Patent Publication Number: US-2021194077-A1

Title: Cooling structure and battery system including the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0171863 filed on Dec. 20, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The following description relates to a cooling structure and a battery system including the cooling structure. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Technologies for cooling a battery cell that supply power for devices, such as a vehicle and a cellular phone are under development. A direct cooling method and an indirect cooling method may be used to cool a battery cell. The direct cooling method is a method through which heat is transferred when a cooling medium directly contacts a target that is to be cooled, whereas the indirect cooling method is a method through which heat is transferred through at least one intermediate layer between the cooling medium and the target. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one general aspect, there is provided a cooling structure including a plurality of bars arranged separately from each other and configured to press a battery cell, a support configured to support the plurality of bars, flow paths defined by a first surface of the battery cell and one pair of neighboring bars, and configured to guide a flow of a cooling medium, with the cooling medium being in direct contact with the first surface of the battery cell, and a separation wall provided in at least one of the flow paths and being configured to separate each of the at least one flow path into sub-flow paths. 
     The separation wall may include an extending portion having a height that extends between neighboring bars of one pair in an arrangement direction of the plurality of bars. 
     The separation wall may include a variable portion disposed at an end of the extending portion and having a width that varies in the arrangement direction of the plurality of bars. 
     The separation wall may include an extending portion having a length that extends in a longitudinal direction of the plurality of bars. 
     The separation wall may include a variable portion disposed at an end of the extending portion and having a width that varies in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of bars. 
     The support may include an inlet-side support may include an inlet path configured to guide the cooling medium to flow into the flow paths, and an outlet-side support may include an outlet path configured to guide the cooling medium to flow out of the flow paths. 
     The at least one flow path may include a divergent space defined between the inlet path and the separation wall, and configured to guide the cooling medium to diverge from the inlet path into the sub-flow paths, and a convergent space defined between the outlet path and the separation wall, and configured to guide the cooling medium to converge into the outlet path from the sub-flow paths. 
     The inlet-side support may include a first sealing groove configured to form a closed loop by surrounding the inlet path, and the outlet-side support may include a second sealing groove configured to form a closed loop by surrounding the outlet path. 
     The inlet-side support may include an inlet-side fastening portion configured to form a closed loop by surrounding the inlet path, protruding from a surface of the inlet-side support, and configured to be connected to an outlet-side support of another cooling structure, and the outlet-side support may include an outlet-side fastening portion configured to form a closed loop by surrounding the outlet path, protruding from a surface of the outlet-side support, and configured to be connected to an inlet-side support of another cooling structure. 
     The cooling structure may include a sealing portion configured to surround the plurality of bars and the flow paths. 
     The sealing portion may include one pair of longitudinal-direction grooves extending in a longitudinal direction of the plurality of bars and configured to be in contact with the first surface of the battery cell, and one pair of arrangement-direction grooves configured to be connected to the longitudinal-direction grooves and extending in an arrangement direction of the plurality of bars, and configured to be in contact with the first surface of the battery cell, wherein the one pair of the longitudinal-direction grooves and the one pair of the arrangement-direction grooves form a closed loop. 
     The sealing portion may include connecting grooves configured to connect the one pair of the longitudinal-direction grooves and the one pair of the arrangement-direction grooves and to form the closed loop, having a round shape, and configured to be in contact with the first surface of the battery cell. 
     The battery cell has a large area portion and a small area portion that is smaller in size than the large area portion, wherein the plurality of bars are configured to support the large area portion, and the support may be configured to support the small area portion. 
     The cooling structure may include a fluid connecting hole passing through the separation wall and being configured to allow the sub-flow paths to communicate with each other. 
     The support may include an inlet-side support may include an inlet path configured to guide a cooling medium to flow into the flow paths, and an outlet-side support may include an outlet path configured to guide the cooling medium to flow out of the flow paths, wherein the separation wall may include a first separation wall adjacent to the inlet path and a second separation wall adjacent to the outlet path, and the fluid connecting hole is formed between the first separation wall and the second separation wall. 
     In another general aspect, there is provided a batter system including battery cells each having a large area portion and a small area portion that is smaller in size than the large area portion, and cooling structures disposed in the large area portion of the battery cells, wherein each of the cooling structures may include bars disposed separately from each other and configured to press a corresponding battery cell, a support configured to support the bars and to extend in an arrangement direction of the bars, flow paths defined by a large area portion of the battery cell and one pair of neighboring bars, and configured to guide a flow of a cooling medium with the cooling medium being in direct contact with the large area portion of the battery cell, and a separation wall provided in at least one of the flow paths and being configured to separate each of the at least one flow path into sub-flow paths. 
     The battery system may include a first plate facing the small area portion of each of the battery cells, and configured to press the battery cells. 
     The first plate may include a base, and a fastening portion formed adjacent to an edge of the base, and being configured to be connected to a first plate of another battery system. 
     The fastening portion may include a side fastening portion adjacent to a side edge of the base, an upper fastening portion adjacent to an upper edge of the base, and a lower fastening portion adjacent to a lower edge of the base. 
     The support may include an inlet-side support may include an inlet path configured to guide the cooling medium to flow into the flow paths, and an outlet-side support may include an outlet path configured to guide the cooling medium to flow out of the flow paths, wherein the upper fastening portion and the lower fastening portion are disposed on a virtual centerline of the inlet path and a virtual centerline of the outlet path, respectively. 
     The first plate may include an upper protrusion may include the upper fastening portion and protruding from the base, and a lower protrusion may include the lower fastening portion and protruding from the base. 
     The battery system may include a second plate configured to be connected to the first plate, and configured to press a cooling structure disposed in a large area portion of an outermost battery cell among the battery cells against the outermost battery cell. 
     In another general aspect, there is provided a battery system including a first battery module, and a second battery module, wherein each of the first battery module and the second battery module may include battery cells, cooling structures disposed in a large area portion of the battery cells, and a first plate configured to cover a small area portion of battery cells, wherein each of the cooling structures may include bars disposed separately from each other and configured to press a corresponding battery cell, a support configured to support the bars and to extend in an arrangement direction of the bars, and flow paths defined by a large area portion of the battery cell and one pair of neighboring bars, and configured to guide a cooling medium with the cooling medium being in direct contact with the large area portion of the battery cell, wherein the first plate of the first battery module and the first plate of the second battery module are configured to be connected to each other. 
