Battery cell stack assembly and battery pack comprising same

Abstract

Provided are a battery cell stack assembly and a battery pack comprising same. The battery cell stack assembly according to one aspect of the present specification comprises: cell stacks in which a plurality of battery cells are vertically stacked so that the leads are disposed on at least one of the sides, one side or the other side, in a horizontal first direction; and a cooling plate disposed between the plurality of battery cells, wherein the cell stacks, multiply provided, are arrayed in a horizontal second direction intersecting the horizontal first direction, and the cooling plate extends in the horizontal second direction so as to pass over the plurality of cell stacks arranged in the horizontal second direction.

Description

Battery cell stack assembly and battery pack including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell stack assembly and a battery pack including the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a battery cell stack assembly capable of efficiently performing surface cooling and a battery pack including the same.

[0002] Lithium secondary batteries store and produce electrical energy through the intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions between the anode and cathode. Lithium secondary batteries boast excellent storage capacity, voltage, and lifespan characteristics, making them ideal for use in laptops, smartphones, and even electric vehicles.

[0003] Typically, lithium secondary batteries are often configured with multiple battery cells electrically connected in series and / or parallel. Specifically, multiple battery cells are stacked horizontally in an upright position to form a battery cell stack (e.g., a battery module). Such battery cell stacks may be used alone, or two or more may be electrically connected in series and / or parallel to form higher-level devices such as battery packs.

[0004] However, when multiple battery cells are packed into a small space like this, they can be vulnerable to fire. For example, a single battery cell could experience thermal propagation, releasing high-temperature gases. This thermal propagation could then spread to other nearby battery cells and even other battery packs.

[0005] Accordingly, the lithium secondary battery industry continues to strive to prevent thermal runaway in battery cells. As part of these efforts, various cooling methods for battery cells are being studied. For example, a conventional method has been introduced in which a heatsink for cooling the battery cells is placed at the top or bottom of the battery cell stack.

[0006] However, the conventional upper or lower cooling method did not provide effective cooling due to insufficient contact area between the heat sink and the battery cell, which limited its ability to delay thermal runaway of the battery cell and improve the rapid charging performance of lithium secondary batteries.

[0007] In addition, in the case of conventional battery cell stacks, since they have a structure in which multiple battery cells are horizontally stacked in an upright state, it was difficult to derive an efficient cooling structure in which a cooling plate for cooling one surface cools multiple battery cells simultaneously.

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present specification is to provide a battery cell stack assembly and a battery pack including the same, which are designed to solve at least some of the problems of the prior art, and which effectively perform cooling of battery cells through a surface cooling method, thereby improving thermal runaway delay performance and rapid charging performance of lithium secondary batteries.

[0009] In addition, the present invention provides a battery cell stack assembly and a battery pack including the same, which enable more efficient cooling of battery cells through a structure in which one cooling plate can cool multiple battery cells simultaneously.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure for achieving the above object, a battery cell stack assembly comprises a cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are vertically stacked so that leads are arranged on at least one of one side and the other side in a horizontal first direction, and a cooling plate arranged between the plurality of battery cells, wherein the cell stacks are provided in plurality and arranged in a horizontal second direction intersecting the horizontal first direction, and the cooling plate can extend in the horizontal second direction so as to be arranged across the plurality of cell stacks arranged in the second direction.

[0011] Through this, the cooling of the battery cell can be effectively performed, thereby delaying thermal runaway and improving the rapid charging performance of lithium secondary batteries.

[0012] Additionally, more efficient cooling of battery cells can be achieved through a structure in which one cooling plate can cool multiple battery cells simultaneously.

[0013] In addition, the cooling plate includes an inlet through which refrigerant flows in and an outlet through which refrigerant flows out, and the inlet may be formed on one side of the cooling plate in the second direction, and the outlet may be formed on the other side of the cooling plate in the second direction.

[0014] Additionally, a plurality of cell stacks are arranged spaced apart from each other so that a gap is formed between two adjacent cell stacks, and venting gas generated from the battery cells can flow through the gap.

[0015] Additionally, the cooling plate may have an opening formed corresponding to the position where the gap is formed, through which venting gas can pass in an up-and-down direction.

[0016] Additionally, the opening can be formed in a shape that is sunken inward from one side and the other side of each edge in the horizontal first direction of the cooling plate.

[0017] Additionally, the opening may be formed as an opening extending in the horizontal first direction.

[0018] In addition, the cell stack includes a base plate disposed on at least one of the upper and lower portions, and a first venting hole can be formed in the base plate corresponding to a position where a gap is formed, through which a venting gas can pass in an up-and-down direction.

[0019] Additionally, the battery cell stack assembly may further include a side plate coupled to the base plate and covering the cell stack in a first horizontal direction, and an upper plate coupled to the side plate and covering the cell stack on the opposite side of the base plate.

[0020] Additionally, the upper plate may be provided with a second venting hole through which venting gas can pass.

