Battery module, battery pack including the battery module, and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery module with enhanced fire or explosion safety, a battery pack including the battery module, and a car. The battery module according to the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose includes: a plurality of battery cells, each of which has electrode terminals formed at one end and the other end thereof, each battery cell having an exhaust unit configured to open when the internal pressure rises to a predetermined pressure or higher to discharge gas to the outside; a unit frame having a housing space for accommodating the plurality of battery cells and having a plurality of exposure holes, the exposure holes being opened so that the gas discharged from the battery cells moves to the outside; a shielding member fixed to the unit frame so as to seal the exposure holes and configured so that when the gas is discharged from the exhaust unit of the battery cell, the area corresponding to the exposure hole is opened by gas pressure; and a protective plate configured to fix the shielding member and having a plurality of communication holes positioned corresponding to the exposure holes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle, and more particularly to a battery module having enhanced fire resistance and explosion stability, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Recently, with the rapid growth in demand for portable electronic products such as laptop computers, camcorders, and mobile phones and the widespread development of electric vehicles, batteries for energy storage, robots, and satellites, much research is being conducted on rechargeable high-performance secondary batteries.

[0003] Currently, secondary batteries available on the market include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among them, lithium secondary batteries have little or no memory effect, so they are more popular than nickel-based secondary batteries because they have the advantages of being able to be recharged whenever it is convenient, having a very low self-discharge rate and a high energy density.

[0004] These lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as positive electrode active materials and negative electrode active materials, respectively. In addition, the lithium secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly, in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively, are provided with a separator interposed therebetween; and an external material, i.e., a battery case, for airtightly accommodating the electrode assembly and the electrolyte.

[0005] In addition, lithium secondary batteries may be divided into can-type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is included in a metal can and pouch-type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is included in a pouch made of an aluminum laminate, according to the shape of an external material.

[0006] In particular, the demand for large-capacity battery modules applied to electric vehicles and the like is increasing recently. The large-capacity battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, so when a fire or explosion occurs in some of the plurality of battery cells, flames and high-temperature gases are discharged to increase the temperature of other adjacent battery cells, which may spread the fire or thermal runaway, resulting in a secondary explosion. Therefore, a method of improving the stability of a battery module against fire or gas explosion is required. Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and thus the present disclosure is directed to providing a battery module having enhanced fire resistance and explosion stability, a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery module.

[0009] These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure can be understood from the following detailed description and will become more apparent from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Moreover, it is easily understood that the objects and advantages of the present disclosure can be achieved by the means shown in the appended claims and their combinations.

[0010] Technical Solution

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery module, the battery module comprising:

[0012] a plurality of battery cells configured to have electrode terminals formed at one end and the other end thereof, respectively, and to have a gas exhaust unit opened to exhaust gas to the outside when internal pressure increases beyond a predetermined level;

[0013] a cell frame configured to have an accommodation space for accommodating the plurality of battery cells and having a plurality of exposure holes which are opened so that gas exhausted from the battery cells moves to the outside;

[0014] a shielding member fixed to the cell frame so as to seal the exposure hole and configured to open a region of the shielding member corresponding to the exposure hole by gas pressure when gas is exhausted from the exhaust unit of the battery cell; and

[0015] A protection plate is configured to fix the shielding member and has a plurality of communication holes positioned corresponding to the exposure holes.

[0016] Furthermore, the shielding member may include a heat-resistant sheet,

[0017] The heat-resistant sheet is disposed in close contact with the outer surface of the unit frame to seal the exposure hole and is configured such that a portion thereof facing the exposure hole is ruptured by the gas pressure to open the exposure hole, and

[0018] The protection plate may be located outside the heat-resistant sheet so that the heat-resistant sheet is fixed to an outer surface of the unit frame.

[0019] In addition, the protection plate may include a rib protruding outward from an outer circumference of the communication hole.

[0020] In addition, the protection plate may further include a perforating pin configured to perforate a portion of the heat-resistant sheet when a portion of the heat-resistant sheet facing the exposure hole expands due to the gas pressure.

[0021] Also, the heat-resistant sheet includes a rupture portion formed to have a relatively smaller sheet thickness than other portions.

[0022] In addition, the shielding member may further include an adhesive sheet,

[0023] The adhesive sheet is attached to the protection plate to seal the communication hole, and the adhesive sheet is configured to be separated from the protection plate by explosion pressure when the battery cell explodes.

[0024] In addition, the shielding member may include a heat-resistant film coated in the exposure hole to seal the exposure hole.

