Patent Publication Number: US-2015064523-A1

Title: Battery module

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0103762, filed on Aug. 30, 2013, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     An aspect of the present invention relates to a battery module, and more particularly, to a battery module in which battery cells can be firmly fixed within the module. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A high-power battery module using a non-aqueous electrolyte with high energy density has recently been developed. This high-power battery module is a large-capacity battery module manufactured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series for use in driving motors of devices requiring high power, for example, electric vehicles, etc. Further, a battery pack can be manufactured by electrically connecting a plurality of these high-power battery modules together. 
     A battery cell generates an electrochemical reaction generating electrical energy that is transferred to the outside of the battery cell through negative and positive electrode terminals. In this type of battery cell, a case housing the battery cell is generally made of metal, and, hence, risks the occurrence of an electrical short circuit between the case and the battery cell. Thus, these battery cells are often insulated from the case. Additionally, in battery modules connecting a plurality of battery cells, an assembling tolerance between the battery cells in the process of connecting the battery cells together may occur, allowing movement of the battery cells. This assembling tolerance may cause safety concerns when the battery cells are moved. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a battery module, and more particularly, to a battery module in which battery cells can be firmly fixed against movement within the module. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a battery module in which the battery cells of a plurality of battery cells are each firmly fixed by offsetting a tolerance gap caused by the size of the battery cells within a housing. 
     Embodiments of the present invention also provide a battery module in which battery cells are fixed against movement by externals force such as vibrations or impact. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery module, including, a plurality of battery cells aligned along a first direction; at least one barrier between respective adjacent battery cells of the plurality of battery cells; and a housing accommodating the plurality of battery cells and the barriers therein, wherein each barrier between respective adjacent battery cells includes a base parallel to a wide surface of the respective adjacent battery cells, at least one spacer protruding in a direction parallel to the first direction and extending toward the wide surface of a respective adjacent battery cell from the base, and at least one support extending further from the base than the at least one spacer. 
     Each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells may include a battery case accommodating an electrode assembly. The wide surface of each battery cell may include a face configured to face the electrode assembly, and an edge extending from a perimeter of the face toward sides of the wide surface of the battery cell. 
     The edge may surround the wide surface of the battery cell, the face may be surrounded by the edge, the at least one spacer may contact the face, and the at least one support may be configured to compress the edge. 
     The base may include a shape corresponding to the wide surface of the battery cells. 
     The at least one spacer may be at an inside of the base, and the at least one support may be adjacent to an end portion of the base. 
     The barrier may further include one or more flanges facing side surfaces of the respective adjacent battery cell from at least one side of each edge of the base. 
     The one or more flanges may include a pair of side flanges at each respective side portion of the base, a lower flange at a lower portion of the base, and an upper flange at an upper portion of the base. 
     The side and/or lower flanges may define one or more openings configured to act as a passageway for a heat exchange medium. 
     The pair of side flanges may face each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the at least one support may protrude in the first direction and extend in the second direction. 
     Each of the side flanges may define a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other, and a bridge between adjacent openings of the plurality of openings. The openings provided in each of the side flanges may face each other, and the at least one support may be configured to correspond to the bridge. 
     The openings in each of the side flanges may be configured to provide a passageway for a heat exchange medium, and the at least one support may be parallel to a direction of flow of the heat exchange medium. 
     The at least one support may include one or more first support tabs adjacent to an upper end portion of the base parallel to the upper end portion, and one or more second support tabs adjacent to a lower end portion of the base parallel to the lower end portion. The first and second support tabs may be configured to correspond with each other. 
     The at least one support may further include third support tabs adjacent to each respective end portion of the base in a direction perpendicular with to each respective end portion. 
     The supports of the first support tab and the supports of the second support tab may each include respective first surfaces extending in the first direction and facing each other. The first surfaces may be parallel to each other. 
     The supports of the first support tab and the supports of the second support tab may each include respective second surfaces opposite to the first surfaces. The second surfaces may be inclined toward the first direction. 
     An end of the at least one support may be divided into a first portion and a second portion through its center. The first and second portions may be configured to contact the respective adjacent battery cell and to face each other while extending in opposite directions. 
     The at least one support may be coupled to the base with a rounded form. 
     An end of the at least one support contacting the battery cell may be rounded. 
