Battery module and battery pack including same

Abstract

A 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 module case in which the battery cell stack is accommodated, and which has an opening formed on one surface thereof; and a cell diagnosis assembly mounted on the module case so as to be positioned in the opening, wherein the cell diagnosis assembly can be coupled to the module case such that at least a portion thereof can move.

Description

Battery module and battery pack including same

[0001] Cross-citation with related application(s)

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0118820, filed September 2, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0090055, filed July 4, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module that minimizes deformation of a cell diagnostic assembly and a battery pack including the same.

[0004] In modern society, the widespread use of portable devices like cell phones, laptops, camcorders, and digital cameras, as well as energy storage systems (ESS), has led to active development of related technologies. Furthermore, rechargeable secondary batteries are increasingly being used as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs) to address air pollution issues caused by conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, further fueling the growing need for secondary battery development.

[0005] Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are receiving the most attention due to their advantages of free charging and discharging, low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0006] These lithium secondary batteries primarily use lithium oxide and carbon materials as the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively. Lithium secondary batteries comprise an electrode assembly comprising positive and negative plates coated with the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively, with a separator interposed between them, and an outer case, i.e., a battery case, that seals and encloses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0007] In general, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into can-type secondary batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a metal can and pouch-type secondary batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a pouch of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the outer packaging material.

[0008] In the case of secondary batteries used in small devices, 2-3 battery cells are arranged, but in the case of secondary batteries used in medium to large devices such as automobiles, a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected is used. Such a battery module improves capacity and output by forming a battery cell stack by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series or parallel. One or more battery modules can be mounted together with various control and protection systems such as a battery management system (BMS), a battery disconnect unit (BDU), and a cooling system to form a battery pack.

[0009] A battery pack includes battery modules as a sub-concept, and a battery module includes battery cells as a sub-concept. The number of battery cells contained in a battery module or the number of battery modules contained in a battery pack can vary depending on the output or capacity of the battery pack required for an electric vehicle or energy storage system (ESS).

[0010] Meanwhile, repeated charging and discharging of secondary batteries can cause cell swelling. Swelling occurs when the volume of the active material coated on the positive and negative electrodes increases with repeated charging and discharging, causing the battery cell to expand. Swelling begins in each individual battery cell within a battery module, ultimately affecting the entire module.

[0011] A battery module may include a plurality of battery cells, a module frame in which the battery cells are accommodated, and a cell diagnostic assembly mounted on the module frame. If a swelling phenomenon occurs in the battery cells accommodated in the module frame, the module frame and the cell diagnostic assembly mounted on the module frame may be deformed together. There is a problem in that the cell diagnostic assembly may be deformed and damaged due to the swelling of the battery cells, and thus the printed circuit board included in the cell diagnostic assembly may not be able to perform its original role (e.g., diagnosing the voltage and temperature of the battery cells).

[0012] Therefore, even if swelling occurs in the battery cells and the module case is deformed, a structure is needed that can minimize deformation of the cell diagnostic assembly mounted on the module case.

[0013] The present invention aims to provide a battery module that minimizes deformation of a cell diagnostic assembly and a battery pack including the same.

[0014] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the problems described above and can be expanded in various ways within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention.

[0015] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module case that houses the battery cell stack therein and has an opening formed on one surface; and a cell diagnostic assembly mounted on the module case so as to be positioned in the opening, wherein the cell diagnostic assembly can be coupled to the module case so that at least a portion of the cell diagnostic assembly is movable.

[0016] The above cell diagnostic assembly can be coupled to the module case so as to be movable along at least one direction.

[0017] The cell diagnostic assembly is coupled to the module case so as to be movable along at least one of the width direction of the opening and the height direction of the module case, and the width direction of the opening may be the same as the swelling direction occurring in the battery cell.

[0018] The cell diagnostic assembly may be movably coupled to the module case at a portion adjacent to one edge of the opening along the width direction of the opening, and may be fixedly coupled to the module case at a portion adjacent to the other edge of the opening along the width direction of the opening.

[0019] The module case includes a first coupling hole formed in a portion adjacent to one edge of the opening along the width direction of the opening and a second coupling hole formed in a portion adjacent to the other edge of the opening along the width direction of the opening, and the cell diagnostic assembly includes a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling hole and the second coupling hole, respectively, wherein the first coupling hole may be in the form of a slot hole.