[0025] In addition, the battery module may further include a module housing,

[0026] The module housing has: an internal space configured to accommodate the unit frame; and

[0027] A staying space is formed between an outer wall of the module housing and the unit frame which are spaced apart from each other to temporarily accommodate gas exhausted from the battery cells and is configured to communicate with the communication hole.

[0028] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a battery pack of the present invention includes at least one battery module.

[0029] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle of the present invention includes at least one battery module.

[0030] Beneficial effects

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the present disclosure includes a shielding member configured to seal an exposure hole and open the exposure hole by gas pressure and a protective plate configured to fix the shielding member, the gas generated inside the unit frame can be discharged to the outside through the opened exposure hole and the communication hole. Since the gas discharged to the outside of the unit frame cannot flow into other exposure holes sealed by the shielding member, it is possible to effectively prevent fire or thermal runaway from spreading to other batteries adjacent to the battery that has caught fire or has experienced thermal runaway. Therefore, in the present invention, a safe battery module can be provided.

[0032] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the present disclosure includes a heat-resistant sheet having a rupture portion with a relatively small thickness, it is possible to prevent in advance a situation in which the exposure hole is not opened due to the heat-resistant sheet not being ruptured, although the gas is discharged from some battery cells. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the exposure hole can be reliably opened, thereby preventing the discharged gas from staying inside the unit frame to increase the temperature of other adjacent battery cells and thus propagate thermal runaway. Ultimately, the safety of the battery module can be effectively improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, are used to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not interpreted as being limited to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 2 is a bottom view schematically showing a battery module according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery cell of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 5 is a perspective view schematically showing some components of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 6 is schematically shown along Figure 5 A partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the battery module taken along line CC'.

[0040] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a portion of a battery module according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Fig. 9 is a plan view schematically showing a battery module according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Fig.10 is a plan view schematically showing a battery module according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Fig.11 is a plan view schematically showing a battery module according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as limited to the general and dictionary meanings, but are interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure based on the principle that the inventor is allowed to appropriately define the terms for the best interpretation.

[0046] Therefore, the descriptions presented herein are merely preferred examples for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, and it should be appreciated that other equivalents and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a bottom view schematically showing a battery module according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 Schematically shows an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery cell of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] See also Figures 1 to 4 , the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of battery cells 110 , a cell frame 120 , a shielding member 130 , and a protection plate 140 .

[0049] Here, the battery cell 110 may include an electrode assembly 116 , a battery can 112 , and a cap assembly 113 .

[0050] The electrode assembly 116 may have a structure in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are wound with a separator interposed therebetween. In addition, a positive electrode tab 114 may be attached to the positive electrode plate and connected to the cap assembly 113, and a negative electrode tab 115 may be attached to the negative electrode plate and connected to the lower end of the battery can 112.

[0051] The battery can 112 may have an empty space formed therein to accommodate the electrode assembly 116 therein. Specifically, the battery can 112 may be configured in a cylindrical shape with an open top. In addition, the battery can 112 may be made of a metal material such as steel or aluminum to ensure rigidity. In addition, a negative electrode tab may be attached to the lower end of the battery can 112 so that not only the lower portion of the battery can 112 but also the battery can 112 itself may be used as the negative terminal 111.

[0052] In addition, the battery cell 110 may have electrode terminals 111 located at one end and the other end thereof, respectively. A plurality of battery cells 110 may be electrically connected by a bus bar (not shown) having a metal material. The bus bar may be in the form of a wire or a metal plate. A plurality of battery cells 110 may be electrically connected in series, in parallel, or in series and in parallel by the bus bar. For example, although not shown, the bus bar may be accommodated in a groove portion of the unit frame 120 so as not to protrude outside the unit frame 120.

[0053] The cap assembly 113 may be coupled to the top opening of the battery can 112 to seal the open end of the battery can 112. The cap assembly 113 may have a circular or rectangular shape according to the shape of the battery can 112, and may include subcomponents such as a top cover C1, a vent unit C2, and a gasket C3.

[0054] Here, the top cover C1 may be located at the uppermost portion of the cap assembly 113 and configured to protrude upward. In particular, the top cover C1 may be used as the positive terminal 111 in the battery cell 110. Therefore, the top cover C1 may be electrically connected to another battery cell 110 or a charging device through an external device (e.g., a bus bar). The top cover C1 may be formed of, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum.

