Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a battery module accommodating a plurality of secondary batteries, and more particularly, to a battery module and a battery pack including a module housing in which a cooling channel is provided to effectively emit heat generated from a cell assembly.

The lithium secondary battery mainly uses lithium-based oxides and carbonaceous materials as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively. The lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate coated with the positive electrode active material and a negative electrode plate coated with the negative electrode active material are disposed with a separator being interposed therebetween, and an exterior, namely a pouch exterior, sealably containing the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

In recent years, secondary batteries have been widely used not only in small-sized devices such as portable electronic devices but also in medium-sized or large-sized devices such as vehicles and power storage devices. When the secondary batteries are used in the middle-sized or large-sized devices, a large number of secondary batteries are electrically connected to increase capacity and power. In particular, pouch-type secondary batteries are widely used for the middle-sized or large-sized devices since they may be easily stacked.

Meanwhile, as a need for a large-capacity structure has increased recently along with utilization as an energy storage source, there is an increasing demand for a battery pack having a structure in which a plurality of battery modules, each having a plurality of secondary batteries connected in series and/or in parallel, are aggregated.

Since the battery pack having a plurality of battery modules is manufactured such that a plurality of secondary batteries are densely packed in a narrow space, it is important to easily discharge heat generated from each secondary battery. Further, since the secondary battery is charged or discharged by an electrochemical reaction, the secondary battery is affected by ambient temperature conditions.

For example, if the charging/discharging process is performed under a high temperature condition in which the optimum temperature is not maintained, the charging/discharging efficiency of the secondary battery is lowered, and accordingly the performance may not be ensured during normal operation.

Thus, the conventional battery module separately includes a cooling member for cooling the heat generated from the secondary battery during the production of electricity to properly maintain the temperature of the secondary battery.

<FIG> is a cross-sectioned view schematically showing a conventional battery module.

As shown in <FIG>, a conventional battery module <NUM> having a cooling member includes a pack tray <NUM> made of a material with high thermal conductivity and installed at a lower surface of a module housing <NUM>. That is, in the conventional art, the pack tray <NUM> absorbs the heat generated by each secondary battery <NUM> of the cell assembly and transfers the absorbed heat to a heatsink <NUM> installed to contact a bottom of the pack tray <NUM>, and the heatsink <NUM> is cooled again by a cooling water.

However, since the conventional battery module has a separate heatsink provided at a lower portion or an upper portion, when the height of the battery module is limited in a vertical direction as in a vehicle, there is a limit in the space of the battery module in the vertical direction, and thus there is a limit to increase the energy density by increasing the size of the module.

Further, in the conventional battery module, the heat generated from the secondary battery is firstly transferred to the module housing, the heat of the module housing is transferred to the pack tray again, and finally the heat is transferred to the heatsink. Thus, the heat is transferred via conduction regions of several members, thereby greatly deteriorating the heat dissipation efficiency.

Relevant background art : D1 - <CIT>, D2 - <CIT>, D3 - <CIT>, D4 - <CIT>, D5 - <CIT>, D6 - <CIT>.

The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and therefore the present disclosure is directed to providing a battery module and a vehicle, which includes a module housing capable of effectively increasing an energy density while improving the heat dissipation efficiency.

The subject matter of the present invention is defined in the appended claims. Embodiments of the disclosure not falling within the scope of the claims represent embodiments of the disclosure not according to the invention.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery module, comprising: a cell assembly having a plurality of secondary batteries; and a module housing having at least one sidewall to accommodate the cell assembly in an inner space defined by the sidewall and having a cooling channel embedded in the sidewall.

Here, the sidewall may include an upper wall, a lower wall, a left wall and a right wall, and the cooling channel may be embedded in the left wall and the right wall.

Moreover, the cooling channel may be formed to pass through both ends of the sidewall of the module housing in a front and rear direction.

In addition, the cooling channel may have an inlet formed at one end surface of the sidewall of the module housing to introduce a coolant and an outlet formed at the other end surface of the sidewall of the module housing to discharge a coolant.

Further, the cooling channel may linearly extend from the inlet to the outlet.

Meanwhile, the module housing may have a hollow structure at which the inner space is opened at both sides.

