Battery pack and electric device comprising same

Abstract

The technical idea of the present invention is to provide a battery pack comprising: a housing including a base frame and a top frame; and a cell assembly disposed between the base frame and the top frame, wherein the cell assembly includes: a cell block including a plurality of battery cells; a lower cover which is in contact with the base frame and which is spaced apart from the cell block with a lower gap therebetween; an upper cover which is in contact with the top frame and which is spaced apart from the cell block with an upper gap therebetween; a first side cover which is connected to a first side portion of the cell block and which is coupled to the lower cover and the upper cover; and a second side cover which is connected to a second side portion of the cell block opposite to the first side portion of the cell block and which is coupled to the lower cover and the upper cover.

Description

Battery pack and electrical device including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an electrical device including the same. The present application claims the benefit of Korean application No. 10-2024-0155072, filed on November 5, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are widely used as energy sources for various wireless devices such as handsets, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, as the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has decreased dramatically due to improved energy density and economies of scale, and as the driving range of BEVs (battery electric vehicles) has increased to a level equivalent to that of fuel vehicles, the primary use of secondary batteries is shifting from mobile devices to mobility.

[0003] As rechargeable batteries are increasingly used in mobility, demands for their safety are rising. Given that accidents such as fires involving rechargeable batteries in mobility applications can endanger the lives of drivers, research into technologies to enhance battery safety is indispensable.

[0004] The problem that the technical concept of the present invention aims to solve is to provide a battery pack and an electric device including the same.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned problem, the technical concept of the present invention provides a battery pack comprising: a housing including a base frame and a top frame; and a cell assembly disposed between the base frame and the top frame; wherein the cell assembly comprises: a cell block including a plurality of battery cells; a lower cover in contact with the base frame and spaced apart from the cell block with a lower gap in between; an upper cover in contact with the top frame and spaced apart from the cell block with an upper gap in between; a first side cover connected to a first side of the cell block and coupled to the lower cover and the upper cover; and a second side cover connected to a second side of the cell block opposite to the first side of the cell block and coupled to the lower cover and the upper cover.

[0006] In exemplary embodiments, the lower cover comprises a plurality of lower support bands spaced apart with a lower opening in between, and the upper cover comprises a plurality of upper support bands spaced apart with an upper opening in between.

[0007] In exemplary embodiments, it is characterized by further including a lower compressible pad disposed between the lower cover and the cell block.

[0008] In exemplary embodiments, it is characterized by further including an upper compressible pad disposed between the upper cover and the cell block.

[0009] In exemplary embodiments, the lower cover is further characterized by including a lower adhesive layer configured to attach the lower cover to the base frame.

[0010] In exemplary embodiments, the upper cover is further characterized by including an upper adhesive layer configured to attach the upper cover to the top frame.

[0011] In exemplary embodiments, the plurality of battery cells are characterized by being arranged in a first direction between the first side cover and the second side cover.

[0012] In exemplary embodiments, the cell assembly further comprises: a third side cover covering a third side of the cell block; and a fourth side cover covering a fourth side of the cell block opposite to the third side of the cell block.

[0013] In exemplary embodiments, the third side cover and the fourth side cover are each characterized by including a through hole.

[0014] In exemplary embodiments, the housing is configured to accommodate an insulating cooling fluid in an internal space that accommodates the cell assembly, and the lower gap and the upper gap are provided as passages configured for the insulating cooling fluid to flow through.

[0015] In exemplary embodiments, the housing is characterized by including an inlet port into which the insulating cooling fluid supplied from the outside is introduced and an outlet port for discharging the insulating cooling fluid to the outside.

[0016] In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: a lower compressible pad disposed between the lower cover and the cell block; an upper compressible pad disposed between the upper cover and the cell block; a lower adhesive layer configured to attach the lower cover to the base frame; and an upper adhesive layer configured to attach the upper cover to the top frame; wherein the upper cover comprises a plurality of upper support bands spaced apart with an upper opening in between, and the lower cover comprises a plurality of lower support bands spaced apart with a lower opening in between.

[0017] In exemplary embodiments, the lower compressible pad is positioned between at least one of the plurality of lower support bands and the cell block, and the upper compressible pad is positioned between at least one of the plurality of upper support bands and the cell block.