     The support may include an inlet-side support may include an inlet path configured to guide a flow of the cooling medium into the flow paths, and an outlet-side support may include an outlet path configured to guide a flow of the cooling medium out of the flow paths, wherein the battery system may include a gasket disposed between the first plate of the first battery module and the first plate of the second battery module, and being configured to tightly seal a space around the inlet path and the outlet path. 
     The gasket may include a gasket plate configured to be fastened to the first plate of the first battery module and the first plate of the second battery module, a gasket protrusion protruding from the gasket plate, and a connecting path formed in the gasket protrusion and configured to communicate with the inlet path and the outlet path. 
     Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an example of a battery system. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of an example of a battery system. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example of a first cooling structure. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the first cooling structure of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the first cooling structure of  FIG. 3  cut by a line I-I. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of an A portion of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the first cooling structure of  FIG. 4  cut by a line II-II. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the first cooling structure of  FIG. 4  cut by a line III-III. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a B portion of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of an inlet-side support of the first cooling structure of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of an outlet-side support of the first cooling structure of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an example of a second cooling structure. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the second cooling structure of  FIG. 12  cut by a line IV-IV. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the second cooling structure of  FIG. 12  cut by a line V-V. 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of an example of a first plate of the battery system of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 16  is a rear view of an example of the first plate of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of an example of the first plate of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 18  is a front view of an example of a second plate of the battery system of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 19  is a partial perspective view of an example of a battery system including a plurality of battery modules. 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the battery system of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of another example of a first cooling structure. 
         FIG. 22  is a front view of the first cooling structure of  FIG. 21 . 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative size, proportions, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application. For example, the sequences of operations described herein are merely examples, and are not limited to those set forth herein, but may be changed as will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, descriptions of features that are known may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness. 
     The features described herein may be embodied in different forms, and are not to be construed as being limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided merely to illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein that will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only, and is not to be used to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one and any combination of any two or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the terms “include,” “comprise,” and “have” specify the presence of stated features, numbers, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof. 
     In addition, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), and the like may be used herein to describe components. Each of these terminologies is not used to define an essence, order, or sequence of a corresponding component but used merely to distinguish the corresponding component from other component(s). Although terms of “first” or “second” may be used to explain various components, the components are not limited to the terms. These terms should be used only to distinguish one component from another component. For example, a “first” component may be referred to as a “second” component, or similarly, and the “second” component may be referred to as the “first” component within the scope of the right according to the concept of the present disclosure. 
     Throughout the specification, when an element, such as a layer, region, or substrate, is described as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” the other element, or there may be one or more other elements intervening therebetween. In contrast, when an element is described as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there can be no other elements intervening therebetween. Likewise, expressions, for example, “between” and “immediately between” and “adjacent to” and “immediately adjacent to” may also be construed as described in the foregoing. 
     Also, in the description of example embodiments, detailed description of structures or functions that are thereby known after an understanding of the disclosure of the present application will be omitted when it is deemed that such description will cause ambiguous interpretation of the example embodiments. 
     Hereinafter, examples will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and like reference numerals in the drawings refer to like elements throughout. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a battery system  1  may supply power to a target including a means of transportation, such as, for example, a vehicle. 
     The vehicle described herein refers to any mode of transportation, delivery, or communication such as, for example, an automobile, a truck, a tractor, a scooter, a motorcycle, a cycle, an amphibious vehicle, a snowmobile, a boat, a public transit vehicle, a bus, a monorail, a train, a tram, an autonomous or automated driving vehicle, an intelligent vehicle, a self-driving vehicle, an unmanned aerial vehicle, an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid vehicle, a smart mobility device, an intelligent vehicle with an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), or a drone. In an example, the smart mobility device includes mobility devices such as, for example, electric wheels, electric kickboard, electric scooter, and electric bike. In an example, vehicles include motorized and non-motorized vehicles, for example, a vehicle with a power engine (for example, a cultivator or a motorcycle), a bicycle or a handcart. 
     In addition to the vehicle described herein, methods and apparatuses described herein may be included in various other devices, such as, for example, a smart phone, a walking assistance device, a wearable device, a security device, a robot, a mobile terminal, and various Internet of Things (IoT) devices. 
     In an example, the battery system  1  includes one or more battery modules  10 . A battery module  10  includes a plurality of battery cells  11 , a plurality of cooling structures  12  and  13 , a plurality of plates  14  and  15 , and a plurality of fixing portions  16 . 
     The battery cells  11  may generate power and supply the power to the target. As shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the battery cells  11  may have a large area portion  111  and a small area portion  112 . The battery cells  11  may be arranged such that respective large area portions  111  of the battery cells  11  face each other, or respective small area portions  112  of the battery cells  11  face each other. In an internal space of a battery cell  11  that is defined by the large area portion  111  and the small area portion  112 , an electrode assembly including a plurality of electrode plates and a separator disposed between the electrode plates, electrolyte, and the like may be provided. When a temperature of the battery cell  11  increases as the battery cell  11  operates, a temperature of the large area portion  111  may be greater than a temperature of the small area portion  112 . Thus, the large area portion  111  may need to be cooled off to prevent a thermal abuse or a thermal runaway of the battery cell  11 . 
     The cooling structures  12  and  13  may cool the battery cells  11 . In addition, the cooling structures  12  and  13  may press the battery cells  11 . When the battery cells  11  are pressed by a pressure greater than or equal to a set pressure, a power supply efficiency of the battery cells  11  may be improved. 
     The cooling structures  12  and  13  include a first cooling structure  12  and a second cooling structure  13 . The first cooling structure  12  may be disposed between neighboring battery cells  11  of one pair such that a flow path  123  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) through which a cooling medium for cooling the battery cells  11  flows is formed between respective large area portions  111  of the neighboring battery cells  11 . The cooling medium may include a liquid cooling medium including, for example, oil and water, and a gaseous cooling medium including, for example, air. The second cooling structure  13  may be disposed in a large area portion  111  of a battery cell  11  that is disposed on an outermost side among the arranged battery cells  11 . 
