Cooling enhancement module

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery module structure comprising: a plurality of battery cells arranged in the thickness direction; a pad member (12) arranged in the thickness direction together with the battery cells so as to form a cell stack; a housing for accommodating the cell stack; and a thermally conductive resin for connecting a bottom surface of the housing and a bottom surface of the cell stack, wherein the pad member (12) includes a compression layer and thermally conductive layers laminated on both sides of the compression layer in the thickness direction, and the thermally conductive layers extend downward so as to be inserted into the thermally conductive resin.

Description

Cooling enhancement module

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0186512 filed on December 13, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a structure of a battery module with improved cooling performance of a battery cell.

[0003] Secondary batteries, which offer high applicability across product lines and possess electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are widely applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by electric driving sources.

[0004] These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency, as they not only have the primary advantage of being able to drastically reduce the use of fossil fuels but also the advantage of not generating any by-products from the use of energy.

[0005] Currently, widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium-polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of these individual secondary battery cells is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells are connected in series to form a battery pack. Additionally, depending on the charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack, multiple battery cells are connected in parallel to form a battery pack. Accordingly, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack and the electrical connection type can be set in various ways depending on the required output voltage and / or charge / discharge capacity.

[0006] Meanwhile, cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-type battery cells are known as types of unit secondary battery cells.

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a pouch-type battery cell. Referring to this, the pouch-type battery cell (11) is manufactured by housing an electrode assembly in a sealed pouch (110) in which a sheet containing a metal material such as aluminum is folded in half.

[0008] FIG. 2 shows a stacked structure of a cell stack. Referring to this, a plurality of battery cells (11) are stacked to form a cell stack (1). The battery cells (11) within the cell stack (1) are connected to each other in series and / or parallel to form a high-capacity and / or high-voltage battery module.

[0009] The cell stack (1) generally includes a compressible pad member (12) that is stacked together with the battery cell (11). The pad member (12) is provided to absorb deformation caused by swelling of the battery cell (11), tolerances during the assembly process, and movement of the battery cell (11) due to impact. Additionally, a technology is widely used in which the pad member (12) is manufactured from a heat-resistant and thermally insulating material to prevent thermal runaway by blocking heat propagation between the battery cells (11).

[0010] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a battery module containing the cell stack of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of the battery module of FIG. 4. Referring to these drawings, the cell stack (1) is generally housed in a housing (2) made of a lightweight metal material such as aluminum to form a battery module (M).

[0011] At this time, a thermally conductive resin (3) is interposed between the bottom surface of the housing (2) and the cell stack (1) to thermally and mechanically connect the cell stack (1) and the housing (2). Specifically, the thermally conductive resin (3) is applied to the bottom surface of the housing (2) and then hardened after the cell stack (1) is placed thereon, thereby firmly fixing the cell stack (1) to the housing (2) and simultaneously improving the cooling of the cell stack (1) by conducting heat absorbed from the cell stack (1) to the housing (2).

[0012] Meanwhile, in order to accelerate the heat conduction rate between the thermally conductive resin (3) and the cell stack (1) and to accelerate the cooling of the cell stack (1), it is necessary to increase the contact area. However, since the cell stack (1) and the thermally conductive resin (3) only come into contact with each other vertically, the contact area is not very large. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a structure that increases the contact area without reducing the energy density of the battery module (M), but this is not easy.

[0013] The present invention was conceived against the background of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a structure of a battery module with improved cooling efficiency of the battery cell.

[0014] Specifically, the present invention aims to provide a structure for a battery module capable of rapidly conducting heat generated in the battery cell to the outside through a housing.

[0015] Another technical objective of the present invention is to provide a battery module with increased cooling and heat dissipation efficiency without increasing energy density.

