Battery module with improved cooling performance and battery pack including the same

A battery module comprising:

• a heat sink having a predetermined area, the heat sink being horizontally located;
• a support plate comprising an upper support plate and a lower support plate located respectively at an upper surface and a lower surface of the heat sink;
• a battery cell comprising a first battery cell disposed in contact with the upper support plate and a second battery cell disposed in contact with the lower support plate;
• and
• a cover plate comprising an upper cover plate located above the first battery cell and a lower cover plate located under the second battery cell,
• wherein the heat sink is provided on the upper surface thereof with a protuberance protruding by a predetermined height, and
• wherein the upper support plate is provided with a first opening configured to receive the protuberance.