Abstract:
A battery pack including a plurality of battery units with improved insulating and cooling properties between the battery units is provided. In one embodiment, a battery unit includes a battery cell and an insulating wall including a plurality of protrusions contacting the battery cell. The protrusions extend at least partly between opposite edges of the insulating wall and define space between the battery cell and regions between the protrusions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/254,130, filed on Oct. 22, 2009, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention relates to a battery pack. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Rechargeable batteries are rechargeable, unlike primary batteries that are not designed to be rechargeable. Rechargeable batteries have been widely used in vehicles as well as other electronic devices such as cellular phones, notebook computers and camcorders. 
         [0006]    A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly and an electrolyte. The electrode assembly includes a cathode plate, an anode plate and a separator. Mostly, the electrolyte includes lithium ions. Each of the cathode and anode plates may include an electrode tab extending to the outside. 
         [0007]    The electrode assembly may be contained in a case, and an electrode terminal may extend out of the case. The electrode tab may extend out of the electrode assembly so as to be electrically connected to the electrode terminal. The case may have a circular or square shape. 
         [0008]    A battery pack may be formed by horizontally or vertically stacking a plurality of unit battery cells of a rechargeable battery. Each unit battery cell of the battery pack needs to be protected from the outside, and rechargeable batteries that are stacked adjacent to each other need to be insulated from each other. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a battery pack including at least one battery cell with improved insulating and cooling properties between battery cells. 
         [0010]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery unit includes a battery cell and an insulating wall including a plurality of protrusions contacting the battery cell. The protrusions extend at least partly between opposite edges of the insulating wall and define space between the battery cell and regions between the protrusions. 
         [0011]    The insulating wall may further include at least one supporting member protruding from an edge thereof for holding the battery cell against the protrusions. 
         [0012]    The battery unit may further include at least one second insulating wall protruding from at least one edge of the insulating wall in a same direction as the protrusions, wherein one or more of the walls may include at least one supporting member protruding from an edge thereof for holding the battery cell against the protrusions. 
         [0013]    The wall may have openings along the opposite edges and aligned with the regions between the protrusions. The openings along the opposite edges may be aligned with each other. 
         [0014]    The plurality of protrusions may be parallel to each other. 
         [0015]    The insulating wall may have a plurality of second openings at the regions between the protrusions. The plurality of second openings may include a plurality of elongated openings extending at least partly between the openings along the opposite edges. The plurality of second openings may include a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other between the openings along the opposite edges. 
         [0016]    The battery unit may further include at least one second insulating wall protruding in a same direction as the protrusions from at least one of the opposite edges of the insulating wall. The at least one second insulating wall may have an opening aligned with a vent member of the battery cell. 
         [0017]    The battery unit may further include at least one second insulating wall protruding from the insulating wall and extending between the opposite edges along the insulating wall. 
         [0018]    The battery unit may further include a radiation sheet on a side of the insulating wall opposite the side on which the protrusions are located. 
         [0019]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, a battery pack includes a frame and a battery module on the frame, the battery module including a plurality of battery units stacked together. Each of the battery units includes a battery cell and an insulating wall including a plurality of protrusions contacting the battery cell, the protrusions extending at least partly between opposite edges of the insulating wall and defining space between the battery cell and regions between the protrusions. 
         [0020]    Each of the battery units may further include at least one second insulating wall protruding from at least one edge of the insulating wall in a same direction as the protrusions, wherein one or more of the walls may include at least one supporting member protruding from an edge thereof for holding the battery cell against the protrusions. 
         [0021]    The at least one second insulating wall may include at least one second protrusion on an outside surface thereof and protruding away from the battery cell, and the at least one second protrusion may be configured to engage a receiving portion of the frame. 
         [0022]    The frame may include a plurality of openings aligned with said space. 