[0016] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the purposes mentioned above, and other unmentioned purposes and advantages of the present invention may be understood from the following description and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the purposes and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0017] To solve the above problem, the present invention provides a battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells arranged in the thickness direction; a pad member arranged in the thickness direction together with the battery cells to form a cell stack; a housing that accommodates the cell stack; and a thermally conductive resin connecting the bottom surface of the housing and the bottom surface of the cell stack.

[0018] It is preferable that the housing be formed of a material having high thermal conductivity to facilitate the dissipation of heat generated from the battery cell to the outside. To this end, the housing may include a metal material. For example, the housing may include a material such as aluminum, which has high thermal conductivity, is lightweight, and has high strength, at least in its bottom portion.

[0019] The thermally conductive resin may be configured to be interposed between the cell stack and the bottom surface of the housing and to connect them by being applied to the housing and then cured after the cell stack is placed thereon. In this way, the cell stack can be thermally and mechanically connected to the housing. However, the thermally conductive resin may also be interposed to simultaneously contact the cell stack and the housing in a different manner.

[0020] The battery module may additionally include a cooling member connected to the bottom surface of the housing to cool the housing. Accordingly, heat conducted to the housing through the thermally conductive resin can be absorbed by the cooling member. The cooling member may be a heat dissipation member having a large surface area to facilitate heat dissipation to the outside, or a heat absorption member configured to have a refrigerant such as cooling water flowing or stored inside, but basically, it is sufficient if it is configured to be connected to the housing to cool it.

[0021] The pad member comprises a compression layer and thermal conductive layers laminated on both sides in the thickness direction of the compression layer.

[0022] The above compression layer is configured to be capable of compression and elastic recovery, thereby being able to absorb deformation or displacement in the thickness direction of the cell stack. Specifically, the compression layer can absorb thickness increase and tolerances caused by swelling of the battery cell. To this end, it is preferable that the compression layer include a compressible material capable of being compressed in the thickness direction.

[0023] In addition, the compression layer may include a porous insulating material, thereby preventing heat propagation through conduction between the battery cells.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the compression layer may comprise a silicone resin material. The silicone resin may have heat resistance and may be formed porous to have thickness-direction compressibility and thermal insulation.

[0025] The above thermal conductive layer has high thermal conductivity and can conduct heat generated in the battery cell to the housing through the thermal conductive resin.

[0026] For example, the thermal conductive layer may include a metal material. In this case, it is preferable that the metal material include a metal material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, and / or an alloy containing the same.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the thermal conductive layer may include a graphite material. The graphite material has a chemical structure containing multilayer graphene, and since it has excellent thermal conductivity in a direction perpendicular to its thickness direction, it has the characteristic of being very easy to collect heat over a large area and transfer it in its extension direction.

[0028] The thermal conductive layer comprises: a contact portion in contact with the surface of the battery cell; and an extension portion extending downward from the contact portion and inserted into the thermally conductive resin. As the thermal conductive layer includes the extension portion, the thermal conductive layer can come into contact with the thermally conductive resin over a wider area, thereby enabling the heat of the battery cell to be conducted to the thermally conductive resin more quickly.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the extension may be in direct contact with the bottom surface of the housing. In this case, heat generated from the battery cell may be transferred directly to the housing without necessarily passing through the thermally conductive resin. Specifically, in this case, heat transferred through the thermally conductive layer may be transferred to both the thermally conductive resin and the housing, allowing for rapid and even conduction.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the extension portion may extend downward relative to the lower portion of the compression layer. Accordingly, the compression layer may not hinder horizontal heat propagation within the thermally conductive resin, and the heat absorbed by the thermally conductive resin may spread more evenly in the horizontal direction to rapidly lower the temperature. However, since the thermally conductive layer constitutes the outermost part of the pad member, the contact area with the thermally conductive resin is widened merely by extending into the thermally conductive resin; conversely, it is also possible for the compression layer to be extended so as to be inserted into the thermally conductive resin together with the thermally conductive layer.