     A height of the at least one support may be approximately 0.4 millimeters to 2 millimeters greater than a height of the at least one spacer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, aspects of the present invention may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness of this disclosure, and will fully convey the scope of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. 
       In the drawing figures, dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “between” two elements, it can be the only element between the two elements, or one or more intervening elements may also be present. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing battery cells and a barrier in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the barrier shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the barrier of  FIG. 2  with a barrier cell located at one side thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the barrier shown in  FIG. 4  taken along line I-I of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a barrier according to an embodiment of the present invention interposed between adjacent battery cells. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of a support according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing battery cells and a barrier in a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the barrier shown in  FIG. 8  taken along line II-II of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view showing the barrier of  FIG. 8  interposed between the battery cells shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view of a support according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing an end of the support of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic view showing a barrier having the support of  FIG. 11  interposed between battery cells. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, only certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, simply by way of illustration. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. In addition, when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the another element or be indirectly on the another element with one or more intervening elements interposed between. Also, when an element is referred to as being “connected to” another element, it can be directly connected to the another element or be indirectly connected to the another element with one or more intervening elements interposed between. Hereinafter, like reference numerals refer to like elements. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing battery cells and a barrier in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The battery module  100  according to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  includes a plurality of battery cells  10  aligned along a first direction (x-direction) with barriers  150  interposed between respective battery cells  10  of the plurality of battery cells  10 , and a housing  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and  140  configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells  10  and the barriers  150  interposed between. Each barrier  150  includes a base  151  parallel to a wide surface  15  of the battery cells  10  (in a direction perpendicular to the first or x-direction), at least one spacer  152  protruding from a surface of the base  151  in a direction parallel to the first or x-direction toward the respective battery cell  10  adjacent to the base  151 , and at least one support  160  extending out from the base  151  a distance greater than the length of each spacer  152 . 
     The plurality of battery cells  10  are aligned in the first direction (x-direction), with adjacent battery cells  10  lined up such that the wide surfaces  15  of respective adjacent battery cells  10  face each other. Each battery cell  10  may include an electrode assembly  10   a  and an electrolyte positioned inside a battery case through an open surface of the case, the open surface then being hermetically sealed with a cap assembly  14 . The cap assembly  14  may include a positive electrode terminal  11 , a negative electrode terminal  12 , and a vent  13 . The electrode assembly  10   a  in this embodiment is electrically connected to the positive and negative electrode terminals  11  and  12 , and the positive and negative electrode terminals  11  and  12  become a path through which energy generated by an electrochemical reaction between the electrode assembly  10   a  and the electrolyte may be transferred. In addition, the vent  13  acts as a passage through which gas generated inside the battery cell  10  is exhausted to an outside of the battery cell  10 . 
     In an embodiment, the electrode assembly  10   a  may include a positive electrode plate having a lithium compound coated thereon, a negative electrode plate having carbon coated thereon, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrode plates. The electrode assembly  10   a  in this embodiment may a stacked or wound assembly of the positive electrode plate, the negative electrode plate, and the separator. In addition, in this embodiment, each of the positive and negative electrode plates include electrode tabs to be electrically connected to the positive and negative electrode terminals  11  and  12 , respectively. The electrode assembly  10   a  inside the battery case, as described, may not entirely fill an inside of the battery case and may be spaced apart a predetermined interval from the inside of the battery case at both side surfaces, an upper surface, and a lower surface, which constitute end portions of the battery case. Thus, only a portion of the wide surface  15  of each battery cell  10  contacts or faces the electrode assembly  10   a.  In these embodiments, the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10  may include a face  15   a  facing the electrode assembly  10   a,  and an edge  15   b  extending from an outer perimeter of the face  15   a  to corners of the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10 . In this embodiment, the electrode assembly  10   a  occupies a portion of the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10  at the face  15   a  corresponding to the dotted line shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The housing  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and  140  couples the plurality of battery cells  10  and the barriers  150  respectively interposed between the battery cells  10  together such that the plurality of battery cells  10  may act as one power source. The housing  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and  140  may include a pair of first and second end plates  110  and  120  disposed to face the wide surfaces  15  of the outermost battery cells  10 , respectively, and connecting members  130  and  140  connecting the first and second end plates  110  and  120 . 
