Battery module, and battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

A battery module, and a battery pack and a vehicle including same are disclosed. The battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a case in which a battery cell stack is accommodated; and a cooling member disposed between the plurality of battery cells, wherein the battery cell includes only first battery cells having an electrode lead formed on each of the two sides thereof, or includes only second battery cells having electrode leads formed on one side thereof.

Description

Battery modules, battery packs containing the same, and vehicles

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0016574, filed on February 2, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0127441, filed on September 20, 2024, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle, and more particularly, to a battery module capable of preventing flame propagation, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0003] Generally, secondary batteries refer to batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. A battery cell, the most basic type of secondary battery, can provide an output voltage of approximately 2.5 V to 4.2 V.

[0004] Recently, as these battery cells are applied to devices that require high output voltage and large charging capacity, such as electric vehicles and Energy Storage Systems (ESS), battery modules composed of multiple battery cells connected in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel, and battery packs composed of these battery modules connected again in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel, are widely used.

[0005] Lithium secondary batteries are currently in the spotlight due to their advantages such as high operating voltage and significantly higher energy density. However, because they use organic electrolytes, there is a problem that lithium secondary batteries can cause overcurrent and overheating when overcharged, which in severe cases can cause fire due to explosion or ignition.

[0006] Figure 1 is a drawing that briefly illustrates the arrangement structure of battery cells housed in a conventional battery module, with the battery module case omitted.

[0007] Referring to FIG. 1, in the case of a conventional battery cell (1), a plurality of battery cells (1) of the same type and having the same length are arranged in the same direction. In this case, when a flame (2) occurs in one battery cell (1), the flame (2) easily spreads to another adjacent battery cell (1) (see arrow in FIG. 1).

[0008] Specifically, if a flame occurs in at least one of the battery cells inside the case of the battery module, the flame may spread to other battery cells, causing thermal runaway, which may result in a hazardous situation for the user.

[0009] For example, if a battery module or battery pack is installed in an electric vehicle and a flame occurs in the battery cell and the flame leaks out, there is a problem that the driver of the electric vehicle may be burned or put in a dangerous situation.

[0010] Alternatively, if a flame generated from a random battery cell spreads to a neighboring battery cell, the battery module or battery pack containing the battery cell may be damaged, burned, or explode due to a chain reaction of flames, which may cause the stability of the battery module or battery pack to be compromised.

[0011] Accordingly, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of blocking or extinguishing a flame ignited in a battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile.

[0012] In addition, the present invention provides a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle capable of preventing a flame generated by ignition in a battery cell from spreading to other neighboring battery cells.

[0013] In addition, the present invention provides a battery module capable of preventing serial thermal runaway by preventing heat transfer between battery cells and improving the stability of battery cells, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0014] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery module may be provided, comprising: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a case in which the battery cell stack is accommodated; and a cooling member disposed between the plurality of battery cells, wherein the battery cells include only first battery cells each having electrode leads formed on both sides, or only second battery cells each having electrode leads formed on one side.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first battery cell or the second battery cell may include a long-sided battery cell in which the side on which the electrode lead is formed is formed longer; and a short-sided battery cell in which the side on which the electrode lead is formed is formed shorter than that of the long-sided battery cell.

[0017] In one embodiment, a first battery cell stack having a plurality of the long-side battery cells stacked on top of each other; a second battery cell stack arranged adjacent to the first battery cell stack and having a plurality of the short-side battery cells stacked on top of each other; and a third battery cell stack arranged adjacent to the second battery cell stack and having a plurality of the long-side battery cells stacked on top of each other may be provided.

[0018] In one embodiment, the cooling member may be disposed between a plurality of the single-sided battery cells of the second battery cell stack.

[0019] In one embodiment, a space may be formed between any single-ended battery cell and another single-ended battery cell.

[0020] In one embodiment, the cooling member may be disposed in the space.

[0021] In one embodiment, the cooling member may include a receiving portion that ruptures at a preset temperature; and a cooling material received in the receiving portion.

