Cell assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a cell assembly comprising: a plurality of cell units each including at least one battery cell; and a thermal barrier cover in contact with the plurality of cell units, wherein the thermal barrier cover extends along both side surfaces and the upper surface of each of the plurality of cell units, and includes a portion that is folded into two overlapping layers between two adjacent cell units among the plurality of cell units.

Description

cell assembly

[0001] The present invention relates to a cell assembly, and more specifically, to a cell assembly comprising a plurality of battery cells. The present application claims the benefit of Korean application No. 10-2024-0196698, filed on December 26, 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 cell assembly.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned problem, the technical concept of the present invention provides a cell assembly comprising: a plurality of cell units each comprising at least one battery cell; and a thermal barrier cover in contact with the plurality of cell units; wherein the thermal barrier cover extends along both sides and the top surface of each of the plurality of cell units and includes a folded portion that is folded in two layers between two adjacent cell units among the plurality of cell units.

[0006] In exemplary embodiments, it is characterized by further including a compressible pad disposed between the plurality of cell units.

[0007] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal barrier cover is characterized by further including a folded portion that is folded in two layers between one of the plurality of cell units and the compressible pad.

[0008] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal barrier cover is characterized by further including a folded portion that is folded in two layers between one of the plurality of cell units and the compressible pad.

[0009] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal barrier cover is characterized by extending along both sides and the top surface of the compressible pad.

[0010] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal barrier cover is characterized by having a single structure.

[0011] In exemplary embodiments, the battery cells provided to two adjacent cell units among the plurality of cell units are connected in series.

[0012] In exemplary embodiments, the plurality of cell units each comprises a plurality of battery cells connected in parallel.

[0013] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal barrier cover comprises a plurality of unit covers separated from one another, and each of the plurality of unit covers of the thermal barrier cover is connected to at least one of the plurality of cell units.

[0014] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal barrier cover is characterized by having a plurality of grooves that accommodate the plurality of cell units.

[0015] In exemplary embodiments, the plurality of cell units are further characterized by including a pair of side beams spaced apart from each other.

[0016] In exemplary embodiments, the invention is characterized by further including a case surrounding the plurality of cell units attached to the thermal barrier cover.

[0017] To solve the above-mentioned problem, the technical concept of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a cell assembly comprising: a step of preparing a thermal barrier cover having a plurality of cell attachment areas spaced apart from each other in a first direction; a step of attaching a plurality of battery cells to the plurality of cell attachment areas of the thermal barrier cover; and a step of folding the thermal barrier cover along a plurality of folding lines, wherein each of the plurality of folding lines is located between two adjacent cell attachment areas among the plurality of cell attachment areas of the thermal barrier cover.

[0018] In exemplary embodiments, the method further includes the step of attaching a compressible pad to a pad attachment area of ​​the thermal barrier cover, and the step of folding the thermal barrier cover is characterized by further folding the thermal barrier cover along a folding line between any one of the plurality of cell attachment areas and the pad attachment area.

[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal barrier cover is folded to have a plurality of grooves, and each of the plurality of grooves of the thermal barrier cover accommodates at least one corresponding among the plurality of battery cells.

[0020] According to the cell assembly according to exemplary embodiments, by covering each of the plurality of cell units at least partially with a thermal barrier cover, the plurality of cell units can be protected from external high-temperature gas and / or flame discharge, and heat transfer between adjacent cell units can be suppressed or prevented.

[0021] According to the method for manufacturing a cell assembly according to exemplary embodiments, a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of compressible pads are attached to a thermal barrier cover, and the thermal barrier cover is folded to rapidly manufacture a laminate in which a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of compressible pads are stacked in one direction. Accordingly, the productivity of the cell assembly manufacturing process can be improved.

[0022] 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.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cell assembly according to exemplary embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a cell assembly according to exemplary embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a cell assembly according to exemplary embodiments.