     The connecting members  130  and  140  may include a pair of side plates  130  and a bottom plate  140 . The pair of side plates  130  may respectively support each side surface of the battery cells  10 , and the bottom plate  140  may support a bottom surface of the battery cells  10 . One end of the side plate  130  and one end of the bottom plate  140  are fastened to the first end plate  110 , and the other end of the side plate  130  and the other end of the bottom plate  140  are fastened to the second end plate  120 , thereby connecting the first and second end plates  110  and  120 . In this embodiment, the plates may be fastened by any type of connection, for example, a bolt-nut connection, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     The first and second end plates  110  and  120  and the connecting members  130  and  140  couple the plurality of battery cells  10  together, and a bus-bar  16   a  may electrically connect the positive or negative electrode terminals  11  or  12  of two adjacent battery cells  10  to each other. The bus-bar  16   a  may have holes through which each of the positive and negative electrode terminals  11  and  12  can extend. In this embodiment, the bus-bar  16   a  connects the positive and negative electrode terminals  11  and  12  that extend through the respective holes in the bus-bar  16   a,  and the connection may be fixed by any type of connector, i.e., a nut  16   b,  etc. 
     The first and second end plates  110  and  120 , the pair of side plates  130 , and the bottom plate  140  are used to stably connect the plurality of battery cells  10  and the barriers  150  together. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be modified and embodied differently. The connection structure of the battery cells  10  and the number of the battery cells  10  may vary according to the design of the battery module  100 . 
     The barrier  150  in these embodiments is located between adjacent battery cells  10  to prevent the adjacent battery cells  10  from directly contacting each other. The barrier  150  may include a base  151  parallel to the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10 , and one or more flanges  153 ,  155 , and  157  extending perpendicularly at edges of the base  151 . The base  151  may have a shape corresponding to the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10 . The base  151  may include a plurality of spacers  152  protruding from a surface of the base  151  facing the respective adjacent battery cell  10  such that the base  151  and the battery cell  10  are spaced apart from each other. in this embodiment, the plurality of spacers  152  may be provided to be spaced apart from each other. In addition, the base  151  may be include one or more supports  160  protruding in the same direction as the spacers  152 , the supports  160  being longer than the spacers  152 . The spacers  152  may be located on an inside surface of the base  151 , and the supports  160  may be located adjacent to end portions  151   a,    151   b,  and  151   c  of the base  151 . 
     The one or more flanges  153 ,  155 , and  157  of the barriers  150  may face side surfaces of the respective adjacent battery cell  10  from at least one side of each corner of the base  151 . The flanges  153 ,  155 , and  157  may include a pair of side flanges  153  respectively located at both side portions of the base  151 , a lower flange  155  located at a lower portion of the base  151 , and an upper flange  157  located at an upper portion of the base  151 . The side and/or lower flange  153  and/or  155  may have one or more openings  154   a  or  156  functioning as passages for a heat exchange medium, e.g., cooling air, cooling water, etc. The openings  154   a  or  156  may include a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other in a lengthwise direction of the side or lower flanges  153  or  155 . The openings  154   a  or  156  may be located at a central portion of the side or lower flange  153  or  155 . Since the openings  154   a  or  156  may be located at the central portion of the side or lower flange  153  or  155 , the heat exchange medium can be supplied to front and rear surfaces of the base  151 . 
     The battery module  100  includes the plurality of battery cells  10 , each battery cell  10  generating heat while being repetitively recharged/discharged. The generated heat accelerates degradation of the battery cells  10 , and may have serious consequences such fires or explosions of the battery cells  10 . Therefore, the heat must be controlled. In this embodiment, the openings  154   a  and  156  in the side and lower flanges  153  and  155  of the barrier  150  may act as passages U1 through to U2 of the heat exchange medium. The heat exchange medium can flow in the barrier  150  through the openings  154   a  and  156  and directly face the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10  by passing between the spacers  152  of the base  151 . Thus, the heat exchange medium can be utilized to exchange heat with the battery cell  10 . Accordingly, it may be possible to effectively control the temperature of the battery cells  10  and extend the lifespan of the battery module  100 . 