[0018] To solve the above-mentioned problem, the technical concept of the present invention provides an electrical device comprising: a battery pack; and a cooling fluid supply unit configured to supply an insulating cooling fluid into the internal space of the housing of the battery pack.

[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction between the first side cover and the second side cover, the lower cover includes a plurality of lower support bands spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the upper cover includes a plurality of upper support bands spaced apart from each other in the second direction, and the insulating cooling fluid is configured to flow through the lower gap provided between the lower cover and the cell block and the upper gap provided between the upper cover and the cell block.

[0020] According to exemplary embodiments, the battery pack may be configured to cool the battery cells by an immersion cooling method. In an individual cell assembly, an upper gap provided between the upper cover and the cell block or a lower gap provided between the lower cover and the cell block may serve as a passage for an insulating cooling fluid to flow. Since the battery cells can be immersed cooled by flowing an insulating cooling fluid to the upper and lower sides of the battery cells in the cell assembly, the cooling performance of the battery cells can be improved.

[0021] The effects obtainable from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong from the following description. That is, unintended effects resulting from the implementation of 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.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cell assembly according to exemplary embodiments.

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the cell assembly of Figure 1.

[0024] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cell assembly along the line III-III' of Figure 1.

[0025] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cell assembly along the line IV-IV' of Figure 1.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing a battery pack according to exemplary embodiments.

[0027] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack along the line VI-VI' of Figure 5.

[0028] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack along the line Ⅶ-Ⅶ' of Figure 5.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing an electrical device according to exemplary embodiments.

[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Instead, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe his invention, they should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0031] Therefore, 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; thus, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0032] In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions may obscure the essence of the invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0033] Since embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of the components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted for clearer explanation. Accordingly, the size or proportion of each component does not entirely reflect the actual size or proportion.

[0034]

[0035] (1st embodiment)

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cell assembly (10) according to exemplary embodiments. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the cell assembly (10) of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cell assembly (10) along the line III-III' of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cell assembly (10) along the line IV-IV' of FIG. 1.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the cell assembly (10) may include a cell block (110), a lower cover (120), an upper cover (130), a first side cover (141), a second side cover (145), a third side cover (151), a fourth side cover (155), a lower compressible pad (161), an upper compressible pad (165), and busbar frames (171).

[0038] The cell block (110) may include a plurality of battery cells (111).

[0039] An individual battery cell (111) is a basic unit of a lithium-ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. An individual battery cell (111) may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a cell case. The electrode assembly embedded in the cell case may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. Depending on the assembly form, the electrode assembly may be either a jelly-roll type or a stack type. A jelly-roll type electrode assembly may include a wound structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between them. A stack type electrode assembly may include a plurality of positive electrodes, a plurality of negative electrodes, and a plurality of separators interposed between them, which are stacked sequentially. The positive electrode may include a positive current collector and a positive active material. The negative electrode may include a negative current collector and a negative active material.

[0040] The individual battery cells (111) may correspond to pouch-type battery cells, cylindrical battery cells, or prismatic battery cells. The electrode assembly of a pouch-type battery cell is embedded in a pouch case containing an aluminum laminate sheet. The electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell is embedded in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of a prismatic battery cell is embedded in a prismatic metal can.

[0041] A plurality of battery cells (111) provided in a cell assembly (10) may be connected in series and / or in parallel. For example, a plurality of battery cells (111) may be connected in series with each other. For example, a plurality of battery cells (111) may be connected in parallel with each other. For example, when a set of two or more battery cells (111) connected in parallel is defined as a bank, one bank consisting of two or more battery cells (111) connected in parallel with each other and another bank consisting of two or more battery cells (111) connected in parallel with each other may be connected in series.