Also, the battery module may further comprise a channel connection member for connecting the cooling channel to a cooling channel of another battery module.

Moreover, the channel connection member may be located at one end or the other end, or at both ends, of the sidewall of the module housing in a front and rear direction.

In addition, the channel connection member may include a connection tube partially inserted into and connected to the cooling channel of the battery module; and a stopper having a hollow structure to surround an outer surface of the connection tube.

Further, both ends of the connection tube may be configured to protrude in a front and rear direction from the stopper.

Meanwhile, the channel connection member may include a cooling tube inserted through the cooling channel of at least one battery module from one end thereof to the other thereof.

Also, the battery module may further comprise a gap adjustment member interposed between a plurality of battery modules and having a hollow structure into which the cooling tube is inserted.

Moreover, the gap adjustment member may include an upper cover configured to cover an upper surface of the cooling tube; and a lower cover coupled to the upper cover and configured to cover a lower surface of the cooling tube.

In addition, the cooling tube may include a plurality of tubes whose ends in a length direction are connected to each other.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a battery pack, comprising a battery module according to the present disclosure.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a vehicle, comprising a battery pack according to the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery module may effectively discharge the heat of the cell assembly, without a heatsink for discharging the heat generated from the battery module, unlike the conventional art, it is possible to reduce the manufacture cost and decrease the volume of the battery module.

Moreover, in the present disclosure, since the space in which the heatsink is placed, may be utilized more, it is possible to accommodate a cell assembly with a larger volume, and also the energy density may be increased.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a linearly extending cooling channel is embedded in the sidewall of the module housing, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of interference while the coolant is moving along the cooling channel, and thus the coolant may circulate fast without stagnation to improve the cooling efficiency.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by using a channel connection member, it is possible to easily connect the cooling channels of a plurality of battery modules and to arrange a plurality of battery modules at regular intervals.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a long cooling tube is used to connect the cooling channels of a plurality of battery modules, it is possible to prevent leakage of the coolant, which is likely to occur in the connection structure between the cooling channels, and the plurality of battery modules may be evenly arranged in a certain direction.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, <FIG> is a projected side view schematically showing a cooling channel provided at the battery module of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a battery module <NUM> according to the present disclosure may include a cell assembly <NUM> and a module housing <NUM>.

The cell assembly <NUM> may include a plurality of secondary batteries <NUM>.

At this time, the secondary battery <NUM> may be a pouch-type secondary battery <NUM>. In particular, the pouch-type secondary battery <NUM> may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte and a pouch exterior.

Here, the electrode assembly may be configured such that at least one positive electrode plate and at least one negative electrode plate are disposed with a separator interposed therebetween. More specifically, the electrode assembly may be classified into a wound type in which one positive electrode plate and one negative electrode plate are wound together with a separator, a stacking type in which a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with a separator interposed therebetween, and the like.

Also, the pouch exterior may be configured to have an outer insulating layer, a metal layer and an inner adhesive layer. The pouch exterior may be configured to include a metal thin film, for example an aluminum thin film, in order to protect inner components such as the electrode assembly and the electrolyte, to enhance electrochemical properties by the electrode assembly and the electrolyte, and to improve heat dissipation. In addition, the aluminum thin film may be interposed between insulating layers made of an insulating material so as to secure electrical insulation with components inside the secondary battery <NUM> such as the electrode assembly and the electrolyte or with other components outside the secondary battery <NUM>.

In particular, the pouch exterior may be composed of two pouches, at least one of which may have a concave inner space formed therein. In addition, the electrode assembly may be accommodated in the inner space of the pouch. Also, sealing portions are provided at outer circumferential surfaces of two pouches, and the sealing portions are fused to each other to seal the inner space in which the electrode assembly is accommodated.

Each pouch-type secondary battery <NUM> may include an electrode lead <NUM>, and the electrode lead <NUM> may include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead.