[0031] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the extension may be extended in a horizontal direction. As the extension is extended in a horizontal direction, the contact area between the extension and the thermally conductive resin can be increased without increasing the height of the thermally conductive resin, and accordingly, a battery module with excellent heat dissipation and cooling performance and high energy density can be provided.

[0032] In one embodiment, at least one pair of the extensions may come into contact with each other. That is, the extensions may be configured to exchange heat with each other. Accordingly, the surface area of ​​the extensions that can exchange heat with the thermally conductive resin becomes larger, and heat can be conducted more quickly.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the pad member may include a structure in which the pad comprising the compression layer and the thermal conductive layer is folded in half such that the thermal conductive layer forms the outermost edges on both sides in the thickness direction. By including such a structure, there is an advantage that the manufacturing of the pad member is facilitated and the structure of the required parts is simplified.

[0034] At this time, it is preferable that the pad member is positioned so that its folded portion faces downward, thereby increasing the contact area between the thermal conductive layer and the thermal conductive resin.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the pad member may include a structure in which a pair of pads, each comprising the compression layer and the thermal conductive layer, are stacked facing each other such that the thermal conductive layer forms the outermost edges on both sides in the thickness direction. By including such a structure, there is an advantage that the manufacturing of the pad member is facilitated and the structure of the required parts is simplified.

[0036] The present invention also provides a structure of a battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells arranged in the thickness direction; a pad member arranged in the thickness direction together with the battery cells to form a cell stack; a housing for accommodating the cell stack; and a thermally conductive resin connecting the bottom surface of the housing and the bottom surface of the cell stack, wherein the pad member comprises a compression layer, a heat-insulating layer stacked on both sides in the thickness direction of the compression layer, and a thermally conductive layer stacked on both sides in the thickness direction of the heat-insulating layer.

[0037] The above compression layer is configured to be capable of compression and elastic recovery, thereby being able to absorb deformation or displacement in the thickness direction of the cell stack. Specifically, the compression layer can absorb thickness increase and tolerances caused by swelling of the battery cell. To this end, it is preferable that the compression layer include a compressible material capable of being compressed in the thickness direction.

[0038] In addition, the compression layer may include a porous insulating material, thereby preventing heat propagation through conduction between the battery cells.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the compression layer may comprise a silicone resin material. The silicone resin may have heat resistance and may be formed porous to have thickness-direction compressibility and thermal insulation.

[0040] The above heat-insulating layer can prevent heat propagation by radiation between the battery cells by including a heat-insulating material. For example, the heat-insulating layer may include at least one material among metal, mica, and ceramic.

[0041] The above thermal conductive layer has high thermal conductivity and can conduct heat generated in the battery cell to the housing through the thermal conductive resin.

[0042] For example, the thermal conductive layer may include a metal material. In this case, it is preferable that the metal material include a metal material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, and / or an alloy containing the same.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the thermal conductive layer may include a graphite material. The graphite material has a chemical structure containing multilayer graphene, and since it has excellent thermal conductivity in a direction perpendicular to its thickness direction, it has the characteristic of being very easy to collect heat over a large area and transfer it in its extension direction.

[0044] The thermal conductive layer comprises: a contact portion in contact with the surface of the battery cell; and an extension portion extending downward from the contact portion and inserted into the thermally conductive resin. As the thermal conductive layer includes the extension portion, the thermal conductive layer can come into contact with the thermally conductive resin over a wider area, thereby enabling the heat of the battery cell to be conducted to the thermally conductive resin more quickly.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the extension may be in direct contact with the bottom surface of the housing. In this case, heat generated from the battery cell may be transferred directly to the housing without necessarily passing through the thermally conductive resin. Specifically, in this case, heat transferred through the thermally conductive layer may be transferred to both the thermally conductive resin and the housing, allowing for rapid and even conduction.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the extension may extend downward relative to the lower end of the compression layer and / or the lower end of the heat insulation layer. Accordingly, the compression layer and / or the heat insulation layer may not hinder horizontal heat propagation within the thermally conductive resin, and the heat absorbed by the thermally conductive resin may spread more evenly in the horizontal direction to rapidly lower the temperature. However, since the thermally conductive layer constitutes the outermost part of the pad member, the contact area with the thermally conductive resin is widened merely by extending into the thermally conductive resin; alternatively, it is also possible for the compression layer and / or the heat insulation layer to be extended so as to be inserted into the thermally conductive resin together with the thermally conductive layer.