[0020] The first coupling hole and the second coupling hole may be located in a longitudinal central region of the module case on one side of the module case where the opening is formed.

[0021] The first coupling portion may be coupled to the first coupling hole so as to be movable along the extension direction of the first coupling hole, and the second coupling portion may be fixedly coupled to the second coupling hole.

[0022] The first coupling hole is formed to extend along the width direction, and the second coupling portion can be fixedly coupled to the second coupling hole by a heat-fusion method.

[0023] The first coupling portion includes a first body portion in the shape of a circular cylinder that extends along the height direction of the cell diagnostic assembly and is inserted into the first coupling hole, and a first head portion formed on the upper portion of the first body portion so as to be in contact with the first body portion, and the extension length of the first coupling hole may be longer than the diameter of the first body portion.

[0024] The cell diagnostic assembly may include a printed circuit board; a lower housing on which the printed circuit board is mounted; and an upper cover configured to cover at least a portion of the printed circuit board.

[0025] The lower housing can be snap-fit ​​connected to at least one of the module case and the upper cover.

[0026] The lower housing may include a hook member that is hookably connected to at least one of the module case and the upper cover.

[0027] The upper cover may be coupled to the lower housing so as to be spaced apart from the hook member.

[0028] The upper cover may be coupled to the lower housing such that the surface facing the printed circuit board is spaced apart from the uppermost end of the hook member.

[0029] The above hook members are plural in number, and the plural hook members can be arranged along the periphery of the lower housing.

[0030] Some of the plurality of hook members may be formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the lower housing, and other some of the plurality of hook members may be formed on both sides in the width direction of the lower housing.

[0031] The printed circuit board may be configured to diagnose at least one of a voltage and a temperature of the battery cell.

[0032] The above plurality of battery cells can be stacked along the width direction.

[0033] A venting hole may be formed in the above module case to discharge gas and flame generated inside the battery module.

[0034] A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may include the battery module and a pack case in which the battery module is packaged.

[0035] According to embodiments of the present invention, since the cell diagnostic assembly is movably coupled to the module case, even if the module case is deformed due to swelling of the battery cell, deformation of the cell diagnostic assembly is minimized, so that the printed circuit board included in the cell diagnostic assembly can normally perform its role of diagnosing the voltage and temperature of the battery cell.

[0036] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a plan view and a partially enlarged view of a cell diagnostic assembly mounted on a top plate according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the upper cover removed.

[0040] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of Figure 3.

[0041] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of Figure 3.

[0042] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view and a partial enlarged view taken along line C-C' of Figure 3.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a side view of a cell diagnostic assembly and a top plate according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing an initial state and a state in which the top plate is deformed due to swelling of a battery cell.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a top plate according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the direction in which the top plate expands and deforms due to swelling of a battery cell.

[0045] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a cell diagnostic assembly mounted on a top plate with the upper cover removed according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a drawing for explaining the widthwise movement of the cell diagnostic assembly.

[0046] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of Fig. 3, and is a drawing for explaining the height direction movement of the cell diagnostic assembly.

[0047] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. The present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0048] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0049] Furthermore, the sizes and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily indicated for convenience of explanation, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to the illustrated components. In the drawings, the thicknesses are enlarged to clearly represent various layers and regions. Furthermore, in the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for convenience of explanation.

[0050] Furthermore, when we say that a layer, membrane, region, plate, or other part is "on" or "over" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly on" the other part, but also cases where there are other parts in between. Conversely, when we say that a part is "directly on" another part, it means that there are no other parts in between. Furthermore, when we say that a part is "on" or "over" a reference part, it means that it is located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean that it is located "above" or "over" the direction opposite to gravity.

[0051] Meanwhile, in this specification, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back may be used, but 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.

[0052] Additionally, throughout the specification, whenever a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0053] Additionally, throughout the specification, when we say "in plan", we mean when the target portion is viewed from above, and when we say "in cross section", we mean when the target portion is viewed from the side in a cross-section cut vertically.

[0054] Before describing the battery module (100) according to the present invention, the longitudinal direction of the battery module (100), module case (110), opening (221), cell diagnostic assembly (120), etc. means the X-axis direction in the drawing. The width direction of the battery module (100), module case (110), opening (221), cell diagnostic assembly (120), etc. means the Y-axis direction in the drawing. The height direction of the battery module (100), module case (110), cell diagnostic assembly (120), etc. means the Z-axis direction in the drawing.

