Patent Description:
Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries may be charged and discharged, and therefore, may be applied to devices within various fields such as digital cameras, mobile phones, notebook computers, hybrid vehicles, and electric vehicles. Among secondary batteries, many studies are being conducted on lithium secondary batteries having high energy density and discharge voltage. The lithium secondary battery is manufactured as a pouch-type battery cell having flexibility, a prismatic or a cylindrical type battery cell having rigidity.

A plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to form a stacked cell stack, and a battery module is formed by accommodating the cell stack in the module housing. In addition, the plurality of battery modules are accommodated in the pack housing to form a battery pack. The battery pack is installed and used in electric vehicles and the like.

Each battery module accommodated in the battery pack includes a sensing unit to measure the voltage or temperature of the battery cells accommodated therein. The sensing unit includes a voltage sensing terminal, a temperature sensor, and a circuit member such as a wire for connecting the voltage sensing terminal or the temperature sensor. The battery module according to the related art is provided with a separate insulating plate formed of a plastic injection molding to support and install the wire, and the insulation between the wire and the battery cell is implemented through the insulating plate. For this reason, the battery module according to the related art has a problem in that the installation structure of the sensing unit is complicated and the overall volume is increased.

In addition, the sensing unit provided in the battery module is coupled to a cell monitoring unit (CMU), and the cell monitoring unit measures the temperature, voltage, and chemical state of the battery module and transmits the measured results to the Battery Management System (BMS). In the battery pack according to the related art, the cell monitoring unit is spaced apart from the battery module and installed in a separate space provided inside the pack housing, and therefore, there may be a problem in which the space utilization inside the pack housing is lowered and the energy density of the battery pack is lowered.

The battery pack according to the related art accommodates a plurality of battery modules. Since each battery module has a shape covering the entire exterior surface including the upper and lower surfaces of the cell stack and the space occupied by the battery module inside the pack housing thus increases, there is a disadvantage in that energy density is lowered.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description.

An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a battery assembly in which space utilization may be increased and energy density may be improved when assembled as a battery pack, and a battery pack having the same.

An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a battery assembly in which installation of a sensing member may be facilitated and insulation between the sensing member and a battery cell may be secured, and a battery pack having the same.

According to the present disclosure, a battery assembly includes a cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a busbar assembly provided with a busbar electrically connected to an electrode lead of the battery cell, and coupled to the cell stack; a plate unit configured to cover at least a portion of a side surface of the cell stack; a sensing unit coupled to the busbar assembly and disposed outside of the cell stack; and a cell monitoring unit coupled to the sensing unit. The cell monitoring unit is installed on the plate unit.

The sensing unit may include a circuit member disposed on one surface of the cell stack, and an insulating member coupled to the circuit member to insulate between the circuit member and the cell stack. The circuit member may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), and the insulating member may include an insulating film or an insulating pad on which the flexible printed circuit board is installed.

The sensing unit may further include a sensor installed on an extension portion extending from the circuit member toward the busbar. In this case, the busbar assembly may further include an insulating support plate on which the busbar is installed, and an installation groove through which the extension portion passes may be disposed in the support plate.

At least a portion of the cell stack and the sensing unit may be exposed to an outside of the plate unit.

The plate unit includes a first plate covering the cell stack in a longitudinal direction of the battery cell, and a second plate covering the cell stack in a stacking direction of the battery cell. The plate unit may have a shape, surrounding four side surfaces of the cell stack and in which at least a portion of an upper surface and at least a portion of a lower surface of the cell stack are exposed externally.

The busbar assembly may be disposed between the first plate and the cell stack.

The battery cell may be formed of a pouch-type secondary battery provided with the electrode lead on both ends of the battery cell in the longitudinal direction, and the busbar assembly may be disposed on both ends of the battery cell in the longitudinal direction.

The battery assembly may further include a bracket member coupled to an exterior surface of the plate unit.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a battery pack includes a pack housing; and a plurality of battery assemblies accommodated in the pack housing. The battery assembly includes a cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a busbar assembly having a busbar electrically connected to the battery cell and coupled to the cell stack, a plate unit configured to cover at least a portion of a side surface of the cell stack, a sensing unit coupled to the busbar assembly and disposed outside of the cell stack, a cell monitoring unit coupled to the sensing unit and installed on the plate unit, and a bracket member coupled to an exterior surface of the plate unit, and the battery assembly is fixed to the pack housing by the bracket member.