[0055] In addition, the exhaust unit C2 may be configured such that when the internal pressure of the battery cell 110 (i.e., the internal pressure of the battery can 112) increases beyond a predetermined level, the shape of the exhaust unit C2 is deformed (ruptured) so that the gas in the battery can 112 can be discharged to the outside through the opening D of the top cover C1. Here, the predetermined level of the internal pressure may be 5 to 10 atmospheres.

[0056] In addition, the gasket C3 may be made of a material having electrical insulation so that the edge portions of the top cover C1 and the exhaust unit C2 may be insulated from the battery can 112 .

[0057] Meanwhile, the cap assembly 113 may further include a current interruption device C4. The current interruption device C4 is also referred to as a CID. When the internal pressure of the battery increases due to gas generation, so that the shape of the exhaust unit C2 is reversed, the contact between the exhaust unit C2 and the current interruption device C4 may be cut off, or the current interruption device C4 may be damaged, thereby blocking the electrical connection between the exhaust unit C2 and the electrode assembly 116.

[0058] At the time of filing this application, the construction of the battery cell 110 is well known to those skilled in the art and thus will not be described in detail herein. Figure 3 An example of the battery cell 110 is shown in FIG. 1 , but the battery module 100 according to the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration of the battery cell 110 having a specific shape. That is, various types of battery cells 110 known at the time of filing this application can be used in the battery module 100 according to the present disclosure.

[0059] In addition, the unit frame 120 may have an accommodation space for accommodating a plurality of battery cells 110 therein. The unit frame 120 may have a plurality of hollow portions H having a size corresponding to the battery cells 110 to accommodate the battery cells 110. For example, Figure 3 As shown, the unit frame 120 may include a first frame 121 and a second frame 122. A plurality of hollow portions H may be formed in each of the first frame 121 and the second frame 122. The plurality of hollow portions H may have a shape extending from the top to the bottom of the unit frame 120 in a vertical direction. That is, the unit frame 120 may have a plurality of exposure holes P1. The exposure holes P1 may be opened so that the gas exhausted from the battery cell 110 moves to the outside. For example, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a plurality of exposure holes P1 may be formed in each of the upper and lower portions of the unit frame 120. The exposure holes P1 may be formed at positions corresponding to the exhaust cells C2 of the battery cells 110. For example, Figure 4 In the battery cell 110, since the exhaust unit C2 is located at the top end of the battery cell 110, the exposure hole P1 may be provided at the top end of the battery cell 110. More specifically, the exposure hole P1 may be provided at a position adjacent to the opening D of the top cover C1 through which the gas exhausted from the exhaust unit C2 is exhausted to the outside of the battery can 112.

[0060] Preferably, the exposure hole P1 may be formed to a size capable of completely covering the opening D of the battery can 112. Figure 4 As an example, the top cover C1 of the battery can 112 may have a circular opening D. In this case, the diameter of the exposure hole P1 may be configured to be greater than or equal to the diameter of the circular opening D.

[0061] The shielding member 130 may be fixed to the unit frame 120 to seal the exposure hole P1. In this case, for example, for fixing, an adhesive may be used so that the shielding member 130 is attached to the outer surface of the unit frame 120. The shielding member 130 may be configured so that when gas is discharged from the exhaust unit C2 of the battery cell 110 to the exposure hole P1, an area corresponding to the exposure hole P1 in the entire area of ​​the shielding member 130 is ruptured and opened by gas pressure. In other words, the shielding member 130 seals the exposure hole P1 at ordinary times, but when a gas explosion occurs in some of the plurality of battery cells 110, the shielding member 130 may be configured so that its area corresponding to the exposure hole P1 facing some of the battery cells 110 is converted from a sealed state to an open state by gas explosion pressure.

[0062] In addition, the protection plate 140 may be configured to fix the shielding member 130. For example, the protection plate 140 may be positioned in close contact with the outer surface of the shielding member 130 so that the shielding member 130 is fixed to the unit frame 120. That is, the shielding member 130 may be interposed between the protection plate 140 and the unit frame 120. For example, after applying an adhesive to the outer surface of the shielding member 130 attached to the outer surface of the unit frame 120, the protection plate 140 may be bonded to the outer surface of the shielding member 130.