[0047] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the extension may be extended in a horizontal direction. As the extension is extended in a horizontal direction, the contact area between the extension and the thermally conductive resin can be increased without increasing the height of the thermally conductive resin, and accordingly, a battery module with excellent heat dissipation and cooling performance and high energy density can be provided.

[0048] In one embodiment, at least one pair of the extensions may come into contact with each other. That is, the extensions may be configured to exchange heat with each other. Accordingly, the surface area of ​​the extensions that can exchange heat with the thermally conductive resin becomes larger, and heat can be conducted more quickly.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the pad member may include a structure in which the pad, comprising the compression layer, the heat insulation layer, and the heat conductive layer, is folded in half such that the heat conductive layer forms the outermost edges on both sides in the thickness direction. By including such a structure, there is an advantage that the manufacturing of the pad member is facilitated and the structure of the required parts is simplified.

[0050] At this time, it is preferable that the pad member is positioned so that its folded portion faces downward, thereby increasing the contact area between the thermal conductive layer and the thermal conductive resin.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the pad member may include a structure in which a pair of pads, each comprising the compression layer, the heat insulation layer, and the heat conductive layer, are stacked facing each other such that the heat conductive layer forms the outermost edges on both sides in the thickness direction. By including such a structure, there is an advantage that the manufacturing of the pad member becomes easier and the structure of the required parts becomes simpler.

[0052] The present invention provides a structure for a battery module in which heat generated in the battery cell can be rapidly conducted to the outside through a housing by providing a thermal conductive layer in which a pad member contacts a thermally conductive resin over a large area, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the battery cell.

[0053] The advantage of the present invention is that, in providing the above-mentioned effects, the energy density of the battery module is not increased, and the battery module can be manufactured quickly and economically through the commonization of components, etc.

[0054] In addition to the above, the present invention may have various other effects, which are described in each embodiment, or effects that can be easily inferred by a person skilled in the art, etc., will be omitted.

[0055] Figure 1 shows a pouch-type battery cell.

[0056] Figure 2 shows the stacked structure of a cell stack.

[0057] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a battery module containing the cell stack of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of the battery module of FIG. 4.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a battery cell according to one embodiment.

[0059] FIG. 7 shows a stacked structure of a cell stack according to one embodiment.

[0060] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a battery module according to one embodiment.

[0061] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a cross-section of a battery module according to the first embodiment and a key part thereof.

[0062] FIGS. 12 and 13 show one cross-section and a key part of a battery module according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 14 shows one modified example thereof.

[0063] FIGS. 15 and 16 show one cross-section and a key part thereof of a battery module according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 17 shows one modified example thereof.

[0064] FIGS. 18 and 19 show one cross-section and a key part thereof of a battery module according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 20 shows one modified example thereof.

[0065] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0066] 1: Cell stack 11: Battery cell 110: Pouch 12: Pad member 121: Compression layer 122: Thermal conductive layer 1221: Contact part 1222: Extension part 1223: Folded part 123: Thermal insulation layer 2: Housing 3: Thermally conductive resin 4: Cooling member M: Battery module

[0067] The aforementioned objectives, features, and advantages are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to easily implement the technical concept of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known technologies related to the present invention are omitted if it is determined that such descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0068] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, it goes without saying that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless specifically stated otherwise, the first component may also be the second component.

[0069] Throughout the specification, unless specifically stated otherwise, each component may be singular or plural.

[0070] In the following, the statement that any configuration is placed on the "upper (or lower)" of a component or on the "upper (or lower)" of a component may mean not only that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of said component, but also that another configuration may be interposed between said component and any configuration placed on (or below) said component.