[0055] Hereinafter, a battery module (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery module (100) may include a battery cell stack (210), a module case (110), a cell diagnostic assembly (120), an end plate (130), and a busbar frame (240).

[0057] The module case (110) may include a top plate (111), an opening (221), a first coupling hole (222), a second coupling hole (223), and a U-shaped frame (112). The U-shaped frame (112) may include a bottom plate on which the battery cell stack (210) is mounted, and side plates formed by protruding from each of the two edges of the bottom plate. The two edges of the bottom plate may be portions facing each other along the width direction of the battery module.

[0058] The cell diagnostic assembly (120) may include a printed circuit board (231), a lower housing (232), an upper cover (233), a first coupling portion (310), a second coupling portion (320), and a hook member (330).

[0059] A battery module (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack (210) in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked. The battery cell stack (210) is housed inside a module case (110). When the module case (110) has a structure including a top plate (111) and a U-shaped frame (112), the battery cell stack (210) may be inserted into the inside of the U-shaped frame (112) and may have a structure in which the open upper surface is covered by the top plate (111). The battery cell stack (210) may be stacked along the width direction of the battery module (100), and in this case, the width direction of the battery module (100) and the direction of swelling occurring in the battery cells may be the same.

[0060] The module case (110) is configured to accommodate a battery cell stack (210) therein. An opening (221) is formed on one side of the module case (110), i.e., the top plate (111). The cell diagnostic assembly (120) is mounted on the top plate (111) so as to be positioned in the opening (221). The top plate (111) may include a first coupling hole (222) formed adjacent to one edge of the opening (221) along the width direction of the opening (221) and a second coupling hole (223) formed adjacent to the other edge of the opening (221) along the width direction of the opening (221). The opening (221), the first coupling hole (222), and the second coupling hole (223) may be formed in the top plate (111).

[0061] A venting hole (224) may be formed in the module case (110). The venting hole (224) may be formed in the top plate (111) of the module case (110). On the top plate (111), the venting hole (224) may be formed in an area other than an area where the opening (221), the first coupling hole (222), and the second coupling hole (223) are formed. There may be a plurality of venting holes (224). The plurality of venting holes (224) may be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the battery module (100). At least some of the plurality of venting holes (224) may be in a form that extends long along the longitudinal direction of the battery module (100). Gas or flame generated inside the battery module (100) may be discharged to the outside through the venting hole (224). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent damage to components inside the battery module (100) due to gas or flame or the occurrence of thermal runaway phenomenon inside the battery module (100).

[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, the first coupling portion (310) and the second coupling portion (320) of the cell diagnostic assembly (120) are coupled to the first coupling hole (222) and the second coupling hole (223) of the module case (110), respectively, so that the cell diagnostic assembly (120) can be mounted on the module case (110). The first coupling hole (222) may be in the form of a slot hole. Here, the slot hole means an elongated hole extending in one direction, that is, a hole having a length in one direction rather than a circle. The first coupling hole (222) may be in the form of a slot hole extending along the width direction of the module case (110) (the Y-axis direction in FIG. 3) and having a width along the length direction of the module case (110) (the X-axis direction in FIG. 3) and a length along the width direction of the module case (110) (the Y-axis direction in FIG. 3). As described below, the first coupling part (310) may include a first body part (411) and a first head part (412) (see FIG. 4), and the first body part (411) having a circular cylinder shape may be inserted into the first coupling hole (222) so that the first coupling hole (222) and the first coupling part (310) may be coupled. At this time, the extension length of the first coupling hole (222) along the width direction of the module case (110) is longer than the diameter of the first body part (411), so that the first body part (411) can move in the width direction of the module case (110), and as a result, the cell diagnostic assembly (120) can move along the width direction of the module case (110). In addition, the battery cell stack (210) is stacked along the width direction of the module case (110), which is the extension direction of the first coupling hole (222), so that the swelling direction of the battery cell can be the same as the extension direction of the first coupling hole (222) and the width direction of the module case (110). In this case, since the cell diagnosis assembly (120) can move in the same direction as the swelling direction of the battery cell by the first coupling hole (222), deformation of the cell diagnosis assembly (120) due to swelling of the battery cell and deformation of the module case (110) can be effectively suppressed.