[0042] In exemplary embodiments, a plurality of battery cells (111) provided in a cell assembly (10) may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction), and individual battery cells (111) may be extended in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction). An electrode lead (1111) may be provided at least one of the two ends along the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) of an individual battery cell (111). The electrode leads (1111) of adjacent battery cells (111) among the plurality of battery cells (111) may be electrically and physically connected to each other. The cell block (110) may include a first side (1193) and a second side (1194) opposite in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction), a third side (1195) and a fourth side (1196) opposite in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction), and a bottom surface (1191) and a top surface (1192) opposite in a vertical direction (e.g., Z-axis direction). The first side (1193) of the cell block (110) may include the side of a battery cell (111) positioned at one end among a plurality of battery cells (111), and the second side (1194) of the cell block (110) may include the side of a battery cell (111) positioned at the other end among a plurality of battery cells (111). A third side (1195) of the cell block (110) may include sides of a plurality of battery cells (111), and a fourth side (1196) of the cell block (110) may include sides of a plurality of battery cells (111). A bottom surface (1191) of the cell block (110) may include bottom surfaces of a plurality of battery cells (111), and a top surface (1192) of the cell block (110) may include top surfaces of a plurality of battery cells (111).

[0043] Busbar frames (171) may be connected to a third side (1195) or a fourth side (1196) of a cell block (110). Each of the busbar frames (171) may support a plurality of busbars (173) and electrode leads (1111) of a plurality of battery cells (111). Each of the busbar frames (171) may include slits into which the electrode leads (1111) of a plurality of battery cells (111) are inserted. Each of the busbars (173) may be coupled to at least one of the electrode leads (1111) of a plurality of battery cells (111). For example, at least one of the busbars (173) may be coupled to the electrode leads (1111) of neighboring battery cells (111) to electrically connect the neighboring battery cells (111).

[0044] A lower cover (120) may be placed below a cell block (110). The lower cover (120) may be spaced downward from the bottom surface (1191) of the cell block (110) with a lower gap (191) in between. For example, the lower gap (191) may be between 0.5 mm and 5 mm. The lower cover (120) may include a lower opening (122). The lower opening (122) of the lower cover (120) may expose the bottom surface (1191) of the cell block (110). The external space of the cell assembly (10) may communicate with the space between the lower cover (120) and the cell block (110) through the lower opening (122) of the lower cover (120). For example, the lower cover (120) may include a material with excellent rigidity, such as steel, stainless steel, titanium, tungsten, chromium, or a combination thereof.

[0045] The lower cover (120) may include a plurality of lower support bands (121) spaced apart from each other. The plurality of lower support bands (121) may be spaced apart from each other with a lower opening (122) in between. For example, the plurality of lower support bands (121) may be spaced apart from each other in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction), and the plurality of lower support bands (121) may each extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction). The plurality of lower support bands (121) may each be spaced apart from the bottom surface (1191) of the cell block (110) with a lower gap (191) in between.

[0046] An upper cover (130) may be placed on top of a cell block (110). The upper cover (130) may be spaced upward from the upper surface (1192) of the cell block (110) with an upper gap (193) in between. For example, the upper gap (193) may be between 0.5 mm and 5 mm. The upper cover (130) may include an upper opening (132). The upper opening (132) of the upper cover (130) may expose the upper surface (1192) of the cell block (110). The external space of the cell assembly (10) may communicate with the space between the upper cover (130) and the cell block (110) through the upper opening (132) of the upper cover (130). For example, the upper cover (130) may include a material with excellent rigidity, such as steel, stainless steel, titanium, tungsten, chromium, or a combination thereof.

[0047] The upper cover (130) may include a plurality of upper support bands (131) spaced apart from each other. The plurality of upper support bands (131) may be spaced apart from each other with an upper opening (132) in between. For example, the plurality of upper support bands (131) may be spaced apart from each other in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction), and the plurality of upper support bands (131) may each extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction). The plurality of upper support bands (131) may each be spaced apart from the upper surface (1192) of the cell block (110) with an upper gap (193) in between.

[0048] The first side cover (141) may be connected to the first side (1193) of the cell block (110), and the second side cover (145) may be connected to the second side (1194) of the cell block (110). The first side cover (141) may be spaced apart from the second side cover (145) in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) with a plurality of battery cells (111) in between. The plurality of battery cells (111) may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) between the first side cover (141) and the second side cover (145). The first side cover (141) may be a flat plate-shaped member extending approximately in the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) and vertical direction (e.g., Z-axis direction), and may cover the first side (1193) of the cell block (110). The second side cover (145) may be a flat plate-shaped member extending approximately in the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) and the vertical direction (e.g., Z-axis direction), and may cover the second side (1194) of the cell block (110). The bottom of the first side cover (141) and the bottom of the second side cover (145) may be below the bottom surface (1191) of the cell block (110), and the top of the first side cover (141) and the top of the second side cover (145) may be above the top surface (1192) of the cell block (110). The bottom edge of the first side cover (141) may be connected to the lower cover (120), and the top edge of the first side cover (141) may be connected to the upper cover (130). The lower edge of the second side cover (145) can be connected to the lower cover (120), and the upper edge of the second side cover (145) can be connected to the upper cover (130).

