Patent Publication Number: US-2022212531-A1

Title: Chassis components, vehicle battery system integrally formed with chassis components, and integrated battery system vehicle comprising same

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body part and a vehicle battery system integrally formed with the vehicle body part. 
     The present disclosure also relates to an integrated battery system vehicle including the battery system. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A rechargeable battery differs from a primary battery in that it can repeatedly perform charging and discharging, while the primary battery only performs non-reversible conversion from chemical energy into electrical energy. A low-capacity rechargeable battery is used as a power source for small electronic devices such as portable telephones, laptops computers, and camcorders, and a high-capacity rechargeable battery is used as a power source for vehicles. 
     In general, the rechargeable battery may include an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a case for accommodating the electrode assembly therein, and an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly. An electrolyte solution is injected therein to enable charging and discharging of the battery through an electrochemical reaction of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and the electrolyte solution. The case has, e.g., a cylindrical shape or a rectangular shape, but may have a different shape depending on the use of the battery. 
     A battery module including a plurality of unit battery cells connected in series and/or in parallel is used to provide desired energy. The battery module is formed by interconnecting electrode terminals of the unit battery cells, and a number of the unit battery cells varies depending on a required amount of power. 
     The battery module may be configured in a block design or a module design. In the case of the block design, each battery cell is connected to a common current collector structure and a common battery management system (BMS). In the case of the module design, a plurality of battery cells are connected to constitute a submodule, and some submodules are connected to constitute the battery module. A battery management function may be implemented at a module or submodule level, thereby improving compatibility. 
     The plurality of battery modules may be combined to realize a rechargeable battery capable of charging and discharging at a high level such as for an electrical vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. At least one battery module is mechanically and electrically integrated, mounted with a thermal management system, and configured to communicate with an electrical consumer to constitute a battery system. The heat management system must ensure safety and efficiency of the battery module by discharging heat generated from the rechargeable battery. 
     It is not sufficient to statically manage output and discharge of the battery power in order to satisfy dynamic power demands of various electrical consumers connected to the battery system. Therefore, a constant exchange of information between the battery system and a manager of the electrical consumer is required, and this information includes important information such as actual state of charge (SoC) of the battery system, potential electrical performance, charging capability, and internal resistance, as well as actual or predicted power demand and surplus of the consumer. 
     The battery system typically includes a battery management system (BMS) or a battery management unit (BMU) to process the above information. 
     The BMS and BMU exchange information with control devices of various electrical consumers through a communication bus such as SPI or CAN interfaces. In addition, the BMS and the BMU may exchange information with each battery submodule or may exchange information with a cell supervision circuit (CSC) of each battery submodule. 
     The CSC may further include a cell connection and sensing unit (CCU) of the battery submodule for interconnecting the battery cells of the battery submodule. 
     For mechanical integration of the battery system, it is necessary to mechanically connect individual components, e.g., the battery submodules, or the battery submodules a support structure. 
     Such a connection structure should be designed so as to maintain an average cycle-life of the battery system and a function thereof under a stress applied while the battery system is in use, and so as to satisfy requirements of installation space and compatibility. 
     The mechanical integrity of the battery modules may be achieved by a carrier plate, i.e., by positioning the individual battery cells or submodules on a base plate. 
     For example, the battery cells or the battery submodules may be fitted into a depression formed in the carrier plate, may be coupled using a mechanical connecting member such as a bolt and a screw, or may be accommodated and fixed in a limited space, and accommodation of the battery cell or submodule in the limited space can be achieved by fixing the side plate. 
     In addition, the cover plate may be fixed to an upper portion of the battery cells, and as a further alternative, the battery submodules may be mounted on the battery module in a state where the battery submodules are arranged inside individual housings. 
     The conventional battery system includes a battery housing that functions as an enclosure that closes and seals the battery system from the outside and structurally protects constituent elements of the battery system, even when having a module structure. The battery system of such a housing structure is entirely mounted in an apparatus such as an electric vehicle. 
     Therefore, when a defect occurs in the system, e.g., when a defect occurs in the battery submodule, it is necessary to first remove the housing and disconnect the entire battery system. 
     Further, even when a slight defect occurs in the system, there is a problem that the entire battery system must be separated and replaced independently of the repair of the defective part. 