         [0023]    According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in a battery pack including at least one battery cell, the insulating and cooling properties between battery cells may be improved. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a battery pack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in a horizontal direction, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a battery unit in which a unit battery cell is in a cell cover in the battery pack of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the battery unit of  FIG. 2 , which is viewed from the opposite side of  FIG. 2 , according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the battery unit taken along a line IV-IV of  FIG. 2 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the battery unit where a battery cell and a cell cover are separated from each other, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating two battery units stacked adjacent to each other in the battery pack of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a battery unit in which a battery cell is in a cell cover in the battery pack of  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a frame for supporting battery module, which is formed by stacking battery units, from below in the battery pack of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a cover plate of the battery pack of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  illustrates a battery unit supported by battery unit supporting units of a lateral frame in the battery pack of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack taken along a line XI-XI of  FIG. 10 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of a portion of a frame of the battery pack of  FIG. 1 , which is viewed from below, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by explaining exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings. 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a battery pack  10  in which a plurality of battery cells  510  are horizontally stacked, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a battery unit  500  in which a battery cell  510  is in a cell cover  520  in the battery pack  10 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the battery unit  500  of  FIG. 2 , which is viewed from the opposite side of  FIG. 2 , according to another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the battery unit  500  taken along a line IV-IV of  FIG. 2 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the battery unit  500  where the battery cell  510  and the cell cover  520  are separated from each other, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , the battery pack  10  may include at least one battery cell  510 , and may be formed by stacking a plurality of battery units  500  together. The battery pack  10  may include a battery module  100 , a frame  200 , cover plates  300 , and an assembly bar  400 . 
         [0039]    The battery module  100  is an aggregate of a plurality of battery units  500 , and is formed by horizontally stacking the battery units  500 . The battery module  100  may be mounted on the frame  200  so that the battery module  100  is supported by the frame  200  from below. 
         [0040]    The cover plates  300  may be disposed at both ends of the battery module  100  so as to horizontally support the battery module  100  in which the battery units  500  are horizontally stacked. The assembly bar  400  may connect the battery units  500 , which are horizontally stacked, to each other and support the battery units  500 . 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 1 , the battery module  100  includes the battery units  500  that are horizontally stacked. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, unlike in  FIG. 1 , the battery module  100  that is an aggregate of the battery units  500  may be formed by vertically stacking the battery units  500 . 
         [0042]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the battery module  100  is mounted on the frame  200  so that the battery module  100  may be supported from the side, and the battery module  100  may be vertically supported by the cover plate  300 . In addition, the assembly bar  400  may connect the battery units  500 , which are vertically stacked, to each other and support the battery units  500 . However, when the battery units  500  are vertically stacked, the features and aspects of embodiments of the present invention, which will be described hereinafter, may also be used. 
         [0043]    Each of the battery units  500 , which are horizontally stacked to form the battery module  100 , may include the battery cell  510  and the cell cover  520 . 
         [0044]    The battery cells  510  may be horizontally stacked so as to form the battery pack  10 . Each of the battery cells  510  may be a square battery cell, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, battery cells having various suitable shapes including a circular shape may be used as the battery cell  510 . 
         [0045]    A general rechargeable battery may be used as the battery cell  510 . The rechargeable battery may include an electrode assembly and an electrolyte. The electrode assembly may include a cathode plate, an anode plate and a separator. The electrolyte may include lithium ions. Each of the cathode and anode plates may include an electrode tab extended to the outside. 
         [0046]    The electrode assembly may be in a case  511 . Electrode terminals  512  may be exposed out of the case  511 . The electrode tab may extend out of the electrode assembly so as to be electrically connected to the electrode terminals  512 . The case  511  may have a circular or square shape. 
         [0047]    The battery module  100  may be formed by horizontally or vertically stacking together a plurality of rechargeable batteries. The electrode terminals  512  of the rechargeable batteries that are stacked adjacent to each other in the battery module  100  may be electrically connected to each other. In one embodiment, the electrode terminals  512  of the rechargeable batteries that are stacked adjacent to each other may be electrically connected by a bus bar  600 . 
         [0048]    A cap plate  513  (e.g., a thin plate) may be coupled to an opening of the case  511 . An electrolyte inlet for injecting an electrolyte into the case  511  may be formed in the cap plate  513 , and a sealing cap  514  may be installed in the electrolyte inlet. 
         [0049]    A vent member  515  in which a groove is formed may be installed or fabricated on the cap plate  513  so as to be torn or ruptured by a set internal pressure. When the battery cell  510  is installed in the cell cover  520 , a gas exhausting unit  525  of the cell cover  520  may be positioned to be aligned with the vent member  515 . 