[0026] FIGS. 4a to 4c are drawings illustrating a method for manufacturing a cell assembly according to exemplary embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cell assembly according to exemplary embodiments.

[0028] FIGS. 6a to 6c are drawings illustrating a method for manufacturing a cell assembly according to exemplary embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cell assembly 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 cross-sectional view showing a cell assembly (100) according to exemplary embodiments. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a cell assembly (100) according to exemplary embodiments.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cell assembly (100) may include a plurality of cell units (110), a plurality of compressible pads (120), a thermal barrier cover (130), a front frame (151), a rear frame (153), and a pair of side beams (160). The cell assembly (100) may correspond to a cell-to-pack structure comprising a plurality of battery cells (111).

[0038] Each of the multiple cell units (110) may include at least one battery cell (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 provided within a pouch case containing an aluminum laminate sheet. The electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell is provided within a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of a prismatic battery cell is provided within a prismatic metal can.

[0041] A plurality of cell units (110) may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). A plurality of cell units (110) may be connected in series. Battery cells (111) of adjacent cell units (110) may be connected in series. In exemplary embodiments, an individual cell unit (110) may include a plurality of battery cells (111). In exemplary embodiments, an individual cell unit (110) may include a plurality of battery cells (111) connected in parallel with each other. For example, the battery cells (111) provided in an individual cell unit (110) may form a bank, and a cell unit (110) composed of two or more battery cells (111) connected in parallel with each other may be connected in series to another cell unit (110) composed of two or more battery cells (111) connected in parallel with each other.

[0042] Each individual battery cell (111) may be extended in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). An electrode lead (113) may be provided at least one of the two ends along the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) of each individual battery cell (111). Among the plurality of battery cells (111) provided in the plurality of cell units (110), the electrode leads (113) of neighboring battery cells (111) may be electrically and physically connected to each other.

[0043] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the cell assembly (100) is illustrated as comprising eight cell units (110), but is not limited thereto, and the cell assembly (100) may comprise two or more cell units (110).

[0044] A plurality of compressible pads (120) may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) and may be spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction). Each of the plurality of compressible pads (120) may have a flat plate shape extending approximately in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) and a vertical direction (e.g., Z-axis direction). At least one of the plurality of compressible pads (120) may be placed between two adjacent cell units (110) among the plurality of cell units (110).

[0045] Each individual compressible pad (120) may be configured to elastically deform in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) by an external force. When an external force in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) is applied to each individual compressible pad (120), the thickness of each individual compressible pad (120) in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) may decrease from the initial thickness. And when the external force is released from the compressible pad (120), the thickness of the compressible pad (120) in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) may be restored to the initial thickness. When the thickness of the battery cell (111) in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) increases due to swelling of the battery cell (111), the compressible pad (120) may elastically deform to absorb or disperse the force acting due to the swelling of the corresponding battery cell (111). For example, the compressible pad (120) may include polyurethane, silicone, or a combination thereof.

[0046] A thermal barrier cover (130) may come into contact with a plurality of cell units (110) and a plurality of compressible pads (120). The thermal barrier cover (130) may be a sheet having a generally uniform thickness. Each of the plurality of cell units (110) and each of the plurality of compressible pads (120) may be attached to the thermal barrier cover (130). For example, each of the plurality of cell units (110) and each of the plurality of compressible pads (120) may be attached to the thermal barrier cover (130) by an adhesive member such as double-sided tape. The thermal barrier cover (130) may extend along the surface of the plurality of cell units (110) and may extend along the surface of the plurality of compressible pads (120). The thermal barrier cover (130) may extend along both sides and the top surface of each of the plurality of cell units (110) and may cover each of the plurality of cell units (110) at least partially. The bottom surface of each of the plurality of cell units (110) may be exposed to the outside of the cell assembly (100) without being covered by the thermal barrier cover (130). The thermal barrier cover (130) may extend along both sides and the top surface of each of the plurality of compressible pads (120) and may cover each of the plurality of compressible pads (120) at least partially. The bottom surface of each of the plurality of cell units (110) may be exposed to the outside of the cell assembly (100) without being covered by the thermal barrier cover (130). The thermal barrier cover (130) may cover each of the plurality of cell units (110) at least partially to protect the plurality of cell units (110) from external high-temperature gases and / or flame discharges and to suppress or prevent heat transfer between adjacent cell units (110).