The plate unit includes a first plate covering the cell stack in a longitudinal direction of the battery cell, and the bracket member may be coupled to an exterior surface of the first plate.

The pack housing may include a bottom portion, a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion, and a cover portion covering a space formed by the bottom portion and the sidewall portion, and the bracket member may include a support plate facing the first plate, and an upper flange portion provided on an upper end of the support plate. The upper flange portion may be fastened to the side wall portion.

The bracket member may be provided with a lower flange portion provided on a lower end of the support plate, and the lower flange portion may be fixed to the bottom portion.

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present inventive concept will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Rather, the examples described herein have been provided and thus, this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The terms "comprises," "includes, " and "has" specify the presence of stated features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or combinations thereof.

The features of the examples described herein may be combined in various manners as will be apparent after gaining an understanding of the disclosure of this application. Further, although the examples described herein have a variety of configurations, other configurations are possible as will be apparent after gaining an understanding of the disclosure of this application.

The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative sizes, proportions, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

First, a battery assembly <NUM> according to an embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the battery assembly <NUM> according to an embodiment, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the battery assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a busbar assembly <NUM> and a sensing unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are combined.

Referring to <FIG>, the battery assembly <NUM> includes a cell stack <NUM> in which a plurality of battery cells <NUM> are stacked, the busbar assembly <NUM> coupled to the cell stack <NUM>, a plate unit <NUM> configured to cover at least a portion of a side surface of the cell stack <NUM>, the sensing unit <NUM> connected to the busbar assembly <NUM>, and a cell monitoring unit <NUM>. In addition, the battery assembly <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a bracket member <NUM> coupled to the exterior surface of the plate unit <NUM>.

The cell stack <NUM> forms a state in which the plurality of battery cells <NUM> are stacked. The battery cells <NUM> are stacked in such a manner that relatively wide surfaces are in contact with each other, and the neighboring battery cells <NUM> may be fixed through double-sided tape. The cell stacks <NUM> may be stacked in the horizontal direction (X) while the wide surfaces of the battery cells <NUM> are in contact, but the stacking direction is not limited thereto.

The battery cells <NUM> provided in the cell stack <NUM> may be formed of a pouch-type secondary battery. The battery cell <NUM> formed of a pouch-type secondary battery may be configured in a form in which an electrode assembly and an electrolyte are accommodated in a casing (pouch). The electrode assembly may be configured in a form in which the positive and negative electrode plates are stacked with a separator interposed therebetween while the wide surfaces of the positive and negative plates face each other. An electrode tab is connected to the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, respectively, and the electrode tabs having the same polarity are connected to electrode leads <NUM> to be exposed to the outside of the casing. The electrode leads <NUM> may be respectively disposed one both ends of the battery cell <NUM> in the longitudinal direction (Y), or a plurality of electrode leads <NUM> may also be located with different heights from each other on one end of the battery cell <NUM>.

The battery cell <NUM> may be formed of a lithium ion (Li-ion) battery or nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery capable of charging and discharging. In the above description, although a case in which a pouch-type secondary battery is used as the battery cell <NUM> is described as an example, the battery cell <NUM> provided in the battery assembly <NUM> in an embodiment is not limited to the aforementioned pouch-type secondary battery, and for example, may also be configured as a can-type secondary battery. The can-type secondary battery may have a rectangular cross-section to be stacked to form the cell stack <NUM>.

The busbar assembly <NUM> includes a busbar <NUM> electrically connected to the electrode lead <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM>, and is coupled to the cell stack <NUM>. The busbar <NUM> is formed of an electrically conductive material to implement a series and parallel electrical connection structure of the battery cells <NUM>. The electrode lead <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the busbar <NUM> through a coupling hole <NUM> formed by penetrating through the busbar <NUM>. The electrode lead <NUM> may be welded to the busbar <NUM> while passing through the coupling hole <NUM>. When the electrode leads <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM> are disposed on both ends of the battery cell <NUM> in the longitudinal direction (Y), the busbar assembly <NUM> may be disposed on both ends of the battery cell <NUM> in the longitudinal direction (Y).