         [0050]    The cell cover  520  may surround at least a portion of the battery cell  510  so as to protect the battery cell  510  from the outside. In the battery pack  10  including at least one battery cell  510 , the cell cover  520  may improve the insulating and cooling properties between the battery cells  510 . 
         [0051]    The cell cover  520  may include a cover body  521 , vertical ribs  522 , terminal insertion holes  523 , cell supporting units  524 , the gas exhausting unit  525 , and an assembly unit  526 . 
         [0052]    The cover body  521  may surround at least a portion of the battery cell  510  so as to protect the battery cell  510  from the outside. At least one vertical rib  522  is formed on a surface of the cover body  521  so that the cover body  521  and the battery cell  510  may be spaced apart from each other. 
         [0053]    Each of the terminal insertion holes  523  is a through-hole formed through an upper surface of the cover body  521  so that the electrode terminals  512  of the battery cell  510  are inserted into the terminal insertion holes  523 . The cell supporting units  524  supports the battery cell  510  in the cell cover  520  towards or against the inside of the cell cover  520 . 
         [0054]    The gas exhausting unit  525  is a through hole formed through an upper surface of the cover body  521  so as to correspond to the vent member  515  of the battery cell  510  in the cell cover  520 . The assembly unit  526  may be coupled to that of another adjacent battery unit  500  so as to fix or secure the battery units  500 . 
         [0055]    The cover body  521  surrounds at least one surface of the battery cell  510  so as to protect the battery cell  510  from the outside. In this case, at least one side of the cover body  521  may be opened, and the battery cell  510  may be inserted into and ejected from the cell cover  520  through the opened side of the cover body  521 . 
         [0056]    The cover body  521  may be formed of an insulating material and may include a plurality of insulating walls. Thus, the cover body  521  may electrically insulate the battery cell  510  in the cell cover  520  from other battery cells  510  that are stacked adjacent to each other. 
         [0057]    In one embodiment, the cover body  521  may be formed of a plastic material. Thus, a light and inexpensive material such as plastic may be used to insulate the battery cell  510  in the cell cover  520  from other adjacent battery cells  510  and to protect the battery cell  510  in the cell cover  520  from the outside. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and thus the cover body  521  may be formed of various suitable insulating materials in addition to plastic. 
         [0058]    In addition, a cooling path between the battery cells  510  may be obtained. In particular, the cooling path using air circulation may be obtained between the adjacent battery cells  510 . 
         [0059]    When a subsidiary wall formed of aluminium or metal is inserted or anodized in order to obtain an air path for insulation and cooling between battery cells, maintenance of insulation between the battery cells may not be ensured. However, when the cover body  521  is formed of an insulating material, insulation and cooling may be easily obtained between the adjacent battery cells  510 . 
         [0060]    The cover body  521  may include a first surface  521   a , a second surface  521   b , an upper surface  521   c , a lower surface  521   d , and both lateral surfaces  521   e.    
         [0061]    The first surface  521   a  is a supporting surface for supporting the battery cell  510  in the cover body  521 . The second surface  521   b  faces an opening side through which the battery cell  510  is inserted into and ejected from the cell cover  520 . 
         [0062]    The upper surface  521   c  is a surface for protecting the battery cell  510  from above. The lower surface  521   d  is a surface for supporting the battery cell  510  from below. The lateral surfaces  521   e  are surfaces for supporting and protecting the battery cell  510  from the sides. 
         [0063]    The first surface  521   a  may support the battery cell  510  inserted into the cell cover  520 , and may be inserted between the battery cell  510  and the adjacent battery cell  510  that is stacked adjacent to the battery cell  510 . Thus, the adjacent battery cells  510  may be spaced apart from each other by the first surface  521   a  formed of an insulating material. The first surface  521   a  may be a surface of a thin plate, wherein the vertical rib  522  is formed on at least one surface of the thin plate. 
         [0064]    At least one vertical rib  522  may be vertically formed on a surface of the cover body  521 , such as the first surface  521   a , so that the cover body  521  and the battery cell  510  are spaced apart from each other. According to one embodiment, the vertical rib  522  may be formed on an internal surface such as the second surface  521   b . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the vertical rib  522  may be formed on at least one of internal and external surfaces of the cover body  521  (e.g., first surface  521   a  and second surface  521   b ). 