[0071] In addition, where it is stated that one component is "connected," "combined," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, another component may be "interposed" between each component, or each component may be "connected," "combined," or "connected" through another component.

[0072] Singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "composed of" or "comprising" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as meaning that some of the components or steps may be omitted or additional components or steps may be included.

[0073] Throughout the specification, "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B unless specifically stated otherwise, and "C to D" means C or more and D or less unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0074] Expressions indicating directions, including up, down, left, and right, used for convenience throughout the specification, should be interpreted as any direction defined independently of any absolute orientation, including the direction of gravity, and should not be limited to being orthogonal or parallel to one another. For example, "upward" and "downward" refer to any pair of directions facing each other, and "horizontal direction" here refers to any one direction or directions that intersect the said upward and downward directions.

[0075] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0076] FIG. 6 shows a battery cell according to one embodiment. Referring to the above, a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention incorporates a plurality of pouch-type battery cells (11).

[0077] Meanwhile, the above-mentioned battery cell (11) is sufficient if it can be stacked together to form a cell stack as described below, and its specific shape and structure may differ from this.

[0078] The above battery cell (11) is manufactured primarily by embedding a stacked electrode assembly in a pouch (110). However, the structure of the electrode assembly is irrelevant to the present invention.

[0079] The above pouch (110) may be formed by folding a metal sheet in half and then sealing it, but the material and structure are not limited thereto.

[0080] FIG. 7 shows a stacked structure of a cell stack according to one embodiment. Referring to the figure, a plurality of battery cells (11) are stacked in the thickness direction to form a cell stack (1). At this time, pad members (12) are interposed between the battery cells (11) and stacked together. The battery cells (11) and the pad members (12) are fixed by being attached to each other with an adhesive or adhesive tape, but they may also be fixed by a different method or accommodated in a housing to be described later in an unfixed state.

[0081] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a battery module according to one embodiment. Referring to these drawings, the cell stack (1) is accommodated in a housing (2) to form a battery module (M).

[0082] The housing (2) preferably comprises a lightweight metal material such as aluminum, but is not limited thereto. Meanwhile, the housing (2) preferably comprises a material having high thermal conductivity in order to rapidly absorb heat from the cell stack (1) and release it to the outside.

[0083] A thermally conductive resin (3) is interposed between the bottom surface of the housing (2) and the cell stack (1). The thermally conductive resin (3) may include a resin material having high thermal conductivity and connects the cell stack (1) and the housing (2) thermally and mechanically. Specifically, according to one embodiment, the thermally conductive resin (3) can firmly connect the cell stack (1) and the housing (2) by curing after the cell stack (1) is placed in a state where it is applied to the bottom surface of the housing (2). Accordingly, heat generated from the battery cell (11) can be released to the housing (2) through the thermally conductive resin (3) and to the outside through the housing (2). However, the thermally conductive resin (3) may also be interposed to simultaneously contact the cell stack (1) and the housing (2) in a different manner.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the battery module (M) may additionally include a cooling member (4) connected to the bottom surface of the housing (2) to cool the housing (2). Accordingly, heat conducted to the housing (2) through the thermally conductive resin (3) can be absorbed by the cooling member (4). The cooling member (4) may be a heat dissipation member having a large surface area to facilitate heat dissipation to the outside, or a heat absorption member configured to have a refrigerant such as cooling water flowing or stored inside, but basically, it is sufficient to be configured to be connected to the housing (2) to cool it.

[0085] Hereinafter, the components common to the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described first with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0086] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a cross-section of a battery module according to a first embodiment and a portion thereof. Referring to these drawings, the pad member (12) according to each embodiment of the present invention includes a compression layer (121) and a thermal conductive layer (122) laminated on both sides in the thickness direction of the compression layer (121).