[0022] In one embodiment, the receiving portion may be formed of a metal material having a preset thickness.

[0023] In one embodiment, the cooling material may be liquid nitrogen.

[0024] In one embodiment, the plurality of long-side battery cells provided in the first battery cell stack and the plurality of short-side battery cells provided in the second battery cell stack may be arranged in different directions.

[0025] In one embodiment, the case includes a lower case, and the plurality of long-side battery cells may be arranged such that a narrow side of a side without an electrode lead contacts the lower case, and the plurality of short-side battery cells may be arranged such that a wide side of a side without an electrode lead faces the lower case.

[0026] In one embodiment, a space may be formed between any single-ended battery cell and another single-ended battery cell.

[0027] In one embodiment, the cooling member may be disposed in the space.

[0028] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack including at least one of the aforementioned battery modules may be provided, and further, a vehicle including at least one of the aforementioned battery modules may be provided.

[0029] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack may be provided, comprising: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a pack housing in which the battery cell stack is accommodated; and a cooling member disposed between the plurality of battery cells, wherein the battery cells include only first battery cells each having electrode leads formed on both sides, or only second battery cells each having electrode leads formed on one side.

[0030] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle including at least one battery pack as described above can be provided.

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention have the effect of blocking or extinguishing a flame ignited in a battery cell.

[0032] Additionally, it has the effect of preventing flames generated by ignition in a battery cell from spreading to other neighboring battery cells.

[0033] Additionally, it has the effect of preventing heat transfer between battery cells, thereby preventing serial thermal runaway and improving the stability of battery cells.

[0034] However, the effects that can be obtained through the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other technical effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0035] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 is a drawing that briefly illustrates the arrangement structure of battery cells housed in a conventional battery module, with the battery module case omitted.

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a drawing of only the battery cells in a battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a drawing viewed along direction A of FIG. 3, and is a drawing of only the battery cell in the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention viewed from the front.

[0040] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the BB' direction of Figure 4.

[0041] Figure 6 is a drawing viewed along direction C of Figure 4.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a drawing of only the battery cells in a battery module according to the second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above.

[0043] Figure 8 is a drawing viewed along the D direction of Figure 7, showing the lower case.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a drawing schematically showing the configuration of a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 9.

[0046] FIG. 11 is a drawing schematically showing the configuration of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 11.

[0048] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their conventional 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 to best explain his or her own invention. Therefore, it should be understood that 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, and various equivalents and modifications may exist as of the time of this application.

[0049] In the drawings, the sizes of each component or specific parts of that component are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual size. If a detailed description of a related known function or configuration is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0050] The term 'joint' or 'connection' as used herein includes not only cases where one member is directly joined or directly connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member through a connecting member.

[0051] The present invention may be implemented independently of the following embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention may be implemented by combining two or more of the following embodiments. Each of the following embodiments may be implemented independently and may also be freely combined with one another.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a view of only the battery cells in the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, FIG. 4 is a view viewed along direction A of FIG. 3, and is a view of only the battery cells in the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view viewed along direction BB' of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a view viewed along direction C of FIG. 4.

[0053] In one embodiment, the battery cell (110) may be accommodated in a case (200) of a battery module (10), and the battery module (10) in which the battery cell (110) is accommodated may be accommodated in a pack housing (21, see FIG. 9) to form a battery pack (20). Alternatively, in another embodiment, the battery cell (110) may be directly accommodated in a pack housing (21a, see FIG. 11) of a battery pack (20a), which will be described later.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4 together, a battery module (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack (100), a case (200), and a cooling member (300).

[0055] A battery cell stack (100) may be configured such that a plurality of battery cells (110) are stacked. The battery cells (110) may have various structures, and further, the plurality of battery cells (110) may be stacked in various ways.

[0056] The battery cell (110) may have a structure in which a plurality of unit cells arranged in the order of positive plate-separator-negative plate or bi-cells arranged in the order of positive plate-separator-negative plate-separator-positive plate-separator-negative plate are stacked according to the battery capacity.