[0049] The third side cover (151) may face the third side (1195) of the cell block (110), and the fourth side cover (155) may face the fourth side (1196) of the cell block (110). The third side cover (151) may be spaced apart from the fourth side cover (155) in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) with a plurality of battery cells (111) in between. The third side cover (151) may cover the busbar frame (171) connected to the third side (1195) of the cell block (110). The third side cover (151) may be coupled to the busbar frame (171) connected to the third side (1195) of the cell block (110), the first side cover (141), and the second side cover (145). The fourth side cover (155) can cover the busbar frame (171) connected to the fourth side (1196) of the cell block (110). The fourth side cover (155) can be coupled to the busbar frame (171) connected to the fourth side (1196) of the cell block (110), the first side cover (141), and the second side cover (145).

[0050] The third side cover (151) may include a plurality of through holes (1511). Each of the plurality of through holes (1511) may penetrate the third side cover (151) in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The plurality of through holes (1511) of the third side cover (151) may expose the third side (1195) of the cell block (110) or the busbar frame (171) to the outside of the cell assembly (10). The external space of the cell assembly (10) may communicate with the space between the third side cover (151) and the cell block (110) through the plurality of through holes (1511) of the third side cover (151).

[0051] The fourth side cover (155) may include a plurality of through holes (1551). Each of the plurality of through holes (1551) may penetrate the fourth side cover (155) in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The plurality of through holes (1551) of the fourth side cover (155) may expose the fourth side (1196) of the cell block (110) or the busbar frame (171) to the outside of the cell assembly (10). The external space of the cell assembly (10) may communicate with the space between the fourth side cover (155) and the cell block (110) through the plurality of through holes (1551) of the fourth side cover (155). The third side cover (151) and the fourth side cover (155) may be made of an insulating material.

[0052] A lower compressible pad (161) may be placed between the lower cover (120) and the bottom surface (1191) of the cell block (110). The lower compressible pad (161) may be in contact with the lower cover (120) and the cell block (110). The lower compressible pad (161) may have a certain elasticity and may be configured to have its thickness deformed by an external force. For example, the lower compressible pad (161) may include silicone, polyurethane, or a combination thereof. The lower compressible pad (161) may be placed between at least one of a plurality of lower support bands (121) and the cell block (110). The lower compressible pad (161) may be physically bonded to the lower cover (120) and may support at least one of the battery cells (111) of the cell block (110) so that at least one of the battery cells (111) does not sag downward. The lower compressible pad (161) supports the cell block (110) and the lower cover (120) so as to maintain a uniform lower gap (191) between the cell block (110) and the lower cover (120).

[0053] An upper compressible pad (165) may be placed between the upper cover (130) and the upper surface (1192) of the cell block (110). The upper compressible pad (165) may be in contact with the upper cover (130) and the cell block (110). The upper compressible pad (165) may have a certain elasticity and may be configured to have its thickness deformed by an external force. For example, the upper compressible pad (165) may include silicone, polyurethane, or a combination thereof. The upper compressible pad (165) may be placed between at least one of a plurality of upper support bands (131) and the cell block (110). The upper compressible pad (165) may be physically coupled to the upper cover (130) and may support at least one of the battery cells (111) of the cell block (110) so that at least one of the battery cells (111) does not protrude upward. The upper compressible pad (165) supports the cell block (110) and the upper cover (130) so as to maintain a uniform upper gap (193) between the cell block (110) and the upper cover (130).