[0047] The thermal barrier cover (130) may include a heat-resistant material, a fire-resistant material and / or an insulating material. For example, the thermal barrier cover (130) may include at least one of a high-heat-resistant resin, glass fiber, fiber reinforced plastic, compressed fiber, and fiber fire-resistant insulating material.

[0048] A portion of the thermal barrier cover (130) may be interposed between two adjacent cell units (110) among a plurality of cell units (110). The thermal barrier cover (130) may include a first folding portion (131) that is folded to be folded in two layers between two adjacent cell units (110) in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction). The first folding portion (131) of the thermal barrier cover (130) may include a first portion that makes surface contact with one side of the two cell units (110), a second portion that makes surface contact with the other side of the two cell units (110), and a third portion that extends from the bottom of the first portion to the bottom of the second portion.

[0049] A portion of the thermal barrier cover (130) may be interposed between a corresponding one of a plurality of compressible pads (120) and a corresponding one of a plurality of cell units (110). The thermal barrier cover (130) may include a second folding portion (133) that is folded to be stacked in two layers between the corresponding compressible pad (120) and the corresponding cell unit (110). The second folding portion (133) of the thermal barrier cover (130) may include a first portion that makes surface contact with the side of the corresponding compressible pad (120), a second portion that makes surface contact with the side of the corresponding cell unit (110), and a third portion that extends from the bottom of the first portion to the bottom of the second portion. In exemplary embodiments, the portion of the thermal barrier cover (130) in contact with one side of the compressible pad (120) and the portion of the thermal barrier cover (130) in contact with the other side of the compressible pad (120) may each have a second folding portion (133).

[0050] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal barrier cover (130) may be a single structure or a single sheet. The thermal barrier cover (130) may be a flexible sheet capable of shape deformation by folding. For example, when manufacturing a cell assembly (100), after attaching a plurality of battery cells (111) and a plurality of compressible pads (120) to a single thermal barrier cover (130), the single thermal barrier cover (130) may be folded multiple times. As the single thermal barrier cover (130) is folded multiple times, the thermal barrier cover (130) may have a plurality of grooves for accommodating a plurality of cell units (110) and a plurality of grooves for accommodating a plurality of compressible pads (120).

[0051] The front frame (151) can cover the front of each of the plurality of cell units (110) and can be connected to the front of each of the plurality of cell units (110). The front frame (151) may include a busbar frame that supports the electrode leads (113) of the plurality of battery cells (111) of the plurality of cell units (110). The front frame (151) may include a plurality of slits into which the electrode leads (113) of the plurality of battery cells (111) are inserted. The front frame (151) may support a plurality of busbars, and each of the plurality of busbars may be connected to at least one of the electrode leads (113) of the plurality of battery cells (111).

[0052] The rear frame (153) can cover the rear of each of the plurality of cell units (110) and can be connected to the rear of each of the plurality of cell units (110). The rear frame (153) can be spaced apart from the front frame (151) in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) with the plurality of cell units (110) in between. The rear frame (153) may include a busbar frame that supports the electrode leads (113) of the plurality of battery cells (111) of the plurality of cell units (110). The rear frame (153) may include a plurality of slits into which the electrode leads (113) of the plurality of battery cells (111) are inserted. The rear frame (153) may support a plurality of busbars, and each of the plurality of busbars may be connected to at least one of the electrode leads (113) of the plurality of battery cells (111).

