Battery pack

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery pack comprising: a pack housing including a bottom plate having a cooling channel; and a battery assembly mounted to the pack housing, wherein the battery assembly includes: a separation structure having a plurality of cell accommodation spaces separated from each other in a first direction; a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the plurality of cell accommodation spaces of the separation structure and each extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a heat dissipation fin thermally connecting at least one of electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells to the bottom plate.

Description

battery pack

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2023-0150513, filed on November 3, 2023, and all contents of the document in that Republic of Korea Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. They are widely used as a power source for various wireless devices, including handsets, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, improved energy density and economies of scale have dramatically reduced the per-unit manufacturing cost of secondary batteries. Furthermore, as the range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to match that of fuel-powered vehicles, the primary use of secondary batteries is shifting from mobile devices to mobility.

[0004] As secondary batteries become increasingly used in mobility, demand for their safety is increasing. Fires and other accidents involving secondary batteries used in mobility vehicles can endanger the lives of drivers, making research into technologies that enhance secondary battery safety essential.

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack.

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problem, the technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a battery pack including a pack housing including a bottom plate having a cooling channel; and a battery assembly mounted on the pack housing, wherein the battery assembly includes: a separation structure having a plurality of cell accommodation spaces separated from each other in a first direction; a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the plurality of cell accommodation spaces of the separation structure, each battery cell extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a heat dissipation fin thermally coupling at least one of electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells to the bottom plate.

[0007] In exemplary embodiments, the device further comprises a thermally conductive adhesive layer provided between at least one of the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells and the heat dissipation fin.

[0008] In exemplary embodiments, the heat dissipation fin is characterized by including a first portion connected to at least one of the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells; and a second portion extending along an upper surface of the bottom plate and connected to the bottom plate.

[0009] In exemplary embodiments, the device further comprises a frame supporting electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells; and an insulating cover connected to the frame; wherein the first portion of the heat dissipation fin is between the frame and the insulating cover, and the second portion of the heat dissipation fin is below the lower end of the frame.

[0010] In exemplary embodiments, the separating structure is characterized in that the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery cells are not covered so that the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery cells are exposed to the outside of the separating structure.

[0011] In exemplary embodiments, the device further comprises a busbar coupled to at least one of the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the heat dissipation fin thermally couples the busbar to the bottom plate.

[0012] In exemplary embodiments, the separation structure further comprises a plurality of venting channels separated in the first direction, each of the plurality of venting channels being provided on a corresponding cell accommodation space among the plurality of cell accommodation spaces, and each of the plurality of venting channels extending in the second direction to guide gas in the second direction.

[0013] In exemplary embodiments, the separation structure is characterized by including: a plurality of separation plates spaced apart from each other in the first direction to define the plurality of cell receiving spaces and the plurality of venting channels; and a cover plate disposed on the plurality of separation plates to cover the plurality of cell receiving spaces and the plurality of venting channels.

[0014] In exemplary embodiments, adjacent venting channels among the plurality of venting channels and adjacent cell accommodation spaces among the plurality of cell accommodation spaces are characterized in that they are separated by corresponding separators among the plurality of separators.

[0015] In exemplary embodiments, each of the plurality of battery cells is characterized in that it is attached to a corresponding separator among the plurality of separators.

[0016] In exemplary embodiments, the plurality of venting channels each extend in the second direction from a first end to a second end, and the battery assembly further includes a blocking plate blocking the first end of each of the plurality of venting channels, wherein within each of the plurality of venting channels, gas flows in a venting direction from the first end toward the second end.

[0017] In exemplary embodiments, the pack housing comprises first and second sidewalls spaced apart in the second direction; and third and fourth sidewalls spaced apart in the first direction; wherein the second end of the plurality of venting channels faces the first sidewall, and wherein the third sidewall of the pack housing is equipped with a venting device.

[0018] In exemplary embodiments, the pack housing further comprises a support structure extending in the second direction on the bottom plate, and the battery assembly further comprises a fastening frame attached to a battery cell that is the outermost in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells and fastened to the support structure.

[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the separation structure comprises a plurality of unit separation structures arranged in the first direction, each of the plurality of unit separation structures comprising: a separation plate separating adjacent cell accommodation spaces among the plurality of cell accommodation spaces and adjacent venting channels among the plurality of venting channels; and a unit cover plate connected to an upper portion of the separation plate and covering adjacent venting channels among the plurality of venting channels.