[0063] In addition, the protective plate 140 may have a plate shape extending in the horizontal direction. The protective plate 140 may include a plurality of communication holes P2 positioned corresponding to the exposure hole P1. Therefore, in the end, the exhaust unit C2 of the battery cell 110, the opening D of the top cover C1, the exposure hole P1, and the communication hole P2 may all be located on the same line. Therefore, the discharge path of the gas is minimized, and thus the gas can be smoothly discharged to the outside of the battery cell 110. According to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the present disclosure includes a shielding member 130 configured to seal the exposure hole P1 and ruptured in the area corresponding to the exposure hole P1 by gas pressure and a protective plate 140 configured to fix the shielding member 130, the gas generated in the unit frame 120 can be discharged to the outside through the open exposure hole P1 and the communication hole P2 connected to the exposure hole P1. Since the gas discharged to the outside of the unit frame 120 cannot flow into the other exposure holes P1 sealed by the shielding member 130, it is possible to effectively prevent fire or thermal runaway from spreading to other battery cells 110 adjacent to the battery cell 110 where fire or thermal runaway occurs. Therefore, in the present disclosure, a safe battery module 100 can be provided.

[0064] More specifically, the shielding member 130 may include a heat-resistant sheet 131 having a heat-resistant material. For example, the heat-resistant material may be polycarbonate. The heat-resistant sheet 131 may be in close contact with the outer surface of the unit frame 120 to seal the exposure hole P1. The heat-resistant sheet 131 may have a predetermined thickness so that when the battery cell 110 explodes, its portion facing the exposure hole P1 is ruptured due to the pressure of the gas discharged during the explosion. For example, the thickness of the heat-resistant sheet 131 may be 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm. When a portion of the heat-resistant sheet 131 is ruptured, the gas may be discharged to the outside of the unit frame 120 through the exposure hole P1.

[0065] In addition, the protection plate 140 may have an electrically insulating plastic material. For example, the protection plate 140 may include polyvinyl chloride. The protection plate 140 may be located outside the heat-resistant sheet 131 so that the heat-resistant sheet 131 is fixed to the outer surface of the unit frame 120. For example, Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the battery module 100 of the present disclosure may include a shielding member 130 and a protective plate 140 at the upper and lower parts of the unit frame 120, respectively. At this time, the protective plate 140 may be fixed to the outer surface of the heat-resistant sheet 131 so that the rest of the heat-resistant sheet 131 is in close contact with the outer surface of the unit frame 120 except for the portion of the heat-resistant sheet 131 facing the exposure hole P1.

[0066] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the present disclosure includes a heat-resistant sheet 131 and a protective plate 140 for fixing the heat-resistant sheet 131, the area of ​​the heat-resistant sheet 131 corresponding to the exposure hole P1 can be opened by the gas discharged from some battery cells 110 to effectively discharge the gas to the outside of the unit frame 120, and the battery cells 110 are not easily damaged by flames. Thereby, other battery cells 110 that have not undergone thermal runaway or caught fire are safely protected. That is, in the present disclosure, except for the battery cell 110 that has exploded, the sealing state of the exposure hole P1 of the unit frame 120 facing the remaining battery cells 110 can be continuously maintained, thereby effectively preventing the spread of secondary explosions, fire or thermal runaway.

[0067] Figure 5 is a perspective view schematically showing some components of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, Figure 6 is schematically shown along Figure 5 A partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the battery module taken along line CC'.

[0068] See also Figure 5 and Figure 6 as well as Figure 3 The battery module 100 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a module housing 150. The module housing 150 may have an inner space configured to accommodate the unit frame 120 therein. That is, the module housing 150 may include an outer wall 150a of a rectangular box shape having an empty interior.

[0069] In addition, the module housing 150 may have a stay space S spaced apart from each other formed between an outer wall 150 a thereof and the unit frame 120 . The stay space S may communicate with the communication hole P2 . The stay space S may be configured to temporarily accommodate gas exhausted from the battery cell 110 .

[0070] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is configured so that the high-temperature gas discharged by the explosion of the battery cell 110 temporarily stays in the stay space S, and the gas can be prevented from flowing again into the unit frame 120 through the other exposure holes P1 by means of the heat-resistant sheet 131 inserted between the unit frame 120 and the protection plate 140. Therefore, the discharged gas is not discharged to the outside of the module housing 150, thereby preventing damage to a person or other devices located near the battery module 100.

[0071] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] See also Figure 7 as well as Figure 5 The battery module according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is Figure 6 The battery module 100 of the second embodiment is different in that the protection plate 140A further includes ribs 141. Figure 7 The other components of the battery module of the third embodiment are Figure 1 The components of the battery module 100 of the first embodiment are the same and thus will not be described again.

[0073] The protection plate 140A of the battery module 100 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure may include a rib 141 protruding from the outer periphery of the communication hole P2 in an outward direction (toward the outer wall 150a of the module housing 150). The rib 141 may have a tubular shape communicating with the communication hole P2. Figure 7 As shown, the protection plate 140A fixed to the heat-resistant sheet 131 may include a rib 141 protruding upward from the outer circumference of the communication hole P2.