[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first coupling hole (222) and the second coupling hole (223) may be formed adjacent to the edges on both sides of the opening (221) in the width direction of the opening (221). The first coupling hole (222) and the second coupling hole (223) may be located in a longitudinal central region (see C of FIG. 8) of the module case (110) on one side (e.g., the top plate (111)) of the module case (110) where the opening (221) is formed. Here, the central region means a region near a midpoint along the longitudinal direction of the module case (110), that is, a region from a midpoint along the longitudinal direction of the module case (110) to a point a predetermined distance away on both sides in the longitudinal direction. In order to package the battery cell stack (210) inside the module case (110), the top plate (111) can be fixed by four-sided welding at four edges corresponding to the side plates and end plates of the U-shaped frame (112). Since the top plate (111) can have a shape that is elongated along the longitudinal direction of the module case (110), the central region of the top plate (111) along the longitudinal direction of the module case (110) swells the most when the battery cell swells. In the present invention, since the first coupling hole (222) that enables the cell diagnosis assembly (120) to move is located in the central region in the longitudinal direction of the module case (110), deformation of the cell diagnosis assembly (120) due to swelling of the battery cell can be effectively suppressed.

[0064] In addition, since the top plate (111) and the U-shaped frame (112) of the module case (110) in which the battery cell stack (210) is accommodated are welded and fixed, the rigidity of the module case (110) can partially suppress expansion due to swelling of the battery cells. In addition, since the cell diagnosis assembly (120) is movably coupled to the module case (110), even if the module case (110) is deformed due to swelling of the battery cells, the cell diagnosis assembly (120) is not deformed or damaged. In other words, the module case (110) can partially suppress expansion due to swelling of the battery cells due to its rigidity, and even if the module case (110) is deformed due to swelling of the battery cells, the cell diagnosis assembly (120) is not deformed together with the module case (110) and can perform its original function.

[0065] The cell diagnostic assembly (120) includes a printed circuit board (231). The printed circuit board (231) can diagnose the status (e.g., voltage, temperature, etc.) of a battery cell. The cell diagnostic assembly (120) is mounted on the module case (110) so as to be positioned in the opening (221). The cell diagnostic assembly (120) is coupled to the module case (110) so as to be movable at least in a portion thereof. The cell diagnostic assembly (120) is coupled to the module case (110) so as to be movable along at least one direction. The cell diagnostic assembly (120) can be coupled to the module case (110) so as to be movable along at least one of the width direction of the opening (221) and the height direction of the module case (110).

[0066] The cell diagnostic assembly (120) may be movably coupled to the module case (110) at a portion adjacent to one edge of the opening (221) along the width direction of the opening (221), and may be fixedly coupled to the module case (110) at a portion adjacent to the other edge of the opening (221) along the width direction of the opening (221). To this end, the cell diagnostic assembly (120) may include a first coupling portion (310) and a second coupling portion (320) coupled to a first coupling hole (222) and a second coupling hole (223) of the module case (110), respectively. The first coupling portion (310) and the second coupling portion (320) may be formed at positions corresponding to the first coupling hole (222) and the second coupling hole (223). When the first coupling hole (222) and the second coupling hole (223) are formed in a portion adjacent to both edges along the width direction of the opening (221) so as to be located in the longitudinal central region of the module case (110) on one side of the module case (110) where the opening (221) is formed (see C of FIG. 8), the first coupling portion (310) and the second coupling portion (320) can be formed in positions corresponding thereto.

[0067] As described above, the first coupling hole (222) may be in the form of a slot hole, and the first coupling portion (310) may be coupled to the first coupling hole (222) so as to be movable along the extension direction (e.g., width direction) of the first coupling hole (222). Accordingly, even when the module case (110) is deformed due to swelling of the battery cell, the cell diagnostic assembly (120) can be movable in the width direction, etc., so that deformation of the cell diagnostic assembly (120) can be minimized.