[0020] In exemplary embodiments, the unit cover plates of the plurality of unit separation structures are characterized in that they are connected in the first direction.

[0021] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the electrode leads of the battery cells are thermally coupled to a bottom plate having a cooling function through heat dissipation fins, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the battery cells and effectively controlling the heat generation of the battery cells.

[0022] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, since a plurality of battery cells in a battery assembly are separated by separator plates of a separating structure, heat transfer between adjacent battery cells can be prevented or suppressed, and chain reactions of fire among the battery cells can be prevented or suppressed. Accordingly, the safety and reliability of a battery assembly including battery cells can be improved.

[0023] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a battery assembly may have a cell-to-pack structure that is directly assembled into a pack housing of a battery pack. In the battery assembly, a plurality of battery cells are exposed without being covered by a structure such as a frame, thereby improving cooling efficiency for the plurality of battery cells. In addition, since the battery assembly includes a fastening frame configured to be fastened to the pack housing of the battery pack, an assembly gap between the battery assembly and the pack housing can be eliminated, thereby improving the energy density of the battery pack.

[0024] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, high-temperature gas generated from a plurality of battery cells is discharged along a venting direction provided by a separation structure, thereby implementing directional venting that discharges venting gas in a predetermined specific direction.

[0025] The effects that can be obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure pertain from the following description. In other words, unintended effects resulting from practicing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a battery assembly along line AA-AA' of Fig. 1.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the separation structure and fastening frame of the battery assembly of Fig. 1.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the battery assembly of Fig. 1.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a battery assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a battery assembly along line BB-BB' of Fig. 1.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack along line CC-CC' of Fig. 7.

[0034] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best explain his or her invention, they should be interpreted in a way that aligns with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0035] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas 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 filing this application.

[0036] In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0037] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for clearer explanation. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect the actual sizes or proportions.

[0038] In this specification, the vertical direction may be defined as the Z direction, and the horizontal direction may be defined as a direction perpendicular to the Z direction. The first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction may be orthogonal to each other, and the first horizontal direction may be defined as the X direction, and the second horizontal direction may be defined as the Y direction.

[0039]

[0040] (Example 1)

[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery assembly (100) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery assembly (100) taken along line AA-AA' of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a separation structure (110) and a fastening frame (160) of the battery assembly (100) of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of the battery assembly (100) of FIG. 1.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the battery assembly (100) may include a separation structure (110), a plurality of battery cells (130), a fastening frame (160), and a heat dissipation fin (180).

[0043] The separation structure (110) may include a plurality of separation plates (111) spaced apart in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) and a cover plate (113) disposed on the plurality of separation plates (111). Each of the individual separation plates (111) may have a flat plate shape extending in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction) and a vertical direction (e.g., Z direction). The cover plate (113) may be connected to the upper end of each of the plurality of separation plates (111). The cover plate (113) may have a flat plate shape extending in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction).

[0044] The separation structure (110) can provide a plurality of cell accommodation spaces (121) that are separated from each other. Each of the plurality of cell accommodation spaces (121) can accommodate one or a plurality of battery cells (130). The plurality of cell accommodation spaces (121) can be separated from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction), and each of the plurality of cell accommodation spaces (121) can extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). Adjacent cell accommodation spaces (121) among the plurality of cell accommodation spaces (121) can be separated by corresponding separation plates (111) among the plurality of separation plates (111).

[0045] The separation structure (110) can provide a plurality of venting channels (125) that are separated from each other. The plurality of venting channels (125) can be separated from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction). Adjacent venting channels (125) among the plurality of venting channels (125) can be separated by corresponding separators (111) among the plurality of separators (111). Each venting channel (125) can extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). Each venting channel (125) can be provided on an upper side of a corresponding cell accommodation space (121) among the plurality of cell accommodation spaces (121) and can be connected to the corresponding cell accommodation space (121). Each venting channel (125) can be defined by a top surface of one or more battery cells (130) accommodated in the corresponding cell accommodation space (121), the cover plate (113), and the separator plate (111). Individual venting channels (125) may be provided between one or more battery cells (130) accommodated in a corresponding cell accommodation space (121) and a cover plate (113) in a vertical direction (e.g., Z direction), and between two adjacent separator plates (111) in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction).