     Since the high capacity battery system is expensive, large, and heavy, it is difficult to perform the above-described operation, and such difficulty becomes greater as the battery system becomes larger in volume. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body part having a structure in which assembling or disassembling constituent elements constituting a battery system of a vehicle is easy. 
     Technical Solution 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a battery system that is safety-guaranteed, has a compact structure, and is integrated with the vehicle body part. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an integrated battery system vehicle including a vehicle body part integrally formed with the vehicle body part. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a vehicle body part including a battery system, wherein the vehicle body part is integrally formed in a vehicle body, and includes a battery system carrier which accommodates a plurality of battery cells. 
     The vehicle body part may be integrally formed with the vehicle body, and may further include an additional part connected to the vehicle body to form an integral structure. 
     In other words, the vehicle body part may include the battery system carrier, and the vehicle body part may be integrally formed in the vehicle body instead of being mounted or attached to the vehicle body. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle may include a body structure part for supporting a structure of the vehicle. 
     The vehicle body may be a vehicle frame, a self-supporting body (monocoque), or a space frame depending on the structure of the vehicle. The vehicle body may be made of vehicle body parts, and may be subjected to a load under a normal operating condition and a collision situation. 
     The vehicle body may be formed to have a monolithic structure from the beginning, or may be formed to have the monolithic structure by coupling of the vehicle body parts. In any case, the vehicle body part may be distinguished as a transverse beam and a longitudinal beam at least in a functional aspect. 
     The vehicle body may include an additional body part such as a bumper connected thereto, thereby improving stiffness or impact performance of the vehicle. 
     In general, additional parts such as boot lids, hoods, or mudguards may be coupled to the vehicle body. Particularly, when comparing a chassis structure with a monocoque structure, certain parts of the vehicle may be regarded as vehicle body parts or additional parts depending on a type of the vehicle body. 
     In the context of this specification, the vehicle body parts and the additional parts are always distinguished in a particular structure of the vehicle. In other words, the vehicle body parts and the additional parts are different to each other. 
     All the additional parts of the vehicle, particularly power techniques and assembly techniques, may be indirectly connected to at least the vehicle body. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a constituent part assembly includes at least a heating and cooling assembly. Generally, an energy supply aggregation device such as a battery, a starter-generator, or a fuel cell is connected to the vehicle body as an aggregate. However, according to the present invention, the vehicle body includes a vehicle body part including an integrated battery system carrier for accommodating a plurality of battery cells. That is, the vehicle body part constitutes at least a portion of a housing that encloses the plurality of battery cells. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery system carrier may accommodate a plurality of battery submodules, an electronic control assembly, and a connection member of the battery system. In other words, the battery system carrier accommodates the entire battery system and constitutes a portion of the housing of the battery system. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control assembly may include a battery monitoring unit (BMU) or a battery management system (BMS). Alternatively, some functions of the BMS may be performed outside the battery system carrier. The electronic control assembly may include relays, fuses, and electronic elements. The connection member may include a high voltage (HV) wire or a low voltage (LV) wire. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control assembly may perform at least one of a function to protect the battery system from damage, a function to extend a cycle-life of the battery system, and a function to keep the battery system in a state of being capable of satisfying functional requirements specified in applicable apparatuses. 
     The electronic control assembly may also perform one or more of functions of battery cell protection, charge control, charge state determination, cycle-life determination, battery cell balancing, a log book, authentication, battery cell identification, and signal communication. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the battery system carrier may include a carrier frame including two longitudinal frames and two transverse frames perpendicularly connected to the longitudinal frames. 
     The battery system carrier may further include a battery system cover coupled to the carrier frame. Specifically, the battery system cover may be formed throughout the carrier frame, and may cover an entire surface thereof while surrounded by the carrier frame, for example. 
     The battery system cover may be formed as a portion of an underbody of a vehicle. In other words, the carrier frame and the battery system cover may be integrally formed with the vehicle body part which is a portion of a bottom of the vehicle. 
     Specifically, the vehicle underbody may separate an interior and an exterior of the vehicle, and the carrier frame may accommodate a plurality of battery cells disposed on the exterior of the vehicle. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery system carrier may accommodate a plurality of removable battery component carriers. In this case, each of the battery component carriers may accommodate a battery submodule including a plurality of battery cells. In addition, each of the battery component carriers may be mechanically or electrically connected to at least one of other battery component carriers and the battery system carrier to constitute the battery system. Additionally, the battery system carrier may accommodate an electronic component carrier that accommodates the electronic control assembly. 
