Search

EP-4099488-B1 - BATTERY MODULE AND BATTERY PACK INCLUDING THE SAME

EP4099488B1EP 4099488 B1EP4099488 B1EP 4099488B1EP-4099488-B1

Inventors

  • JEON, HYUN WOOK

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20210730

Claims (6)

  1. A battery module comprising: a battery cell stack (100) in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module frame (200) for housing the battery cell stack (100); and an end plate (300) for covering front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack (100), wherein a drainage channel (L) is formed at both-side lower end corner parts of the end plate (300) meeting with the module frame (200) to discharge a liquid inside the battery module to the outside, wherein the drainage channel (L) is formed so as to have a first slope (S1) toward an outside corner part of a lower end of the end plate (300), and an inside lower end part (313) of the end plate (300) connected to the drainage channel (L) is formed so as to have a second slope (S2) toward the drainage channel (L), wherein the first slope (S1) has a larger slope angle than the second slope (S2), wherein the drainage channel (L) is formed from an inside corner part (311) of the lower end of the end plate toward an outside corner part of the lower end, and wherein a busbar frame (500) is formed on the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack, and the busbar frame is connected to an upper portion of an inside lower end part of the end plate.
  2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: a region where the end plate (300) and the module frame (200) meet, excluding a portion where the drainage channel (L) is formed, is joined by welding.
  3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: a rim part (320) formed protrusively toward the module frame (200) is formed on an edge part of the end plate, and the drainage channel (L) is formed in the rim part (320).
  4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: an insulating cover (400) is formed between the battery cell stack and the end plate, and an inside lower end part (313) of the end plate is formed on a lower side of the insulating cover (400).
  5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: a plurality of busbars (510) are mounted on an outside surface of the busbar frame, and the plurality of busbars are connected to the upper portion of the inside lower end part (313).
  6. A battery pack comprising: the battery module according to claim 1; and a drainage device (D) connected to the drainage channel of the battery module.

Description

[TECHNICAL FIELD] Cross Citation with Related Application(s) This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0122292 filed on September 22, 2020 with the Korean Intellectual Property Office. The present disclosure relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module for preventing a short circuit between busbars, and a battery pack including the same. [BACKGROUND ART] A secondary battery has attracted much attention as an energy source in various products such as a mobile device and an electric vehicle. The secondary battery is a potent energy resource that can replace the use of existing products using fossil fuels, and is in the spotlight as an environment-friendly energy source because it does not generate by-products due to energy use. Recently, along with a continuous rise of the necessity for a large-capacity secondary battery structure, including the utilization of the secondary battery as an energy storage source, there is a growing demand for a battery pack of a multi-module structure which is an assembly of battery modules in which a plurality of secondary batteries are connected in series/parallel. Meanwhile, when a plurality of battery cells are connected in series/parallel to configure a battery pack, a method of configuring a battery module composed of at least one battery cell and then adding other components to at least one battery module to configure a battery pack is common. The battery module may include a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a module frame for housing the battery cell stack, and an end plate for covering the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a bottom part of a conventional battery module. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a section A of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagram viewed from the inside surface of the end plate. Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the conventional battery module may include a module frame 20 for housing the battery cell stack, and an end plate 30 for covering the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack. At this time, as shown in Fig. 3, it can be confirmed that a separate water discharge structure does not exist on the end plate. When the battery module does not have a water discharge structure, moisture may flow into the battery module from the outside. Further, water vapor flown into the battery module may be condensed to generate a condensed water. Further, the electrolyte solution may leak from the battery cell, and the leaked electrolyte solution may be seated inside the module frame. When liquid is generated inside the battery module in this way, the busbars connected to the battery cells may be immersed by a liquid. While the immersed busbars being corroded, a short circuit phenomenon between busbars may occur. When a short circuit phenomenon occurs, a fire may occur due to the short circuit, and the performance of the battery module may be deteriorated. WO2020110449A1 discloses a battery module. EP2760075A1 discloses a battery system with housing. CN210167432U discloses a drainage and ventilation structure in galvanic pile. [DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION] [Technical Problem] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a battery module that includes a structure for discharging a liquid inside the battery module. The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned objects, and other objects which are not described herein should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. [Technical Solution] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery module, as defined in the attached set of claims, comprising: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module frame for housing the battery cell stack; and an end plate for covering the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack, wherein a drainage channel is formed at both-side lower end corner parts of the end plate meeting with the module frame. A portion where the end plate and the module frame meet, excluding the portion where the drainage channel is formed, may be joined by welding. The drainage channel is formed so as to have a first slope toward the outside corner part of the lower end of the end plate, and an inside lower end part of the end plate connected to the drainage channel is formed so as to have a second slope toward the drainage channel. The first slope has a larger slope angle than the second slope. The drainage channel is formed from the inside corner part of the lower end of the end plate toward the outside corner part of the lower end. A rim part formed protrusively toward the module frame may be formed on the edge part of the end plate, and the drainage channel may be formed in the rim part. An insulating cover may be formed between the battery cell stack and the