[0046] Each venting channel (125) can guide high-temperature gas originating from one or more battery cells (130) accommodated in a corresponding cell accommodation space (121) in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). A cover plate (113) can cover the plurality of venting channels (125) and the plurality of battery cells (130) so as to block the gas from flowing in a vertical direction (e.g., Z direction) between the individual venting channels (125) and the external space of the battery assembly (100). In the individual venting channels (125), the high-temperature gas can flow in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction) along the lower surface of the cover plate (113) facing the plurality of battery cells (130). Each venting channel (125) may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction) and may have a first end (1251 of FIG. 6) and a second end (1253 of FIG. 6) opposite to each other in the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). At least one of the first end (1251) and the second end (1253) of each venting channel (125) may be exposed to an external space of the battery assembly (100), and gas flow between the external space of the battery assembly (100) and each venting channel (125) may be permitted.

[0047] In exemplary embodiments, the separation structure (110) may include a plurality of unit separation structures (110a). Each unit separation structure (110a) may include one separation plate (111) and one unit cover plate (115) connected to the top of one separation plate (111). The plurality of unit separation structures (110a) may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-direction). The plurality of unit cover plates (115) of the plurality of unit separation structures (110a) may be arranged and connected in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-direction). The cover plate (113) may be composed of a plurality of unit cover plates (115).

[0048] In exemplary embodiments, individual unit separation structures (110a) may be manufactured through an extrusion process.

[0049] In exemplary embodiments, each unit cover plate (115) may include a first segment and a second segment extending in opposite directions from the top of the corresponding separator plate (111). The first segment of each unit cover plate (115) may at least partially cover one of two adjacent venting channels (125), and the second segment of each unit cover plate (115) may at least partially cover the other of the two adjacent venting channels (125). When viewed in cross section, each unit separator structure (110a) may have a T-shape.

[0050] A plurality of battery cells (130) can be accommodated in a plurality of cell accommodation spaces (121) of a separating structure (110) and can be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction). The battery cells (130) accommodated in different cell accommodation spaces (121) of the separating structure (110) can be separated by a separator (111). Each battery cell (130) can be attached to a corresponding separator (111) among the plurality of separators (111) by an adhesive member. The adhesive member can include, for example, an adhesive tape or a resin layer.

[0051] In exemplary embodiments, at least one of the plurality of cell receiving spaces (121) of the separation structure (110) can receive a plurality of battery cells (130), for example, two battery cells (130), arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-direction).

[0052] In exemplary embodiments, at least one of the plurality of cell receiving spaces (121) of the separation structure (110) may include a pad (140) and two battery cells (130) spaced apart from each other with the pad (140) therebetween. The pad (140) may be attached to each of the two battery cells (130) by an adhesive member made of an adhesive tape or a resin layer. The pad (140) may correspond to a thermal barrier pad configured to thermally isolate the two battery cells (130) and support the two battery cells (130).

[0053] The battery cell (130) is accommodated in the cell accommodation space (121) of the separating structure (110) and may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction) within the cell accommodation space (121). Electrode leads (131) may be provided at each end of the battery cell (130) along the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). When the battery cell (130) is accommodated in the cell accommodation space (121) of the separating structure (110), two side surfaces of the battery cell (130) may be covered by two separating plates (111) adjacent in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction), and the upper surface of the battery cell (130) may be covered by the cover plate (113). In exemplary embodiments, the lower surface of the battery cell (130) may not be covered by the separating structure (110) and may be exposed to the outside of the separating structure (110).

[0054] An individual battery cell (130) is a basic unit of a lithium ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. An individual battery cell (130) may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a cell case. The electrode assembly built into the cell case may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The electrode assembly may be either a jelly-roll type or a stack type depending on the assembly form. A jelly-roll type electrode assembly may include a winding structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween. A stack type electrode assembly may include a plurality of sequentially stacked positive electrodes, a plurality of negative electrodes, and a plurality of separators interposed therebetween. The positive electrode may include a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material. The negative electrode may include a negative electrode current collector and an negative electrode active material.

[0055] A plurality of battery cells (130) may be connected in series and / or in parallel. For example, a plurality of battery cells (130) may be connected in series with each other. For example, a plurality of battery cells (130) may also be connected in parallel with each other. For example, when a set of two or more battery cells (130) connected in parallel with each other is defined as a bank, one bank composed of two or more battery cells (130) connected in parallel with each other and another bank composed of two or more battery cells (130) connected in parallel with each other may be connected in series.