[0054] According to exemplary embodiments, the cell assembly (10) may have a structure capable of immersion cooling. When the cell assembly (10) is mounted in an external housing, the battery cells (111) provided in the cell assembly (10) are immersed in an insulating cooling fluid provided within the external housing, thereby allowing the cell assembly (10) to be directly cooled by the insulating cooling fluid. In the cell assembly (10), the battery cells (111) may be exposed to the outside of the cell assembly (10), and the upper gap (193) provided between the upper cover (130) and the cell block (110) and the lower gap (191) provided between the lower cover (120) and the cell block (110) may serve as passages through which the insulating cooling fluid flows. By flowing an insulating cooling fluid to the upper and lower sides of the battery cells (111) of the cell assembly (10), the battery cells (111) can be immersed and cooled, thereby improving the cooling performance of the battery cells (111).

[0055]

[0056] (2nd Example)

[0057] FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing a battery pack (20) according to exemplary embodiments. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack (20) along the line VI-VI' of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack (20) along the line VII-VII' of FIG. 5.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the battery pack (20) may include a housing (200), a plurality of cell assemblies (10), a lower adhesive layer (311), and an upper adhesive layer (315).

[0059] The housing (200) may provide an internal space (240) for accommodating a plurality of cell assemblies (10). The housing (200) may include a base frame (210), a side frame (220), and a top frame (230).

[0060] A base frame (210) can support a plurality of cell assemblies (10). The base frame (210) may have a flat plate shape extending approximately in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction). A plurality of cell assemblies (10) may be arranged along the surface of the base frame (210) in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) and / or a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction). In exemplary embodiments, a plurality of cell assemblies (10) may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction), and a plurality of cell assemblies (10) may be mounted on the base frame (210) such that the arrangement direction of the battery cells (111) is parallel to the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction).

[0061] The side frame (220) can be attached to the perimeter of the base frame (210). The side frame (220) can extend along the perimeter of the base frame (210) and can surround a plurality of cell assemblies (10). When viewed in a planar view, the side frame (220) can have a square ring shape.

[0062] The top frame (230) may be fastened onto the side frame (220) to cover a plurality of cell assemblies (10). The top frame (230) may have a flat plate shape extending in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction). The top frame (230) may be spaced vertically (e.g., Z-axis direction) from the base frame (210).

[0063] The internal space (240) of the housing (200) may be configured to accommodate an insulating cooling fluid. The internal space (240) of the housing (200) may be connected to the lower gap (191) through the lower opening (122) of the lower cover (120), and the insulating cooling fluid may flow from the outside of the cell assembly (10) to the lower gap (191) through the lower opening (122) of the lower cover (120). The internal space (240) of the housing (200) may be connected to the upper gap (193) through the upper opening (132) of the upper cover (130), and the insulating cooling fluid may flow from the outside of the cell assembly (10) to the upper gap (193) through the upper opening (132) of the upper cover (130).

[0064] The housing (200) may include an inlet port (251) for introducing an insulating cooling fluid supplied from the outside into the internal space (240) of the housing (200) and an outlet port (253) for discharging the insulating cooling fluid within the internal space (240) of the housing (200) to the outside. The inlet port (251) may include an inlet into which the insulating cooling fluid supplied from the outside is introduced. The outlet port (253) may include an outlet into which the cooling fluid is discharged. The insulating cooling fluid supplied to the internal space (240) of the housing (200) through the inlet port (251) of the housing (200) may be discharged to the outside through the outlet port (253) of the housing (200) after flowing within the internal space (240) of the housing (200). While an insulating cooling fluid flows within the internal space (240) of the housing (200), liquid immersion cooling for a plurality of cell assemblies (10) may be performed. The insulating cooling fluid may be composed of an electrically insulating material. For example, the insulating cooling fluid may include insulating oil. For example, the insulating cooling fluid may include water, glycol, mineral oil, fluorocarbon, hydrofluorocarbon, etc.

[0065] A lower adhesive layer (311) may be interposed between each of the plurality of cell assemblies (10) and the base frame (210). The lower adhesive layer (311) may be configured to attach individual cell assemblies (10) to the base frame (210). The lower adhesive layer (311) may extend along the surfaces of the plurality of lower support bands (121) of the lower cover (120) facing the base frame (210) and may attach the plurality of lower support bands (121) to the base frame (210). For example, the lower adhesive layer (311) may include a thermal resin and / or a thermal interface material. The lower adhesive layer (311) may attach the plurality of lower support bands (121) to the base frame (210) so that no gap is formed between the plurality of lower support bands (121) of the lower cover (120) and the base frame (210). As the lower cover (120) is attached to the base frame (210) by the lower adhesive layer (311), the insulating cooling fluid can be concentrated into the lower gap (191) provided between the lower cover (120) and the cell assembly (10).