     The plates  14  and  15  may cover and surround the battery cells  11  and the cooling structures  12  and  13 . The plates  14  and  15  may thus protect the battery cells  11  from outside and prevent the battery cells  11  from moving. In addition, the plates  14  and  15  may enable the cooling structures  12  and  13  to press the battery cells  11 . Thus, it is possible to improve a pressing force towards the battery cells  11 , and to assemble the battery cells  11  and the cooling structures  12  and  13  more closely or tightly improving tightness therebetween. 
     The plates  14  and  15  include a first plate  14  and a second plate  15 . The first plate  14  may be provided to connect the battery modules  10  and secure the expandability of the battery system  1 . The first plate  14  may be disposed to face the small area portion  112  of each of the battery cells  11 . The first plate  14  may provide a pressing force in a first direction T 1  which is a longitudinal direction of the battery cells  11 . In addition, when one battery module  10  is connected to another battery module  10 , the first plate  14  may provide an equal fastening force to each of a plurality of connecting portions between the battery modules  10  of one pair to be connected, and thus ensure tightness between the battery modules  10  of one pair. The second plate  15  may be disposed to face the second cooling structure  13  that covers the battery cell  11  disposed on the outermost side among the battery cells  11 . The second plate  15  may be connected to an edge of each of a plurality of first plates  14 . The second plate  15  may provide a pressing force in a second direction T 2  which is an arrangement direction of the battery cells  11 , and thus prevent the large area portion  111  of each of the battery cells  11  from being deformed, for example, swollen. Here, the arrangement direction of the battery cells  11  may indicate a direction in which the battery cells  11  are arranged. 
     The fixing portions  16  may fix a plurality of second plates  15 . The fixing portions  16  may be connected to an edge of each of the second plates  15 . The fixing portions  16  may be connected to an upper edge or a lower edge of one of the second plates  15 . In addition, the fixing portions  16  may cross the battery cells  11  and the cooling structures  12  and  13  to be connected to an upper edge or a lower edge of another one of the second plates  15 . For example, the fixing portions  16  may be provided in a form of ribs. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 through 11 , the first cooling structure  12  includes a plurality of bars  121 , a support  122 , a plurality of flow paths  123 , a plurality of separation walls  124 , a plurality of frames  125 A,  125 B,  125 C, and  125 D, and a sealing portion  126 . The frames  125 A,  125 B,  125 C, and  125 D include an upper frame  125 A, a lower frame  125 B, an inlet-side frame  125 C, and an outlet-side frame  125 D. 
     The bars  121  may support and press a battery cell  11 . The bars  121  may have a length that extends in a first direction T 1 . For example, the bars  121  may extend in the first direction T 1  which is a longitudinal direction of the battery cell  11 . The bars  121  may be arranged separately from each other. For example, an arrangement direction in which the bars  121  are arranged may be a third direction T 3  which is a height direction of the battery cell  11 . The bars  121  may be disposed between neighboring battery cells  11  of one pair. In addition, both side surfaces of the bars  121  may be in contact with respective large area portions  111  of the neighboring battery cells  11  of one pair. 
     The bars  121  may be separated from each other with a desirable interval therebetween. Through this, it is possible to secure the flow paths  123  through which a cooling medium flows to be in direct contact with the battery cell  11 , and also prevent the battery cell  11  from being deformed, for example, swollen, or prevent the flow paths  123  from being deformed by an external force. In addition, it is possible to design a flow rate of the cooling medium that flows in the flow paths  123 . In an example, by designing intervals between neighboring bars  121  of pairs to be equal, it is possible to form the flow paths  123  to have a same cross-sectional area. In an example, the bars  121  may be separated from each other with different intervals therebetween to intensively cool a portion of the battery cell  11  in which a temperature increase is greater. In this example, when a temperature of a center portion of the battery cell  11  is highest, an interval between neighboring bars  121  of one pair adjacent to the center portion of the battery cell  11  may be greater than an interval between neighboring bars  121  of another pair adjacent to an upper portion or a lower portion of the battery cell  11 . In an example that is not illustrated, the flow paths  123  may be disposed only in the center portion of the battery cell  11 . In this example, the bars  121  may be disposed separately from each other only in the center portion of the battery cell  11 , and a flow path for a cooling medium may not be formed in other portions of a space between neighboring battery cells  11  of one pair. This may relatively reduce an entire cross-sectional area of the flow paths  123 , and be effective in improving a cooling effect on a certain portion. 
     The support  122  may support the bars  121 . The support  122  includes an inlet-side support  1221  into which a cooling medium configured to cool the battery cell  11  flows based on a flowing direction of the cooling medium, and an outlet-side support  1222  from which the cooling medium flows out based on the flowing direction of the cooling medium. The inlet-side support  1221  may extend in the third direction T 3  which is the arrangement direction of the bars  121 , while being connected to a first end of the bars  121 . The outlet-side support  1222  may extend in the third direction T 3  which is the arrangement direction of the bars  121 , while being connected to a second end of the bars  121  that is on an opposite side of the first end of the bars  121 . 
     The inlet-side support  1221  includes an inlet-side flange F 1  that extends from the first end of the bars  121  to a plane vertical to the first direction T 1  which is the longitudinal direction of the bars  121 . The outlet-side support  1222  includes an outlet-side flange F 2  that extends from the second end of the bars  121  to a plane vertical to the first direction T 1  which is the longitudinal direction of the bars  121 . The inlet-side flange F 1  and the outlet-side flange F 2  may be disposed between neighboring battery cells  11  of one pair such that an interval is formed between the neighboring battery cells  11  of one pair. For example, the inlet-side flange F 1  and the outlet-side flange F 2  may be disposed in respective small area portion  112  of the neighboring battery cells  11  of one pair. Through this, it is possible to enable an electrical insulation between the neighboring battery cells  11 . Thus, even when there is a thermal abuse or a thermal runaway in a battery cell  11 , such a thermal abuse or thermal runway may not be transferred to a neighboring battery cell from the battery cell  11 . 
     The inlet-side support  1221  includes the inlet-side flange F 1 , an inlet path P 1 , a first sealing groove G 1 , and an inlet-side fastening portion FT 1 . 