[0056] An individual battery cell (130) may correspond to a pouch-type battery cell, a cylindrical battery cell, or a square battery cell. The electrode assembly of a pouch-type battery cell is housed in a pouch case including an aluminum laminate sheet. The electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell is housed in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of a square battery cell is housed in a square metal can. In exemplary embodiments, an individual battery cell (130) corresponds to a pouch-type battery cell, and a length of an individual battery cell (130) along a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction) may be greater than a length of an individual battery cell (130) along a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction).

[0057] A plurality of battery cells (130) may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) to form a cell stack. When viewed in a plan view, the cell stack may have a rectangular shape. The cell stack may have two opposite sides (i.e., a first side and a second side) in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction), a front and a back side opposite in the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction), and an upper surface and a lower surface opposite in the vertical direction (e.g., Z direction).

[0058] A frame (171) supporting electrode leads (131) of a plurality of battery cells (130) may be arranged on each of the front and rear sides of the cell stack. The frame (171) on the front side of the cell stack may be provided with slits into which the electrode leads (131) are inserted, and the frame (171) on the rear side of the cell stack may be provided with slits into which the electrode leads (131) are inserted.

[0059] The frame (171) may support busbars (173). The busbars (173) may be electrically and physically connected to at least one of the electrode leads (131) of the plurality of battery cells (130). The busbars (173) may be joined to at least one of the electrode leads (131) of the plurality of battery cells (130) by welding. The busbars (173) may include terminal busbars for electrically connecting a cell stack of the battery assembly (100) to a cell stack of another battery assembly or to an external device. In some exemplary embodiments, the busbars (173) may include inter-busbars for electrically connecting different battery cells (130) by connecting to the electrode leads (131) of different battery cells (130).

[0060] The battery assembly (100) may further include insulating covers (175) connected to the frames (171). One insulating cover (175) may cover the frame (171) at the front of the cell stack and at least partially cover each of the electrode leads (131) and each of the bus bars (173) supported by the frame (171) at the front of the cell stack. Another insulating cover (175) may cover the frame (171) at the rear of the cell stack and at least partially cover each of the electrode leads (131) and each of the bus bars (173) supported by the frame (171) at the rear of the cell stack.

[0061] The fastening frame (160) can be attached to each of the battery cells (130) that are outermost in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) among the plurality of battery cells (130). The fastening frame (160) can be fastened to an external support structure (530). For example, the external support structure (530) is provided to a pack housing (501 in FIG. 7) of a battery pack (500 in FIG. 7) on which a battery assembly (100) is mounted, and the battery assembly (100) can be mounted to the pack housing (501) in a side-mounting manner via the fastening frame (160).

[0062] The fastening frame (160) can cover one side of the battery cell (130) and can be attached to one side of the battery cell (130) by an adhesive member composed of an adhesive tape or a resin layer. The fastening frame (160) can be fastened to an external support structure (530) by a bolt (551). For example, the fastening frame (160) can include a fixing plate (161) attached to the battery cell (130) and a flange (163) fastened to the external support structure (530) by a bolt (551). The flange (163) can be connected to the upper portion of the fixing plate (161) and placed on the external support structure (530).

[0063] A heat dissipation fin (180) can thermally couple at least one of the electrode leads (131) of the plurality of battery cells (130) to a bottom plate (510) provided below the plurality of battery cells (130). The bottom plate (510) is configured to support the plurality of battery cells (130) and can include a cooling channel (511) through which a cooling fluid flows. For example, the bottom plate (510) can be a part of a pack housing (501) of a battery pack (500). The heat dissipation fin (180) can be coupled to one electrode lead (131) or to a plurality of electrode leads (131). The heat dissipation fin (180) can include a material having excellent thermal conductivity, for example, a metal.

[0064] The heat dissipation fin (180) may include a first portion (181) connected to at least one of the electrode leads (131) of the plurality of battery cells (130), and a second portion (183) connected to the upper surface of the bottom plate (510). The first portion (181) of the heat dissipation fin (180) is between the frame (171) and the insulating cover (175), and the first portion (181) of the heat dissipation fin (180) may extend generally in a vertical direction (e.g., in the Z direction). The second portion (183) of the heat dissipation fin (180) may be below the lower end of the frame (171) and may extend along the upper surface of the bottom plate (510). The extension direction of the second part (183) of the heat dissipation fin (180) and the extension direction of the first part (181) of the heat dissipation fin (180) intersect each other, and accordingly, the heat dissipation fin (180) can have a bent shape when viewed in cross section.