[0021] In addition, a plurality of cooling plates are provided at a level, and the plurality of cooling plates may each extend in a second horizontal direction, and the plurality of cooling plates may be arranged in a first horizontal direction.

[0022] Additionally, cooling plates may be further provided on the lower and upper portions of the cell stack, and two battery cells may be arranged between two adjacent cooling plates.

[0023] Additionally, the cooling plate may include an elastic material.

[0024] Additionally, a refrigerant path through which refrigerant flows and a gas pocket formed on at least one side of the refrigerant path may be formed inside the cooling plate, separated from the refrigerant path by a partition wall.

[0025] According to an aspect of the present disclosure for achieving the above object, a battery pack includes a housing and a battery cell stack assembly accommodated inside the housing, the battery cell stack assembly including a cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are vertically stacked such that a lead is formed on at least one of one side and the other side in a horizontal first direction, and a cooling plate disposed between the plurality of battery cells, the cell stacks are provided in plurality and arranged in a horizontal second direction intersecting the horizontal first direction, and the cooling plate can extend in the horizontal second direction so as to be provided across the plurality of cell stacks arranged in the horizontal second direction.

[0026] In addition, the battery cell stack assembly includes a base plate disposed on at least one of the upper or lower portions, and a plurality of cell stacks are arranged spaced apart from each other so that a gap is formed between two adjacent cell stacks, and a hole through which a venting gas can pass in an up-and-down direction can be formed in the base plate corresponding to a position where the gap is formed.

[0027] Additionally, a venting path may be formed between the surface adjacent to the base plate in the housing and the base plate.

[0028] Additionally, the base plate is positioned at the bottom of the battery cell stack assembly to support the load of the battery cell stack assembly.

[0029] Additionally, the battery pack may further include a cell tray supporting the battery cell stack assembly, and the cell tray may include an opening positioned to face the venting hole of the base plate.

[0030] Additionally, a venting path can be formed between the cell tray and the housing through which gas introduced through the opening can flow.

[0031] In addition, the battery cell stack assembly may be provided in multiple numbers, and the multiple battery cell stack assembly may be arranged in a horizontal first direction.

[0032] In addition, it may include a coolant inlet passage provided on at least one of one side and the other side of the horizontal second direction of the battery cell stack assembly, and a coolant discharge passage provided on at least one of one side and the other side of the horizontal second direction of the battery cell stack assembly.

[0033] By using a battery cell stack assembly according to the present specification, cooling of battery cells can be effectively performed, thereby delaying thermal runaway and improving rapid charging performance of lithium secondary batteries.

[0034] Additionally, more efficient cooling of battery cells can be achieved through a structure in which one cooling plate can cool multiple battery cells simultaneously.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present specification.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the internal structure of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present specification.

[0037] FIG. 3 is an exemplary exploded perspective view illustrating a battery cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present specification.

[0038] FIG. 4 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a battery cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present specification.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a front upper portion view obliquely illustrating a portion of a battery cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present specification.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a battery cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present specification.

[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a cooling plate of a battery cell stack assembly according to another embodiment of the present specification.

[0042] FIG. 8 illustrates another example of a cooling plate of a battery cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present specification.

[0043] FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate an assembly process of a battery cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present specification.

[0044] Before going into the detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted with meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term in order to explain his own invention in the best way. Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0045] The same reference numbers or symbols used in each drawing attached to this specification represent parts or components that perform substantially the same functions. For convenience of explanation and understanding, the same reference numbers or symbols may be used in different embodiments. In other words, even if components with the same reference numbers are depicted in multiple drawings, they do not necessarily represent a single embodiment.

[0046] In the following description, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms such as "comprises" or "comprises" should be understood to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0047] In addition, in the description below, expressions such as top, upper, lower, lower, side, front, and rear are expressed based on the direction shown in the drawing, and it is noted in advance that they may be expressed differently if the direction of the object in question changes.

[0048] Additionally, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., may be used in this specification and claims to distinguish between components. These ordinal numbers are used to distinguish identical or similar components from each other, and the use of these ordinal numbers should not be interpreted in a limited manner. For example, components associated with these ordinals should not be interpreted in a restricted manner, such as in the order of use or arrangement, based on their numbers. If necessary, each ordinal number may be used interchangeably.

[0049] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the presented embodiments. For example, those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention may propose other embodiments within the spirit of the present invention by adding, modifying, or deleting components, etc., but such embodiments will also be considered within the spirit of the present invention. The shapes and sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present specification. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the internal structure of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present specification.

[0051] In the present invention, the horizontal second direction is defined as a direction intersecting the horizontal first direction. For example, the horizontal second direction may mean a direction intersecting perpendicularly to the horizontal first direction.

[0052] Hereinafter, based on Fig. 2, the first horizontal direction is described as the X-axis direction in the drawing, and the second horizontal direction is described as the Y-axis direction.