The busbar assembly <NUM> may include an insulating support plate <NUM> on which the busbar <NUM> is supported and installed, for insulation between busbars <NUM>. The support plate <NUM> may be positioned between the busbar <NUM> and the battery cell <NUM> for insulation between the busbar <NUM> and the battery cell <NUM>. The support plate <NUM> may have a through-hole <NUM> through which the electrode lead <NUM> may pass. The electrode lead <NUM> may be coupled to the coupling hole <NUM> of the busbar <NUM> while passing through the through-hole <NUM> of the support plate <NUM>, and the busbar assembly <NUM> may have a state coupled to the cell stack <NUM>.

The plate unit <NUM> is configured to cover at least a portion of the side surface of the cell stack <NUM> to protect the side surface of the cell stack <NUM> from the outside. The plate unit <NUM> surrounds four side surfaces of the cell stack <NUM>, and may have a shape such that at least a portion of an upper surface and at least a portion of a lower surface of the cell stack <NUM> are exposed externally. Also, as will be described later, at least a portion of the sensing unit <NUM> may have a structure exposed to the outside of the plate unit <NUM>.

The plate unit <NUM> is provided with a first plate <NUM> covering the cell stack <NUM> in the longitudinal direction Y of the battery cell <NUM>, and a second plate <NUM> covering the cell stack <NUM> in the stacking direction X of the battery cells <NUM>. In this case, the busbar assembly <NUM> may be positioned between the first plate <NUM> and the cell stack <NUM>. Accordingly, the first plate <NUM> may serve to protect the busbar assembly <NUM>. Although not illustrated in detail, at least portions of the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>, the first plate <NUM> and the busbar assembly <NUM>, and the second plate <NUM> and the busbar assembly <NUM>, may be fastened to each other by known fastening means such as bolts. The second plate <NUM> may be configured to be coupled to the busbar assembly <NUM> to maintain a gap (e.g., a gap in the Y direction) between the cell stack <NUM> and the busbar assembly <NUM>, and accordingly, a stable coupling between the electrode lead <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM> and the busbar <NUM> may be maintained. For fastening between the first plate <NUM>, the second plate <NUM> and the busbar assembly <NUM>, the first plate <NUM>, the second plate <NUM>, and the busbar assembly <NUM> may have assembly holes (reference numerals not provided) for fastening or penetrating the fastening means. In this manner, by the coupling between the cell stack <NUM> and the busbar assembly <NUM> and mutual coupling of the first plate <NUM>, the second plate <NUM> and/or the busbar assembly <NUM>, the battery assembly <NUM> may maintain an overall coupled state.

However, the plate unit <NUM> is configured to cover side surfaces (both side surfaces of the cell stack <NUM> in the X direction in <FIG>) of the cell stack <NUM>, on which the busbar assembly <NUM> is not provided, and may not be installed on side surfaces (both side surfaces of the cell stack <NUM> in the Y direction in <FIG>) on which the busbar assembly <NUM> is provided. In this case, among the four side surfaces of the cell stack <NUM>, two side surfaces of the battery cells <NUM> in the stacking direction X have a structure covered by the plate unit <NUM>, and two side surfaces of the battery cell <NUM> in the longitudinal direction Y may have a structure covered by the busbar assembly <NUM>. For example, in an embodiment, it may be modified to have a structure in which the four side surfaces of the cell stack <NUM> are protected by being surrounded by the plate unit <NUM> and the busbar assembly <NUM>.

On the hand other, a vent hole <NUM> may be formed in the first plate <NUM> to discharge gas, flames, combustion material, or the like discharged from the battery cell <NUM> outwardly of the cell stack <NUM>. In the pouch-type secondary battery, the battery cell <NUM> has a structure in which a sealing portion (not illustrated) is formed by sealing at least a portion of the periphery of the casing for accommodating the electrode assembly, and the sealing portion is folded to maintain sealing force. In this case, the sealing portion provided with the electrode lead <NUM> cannot be folded and may thus have the sealing force weaker than that of the folded portion. When an event such as temperature rise, fire, or explosion occurs in the battery cell <NUM>, gas, flame, combustion materials, or the like may be discharged through the provided sealing portion on which the electrode lead <NUM> is disposed. In an embodiment, since the vent hole <NUM> formed in the first plate <NUM> is formed to face the portion to which the electrode lead <NUM> is connected, gas, flame, combustion materials, or the like discharged from the cell stack <NUM> may be quickly discharged outwardly of the cell stack <NUM>.