[0057] The battery cell (110) may be equipped with electrode leads (111, 112, see FIG. 3). The electrode leads (111, 112) are a type of terminal that is exposed to the outside and connected to an external device, and may be made of a conductive material. The electrode leads (111, 112) may include a positive electrode lead (111) and a negative electrode lead (112).

[0058] The battery cell (110) may include only a first battery cell having electrode leads (111, 112) formed on both sides. Alternatively, the battery cell (110) may include only a second battery cell (not shown) having both electrode leads (111, 112) formed on one side.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, the battery module (10) includes a battery cell (110) (here, a first battery cell). That is, for convenience of explanation, the first battery cell (110) in which a positive electrode lead (111) and a negative electrode lead (112) are formed on both sides of the battery cell (110) will be described in detail below. However, the battery module (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention also includes a second battery cell (not shown) in which both electrode leads (111, 112) are formed on one side of the battery cell (110).

[0060] Referring to FIG. 4, a battery cell (110, the first battery cell in FIG. 4) may include a long-side battery cell (110a, 110c) and a short-side battery cell (110b).

[0061] The long-side battery cell (110a, 110c) is formed so that the side where the electrode leads (111, 112) are formed is long. In addition, the short-side battery cell (110b) is formed so that the side where the electrode leads (111, 112) are formed is shorter than that of the long-side battery cell (110a).

[0062] That is, the side where the electrode leads (111, 112) of the long-side battery cell (110a) are formed is formed longer than the side where the electrode leads (111, 112) of the short-side battery cell (110b) are formed (L2 > L1), and the side where the electrode leads (111, 112) of the short-side battery cell (110b) are formed is formed shorter than the side where the electrode leads (111, 112) of the long-side battery cell (110a) are formed (L1 < L2).

[0063] Additionally, the description of the first battery cell described above is also applicable to the second battery cell.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6 together, the long-side battery cell (110a) has electrode leads (111, 112) formed on both sides of the battery cell (110). That is, the long-side battery cell (110a) is configured such that the positive electrode lead (111) and the negative electrode lead (112) are positioned in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the long-side battery cell (110a). In addition, the long-side battery cell (110c) is also configured such that the positive electrode lead (111) and the negative electrode lead (112) are positioned in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the long-side battery cell (110c).

[0065] And, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 together, the single-sided battery cell (110b) also has electrode leads (111, 112) formed on both sides of the battery cell (110). That is, the single-sided battery cell (110b) is configured such that the positive electrode lead (111) and the negative electrode lead (112) are positioned in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the single-sided battery cell (110b).

[0066] That is, although the long-side battery cells (110a, 110c) and the short-side battery cells (110b) differ in the vertical lengths (L1 and L2) based on FIG. 4, they are common in that both the long-side battery cells (110a, 110c) and the short-side battery cells (110b) have electrode leads (111, 112) formed on both sides, respectively.

[0067] A plurality of battery cells (110) can be electrically connected via a bus bar (not shown). However, the bus bar is not shown in the drawing.

[0068] The battery cell stack (100) may be provided with a plurality of cartridges (not shown) that accommodate battery cells (110). Each cartridge (not shown) may be manufactured by injection molding of plastic, and a plurality of cartridges (not shown) having a storage portion that can accommodate battery cells (110) may be stacked. A cartridge assembly in which a plurality of cartridges (not shown) are stacked may be provided with a connector element or a terminal element. The connector element may include, for example, various types of electrical connection components or connection members for connection to a BMS (Battery Management System, not shown) that can provide data on the voltage or temperature of the battery cell (110).

[0069] In addition, the terminal element is a main terminal connected to the battery cell (110) and includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The terminal element is provided with a terminal bolt so that it can be electrically connected to the outside. Meanwhile, the battery cell (110) may have various shapes.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 2, a battery cell stack (100) is housed in a case (200). The case (200) may include an upper case (210) and a lower case (220). In addition, the case (200) surrounds the battery cells (110), thereby protecting the battery cells (110) from external vibrations or shocks.