[0068] The second coupling part (320) can be fixedly coupled to the second coupling hole (223). The second coupling part (320) can be fixedly coupled to the second coupling hole (223) by a heat-fusion method or the like. The second coupling part (320) and the second coupling hole (223) are mutually coupled to fix the position of the cell diagnostic assembly (120). That is, the cell diagnostic assembly (120) is not coupled to the module case (110) so that all parts can move, but is fixed to the module case (110) and maintains its position in the part where the second coupling part (320) is formed, and can be coupled to the module case (110) so that it can move only in the part where the first coupling part (310) and the hook member (330) to be described later are formed. Accordingly, while the position of the cell diagnostic assembly (120) relative to the module case (110) is maintained, the cell diagnostic assembly (120) may not be deformed or damaged even if the module case (110) is deformed due to swelling of the battery cell.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 4, the first coupling portion (310) and the second coupling portion (320) may be formed to extend along the height direction of the cell diagnostic assembly (120). The first coupling portion (310) may include a first body portion (411) and a first head portion (412). The second coupling portion (320) may include a second body portion (421) and a second head portion (422).

[0070] The first body part (411) may be formed to extend along the height direction of the cell diagnostic assembly (120). The first body part (411) may be formed to protrude upward from the bottom surface of the lower housing (232). The first body part (411) may have a circular cylindrical shape. When the first coupling hole (222) is an elongated slot hole having a width and a length (see FIG. 3, etc.), the diameter of the first body part (411) is smaller than the width of the first coupling hole (222) or equal to the width of the first coupling hole (222) and smaller than the length of the first coupling hole (222). Accordingly, the first body part (411) may be inserted into the first coupling hole (222) so that the first coupling part (310) and the first coupling hole (222) may be coupled, and the first coupling part (310) may move along the longitudinal direction (extension direction) of the first coupling hole (222). The first head portion (412) can be formed on the upper portion of the first body portion (411) so as to be in contact with the first body portion (411). To prevent the first coupling portion (310) from being separated from the first coupling hole (222), the first head portion (412) is formed to have a diameter greater than the width of the first coupling hole (222).

[0071] The second body part (421) may be formed to extend along the height direction of the cell diagnostic assembly (120). The second body part (421) may be formed to protrude upward from the bottom surface of the lower housing (232). The second body part (421) may have a circular cylindrical shape. The diameter of the second body part (421) is smaller than or equal to the diameter of the second coupling hole (223). Accordingly, the second body part (421) may be inserted into the second coupling hole (223) so that the second coupling part (320) and the second coupling hole (223) may be coupled. The second head part (422) may be formed on the upper portion of the second body part (421) so as to be in contact with the second body part (421). To prevent the second coupling portion (320) from being separated from the second coupling hole (223), the second head portion (422) is formed with a diameter larger than the width of the second coupling hole (223).

[0072] The cell diagnostic assembly (120) may include a printed circuit board (231), a lower housing (232), and an upper cover (233). That is, the cell diagnostic assembly (120) is not simply a single board, but may be a configuration having a height in the height direction of the battery module (100), and may be a configuration that diagnoses the voltage and temperature of a battery cell and communicates with an external BMS (Battery Management System), etc. The printed circuit board (231) may be a CSC (Cell Supervision Circuit) printed circuit board that diagnoses the status of a battery cell (e.g., voltage, temperature, etc.), but is not limited thereto, and various types of printed circuit boards may be applied.

[0073] A printed circuit board (231) may be mounted on the lower housing (232). The printed circuit board (231) may be mounted on the lower housing (232) so that its lower surface contacts the lower housing (232). The upper cover (233) may be configured to cover at least a portion of the printed circuit board (231). The upper cover (233) may be configured to cover an upper surface of the printed circuit board (231). The lower housing (232) may be snap-fit ​​coupled with the module case (110) and / or the upper cover (233). For this purpose, the lower housing (232) may include a hook member (330) that is hook-fit coupled with the module case (110) and / or the upper cover (233). At this time, the upper cover (233) may be coupled with the lower housing (232) so as to be spaced apart from the hook member (330). The upper cover (233) can be coupled to the lower housing (232) so that the surface facing the printed circuit board (231) is spaced upward from the topmost portion in the height direction of the hook member (330).

[0074] Referring to FIG. 5, the lower housing (232) can be snap-fit ​​coupled with the module case (110) and / or the upper cover (233). At this time, the upper cover (233) and the lower housing (232) are coupled so that the surface of the upper cover (233) facing the printed circuit board (231) is spaced upward from the top of the hook member (330), so that even when the module case (110) is deformed due to swelling of the battery cell, the cell diagnostic assembly (120) is not deformed. This is because the lower housing (232) on which the printed circuit board (231) is mounted can move in the height direction. As a result, deformation of the printed circuit board (231) due to swelling of the battery cell and deformation of the module case (110) is minimized, so that the voltage and temperature of the battery cell can be measured until the end of life (EOL) of the battery module (100).