In addition, the first plate <NUM> may be provided with a terminal connection portion <NUM> in which a connection terminal (<NUM> in <FIG>) electrically connected to the busbar <NUM> is installed. The terminal connection portion <NUM> may be installed on both ends of the battery assembly <NUM> in the long side direction. Accordingly, by configuring the connection path of the external busbar (not illustrated) interconnecting the battery assemblies <NUM> to be relatively short, the weight of the external busbar and/or reduce the installation costs thereof may be reduced.

The sensing unit <NUM> is provided to measure the voltage or temperature of the battery cell <NUM>. The sensing unit <NUM> may include a voltage sensing terminal <NUM> connected to the busbar <NUM> to measure the voltage of the battery cell <NUM>, and a temperature sensor (not illustrated) installed on the exterior surface (e.g., upper surface) of the battery cell <NUM> to measure the temperature of the battery cell <NUM>. In addition, the sensing unit <NUM> may include a circuit member <NUM> to provide a signal received from the voltage sensing terminal <NUM>, the temperature sensor, and the like. The circuit member <NUM> may be formed of a printed circuit board (PCB), but may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) for ease of handling and installation, and reduction in thickness.

The circuit member <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the cell stack <NUM>, for example, an upper surface of the cell stack <NUM>. In an embodiment, the sensing unit <NUM> may further include an insulating member <NUM> coupled to the circuit member <NUM> to insulate between the circuit member <NUM> and the cell stack <NUM>. The insulating member <NUM> may include an insulating film or an insulating pad on which a flexible printed circuit board is installed.

The circuit member <NUM> formed of a flexible printed circuit board or a printed circuit board has a structure in which a circuit is formed on an insulating part. Since the circuit member <NUM> has a structure exposed to the outside of the plate unit <NUM>, insulation may be insufficient during installation and use thereof. However, in an embodiment, after separately coupling the insulating member <NUM> to the circuit member <NUM>, the insulating member <NUM> is positioned between the circuit member <NUM> and the cell stack <NUM>, thereby improving the insulation performance of the sensing unit <NUM>.

The voltage sensing terminal <NUM> is attached to the busbar <NUM> through welding or the like. For installation of the voltage sensing terminal <NUM>, the sensing unit <NUM> may include an extension portion 131a extending from the circuit member <NUM> toward the busbar <NUM>. The extension portion 131a may extend toward the busbar <NUM> through an installation groove formed in the support plate <NUM>, and the voltage sensing terminal <NUM> may be installed on an end of the extension portion 131a. On the other hand, the extension portion 131a may extend from the circuit member <NUM> toward the upper surface of the cell stack <NUM>, and a temperature sensor (not illustrated) may be installed on the extension portion 131a extending toward the upper surface of the cell stack <NUM>. As such, since the sensing unit <NUM> has a structure connected to the busbar assembly <NUM>, handling and installation may be easy, and the insulating performance between the cell stack <NUM> and the circuit member <NUM> may be improved through the insulating member <NUM> formed of an insulating film or an insulating pad. In addition, compared to the related art in which an installation groove is formed in a separate insulating plate to support and install the wire, there is an advantage that the installation structure of the sensing unit <NUM> is relatively simple and the volume is reduced.

The cell monitoring unit <NUM> is connected to the sensing unit <NUM>, and transmit the temperature and voltage measured in the battery module to a Battery Management System (BMS), based on information received from the voltage sensing terminal <NUM> and/or the temperature sensor, or the like. The cell monitoring unit <NUM> is installed on the plate unit <NUM>. For example, a mounting groove <NUM> for installation of the cell monitoring unit <NUM> may be formed in the second plate <NUM>, and the cell monitoring unit <NUM> may be installed in the mounting groove <NUM> of the second plate <NUM> while being connected to a connector <NUM> of the sensing unit <NUM>.

As such, the cell monitoring unit 15C is installed directly on the plate unit <NUM> configured to protect the cell stack <NUM>. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, the advantage that the space utilization of a battery pack (<NUM> in <FIG>) may increase and energy density may be improved may be obtained, compared to the related art in which the cell monitoring unit is spaced apart from the battery module and installed in a separate space provided inside the battery pack.

On the other hand, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery assembly <NUM> may further include a bracket member <NUM> coupled to an exterior surface of the plate unit <NUM>. In this case, the battery assembly <NUM> may be fixedly installed inside a pack housing (<NUM> in <FIG>) through the bracket member <NUM>.

The bracket member <NUM> may be installed to correspond to all side surfaces of the cell stack <NUM>, but may be installed in a portion of the plate unit <NUM> to significantly reduce the volume of the battery assembly <NUM> and improve assembly. As an example, the bracket member <NUM> may have a structure coupled to the exterior surface of the first plate <NUM> corresponding to the long side of the cell stack <NUM>.