[0071] The case (200) may include a mica plate formed of mica that has both thermal insulation and heat resistance to prevent flame leakage. Here, the mica plate may include not only a flat mica plate but also a shape having a mixture of flat and curved surfaces.

[0072] The case (200) may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the battery cell stack (100). For example, if the battery cell stack (100) is formed in a hexahedral shape with a rectangular cross-section, the case (200) may also be formed in a hexahedral shape corresponding thereto.

[0073] The case (200) can be manufactured, for example, by bending a metal plate, thereby enabling the case (200) to be manufactured as an integral part. When the case (200) is manufactured as an integral part, the joining process is simplified and simplified. Alternatively, the case (200) may be provided in a detachable form and joined by welding or the like. However, the material of the case (200) is not limited to a metal material.

[0074] A cooling member (300) is placed between a plurality of battery cells (110). The cooling member (300) is provided to cool the flame and block the flame from spreading when a flame occurs in any battery cell (110).

[0075] Referring to FIG. 5, the cooling member (300) may be configured to include a receiving portion (310) and a cooling material (320).

[0076] The receiving portion (310) is configured to receive a cooling material (320) and to burst at a preset temperature. The receiving portion (310) may be configured in various ways, but may be formed of a metal material having a preset thickness, for example. The thickness of the metal material may vary depending on the type of battery module (10), and may be formed thin enough to melt and burst in a flame.

[0077] A cooling material (320) is accommodated in a receiving portion (310). The cooling material (320) is provided to cool a flame generated from a battery cell (110). That is, the cooling material (320) is accommodated in the receiving portion (310), and when the receiving portion (310) is ruptured by a flame generated from a battery cell (110), the cooling material (320) flows out from the receiving portion (310) and cools the flame.

[0078] The cooling material (320) may be various and may be liquid nitrogen that can lower the oxygen concentration and cool and block the flame, but the type of cooling material (320) is not limited to liquid nitrogen.

[0079] In other words, the cooling material (320) may include various materials that can contact a high-temperature material to transfer heat to lower the temperature or block the supply of oxygen to eliminate the flame. For example, the cooling material (320) may be configured to include liquid nitrogen. That is, when a flame occurs in the battery cell (110), the receiving portion (310) of the cooling member (300) ruptures, and the cooling material (320), for example, liquid nitrogen, inside the receiving portion (310) is ejected, thereby cooling the battery cell (110).

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the battery cell stack (100) may include a first battery cell stack (100a), a second battery cell stack (100b), and a third battery cell stack (100c). Of course, more battery cell stacks (100) may be provided than the first battery cell stack (100a), the second battery cell stack (100b), and the third battery cell stack (100c). However, for convenience of explanation, the description will focus on a case where the battery cell stack (100) includes the first battery cell stack (100a), the second battery cell stack (100b), and the third battery cell stack (100c).

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first battery cell stack (100a) includes a plurality of long-side battery cells (110a). In FIGS. 3 and 4, the first battery cell stack (100a) includes four long-side battery cells (110a), but is not limited thereto. As described above, the long-side battery cells (110a) are battery cells (110) whose sides on which electrode leads (111, 112) are formed are formed long.

[0082] And, the second battery cell stack (100b) includes a plurality of short-side battery cells (110b). In FIGS. 3 and 4, the second battery cell stack (100b) includes four short-side battery cells (110b), but is not limited thereto. As described above, the short-side battery cell (110b) is a battery cell (110) having a side on which the electrode leads (111, 112) are formed shorter than that of the long-side battery cell (110a). Here, the second battery cell stack (100b) is arranged adjacent to the first battery cell stack (100a).

