KR-20260067706-A - BATTERY MODULE

KR20260067706AKR 20260067706 AKR20260067706 AKR 20260067706AKR-20260067706-A

Abstract

A battery module is disclosed. A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: a bottom cover having a first groove formed on its upper surface; a plurality of battery cells located on the bottom cover and stacked along the left and right directions; and a cooling plate located between the plurality of battery cells and inserted into the first groove.

Inventors

이상준
강종모
권현수
노용환
박신영
서성원
안문열
황태원

Assignees

주식회사 엘지에너지솔루션

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20241106

Claims (15)

A bottom cover having a first groove formed on its upper surface; A plurality of battery cells located on the above-mentioned bottom cover and stacked along the left-right direction; and, A battery module comprising a cooling plate positioned between the plurality of battery cells and inserted into the first groove.
In Article 1, The above cooling plate is, A battery module equipped with an internal Euro.
In Article 1, A battery module further comprising a heat transfer member disposed between the plurality of battery cells and the bottom cover.
In Article 1, The above cooling plate and the above first groove are a battery module extending along the front-rear direction.
In Article 1, The above cooling plate is, Multiple battery modules.
In Article 1, The area of the above cooling plate is, A battery module configured to be larger than the area of the battery cells constituting the plurality of battery cells.
In Article 1, A battery module further comprising a pad located between the plurality of battery cells.
In Article 7, The above bottom cover is, It includes a second groove formed on the upper surface, and The above pad is, A battery module inserted into the second groove above.
In Article 8, The above pad and the above second groove are a battery module extending along the front-rear direction.
In Article 8, The above pad is, Multiple battery modules.
In Article 8, The area of the above pad is, A battery module configured to be larger than the area of the battery cells constituting the plurality of battery cells.
In Article 1, A battery module further comprising a venting cover having a venting portion located on one side of the bottom cover and facing the lower surface of the plurality of battery cells.
In Article 12, The above venting section is: Separator line; and, A battery module including a separated part surrounded by the above-mentioned separator line.
A battery pack comprising a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
An automobile comprising a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Description

Battery Module The present invention relates to a battery module. As the demand for portable electronic products such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and smartwatches increases significantly and electric vehicles become increasingly widespread, research on batteries installed in them, particularly secondary batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging, is actively underway. Currently commercialized rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium, nickel-hydrogen, nickel-zinc, and lithium-ion batteries. Among these, lithium-ion batteries are gaining attention for their advantages, such as the ability to charge and discharge freely with almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density. These lithium secondary batteries primarily use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive and negative active materials, respectively. The lithium secondary battery comprises an electrode assembly in which a positive plate and a negative plate, each coated with the positive and negative active materials, are arranged with a separator in between, and an outer casing, namely a battery case, that seals and houses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte. Generally, lithium secondary batteries can be classified according to the shape of the casing into can-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch of aluminum laminate sheet. Recently, secondary batteries are widely used for driving or energy storage not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices but also in medium-to-large devices such as electric vehicles and Energy Storage Systems (ESS). A single battery module can be formed by housing multiple such secondary batteries together inside a module case while electrically connected. In this case, each secondary battery included in a single battery module can be referred to as a battery cell. Furthermore, multiple such battery modules can be connected to form a single battery pack. However, when a battery pack contains multiple battery modules, and each module contains multiple battery cells, it may be vulnerable to thermal chain reactions between modules or cells. For example, if an event such as thermal runaway occurs within a single battery module, it is necessary to suppress the propagation of this runaway to other battery modules or cells. If the propagation of thermal runaway between modules or cells is not properly suppressed, an event originating in a specific module or cell may trigger a chain reaction of thermal reactions in other modules or cells, potentially causing explosions or fires, or significantly amplifying their scale. In particular, if an event such as thermal runaway occurs in a single battery module, gases or flames may be randomly released to the outside. If the release of such gases or flames is not properly controlled, they may be released toward other battery modules, potentially causing a thermal chain reaction in those modules. Specifically, module terminals may be located on the front side of a battery module to provide electrical connections to other battery modules or battery packs, such as module busbars. Therefore, if flames are released toward the front of such a battery module, they can damage the module terminals within the battery pack and cause an electrical short circuit. Furthermore, since other battery modules may be located in front of a specific battery module, if flames are released toward the front of that module, the emitted flames may spread toward other modules, making it easy for fire to spread between battery modules. If thermal propagation between battery modules or between battery cells is not properly controlled, a rapid voltage drop in the battery module or battery pack may occur. This can lead to a sudden shutdown of the device equipped with the battery module or battery pack, causing unexpected damage. For example, if a sudden voltage drop in the battery pack occurs while an electric vehicle is in operation, there may not be enough time to move the electric vehicle to a safe location. Furthermore, if thermal propagation between battery modules or battery cells is not properly controlled and a fire or explosion occurs suddenly, there is a high possibility of causing casualties to users. For example, if thermal runaway occurs in an electric vehicle and a certain amount of time is not secured before it progresses into a full-scale fire, the occupants may not be able to escape safely. The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention provided below; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to t