In addition, the first plate <NUM> is positioned between the bracket member <NUM> and the busbar assembly <NUM>, and the bracket member <NUM> may be fastened to the busbar assembly <NUM>. In this case, a through-hole (reference numeral not assigned) through which a fastening member such as a bolt passes may be formed in the first plate <NUM>. For example, by the fastening of the bracket member <NUM> and the busbar assembly <NUM>, the bracket member <NUM>, the first plate <NUM>, and the busbar assembly <NUM> may be integrally coupled.

The bracket member <NUM> may also be provided with a support plate <NUM> formed as a wide surface facing the first plate <NUM>, and an upper flange portion <NUM> provided on the upper end of the support plate <NUM>. Alternatively, the bracket member <NUM> may be provided with a lower flange portion <NUM> provided on the lower end of the support plate <NUM>.

An opening 161a may be formed in the bracket member <NUM> to correspond to the vent hole <NUM> and/or the terminal connection portion <NUM> provided in the first plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the gas, flame, and/or combustion material discharged through the vent hole <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the battery assembly <NUM> through the opening 161a. Also, the terminal connection portion <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the bracket member <NUM> through the opening 161a. The shape or number of the openings 161a may be variously changed.

Next, the battery pack <NUM> according to an embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. The battery pack <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may include the battery assembly <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. Therefore, to avoid unnecessary duplication, the description of the battery assembly <NUM> is replaced with the contents described with reference to <FIG>, and a part related to the battery pack <NUM> will be mainly described.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the battery pack <NUM> having the battery assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and illustrates a state in which a cover portion (<NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) of the pack housing <NUM> is omitted to check the internal structure.

Referring to <FIG>, the battery pack <NUM> may include the pack housing <NUM> and a plurality of battery assemblies <NUM> accommodated in the pack housing <NUM>.

The pack housing <NUM> may include a side wall portion <NUM>. The side wall portion <NUM> may include first sidewalls 212a positioned on both ends of the pack housing <NUM> in the first direction, and second sidewalls 212b positioned on both ends of the pack housing <NUM> in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first sidewalls 212a and the second sidewalls 212b form four exterior surfaces of the pack housing <NUM>.

A partition member <NUM> may be provided inside the pack housing <NUM>. The partition member <NUM> divides the space of the pack housing <NUM> into a plurality of spaces in which the battery assembly <NUM> is accommodated, respectively.

The battery assembly <NUM> is installed in a space partitioned by the side wall portion <NUM> and the partition member <NUM>, and the sensing unit <NUM> may have a state in which at least a portion is exposed to the outside of the battery assembly <NUM>. The plurality of battery assemblies <NUM> may be electrically connected through an external busbar (not illustrated), and the external busbar may be connected to the terminal connection portion <NUM> of the battery assembly <NUM>. To shorten the connection path of the external busbar, the terminal connection portions <NUM> of the adjacent battery assemblies <NUM> may be disposed on positions corresponding to each other. Accordingly, the weight of the external busbar may be reduced and/or the installation costs may be reduced. As an example, the terminal connection portion <NUM> may be installed on both ends of the battery assembly <NUM> in the long side direction.

In the pack housing <NUM>, a vent member <NUM> may be installed to discharge gas, flame, and/or combustion materials generated from the battery cells <NUM> constituting the cell stack <NUM> to the outside of the battery pack <NUM>. The vent member <NUM> may have a structure that is normally closed and may be opened when gas is discharged. However, the vent member <NUM> may be configured as an open hole formed in the pack housing <NUM>. A gas discharge path BP may be formed inside the pack housing <NUM> such that gas, flame, and/or combustion materials may move toward the vent member <NUM> and be discharged externally. The installation position and number of the vent member <NUM> may be variously changed.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the battery assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is mounted in the pack housing <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and illustrates a state in which the side wall portion <NUM> has been removed in order to check the internal structure. <FIG> is an enlarged perspective view of the battery assembly <NUM> mounted in the pack housing <NUM> in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the battery assembly <NUM> is installed in the space partitioned by the partition member <NUM> in the vertical direction, and may be fixed to a bottom portion <NUM> of the pack housing <NUM> through the bracket member <NUM>. At least a portion of the partition member <NUM> may be provided with a guide member <NUM> having a narrow upper side and a wide lower side to guide the movement of the battery assembly <NUM> in the downward direction.

