Battery module including a pressure control unit

A battery module, comprising:

• unit battery cells, each of the unit battery cells including:
• a case having an opening,
• an electrode assembly inside the case, and
• a cap plate in the opening;
• a first end plate and a second end plate, the first end plate and the second end plate being coupled together in a spaced relationship for receiving the unit battery cells therebetween;
• and
• a first pressure control unit between the unit battery cells and the first end plate, the first pressure control unit including:
• a control screw, the control screw being configured to move in a first direction, and
• an elastic plate, wherein a region of the elastic plate is configured to move away from the first end plate in a second direction as a result of the control screw moving in the first direction, and the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.