[0053] A pair of side beams (160) may be spaced apart in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) with a plurality of cell units (110) in between. One of the pair of side beams (160) may be attached to a cell unit (110) at one end of the plurality of cell units (110) or to a compressible pad (120) at one end of the plurality of compressible pads (120). The other of the pair of side beams (160) may be attached to a cell unit (110) at the other end of the plurality of cell units (110) or to a compressible pad (120) at the other end of the plurality of compressible pads (120). Each side beam (160) may include a fastening hole into which a fastening member, such as a bolt, is inserted, and may be configured to be fastened to an external structure. For example, when the cell assembly (100) is mounted in the pack housing of the battery pack, a pair of side beams (160) can each be fastened to the pack housing by a fastening member.

[0054]

[0055] (2nd Example)

[0056] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a cell assembly (100) according to exemplary embodiments. FIGS. 4a to 4c are drawings illustrating a method for manufacturing a cell assembly (100) according to exemplary embodiments. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4a to 4c, the method for manufacturing a cell assembly (100) described with reference to FIGS. 1 and FIG. 2 will be described.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 4a, a sheet-shaped thermal barrier cover (130) is prepared (S110). The thermal barrier cover (130) may include a plurality of cell attachment areas (R1) and a plurality of pad attachment areas (R2). Each cell attachment area (R1) may be an area where one battery cell (111) is attached. Each pad attachment area (R2) may be an area where one compressible pad (120) is attached. The plurality of cell attachment areas (R1) may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) and may be spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction). The plurality of pad attachment areas (R2) may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) and may be spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction). Among the multiple pad attachment areas (R2), two or more cell attachment areas (R1) may be arranged between two adjacent pad attachment areas (R2).

[0058] Referring to FIG. 4b, a plurality of battery cells (111) and a plurality of compressible pads (120) are attached to a thermal barrier cover (130) (S120). Each of the plurality of battery cells (111) can be attached to a corresponding cell attachment area (R1) among a plurality of cell attachment areas (R1) of the thermal barrier cover (130). Each individual battery cell (111) can be attached to a corresponding cell attachment area (R1) by an adhesive member such as double-sided tape. Each of the plurality of compressible pads (120) can be attached to a corresponding pad attachment area (R2) among a plurality of pad attachment areas (R2) of the thermal barrier cover (130). Each individual compressible pad (120) can be attached to a corresponding pad attachment area (R2) by an adhesive member such as double-sided tape.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 4b and 4c, a thermal barrier cover (130) is folded along a plurality of folding lines (FL) (S130). The plurality of folding lines (FL) may be spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction), and individual folding lines (FL) may cross the thermal barrier cover (130) in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction). The plurality of folding lines (FL) may include a folding line (FL) between two adjacent cell attachment areas (R1) and a folding line (FL) between a pad attachment area (R2) and an adjacent cell attachment area (R1).

[0060] In step S130, the thermal barrier cover (130) can be folded so that two battery cells (111) constituting one cell unit (110) are in direct contact, adjacent cell units (110) are folded so that they are spaced apart with a portion of the thermal barrier cover (130) in between, and the compressible pad (120) and the cell unit (110) are folded so that they are spaced apart with a portion of the thermal barrier cover (130) in between. When the folding of the thermal barrier cover (130) is completed, the thermal barrier cover (130) can be folded in a zigzag shape to have a plurality of grooves for accommodating a plurality of cell units (110) and a plurality of grooves for accommodating a plurality of compressible pads (120). When folding of the thermal barrier cover (130) is completed, the thermal barrier cover (130) may have a first folding portion (131) between two adjacent cell units (110) and a second folding portion (133) between the compressible pad (120) and the adjacent cell unit (110).