[0053] A battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present specification may include a housing (11), a base plate (130), a battery cell stack assembly (100), a coolant inlet passage (12), and a coolant outlet passage (13), but may be implemented excluding some of these, and additional configurations are not excluded. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the battery pack (10) may further include a cell tray (14) on which the base plate (130) is mounted and supported.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery pack (10) may include a housing (11). Inside the housing (11), a battery cell stack assembly (100), a coolant inlet passage (12), and a coolant outlet passage (13) may be accommodated.

[0055] The battery pack (10) may include a base plate (130). The base plate (130) may be horizontally installed inside the housing (11). When a plurality of battery cell stack assemblies (100) are installed, the base plate (130) may be installed as one over the entire position where the plurality of battery cell stack assemblies (100) are installed, or may be installed in a number corresponding to each battery cell stack assemblies (100) and arranged at a position corresponding to the position of each battery cell stack assemblies (100).

[0056] The base plate (130) can be placed on at least one of the upper and lower portions of the cell stack (101, shown in FIG. 3) constituting the battery cell stack assembly (100). For example, the base plate (130) can be placed on the lower portion of the cell stack (101, shown in FIG. 3). In this case, the base plate (130) can support the battery cell stack (101, shown in FIG. 3) in the direction of gravity. That is, the base plate (130) can support the load of the battery cell stack (101, shown in FIG. 3).

[0057] A first venting hole (131) through which venting gas can pass may be formed in the base plate (130). The specific location and structure of the first venting hole (131) will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0058] A venting path (F, illustrated in FIG. 6) may be formed between the base plate (130) and one surface of the housing (11) adjacent thereto. Gas or particles generated by the venting phenomenon of the battery cells (110, illustrated in FIG. 3) constituting the cell stack (101, illustrated in FIG. 3) pass through the first venting hole (131) of the base plate (130), flow along the venting path (F, illustrated in FIG. 6), and may be exhausted to the outside of the battery pack (10) through the venting member (16) provided in the housing (11) of the battery pack (10).

[0059] In various embodiments, the battery pack (10) may further include a cell tray (14) on which a battery cell stack assembly (100) is mounted and supported. For example, referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of battery cell stack assembly (100) may be accommodated inside a housing (11) while being mounted on a cell tray (14).

[0060] The cell tray (14) can be formed of a material having sufficient rigidity to stably support a plurality of battery cell stacked assemblies (100), for example, a metal or resin material.

[0061] In embodiments, the cell tray (14) may include a plurality of openings (15) through which gas or flames discharged from the battery cell stack assembly (100) may pass. For example, the plurality of openings (15) in the cell tray (14) may be arranged to face the first venting holes (131) of the base plate (130), and the gas or flames generated in the battery cell stack assembly (100) may flow downward through the openings (15) of the cell tray (14) through the first venting holes (131) of the base plate (130).

[0062] In embodiments, a venting passage (F), which is a space through which gas or flame can flow, may be formed between the cell tray (14) and the housing (11). Alternatively, the venting passage (F) may be formed inside the cell tray (14).

[0063] However, in embodiments, a plurality of battery cell stacked assemblies (100) may be accommodated by being directly mounted in the housing without a separate cell tray (14). In this case, a venting path (F) may be formed between the base plate (130) and the housing.

[0064] The battery pack (10) may include one or more battery cell stacking assemblies (100). The battery cell stacking assemblies (100) may be accommodated inside a housing (11). In the battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery cell stacking assemblies (100) may be placed on top of a base plate (130) and supported in the direction of gravity. The base plate (130) may also be understood as a component of the battery cell stacking assemblies (100).

[0065] The battery cell stack assembly (100) may extend in the second horizontal direction (y). The battery cell stack assembly (100) may be provided in plurality. In this case, a plurality of battery cell stack assemblies (100), each extending in the second horizontal direction (y), may be arranged in the first horizontal direction (x). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the battery pack (10) may be composed of one battery cell stack assembly (100). Each battery cell stack assembly (100) may be referred to as a battery module, but it is not necessarily to be interpreted as a battery module in the form of a battery cell accommodated in a battery module case.

[0066] The specific structure of the battery cell stack assembly (100) will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0067] The battery pack (10) may include a coolant inlet (12). The coolant inlet (12) may be provided on at least one of one side and the other side of the second horizontal direction (y) of the battery cell stack assembly (100). For example, when the inlet (121) formed on the cooling plate (120) of the battery cell stack assembly (100) is formed on one side of the second horizontal direction (y) of the cooling plate (120), the coolant inlet (12) may be correspondingly arranged on one side of the second horizontal direction (y) of the battery cell stack assembly (100).

[0068] The battery pack (10) may include a coolant discharge path (13). The coolant discharge path (13) may be provided on at least one of one side and the other side in the second horizontal direction (y) of the battery cell stack assembly (100). For example, when the outlet (122) formed on the cooling plate (120) of the battery cell stack assembly (100) is formed on the other side in the second horizontal direction (y) of the cooling plate (120), the coolant discharge path (13) may be correspondingly arranged on the other side in the second horizontal direction (y) of the battery cell stack assembly (100).