     The longitudinal and transverse frames of the carrier frame may be made of an extruded aluminum profile or a plastic extruded profile (e.g., a reinforced plastic extruded profile), and may be welded/glued/screwed or otherwise assembled to form the carrier frame. 
     The battery component carrier and the electronic component carrier may be made of an extruded aluminum profile (e.g., a reinforced plastic extrusion profile), or may be made as a rolled and welded steel carrier, and specifically may be made to have a U, L, or T-type structure. 
     The electronic component carrier and the battery component carrier may be attached to the longitudinal frame or the transverse frame, and may further include a connection member corresponding to the longitudinal frame or the transverse frame or a connection member that is detachable therefrom. 
     The electronic component carrier and the battery component carrier may have a structure in which a coolant duct or a coolant channel is integrally formed on a base plate or a side plate of each component carrier. Specifically, the carrier frame may include a coolant port connected to the coolant channel of each component carrier. 
     Another aspect of the present invention relates to a battery system including a battery system carrier that is integrally formed with a vehicle body part. 
     In such a battery system, the vehicle body part may be integrally formed with the vehicle body as described above. The battery system may further include a plurality of battery cells housed within the battery system carrier. 
     In other words, the battery system carrier according to one aspect of the present invention includes the vehicle body part as a portion of the housing of the battery system, and may provide mechanical integrity to the battery system. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the battery system, the battery system carrier may include a carrier frame including two longitudinal frames and two transverse frames. The transverse frames may be perpendicularly connected to the longitudinal frames. The battery system carrier may further include a battery system cover coupled to the carrier frame. Specifically, the battery system cover may be formed throughout the carrier frame, and may cover an entire surface thereof surrounded by the carrier frame, for example. 
     The battery system cover may be formed as a portion of an underbody of a vehicle. In other words, the carrier frame and the battery system cover may be integrally formed with the vehicle body part which is a portion of a bottom of the vehicle. Specifically, the vehicle underbody may separate an interior and an exterior of the vehicle, and the carrier frame may accommodate a plurality of battery cells disposed on the exterior of the vehicle. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery system carrier may accommodate a plurality of removable battery component carriers. In this case, each of the battery component carriers may accommodate a battery submodule including a plurality of battery cells. Further, each battery component carrier is individually detachable from the carrier frame. The battery system carrier may additionally accommodate an electronic component that accommodates the electronic control assembly. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal and transverse frames of the carrier frame may be made of an extruded aluminum profile or a plastic extruded profile (e.g., a reinforced plastic extruded profile), and may be welded/glued/screwed or otherwise assembled to form the carrier frame. 
     In addition, the battery component carrier and the electronic component carrier may be made of an extruded aluminum profile (e.g., a reinforced plastic extrusion profile), or may be made as a rolled and welded steel carrier, and specifically may be made to have a U, L, or T-type structure. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic component carrier and the battery component carrier may be attached to the longitudinal frame or the transverse frame, and may further include a connection member corresponding to the longitudinal frame or the transverse frame or a connection member that is detachable therefrom. 
     The electronic component carrier and the battery component carrier include may have a structure in which a coolant duct or a coolant channel is integrally formed on a base plate or a side plate of each component carrier. Specifically, the carrier frame may include a coolant port connected to each coolant channel of each component carrier. 
     In an embodiment of the battery system according to the invention, the battery component carrier includes a base plate and a pair of side surfaces disposed perpendicularly to the base plate to extend along two edges of the base plate that face each other in a longitudinal direction. 
     Each of the battery component carriers may further include a pair of end plates disposed perpendicularly to the base plate and the side plate to extend along two edges of the base plate that face each other in a width direction. 
     The end plate may be mechanically coupled to the pair of side plates or the base plate to fix a battery cell array including a plurality of battery cells. 
     The battery component carrier may further include a cell cover disposed parallel to the base plate so as to form an accommodating space of the battery submodule together with the base plate, the side plates, and the end plates. 
     In the battery system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a cell connection and sensing unit (CCU) may be disposed between the cell cover and the cell submodule. 
     The cell connection and sensing unit may electrically connect the battery cells in the battery submodule to a circuit in a parallel or series manner. The cell connection and sensing unit may be electrically connected to the battery cells in the battery submodule so as to monitor voltage and temperature of the battery cells. 
