bottom of the battery module (100) to cool the battery cell (110).

[0037] Additionally, the battery cell stack (120) housed in the lower frame (300) comprises a plurality of battery cells (110) stacked in one direction (y-axis direction), and it is preferable that the battery cells (110) are pouch-type battery cells. The battery cells (110) can be manufactured by housing an electrode assembly in a pouch case made of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, and then heat-fusing the sealing portion of the pouch case. Such battery cells (110) can be composed of a plurality of such cells, and the plurality of battery cells (110) form a stacked battery cell stack (120) so that they can be electrically connected to each other.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a battery cell included in the battery module of FIG. 5.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the battery cell (110) is preferably a pouch-type battery cell. A battery cell (110) according to one embodiment has a structure in which two electrode leads (115) are positioned opposite each other and protrude from each end of the battery body (113). Additionally, the battery cell (110) may be manufactured in a pouch type by housing an electrode assembly (not shown) in a battery case (117) that includes the battery body (113).

[0040] Here, the battery cell (110) includes a connecting portion (119) which is a region extending along the edge, and a protrusion (110p) of the battery cell (110), called a bat-ear, may be formed at the end of the connecting portion (119). The protrusion (110p) may be formed at least one of the two ends of the connecting portion (119) and may protrude in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the connecting portion (119) extends. The protrusion (110p) may engage with a step portion (300s) formed on one side of the lower surface of the lower frame (300) described later, thereby preventing the battery cell (110) from moving due to external impact. In particular, the battery cell (110) is a pouch-type battery cell, and the thickness of the battery body (113) may be formed to be greater than the thickness of the protrusion (110p).

[0041] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state before the battery cell stack equipped with the busbar frame of FIG. 5 is combined with the module frame. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a cross-section cut along the A-A' axis of FIG. 8.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the battery module (100) according to the present embodiment includes step portions (300s) formed on both sides of the lower surface of the module frame (300, 400). For example, when the module frame (300, 400) includes a lower frame (300) and an upper plate (400), step portions (300s) are formed on both sides of the lower frame (300). Here, the step portions (300s) may extend along the stacking direction (y-axis direction) of the battery cell (110) of the battery cell stack (120). Specifically, the step portions (300s) are formed at one end of the bottom portion of the module frame (300), and the bottom portion of the module frame (300) includes a first portion (300s-1) and a second portion (300s-2). The first part (300s-1) is located at the edge with respect to the length direction of the battery cell (110), and the second part (300s-2) is located inside the first part (300s-1). At this time, it is preferable that the thickness of the first part (300s-1) is thinner than the thickness of the second part (300s-2). Here, the length direction of the battery cell (110) may be the x-axis direction of FIG. 6.

[0043] Accordingly, in the lower frame (300), as the protrusion (110p) of the battery cell (110) described above catches on the step portion (300s), the battery cell (110) can be prevented from moving due to external impact.

[0044] In addition, in this embodiment, the busbar frame (130) includes a support portion (130s) that surrounds the end of the battery cell stack (120). In other words, the support portion (130s) surrounds the end of the battery cell (110). More specifically, the busbar frame (130) has a support portion (130s) formed to surround the lower front and rear sides of the battery cell stack (120). In particular, as described above, the battery cell (110) of the battery cell stack (120) may include a protrusion (110p) facing the lower frame (300), and the support portion (130s) may surround each protrusion (110p) formed on the battery cell (110) of the battery cell stack (120).

[0045] Additionally, the protrusion (110p) is positioned on the support portion (130s), and the support portion (130s) may be positioned between the protrusion (110p) of the battery cell and the step portion (300s). In other words, the lower surface of the support portion (130s) may come into contact with the step portion (300s). More specifically, as the busbar frame (130) is mounted on the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack (120), the lower surface of the protrusion (110p) of the battery cell (110) is wrapped by the support portion (130s), so that the lower surface of the support portion (130s) may come into contact with the step portion (300s).

[0046] Accordingly, the support portion (130s) can protect the protrusion (110p) from external impact. In addition, the support portion (130s) can prevent the battery cell (110) and the lower frame (300) from coming into direct contact, thereby improving insulation performance.

[0048] Below, the insulating member (330) and the blocking pad (350) will be described in more detail, focusing on one end of the lower frame (300).