[0061] Next, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a front frame (151), a rear frame (153), and a pair of side beams (160) are assembled to a plurality of cell units (110) (S140). The front frame (151) can cover the front surfaces of the plurality of cell units (110), and the rear frame (153) can cover the rear surfaces of the plurality of cell units (110). Assembling the front frame (151) and the rear frame (153) to the plurality of cell units (110) may include welding the electrode leads (113) of adjacent battery cells (111) among the plurality of battery cells (111). After assembling the front frame (151) and the rear frame (153) to each of the plurality of cell units (110), a pair of side beams (160) can be attached to the plurality of cell units (110). One of the pair of side beams (160) can be attached to a cell unit (110) at one end of a plurality of cell units (110) or a compressible pad (120) at one end of a plurality of compressible pads (120), and the other of the pair of side beams (160) can be attached to a cell unit (110) at the other end of a plurality of cell units (110) or a compressible pad (120) at the other end of a plurality of compressible pads (120).

[0062] According to the method for manufacturing a cell assembly (100) according to exemplary embodiments, a plurality of battery cells (111) and a plurality of compressible pads (120) are attached to a thermal barrier cover (130), and the thermal barrier cover (130) is folded to rapidly manufacture a laminate in which a plurality of battery cells (111) and a plurality of compressible pads (120) are stacked in one direction. Accordingly, the productivity of the manufacturing process of the cell assembly (100) can be improved.

[0063]

[0064] (3rd Example)

[0065] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cell assembly (100A) according to exemplary embodiments. Hereinafter, the cell assembly (100A) shown in FIG. 5 will be described with a focus on the differences from the cell assembly (100) described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 5, in a cell assembly (100A), a thermal barrier cover (130A) may include a plurality of unit covers (139) separated from each other. Each unit cover (139) may be connected to one or more cell units (110). For example, each unit cover (139) may be connected to two cell units (110) adjacent in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction). Each unit cover (139) may include a first folding portion (131) that is folded to be folded in two layers between two cell units (110) adjacent in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction), and a second folding portion (133) that is folded to be folded in two layers between a compressible pad (120) and an adjacent cell unit (110).

[0067]

[0068] (Fourth Example)

[0069] FIGS. 6a to 6c are drawings illustrating a method for manufacturing a cell assembly (100A) according to exemplary embodiments. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5, the method for manufacturing a cell assembly (100A) described will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5, with reference to FIGS. 6a to 6c.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 6a, a plurality of unit covers (139) are prepared. Each of the plurality of unit covers (139) may include a plurality of cell attachment areas (R1) and at least one pad attachment area (R2).

[0071] Referring to FIG. 6b, a plurality of battery cells (111) and at least one compressible pad (120) are attached to each of a plurality of unit covers (139).

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 6b and 6c, each of the multiple unit covers (139) is folded along a plurality of folding lines (FL). One unit cover (139) may be folded so that two battery cells (111) constituting one cell unit (110) are in direct contact, adjacent cell units (110) may be folded so that they are spaced apart with a portion of the unit cover (139) in between, and a compressible pad (120) and an adjacent cell unit (110) may be folded so that they are spaced apart with a portion of the unit cover (139) in between.

[0073] When folding of multiple unit covers (139) is completed, multiple structures (191) can be manufactured, each comprising two cell units (110), at least one compressible pad (120), and one unit cover (139). Subsequently, multiple structures (191) can be connected in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction). Two adjacent structures (191) can be fixed to each other by an adhesive member such as double-sided tape. After connecting multiple structures (191) to each other, a front frame (151), a rear frame (153), and a pair of side beams (160) can be assembled to the multiple cell units (110) to manufacture a cell assembly (100A).

[0074]

[0075] (5th Example)

[0076] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cell assembly (100B) according to exemplary embodiments. Hereinafter, the cell assembly (100B) shown in FIG. 7 will be described with a focus on the differences from the cell assembly (100) described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 7, the cell assembly (100B) may include a plurality of cell units (110), a plurality of compressible pads (120), a thermal barrier cover (130), a front frame (151 in FIG. 2), a rear frame (153 in FIG. 2), and a case (170). The cell assembly (100B) may correspond to a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells (111).