     In the battery system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the battery system carrier may include an external signal port for electrically connecting the battery system to an external control unit. The external control unit may be a control circuit of an at least one electrical consumer. 
     The electronic component carrier, e.g., an electronic control assembly, may be electrically connected to the battery component carrier and an external signal port of the battery system carrier to interconnect the battery submodule and the electrical consumer through the external signal port. 
     The carrier frame may further include an external coolant port connected to an external coolant circuit, and may also include a plurality of internal coolant ports. The internal coolant port may be connected to the coolant channels of the electronic component carrier and the electrical component carrier in the battery system so as to form a coolant circuit. 
     In one specific example, the carrier frame may include a coolant port connected to a cooling channel disposed within the base plate of the battery component carrier. 
     Another aspect of the present invention relates to an integrated battery system vehicle formed integrally with a battery system, wherein the integrated battery system vehicle may include a vehicle body and a vehicle body part formed integrally with the vehicle body. 
     The vehicle body part may include a battery system carrier for accommodating a plurality of battery cells. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in a vehicle, the battery system carrier can accommodate a plurality of battery submodules, an electronic control assembly, and a connection member. 
     Accordingly, the battery system carrier may accommodate the entire battery system and may constitute a portion of the housing of the battery system. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in a vehicle, the electronic control assembly may include a battery monitoring unit (BMU) or a battery management system (BMS). Alternatively, some functions of the BMS may be performed outside the battery system carrier. The electronic control assembly may include relays, fuses, and electronic elements. The connection member may include a high voltage (HV) wire or a low voltage (LV) wire. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in a vehicle, the electronic control assembly may perform at least one of a function to protect the battery system from damage, a function to extend a cycle-life of the battery system, and a function to keep the battery system in a state of being capable of satisfying functional requirements specified in applicable apparatuses. 
     The electronic control assembly may also perform one or more of functions of battery cell protection, charge control, charge state determination, cycle-life determination, battery cell balancing, a log book, authentication, battery cell identification, and signal communication. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in a vehicle, the battery system carrier may include a carrier frame including two longitudinal frames and two transverse frames perpendicularly connected to the longitudinal frames. The battery system carrier may further include a battery system cover coupled to the carrier frame to constitute a portion of an underbody of the vehicle. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in a vehicle, the vehicle underbody may separate an interior and an exterior of the vehicle, and the carrier frame may accommodate a plurality of battery cells disposed on the exterior of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle body part may include a battery system cover for fixing the battery cell inside the vehicle. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in a vehicle, the vehicle may further include an underbody protecting member coupled to the carrier frame. The underbody protecting member may be configured to surround a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the carrier frame between the battery system cover and the underbody protecting member. 
     The underbody protecting member may extend over an entire lower portion of the vehicle or extend over the carrier frame to cover additional parts of the lower portion of the vehicle. 
     Another aspect of the present invention may be apparent from the dependent claims, the accompanying drawings, and/or the description of the drawings. 
     ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS 
     According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to easily assemble or separate parts without separating or replacing the entire battery system by providing a vehicle body part in which a component carrier of the battery system can be individually attached to or detached from a carrier frame that is integrally formed with the vehicle body part. 
     In addition, according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a battery system having a compact structure may be provided by providing mechanical stability to a carrier frame of the battery system using a wiring carrier as a center frame of the carrier frame and by providing a space for accommodating the component carrier. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic perspective view of a vehicle body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic side view of a vehicle body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  to  FIG. 6  illustrate an assembling process of a battery system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic perspective view of a battery system accommodated in a battery system carrier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of a battery component carrier separated from a carrier frame of  FIG. 7  and a battery submodule accommodated in the battery component carrier. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A′ of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR INVENTION 
     The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. 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. The drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification. 
     Throughout this specification and the claims that follow, when it is described that an element is “coupled/connected” to another element, the element may be “directly coupled/connected” to the other element or “indirectly coupled/connected” to the other element through a third element. In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. 
     The terms “first”, “second”, “third”, and the like may be used herein to describe various members, constituent elements, regions, layers, and/or sections, but these members, constituent elements, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one member, element, region, layer, or section from another member, element, region, layer, or section. 
     In the present specification, the term “comprise”, “include”, or “have” should be understood as specifying the presence of practiced features, steps, constitutional elements, or a combination thereof, 
     but not precluding the possibility of presence or addition of one or more of other features, steps, constitutional elements, or a combination thereof. 