[0069] In various embodiments, the battery pack (10) may further include an upper cover (11a) coupled to an open side of the housing (11) to cover an upper surface of the battery cell stack assembly (100). For example, referring to FIG. 1, the housing (11) that accommodates the battery cell stack assembly (100) may have a box-shaped structure that is open upward, and the upper cover (11a) may be coupled to an upper side of the housing (11) to close an internal space of the housing.

[0070] In embodiments, a venting path may be formed between the upper cover (11a) and the battery cell stack assembly (100) through which gas discharged upward from the battery cell stack assembly (100) can flow.

[0071] FIG. 3 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a battery cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a battery cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The exploded perspective view of FIG. 4 may be in a state where the side plates and the upper plate are omitted. FIG. 5 is an oblique view of the upper front area of ​​the battery cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the battery cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] Hereinafter, a battery cell stack assembly (100) according to an embodiment of the present specification may include a base plate (130), a cell stack (101), and a cooling plate (120), but may be implemented by excluding some of these, and additional configurations are not excluded. For example, the battery pack (10) may further include a cell tray (14) on which the base plate (130) is mounted and supported.

[0073] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, the horizontal direction intersecting the direction in which the cell stacks (101) are arranged may be referred to as the first horizontal direction (x), and the direction in which the cell stacks are arranged may be referred to as the second horizontal direction (y).

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the battery cell stack assembly (100) may include a cell stack assembly (101). The cell stack assembly (101) may be provided in plurality. The plurality of cell stacks (101) may be arranged in a second horizontal direction (y) to form the battery cell stack assembly (100). It may be understood that the plurality of cell stacks (101) are arranged in a second horizontal direction (y), which is a horizontal direction intersecting the first horizontal direction (x), which is a direction in which leads of the battery cells (110) face. The number of arrayed plurality of cell stacks (101) may vary depending on the length of the housing in the second horizontal direction (y).

[0075] The cell stack (101) may include a plurality of battery cells (110). For example, the battery cells (110) may be plate-shaped battery cells having a flat shape, and the cell stack (101) may be configured by vertically stacking a plurality of plate-shaped battery cells (110) that are laid horizontally. However, the specific shape of the battery cells (110) is not limited to that described above, and battery cells of various shapes other than plate-shaped battery cells may be stacked to form the cell stack (101).

[0076] The number of stacked battery cells (110) can be specified in accordance with the height of the housing (11, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2). Through this structure, the battery cell stack assembly (100) can be manufactured by stacking the battery cells (110) one after another in response to the direction of gravity, so that the battery cell stack assembly (100) can be easily manufactured.

[0077] The plurality of battery cells (110) may include leads (111). The leads (111) may be portions that serve as electrodes. The leads (111) may be arranged on at least one of one side and the other side of each of the plurality of battery cells (110) in the horizontal first direction (x). For example, the lead (111) constituting the positive electrode may be formed on one side of the battery cell (110) in the horizontal first direction (x), and the lead (111) constituting the negative electrode may be formed on the other side of the battery cell (110) in the horizontal first direction (x). Alternatively, both the lead (111) constituting the positive electrode and the lead (111) constituting the negative electrode may be arranged on one or the other side of the battery cell (110) in the horizontal first direction (x).

[0078] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, a plurality of cell stacks (101) may be arranged spaced apart from each other. A gap (G) may be formed between two adjacent cell stacks (101) among the plurality of cell stacks (101). Venting gas generated from the battery cells (110) may flow through the gap (G). That is, the gap (G) formed between the plurality of cell stacks (101) may guide the flow path of the venting gas generated by the venting phenomenon of the battery cells (110).

[0079] Specifically, referring to FIG. 6, the venting gas emitted from the battery cell (110) may have a high probability of being generated at one or the other edge of the second horizontal direction (y) of the battery cell (110) due to the manufacturing process. At this time, since the plurality of cell stacks (101) are spaced apart from each other, the one or the other edge of the second horizontal direction (y) of the battery cell (110) may be exposed to the gap (G) between the plurality of cell stacks (101). Therefore, the venting gas may be emitted into the gap (G), and the emitted venting gas may pass through the gap (G) and the first venting hole (131) provided in the base plate (130) to flow into the venting path (F).

[0080] The battery cell stack assembly (100) may include a cooling plate (120). The cooling plate (120) may be arranged between at least a plurality of battery cells (110). For example, two layers of battery cells (110) may be provided between two layers of cooling plates (120) so that the cooling plates (120) face at least one surface of the battery cells (110). This ensures cooling performance while increasing energy density compared to a structure in which one layer of cooling plates (120) and one layer of battery cells (110) are alternately stacked. In addition, the cooling plates (120) may be arranged on the upper and lower portions of the cell stack assembly (101). Through this structure, all battery cells (110) may be in contact with the cooling plates (120), so that cooling of the battery cells (110) may be effectively achieved.