     The upper flange  157  may have a shape corresponding to the cap assembly  14  of the battery cell  10 . For example, the upper flange  157  may have one or more concave portions  158  through which the positive electrode terminal  11 , the negative electrode terminal  12 , and the vent  13  are exposed to the outside. The concave portions  158  may include a first concave portion  158   a  having a shape corresponding to approximately half of a section of the positive or negative electrode terminal  11  or  12 , and a second concave portion  158   b  having a shape corresponding to approximately half of a section of the vent  13 . The upper flanges  157  of adjacent barriers  150  interposed between the battery cells  10  are adjacent to each other, and the respective counterpart concave portions  158  may correspondingly line up. In these embodiments, the first concave portions  158   a  of the adjacent upper flanges  157 , each having a shape corresponding to approximately half of a section of the positive or negative electrode terminal  11  or  12 , may allow the positive or negative electrode terminal  11  or  12  to be exposed therethrough, and the second concave portions  158   b  of the adjacent upper flanges  157 , each having a shape corresponding to approximately half of a section of the vent  13 , may allow the vent  13  to be exposed therethrough. 
     In some embodiments, the side flange  153  include a pair of side flanges facing each other in a second direction (y-direction) vertical to the first direction (x-direction). The support  160  protrudes in the first direction (x-direction). In this case, the support  160  may extend along the second direction (y-direction). The pair of side flanges  153  may include a plurality of openings  154   a  spaced apart from each other, and a bridge  154   b  between adjacent openings  154   a.  The openings  154   a  in the pair of side flanges  153  face each other. The support  160  may correspond to the bridge  154   b.  The opening  154   a  may act as a passageway for the heat exchange medium. In embodiments where the support  160  is at a position corresponding to the opening  154   a,  the support  160  may interfere with the flow of the heat exchange medium and increase the differential pressure of the heat exchange medium. Therefore, in those embodiments, the support  160  may lower the heat exchange efficiency of the battery module  100 . Accordingly, the support  160  in embodiments of the present invention extends along the second direction (y-direction) parallel to the flow direction of the heat exchange medium. In these embodiments, the support  160  corresponds to the bridge  154   b  while avoiding the openings  154   a.  Similarly, the support  160  adjacent to the lower flange  155  may also be at a position corresponding to the space between adjacent openings  156  and not facing the openings  156 . Thus, the support  160  in these embodiments does not interfere with the flow of the heat exchange medium out through the openings  156  of the lower flange  155 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the barrier shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the barrier of  FIG. 2  having a barrier cell located at one side thereof. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in an embodiment where the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10  is divided into a face  15   a  facing the electrode assembly  10   a  and an edge  15   b,  the edge  15   b  may be located along the sides of the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10 , and the face  15   a  may be surrounded by the edge  15   b.  In this embodiment, the spacer  152  may contact the face  15   a,  and the support  160  may compress the edge  15   b  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     The support  160  may fix the battery cell  10  by compressing the edge  15   b.  (which does not face the electrode assembly  10   a ) at the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10 . Thus, although pressure is applied by the support  160 , the pressure does not impact the electrode assembly  10   a,  and accordingly, the battery cell  10  may be stably used. 
     The support  160  includes one or more first support tabs  160   a  adjacent to an upper end portion  151   a  of the base  151  and parallel to the upper end portion  151   a,  and one or more second support tabs  160   b  adjacent to a lower end portion  151   b  of the base  151  and parallel to the lower end portion  151   b.  The first and second support tabs  160   a  and  160   b  may be at positions corresponding to each other. In an embodiment, the first and second support tabs  160   a  and  160   b  may be parallel to each other, and the supports  160  of the first support tab  160   a  and the supports  160  of the second support tab  160   b  may be equal in number at positions corresponding to each other. The support  160  may further include third support tabs  160   c  respectively adjacent to both side end portions  151  c of the base  151  and vertical with respect to both the side end portions  151   c.  The third support tab  160   c  may be between the first and second support tabs  160   a  and  160   b.  The first through third support tabs  160   a,    160   b,  and  160   c  may be parallel to the flow of the heat exchange medium. The first through third support tabs  160   a,    160   b,  and  160   c  may be located away from the openings  156  acting as passages for the heat exchange medium. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the barrier shown in  FIG. 4  taken along line I-I of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic view showing the barrier of  FIG. 4  interposed between adjacent battery cells.  FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of the support according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the support  160  may be longer than the spacers  152 . For example, a height T1 of the support  160  may be greater by than a height T2 of the spacers  152  by approximately 0.4 millimeters (mm) to 2 mm. The spacers  152  of the barrier  150  allow adjacent battery cells  10  to be spaced apart from each other, the barrier  150  providing a path through which the heat exchange medium can flow between adjacent battery cells  10 . In this embodiment, the positions of the adjacent battery cells  10  may be fixed by the spacers  152 . 