     In addition, as used herein, the term “and/or” includes any plurality of combinations of items or any of a plurality of listed items. In this specification, “A and/or B” may include “A”, “B”, or “A and B”. 
     The use of “can/may” in describing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention indicates “at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.” 
     As used in this specification, terms such as “use,” “using,” and “used” may be understood to have the same meaning as “utilize”, “utilizing”, and “utilized”, respectively. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic perspective view of a vehicle body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the vehicle body  99  may be formed of a chassis or a frame, which includes a plurality of vehicle body parts. For example, the vehicle body  99  may have an integral structure in which the vehicle body parts are strongly coupled to each other by welding. Although not illustrated therein, additional parts such as doors, hoods, and trunk lids, or a power unit such as an engine, may be coupled to or mounted on the vehicle body. 
     The vehicle body  99  may include a plurality of cross beams  81  disposed at a rear or roof portion thereof as vehicle body parts. 
     The vehicle body  99  may further include a vehicle bottom portion  82  that constitutes a cabin floor of the vehicle body  99 . In this specification, it may be understood that a vehicle body part  90  corresponding to the vehicle bottom portion  82  among the vehicle body parts included in the vehicle body  99  is distinguished from other vehicle body parts. 
     The vehicle bottom portion  82  may include a battery system carrier  91  integrally formed with the bottom portion  82 . 
     The battery system carrier  91  may include a battery system cover  13 , which is a portion of a vehicle underbody  92 , and a carrier frame  10 , which is disposed at a lower portion of the vehicle underbody  92 . The carrier frame  10  and the battery system cover  13  may be integrally formed with the vehicle bottom portion  82 . 
     The vehicle underbody  92  may separate an interior and an exterior of the vehicle, and the carrier frame  10  may be disposed outside the vehicle. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic side view of a vehicle body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  together with  FIG. 1 , a vehicle  100  may include additional parts such as a hood  97  disposed in front of the vehicle and a fender  98  disposed in front and rear thereof, coupled to the vehicle body  99 . 
     The vehicle  100  may further include the vehicle bottom portion  82  which is one of the vehicle body parts  90  including the battery system carrier  91  including the carrier frame  10 , and the battery system cover  13 . 
       FIG. 3  to  FIG. 6  illustrate an assembling process of a battery system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     First, in an assembling step of  FIG. 3(A) , a wiring carrier  93  including a high voltage bus bar  94  and a low voltage wiring harness  95  illustrated in  FIG. 3(C)  may be mounted in the battery system carrier  91 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  together with  FIG. 6 , the wiring carrier  93  may electrically and electronically connect an electronic component carrier  20  and a battery submodule  40  of a battery system  50 , to be assembled. 
     The wring carrier  93  may be formed as a center frame of the carrier frame  10  having a rectangular structure included in the battery system carrier  91  to provide mechanical stability and an additional space for mounting the electronic component carrier  20  and a battery component carrier  30  to be subsequently mounted. 
     Next, in an assembling step of  FIG. 3(B) , the electronic component carrier  20  illustrated in  FIG. 3(D)  may be mounted in the battery system carrier  91 . 
     The electronic component carrier  20  may include at least one battery junction box (BJB) and a battery management unit (BMU). 
     Both of the wiring carrier  93  and the electronic component box  20  may be fixed to the carrier frame  10  by a bolt, clip, or a locking system. 
     Next, in the assembling step of  FIG. 4 , a plurality of battery component carriers may be mounted on the battery system carrier. 
     As will be described in detail below, the battery submodule  40  formed to include a plurality of arranged battery cells  1  may be mounted in the battery component carrier  30 . 
     The battery component carrier  30  may be made of a molded steel or aluminum profile that can cool the battery cells  1 , battery cell connectors, and module electronic devices (not illustrated) while structurally fixing them. Such a plurality of battery component carriers  30  may be mounted and fixed in the carrier frame  10  at a lower portion of the vehicle  100 . 
     Finally, in the assembling step of  FIG. 5 , an underbody protecting member  96  may be mounted in the battery system carrier  91  formed integrally with the vehicle bottom portion  82  at the lower portion of the vehicle  100 . 
     Accordingly, the underbody protecting member  96  may enclose the battery component carrier  30  and the electronic component carrier  20  accommodated in the carrier frame  10 , which is disposed between the vehicle underbody  92  and the underbody protecting member  96 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an underbody protecting member mounted in the battery system carrier through the step of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  together with  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 6 , the battery system  50  includes the carrier frame  10 , which is integrally formed with the vehicle body part  90  and is coupled to the system cover  13 . 