In more detail, the electrode lead <NUM> may be configured to protrude forward or rearward from the sealing portion located at the outer circumference of the front or rear side of the pouch exterior. In addition, the electrode lead <NUM> may serve as an electrode terminal of the secondary battery <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, one electrode lead <NUM> may be configured to protrude forward from the secondary battery <NUM>, and the other electrode lead <NUM> may configured to protrude rearward from the secondary battery <NUM>.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, in one secondary battery <NUM>, there is no interference between the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead, thereby widening the area of the electrode lead <NUM>. In addition, a welding process between the electrode lead <NUM> and a bus bar may be performed more easily.

In addition, a plurality of pouch-type secondary batteries <NUM> may be included in the battery module <NUM> and arranged to be stacked in at least one direction. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a plurality of pouch-type secondary batteries <NUM> may be stacked in a right and left direction. At this time, each pouch-type secondary battery <NUM> may be disposed to stand approximately perpendicular to the ground, when being observed in the F direction, such that two broad surfaces are located at right and left sides, respectively, and the sealing portions are located at upper, lower, front and rear sides. In other words, each secondary battery <NUM> may be configured to stand in an upper and lower direction.

Meanwhile, the terms indicating directions such as front, rear, left, right, upper and lower directions used herein may be changed depending on the position of an observer or the shape of an object. For the sake of convenience of description, in the present specification, directions are classified into front, rear, left, right, upper and lower directions, based on the F direction.

The configuration of the pouch-type secondary battery <NUM> described above is obvious to those skilled in the art and thus is not described in detail. In addition, the cell assembly <NUM> according to the present disclosure may employ various secondary batteries known at the time of filing of this application.

Meanwhile, the module housing <NUM> may serve as an exterior material for the battery module <NUM>. Accordingly, the module housing <NUM> gives structural stability to the battery module <NUM> and protects components accommodated therein, for example the cell assembly <NUM>, from external physical factors such as impacts and articles. To this end, the module housing <NUM> may be made of a metal material such as steel or aluminum.

In particular, if the module housing <NUM> is made of a metal material including aluminum, the heat generated from the cell assembly <NUM> may be effectively emitted out of the module housing <NUM> by means of high thermal conductivity of aluminum.

In addition, the module housing <NUM> may include at least one sidewall <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Specifically, when the sidewall <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is provided in plural, the plurality of sidewalls may be connected to each other. For example, when being observed in the F direction, the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may include an upper wall <NUM>, a lower wall <NUM>, a left wall <NUM> and a right wall <NUM> based on the cell assembly <NUM>, and the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be connected to each other.

In addition, the module housing <NUM> may have an inner space defined by the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to accommodate the cell assembly <NUM>. Specifically, the inner space may have an internal structure corresponding to the outer shape of the cell assembly <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the upper wall <NUM> and the lower wall <NUM> of the module housing <NUM> may be disposed at right angles to the left wall <NUM> and the right wall <NUM> so that the cell assembly <NUM> having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape may be accommodated therein.

Further, the inner space may be provided such that at least one of the upper wall <NUM>, the lower wall <NUM>, the left wall <NUM> and the right wall <NUM> of the module housing <NUM> contacts at least one side of the cell assembly <NUM>. That is, as the area where the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the module housing <NUM> directly contact the outer surfaces of the cell assembly <NUM> becomes larger, the heat generated from the cell assembly <NUM> may be more effectively conducted to the module housing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the upper wall <NUM>, the lower wall <NUM>, the left wall <NUM> and the right wall <NUM> of the module housing <NUM> may be provided to be in contact with upper, lower, left and right surfaces of the cell assembly <NUM>, respectively.

In addition, the module housing <NUM> may be configured as a hollow structure where the inner space is opened at both sides. In particular, the hollow structure may be configured such that when a plurality of battery modules <NUM> are arranged in the front and rear directions, the inner space is opened along the arrangement direction of the battery modules.

More specifically, the module housing <NUM> may include a mono frame integrally formed with the upper wall <NUM>, the lower wall <NUM>, the left wall <NUM> and the right wall <NUM>.

Here, the integrated form means that components form a single body by, for example, casting or the like. Specifically, the module housing <NUM> may be configured so that both ends of the upper wall <NUM>, the lower wall <NUM>, the left wall <NUM> and the right wall <NUM> are connected to each other.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the module housing <NUM> may be configured in a rectangular tubular shape in which the module housing <NUM> is opened in the front and rear direction and both ends of the upper wall <NUM>, the lower wall <NUM>, the left wall <NUM> and the right wall <NUM> are connected to each other.