[0083] The third battery cell stack (100c) includes a plurality of long-side battery cells (110c). In FIGS. 3 and 4 , the third battery cell stack (100c) includes four long-side battery cells (110c), but is not limited thereto. As described above, the long-side battery cells (110c) are battery cells (110) formed with long sides on which electrode leads (111, 112) are formed. Here, the third battery cell stack (100c) is arranged adjacent to the second battery cell stack (100b).

[0084] And, referring to FIG. 4, the short-side battery cell (110b) provided in the second battery cell stack (100b) may be provided with a side on which the electrode leads (111, 112) are formed shorter (L1 < L2) than the long-side battery cells (110a, 100c). That is, the short-side battery cell (110b) having a shorter length than the long-side battery cells (110a, 110c) is arranged to be symmetrical vertically (symmetrical in the Y direction) with respect to FIG. 4. At this time, a space (400) is formed between any short-side battery cell (110b) arranged to be symmetrical vertically in the longitudinal direction (Y direction of FIG. 4) and another short-side battery cell (110b).

[0085] And, a cooling member (300) is placed in the aforementioned space (400). That is, the cooling member (300) can be placed between a plurality of short-side battery cells (110b) of the second battery cell stack (100b).

[0086] In this way, when a cooling member (300) is placed in the space (400) between a plurality of short-side battery cells (110b), even if a flame occurs in a long-side battery cell (110a) of the first battery cell stack (100a) or a long-side battery cell (110c) of the third battery cell stack (100c), the flame spread to other battery cells (110) is prevented by the cooling member (300) between the first battery cell stack (100a) and the third battery cell stack (100c).

[0087] By this, it is possible to block or extinguish a flame ignited in a battery cell (110), and also to prevent a flame generated by ignition in a battery cell (110) from spreading to another neighboring battery cell (110), and also to prevent heat transfer between battery cells (110), thereby preventing a chain reaction of thermal runaway and improving the stability of the battery cell (110).

[0088] FIG. 7 is a drawing of only the battery cell in the battery module according to the second embodiment of the present invention viewed from the top, and FIG. 8 is a drawing viewed along the D direction of FIG. 7, showing the lower case.

[0089] The second embodiment of the present invention fundamentally differs from the first embodiment in its configuration, particularly in the arrangement of battery cells (110). However, any portions of the second embodiment that are common to those described in the first embodiment are replaced by the description of the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, any portions of the second embodiment that are applicable to the first embodiment may also be applied to the first embodiment.

[0090] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a plurality of long-side battery cells (110a) provided in a first battery cell stack (100a) and a plurality of short-side battery cells (110b) provided in a second battery cell stack (100b) are arranged in different directions. Here, a plurality of long-side battery cells (110c) provided in a third battery cell stack (100c) and a plurality of short-side battery cells (110b) provided in a second battery cell stack (100b) may also be arranged in different directions.

[0091] For example, referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of long-side battery cells (110a) provided in a first battery cell stack (100a) are arranged so that a narrow side among the sides without electrode leads (111, 112) is in contact with a lower case (220). In addition, a plurality of short-side battery cells (110b) provided in a second battery cell stack (100b) are arranged so that a wide side among the sides without electrode leads (111, 112) is directed toward a lower case (220). In addition, a space (400) can be formed between any short-side battery cell (110b) and another short-side battery cell (110b) by this arrangement.

[0092] And, a cooling member (300) is placed in the aforementioned space (400). That is, the cooling member (300) can be placed between a plurality of short-side battery cells (110b) of the second battery cell stack (100b).

[0093] In this way, when a cooling member (300) is placed in the space (400) between a plurality of short-side battery cells (110b), even if a flame occurs in a long-side battery cell (110a) of the first battery cell stack (100a) or a long-side battery cell (110c) of the third battery cell stack (100c), the flame spread to other battery cells (110) is prevented by the cooling member (300) between the first battery cell stack (100a) and the third battery cell stack (100c).

[0094] Meanwhile, as a modified embodiment, the sides where the electrode leads (111, 112) of the long-side battery cell (110a) and the short-side battery cell (110b) of FIG. 7 are formed may be arranged to have the same length. That is, FIGS. 7 and 8 may be composed of only long-side battery cells (110a) or may be composed of only short-side battery cells (110b).