     However, in this drawing, the carrier frame  10  is separated from the vehicle component  90  in order to easily illustrate this exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the carrier frame  10  may include two longitudinal frames  16  and two transverse frames  17 . 
     At least one of the two transverse frames  17  includes an external signal port connected to an external control unit (not illustrated) and an external power port (not illustrated) connected to an external power signal (not illustrated). 
     The carrier frame  10  may further include a center frame  18  that extends parallel to the longitudinal frames  16  to divide an inner space of the carrier frame  10  into two subspaces  11 , and the central frame  18  may be the wiring carrier  93  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     In other words, the longitudinal frames  16  and the transverse frames  17  may be portions of the carrier frame  10  integrally formed with the vehicle body part  90 , while the wiring carrier  93  may be installed as the center frame in an assembling process of the battery system  50  for the vehicle  100 . 
     The carrier frame  10  having such a structure may accommodate the removable electronic component carrier  20  and a plurality of removable battery component carriers  30 . Although it is illustrated in the drawing that one electronic component carrier  20  and six battery component carriers  30  are accommodated in the carrier frame  10 , a number of the accommodated carriers is not limited thereto. 
     In summary, the wiring carrier  93  as the central frame  18  may provide mechanical stability to the carrier frame  10 , and may provide an additional space for accommodating the electronic component carrier  20  and the battery component carrier  30 . 
     The electronic component carrier  20  may include a base plate  21  and an electronic control assembly  22  disposed in the base plate  21 . 
     The electronic component carrier  20  may further include a signal port  23  for transmitting a control signal between the electronic control assembly  22  and an external control circuit (not illustrated), and a power port  23  for electrically connecting the carrier frame  10  to an external power circuit (not illustrated), e.g., a battery system or a battery management system. 
     In addition, the electronic component carrier  20  may be connected directly to one or more electrical consumers. 
     The electronic control assembly  21  may control the battery submodule  40  accommodated in the battery component carrier  30  based on a control signal, and, for example, may control the battery submodule  40  in order to supply power that satisfies a power demand based on an actual demand of power. 
     For an electrical connection relationship between the respective constituent elements, the electronic control assembly  22  may be electrically connected to the electronic component carrier  20 , and the electronic component carrier  20  may be electrically connected to the battery component carrier  30  that is disposed adjacent thereto. In addition, the battery component carrier  30  may be electrically connected to the battery submodule  40  mounted therein and another battery component carrier  30  disposed adjacent thereto. 
     Through the electrical connection, the electronic control assembly  22  may transmit a signal for controlling the battery submodule  40 , the battery submodule  40  may supply a current in response to the signal, and the supplied current may be transmitted. 
     According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control signal may be modulated to a current or voltage between the electronic component carrier  20  and the battery component carrier  30  or between the battery submodules  40 . 
     A cooling channel (not illustrated) through which a coolant can flow may be formed at a lower portion of the bottom plate  20  of the electronic component carrier  20 . 
     Since the electronic component carrier  20  is individually detachable from the carrier frame  10 , the electronic control assembly  22  may be easily replaced or repaired. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a battery component carrier separated from a carrier frame of  FIG. 7  and a battery submodule accommodated in the battery component carrier, and  FIG. 9  illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A′ of  FIG. 8 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the battery component carrier  30  may include one or more battery submodules  40 . Although it is illustrated in this drawing that two battery submodules  40  are housed in the battery component carrier  30 , a number of battery submodules  40  to be accommodated is not limited thereto. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the battery component carrier  30  may include a base plate  32  and a pair of side plates  31  disposed at edges of the base plate  32  in a longitudinal direction thereof to extend toward an upper side of the base plate  32  from the edges thereof. 
     The battery submodule  40  may be disposed in an accommodation space formed by the base plate  32  and the pair of side plates  31  to be mechanically fixed to the battery component carrier  30  in a tightly wrapped state. The battery submodule  40  may be adhered to the side plates  31  or the base plate  32  to be further fixed in a vertical direction. 