[0065] A thermally conductive adhesive layer (178) may be interposed between the first portion (181) of the heat dissipation fin (180) and at least one electrode lead (131). The thermally conductive adhesive layer (178) may thermally and physically couple the first portion (181) of the heat dissipation fin (180) and the at least one electrode lead (131). The thermally conductive adhesive layer (178) is electrically insulator, and the heat dissipation fin (180) and the at least one electrode lead (131) may be electrically insulated by the thermally conductive adhesive layer (178). The thermally conductive adhesive layer (178) may include, for example, a thermal interface material (TIM) or a thermal resin.

[0066] A thermally conductive adhesive layer (179) may be interposed between the second portion (183) of the heat dissipation fin (180) and the bottom plate (510). The thermally conductive adhesive layer (179) may thermally and physically bond the second portion (183) of the heat dissipation fin (180) and the bottom plate (510). The thermally conductive adhesive layer (179) may include, for example, TIM or thermal resin.

[0067] When the electrode leads (131) or bus bars (173) of the battery cells (130) are heated, if the temperature of the electrode leads (131) or bus bars (173) of the battery cells (130) is not lowered, heat is transferred to the center of the battery cells (130), which causes a problem in that the heat generation of the battery cells (130) is aggravated. However, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the electrode leads (131) of the battery cells (130) are thermally coupled to the bottom plate (510) having a cooling function through the heat dissipation fins (180), thereby improving the cooling efficiency for the battery cells (130) and effectively controlling the heat generation of the battery cells (130).

[0068] In exemplary embodiments, an upper cooling plate may be attached to the separating structure (110). The upper cooling plate may include cooling channels configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow. The upper cooling plate may be thermally and physically coupled to the separating structure (110) by a thermally conductive adhesive layer, such as a thermal resin, applied along a cover plate (113) of the separating structure (110). The upper cooling plate may be thermally coupled to the battery cells (130) via the thermally conductive adhesive layer and the separating structure (110).

[0069] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, since a plurality of battery cells (130) in a battery assembly (100) are separated by separators (111) of a separating structure (110), thermal propagation between adjacent battery cells (130) can be prevented or suppressed, and chain ignition of the battery cells (130) can be prevented or suppressed.

[0070] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the battery assembly (100) may have a cell-to-pack structure that is directly assembled into the pack housing (501) of the battery pack (500). In the battery assembly (100), the plurality of battery cells (130) are exposed without being covered by a structure such as a frame, so that the cooling efficiency for the plurality of battery cells (130) can be improved. In addition, the battery assembly (100) has a fastening frame (160) configured to be fastened to the pack housing (501) of the battery pack (500), so that the assembly gap between the battery assembly (100) and the pack housing (501) can be eliminated, so that the energy density of the battery pack (500) can be improved.

[0071]

[0072] (Example 2)

[0073] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a battery assembly (100) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 5, the electrode lead (131) of the battery cell (130) may be coupled to a bus bar (173), and the electrode lead (131) of the battery cell (130) and the bus bar (173) may be thermally coupled to the bottom plate (510) via a heat dissipation fin (180). The bus bar (173) may be an inter-bus bar coupled to the electrode leads (131) of different battery cells (130) so that the different battery cells (130) are electrically connected. The electrode lead (131) and the bus bar (173) coupled to each other may be thermally and physically coupled to a first portion (181) of the heat dissipation fin (180) via a thermally conductive adhesive layer (178).

[0075]

[0076] (Example 3)

[0077] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a battery assembly (100) along the line BB-BB' of Fig. 1.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 6 together with FIGS. 1 to 4, the battery assembly (100) may include a blocking plate (150) connected to an end portion of the separating structure (110) along the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). The blocking plate (150) may close one end of each of the plurality of venting channels (125) of the separating structure (110) so that gas is discharged in only one direction from the plurality of venting channels (125).

[0079] The blocking plate (150) can close the first end (1251) of the individual venting channel (125) provided in the separation structure (110) so as not to allow gas flow through the first end (1251) of the individual venting channel (125). Since the first end (1251) of the individual venting channel (125) is closed by the blocking plate (150), the gas within the individual venting channel (125) can flow in one venting direction (VD1) from the first end (1251) of the individual venting channel (125) toward the second end (1253) and be discharged to the outside of the battery assembly (100) through the second end (1253) of the individual venting channel (125). The second end (1253) of each venting channel (125) may be an outlet of the venting channel (125) through which gas is discharged to the outside.