         [0065]    An air path  532  may be formed to extend upwards or downwards in a space between the first surface  521   a  and the battery cell  510  that are spaced apart from each other. By circulating air through the air path  532 , heat generated from the battery cell  510  or another element may be effectively emitted to the outside. 
         [0066]    Thus, the performance of heat dissipation of the battery pack  10  may be improved, and therefore the electrical performance of the battery pack  10  may be improved.  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an embodiment where air is circulated downwards (arrow direction). However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, the positions of an air inlet  527  and an air outlet  528  may be reversed, and air may be circulated upwards. 
         [0067]    To achieve this, the air inlet  527  and the air outlet  528  may be formed on the cell cover  520 . The air inlet  527  may be formed on the upper surface  521   c  of the cover body  521 , or on an edge joining the upper surface  521   c  and the first surface  521   a . The air outlet  528  may be formed on the lower surface  521   d  of the cover body  521 , or on an edge joining the lower surface  521   d  and the first surface  521   a.    
         [0068]    Thus, the air path  532  may be formed from the air inlet  527  to the air outlet  528  through a space between the first surface  521   a  of the cover body  521  and the battery cell  510 , which is formed by the adjacent vertical ribs  522 . In addition, slits  531  may be formed on the first surface  521   a  of the cover body  521  in spaces between the adjacent vertical ribs  522  so as to effectively emit heat generated from the battery cell  510 . 
         [0069]    The cell cover  520  may further include a radiation sheet  540 . The radiation sheet  540  may be attached to an external surface of the cover body  521  such as the first surface  521   a . Thus, the radiation sheet  540  may contact the battery cell  510  of the adjacent battery unit  500  that is stacked adjacent to the battery unit  500 . 
         [0070]    In this case, heat generated from the battery cell  510  of the adjacent battery unit  500  that is stacked adjacent to the battery unit  500  may be emitted via the radiation sheet  540  and through the air path  532  formed in the cell cover  520 . In addition, heat generated from the battery cell  510  of the adjacent battery unit  500  that is stacked adjacent to the battery unit  500 , which is transmitted through the radiation sheet  540 , may be effectively transmitted to the air path  532  by the slits  531  formed in spaces between the adjacent vertical ribs  522  of the first surface  521   a  of the cover body  521 . 
         [0071]    In  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the slits  531  are formed in the spaces between the adjacent vertical ribs  522  of the first surface  521   a  of the cover body  521 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , heat generated from the battery cell  510  of the adjacent battery unit  500  that is stacked adjacent to the battery unit  500  may be effectively transmitted to the air path  532  via through-holes  531   a  formed in the first surface  521   a , instead of the slits  531 . 
         [0072]    The battery cell  510  may be inserted into or ejected from the cell cover  520  through an opened side on the second surface  521   b . The battery cell  510  in the cell cover  520  may contact the first surface  521   a  of the cell cover  520  or the radiation sheet  540  of the adjacent battery unit  500  that is stacked adjacent to the battery unit  500 , through the opened side on the second surface  521   b.    
         [0073]    The cell cover  520  may include cell supporting units  524 . The cell supporting units  524  may be formed so as to protrude from at least one of the upper surface  521   c  and the lower surface  521   d  towards the battery cell  510  inserted into the cell cover  520 . In this case, the cell supporting units  524  may be integrally formed with at least one of the upper surface  521   c  and the lower surface  521   d.    
         [0074]    The cell supporting units  524  may be flexible so that the battery cell  510  may be inserted into the cell cover  520  when the cell supporting units  524  protrude from at least one of the upper surface  521   c  and the lower surface  521   d . In this case, the cell supporting units  524  may flexibly support the battery cell  510  in the cell cover  520  towards the inside of the cell cover  520 . 
         [0075]    The upper surface  521   c  may protect an upper portion of the battery cell  510  from the outside. The terminal insertion holes  523  may be formed in the upper surface  521   c  so as to expose the electrode terminals  512  to the outside. The terminal insertion holes  523  are through holes formed through the upper surface  521   c  of the cover body  521  so that the electrode terminals  512  of the battery cell  510  are inserted into the terminal insertion holes  523  so as to expose the electrode terminals  512  to the outside. 
         [0076]    The gas exhausting unit  525  may be formed on the upper surface  521   c  so as to exhaust gas generated in the battery cell  510 . The gas exhausting unit  525  may be formed with a duct shape, and may be connected to an external duct so as to exhaust gas generated in the battery cell  510  to the outside. 