[0095] FIG. 9 is a drawing schematically showing the configuration of a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 9, a battery pack (20) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes one or more battery modules (10) according to each of the embodiments described above.

[0097] In addition, the battery pack (20) may further include a pack housing (21) for storing the battery module (10), and various devices for controlling charging and discharging of the battery cells (110) stored in the battery module (10), such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0098] Specifically, the battery pack (20) may include, for example, a battery management system (BMS) and a battery disconnect unit (BDU).

[0099] The battery management system is mounted in the pack housing (21) and controls the operation of the battery cells (110). The battery management system is configured to be provided per pack unit rather than per module unit, and is configured to control, for example, the charge / discharge state, power state, and performance state of the battery cells (110) through pack voltage and pack current.

[0100] In addition, the battery disconnect unit controls the electrical connection of the battery cells (110) to manage the power capacity and function of the battery pack (20). For this purpose, the battery disconnect unit may include a power relay, a current sensor, a fuse, etc. In addition, the battery disconnect unit is also provided per pack unit, not per module unit.

[0101] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 9.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 10, a vehicle (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery modules (10) or battery packs (20) according to each of the aforementioned embodiments. Here, the vehicle (30) includes various types of vehicles that are designed to use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0103] Fig. 11 is a drawing schematically showing the configuration of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the case of Fig. 11, the battery cell stack (100) of the first embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 is directly accommodated in the pack case (21a) of the battery pack (20a) without the case (200) of the battery module (10), but a case in which the battery cell stack (100) of the second embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7 is directly accommodated in the pack case (21a) of the battery pack (20a) without the case (200) of the battery module (10) is also included in the scope of rights according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 11, a battery pack (20a) according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack (100), a pack housing (21a), and a cooling member (300).

[0105] The description of the battery cell stack (100), the description of the cooling member (300), and the description of the battery cell (110) being configured to include only the first battery cell having electrode leads (111, 112) formed on both sides, or only the second battery cell having both electrode leads (111, 112) formed on one side are common to the description of the battery module (10) described above, and are therefore replaced with the description described above.

[0106] A battery cell stack (100) is housed in the pack housing (21a). Referring to FIG. 11, the battery cell stack (100) can be directly housed in the pack housing (21a) of the battery pack (20a) without the case (200) of the battery module (100). According to this method, more battery cells (110) can be housed in the space occupied by the case (200) of the battery module (100) within the battery pack (20a), thereby increasing space efficiency and improving battery capacity. In addition, the case (200) of the battery module (100) can be removed, thereby reducing weight and volume.

[0107] A cell cover may be provided to support the battery cell (110) so that the battery cell (110) can be directly stored in the pack housing (21a). However, the cell cover is optional, and the battery cell (110) may be directly stored in the pack housing (21a) without the cell cover.

[0108] Here, when a cell cover is provided, the cell cover may be configured to surround at least some of the battery cells (110) among the plurality of battery cells (110). For example, the cell cover may be configured to at least partially surround one, two, or three battery cells (110). However, the number of battery cells (110) is merely one embodiment and is not limited thereto.

[0109] Here, the cell cover may be configured to partially wrap the battery cell (110) so that at least one side of the battery cell (110) wrapped by the cell cover is exposed to the outside.

[0110] The cell cover may be configured to support the battery cell (110) accommodated therein. In particular, the cell cover may be configured to stably support the upright state of the battery cell (110) accommodated therein.

[0111] Specifically, the cell cover may be configured to support, for example, a pouch-type battery cell (110) in an upright state. Generally, it is not easy to stack pouch-type battery cells (110) in an upright position.

[0112] However, the cell cover can support one or more pouch-type battery cells (110) by wrapping them and maintaining the wrapped battery cells (110) in an upright state, i.e., a standing state.