[0081] The cooling plate (120) may extend in the second horizontal direction (y). The cooling plate (120) may be provided across a plurality of cell stacks (101) arranged in the second horizontal direction (y). For example, a cooling plate (120) disposed between the second battery cell (110) and the third battery cell (110) under one cell stack (101) may extend to another adjacent cell stack (101) and may also be disposed between the second battery cell (110) and the third battery cell (110) under another adjacent cell stack (101). It may be understood that the plurality of cell stacks (101) share the cooling plate (120) with each other. Through this, a structure in which the cooling plate (120) comes into contact with all battery cells (110) can be implemented while reducing the number of cooling plates (120), so that the coolant flow path is simplified, cooling efficiency is improved, and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0082] A plurality of cooling plates (120) arranged at one level of the cell stack (101) may be provided. For example, based on one battery cell stack assembly (100), two cooling plates (120) arranged at one level of the cell stack (101) may be provided, and the two cooling plates (120) may be arranged in the first horizontal direction (x). If the cooling plate (120) arranged at one level of the cell stack (101) is configured as a single plate, the path of the refrigerant flow path formed inside the cooling plate (120) may become longer, and thus the cooling effect may decrease as it goes toward the outlet (122). When a plurality of cooling plates (120) are provided at one level of the cell stack (101) and the width of the cooling plates (120) in the horizontal first direction (x) is reduced, the coolant flow path inside the cooling plates (120) is simplified so that the coolant flowing in from the inlet (121) can move more quickly to the outlet (122), thereby improving the cooling effect of the battery cells (110).

[0083] However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and if a sufficient cooling effect is achieved even when only one cooling plate (120) is arranged at one level of the cell stacks (101), only one cooling plate (120) may be provided at one level of the cell stacks (101), and a case in which three or more cooling plates (120) are provided at one level of the cell stacks (101) is not excluded.

[0084] The cooling plate (120) may include an inlet (121) and an outlet (122). The refrigerant may be introduced into the cooling plate (120) through the inlet (121). The refrigerant may be discharged from the cooling plate (120) through the outlet (122).

[0085] The inlet (121) and the outlet (122) may be formed on at least one of the horizontal second direction (y) side and the other side of the cooling plate (120), respectively. That is, it may be understood that the inlet (121) and the outlet (122) are formed in a direction crossing the direction in which the leads (111) of the battery cells (110) are formed. Through this, the inlet (121) and the outlet (122) may not interfere with the leads (111) protruding from the battery cells (110) in the horizontal first direction (x) and the bus bars (140) connected thereto, thereby simplifying the structure of the battery cell stack assembly (100).

[0086] For example, in order to efficiently cool the cooling plate (120) by allowing the refrigerant to quickly flow from one side in the horizontal first direction (x) to the other side, the inlet (121) may be formed on one side in the horizontal second direction (y) of the cooling plate (120), and the outlet (122) may be formed on the other side in the horizontal second direction (y) of the cooling plate (120). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and both the inlet (121) and the outlet (122) may be provided on one or the other side in the horizontal second direction (y) of the cooling plate (120). In addition, each of the inlets (121) and the outlets (122) may be provided in multiples on one cooling plate (120).

[0087] The cooling plate (120) can control the swelling phenomenon of the battery cell (110). For this purpose, the cooling plate (120) may include an elastic material. Through this, when swelling of the battery cell (110) occurs, the cooling plate (120) can pressurize at least a portion of the battery cell (110) so that the battery cell (110) is not damaged, thereby preventing the cooling plate (120) from being damaged due to swelling. The elastic material is not particularly limited, but any material known in the art to have elasticity, such as silicone resin and urethane resin, can be appropriately used.

[0088] The cooling plate (120) may have a gas pocket (not shown) formed inside in addition to a refrigerant path through which the refrigerant can flow. The gas pocket may be sealed so as not to communicate with the outside of the cooling plate (120). The gas pocket may be formed on both sides of at least a portion of the refrigerant path, or may be formed on only one side of at least a portion of the refrigerant path. The gas pocket may be separated from the refrigerant path by a partition wall. Through this, the cooling plate cools the battery cell, and at the same time, the elasticity of the cooling plate (120) is improved by the gas pocket, thereby suppressing the battery cell (110) from swelling.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, an opening (O) may be formed in the cooling plate (120). The opening (O) may be formed at a position corresponding to a position where a gap (G) is formed between two adjacent cell stacks (101). Venting gas emitted by venting of the battery cell (110) may pass through the cooling plate (120) in an up-and-down direction (for example, a direction perpendicular to both the x-axis and the y-axis) through the opening (O). The specific structure of the cooling plate (120) will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0090] The battery cell stack assembly (100) may include a base plate (130). The base plate (130) may be placed on at least one of the upper and lower portions of the cell stack assembly (101). For example, the base plate (130) may be placed on the lower portion of the cell stack assembly (101).