[0087] The compression layer (121) is configured to be compressible and elastically recoverable, thereby being able to absorb deformation or displacement in the thickness direction of the cell stack (1). Specifically, the compression layer (121) can absorb thickness increase and tolerances caused by swelling of the battery cell (11). To this end, it is preferable that the compression layer (121) includes a compressible material capable of being compressed in the thickness direction.

[0088] In addition, the compression layer (121) may include a porous insulating material, thereby preventing heat propagation by conduction between the battery cells (11).

[0089] According to each embodiment, the compression layer (121) may include a silicone resin material. The silicone resin may have heat resistance and may be formed porous to have thickness-direction compressibility and thermal insulation.

[0090] The above thermal conductive layer (122) has high thermal conductivity and can conduct heat generated from the battery cell (11) to the housing (2) through the thermal conductive resin (3).

[0091] For example, the heat conductive layer (122) may include a metal material. In this case, it is preferable that the metal material include a metal material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, and / or an alloy containing the same.

[0092] According to each embodiment, the thermal conductive layer (122) may include a graphite material. The graphite material has a chemical structure containing multiple layers of graphene, and since it has excellent thermal conductivity in a direction perpendicular to its thickness direction, it has the characteristic of being very easy to collect heat over a large area and transfer it in its extension direction.

[0093] The above thermal conductive layer (122) comprises: a contact portion (1221) in contact with the surface of the battery cell (11); and an extension portion (1222) extending downward from the contact portion (1221) and inserted into the thermal conductive resin (3). As the thermal conductive layer (122) includes the extension portion (1222), the thermal conductive layer (122) can come into contact with the thermal conductive resin (3) over a wider area, thereby allowing the heat of the battery cell (11) to be conducted to the thermal conductive resin (3) more quickly.

[0094] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference again to FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0095] The pad member (12) according to the first embodiment includes a compression layer (121), a heat insulation layer (123) laminated on both sides in the thickness direction of the compression layer (121), and a heat conductive layer (122) laminated on both sides in the thickness direction of the heat insulation layer (123).

[0096] The above heat-insulating layer (123) can prevent heat propagation by radiation between the battery cells (11) by including a heat-insulating material. For example, the above heat-insulating layer (123) may include at least one material among metal, mica, and ceramic.

[0097] According to the first embodiment, the extension portion (1222) may extend downward relative to the lower portion of the compression layer (121) and / or the lower portion of the heat insulation layer (123). Accordingly, the compression layer (121) and / or the heat insulation layer (123) may not hinder horizontal heat propagation within the thermally conductive resin (3), and the heat absorbed by the thermally conductive resin (3) may spread more evenly in the horizontal direction to rapidly lower the temperature. However, since the thermal conductive layer (122) forms the outermost part of the pad member (12) and extends into the thermal conductive resin (3), the contact area with the thermal conductive resin (3) is widened. Alternatively, it is also possible for the compression layer (121) and / or the heat insulation layer (123) to be extended so as to be inserted into the thermal conductive resin (3) together with the thermal conductive layer (122).

[0098] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14.

[0099] FIGS. 12 and 13 show a cross-section and a key part thereof of a battery module according to a second embodiment. Referring to these drawings, at least a portion of the extension (1222) according to the second embodiment extends in a horizontal direction. As the extension (1222) extends in a horizontal direction, the contact area between the extension (1222) and the thermally conductive resin (3) can be increased without increasing the height of the thermally conductive resin (3), and accordingly, a battery module (M) with excellent heat dissipation and cooling performance and high energy density can be provided.

[0100] In the second embodiment, at least one pair of the extensions (1222) may come into contact with each other. That is, the extensions (1222) may be configured to exchange heat with each other. Accordingly, the surface area of ​​the extensions (1222) that can exchange heat with the thermally conductive resin (3) becomes larger, and heat can be conducted more quickly.