     The inlet-side flange F 1  may extend to the plane vertical to the longitudinal direction of the bars  121 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the inlet path P 1  may guide a cooling medium to flow into the flow paths  123 . The inlet path P 1  includes a plurality of inlet ports P 11 , a first channel P 12 , and a first divider P 13 . The inlet ports P 11  may communicate with the flow paths  123  through a fluid. The inlet ports P 11  may be disposed separately from each other along a height direction of the inlet-side support  1221 . Through such a structure of the inlet path P 1  including the inlet ports P 11 , it is possible to individually control a flow rate of the cooling medium that flows in the flow paths  123 . For example, it is possible to increase a flow rate of a cooling medium that flows in a flow path  123  disposed in a center portion of a battery cell  11  among the flow paths  123 , and decrease a flow rate of a cooling medium that flows in a flow path  123  disposed in an upper or lower portion of the battery cell  11  among the flow paths  123 . A first end of a bar  121  may be disposed between neighboring inlet ports P 11  of one pair. The first channel P 12  may connect the inlet ports P 11  and the flow paths  123  through a fluid. The first channel P 12  may be led from the inlet-side flange F 1  to a flow path  123  through the inlet-side frame  125 C. The first divider P 13  may form the inlet ports P 11  by dividing the inlet path P 1 . The first divider P 13  may be disposed between neighboring inlet ports P 11  of one pair. The first divider P 13  may overlap a bar  121  based on a longitudinal direction of the bar  121 . The first divider P 13  and a first end of the bar  121  may be fixed to each other. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , in the inlet path P 1 , a virtual centerline EX 1  may be defined. The virtual centerline EX 1  of the inlet path P 1  may be defined by a line that connects a center of one end of the inlet path P 1  and a center of another end of the inlet path P 1  in a longitudinal direction of the inlet path P 1 . For example, the virtual centerline EX 1  of the inlet path P 1  may be defined by an extension line that connects the inlet ports P 11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the first sealing groove G 1  may form a closed loop by surrounding the inlet path P 1 . To seal the inlet path P 1 , a sealing element (not shown) may be filled in the first sealing groove G 1 . The sealing element may include, for example, an O-ring and a liquid gasket. The first sealing groove G 1  may be formed in a thickness direction of the inlet-side flange F 1 . 
     The inlet-side fastening portion FT 1  may be connected to an outlet-side fastening portion FT 2  of another first cooling structure  12 . For example, such a connection between an inlet-side fastening portion FT 1  of a first cooling structure  12  and an outlet-side fastening portion FT 2  of another first cooling structure  12  may include, for example, bolt-nut fastening. When the inlet-side fastening portion FT 1  of the first cooling structure  12  is connected to the outlet-side fastening portion FT 2  of the other first cooling structure  12 , a gasket SG (refer to  FIG. 19 ) may be disposed between the inlet-side fastening portion FT 1  and the outlet-side fastening portion FT 2 , and thus the gasket SG may also be connected thereto. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the inlet-side fastening portion FT 1  includes a first support wall FT 11  configured to form a closed loop by extending around the first sealing groove G 1 , and a plurality of inlet-side fastening elements FT 12  disposed separately from each other along the first support wall FT 11  and formed on the first support wall FT 11 . The first support wall FT 11  and the inlet-side fastening elements FT 12  may protrude from the inlet-side flange F 1 . Through such a structure in which the first sealing groove G 1  is formed between the inlet-side fastening portion FT 1  and the inlet path P 1 , and such a structure with a height difference between the inlet-side fastening portion FT 1  and the inlet path P 1 , it is possible to increase a level of tightness of the inlet path P 1 , and connect neighboring first cooling structures  12  of one pair. 
     The outlet-side support  1222  includes an outlet-side flange F 2 , an outlet path P 2 , a second sealing groove G 2 , and an outlet-side fastening portion FT 2 . 
     The outlet-side flange F 2  may extend to a plane vertical to the longitudinal direction of the bars  121 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the outlet path P 2  may guide a cooling medium to flow out of the flow paths  123 . The outlet path P 2  includes a plurality of outlet ports P 21 , a second channel P 22 , and a second divider P 23 . The outlet ports P 21  may communicate with the flow paths  123  through a fluid. The outlet ports P 21  may be disposed separately from each other along a height direction of the outlet-side support  1222 . A second end of a bar  121  may be disposed between neighboring outlet ports P 21  of one pair. The second channel P 22  may connect the outlet ports P 21  and the flow paths  123  through a fluid. The second channel P 22  may be led from a flow path  123  to the outlet flange F 2  through the outlet-side frame  125 D. The second divider P 23  may be disposed between neighboring outlet ports P 21  of one pair. The second divider P 23  may overlap a bar  121  in a longitudinal direction of the bar  121 . The second divider P 23  and a second end of the bar  121  may be fixed to each other. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , in the outlet path P 2 , a virtual centerline EX 2  may be defined. The virtual centerline EX 2  of the outlet path P 2  may be defined by a line that connects a center of one end of the outlet path P 2  and a center of another end of the outlet path P 2  in a longitudinal direction of the outlet path P 2 . For example, the virtual centerline EX 2  of the outlet path P 2  may be defined by an extension line that connects the outlet ports P 21 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the second sealing groove G 2  may form a closed loop by surrounding the outlet path P 2 . To seal the outlet path P 2 , a sealing element (not shown) may be filled in the second sealing groove G 2 . The sealing element may include, for example, an O-ring and a liquid gasket. The second sealing groove G 2  may be formed in a thickness direction of the outlet-side flange F 2 . 
     The outlet-side fastening portion FT 2  may be connected to an inlet-side fastening portion FT 1  of another first cooling structure  12 . For example, a connection between an outlet-side fastening portion FT 2  of a first cooling structure  12  and an inlet-side fastening portion FT 1  of another first cooling structure  12  may include, for example, bolt-nut fastening. When the outlet-side fastening portion FT 2  of the first cooling structure  12  is connected to the inlet-side fastening portion FT 1  of the other first cooling structure  12 , a gasket SG (refer to  FIG. 19 ) may be disposed between the outlet-side fastening portion FT 2  and the inlet-side fastening portion FT 1 , and thus the gasket SG may also be connected thereto. 