Meanwhile, a cooling channel <NUM> may be embedded in the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>.

Specifically, the cooling channel <NUM> may be configured to allow a cooling fluid (or, a coolant) such as cooling water or air to flow. Here, the cooling fluid may be circulated through a separate circulating supply device (not shown) connected to the cooling channel <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>.

Moreover, the cooling channel <NUM> may be formed in at least one sidewall among the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, three cooling channels <NUM> may be formed in two sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. As the number of the cooling channels <NUM> formed in each sidewall increases, the cooling effect of the cell assembly <NUM> increases. However, if the cooling channels <NUM> are excessively formed, the durability of the module housing <NUM> may be deteriorated. Thus, the number of the cooling channel may be set appropriately according to the material, configuration, shape or the like of the module housing.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, the heat of the cell assembly <NUM> may be effectively emitted without a heatsink for discharging the heat generated from the battery module <NUM>, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and decreasing the volume of the battery module <NUM>.

In addition, the module housing <NUM> may be manufactured by casting.

Here, the casting may be, for example, die casting, and in the die casting, a metal material may be melted by heating and then injecting into a die with a desired shape to produce a casting. If the module housing <NUM> is manufactured by the casting, the complicated structure of the cooling channel <NUM> may be precisely formed without additional finishing work.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, compared to a module housing formed by coupling two or more members to each other, the module housing <NUM>, which is integrally formed by casting, may exclude a separate coupling process, thereby reducing the manufacture time. In addition, the module housing <NUM> may have increased thermal conductivity, compared to a separately prepared and then coupled form, and thus the heat generated from the cell assembly <NUM> mat be effectively emitted.

Further, the cooling channel <NUM> may be embedded in the left wall <NUM> and the right wall <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>. Specifically, the cooling channel <NUM> may be formed at upper, middle and lower portions of the left wall <NUM> and the right wall <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>, respectively. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the cooling channel <NUM> is formed at the upper, middle and lower portions of each of the left wall <NUM> and the right wall <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>, and thus three cooling channels <NUM> are formed at each sidewall.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, the thickness of the upper wall <NUM> and the lower wall <NUM> may be minimized, compared to the left wall <NUM> and the right wall <NUM> of the module housing <NUM> in which the cooling channel <NUM> is embedded, and thus the space of the battery module <NUM> may be utilized more in the vertical direction. Thus, the cell assembly <NUM> elongated in the vertical direction may be accommodated therein, and the battery module <NUM> having a higher energy density may be implemented.

Further, the cooling channel <NUM> may be formed to pass through both ends of the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the module housing <NUM> in the front and rear direction. Specifically, in the cooling channel <NUM>, an inlet <NUM> for introducing a coolant may be formed at one end surface of the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>, an outlet <NUM> for discharging a coolant may be formed at the other end surface of the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the inlet <NUM> for introducing a coolant may be formed at one end surface of the left wall <NUM> and the right wall <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>, and the outlet <NUM> for discharging a coolant may be formed at the other end surface of the right wall <NUM> and the left wall <NUM>.

However, the structure of the cooling channel <NUM> is not necessarily limited thereto but may be suitably modified in consideration of the position of a supply line of the coolant supplied to the cooling channel <NUM> of the module housing <NUM> or an arrangement direction of the plurality of battery modules <NUM>.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, the cooling channel <NUM> may linearly extends from the inlet <NUM> to the outlet <NUM>. Specifically, the outlet <NUM> of the cooling channel <NUM> may be formed at the other end surface of the sidewall <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> that corresponds to a height parallel to the vertical height of the inlet <NUM>.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, if the direction in which the cooling channel <NUM> linearly extends is identical to the direction in which the plurality of battery modules <NUM> are arranged, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of interference while the coolant is moving along the cooling channels <NUM> of the plurality of battery modules <NUM>, and thus the coolant may circulate through to the plurality of battery modules <NUM> fast without stagnation, thereby improving the cooling efficiency.