[0080] When gas is generated in the battery cell (130), the gas generated in the battery cell (130) flows into the venting channel (125) located on the upper side of the battery cell (130), and then flows in one venting direction (VD1) through the venting channel (125) and can be released to the outside through the second end (1253) of the venting channel (125).

[0081] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, high-temperature gas generated from a plurality of battery cells (130) is discharged along a venting direction (VD1) provided by a separation structure (110), so that directional venting that discharges the venting gas in a predetermined specific direction can be implemented.

[0082]

[0083] (Example 4)

[0084] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a battery pack (500) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack (500) taken along line CC-CC' of Fig. 7.

[0085] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 together with FIGS. 1 to 6, a battery pack (500) may include a pack housing (501) and a battery assembly (100) mounted within the pack housing (501). The battery pack (500) may include one or more battery assemblies (100) mounted in the pack housing (501). In exemplary embodiments, the battery pack (500) may include a plurality of battery assemblies (100) arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-direction).

[0086] The pack housing (501) may provide a receiving space in which a battery assembly (100) is received. The pack housing (501) may include a bottom plate (510), side walls connected to edges of the bottom plate (510) (i.e., first to fourth side walls (521, 523, 525, 527)). The pack housing (501) may further include a pack lid connected to the side walls of the pack housing (501) to cover the receiving space. The receiving space of the pack housing (501) may be a sealed space.

[0087] The bottom plate (510) may have a flat plate shape parallel to a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). The bottom plate (510) may support a battery assembly (100). The battery assembly (100) may be thermally and physically coupled to the bottom plate (510) via a thermally conductive adhesive layer interposed between the battery assembly (100) and the bottom plate (510). In exemplary embodiments, lower surfaces of the plurality of battery cells (130) are not covered by the separating structure (110) so as to be exposed to the outside of the separating structure (110), and the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery cells (130) may be connected to the bottom plate (510). In exemplary embodiments, the plurality of battery cells (130) may be thermally and physically coupled to the bottom plate (510) via the thermally conductive adhesive layer. The thermally conductive adhesive layer may include a TIM or a thermal resin.

[0088] The bottom plate (510) may include a cooling channel (511) configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow, and may be configured to cool the battery assembly (100). A cooling fluid provided from the outside of the battery pack (500) may be supplied to an inlet of the cooling channel (511), flow along the cooling channel (511), and discharged to the outside through an outlet of the cooling channel (511). While the cooling fluid flows along the cooling channel (511), cooling may be performed on a plurality of battery cells (130) of the battery assembly (100), electrode leads (131) of the plurality of battery cells (130), and bus bars (173). The cooling fluid may include a coolant and / or a refrigerant. In exemplary embodiments, the bottom plate (510) may be formed through an extrusion process.

[0089] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, since the lower surface of the plurality of battery cells (130) is not covered by the separating structure (110) or another frame, the plurality of battery cells (130) and the bottom plate (510) having the cooling channel (511) can be thermally coupled using a thermally conductive adhesive layer. Since the plurality of battery cells (130) of the battery assembly (100) are thermally coupled to the bottom plate (510) of the pack housing (501) having the cooling channel (511), cooling of the plurality of battery cells (130) can be enhanced.

[0090] The side walls of the pack housing (501) may include a first side wall (521) and a second side wall (523) facing and spaced apart in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction), and a third side wall (525) and a fourth side wall (527) facing and spaced apart in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction). The side walls of the pack housing (501) may surround an accommodation space. The third side wall (525) of the pack housing (501) may be a front wall forming a front portion of the battery pack (500), and the fourth side wall (527) of the pack housing (501) may be a rear wall forming a rear portion of the battery pack (500).

[0091] A venting device (540) may be mounted on the third side wall (525) of the pack housing (501). The venting device (540) is mounted in an exhaust passage provided between the receiving space of the pack housing (501) and the external space of the pack housing (501), and may be configured to selectively exhaust gas between the receiving space of the pack housing (501) and the external space of the pack housing (501). In exemplary embodiments, the venting device (540) may include a check valve, a relief valve, a safety valve, and / or a rupture disc.