[0066] An upper adhesive layer (315) may be interposed between each of the plurality of cell assemblies (10) and the top frame (230). The upper adhesive layer (315) may be configured to attach individual cell assemblies (10) to the top frame (230). The upper adhesive layer (315) may extend along the surfaces of the plurality of upper support bands (131) of the upper cover (130) facing the top frame (230) and may attach the plurality of upper support bands (131) to the top frame (230). For example, the upper adhesive layer (315) may include a thermal resin and / or a thermal interface material. The upper adhesive layer (315) may attach the plurality of upper support bands (131) to the top frame (230) so that no gap is formed between the plurality of upper support bands (131) of the upper cover (130) and the top frame (230). As the upper cover (130) is attached to the top frame (230) by the upper adhesive layer (315), the insulating cooling fluid can be concentrated into the upper gap (193) provided between the upper cover (130) and the cell assembly (10).

[0067] According to exemplary embodiments, the battery pack (20) may be configured to cool the battery cells (111) by immersion cooling. In each cell assembly (10), the upper gap (193) provided between the upper cover (130) and the cell block (110) or the lower gap (191) provided between the lower cover (120) and the cell block (110) may serve as a passage for the flow of an insulating cooling fluid. Since the battery cells (111) can be immersed cooled by flowing the insulating cooling fluid to the upper and lower sides of the battery cells (111) of the cell assembly (10), the cooling performance of the battery cells (111) can be improved.

[0068]

[0069] (3rd Example)

[0070] FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing an electrical device (30) according to exemplary embodiments.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 8 together with FIGS. 1 through 7, the electric device (30) may include a battery pack (20) and a cooling fluid supply unit (510). The electric device (30) may be configured to be driven using electrical energy provided from the battery pack (20). In exemplary embodiments, the electric device (30) may be an electric vehicle equipped with the battery pack (20).

[0072] The cooling fluid supply unit (510) may be configured to supply an insulating cooling fluid to the battery pack (20). The cooling fluid supply unit (510) may include a heat exchanger configured to control the temperature of the insulating cooling fluid, piping configured to deliver the insulating cooling fluid, and a pump configured to pump the insulating cooling fluid and circulate the insulating cooling fluid along a predetermined path. The cooling fluid supply unit (510) may be configured to perform the following: controlling the insulating cooling fluid to a predetermined temperature using the heat exchanger; supplying the insulating cooling fluid controlled to a predetermined temperature to the battery pack (20); recovering the insulating cooling fluid discharged from the housing (200) and controlling the insulating cooling fluid to a predetermined temperature. The cooling fluid supply unit (510) can be connected to the inlet port (251) of the housing (200) via the supply line (521) and to the outlet port (253) of the housing (200) via the return line (523). The insulating cooling fluid provided by the cooling fluid supply unit (510) can be delivered to the internal space (240) of the housing (200) via the supply line (521) and the inlet port (251), flow within the internal space (240) of the housing (200), and then be returned to the cooling fluid supply unit (510) via the outlet port (253) and the return line (523).

[0073] In exemplary embodiments, in a battery pack (20), a plurality of cell assemblies (10) may be arranged to form a plurality of columns. Cell assemblies (10) belonging to one column may be arranged in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction). Cell assemblies (10) belonging to different columns may be spaced apart in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction). An insulating cooling fluid supplied from a cooling fluid supply unit (510) may be configured to flow in a first flow direction (F1) along each column of the plurality of cell assemblies (10), and then flow in a second flow direction (F2) opposite to the first flow direction (F1) along the space between the cell assemblies (10) belonging to different columns. The battery pack (20) may include a guide structure for controlling the flow direction of the insulating cooling fluid within the housing (200). For example, when the battery pack (20) includes cell assemblies (10) in a first column and cell assemblies (10) in a second column, an insulating cooling fluid introduced into the internal space (240) of the housing (200) through the inlet port (251) of the housing (200) flows in a first flow direction (F1) along the cell assemblies (10) in the first column and cell assemblies (10) in the second column, flows in a second flow direction (F2) along the space between the cell assemblies (10) in the first column and cell assemblies (10) in the second column, and can then be discharged to the outside of the housing (200) through the outlet port (253) of the housing (200).