[0075] The hook members (330) may be plural. The plurality of hook members (330) may be arranged along the periphery of the lower housing (232). Referring to FIG. 6, some of the plurality of hook members (330) may be formed on both longitudinal sides of the lower housing (232). Others of the plurality of hook members (330) may be formed on both widthwise sides of the lower housing (232).

[0076] As described above, when the first coupling hole (222) and the second coupling hole (223) are formed in a portion adjacent to both edges of the opening (221) in the width direction of the opening (221) so as to be located in the longitudinal central region of the module case (110) on one side of the module case (110) where the opening (221) is formed, and the first coupling portion (310) and the second coupling portion (320) respectively coupled thereto are formed in corresponding positions, a plurality of hook members (330) can be formed in a region other than the region where the first coupling portion (310) and the second coupling portion (320) are formed.

[0077] Along the circumferential direction of the lower housing (232), a first coupling portion (310) and a second coupling portion (320) are formed on both sides of the longitudinal central region of the module case (110), and a hook member (330) is formed in the other region, so that the cell diagnostic assembly (120) and the module case (110) are firmly coupled, while the cell diagnostic assembly (120) is movable in the width direction and the height direction.

[0078] FIG. 7 is a side view of a cell diagnostic assembly and a top plate according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing an initial state and a state in which the top plate is deformed due to swelling of a battery cell.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a top plate according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the direction in which the top plate expands and deforms due to swelling of a battery cell.

[0080] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a cell diagnostic assembly mounted on a top plate with the upper cover removed according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a drawing for explaining the widthwise movement of the cell diagnostic assembly.

[0081] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of Fig. 3, and is a drawing for explaining the height direction movement of the cell diagnostic assembly.

[0082] The deformation of the module case (110) and the movement of the cell diagnostic assembly (120) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

[0083] The module case (110) may be deformed by swelling of a plurality of battery cells housed in the module case (110). For example, when a plurality of battery cells are stacked along the width direction of the battery module (100) (see FIG. 2), the top plate (111) on which the cell diagnostic assembly (120) is mounted may expand in the width direction due to swelling of the battery cells (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In addition, the expanded battery cells may push up the top plate (111) so that the top plate (111) may expand and deform so as to have an upward bend (see FIG. 7 (b)). That is, the top plate (111) on which the cell diagnostic assembly (120) is mounted may be deformed along the width direction, the height direction, etc. due to swelling of the battery cells.

[0084] At this time, since the conventional battery module is deformed together with the module case by having the cell diagnostic assembly fixedly connected to the upper surface of the module case, the printed circuit board may be damaged and may not be able to perform its original function.

[0085] On the other hand, since the battery module (100) according to the present invention is coupled to the module case (110) so that the cell diagnostic assembly (120) can move in at least one direction, deformation of the cell diagnostic assembly (120) can be minimized even when the module case (110) is deformed due to swelling of the battery cell.

[0086] More specifically, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, when the top plate (111) on which the cell diagnostic assembly (120) is mounted is deformed in the width direction and height direction due to swelling of the battery cells, the cell diagnostic assembly (120) can move in the width direction by the first coupling hole (222) in the form of a slot hole extending in the width direction (see FIG. 9), and the cell diagnostic assembly (120) can move in the height direction by the structure in which the upper cover (233) covering the printed circuit board (231) is spaced upward from the top of the hook member (330) of the lower housing (232). As a result, even if the module case (110) is deformed due to swelling of the battery cells, the cell diagnostic assembly (120) mounted on the module case (110) is not deformed or the deformation is minimized, so that the printed circuit board (231) can perform its original role until the end of the life of the battery module (100).

[0087] According to an embodiment of the present invention, one or more battery modules may be packaged inside a pack case to form a battery pack.