     The base plate  32  and the side plates  31  may be formed as a single member. The base plate  32  and the side plates  31  may be made of an extruded aluminum profile, a reinforced plastic extrusion profile, or a rolled and welded steel carrier, including a bottom portion and a side portion. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8  together with  FIG. 7 , the battery component carrier  30  includes a connection member (not illustrated) that is detachable from the longitudinal frames  16  of the carrier frame  10 , and the connection member may be a screw hole for fixing the battery component carrier  30  to the carrier frame  10 . 
     The battery component carrier  30  may further include a connection member (not illustrated) for electrically connecting the battery component carriers  30  or for electrically connecting the battery component carriers  30  to the electronic component carrier  20  in the battery system  50 . 
     The connection member may include an electrical connection member such as a high voltage bus bar capable of providing high voltage power connection between the battery submodules  40  on the battery component carrier  30 . 
     The connection member may further include an electronic connection member such as a wiring harness capable of providing low voltage connection between the electronic component carrier  20  and a cell monitoring circuit (CSC) or between the cell connection and sensing units (CCU) of the battery submodules  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the battery submodule  40  may include a plurality of battery cells  1 , each of which has a planar shape. The plurality of battery cells  1  may constitute a battery cell array  5 , and may be mounted in the battery component carrier  30  in a state where a pair of end plates  33  are respectively disposed at battery cells positioned at outermost sides of the battery cell array  5 . 
     Alternatively, the battery cell array  5  may be mounted in the battery component carrier  30  in a state where one of the pair of end plates  33  is first fixedly coupled to the side plates  31  or the base plate  32  of the battery component carrier  30 . 
     The end plates  33  may be fixedly coupled to another member of the battery component carrier  30 . The battery cell array  5  may be primarily assembled in the longitudinal direction together with the end plates  33 , which may be disposed at one side or opposite sides thereof. This primary assembly step may be performed by a means such as an elastic member, a spring, or a screw. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the end plates  33  may be mechanically coupled to the side plates  31  of the battery component carrier  30 . The end plates  33 , the base plate  32  and the side plates  31  of the battery component carrier  30  may be coupled to each other by a type of welding, which may be, e.g., friction stir welding or tungsten inert gas welding—clinching, clamping, riveting, wedging, or gluing. 
     Accordingly, the plurality of battery cells  1  may be fixed in a first direction by the end plates  33 , and may be fixed in a second direction by the side plates  31 . Herein, the first direction indicates a longitudinal direction of the battery component carrier  30 , and the second direction indicates a width direction of the battery component carrier  30  that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     The end plates  33  may be formed of an extruded aluminum profile, aluminum or steel sheet metal, an aluminum cast part, a reinforced plastic extrusion profile, or a molded part so as to provide stiffness and mechanical stability to the battery submodule  40 . 
     In addition, a swelling phenomenon in which the battery cells swell occurs in a process of aging the battery cells. The end plate  33  may contain an expansion force generated when the battery cells  1  are swollen and guide the battery cells into the battery component carrier  30 , thereby suppressing the effect of the swelling phenomenon. 
     A cell cover  34  may be disposed at an upper portion of the battery submodule  40 . 
     The cell cover  34  may be fixedly coupled to the side plate  31 . Accordingly, the battery cells  1  may be more strongly fixed in a third direction by the cell cover  34 , wherein the third direction indicates a direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8  together with  FIG. 9 , the cell cover  34  may be clamped between the battery cells  1  and the side plates  31 . 
     For example, the cell cover  34  may include a pair of clamps  341  extending from opposite sides thereof, and the pair of clamps  341  may be inserted and clamped between the battery cell  1  and the side plate  31  and fixed. 
     In addition, the cell cover  34  may be fixed to the side plates  31  by a coupling method using a screw  342 . 
     The cell cover  34  may not only fix the battery cells  1  in place, but may also prevent contact from the outside. 
     The battery component carrier  30  including the battery cells  1 , the end plates  33 , the cell cover  34 , and additional components may be separately removable from a state of being mounted in the carrier frame  10  of the battery system  50 , and may be separately removable even when the battery system  50  is mounted to the vehicle  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9  together with  FIG. 8 , the base plate  32  may include a plurality of cooling channels  321 . 
     The cooling channels  321  may be formed at a lower portion of the base plate  32 , and an arrangement direction of the cooling channels  321  may be independent of the direction in which the battery cells  1  are arranged. 
     In the meantime, an external coolant port (not illustrated) is arranged on the transverse frames  17  of the carrier frame  10 , and a coolant distribution line (not illustrated) connected to the external coolant port may be formed. 