[0091] A first venting hole (131) may be formed in the base plate (130). The first venting hole (131) may be formed at a position corresponding to a position where a gap is formed between two adjacent cell stacks (101). Venting gas may pass through the base plate (130) in the vertical direction through the first venting hole (131).

[0092] The first venting holes (131) may be formed in plurality, and the plurality of first venting holes (131) may be perforated in a horizontal first direction (x) at positions corresponding to gaps (G) formed between the plurality of cell stacks (101). Since the base plate (130) must support the weight of the cell stacks (101) and the cooling plate (120), if a small number of the first venting holes (131) are formed large, the rigidity of the base plate (130) may be weakened, causing the cell stacks (101) to collapse. Therefore, it may be preferable to form a large number of first venting holes (131) having a relatively small size.

[0093] However, it is not limited thereto, and when the base plate (130) is formed of a strong material, the first venting hole (131) may be formed in a shape that extends long in the second horizontal direction (y) and corresponds to each gap (G).

[0094] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the battery cell stack assembly (100) may include a bus bar (140). The bus bar (140) may be arranged on at least one of one side and the other side of the cell stack assembly (101) in the horizontal first direction (x). The bus bar (140) may be electrically connected to the lead (111) of the battery cell (110). For example, when the lead (111) is formed on each of one side and the other side of the battery cell (110) in the horizontal first direction (x), the bus bar (140) may be provided on each of one side and the other side in the horizontal first direction (x) corresponding to the formation position of the lead (111) of the battery cell (110). However, the invention is not limited thereto, and when the lead (111) is formed only on one side or the other side of the battery cell (110), the bus bar (140) may be provided only on one side or the other side of the battery cell (110) corresponding to the formation position of the lead (111) of the battery cell (110).

[0095] The battery cell stack assembly (100) may include a busbar fixing member (150). The busbar fixing member (150) may be provided on the opposite side of the cell stack (101) with respect to the busbar (140). The busbar fixing member (150) may guide the position of the busbar (140) in order to fix the position of the cell stack (101) connected to the busbar (140).

[0096] A coolant passage (not shown) may be formed on the inside of the busbar fixing member (150). In addition, the busbar fixing member (150) may be provided to contact the busbar (140). The busbar fixing member (150) may cool the busbar (140).

[0097] In various embodiments, the battery cell stack assembly (100) may further include a side plate (160) coupled with the base plate (130) to cover the cell stack (101) in a first horizontal direction (x-axis direction) and an upper plate (170) coupled with the side plate (160) to cover the cell stack (101) on the opposite side of the base plate (130).

[0098] For example, referring to FIG. 3, side plates (160) may be provided in pairs and joined to both edges of the base plate (130). The pair of side plates (160) may be made of a material having sufficient rigidity to protect the cell stack (101) disposed therebetween.

[0099] An upper plate (170) may be coupled to the upper side of the side plate (160). The upper plate may cover the upper side of the cell stack (101). If necessary, a cooling plate (120) may be placed at the uppermost end of the cell stack (101), and in this case, the upper plate (170) may be placed to face the cooling plate (120).

[0100] Various joining methods can be applied to the joining between the lower plate (130), the side plate (160), and the upper plate (170), such as a mechanical joining method using a separate joining member (not shown) or a bonding method using an adhesive member (not shown).

[0101] In embodiments, the upper plate (170) may be provided with one or more second venting holes (171) through which the venting gas may pass. For example, referring to FIGS. 3 and 6 together, the upper plate (170) may be provided with a plurality of second venting holes (171) arranged to face the opening (O) of the cooling plate (120) in the vertical direction (e.g., in the direction perpendicular to both the x-axis and the y-axis). The venting gas emitted by the venting of the battery cell (110) may move upward through the opening (O) and may escape to the upper side of the battery cell stack assembly (100) through the second venting holes (171) arranged to face the opening (O).

[0102] Referring to FIG. 6, a venting path through which gas can flow may be formed between the upper plate (170) and the upper cover (11a). Alternatively, unlike as shown in the drawing, in embodiments, a separate free space may not be formed between the upper plate (170) and the upper cover (11a), and the gas passing through the upper plate (170) may be configured to pass directly through the upper cover (11a) and be discharged to the outside of the battery pack (10).

[0103] The second venting holes (171) of the upper plate (170) can be perforated in a horizontal first direction (x) at positions corresponding to gaps (G) formed between the plurality of cell stacks (101).

[0104] Meanwhile, in various embodiments, at least one of the side plate (160) and the upper plate (170) may be omitted in the battery cell stack assembly (100). For example, the battery cell stack assembly (100) may be implemented in a form in which a plurality of battery cells (110) and a cooling plate (120) are stacked and fixed on the upper side of a base plate (130) disposed inside the housing (11) without the side plate (160) and the upper plate (170).