[0113] Meanwhile, the battery pack (20a) may further include a pack housing (21a) for storing the battery cells (110), and various devices for controlling charging and discharging of the battery cells (110), such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0114] Specifically, the battery pack (20a) may include, for example, a battery management system (BMS) and a battery disconnect unit (BDU).

[0115] The battery management system is mounted in the pack housing (21a) and controls the operation of the battery cells (110). The battery management system is configured to be provided per pack unit rather than per module unit, and is configured to control, for example, the charge / discharge state, power state, and performance state of the battery cells (110) through pack voltage and pack current.

[0116] In addition, the battery disconnect unit controls the electrical connection of the battery cells (110) to manage the power capacity and function of the battery pack (20a). To this end, the battery disconnect unit may include a power relay, a current sensor, a fuse, etc. In addition, the battery disconnect unit is also provided per pack unit, not per module unit.

[0117] FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 11.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 12, a vehicle (30a) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs (20a) according to each of the embodiments described above. In the battery pack (20a), a battery cell stack (100) is directly housed in a pack housing (21a) of the battery pack (20a) without a battery module.

[0119] Here, the vehicle (30a) includes various vehicles that are designed to use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0120] In this specification, when terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used, these terms are only for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer.

[0121] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims to be described below. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above should be considered from an illustrative rather than a restrictive perspective. In other words, the true scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is set forth in the claims, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

[0122] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. A battery cell stack in which multiple battery cells are stacked; A case in which the battery cell stack is stored; and It includes a cooling member disposed between the plurality of battery cells, A battery module characterized in that the battery cell includes only a first battery cell having electrode leads formed on both sides, or only a second battery cell having electrode leads formed on one side.

2. In paragraph 1, The first battery cell or the second battery cell, A long-sided battery cell having a long side on which the electrode leads are formed; and A battery module characterized in that it includes a short-sided battery cell having a side formed shorter than the long-sided battery cell.

3. In paragraph 2, A first battery cell stack in which a plurality of the long-side battery cells are stacked; A second battery cell stack arranged adjacent to the first battery cell stack, in which a plurality of the single-sided battery cells are stacked; and A battery module characterized in that it comprises a third battery cell stack arranged adjacent to the second battery cell stack and having a plurality of the long-side battery cells stacked thereon.

4. In paragraph 3, A battery module characterized in that the cooling member is disposed between a plurality of the single-sided battery cells of the second battery cell stack.

5. In paragraph 4, A battery module characterized in that a space is formed between any single-ended battery cell and another single-ended battery cell.

6. In paragraph 5, A battery module characterized in that the cooling member is arranged in the space.

7. In paragraph 1, The above cooling member, A receptacle that bursts at a preset temperature; and A battery module characterized by including a cooling material accommodated in the above-mentioned receiving portion.

8. In paragraph 7, A battery module characterized in that the above-mentioned receiving portion is made of a metal material having a preset thickness.

9. In paragraph 7, A battery module characterized in that the above cooling material is liquid nitrogen.

10. In paragraph 3, A battery module characterized in that the plurality of long-side battery cells provided in the first battery cell stack and the plurality of short-side battery cells provided in the second battery cell stack are arranged in different directions.

11. In paragraph 10, The above case includes a lower case, The plurality of long-side battery cells are arranged so that the narrow side among the sides without electrode leads contacts the lower case, A battery module characterized in that the plurality of single-sided battery cells are arranged so that the wide side of the side without the electrode leads faces the lower case.

12. In paragraph 10, A battery module characterized in that a space is formed between any single-ended battery cell and another single-ended battery cell.

13. In paragraph 12, A battery module characterized in that the cooling member is arranged in the space.

14. A battery pack comprising at least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A vehicle comprising at least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

16. A battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; A pack housing in which the battery cell stack is stored; and It includes a cooling member disposed between the plurality of battery cells, A battery pack characterized in that the battery cells include only first battery cells each having electrode leads formed on both sides, or only second battery cells each having electrode leads formed on one side.

17. A vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to paragraph 16.

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