         [0077]    In one embodiment, the gas exhausting unit  525  may be formed as a through-hole on an upper surface of the cover body  521  so as to correspond to the vent member  515  of the battery cell  510  in the cell cover  520 . 
         [0078]    In addition, the air inlet  527  connected to the air path  532  may be formed in the upper surface  521   c . The air inlet  527  may be formed as at least one through-hole on the upper surface  521   c  of the cover body  521 , or on an edge joining the upper surface  521   c  and the first surface  521   a.    
         [0079]    The lower surface  521   d  may protect and support the battery cell  510  from below. When the battery module  100  is mounted on the frame  200 , the lower surface  521   d  may contact the frame  200 . 
         [0080]    The air outlet  528  connected to the air path  532  may be formed on the lower surface  521   d . The air outlet  528  may be formed as at least one through-hole on the lower surface  521   d  of the cover body  521 , or on an edge joining the lower surface  521   d  and the first surface  521   a.    
         [0081]    Both lateral surfaces  521   e  may support and protect the battery cell  510  from the sides. In addition, the adjacent battery units  500  may be connected and supported by the lateral surfaces  521   e.    
         [0082]    A horizontal rib  529  may be formed on an internal surface of the cover body  520  opposite to the lateral surface  521   e , and the internal surface contacts the battery cell  510 . Due to the horizontal rib  529 , the internal surface is spaced apart from the battery cell  510  by an interval (e.g., a predetermined interval), and an air path for circulating air may be formed in a space between the battery cell  510  and the internal surface of the cell cover  520 . Therefore, heat generated from the battery cell  510  may be effectively emitted through the air path. 
         [0083]    In one embodiment, a through-hole  530  may be formed through the lateral surface  521   e  of the cover body  521  or an edge joining the lateral surface  521   e  and the first surface  521   a . The through-hole  530  may be connected to the air path formed between the battery cell  510  and the internal surface. 
         [0084]    The assembly unit  526  may be coupled to that of another adjacent battery unit  500  so as to fix the battery units  500  together. The assembly unit  526  may be formed on the lateral surface  521   e  of the cell cover  520  so as to connect the battery cells  510  to each other, and support and fix the battery cell  510  from its side. 
         [0085]    The assembly unit  526  may include an assembly plate  526   a  and an assembly hole  526   b . The assembly plate  526   a  may be formed so as to protrude from the lateral surface  521   e  of the cell cover  520 . In one embodiment, the assembly plate  526   a  may be formed like a plate that is integrally formed with the cell cover  520 . The battery unit  500  including the cell cover  520  in which the battery cell  510  is installed may be stacked together with other battery units  500  by the assembly plates  526   a.    
         [0086]    The assembly hole  526   b  may be formed through the assembly plate  526   a . The assembly bar  400  is inserted through the assembly hole  526   b  formed in each of the battery units  500  that are horizontally stacked so that the battery units  500  are connected to each other and supported. That is, the assembly bar  400  may support and fix the battery units  500  from the side when the battery units  500  are horizontally stacked. 
         [0087]    Thus, the battery module  100  may be formed by simply and easily stacking the battery units  500  guided by the assembly bar  400  and the assembly unit  526 . In addition, the assembly bar  400  may strongly support and fix the battery units  500  so as to stack the battery units  500 . 
         [0088]    The cell cover  520  may further include lateral surface fixation units  550 . The lateral surface fixation units  550  are supported by the frame  200  so that the movement of the battery unit  500  may be restricted in at least one direction. In one embodiment, the lateral surface fixation units  550  may be formed on the lateral surface  521   e  of the cell cover  520 . 