[0105] Fig. 7 illustrates an example of a cooling plate of a battery cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present specification. Fig. 8 illustrates another example of a cooling plate of a battery cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present specification.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 7, an opening (O) may be formed in the cooling plate (120). Venting gas emitted from the battery cells (110) may flow in a vertical direction (for example, a direction perpendicular to both the x-axis and the y-axis in FIGS. 1 to 6) through a gap (G) formed between a plurality of cell stacks (101), and at this time, the gap (G) between the plurality of cell stacks (101) may be connected in a vertical direction through the opening (O) of the cooling plate (120).

[0107] The opening (O) may be formed in various shapes in the cooling plate (120). For example, referring to FIG. 7, the opening (O) may be formed in a shape that is sunken inward from each edge on both sides of the cooling plate (120) at a portion corresponding to the position of the gap (G) formed between a plurality of cell stacks (101) among the cooling plates (120). At this time, a portion of the cooling plate (120) disposed on one cell stack (101) and a portion of the cooling plate (120) disposed on a cell stack (101) adjacent to the one cell stack (101) may be connected to each other by a connecting portion (123), and the refrigerant passages formed in each of the two portions may be communicated with each other by a refrigerant passage provided inside the connecting portion (123). The connecting portion (123) may be provided with at least a width that allows a refrigerant passage to be formed inside.

[0108] In contrast, referring to FIG. 8, the opening (O) may be formed in the shape of an opening that extends in a horizontal first direction in the central region of the cooling plate (120) at a portion corresponding to the position of the gap (G) formed between the plurality of cell stacks (101) among the cooling plates (120). Here, the extension may mean that the width of the opening in the horizontal first direction is wider than the width of the opening in the horizontal second direction. In addition, unlike as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the opening (O) may be formed as a plurality of openings that vertically penetrate the cooling plate (120) at a portion corresponding to the position of the gap (G) formed between the plurality of cell stacks (101) among the cooling plates (120).

[0109] FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate an assembly process of a battery cell stack assembly according to one embodiment of the present specification.

[0110] Below, an example is described in which the base plate (130) is placed at the bottom of the cell stack (101).

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a first level cooling plate (120) extending in a second horizontal direction (y) can be placed on a base plate (130). At this time, the cooling plate (120) can be placed so that the opening (O) of the cooling plate (120) and the first venting hole (131) of the base plate (130) overlap each other in a vertical direction.

[0112] The cooling plates (120) may be arranged in two rows, but as described above, the number of cooling plates (120) at any one level may not be limited to two.

[0113] Referring to Fig. 11, a battery cell (110) may be stacked on a cooling plate (120). When viewed from above the battery cell (110), the lead (111) of the battery cell (110) may be arranged to protrude from the cooling plate (120) in one and the other horizontal first direction (x), respectively. Through this, the bus bar (140) to be coupled to the lead (111) and the cooling plate (120) may not interfere with each other.

[0114] Battery cells (110) can be stacked at positions corresponding to the positions where each of the plurality of cell stacks (101) is to be formed. That is, the battery cells (110) can be stacked at positions that do not vertically overlap with the first venting hole (131) formed in the base plate (130) and the opening (O) formed in the cooling plate (120).

[0115] Battery cells (110) can be stacked two at a time at positions corresponding to the positions where each of the plurality of cell stacks (101) is to be formed. Among these, the battery cell (110) positioned below can be cooled by coming into contact with the cooling plate (120) positioned below it, and the battery cell (110) positioned above can be cooled by coming into contact with the cooling plate (120) positioned above it.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 12, a second level cooling plate (120) may be stacked on top of the battery cell (110). The shape and position of the second level cooling plate (120) may correspond to the first level cooling plate (120).

[0117] Next, the process illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 may be repeated multiple times. For example, the process illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 may be repeated two more times. As a result, the cell stack (101) may be configured such that, from the bottom, a first level of cooling plates (120), two battery cells (110), a second level of cooling plates (120), two battery cells (110), a third level of cooling plates (120), two battery cells (110), and finally a fourth level of cooling plates (120) are sequentially stacked, such that two battery cells (110) are arranged between two adjacent cooling plates (120).

[0118] However, the number of stacked cooling plates (120) and battery cells (110) stacked on each cell stack (101) may vary depending on the required power and / or the specifications of the battery pack housing (11, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0119] Any or all of the embodiments of this specification described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct. Any or all of the embodiments of this specification described above may have their respective components or functions combined or used together.

[0120] For example, it means that a configuration A described in a particular embodiment and / or drawing can be combined with a configuration B described in another embodiment and / or drawing. That is, even if a combination between configurations is not directly described, it means that a combination is possible, except in cases where a combination is described as impossible.

[0121] The above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in any respect and should be considered illustrative only. The scope of this specification should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of this specification are intended to be embraced therein.