[0049] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a battery cell stack equipped with the busbar frame of FIG. 9 is coupled to a module frame. FIG. 10(a) is a frontal view of the cross-sectional view showing the state in which a battery cell stack equipped with the busbar frame of FIG. 9 is coupled to a module frame, and FIG. 10(b) is a view of FIG. 10(a) in a rotated state.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in this embodiment, the battery module (100) further includes an insulating member (330) extending from the lower surface of the support member (130s) toward the center of the lower surface of the battery cell stack. The center of the lower surface of the battery cell stack may refer to the middle portion of the lower surface of the battery cell stack corresponding to the area where the thermally conductive resin layer (310) shown in FIG. 6 is formed. The insulating member (330) may extend toward the outside of the support member (130s).

[0051] Here, a portion of the insulating member (330) may be located between the support portion (130s) and the stepped portion (300s), and the remaining portion of the insulating member (330) may be located between the battery cell stack (120) and the lower frame (300). More specifically, the insulating member (330) may cover the boundary line between the center of the lower frame (300) and the stepped portion (300s). Additionally, the insulating member (300) may cover the stepped portion formed at the boundary portion (300A) located at the boundary between the center of the lower frame (300) and the stepped portion (300s).

[0052] More specifically, the insulating member (330) may be extended along the length direction of the stepped portion (300s). Additionally, the insulating member (330) may be extended along the width direction of the stepped portion (300s). However, the width of the insulating member (330) may be adjusted so that there is no contact between the protrusion (110p) and the boundary portion (300A), taking into account the protruding length of the protrusion (110p) of the battery cell (110) described and the step of the boundary portion (300A).

[0053] Accordingly, compared to a conventional battery module (10) in which an insulating member (33) is attached only to the stepped portion (30s), the area of ​​the insulating member (330) in this embodiment is further increased, so that the insulation performance can be further improved. In addition, the protrusion (110p) of the battery cell (110) described above may not be exposed to the stepped portion formed at the boundary portion (300A), so that sufficient insulation performance can be ensured between the battery cell (110) and the lower frame (300).

[0054] In addition, in this embodiment, unlike the process of attaching an insulating member (33) to the stepped portion (30s) of a conventional battery module (10), the process can be further simplified and productivity improved as an insulating member (330) is attached to the support portion (130s).

[0055] Additionally, the insulating member (330) may be made of a material having moldability and flexibility. More specifically, the insulating member (330) may be made of a material that is moldable through 3D forming and has sufficient flexibility, so that the insulating member (330) can be formed taking into account the shape of the stepped portion (300s) of the lower frame (300). For example, the insulating member (330) may be manufactured in the form of a film comprising at least one of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PC (polycarbonate), PI (polyimide), and PA (polyamide) materials, but is not limited thereto.

[0056] The insulating member (330) may be integrated with a part of the lower surface of the support member (130s). Additionally, the insulating member (330) may be attached to a part of the lower surface of the support member (130s).

[0057] For example, an adhesive layer may be positioned between the insulating member (330) and the support member (130s). Additionally, the adhesive layer may extend along the width and length directions of the insulating member (330). The adhesive layer may be formed by being made of tape or coated with an adhesive binder. More preferably, the adhesive layer may be coated with an adhesive binder or made of double-sided tape so that the insulating member (330) and the support member (130s) can be easily fixed together. However, it is not limited thereto, and any material having adhesive performance capable of fixing the insulating member (330) and the support member (130s) together may be applied without limitation. Accordingly, the insulating member (330) can be stably fixed to the support member (130s).

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the battery module (100) according to the present embodiment may have a blocking pad (350) positioned on a lower frame (300). More specifically, it may be positioned adjacent to a step portion (300s) on the lower frame (300). Additionally, the blocking pad (350) may be extended along the width direction of the lower frame (300).

[0059] Here, the blocking pad (350) may include a material having insulating properties. For example, it may include at least one of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PC (polycarbonate), PI (polyimide), and PA (polyamide).

[0060] Accordingly, the blocking pad (350) can prevent the lower frame (300) and the battery cell stack (120) from coming into contact with each other, while also improving the insulation performance between the battery cell stack (120) and the lower frame (300).