However, the structure of the cooling channel is not limited to the linearly extending structure, and the extending structure of the cooling channel may be modified in various ways according to the heat distribution of the accommodated cell assembly <NUM>. For example, the cooling channel may have a bent structure, a curved structure, or the like.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically showing a module housing and a channel connection member employed at a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Also, <FIG> is a perspective view schematically showing only the channel connection member employed at the battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically showing that the battery modules according to another embodiment of the present disclosure are separated from the channel connection member. However, for convenience of explanation, the cell assembly is not depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> along with <FIG>, the battery module <NUM> may further include a channel connection member <NUM>.

Specifically, the channel connection member <NUM> may be configured to connect the cooling channel <NUM> of one module housing <NUM> to the cooling channel <NUM> of another module housing <NUM>.

For example, the channel connection member <NUM> may be located at one or both of one end and the other end of the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, six channel connection members <NUM> may be coupled to the other ends (rear ends) of the left wall <NUM> and the right wall <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>.

In addition, the channel connection member <NUM> may be located at both ends of the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the module housing <NUM> in the front and rear direction in the case of the battery module <NUM> located inside the plurality of the battery modules <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, twelve channel connection members <NUM> may be coupled to both ends in the front and rear direction of the left wall <NUM> and the right wall <NUM> of the module housing <NUM> of the battery module <NUM> located at the middle among three battery modules <NUM>.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, there is an advantage that the cooling channels <NUM> of the plurality of battery modules <NUM> may be easily connected simply by inserting a part of the channel connection member <NUM> into the cooling channels.

Moreover, the channel connection member <NUM> may include a connection tube <NUM> and a stopper <NUM>.

Here, the connection tube <NUM> may be formed to be partially inserted into the cooling channel <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>.

Specifically, one end of the connection tube <NUM> may be inserted into the cooling channel <NUM> of one module housing <NUM>, and the other end of the connection tube <NUM> may be inserted into the cooling channel <NUM> of another module housing <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the connection tube <NUM> may have a tubular shape extending linearly, and both ends of the connection tube <NUM> may be inserted into the cooling channels <NUM> of different battery modules <NUM>, respectively.

Here, the stopper <NUM> may be configured such that only an appropriate portion of the connection tube <NUM> is inserted into the cooling channel <NUM>.

Specifically, the stopper <NUM> may be configured to prevent the connection tube <NUM> from being inserted into the cooling channel <NUM> beyond an appropriate range while the connection tube <NUM> is being inserted into the cooling channel <NUM>. For example, the stopper <NUM> may be disposed at the outer surface of the connection tube <NUM> and protrude upward, downward, leftward and rightward from the connection tube <NUM> so as to block the end surface of the module housing <NUM>.

In addition, the stopper <NUM> may have a hollow structure to surround the outer surface of the connection tube <NUM>. That is, the stopper <NUM> may be formed in a tubular shape to receive the connection tube <NUM> therein. At this time, the tubular stopper <NUM> may set a separation distance between the plurality of battery modules <NUM> according to the extending length in the front and rear direction.

Further, the connection tube <NUM> may be configured such that both ends thereof protrude from the stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction. That is, the length of both ends of the connection tube <NUM> protruding from the stopper <NUM> may become a length inserted into the coolant channel <NUM>. For example, both ends of the connection tube <NUM> may protrude from the stopper <NUM> by the same length in the front and rear direction.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present invention, the stopper <NUM> is inserted only by a preset length of the connection tube <NUM>, so that the channel connection member <NUM> may be easily installed. In addition, in this case, since the plurality of battery modules <NUM> may be arranged to keep a certain distance therebetween, the battery modules <NUM> may be arranged quickly without damaging parts disposed between the plurality of the battery modules <NUM>, thereby enhancing the manufacturing efficiency of the battery pack.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically showing a partial configuration of a battery module according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. Also, <FIG> is a perspective view schematically showing a plurality of battery modules according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. However, for convenience of explanation, the cell assembly <NUM> is not depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> along with <FIG>, the channel connection member <NUM> may include a cooling tube <NUM>.