[0101] Additionally, according to the second embodiment, the extension (1222) may come into direct contact with the bottom surface of the housing (2). In this case, heat generated from the battery cell (11) may be transferred directly to the housing (2) without necessarily passing through the thermal conductive resin (3). Specifically, in this case, the heat transferred through the thermal conductive layer (122) can be transferred to both the thermal conductive resin (3) and the housing (2) and conducted quickly and evenly.

[0102] FIG. 14 shows a variation of the second embodiment. Referring to this, the pad member (12) according to a variation of the second embodiment includes a compression layer (121), a heat insulation layer (123) stacked on both sides in the thickness direction of the compression layer (121), and a heat conductive layer (122) stacked on both sides in the thickness direction of the heat insulation layer (123).

[0103] The above heat-insulating layer (123) can prevent heat propagation by radiation between the battery cells (11) by including a heat-insulating material. For example, the above heat-insulating layer (123) may include at least one material among metal, mica, and ceramic.

[0104] Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17.

[0105] FIGS. 15 and 16 show a cross-section and a key part thereof of a battery module according to a third embodiment. Referring to these drawings, the pad member (12) according to the third embodiment includes a pad comprising the compression layer (121) and the thermal conductive layer (122), which is folded in half such that the thermal conductive layer (122) forms the outermost edges on both sides in the thickness direction. By including such a structure, the pad member (12) is made easier to manufacture and the structure of the required parts is simplified.

[0106] At this time, it is preferable that the pad member (12) be positioned so that its bent portion (1223) faces downward, thereby increasing the contact area between the heat conductive layer (122) and the heat conductive resin (3).

[0107] FIG. 17 shows a variation of the third embodiment. Referring to this, the pad member (12) according to a variation of the third embodiment includes a compression layer (121), a heat insulation layer (123) stacked on both sides in the thickness direction of the compression layer (121), and a heat conductive layer (122) stacked on both sides in the thickness direction of the heat insulation layer (123).

[0108] The above heat-insulating layer (123) can prevent heat propagation by radiation between the battery cells (11) by including a heat-insulating material. For example, the above heat-insulating layer (123) may include at least one material among metal, mica, and ceramic.

[0109] At this time, the pad member (12) may include a structure in which the pad comprising the compression layer (121), the heat insulation layer (123), and the heat conductive layer (122) is folded in half such that the heat conductive layer (122) forms the outermost edges on both sides in the thickness direction. By including such a structure, there is an advantage that the manufacturing of the pad member (12) becomes easier and the structure of the required parts becomes simpler.

[0110] At this time, it is preferable that the pad member (12) be positioned so that its bent portion (1223) faces downward, thereby increasing the contact area between the heat conductive layer (122) and the heat conductive resin (3).

[0111] Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 18 to 20.

[0112] FIGS. 18 and 19 show a cross-section and a key part thereof of a battery module according to a fourth embodiment. Referring to these drawings, the pad member (12) according to the fourth embodiment includes a structure in which a pair of pads, each comprising the compression layer (121) and the thermal conductive layer (122), are stacked facing each other such that the thermal conductive layer (122) forms the outermost edges on both sides in the thickness direction. By including such a structure, there is an advantage that the manufacturing of the pad member (12) is facilitated and the structure of the required parts is simplified.

[0113] FIG. 20 shows a variation of the fourth embodiment. Referring to this, the pad member (12) according to a variation of the fourth embodiment includes a compression layer (121), a heat insulation layer (123) stacked on both sides in the thickness direction of the compression layer (121), and a heat conductive layer (122) stacked on both sides in the thickness direction of the heat insulation layer (123).

[0114] The above heat-insulating layer (123) can prevent heat propagation by radiation between the battery cells (11) by including a heat-insulating material. For example, the above heat-insulating layer (123) may include at least one material among metal, mica, and ceramic.

[0115] At this time, the pad member (12) may include a structure in which a pair of pads, each comprising the compression layer (121), the heat insulation layer (123), and the heat conductive layer (122), are stacked facing each other such that the heat conductive layer (122) forms the outermost edges on both sides in the thickness direction. By including such a structure, there is an advantage that the manufacturing of the pad member (12) becomes easier and the structure of the required parts becomes simpler.