     The outlet-side fastening portion FT 2  includes a second support wall FT 21  configured to form a closed loop by extending around the second sealing groove G 2 , and a plurality of outlet-side fastening elements FT 22  disposed separately from each other along the second support wall FT 21  and formed on the second support wall FT 21 . The second support wall FT 21  and the outlet-side fastening elements FT 22  may protrude from the outlet-side flange F 2 . Through such a structure in which the second sealing groove G 2  is formed between the outlet-side fastening portion FT 2  and the outlet path P 2 , and such a structure with a height difference between the outlet-side fastening portion FT 2  and the outlet path P 2 , it is possible to increase a level of tightness of the outlet path P 2 . 
     The flow paths  123  may guide a cooling medium to flow, with the cooling medium being in direct contact with the battery cells  11 . A flow path  123  may be defined by a surface of a battery cell  11  and neighboring bars  121  of one pair. For example, the flow path  123  may be defined by a large area portion  111  among surfaces of the battery cell  11 , and an upper surface and a lower surface that do not press the surfaces of the battery cell  11  among surfaces of the neighboring bars  121  of one pair. The cooling medium may directly contact the battery cells  11  as described above, and it is thus possible to improve a cooling effect through a direct heat transfer without an intervention of a heat transferring member such as, for example, a thermal pad, a conduit, and a cooling fin, between the battery cells  11  and the cooling medium that flows in the battery cells  11 . In addition, the flow paths  123  may help solve an issue of a lopsided or unproportionate distribution of the cooling medium that may be leaned downwards due to an influence of gravity, and reduce a temperature difference in the battery cells  11  that may affect greatly the lifespan. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , a separation wall  124  may separate a flow path  123  into sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232 . The separation walls  124  may be respectively installed in the flow paths  123 . The separation walls  124  may adjust a thickness of the flow paths  123 , and thus maximize a forced convection effect of a cooling medium flowing in the flow paths  123 . When there is a need to change a dimension, for example, a width, of a flow path  123  having a set flow rate in a first cooling structure  12  to cool a battery cell  11  having a set standard or specification, a separation wall  124  may separate the flow path  123  having the set flow rate into a plurality of sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232 , and thus maintain or improve a speed of the cooling medium flowing in the flow path  123 . Thus, even when the dimension of the flow path  123  is changed, it is possible to maintain or improve forced convection of the cooling medium flowing in the flow path  123  after the dimension is changed, compared to forced convection of the cooling medium flowing in the flow path  123  before the dimension is changed. It is thus possible to improve performance of the first cooling structure  12  in cooling the battery cell  11 . Thus, by applying a same flow rate of the cooling medium flowing in the flow path  123  irrespective of such a structural change in the first cooling structure  12 , the separation wall  124  may obtain a relatively greater cooling effect of the first cooling structure  12  on the battery cell  11 . 
     In addition, a flow path  123  includes a divergent space  1233  and a convergent space  1234 . Here, the term “being divergent” or “divergence” may indicate that a single flow diverges into a plurality of flows, and the term “being convergent” or “convergence” may indicate that a plurality of flows converges into a single flow. The divergent space  1233  may be a space defined between an inlet path P 1  and a first end of a separation wall  124 , and be a free space for guidance of a cooling medium that is led from the inlet path P 1  to sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232 . The convergent space  1234  may be a space defined between a second end of the separation wall  124  and an outlet path P 2 , and a free space for guidance of the cooling medium that is led from the sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232  to the outlet path P 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the separation wall  124  includes an extending portion  1241  that extends in a direction, and a variable portion  1242  that is formed at least one end of a first end or a second end of the extending portion  1241  and has a varying shape. 
     In an example, the extending portion  1241  may have a height that extends from one bar  121  of neighboring bars  121  of one pair to the other bar  121  of the neighboring bars  121  in a third direction T 3  which is an arrangement direction of the neighboring bars  121 . The sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232  may have a height defined between neighboring bars  121  of one pair. The variable portion  1242  may have a width that varies in an arrangement direction of the bars  121  at an end of the extending portion  1241 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the variable portion  1242  includes a vertical potion V at a center of an end of the extending portion  1241 , a first taper portion C 1  of which a width varies while extending from the vertical portion V to one bar  121 , and a second taper portion C 2  of which a width varies while extending from the vertical portion V to the other bar  121 . For example, the vertical portion V may have a flat profile, and each of the first taper portion C 1  and the second taper portion C 2  may have a curved profile. By such a shape of the separation wall  124 , a flow profile of a cooling medium may be formed three-dimensionally at a point from which the cooling medium diverges into the sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232  and at a point at which the cooling medium converges from the sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232 . 
     In an example, the extending portion  1241  may have a length that extends in a first direction T 1  which is a longitudinal direction of a bar  121 . The sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232  may also extend in the longitudinal direction of the bar  121 . The variable portion  1242  may have a width that varies in the longitudinal direction of the bar  121  at an end of the extending portion  1241 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the variable portion  1242  includes a third taper portion C 3  on one side of the end of the extending portion  1241  based on a virtual centerline in the longitudinal direction of the extending portion  1241 , and a fourth taper portion C 4  on another side of the end of the extending portion  1241  based on the virtual centerline in the longitudinal direction of the extending portion  1241 . For example, each of the third taper portion C 3  and the fourth taper portion C 4  may have substantially a linear profile or a curved profile. By such a shape of the separation wall  124 , a cooling medium may be more smoothly led towards or from the sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232 . 
     The separation wall  124  may be formed of a material suitable to promote a heat exchange between the sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232 . For example, the separation wall  124  may be formed of a metal material or a non-metal material. When the mutual heat exchange between the sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232  is promoted, a temperature difference between the sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232  that may occur due to a temperature difference between neighboring battery cells  11  of one pair disposed on both sides from a center of the cooling structure  12  may be minimized. Thus, the cooling medium flowing in each of the sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232  may be maintained in a temperature equilibrium, which may contribute to the improvement of a lifespan of the battery system  1 . 