Here, the cooling tube <NUM> may have a tube through which a coolant in a fluid form may be transferred. The cooling tube <NUM> may be made of a material having a dense structure from which air is not able to be leaked. For example, the cooling tube <NUM> may be made of a metal material. In addition, the cooling tube <NUM> may be made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity, for example copper or aluminum.

Further, the cooling tube <NUM> may be formed to be inserted through the cooling channel <NUM> of the battery module <NUM> from one end to the other end thereof.

In addition, the cooling tube <NUM> may have a structure elongated in the front and rear direction so as to connect the cooling channels <NUM> of the plurality of battery modules <NUM> to each other. Specifically, the cooling tube <NUM> may have a length longer than not only the length of one battery module <NUM> in the front and rear direction but also the length of the plurality of battery modules <NUM> in the front and rear direction.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, if the cooling channel <NUM> extends linearly from the inlet <NUM> to the outlet <NUM>, the cooling tube <NUM> is configured to extend linearly, so that not only the cooling channel <NUM> of one battery module <NUM> but also the cooling tubes <NUM> of the plurality of battery modules <NUM> may be easily inserted and installed.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, by connecting the cooling channels <NUM> of the module housings <NUM> of the plurality of battery modules <NUM> using the single long cooling tube <NUM>, it is possible to prevent the leakage of the coolant, which is liable to occur in the connection structure between the cooling channels <NUM> of the plurality of battery modules <NUM>. In addition, the cooling tube <NUM> may be arranged in a predetermined direction of the plurality of battery modules <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged perspective view showing a gap adjustment member located at a region C, employed at the battery module of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> along with <FIG>, the battery module <NUM> may further include a gap adjustment member <NUM>.

Specifically, the gap adjustment member <NUM> may be interposed between the plurality of battery modules <NUM> to adjust the gap between the plurality of battery modules <NUM> constantly. Accordingly, the gap adjustment member <NUM> may set the separation distance between the plurality of battery modules <NUM> according to the extending length of the gap adjustment member <NUM> in the front and rear direction.

In addition, the gap adjustment member <NUM> may have a hollow structure in which the cooling tube <NUM> is inserted. Specifically, the gap adjustment member <NUM> may be formed in a tubular shape having a hollow structure. For example, as indicated by an arrow B in <FIG>, the gap adjustment member <NUM> may be formed to be movable in the front and rear direction, namely in the length direction of the cooling tube <NUM>, in a state where the cooling tube <NUM> is inserted in the hollow structure. For this, the inner diameter of the gap adjustment member <NUM> may be configured larger than the outer diameter of the cooling tube.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, the plurality of battery modules <NUM> may be easily arranged to be spaced apart by a certain distance by means of the gap adjustment member <NUM>. For this reason, a space for safely installing a bus bar for voltage sensing or electric connection between the plurality of battery modules <NUM> may be secured more easily. In particular, it is possible to prevent components disposed between the plurality of battery modules <NUM>, particularly exposed portions of the cooling tube <NUM> from being broken while a battery pack including the plurality of battery modules <NUM> is being installed, and it is also possible to install the battery pack easily.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically showing a gap adjustment member inserted into the cooling tube of the battery module according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the gap adjustment member <NUM> may include an upper cover <NUM> covering the upper surface of the cooling tube <NUM> and a lower cover <NUM> covering the lower surface of the cooling tube <NUM>.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, even in a state where the cooling tube <NUM> is inserted into the coolant channel <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>, the gap adjustment member <NUM> may be easily installed on the cooling tube <NUM> by using the divided structure like the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM>.

Here, the gap adjustment member <NUM> may have a coupling structure in which the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> are coupled to each other. Specifically, in the coupling structure, the upper cover <NUM> may be mounted onto an upper portion of the cooling tube <NUM> in a lower direction, and then the lower cover <NUM> may be fastened to the upper cover <NUM> in an upper direction.

For example, the coupling structure may employ a male and female coupling structure in which the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> may be engaged with each other by elastic coupling when being pressed against each other in a contacting state to face each other and thus ensure easy coupling. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the above coupling structures, and any known coupling method may also be applied.