         [0089]    The lateral surface fixation units  550  may be fixation hooks that are inserted into battery unit supporting units  240  such as hook insertion grooves or suitable openings formed on the frame  200 . In one embodiment, the lateral surface fixation units  550  (e.g., fixation hooks) are coupled to the battery unit supporting units  240  (e.g., hook insertion grooves) so that the cell cover  520  is supported by the frame  200 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the frame  200  for supporting the battery module  100 , which is formed by stacking the battery units  500 , from below in the battery pack  10  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the cover plate  300  of the battery pack  10  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0091]      FIG. 10  illustrates the case where the battery unit  500  is supported by the battery unit supporting units  240  of a lateral frame  220  in the battery pack  10 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack  10  taken along a line XI-XI of  FIG. 10 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 12  is a plan view of a portion of the frame  200  of the battery pack  10 , which is viewed from below, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0092]    By mounting the battery module  100  on the frame  200 , the battery module  100  may be effectively supported and fixed from below. The frame  200  may support and fix the battery units  500  so that the battery units  500  are effectively stacked. In addition, air may be effectively exhausted from the battery units  500  through a lower portion of the frame  200 . 
         [0093]    The frame  200  may include a lower frame  210 , a lateral frame  220 , and cover plate assembling units  230 . 
         [0094]    By mounting the battery module  100  on the lower frame  210 , the battery module  100  may be supported from below. The lateral frame  220  extends from the lower frame  210  along a lateral surface of the battery unit  500  so as to support and fix the battery module  100  from the side of a lower portion of the battery module  100 . The cover plate assembling units  230  may be disposed at both ends of the lower frame  210  so as to support the cover plates  300 . 
         [0095]    By mounting the battery module  100  on the lower frame  210 , the battery module  100  may be supported and fixed from below. 
         [0096]    Air path slits  212  or suitable openings may be further formed in the lower frame  210 . The air path slits  212  may be formed through positions of the lower frame  210  that correspond to the battery units  500 . 
         [0097]    As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the air path slits  212  may be formed so as to correspond to the air outlets  528  formed on a lower surface of the battery unit  500 . Thus, air exhausted through the air path  532  of the battery unit  500  may be effectively exhausted through the air path slits  212  formed in the lower frame  210 . Therefore, the performance of heat dissipation of the battery cells  510  that are horizontally stacked to be mounted on the frame  200  may be improved. 
         [0098]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , at least one through-hole  213  may be formed through the lower frame  210 . Due to the through holes  213  formed through the lower frame  210 , the weight of the frame  200  may be reduced, and heat transmitted from the battery units  500  may be effectively emitted. 
         [0099]    The lateral frame  220  extends from the lower frame  210  along a lateral surface of the battery unit  500  so as to support and fix the battery module  100  from the side of a lower portion of the battery module  100 . In order to effectively support the battery units  500 , the battery unit supporting units  240  may be formed on positions of the lateral frame  220 , which correspond to the battery units  500 . 
         [0100]    The battery unit supporting units  240  are coupled to lateral surface fixation units  550  of the cell cover  520  so as to support the battery unit  500 . In one embodiment, the battery unit supporting units  240  may be hook insertion grooves for receiving the lateral surface fixation units  550  embodied as fixation hooks. In this embodiment, the hook insertion grooves are coupled to the fixation hooks so that the cell cover  520  is supported by the lower frame  210 . 
         [0101]    Thus, the lateral surface fixation units  550  are supported by the battery unit supporting units  240  of the frame  200  so that the movement of the battery unit  500  may be restricted in at least one direction. According to one embodiment, the lateral surface fixation units  550 , which may be fixation hooks, are inserted into the battery unit supporting units  240 , which may be hook insertion grooves, so that the movement of the battery unit  500  may be restricted in a horizontal direction. Thus, the battery unit  500  may be effectively supported by the frame  200 . 
         [0102]    The cover plate assembling units  230  may be disposed at both ends of the lower frame  210  so as to support and fix the cover plates  300 . The cover plate assembling units  230  fixe the cover plates  300  so that the battery module  100  in which the battery units  500  are stacked and supported by the cover plates  300  may be effectively supported. 
         [0103]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a plurality of coupling holes  231  may be formed in the cover plate assembling unit  230  disposed at both ends of the lower frame  210 . The coupling holes  231  may be formed so as to correspond to coupling holes  321  of the cover plate  300 . 
         [0104]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cover plate assembling unit  230  and the cover plate  300  are coupled through the coupling holes  231  and  321  that are respectively formed in the cover plate assembling unit  230  and the cover plate  300  so as to be coupled and fixed by coupling elements. The coupling elements may include a bolt and a nut that are coupled together through the coupling holes  231  and  321 . Thus, the cover plate  300  may be effectively supported by and fixed to the cover plate assembling unit  230 . 