     In other battery modules, where a plurality of battery cells  10  are aligned, an assembly tolerance gap may occur due to a difference in thickness between the battery cells or a difference in size between the barriers. In the embodiments of the present invention, the support  160  protrudes longer than the spacers  152  of the base  151 , providing some flexibility, but with a rigid lower portion than that of the spacer  152 . Thus, the support  160  can fix the battery cell  10  without an assembly tolerance gap even when the spacing between the spacer  152  and the battery cell  10  is greater than the length of the spacer  152 . Accordingly, the support  160  can firmly fix the battery cell  10  such that the battery cell  10  is not moved by an external force such as vibration or impact. For example, the spacers  152  may contact or be spaced apart from the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10  by an assembly tolerance gap. In this embodiment, the support  160  may be reversibly elastically bent the spacing distance between the support  160  and the battery cell  10  (from  160   a  to  160   b,  as shown in  FIG. 6 ) to fix the battery cell  10 . Thus, it is possible to remedy the assembly tolerance gap of the battery cell  10  and to efficiently perform a manufacturing process. 
     In battery modules where the difference between the height T1 of the support  160  and the height T2 of the spacer  152  is less than 0.4 mm, it may not suffice to offset the assembly tolerance gap caused by the thickness of the battery cell  10  or the size of the barrier  150 . Therefore, in these instances, it may be difficult to sufficiently fix the battery cell  10  with the support  160 . In battery modules where the difference between the height T1 of the support  160  and the height T2 of the spacer  152  exceeds 2 mm, a compression pressure of the battery cell  10  may undesirably increase by the support  160 . Therefore, the difference between the height T1 of the support  160  and the height T2 of the spacer  152  is preferably between 0.4 mm to 2 mm. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the support  160  protrudes from the base  151 , and a width of the support  160  may gradually decrease as the support  160  approaches an end  166  thereof. The support  160  may be connected in a rounded form  165  to the base  151 . When compressing the battery cell  10 , the support  160  may receive pressure corresponding to the compression. In this embodiment, the support  160  is connected in the rounded form  165  to the base  151 , and hence the pressure is equally distributed, thereby preventing the occurrence of a crack or similar flaw. The end  166  of the support  160 , contacting the battery cell  10 , may be rounded. The end  166  of the support  160  may experience friction during contact with the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10 . Therefore, the end  166  of the support  160  may wear away. In an example where the end  166  of the support  160  is angular, a scratch or other flaw may result on the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10  when compressed by the support  160 . However, in an embodiment where the end  166  of the support  160  is rounded, a decrease in the contact area of the support  160  with the battery cell  10  may result. Accordingly, abrasion or friction of the end  166  of the support  160  with the battery cell  10  may be reduced or prevented. 
     Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 8 to 13 . Contents of these embodiments, except the following, are similar to those of the embodiment described with reference to  FIGS. 1  to and therefore, their detailed descriptions will be omitted. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing battery cells and a barrier in a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the barrier shown in  FIG. 8  taken along line II-II of  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 10  is a schematic view showing the barrier of  FIG. 8  interposed between the battery cells shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 through 10 , a barrier  250  may be positioned between adjacent battery cells  10 . The barrier  250  may include a base  251  corresponding to the wide surface  15  of each battery cell  10 , one or more flanges  253 ,  255 , and  257  positioned vertical to corners of the base  251 , and at lease one spacer  252  and a support  260  protruding toward the battery cells  10  from the base  251 . The spacers  252  and the support  260  may allow the battery cells  10  and the respective barrier  250  to be spaced apart from each other, thereby providing a flow path for a heat exchange medium. In this embodiment, the support  260  may protrude further than the spacer  252 . The flanges  253 ,  255 , and  257  may include a pair of side flanges  253  respectively positioned at both side portions of the base  251 , a lower flange  255  positioned at a lower portion of the base  251 , and an upper flange  257  positioned at an upper portion of the base  251 . The side or lower flanges  253  or  255  may have one or more openings  254   a  acting as passages for the heat exchange medium, e.g., cooling air, cooling water, etc. The pair of side flanges  253  may also include a bridge  254   b  between adjacent openings  254   a.  The openings  254   a  in the pair of side flanges  253  may face each other. The support  260  may correspond with the bridge  254   b.    