[0061] Additionally, an adhesive layer may be positioned between the lower frame (300) and the blocking pad (350). The adhesive layer may extend along the width and length directions of the blocking pad (350). The adhesive layer may be formed by being made of tape or coated with an adhesive binder. More preferably, the adhesive layer may be coated with an adhesive binder or made of double-sided tape so that the lower frame (300) and the blocking pad (350) can be easily fixed together. However, it is not limited thereto, and any material having adhesive performance capable of fixing the lower frame (300) and the blocking pad (350) together may be applied without limitation. Accordingly, the blocking pad (350) can be stably fixed on the lower frame (300). Additionally, a portion of the insulating member (330) may be located between the support portion (130s) and the step portion (300s), and the remaining portion of the insulating member (330) may be located between the battery cell stack (120) and the lower frame (300). More specifically, the remaining portion of the insulating member (330) may be located between the battery cell stack (120) and the blocking pad (350).

[0062] Accordingly, in this embodiment, the insulating member (330) extends from the support portion (130s) to a part of the blocking pad (350), so that sufficient insulation performance can be ensured between the battery cell (110) and the lower frame (300). In addition, the insulating member (330) can be positioned not only between the step portion formed at the boundary portion (300A) and the protrusion (110p) of the battery cell (110) described above, but also between the blocking pad (350) and the protrusion (110p), so that the insulation performance between the battery cell (110) and the lower frame (300) can be further improved.

[0063] Additionally, referring to FIGS. 6, 9, and 10, a thermally conductive resin layer (310) may be positioned between blocking pads (350) formed on both sides of the lower frame (300). Here, the blocking pads (350) may be used without limitation as long as they are made of a material capable of blocking the thermally conductive resin layer (310) from the outside. For example, the blocking pads (350) may include a resin material, but are not limited thereto.

[0064] Accordingly, the blocking pad (350) can adjust the area where the thermally conductive resin layer (310) can be formed, and the blocking pad (350) can prevent the thermally conductive resin from being injected into an unnecessary area.

[0065] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the battery module described above. Meanwhile, one or more of the battery modules according to the present embodiment may be packaged within a pack case to form a battery pack.

[0066] The battery module and the battery pack containing the same 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 containing the same, and this also falls within the scope of the rights of the present invention.

[0067] 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

[0068] 100: Battery module 110: Battery cell 120: Battery cell laminate 130: Busbar Frame 130s: Support part 150: End plate 300: Lower frame 300A: Boundary 300s: Step section 310: Thermally conductive resin layer 330: Insulating member 350: Blocking pad 400: Upper plate

Claims

Claim 1 A battery module comprising: a battery cell stack having a plurality of battery cells stacked thereon; a busbar frame connected to the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack, respectively; and a module frame accommodating the battery cell stack mounted on the busbar frame, wherein the busbar frame includes a support portion that surrounds the end of the battery cell and further includes an insulating member extending from the lower surface of the support portion toward the outside of the support portion, wherein a portion of the insulating member is attached to the lower surface of the support portion and is located between the support portion and a stepped portion formed at one end of the module frame, and the remaining portion of the insulating member is located between the battery cell stack and the lower surface of the module frame. Claim 2 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the end of the battery cell includes a protrusion formed in the width direction of the battery cell, the protrusion is located on the support portion, and the support portion is located between the protrusion and the step portion formed at one end of the module frame. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 In paragraph 2, the insulating member is a battery module that covers the boundary line between the center of the lower surface of the module frame and the stepped portion. Claim 5 In paragraph 4, the insulating member is a battery module extending along the longitudinal direction of the stepped portion. Claim 6 In paragraph 4, a blocking pad is located on the lower surface of the module frame, and the blocking pad is a battery module located adjacent to the stepped portion. Claim 7 In paragraph 6, the remaining portion of the insulating member is a battery module located between the battery cell stack and the blocking pad. Claim 8 In paragraph 7, the blocking pad is a battery module extending along the width direction of the module frame. Claim 9 In paragraph 8, the blocking pad is a battery module comprising a resin material. Claim 10 In claim 1, the insulating member comprises at least one of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PC (polycarbonate), PI (polyimide), and PA (polyamide) materials, forming a battery module. Claim 11 In claim 1, the module frame comprises a lower frame covering the lower part and both sides of the battery cell stack and an upper plate covering the upper surface of the battery cell stack. Claim 12 A battery pack comprising a battery module according to paragraph 1.

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