[0116] The embodiments described above should be understood as exemplary in all respects and not limiting, and the scope of the invention will be defined by the claims set forth below rather than by the detailed description above. Furthermore, the meaning and scope of the claims set forth below, as well as all modifications and variations derived from equivalents thereof, should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the invention.

[0117] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the illustrated drawings, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, even if the effects of the configuration according to the present invention were not explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present invention above, it is natural to acknowledge that the effects predictable by said configuration should also be recognized.

Claims

1. Multiple battery cells arranged in the thickness direction; Pad members arranged in the thickness direction together with the above-mentioned battery cells to form a cell stack; A housing for accommodating the cell stack above; and A thermally conductive resin connecting the bottom surface of the housing and the bottom surface of the cell stack; comprising The above pad member includes a compression layer and a thermal conductive layer laminated on both sides in the thickness direction of the compression layer, and The above thermal conductive layer is: A contact portion in contact with the surface of the battery cell; and A battery module comprising: an extension portion extending downward from the contact portion and inserted and connected to the thermally conductive resin.

2. A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the compression layer comprises a compressible material capable of being compressed in the thickness direction.

3. A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the compression layer comprises a porous insulating material.

4. A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the thermal conductive layer comprises a metal material or a graphite material.

5. A battery module according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling member connected to the bottom surface of the housing to cool the housing.

6. A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion is in direct contact with the bottom surface of the housing.

7. A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion extends downward relative to the lower end of the compression layer.

8. A battery module according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the extension is extended in a horizontal direction.

9. A battery module according to claim 7, wherein at least one pair of the extension parts are in contact with each other.

10. A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the pad member comprises a structure in which the pad, including the compression layer and the thermal conductive layer, is folded in half such that the thermal conductive layer forms the outermost edges on both sides in the thickness direction.

11. A battery module according to claim 10, wherein the pad member is arranged such that its folded portion faces downward.

12. A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the pad member comprises a structure in which a pair of pads, each including the compression layer and the thermal conductive layer, are stacked facing each other such that the thermal conductive layer forms the outermost edges on both sides in the thickness direction.

13. Multiple battery cells arranged in the thickness direction; Pad members arranged in the thickness direction together with the above-mentioned battery cells to form a cell stack; A housing for accommodating the cell stack above; and A thermally conductive resin connecting the bottom surface of the housing and the bottom surface of the cell stack; comprising The pad member comprises a compression layer, a heat-insulating layer laminated on both sides in the thickness direction of the compression layer and comprising at least one material among metal, mica, and ceramic, and a heat-conducting layer laminated on both sides in the thickness direction of the heat-insulating layer. The above thermal conductive layer is: A contact portion in contact with the surface of the battery cell; and A battery module comprising: an extension portion extending downward from the contact portion and inserted into the thermally conductive resin.

14. A battery module according to claim 13, wherein the extension portion is in direct contact with the bottom surface of the housing.

15. A battery module according to claim 13, wherein the extension portion extends downward relative to at least one of the lower end of the compression layer and the lower end of the heat insulation layer.

16. A battery module according to claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the extension is extended in a horizontal direction.

17. A battery module according to claim 16, wherein at least one pair of the extension parts are in contact with each other.

18. A battery module according to claim 13, wherein the pad member comprises a structure in which the pad, which includes the compression layer, the heat insulation layer, and the heat conductive layer, is folded in half such that the heat conductive layer forms the outermost edges on both sides in the thickness direction.

19. A battery module according to claim 18, wherein the pad member is arranged such that its folded portion faces downward.

20. A battery module according to claim 13, wherein the pad member comprises a structure in which a pair of pads, each including the compression layer, the heat insulation layer, and the heat conductive layer, are stacked facing each other such that the heat conductive layer forms the outermost edges on both sides in the thickness direction.

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