     The support  260  may include one or more first support tabs  260   a  adjacent to an upper end portion of the base  251  parallel to the upper end portion, one or more second support tabs  260   b  adjacent to a lower end portion of the base  251  parallel to the lower end portion, and third support tabs  260   c  adjacent to both respective end portions of the base  251  and perpendicular to both end portions. In this embodiment, the first and second support tabs  260   a  and  260   b  correspond to each other, and the third support tab  260   c  includes a pair of third support tabs  260   c  adjacent to both respective end portions of the base  251 . In this embodiment, the pair of third support tabs  260   c  may correspond with each other between the first and second support tabs  260   a  and  260   b.    
     The supports  260  of the first support tab  260   a  and the supports  260  of the second support tab  260   b  include first surfaces  261   b  and  262   a,  respectively, which extend in the first direction (x-direction) and face each other. The first surfaces  261   b  and  262   a  may be parallel to each other. In addition, the supports  260  of the first support tab  260   a  and the supports  260  of the second support tab  260   b  may include second surfaces  261   a  and  262   b,  respectively, opposite to the first surfaces  261   b  and  262   a.  The first surfaces  261   b  and  262   a  which face each other in the first and second support tabs  260   a  and  260   b  may extend approximately perpendicularly (or vertically with respect to the base  251 ). Thus, the first surfaces  261   b  and  262   a  may be parallel to each other. Conversely, the second surfaces  261   a  and  262   b,  which are opposite to the first surfaces  261   b  and  262   a,  may be inclined toward the first direction (x-direction). Thus, the supports  260  of the first and second support tabs  260   a  and  260   b  may have an approximately trapezoidal section toward the first direction (x-direction). In this embodiment, the supports  260  of the first and second support tabs  260   a  and  260   b  may be provided such that, in the first direction, the first surfaces  261   b  and  262   a  are parallel and the second surfaces  261   a  and  262   b  are inclined. The supports  260  of the third support tab  260   c  may be such that first and second surfaces  263   a  and  263   b  are inclined toward the first direction (x-direction) from the base  251 . The supports  260  of the third support tab  260   c  may be such that an area of a section perpendicular to the first direction (x-direction) gradually decreases. 
     Thus, in an embodiment where the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10  is compressed by the first and second support tabs  260   a  and  260   b,  the supports  260  of the first and second support tabs  260   a  and  260   b  may be bent by the shapes of the first surfaces  261   b  and  262   a  and the second surfaces  261   a  and  262   b,  such that it is possible to control the direction in which the ends of the supports  260  face. Accordingly, the ends of the supports  260  of the first support tab  260   a  may be bent upward such that the flat surfaces of the first surfaces  261   b  and  262   a  contact the battery cell  10 , and the ends of the supports  260  of the second support tab  260   b  bend downward, away from the first support tab  260   a.  Since the third support tab  260   c  has no flat surface, the ends of the supports  260  of the third support tab  260   c  may bend upward or downward, in this embodiment. The barrier  250  according to this embodiment may control the direction in which the supports  260  are bent, thereby stably fixing the battery cells  10  in the battery module  100 . Further, the barrier  250  may guide the directions for the supports  260  to be bent, such that it is possible to easily design the positional relation of the supports  260  with members used in the battery module  100 . 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view of a support in a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing an end of the support of  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 13  is a schematic view showing a barrier having the support of  FIG. 11  interposed between battery cells. 
     The barrier  350  according to this embodiment may include a base  351  facing the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10 , a spacer  352  protruding in parallel to a first direction toward the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10  from the base  351 , and a support  360  protruding toward the battery cell  10 . An end  366  of the support  360  may be divided into a first portion  366   a  and a second portion  366   b  at the center thereof. The first and second portions  366   a  and  366   b  may contact the battery cell  10  and face each other while extending in opposite directions. 
     The support  360  may extend in a first direction (x-direction) from the base  351  to contact the wide surface  15  of the battery cell  10 . In this embodiment, an area of a section of the support  360  may gradually decrease as it approaches the end  366  of the support  360 . However, in this embodiment, the end  366  of the support  360  is divided into the first and second portions  366   a  and  366   b,  and, thus, the contact area of the support  360  with the battery cell  10  is increased, thereby stably fixing the battery cell  10 . 
     Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. In some instances, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art as of the filing of the present application, features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment may be used singly or in combination with features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with other embodiments, unless otherwise specifically indicated. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.