[0092] In exemplary embodiments, the venting device (540) may be a relief valve or a check valve configured to selectively open and close a gas exhaust passage depending on the internal pressure of the receiving space of the pack housing (501). The check valve may be configured to open the gas exhaust passage to discharge gas to the outside of the pack housing (501) when the internal pressure of the receiving space of the pack housing (501) becomes higher than a reference pressure, and to close the gas exhaust passage when the gas is discharged and the internal pressure of the receiving space of the pack housing (501) becomes lower than the reference pressure.

[0093] The pack housing (501) may include a plurality of support structures (530) provided on a bottom plate (510). The plurality of support structures (530) may be provided on an upper surface of the bottom plate (510) and may be spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., an X-direction). The plurality of support structures (530) may each extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., a Y-direction). The plurality of support structures (530) may each be referred to as a cross beam structure. The plurality of support structures (530) may separate or partition an accommodation space of the pack housing (501) into a plurality of sub-accommodation spaces. The plurality of sub-accommodation spaces are separated or partitioned in a first horizontal direction (e.g., an X-direction), and one battery assembly (100) may be placed in each sub-accommodation space.

[0094] The fastening frame (160) of each battery assembly (100) can be placed on a corresponding support structure (530) among the plurality of support structures (530). The individual battery assembly (100) can be fastened to the pack housing (501) by fastening the fastening frame (160) to a corresponding support structure (530) among the plurality of support structures (530) by bolts (551). More specifically, the individual battery assembly (100) can be fastened to the pack housing (501) by fastening a pair of fastening frames (160) to a corresponding pair of support structures (530) among the plurality of battery support structures (530).

[0095] In exemplary embodiments, two battery assemblies (100) adjacent in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-direction) may share the same single support structure (530). That is, one of the two battery assemblies (100) adjacent in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-direction) may be fastened to the single support structure (530), and the other of the two battery assemblies (100) adjacent in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-direction) may be fastened to the same single support structure (530).

[0096] In exemplary embodiments, an individual battery assembly (100) may be configured to vent gas in a venting direction (VD1), and an outlet of the individual battery assembly (100) in the venting direction (VD1) may face one of the first side wall (521) and the second side wall (523). An individual battery assembly (100) may be mounted in a pack housing (501) such that a second end (1253) of a venting channel (125) having an outlet of the venting channel (125) faces one of the first side wall (521) and the second side wall (523). In this case, the gas discharged from each battery assembly (100) can flow along the venting direction (VD2) parallel to the first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) along the first side wall (521) or the second side wall (523) and flow to the third side wall (525), and the gas guided to the third side wall (525) can be discharged to the outside of the battery pack (500) through the venting device (540) provided in the third side wall (525).

[0097] In exemplary embodiments, the battery pack (500) may include a plurality of battery assemblies (100) arranged in two rows. The battery assemblies (100) in the first row may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-direction) and closer to the first sidewall (521) than to the second sidewall (523). The battery assemblies (100) in the second row may be arranged in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-direction) and closer to the second sidewall (523) than to the first sidewall (521). The battery assemblies (100) in the first row may be arranged such that each outlet in one venting direction (VD1) faces the first sidewall (521), and the battery assemblies (100) in the second row may be arranged such that each outlet in one venting direction (VD1) faces the second sidewall (523). In each of the battery assemblies (100) of the first row, the second ends (1253) of the venting channels (1250) of the separating structure (110) that are not closed by the blocking plate (150) may face the first side wall (521), and the first ends (1251) of the venting channels (1250) of the separating structure (110) that are closed by the blocking plate (150) may face the second side wall (523). In each of the battery assemblies (100) of the second row, the second ends (1253) of the venting channels (1250) of the separating structure (110) that are not closed by the blocking plate (150) may face the second side wall (523), and the first ends (1251) of the venting channels (1250) of the separating structure (110) that are closed by the blocking plate (150) may face the first side wall (521). The gas discharged from the battery assemblies (100) of the first row can flow along the venting direction (VD2) parallel to the first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) along the first side wall (521) and flow to the third side wall (525), and the gas guided to the third side wall (525) can be discharged to the outside of the battery pack (500) through the venting device (540) provided in the third side wall (525).Additionally, the gas discharged from the battery assemblies (100) of the second row can flow along the venting direction (VD2) parallel to the first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) along the second side wall (523) and flow to the third side wall (525), and the gas induced to the third side wall (525) can be discharged to the outside of the battery pack (500) through the venting device (540) provided in the third side wall (525).