[0122] [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 10: Battery pack

[0124] 11: Housing

[0125] 12: Refrigerant inlet

[0126] 13: Refrigerant exhaust

[0127] 100: Battery cell stack assembly

[0128] 101: Cell stack

[0129] 110: Battery cell

[0130] 111: Lead

[0131] 120: Cooling plate

[0132] 121: Inlet

[0133] 122: Outlet

[0134] 123: Connection

[0135] 130: Base Plate

[0136] 131: Hall

[0137] 140: Busbar

[0138] 150: Busbar fixing member

[0139] G: Gap

[0140] O: Opening

[0141] F: Venting Euro

Claims

1. A cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are vertically stacked so that a lead is arranged on at least one of one side and the other side of the horizontal first direction; and A cooling plate is included between the plurality of battery cells, The above cell stacks are provided in multiple numbers and arranged in a horizontal second direction intersecting the horizontal first direction, A battery cell stack assembly extending in the second horizontal direction so as to be provided across the plurality of cell stacks arranged in the second horizontal direction, wherein the cooling plate is provided in the second horizontal direction.

2. In paragraph 1, The above cooling plate includes an inlet through which refrigerant flows in and an outlet through which refrigerant flows out. The above inlet is formed on one side of the second direction of the above cooling plate, The above outlet is a battery cell stack assembly formed on the second direction other side of the above cooling plate.

3. In paragraph 1, The plurality of cell stacks are arranged spaced apart from each other so that a gap is formed between two adjacent cell stacks, A battery cell stack assembly in which venting gas generated from the above battery cells flows through the gap.

4. In paragraph 3, A battery cell stack assembly in which an opening is formed in the cooling plate corresponding to the position where the gap is formed, through which venting gas can pass in an up-and-down direction.

5. In paragraph 4, A battery cell stack assembly in which the above opening is formed in a shape that is sunken inward from one and the other edges of the horizontal first direction of the cooling plate.

6. In paragraph 4, A battery cell stack assembly in which the above-mentioned opening is formed as an opening extending in the first horizontal direction.

7. In paragraph 3, A base plate is included which is disposed on at least one of the upper and lower portions of the cell stack, A battery cell stack assembly in which a first venting hole is formed in the base plate corresponding to the position where the gap is formed, through which venting gas can pass in an up-and-down direction.

8. In paragraph 7, A side plate coupled to the base plate and covering the cell stack in the first horizontal direction; and A battery cell stack assembly further comprising an upper plate coupled to the side plate and covering the cell stack on the opposite side of the base plate.

9. In paragraph 8, A battery cell stack assembly in which a second venting hole through which the venting gas can pass is arranged on the upper plate.

10. In paragraph 1, The cooling plates arranged at one level are provided in multiple numbers, A battery cell stack assembly in which the plurality of cooling plates each extend in the second horizontal direction, and the plurality of cooling plates are arranged in the first horizontal direction.

11. In paragraph 1, The above cooling plates are further provided on the lower and upper portions of the cell stack, A battery cell stack assembly configured such that two battery cells are arranged between two adjacent cooling plates.

12. In paragraph 1, The above cooling plate is a battery cell stack assembly including an elastic material.

13. In paragraph 1, A battery cell stack assembly having a refrigerant path through which refrigerant flows and a gas pocket formed on at least one side of the refrigerant path, separated from the refrigerant path by a partition wall, inside the cooling plate.

14. Housing; and A battery cell stack assembly is included that is accommodated inside the housing, The battery cell stack assembly includes a cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are vertically stacked so that a lead is formed on at least one of one side and the other side in the horizontal first direction, and a cooling plate disposed between the plurality of battery cells. The above cell stacks are provided in multiple numbers and arranged in a horizontal second direction intersecting the horizontal first direction, A battery pack in which the cooling plate extends in the second horizontal direction so as to be provided across the plurality of cell stacks arranged in the second horizontal direction.

15. In paragraph 14, Including a base plate disposed on at least one of the upper or lower portion of the battery cell stack assembly, The plurality of cell stacks are arranged spaced apart from each other so that a gap is formed between two adjacent cell stacks, A battery pack in which a venting hole is formed in the base plate corresponding to the position where the gap is formed, through which venting gas can pass in an up-and-down direction.

16. In paragraph 15, A battery pack in which a venting path is formed between the surface adjacent to the base plate among the housings and the base plate.

17. In paragraph 15, Further comprising a cell tray supporting the above battery cell stack assembly, A battery pack wherein the cell tray includes an opening positioned facing the venting hole of the base plate.

18. In paragraph 17, A battery pack having a venting path formed between the cell tray and the housing through which gas introduced through the opening can flow.

19. In paragraph 14, The above battery cell stack assembly is provided in multiples, A battery pack in which a plurality of the above battery cell stacked assemblies are arranged in the first horizontal direction.

20. In paragraph 14, A battery pack comprising a coolant inlet passage provided on at least one of the horizontal second direction side and the other side of the battery cell stack assembly, and a coolant discharge passage provided on at least one of the horizontal second direction side and the other side of the battery cell stack assembly.

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