     The upper frame  125 A may be disposed above the bars  121 , and connect the inlet-side frame  125 C and the outlet-side frame  125 D. The upper frame  125 A may extend in a longitudinal direction of the bars  121 . The lower frame  125 B may be disposed under the bars  121 , and connect the inlet-side frame  125 C and the outlet-side frame  125 D. The lower frame  125 B may extend in the longitudinal direction of the bars  121 . The inlet-side frame  125 C may be connected to the upper frame  125 A, the lower frame  1258 , and the inlet-side support  1221 , and extend in an arrangement direction of the bars  121 . The outlet-side frame  125 D may be connected to the upper frame  125 A, the lower frame  125 B, and the outlet-side support  1222 , and extend in the arrangement direction of the bars  121 . 
     In an example, the upper frame  125 A and the lower frame  125 B may be formed of a more flexible material than a material with which the bars  121  are formed. A thickness of the upper frame  125 A and a thickness of the lower frame  1258  may be greater than a thickness of a bar  121 . Through which, it is possible to improve tightness of the cooling structure  12  against an outside. In addition, even when a battery cell  11  is deformed beyond an expected range, it is possible to tolerate such a deformation by a certain level and prevent a cooling medium flowing the flow paths  123  from being leaked outside. 
     In an example, the frames  125 A,  125 B,  125 C, and  125 D may be integrally formed to be a single frame. 
     The bars  121 , the support  122 , and the frames  125 A,  125 B,  125 C, and  125 D may be formed of an insulating material. The insulating material may include a material suitable for electrical insulation between neighboring battery cells  11  of one pair. The insulating material may include plastic, for example. 
     The sealing portion  126  may surround the bars  121  and the flow paths  123 . The sealing portion  126  may form a heat exchange space between the first cooling structure  12  and one pair of neighboring battery cells  11 . For example, the heat exchange space may be defined by the bars  121 , the support  122 , the flow paths  123 , the separation walls  124 , the frames  125 A,  125 B,  125 C, and  125 D, the sealing portion  126 , and a surface of the one pair of the neighboring battery cells  11 . The heat exchange space may be closed from the outside except the inlet path P 1  and the outlet path P 2 . The sealing portion  126  may be provided on one side of the first cooling structure  12  facing a large area portion  111  of one battery cell  11  of the neighboring battery cells  11  of one pair, and on another side of the first cooling structure  12  facing a large area portion  111  of the other battery cell  11  of the neighboring battery cells  11  of one pair. 
     The sealing portion  126  includes a plurality of longitudinal-direction grooves  1261 , a plurality of arrangement-direction grooves  1262 , and a plurality of connecting grooves  1263 . The longitudinal-direction grooves  1261  may extend in the longitudinal direction of the bars  121 , and be respectively formed in the upper frame  125 A and the lower frame  125 B. The arrangement-direction grooves  1262  may extend in the arrangement direction of the bars  121 , and be respectively formed in the inlet-side frame  125 C and the outlet-side frame  125 D. The connecting grooves  1263  may connect the longitudinal-direction grooves  1261  and the arrangement-direction grooves  1262 , and be respectively formed in the inlet-side frame  125 C and the outlet-side frame  125 D. For example, the connecting grooves  1263  may be rounded. The longitudinal-direction grooves  1261 , the arrangement-direction grooves  1262 , and the connecting grooves  1263  may form a closed loop. In the longitudinal-direction grooves  1261 , the arrangement-direction grooves  1262 , and the connecting grooves  1263 , at least one sealing element (not shown) may be filled. The sealing element may include, for example, an  0 -ring, a liquid gasket, and the like. 
     Such a structure of the sealing portion  126  may cover a large area portion  111  of a battery cell  11 . That is, the sealing portion  126  may form a two-dimensional (2D) sealing structure. In such a case, the at least one sealing element filled in the longitudinal-direction grooves  1261 , the arrangement-direction grooves  1262 , and the connecting grooves  1263  may be in contact with the large area portion  111  of the battery cell  11 , but not in contact with a small area portion  112  of the battery cell  11 . Thus, it may be more convenient in manufacturing the sealing portion  126 . In addition, it may more readily prevent a cooling medium from being leaked out simply by pressing the large area portion  111  of the battery cell  11  by the first cooling structure  12  in one direction. Meanwhile, when designing the first cooling structure  12 , a dimension of the flow paths  123  may change due to such a 2D sealing structure of the sealing portion  126 . In such a case, a separation wall  124  may separate a flow path  123  into a plurality of sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232 , and it is thus possible to maintain or improve a flow rate of a cooling medium flowing in the flow path  123 . 
     In an example not illustrated, the sealing portion  126  may form a closed loop by the longitudinal-direction grooves  1261  and the arrangement-direction grooves  1262  without the connecting grooves  1263 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 through 14 , the second cooling structure  13  includes a plurality of bars  121 , a support  122  including an inlet-side support  1221  and an outlet-side support  1222 , a plurality of flow paths  123 , a plurality of frames  125 A,  125 B,  125 C, and  125 D, and a sealing portion  126  that are described above with reference to  FIGS. 3 through 11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the second cooling structure  13  further includes a rear frame  125 E. The rear frame  125 E may be formed on a rear side of the upper frame  125 A, the lower frame  1258 , the inlet-side frame  125 C, and the outlet-side frame  125 D. The rear frame  125 E includes a plurality of recesses  1251  disposed separately from each other in the arrangement direction of the bars  121 . The rear frame  125 E may be formed of a material having a relatively low thermal conductivity coefficient to form a closed heat exchange space. In addition, to improve structural stability, the bars  121  may be fixed to the rear frame  125 E. The frames  125 A,  125 B,  125 C, and  125 D along with the rear frame  125 E may be provided in an integral form. 
     The sealing portion  126  may be formed only on a side surface of the second cooling structure  13  that faces a large area portion  111  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) of a battery cell  11  supported and pressed by the second cooling structure  13 . 
     The inlet-side support  1221  and the outlet-side support  1222  of the second cooling structure  13  respectively include an inlet-side flange F 1 ′ and an outlet-side flange F 2 ′ that extend only in one direction based on the bars  121 . The inlet-side flange F 1 ′ and the outlet-side flange F 2 ′ may extend only in one direction, and thus a plurality of inlet-side fastening elements (not shown) of an inlet-side fastening portion FT 1 ′ and a plurality of outlet-side fastening elements FT 22 ′ of an outlet-side fastening portion FT 2 ′ may be formed on one side based on a first support wall (not shown) and a second support wall FT 21 ′, respectively. 