[0098] In exemplary embodiments, the battery pack (500) may further include an upper cooling plate (not shown) provided on the battery assemblies (100). A thermally conductive adhesive layer, such as a TIM or a thermal resin, may be interposed between each of the separating structures (110) of the battery assemblies (100) and the upper cooling plate. The separating structures (110) of the battery assemblies (100) may be thermally and physically coupled to the upper cooling plate by the thermally conductive adhesive layer. The upper cooling plate may include cooling channels configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow, and cooling of the battery cells (130) of the battery assemblies (100) may be achieved while the cooling fluid flows along the cooling channels of the upper cooling plate.

[0099] The present invention has been described in more detail through drawings and examples. However, the configurations described in the drawings or examples described in this specification are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modified examples may exist as of the time of this application.

Claims

1. A pack housing including a bottom plate having cooling channels; and A battery assembly mounted in the above pack housing; Including, The above battery assembly, A separation structure having a plurality of cell receiving spaces separated from each other in a first direction; A plurality of battery cells accommodated in the plurality of cell accommodation spaces of the above separation structure, each extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and A heat dissipation fin thermally coupling at least one of the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells to the bottom plate; Battery pack containing.

2. In paragraph 1, A battery pack further comprising a thermally conductive adhesive layer provided between at least one of the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells and the heat dissipation fin.

3. In paragraph 1, The above heat dissipation fins are, a first portion connected to at least one of the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells; and A second portion extending along the upper surface of the floor plate and connected to the floor plate; A battery pack comprising:

4. In paragraph 3, a frame supporting electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells; and An insulating cover connected to the above frame; Including more, The first part of the heat dissipation fin is between the frame and the insulating cover, A battery pack, characterized in that the second part of the heat dissipation fin is located below the lower end of the frame.

5. In paragraph 1, A battery pack characterized in that the separation structure does not cover the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery cells so that the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery cells are exposed to the outside of the separation structure.

6. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a busbar coupled to at least one of the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells, A battery pack characterized in that the heat dissipation fins thermally couple the bus bar to the bottom plate.

7. In paragraph 1, The above separation structure further includes a plurality of venting channels separated in the first direction, The plurality of venting channels are each provided on a corresponding cell accommodation space among the plurality of cell accommodation spaces, A battery pack characterized in that each of the plurality of venting channels extends in the second direction to guide gas in the second direction.

8. In paragraph 7, The above separation structure is, a plurality of separators spaced apart from each other in the first direction to define the plurality of cell receiving spaces and the plurality of venting channels; and A cover plate disposed on the plurality of separators to cover the plurality of cell accommodation spaces and the plurality of venting channels; A battery pack comprising:

9. In paragraph 8, A battery pack characterized in that adjacent venting channels among the plurality of venting channels and adjacent cell accommodation spaces among the plurality of cell accommodation spaces are separated by corresponding separators among the plurality of separators.

10. In paragraph 8, A battery pack characterized in that each of the plurality of battery cells is attached to a corresponding separator among the plurality of separators.

11. In paragraph 7, The above plurality of venting channels each extend in the second direction from the first end to the second end, The battery assembly further includes a blocking plate blocking the first end of each of the plurality of venting channels, A battery pack characterized in that, within each of the plurality of venting channels, gas flows in a venting direction from the first end toward the second end.

12. In paragraph 11, The above pack housing is, First side walls and second side walls spaced apart in the second direction; and Third side walls and fourth side walls spaced apart in the first direction; Including more, The second end of the plurality of venting channels faces the first side wall, A battery pack characterized in that the third side wall of the pack housing is equipped with a venting device.

13. In paragraph 1, The above pack housing further includes a support structure extending in the second direction on the bottom plate, A battery pack characterized in that the battery assembly further includes a fastening frame attached to the outermost battery cell in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells and fastened to the support structure.

14. In paragraph 1, The above separation structure includes a plurality of unit separation structures arranged in the first direction, Each of the above multiple unit separation structures is A separator plate separating adjacent cell accommodation spaces among the plurality of cell accommodation spaces and adjacent venting channels among the plurality of venting channels; and A unit cover plate connected to the upper portion of the above separator and covering adjacent venting channels among the plurality of venting channels; A battery pack comprising:

15. In paragraph 14, A battery pack characterized in that the unit cover plates of the plurality of unit separation structures are connected in the first direction.

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