[0088] The battery module and battery pack containing the battery module described above can be applied to various devices. These devices include, but are not limited to, means of transportation such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be applied to various devices that can utilize the battery module and battery pack containing the battery module, which also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0089] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0090]

[0091]

[0092] [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 100: Battery module

[0094] 110: Module Case

[0095] 111: Top Plate

[0096] 112: U-frame

[0097] 120: Cell Diagnostic Assembly

[0098] 130: End plate

[0099] 210: Battery cell stack

[0100] 221: Aperture

[0101] 222: First coupling hole

[0102] 223: Second coupling hole

[0103] 224: Venting Hall

[0104] 231: Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

[0105] 232: Lower housing

[0106] 233: Top cover

[0107] 240: Busbar frame

[0108] 310: First joint

[0109] 320: Second joint

[0110] 330: Hook member

[0111] 411: First trunk

[0112] 412: First Head

[0113] 421: Second torso

[0114] 422: Second Head

Claims

1. A battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; A module case that houses the battery cell stack inside and has an opening formed on one side; and A cell diagnostic assembly is included that is mounted on the module case so as to be positioned in the opening. The above cell diagnostic assembly, A battery module coupled to the module case such that at least a portion of the module is movable.

2. In paragraph 1, The above cell diagnostic assembly, A battery module coupled to the module case so as to be movable in at least one direction.

3. In paragraph 2, The above cell diagnostic assembly, It is coupled to the module case so as to be movable along at least one of the width direction of the opening and the height direction of the module case, A battery module in which the width direction of the above opening is the same as the direction of swelling occurring in the battery cell.

4. In paragraph 2, The above cell diagnostic assembly, A battery module that is movably coupled to the module case at a portion adjacent to one edge of the opening along the width direction of the opening, and is fixedly coupled to the module case at a portion adjacent to the other edge of the opening along the width direction of the opening.

5. In paragraph 2, The above module case includes a first coupling hole formed in a portion adjacent to one edge of the opening along the width direction of the opening and a second coupling hole formed in a portion adjacent to the other edge of the opening along the width direction of the opening. The cell diagnostic assembly includes a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling hole and the second coupling hole, respectively, A battery module in which the first coupling hole is in the form of a slot hole.

6. In paragraph 5, The above first coupling hole and the above second coupling hole, A battery module located in the longitudinal central region of the module case on one side of the module case where the opening is formed.

7. In paragraph 5, The first coupling portion is coupled to the first coupling hole so as to be movable along the extension direction of the first coupling hole, A battery module in which the second coupling part is fixedly coupled to the second coupling hole.

8. In paragraph 7, The above first coupling hole is formed to extend along the width direction, A battery module in which the second connecting portion is fixedly connected to the second connecting hole by a heat-fusion method.

9. In paragraph 5, The above first connecting portion is, A first body part having a circular cylinder shape that is formed to extend along the height direction of the cell diagnostic assembly and is inserted into the first coupling hole; and It includes a first head formed on the upper part of the first body part so as to be in contact with the first body part, A battery module in which the extension length of the first coupling hole is longer than the diameter of the first body portion.

10. In paragraph 1, The above cell diagnostic assembly, printed circuit board; a lower housing in which the printed circuit board is mounted; and An upper cover configured to cover at least a portion of the printed circuit board A battery module comprising:

11. In paragraph 10, The lower housing is a battery module that is snap-fit ​​connected to at least one of the module case and the upper cover.

12. In paragraph 10, A battery module wherein the lower housing includes a hook member that is hooked to at least one of the module case and the upper cover.

13. In paragraph 12, A battery module in which the upper cover is coupled to the lower housing so as to be spaced apart from the hook member.

14. In paragraph 13, A battery module in which the upper cover is coupled to the lower housing so that the surface facing the printed circuit board is spaced apart from the uppermost end of the hook member.

15. In paragraph 12, The above hook members are plural in number, A battery module wherein the plurality of hook members are arranged along the periphery of the lower housing.

16. In paragraph 15, Some of the above plurality of hook members are formed on both sides of the length of the lower housing, A battery module wherein another portion of the plurality of hook members is formed on both sides in the width direction of the lower housing.

17. In paragraph 10, The printed circuit board is an electrical module configured to diagnose at least one of a voltage and a temperature of the battery cell.

18. In paragraph 3, A battery module in which the plurality of battery cells are stacked along the width direction.

19. In paragraph 1, A battery module in which a venting hole is formed in the module case to discharge gas and flame generated inside the battery module.

20. A battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 19; and A pack case in which the above battery module is packaged A battery pack containing:

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