     In this case, a plurality of connection pieces (not illustrated) included in the coolant distribution line may connect the coolant distribution line to any one of the cooling channels  321  of the base plate  32  through respective coolant ports (not illustrated) of the battery component carriers  30 . 
     Therefore, a coolant supplied to the external coolant port of the carrier frame  10  by the external coolant circuit (not illustrated) may be supplied to the coolant ports of the battery component carriers  30  and the electronic component carrier  20  through the coolant distribution lines. 
     The coolant thus supplied flows from the transverse frame  17  disposed at a first side to the transverse frame  17  disposed at a second side through the respective coolant channels  321  of each of the base plates  32 , and flows back to one of the external coolant ports through another coolant distribution line. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a cell connection and sensing unit  35  including a cell connector, a sensor, and an electronic device may be provided between the cell cover  34  and the battery submodule  40 . 
     The cell connection and sensing unit  35  includes a flexible circuit board (FCB) having connection terminals connected to electrode terminals of the battery cells  1 , and a semiconductor element (not illustrated) formed on an upper surface of the flexible circuit board. A wiring pattern (not illustrated) may be formed on a surface of the flexible circuit board. 
     A main body of the flexible circuit board may be formed of a flexible electrically insulating material such as polyimide (PI) or polyethylene (PET), and the wiring pattern may be formed of copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), or palladium (Pd). 
     The semiconductor element may apply a signal for controlling an operation of the battery cells  1 . Particularly, the semiconductor element may control a degree of charge or discharge of the battery cells  1  through a high voltage connection. In addition, the semiconductor element may apply a signal indicative of a voltage, a current, and a state of charge (SOC) in order to prevent overcharge or overdischarge. 
     In other words, the cell connection and sensing unit  35  may provide a main power supply path by interconnecting the electrode terminals of the battery cells  1  and the electrode terminals of the battery submodule  40 . 
     The cell connection and sensing unit  35  may further include voltage sensing lines (not illustrated) for voltage sensing and cell balancing, and may further include a temperature sensor capable of sensing a temperature of the battery cells  1 . 
     The cell connection and sensing unit  35  is composed of a lightweight flexible carrier to compensate movement of the battery cells when they expand or contract. 
     The cell connection and sensing unit  35  may be configured to mount a printed circuit board of a cell supervision circuit (CSC-PCB). 
     An electronic or electrical device and/or any other related device or component in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention described herein may be used interchangeably with hardware, firmware (e.g., a specific purpose integrated circuit), software, or a combination of software, firmware, and hardware. 
     For example, various constituent elements of such devices may be formed on one integrated circuit (IC) chip or on an individual integrated circuit chip. 
     In addition, various constituent elements of such devices may be implemented on a flexible circuit film, a tape carrier package (TCP), a printed circuit board (PCB), or a single substrate. 
     Further, various constituent elements of such devices may be executed on one or more processors or executed on one or more computing devices, may execute computer program instructions, and may be processes or threads that interact with other system constituent elements to perform various functions described herein. 
     The computer program instructions may be stored in a memory that is operable on a computing device using standard memory devices such as a random access memory (RAM). 
     In addition, the computer program instructions may also be stored in a non-volatile computer readable medium, such as a CD-ROM, a flash drive, or the like. 
     It will also be recognized by those skilled in the art that functions of the various computing devices may be combined or integrated in a single computing device, or functions of a particular computing device may be distributed across one or more other computing devices without departing from the scope of embodiments of the present invention. 
     While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
     DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 
       1 : battery cell 
       10 : carrier frame 
       11 ,  12 : subspace 
       13 : battery system cover 
       16 : longitudinal frame  17 : transverse frame 
       18 : center frame 
       20 : electronic component carrier  21 : base plate 
       22 : electronic control assembly  23 : signal port 
       30 : battery component carrier 
       31 : side plate  32 : base plate 
       321 : cooling channel 
       33 : end plate  34 : cell cover 
       35 : cell connection and sensing unit 
       40 : battery submodule 
       50 : battery system 
       81 : cross beam  82 : vehicle bottom portion 
       90 : vehicle body part  91 : battery system carrier 
       92 : vehicle underbody  93 : wiring carrier 
       94 : high voltage bus bar  95 : low voltage wiring harness 
       96 : underbody protecting member 
       99 : vehicle body 
       100 : vehicle