The bracket member <NUM> may include a support plate <NUM> formed of a wide surface facing the plate unit <NUM>, an upper flange portion <NUM> provided on the upper end of the support plate <NUM>, and a lower flange portion <NUM> provided on the lower end of the support plate <NUM>. An opening 161a corresponding to the vent hole <NUM> and/or the terminal connection portion <NUM> provided in the first plate <NUM> of <FIG> may be formed in the support plate <NUM>. The support plate <NUM> may include a reinforcing portion 161b having a bead structure to supplement rigidity, and the reinforcing portion 161b may have a lattice shape.

The battery assembly <NUM> may be installed on the bottom portion <NUM> of the pack housing <NUM> through the bracket member <NUM>. In an embodiment, a protruding pin 211a protruding upwardly may be formed on the bottom portion <NUM>, and an insertion hole 163a into which the protruding pin 211a is inserted may be formed in the lower flange portion <NUM> of the bracket member <NUM>. Since the protruding pin 211a of the bottom portion <NUM> is inserted into the insertion hole <NUM> of the lower flange portion <NUM>, adjustment of the installation position of the battery assembly <NUM> may be facilitated.

<FIG> is another cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' of <FIG>, and illustrates a state in which the second sidewall 212b has been removed from the portion corresponding to the battery assembly <NUM>, and <FIG> is an enlarged view of part "A" of <FIG>. For convenience of description, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a cross-sectional view of the opening 161a of the bracket member <NUM>, corresponding to the vent hole <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the pack housing <NUM> may include a bottom portion <NUM>, a side wall portion <NUM> extending upwardly from the bottom portion <NUM>, a cover portion <NUM> covering the space formed by the bottom portion <NUM> and the side wall portion <NUM>. A plurality of partition members <NUM> may be installed between the side wall portions <NUM>.

The battery assembly <NUM> may be installed in the pack housing <NUM> through the bracket member <NUM>. In an embodiment, the upper flange portion <NUM> of the bracket member <NUM> may be fastened to a flange extension portion 212c formed on the side wall portion <NUM>. In this case, to improve the fixing strength of the battery assembly <NUM> and to improve the overall assembly characteristics of the battery pack <NUM>, the upper flange portion <NUM> may be fixed together with the side wall portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM>. In a similar manner, the upper flange portion <NUM> of the bracket member <NUM> may be fastened to the partition member <NUM>.

As described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the lower flange portion <NUM> of the bracket member <NUM> is fixed by a protruding pin 211a protruding from the bottom portion <NUM> of the pack housing <NUM>, and the upper flange portion <NUM> is fixed to the side wall portion <NUM>. Therefore, the battery assembly <NUM> may be stably fixed to the pack housing <NUM> through the bracket member <NUM>.

On the other hand, gas, flame, and/or a combustion material discharged from the cell stack <NUM> is discharged outwardly of the cell stack <NUM> through the vent hole <NUM>. In this case, between the pack housing <NUM> and the bracket member <NUM>, a venting space (B) serving as a passage for gas or the like may be formed. In addition, a venting space (B) serving as a path for movement of gas or the like may be formed between the partition member <NUM> and the bracket member <NUM>. Since the gas discharged to the venting space B may be discharged externally through the vent member <NUM> after moving through the gas discharge path BP as illustrated in <FIG>, the rapid propagation of flame/heat may be significantly reduced.

As such, in an embodiment, not only may the battery assembly <NUM> be easily installed in the pack housing <NUM> through the bracket member <NUM>, and but also the venting space (B) may be formed between the bracket member <NUM> and the pack housing <NUM> as a passage for gas and the like. For example, the bracket member <NUM> may not only perform a function of mounting the battery assembly <NUM> in the pack housing <NUM>, but may also simultaneously perform a function of forming a venting space. Accordingly, according to an embodiment, since the configuration for forming the venting space B and the configuration for fixing the battery assembly <NUM> do not need to be separately installed, space utilization may be increased and energy density of the battery pack <NUM> may be improved.

As an example, the bracket member <NUM> may be formed of a material, such as metal, resin, composite, and fiber-reinforced composite, or the like, having heat resistance and fire resistance performance and having stiffness of about <NUM> GPa or more, to secure the rigidity capable of fixing the battery assembly <NUM> to the pack housing <NUM> while forming a venting space. In addition, the bracket member <NUM> may be manufactured through post-processing such as coating, heat treatment, or the like to reinforce heat-resistance and fire-resistance, strength and rigidity.