Meanwhile, even though <FIG> depicts that the gap adjustment member <NUM> includes both the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM>, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the gap adjustment member <NUM> may include only one of the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> and be interposed between the plurality of battery modules <NUM>.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure a separation distance between the plurality of battery modules <NUM> by using any one of the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM>, thereby saving the manufacture cost or the like.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing that a partial portion of the cooling tube in a region C is separated from the battery module of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> along with <FIG>, the cooling tube <NUM> may include a plurality of tubes <NUM>, <NUM> whose ends in the length direction are connected to each other. That is, the cooling tube <NUM> may be formed to connect an end of one tube <NUM> and an end of another tube <NUM> to each other, thereby extending the entire length of the cooling tube <NUM>.

Also, the tube <NUM> may have a coupling structure <NUM>, <NUM> at one end in the length direction, which is connected to an end of another tube <NUM>. Specifically, the coupling structure <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured in a tubular screw form. For example, the coupling structure <NUM>, <NUM> may have a structure in which a tubular male screw <NUM> is formed at one end of the tube <NUM> and a tubular female screw <NUM> is formed at the other end of the tube <NUM>.

Thus, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, if the cooling tube <NUM> is installed at the plurality of battery modules <NUM>, the plurality of tubes <NUM>, <NUM> may be connected to each other in the length direction according to a required length of the cooling tube <NUM>, and thus it is easy to extend the length in the front and rear direction.

In addition, the cooling tube <NUM> may be easily installed by inserting divided tubes <NUM> into the plurality of battery modules <NUM>, respectively, and then connecting the ends of the inserted tubes <NUM> to each other, rather than by inserting a single lone cooling tube <NUM> into the plurality of battery module <NUM>.

In addition, a battery pack according to the present disclosure may include two or more battery modules <NUM> according to the present disclosure. Also, the battery pack may further include, in addition to the battery module <NUM>, various devices for controlling charge and discharge of the cell assembly <NUM>, for example a battery management system (BMS), a current sensor, a fuse and the like.

In addition, the battery pack according to the present disclosure may be applied to a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle. In other words, the vehicle according to the present disclosure may include the above battery pack.

Meanwhile, even though the terms indicating directions such as upper, lower, left, right, front and rear directions are used in the specification, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these merely represent relative locations for convenience in explanation and may vary based on a location of an observer or an object.

The scope of the invention is defined by teh appended claims.

Claim 1:
A battery pack comprising two or more battery modules (<NUM>) stacked in a first direction (F), each battery module (<NUM>) comprising:
a cell assembly (<NUM>) having a plurality of secondary batteries (<NUM>); and
a module housing (<NUM>) having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and including an upper wall (<NUM>), a lower wall (<NUM>), a left wall (<NUM>), and a right wall (<NUM>), regarded in the direction of stacking (F) of the battery modules, to accommodate the cell assembly (<NUM>) in an inner space defined by the module housing (<NUM>) and having at least one cooling channel (<NUM>) embedded in at least one wall,
characterized in that the at least one cooling channel (<NUM>) is embedded in the left wall (<NUM>) and/or the right wall (<NUM>),
wherein the battery modules (<NUM>) further comprise at least one channel connection member (<NUM>) for connecting the at least one cooling channel (<NUM>) each to at least one cooling channel (<NUM>) of another battery module (<NUM>),
wherein the at least one channel connection member (<NUM>) is located at the front end or the rear end, or at both ends of the sidewall (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the module housing in a front and rear direction regarded in the stacking direction (F) of the modules (<NUM>), and
wherein each channel connection member (<NUM>) includes:
a connection tube (<NUM>) partially inserted into and connected to the cooling channel (<NUM>) of the battery module (<NUM>); and
a stopper (<NUM>) having a hollow structure to surround an outer surface of the connection tube (<NUM>),
wherein the stopper (<NUM>) is configured to protrude upward, downward, leftward, rightward from the connection tube (<NUM>), regarded in the first direction (F), so as to block the end surface of the module housing (<NUM>) to prevent the connection tube (<NUM>) from being inserted into the cooling channel (<NUM>) beyond an appropriate range while the connection tube (<NUM>) is being inserted into the cooling channel (<NUM>).