[0074] In exemplary embodiments, while an insulating cooling fluid introduced into the internal space (240) of the housing (200) flows in a first flow direction (F1), the insulating cooling fluid in the individual cell assembly (10) can cool the battery cells (111) by flowing along a path passing through a lower gap (191) provided between the cell block (110) and the lower cover (120) in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) and / or a path passing through an upper gap (193) provided between the cell block (110) and the upper cover (130) in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction). Since the insulating cooling fluid can be supplied into the internal space (240) of the housing (200) to directly cool the battery cells (111), the cooling performance for the battery cells (111) can be improved.

[0075] The present invention has been described in more detail above through drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all technical concepts of the present invention; therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

Claims

1. A housing including a base frame and a top frame; and A cell assembly disposed between the base frame and the top frame; Includes, The above cell assembly is, A cell block comprising a plurality of battery cells; A lower cover in contact with the base frame and spaced apart from the cell block with a lower gap in between; An upper cover in contact with the top frame and spaced apart from the cell block with an upper gap in between; A first side cover connected to the first side of the cell block and coupled to the lower cover and the upper cover; and A second side cover connected to the second side of the cell block opposite to the first side of the cell block, and coupled to the lower cover and the upper cover; A battery pack including 2. In Paragraph 1, The above lower cover includes a plurality of lower support bands spaced apart with a lower opening in between, and A battery pack characterized in that the upper cover includes a plurality of upper support bands spaced apart with an upper opening in between.

3. In Paragraph 1, A battery pack characterized by further including a lower compressible pad disposed between the lower cover and the cell block.

4. In Paragraph 1, A battery pack characterized by further including an upper compressible pad disposed between the upper cover and the cell block.

5. In Paragraph 1, A battery pack characterized by further including a lower adhesive layer configured to attach the lower cover to the base frame.

6. In Paragraph 1, A battery pack characterized by further including an upper adhesive layer configured to attach the upper cover to the top frame.

7. In Paragraph 1, A battery pack characterized in that the plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction between the first side cover and the second side cover.

8. In Paragraph 1, The above cell assembly is, A third side cover covering the third side of the cell block; and A fourth side cover covering the fourth side of the cell block opposite to the third side of the cell block; A battery pack characterized by further including 9. In Paragraph 8, A battery pack characterized in that the third side cover and the fourth side cover each include a through hole.

10. In Paragraph 1, The above housing is configured to accommodate an insulating cooling fluid in an internal space that accommodates the cell assembly, and A battery pack characterized in that the lower gap and the upper gap are provided as passages configured to allow the insulating cooling fluid to flow.

11. In Paragraph 10, A battery pack characterized in that the housing includes an inlet port into which the insulating cooling fluid supplied from the outside flows and an outlet port for discharging the insulating cooling fluid to the outside.

12. In Paragraph 1, A lower compressible pad disposed between the lower cover and the cell block; An upper compressible pad disposed between the upper cover and the cell block; A lower adhesive layer configured to attach the lower cover to the base frame; and An upper adhesive layer configured to attach the upper cover to the top frame; Includes more, The above upper cover includes a plurality of upper support bands spaced apart with an upper opening in between, and A battery pack characterized in that the lower cover includes a plurality of lower support bands spaced apart with a lower opening in between.

13. In Paragraph 12, The lower compressible pad is disposed between at least one of the plurality of lower support bands and the cell block, and A battery pack characterized in that the upper compressible pad is disposed between at least one of the plurality of upper support bands and the cell block.

14. Battery pack according to claim 1; and A cooling fluid supply unit configured to supply an insulating cooling fluid into the internal space of the housing of the battery pack; Electrical equipment including 15. In Paragraph 14, The plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction between the first side cover and the second side cover, and The above lower cover includes a plurality of lower support bands spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction, and The upper cover includes a plurality of upper support bands spaced apart from each other in the second direction, and An electrical device characterized in that the insulating cooling fluid is configured to flow through the lower gap provided between the lower cover and the cell block and the upper gap provided between the upper cover and the cell block.

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