In the case of this embodiment, since the plate unit <NUM> has a structure that does not completely cover the lower surface of the cell stack (<NUM> in <FIG>), a lower surface of the cell stack <NUM> may contact the bottom portion <NUM> of the pack housing <NUM>. Accordingly, the heat generated in the battery cell (<NUM> in <FIG>) may be transferred to the bottom portion <NUM> of the pack housing <NUM>, and the heat transferred to the bottom portion <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the pack housing <NUM> through a cooling unit (not illustrated) through which coolant flows. In this case, to improve the heat dissipation performance of the battery cell <NUM>, a thermally conductive material such as a thermally conductive adhesive or the like may be interposed between the lower surface of the battery cell <NUM> and the bottom portion <NUM>.

In addition, in the case of the embodiment, since the plurality of battery cells <NUM> constituting the cell stack <NUM> are installed in the pack housing <NUM> through the plate unit <NUM> and the bracket member <NUM>, compared to the related art using a battery module, the space utilization inside the battery pack <NUM> may increase and the energy density of the battery pack <NUM> may be increased.

<FIG> are cross-sectional views illustrating various modifications of the bracket member <NUM> taken along line I-I' of <FIG>.

In this case, <FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the bracket member <NUM> having a support plate <NUM>, an upper flange portion <NUM>, and a lower flange portion <NUM>, and the bracket member <NUM> may have an approximately flattened "U" shape. <FIG> may correspond to the cross section of the bracket member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the bracket member <NUM> having the support plate <NUM> and the upper flange portion <NUM>. The bracket member <NUM> may have a shape similar to that of an approximately "L" shape rotated. In this case, compared to the case including the lower flange portion <NUM>, the bracket member <NUM> may be configured to be relatively lighter.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the bracket member <NUM> having a support plate <NUM> and an upper flange portion <NUM>, and illustrates the upper flange portion <NUM> extending in the direction of the cell stack <NUM> to form an approximately "T" shape, compared to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>. In this case, since a portion of the upper surface of the cell stack <NUM> is supported through the upper flange portion <NUM>, the upper flange portion <NUM> may have a structure that covers at least a portion of the sensing unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the upper flange portion <NUM> may perform a function of protecting the sensing unit <NUM> and preventing the cell stack <NUM> from being separated in the upper direction.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the bracket member <NUM> having a support plate <NUM>, an upper flange portion <NUM>, and a lower flange portion <NUM>. The bracket member <NUM> has a shape similar to a substantially "Z" shape. Compared to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the lower flange portion <NUM> extends in the direction of the cell stack <NUM> to support a portion of the lower surface of the cell stack <NUM>. Accordingly, the cell stack <NUM> may function so as not to be separated in the downward direction, and thus, transport and movement of the battery assembly <NUM> may be facilitated.

As set forth above, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with the configuration as described above, the space utilization of the battery pack may increase and the energy density may be improved.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the effect that the sensing member may be easily installed through a simple configuration and insulation between the sensing member and the battery cell may be secured may be obtained.

Claim 1:
A battery assembly comprising:
a cell stack (<NUM>) in which a plurality of battery cells (<NUM>) are stacked;
a busbar assembly (<NUM>) provided with a busbar (<NUM>) electrically connected to an electrode lead (<NUM>) of the battery cell (<NUM>), and coupled to the cell stack (<NUM>);
a plate unit (<NUM>) configured to cover at least a portion of a side surface of the cell stack (<NUM>);
a sensing unit (<NUM>) coupled to the busbar assembly (<NUM>) and disposed outside of the cell stack (<NUM>); and
a cell monitoring unit (<NUM>) coupled to the sensing unit (<NUM>) through a connector (<NUM>) of the sensing unit (<NUM>),
characterized in that the plate unit (<NUM>) includes a first plate (<NUM>) covering the cell stack (<NUM>) in a longitudinal direction of the battery cells (<NUM>), and a second plate (<NUM>) covering the cell stack (<NUM>) in a stacking direction of the battery cells (<NUM>),
the cell monitoring unit (<NUM>) is installed on the second plate (<NUM>) of the plate unit (<NUM>), and
the cell monitoring unit (<NUM>) is configured to transmit information received from the sensing unit (<NUM>) to a battery management system.