[0074] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the present disclosure further includes the ribs 141 on the protection plate 140A, it is possible to prevent the gas exhausted from some of the plurality of battery cells 110 from directly flowing into the unit frame 120 through another communication hole P2 directly adjacent thereto. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the remaining battery cells 110 that do not experience thermal runaway or catch fire can be safely protected.

[0075] Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a portion of a battery module according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0076] See also Figure 8 as well as Figure 5 The battery module according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is Figure 6The battery module 100 of the second embodiment is different in that a punch pin 142 is further provided to the protection plate 140B, and other components may be the same.

[0077] The piercing needle 142 may be disposed in the communicating hole P2 of the protective plate 140B. The piercing needle 142 may include an extension portion 142a extending from the inner surface of the communicating hole P2 to the center position of the communicating hole P2, and a needle portion 142b disposed at the end of the extension portion 142a. When the portion of the heat-resistant sheet 131 facing the exposure hole expands outward (toward the piercing needle) due to gas pressure, the piercing needle 142 may be configured to contact a portion of the heat-resistant sheet 131 to pierce a portion of the heat-resistant sheet 131. The needle portion 142b may have a shape that protrudes sharply from the end of the extension portion 142a toward the heat-resistant sheet 131.

[0078] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the present disclosure includes a piercing needle 142 configured to pierce a portion of the heat-resistant sheet 131, the following situation can be prevented in advance: even if gas is discharged from some battery cells 110, the exposure hole P1 will not open because the heat-resistant sheet 131 will not break. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the exposure hole P1 can be reliably opened, thereby preventing the discharged gas from staying inside the unit frame 120 and increasing the temperature of other adjacent battery cells 110 and thus propagating thermal runaway. Ultimately, the safety of the battery module 100 can be effectively improved.

[0079] Fig. 9 is a plan view schematically showing a battery module according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] See also Fig. 9 as well as Figure 3 The battery module according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure is different from the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment in that the heat-resistant sheet 131 of the shielding member 130C further includes a rupture portion 131a. Other components are the same as those of the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment, and thus will not be described again.

[0081] The heat-resistant sheet 131 of the battery module 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure may include a rupture portion 131a configured to have a smaller thickness than the rest of the sheet. For example, the rupture portion 131a may have a linear shape. Fig. 9 As shown, the rupture part 131a may have a cross shape in a plan view. The rupture part 131a may be formed in a portion of the heat-resistant sheet 131 facing the exposure hole P1.

[0082] Therefore, according to such a configuration of the present disclosure, since the present disclosure includes the heat-resistant sheet 131 having the rupture portion 131a with a relatively small thickness, it is possible to prevent in advance the situation that even if gas is discharged from some battery cells 110, the exposure hole P1 is not opened because the heat-resistant sheet 131 is not ruptured. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the exposure hole P1 can be reliably opened, thereby preventing the discharged gas from staying inside the unit frame 120 and increasing the temperature of other adjacent battery cells 110 and thus propagating thermal runaway. Ultimately, the safety of the battery module 100 can be effectively improved.

[0083] Fig.10 is a plan view schematically showing a battery module according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] Reference Fig.10 as well as Figure 3 , the battery module according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure is different from the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment in that the shielding member 130D may further include an adhesive sheet 132. The adhesive sheet 132 may be provided on the outside of the heat-resistant sheet 131. That is, the adhesive sheet 132 may be located between the heat-resistant sheet 131 and the protective plate 140 and / or between the heat-resistant sheet 131 and the unit frame 120. The other components are the same as those of the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment, and thus will not be described again.

[0085] The adhesive sheet 132 may be attached to the protective plate 140 to seal the communication hole P2. The adhesive sheet 132 may be attached to the outer circumference of the communication hole P2 by an adhesive applied to the adhesive sheet 132. That is, the adhesive sheet 132 may be positioned to cover the communication hole P2.

[0086] In addition, the adhesive sheet 132 may be configured to be separated from the protective plate 140 by explosion pressure when the battery cell 110 explodes. That is, the adhesive sheet 132 may be pushed out and separated from the protective plate 140 by the pressure of the gas introduced into the exposure hole P1.

