Battery module and battery pack including same

A battery module, which includes at least one battery cell and a module case for packaging the at least one battery cell,

• wherein the module case includes:
• a top cover configured to cover an upper side of the at least one battery cell, the top cover having opposing side surfaces, wherein a plurality of side-facing fitting ribs is formed at each of the opposing side surfaces of the top cover;
• and
• a side plate configured to cover all of the opposing side surfaces of the top cover, all of the plurality of side-facing fitting ribs formed at each of the opposing side surfaces of the top cover, and opposing side surfaces of the at least one battery cell, and configured to be coupled to the top cover by fitting,
• wherein the plurality of side-facing fitting ribs formed at each of the opposing side surfaces of the top cover is configured to be fitted with the side plate when the top cover is coupled to the side plate,
• wherein on each of the opposing side surfaces of the top cover, adjacent fitting ribs of the plurality of fitting ribs are disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance to form a predetermined gap between the adjacent fitting ribs,
• wherein the predetermined gap is exposed to an outside of the module case from a viewpoint extending from the top cover toward the side plate when the top cover is coupled to the side plate with the plurality of side-facing fitting ribs fitted with and covered by the side plate so that the plurality of fitting ribs and the predetermined gap are visible for observation.