     Dissimilar to the first cooling structure  12 , a flow path  123  of the second cooling structure  13  includes a single flow path  1231  without being separated into a plurality of sub-flow paths. To maintain or improve a flow rate of a cooling medium flowing in the single flow path  1231 , a width of the single path  1231  may be reduced. For example, the single flow path  1231  includes a protrusive wall  1341  protruding towards an open portion of the single flow path  123 , and a variable portion  1342  configured to guide smoothly the cooling medium to flow from the inlet path P 1  into the single flow path  1231  and guide smoothly the cooling medium to flow from the single path  1231  into the outlet path P 2 . For example, the variable portion  1342  may have a curved profile. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15 through 17 , the first plate  14  includes a first base  141 , a plurality of first side protrusions  142 , a plurality of first plate fastening portions  143 , a plurality of gasket fastening portions  144 , a plurality of upper fastening portions  145 A, a plurality of lower fastening portions  145 B, a plurality of side fastening portions  145 C, an upper protrusion  146 A, a lower protrusion  146 B, and a plurality of second side protrusions  146 C. 
     The first base  141  may surround an inlet path P 1  or an outlet path P 2  of a plurality of cooling structures  12  and  13 . For example, the first base  141  includes an upper portion  141 A and a lower portion  141 B, and a plurality of vertical portions  141 C extending between the upper portion  141 A and the lower portion  141 B and disposed separately from each other to define an opening O connected to the inlet path P 1  or the outlet path P 2 . The upper portion  141 A, the lower portion  141 B, and the vertical portions  141 C may be formed such that a size of the opening O fits the shape of the cooling structures  12  and  13 . In addition, a portion  1411 C recessed in a thickness direction of the first base  141  is formed in an upper and/or lower portion of the vertical potions  141 C. 
     The first side protrusions  142  may protrude from the first base  141 , or a side portion  141 D of the first base  141 . When neighboring first plates  14  of one pair are connected, first plate fastening portions  143  of one first plate  14  of the neighboring first plates  14  may be fastened to first plate fastening portions  143  of the other first plate  14  of the neighboring first plates  14 . When the first plate  14  and the second plate  15  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) are connected to each other, the first side protrusions  142  may be disposed on a plurality of corner connecting portions  156  and a plurality of edge connecting portions  157  (refer to  FIG. 18 ) of the second plate  15 , and overlap at least a portion of the corner connecting portions  156  and the edge connecting portions  157 . When neighboring battery modules  10  of one pair are connected, a gasket fastening portion  144  of a first plate  14  of one battery module  10  of the neighboring battery modules  10  may be connected to a gasket fastening portion  144  of a first plate  14  of the other battery module  10  of the neighboring battery modules  10  through a through-hole GH of a gasket SG to be described hereinafter. 
     The first plate  14  and the second plate  15  surrounding the battery module  10  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) may be fastened to a cover (not shown) configured to cover an upper portion and a lower portion of the battery cells  11 . The gasket fastening portions  144  may be arranged separately from each other along edges of the first base  141 . 
     The upper fastening portions  145 A may connect an upper portion of a first plate  14  of one battery module  10  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) and an upper portion of a first plate  14  of another battery module  10 . The lower fastening portions  145 B may connect a lower portion of a first plate  14  of one battery module  10  and a lower portion of a first plate  14  of another battery module  10 . The side fastening portions  145 C may connect a side of a first plate  14  of one battery module  10  and a side of a first plate  14  of another battery module  10 . For example, the upper fastening portions  145 A may be formed along an edge of the upper portion  141 A of the first base  141 , and the lower fastening portions  145 B may be formed along an edge of the lower potion  141 B of the first base  141 . The side fastening portions  145 C may be formed along the side portion  141 D of the first base  141 . When neighboring battery modules  10  of one pair are connected, the upper fastening portions  145 A, the lower fastening portions  145 B, and the side fastening portions  145 C may provide a uniform 2D fastening force to all portions to be connected between the neighboring battery modules  10 . Thus, it is possible to ensure an advantageous tight structure of a cooling medium between neighboring cooling structures  12  and  13  of one pair to be connected between the neighboring battery modules  10 . 
     When the first plate  14  is disposed to surround the inlet path P 1  or the outlet path P 2  of a plurality of cooling structures  12  and  13  and cover a small area portion  112  of a plurality of battery cells  11 , the upper fastening portions  145 A and the lower fastening portions  145 B may be formed on the first base  141  such that they are disposed on the virtual centerline EX 1  (refer to FIG . 10 ) of the inlet path P 1  or the virtual centerline EX 2  (refer to  FIG. 11 ) of the outlet path P 2 . Such positions of the upper fastening portions  145 A and the lower fastening portions  145 B may ensure a sufficient pressing force of the first plate  14  with respect to the battery cells  11 . 
     The upper protrusion  146 A may protrude from the first base  141  at an upper edge of the upper portion  141 A of the first base  141  or at a position adjacent to the upper edge. The lower protrusion  146 B may protrude from the first base  141  at a lower edge of the lower portion  141 B of the first base  141  or at a position adjacent to the lower edge. A protruding direction of the upper protrusion  146 A and a protruding direction of the lower protrusion  146 B may be an opposite direction of a protruding direction of the first side protrusions  142 . For example, when neighboring battery modules  10  of one pair are connected, a protruding direction of an upper protrusion  146 A formed in a first plate  14  of one battery module  10  of the neighboring battery modules  10  and a protruding direction of a lower protrusion  146 B formed in the first plate  14  of the battery module  10  may be towards a first plate  14  of the other battery module  10  of the neighboring battery modules  10  facing the first plate  14  of the battery module  10 . In such an example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 19 through 21 , when neighboring first plates  14  of one pair used for connecting neighboring battery modules  10  of one pair are connected, an upper protrusion  146 A of one first plate  14  of one battery module  10  may be connected to an upper protrusion  146 A of the other first plate  14  of the other battery module  19 , a lower protrusion  146 B of the first plate  14  of the one battery module  10  and a lower protrusion  146 B of the first plate  14  of the other battery module  10  may be connected, and a space may be formed between the upper protrusions  146 A and the lower protrusions  146 B. Such a protruding structure of the first plate  14  that is formed by the upper protrusion  146 A and the lower protrusion  146 B may be effective to avoid interference with another structure. 