[0087] Therefore, according to such a configuration in the present disclosure, since the present disclosure includes the adhesive sheet 132, the adhesive sheet 132 can seal the communication hole P2 at ordinary times, and when it is necessary to discharge gas due to explosion of some of the plurality of battery cells 110, the adhesive sheet 132 can open the communication hole P2. Therefore, in the present disclosure, even if gas explosion occurs in some of the battery cells 110, the heat-resistant sheet 131 for sealing the exposure hole P1 and the adhesive sheet 132 for sealing the communication hole P2 perform double sealing, thereby reliably preventing gas from flowing into other adjacent battery cells 110. Ultimately, the safety of the battery module 100 can be improved.

[0088] Fig.11 is a plan view schematically showing a battery module according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0089] Reference Fig.11 as well as Figure 3 , the battery module according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure is different from the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment in that the shielding member 130E may have a different configuration. That is, the shielding member 130E of the battery module according to the seventh embodiment may include a heat-resistant film 133 instead of the heat-resistant sheet 131. However, since the other components are the same as those of the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment, they will not be described again.

[0090] The heat-resistant film 133 may be coated in the exposure hole P1 to seal the exposure hole P1. That is, the heat-resistant film 133 may be formed by filling the inside of the exposure hole P1 with a resin having heat resistance and then curing the resin. The heat-resistant film 133 may include, for example, polycarbonate. For example, Fig.11 As shown, the heat-resistant film 133 may be disposed in each of the plurality of exposure holes P1 . In some cases, the heat-resistant film 133 may be partially inserted and fixed between the outer wall of the unit frame 120 and the protection plate 140 .

[0091] Therefore, according to such a configuration of the present disclosure, since the present disclosure includes the heat-resistant film 133 , when compared with the heat-resistant sheet 131 of the battery module 100 of the first embodiment, the amount of the shielding member 130E may be minimized, thereby reducing material cost.

[0092] Meanwhile, the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one battery module 100 and a BMS electrically connected to the battery module 100. The BMS may include various types of circuits or devices to control charge / discharge of a plurality of battery cells.

[0093] Meanwhile, a vehicle (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one battery module 100 and a vehicle body having an accommodation space for accommodating the battery module 100. For example, the vehicle may be an electric vehicle, an electric scooter, an electric wheelchair, or an electric bicycle.

[0094] Meanwhile, the terms used herein to indicate directions, such as up, down, left, right, front and back, are merely for the convenience of description, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the terms may change according to the position of the element or the observer.

[0095] The present invention has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are indicated, the detailed description and specific examples are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0096] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0097562 filed in Korea on August 4, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: a plurality of battery cells configured to have electrode terminals formed at one end and the other end thereof, respectively, and to have a gas exhaust unit opened to exhaust gas to the outside when internal pressure increases beyond a predetermined level; a cell frame configured to have an accommodation space for accommodating the plurality of battery cells and having a plurality of exposure holes which are opened so that gas exhausted from the battery cells moves to the outside; a shielding member fixed to the cell frame so as to seal the exposure hole and configured to open a region of the shielding member corresponding to the exposure hole by gas pressure when gas is exhausted from the exhaust unit of the battery cell; as well as a protection plate positioned in close contact with an outer surface of the shielding member, the protection plate being configured to fix the shielding member and having a plurality of communication holes positioned corresponding to the exposure holes; wherein the shielding member includes a heat-resistant sheet and an adhesive sheet, the heat-resistant sheet is arranged to be in close contact with the outer surface of the cell frame to seal the exposure hole and is configured so that a portion thereof facing the exposure hole is ruptured by the gas pressure so as to open the exposure hole, and the adhesive sheet is attached to the protection plate to seal the communication hole, and the adhesive sheet is configured to be separated from the protection plate by explosion pressure when the battery cell explodes, and The protection plate is located outside the heat-resistant sheet so that the heat-resistant sheet is fixed to the outer surface of the unit frame.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The protection plate includes a rib protruding outward from an outer circumference of the communication hole.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The protection plate further includes a perforating pin configured to perforate a portion of the heat-resistant sheet when a portion of the heat-resistant sheet facing the exposure hole expands due to the gas pressure.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The heat-resistant sheet includes a rupture portion formed to have a relatively smaller sheet thickness than other portions.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The shielding member includes a heat-resistant film coated in the exposure hole to seal the exposure hole.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising: a module housing having: an internal space configured to accommodate the unit frame; and a staying space formed between an outer wall of the module housing and the unit frame which are spaced apart from each other to temporarily accommodate gas exhausted from the battery cells and configured to communicate with the communication hole. 7 . A battery pack comprising at least one battery module according to claim 1 .

8. A vehicle comprising at least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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