         [0105]    The cover plates  300  may be disposed at both ends of the battery module  100  so as to horizontally support and fix the battery module  100  in which the battery units  500  are horizontally stacked. The cover plates  300  may be disposed at both ends of the battery module  100  formed by stacking the battery units  500  so as to support the battery module  100  so that the battery units  500  are maintained to contact each other. 
         [0106]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the cover plate  300  may include a lateral plate  310 , a lower supporting unit  320 , an upper connection unit  330 , and a lateral connection unit  340 . 
         [0107]    The lateral plate  310  contacts one surface of the battery unit  500  so as to support the battery unit  500  from the side. The lower supporting unit  320  is accommodated in and supported by the cover plate assembling unit  230  of the lower frame  210  disposed below the cover plate  300 . The upper connection unit  330  supports another battery pack stacked above the battery pack  10  when a plurality of battery packs are vertically stacked. The lateral connection unit  340  supports another battery pack stacked next to the battery pack  10  when a plurality of battery packs are horizontally stacked. 
         [0108]    The lateral plate  310  may be disposed at both ends of the battery module  100  formed by stacking the battery units  500  so as to support the battery module  100  so that the battery units  500  are maintained to contact each other. 
         [0109]    In one embodiment, assembly holes  311  may be formed in the lateral plate  310 . The assembly holes  311  may be formed in a position of the lateral plate  300 , in which assembly bars  400  are to be inserted. The assembly bars  400  may be inserted into the assembly holes  311  so as to be assembled and supported with the battery module  100 . According to another embodiment of the present invention, the assembly bars  400  that are inserted into the assembly holes  311  so that the battery module  100  is supported by the cover plate  300  may be supported by and fixed to the lateral plate  310  by coupling elements such as screwed bolt and nut. 
         [0110]    The lower supporting unit  320  of the cover plate  300  is on the cover plate assembling unit  230  of the lower frame  210  disposed below the cover plate  300  so as to be supported and fixed. In one embodiment, coupling holes  321  may be formed in the lower supporting unit  320 . 
         [0111]    The coupling holes  321  may be formed so as to correspond to the coupling holes  231  formed in the cover plate assembling unit  230 . The coupling holes  321  may be coupled to the coupling holes  231  of the cover plate assembling unit  230  by a coupling element  350  such as a bolt and a nut so that the cover plate  300  is fixed to the frame  200 . 
         [0112]    The upper connection unit  330  may support and fix another battery pack when a plurality of battery packs are vertically stacked. The upper connection unit  330  may be coupled to a lower surface of a cover plate assembling unit of a lower frame  210  of another battery pack that is stacked above the battery pack  10 . 
         [0113]    In one embodiment, coupling holes  331  may be formed in the upper connection unit  330 . The coupling holes  331  may be formed to correspond to the coupling holes  231  of cover plate assembling unit of the lower frame of the battery pack that is stacked above the battery pack  10 . The coupling holes  331  may be coupled to the coupling holes  231  of the cover plate assembling unit  230  by coupling elements such as a bolt and a nut so that the upper connection unit  330  is fixed to the cover plate assembling unit of the lower frame of the battery pack that is stacked above the battery pack  10 . 
         [0114]    The lateral connection unit  340  may support and fix another battery pack when a plurality of battery packs are horizontally stacked. The lateral connection unit  340  may be coupled to a lateral connection unit  340  of a battery pack that is stacked next to the battery pack  10 . 
         [0115]    In one embodiment, a coupling hole  341  may be formed in the lateral connection unit  340 . The coupling hole  341  may be disposed so as to correspond to a coupling hole of a lateral connection unit of the battery pack that is stacked next to the battery pack  10 . The coupling hole  341  may be coupled to the coupling hole of the lateral connection unit of the next battery pack by coupling elements such as a bolt and a nut so that the lateral connection unit  340  is fixed to the lateral connection unit of the next battery pack. 
         [0116]    By the cover plate  300 , at least two battery packs may be stacked in at least one of horizontal and vertical directions so as to be easily supported by each other, and thus the manufacture of an assembly battery pack may be completed. 
         [0117]    According to the described embodiments of the present invention, in a battery pack including at least one battery cell, the insulating and cooling properties between battery cells may be improved. 
         [0118]    While the inventive concept of the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims and their equivalents.