     The upper fastening portions  145 A may be formed in the upper protrusion  146 A along a direction of the upper protrusion  146 A. The lower fastening portions  145 B may be formed in the lower protrusion  146 B along a direction of the lower protrusion  146 B. 
     The second side protrusions  146 C may protrude from the first base  141  in the side portion  141 D of the first base  141 . A protruding direction of the second side protrusions  146 C may be an opposite direction of a protruding direction of the first side protrusions  142 . The second side protrusions  146 C may be formed on both sides of the first base  141 , and formed separately from each other along each of edges of both sides of the first base  141 . The side fastening portions  145 C may be formed in the second side protrusions  145 C along one of the second side protrusions  146 C. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , the second plate  15  includes a second base  151 , a plurality of horizontal-direction center ribs  152 , a plurality of vertical-direction center ribs  153 , a plurality of horizontal-direction edge ribs  154 , a plurality of vertical-direction edge ribs  155 , a plurality of corner connecting portions  156 , and a plurality of edge connecting portions  157 . 
     The horizontal-direction center ribs  152  may extend from a center of the second base  151  towards a side edge of the second base  151  in a first direction T 1  which is a horizontal direction. The vertical-direction center ribs  153  may extend from the center of the second base  151  towards an upper edge and a lower edge of the second base  151  in a third direction T 3  which is a vertical direction. The horizontal-direction center ribs  152  and the vertical-direction center ribs  153  may meet each other at the center of the second base  151 . 
     The horizontal-direction edge ribs  154  may extend along the upper edge and the lower edge of the second base  151 . The vertical-direction edge ribs  155  may extend along the side edges of the second base  151 . 
     The corner connecting portions  156  may connect the horizontal-direction edge ribs  154  and the vertical-direction edge ribs  155  at corners of the second base  151 . The edge connecting portions  157  may connect the horizontal-direction edge ribs  154  and the vertical-direction edge ribs  155  at the side edges of the second base  151 . The corner connecting portions  156  and the edge connecting portions  157  may include fastening holes  1561  and  1571 , respectively, to be fastened to the first plate fastening portions  143 . 
     The horizontal-direction center ribs  152 , the vertical-direction center ribs  153 , the horizontal-direction edge ribs  154 , the vertical-direction edge ribs  155 , the corner connecting portions  156 , and the edge connecting portions  157  may protrude from the second base  151 . In addition, a protruding length of the corner connecting portions  156  and the edge connecting portions  157  may be greater than a protruding length of the horizontal-direction center ribs  152 , the vertical-direction center ribs  153 , the horizontal-direction edge ribs  154 , and the vertical-direction edge ribs  155 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the battery system  1  further includes a gasket SG to be disposed between neighboring battery modules  10  of one pair when connecting the neighboring battery modules  10 . The gasket SG is configured to seal a gap between cooling structures  12  and  13  of one pair facing each other of the neighboring battery modules  10 . The gasket SG includes a gasket plate GP and a gasket protrusion GC. 
     The gasket plate GP may be connected to one pair of neighboring first plates  14  facing each other. The gasket plate GP may be received in an internal space formed by the one pair of the neighboring first plates  14  between the upper protrusion  146 A and the lower protrusion  146 B of the first plates  14 . The gasket plate GP may have a plurality of through-holes GH. Through the through-holes GH, the gasket plate GP may be fastened to gasket fastening portions  144  and second side fastening portions  145 C of each of the neighboring first plates  14  facing each other. 
     The gasket protrusion GC may protrude from the gasket plate GP. For example, the gasket protrusion GC may protrude in both normal line directions of the gasket plate GP. The gasket protrusion GC may be received in the first support wall FT 11  (refer to  FIG. 10 ) of the inlet-side support  1221  and the second support wall FT 21  (refer to  FIG. 11 ) of the outlet-side support  1222 . 
     The gasket protrusion GC includes a plurality of connecting paths CP. The connecting paths CP may communicate with the inlet path P 1  and the outlet path P 2  of the cooling structures  12  and  13  facing each other. Respective positions of the connecting paths CP may correspond to respective positions of the inlet ports P 11  (refer to  FIG. 10 ) and the outlet ports P 21  (refer to  FIG. 11 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 21 and 22 , according to another example, a cooling structure  22  includes a plurality of bars, a support  122  including an inlet-side support  1221  and an outlet-side support  1222 , a plurality of flow paths  123 , a plurality of separation walls  124 , a plurality of frames  125 A,  125 B,  125 C, and  125 D, and a sealing portion  126  that are described above with reference to  FIGS. 3 through 11 . In the cooling structure  22 , a separation wall  124  includes a plurality of sub-separation walls  124 A,  124 B, and  124 C disposed separately in a longitudinal direction of the bars  121 . A flow path  123  may be formed between neighboring sub-separation walls of one pair and further includes a fluid connecting hole  1235  configured to allow a plurality of sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232  to communicate with each other. The sub-separation walls  124 A,  124 B, and  124 C include a first sub-separation wall  124 A disposed adjacent to the inlet-side support  1221 , a second sub-separation wall  1248  disposed adjacent to the outlet-side support  1222 , and a third sub-separation wall  124 C disposed between the first sub-separation wall  124 A and the second sub-separation wall  124 B. While a cooling medium is flowing in the sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232  led from the inlet-side support  1221  to the outlet-side support  1222 , the cooling medium flowing in each of the sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232  may be mixed together through the fluid connecting hole  1235 . Such a structure described above may be used to reduce a difference between a temperature of a cooling medium for cooling a battery cell disposed on one side from the cooling structure  22  and a temperature of a cooling medium for cooling another battery cell disposed on another side from the cooling structure  22 , and thus the cooling medium flowing in each of the sub-flow paths  1231  and  1232  may have a uniform temperature. Thus, it is possible to increase temperature uniformity of one pair of neighboring battery cells facing each other from the cooling structure  22 . 
     While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application that various changes in form and details may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects in each example are to be considered as being applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner, and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included in the disclosure.