[0078] In the cell assembly (100B), the case (170) may provide a space for accommodating a thermal barrier cover (130), a plurality of cell units (110) attached to the thermal barrier cover (130), and a plurality of compressible pads (120) attached to the thermal barrier cover (130). The case (170) may surround the thermal barrier cover (130), the plurality of cell units (110), and the plurality of compressible pads (120). A front frame (151) may be coupled to the case (170) to cover the fronts of the plurality of cell units (110), and a rear frame (153) may be coupled to the case (170) to cover the rears of the plurality of cell units (110).

[0079] According to the cell assembly according to exemplary embodiments, by covering each of the plurality of cell units at least partially with a thermal barrier cover, the plurality of cell units can be protected from external high-temperature gas and / or flame discharge, and heat transfer between adjacent cell units can be suppressed or prevented.

[0080] According to the method for manufacturing a cell assembly according to exemplary embodiments, a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of compressible pads are attached to a thermal barrier cover, and the thermal barrier cover is folded to rapidly manufacture a laminate in which a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of compressible pads are stacked in one direction. Accordingly, the productivity of the cell assembly manufacturing process can be improved.

[0081] 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 plurality of cell units, each comprising at least one battery cell; and A thermal barrier cover in contact with the plurality of cell units above; Includes, A cell assembly comprising a thermal barrier cover that extends along both sides and the top surface of each of the plurality of cell units and includes a folded portion that is folded in two layers between two adjacent cell units among the plurality of cell units.

2. In Paragraph 1, A cell assembly characterized by further including a compressible pad disposed between the plurality of cell units.

3. In Paragraph 2, A cell assembly characterized in that the thermal barrier cover further includes a folded portion that is folded in two layers between one of the plurality of cell units and the compressible pad.

4. In Paragraph 3, A cell assembly characterized in that the thermal barrier cover further includes a folded portion that is overlapped in two layers between another of the plurality of cell units and the compressible pad.

5. In Paragraph 2, A cell assembly characterized in that the thermal barrier cover extends along both sides and the top surface of the compressible pad.

6. In Paragraph 1, A cell assembly characterized in that the above thermal barrier cover is a single structure.

7. In Paragraph 1, A cell assembly characterized in that the battery cells provided to two adjacent cell units among the plurality of cell units are connected in series.

8. In Paragraph 1, A cell assembly characterized in that each of the above plurality of cell units comprises a plurality of battery cells connected in parallel.

9. In Paragraph 1, The above thermal barrier cover includes a plurality of unit covers separated from each other, and A cell assembly characterized in that each of the plurality of unit covers of the thermal barrier cover is connected to at least one of the plurality of cell units.

10. In Paragraph 1, A cell assembly characterized in that the thermal barrier cover has a plurality of grooves for accommodating the plurality of cell units.

11. In Paragraph 1, A cell assembly characterized by further including a pair of side beams spaced apart with the plurality of cell units above in between.

12. In Paragraph 1, A cell assembly characterized by further including a case surrounding the plurality of cell units attached to the thermal barrier cover.

13. A step of preparing a thermal barrier cover having a plurality of cell attachment areas spaced apart from each other in the first room; A step of attaching a plurality of battery cells to a plurality of cell attachment areas of the thermal barrier cover; and A step of folding the thermal barrier cover along a plurality of folding lines; Includes, A method for manufacturing a cell assembly, wherein each of the plurality of folding lines is located between two adjacent cell attachment regions among the plurality of cell attachment regions of the thermal barrier cover.

14. In Paragraph 13, The method further includes the step of attaching a compressible pad to the pad attachment area of ​​the thermal barrier cover. A method for manufacturing a cell assembly, characterized in that the step of folding the thermal barrier cover further folds the thermal barrier cover along a folding line located between any one of the plurality of cell attachment areas and the pad attachment area.

15. In Paragraph 13, A method for manufacturing a cell assembly characterized in that the thermal barrier cover is folded to have a plurality of grooves, and each of the plurality of grooves of the thermal barrier cover accommodates at least one corresponding among the plurality of battery cells.

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