Battery module and battery pack containing it

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly to a battery module and a battery pack including the same that can contain a flame inside the module case and uniformly discharge a gas to the outside of the module case when a flame and gas are generated inside the case of the battery module. The battery module according to the present invention includes a battery cell, a module case housing a plurality of battery cells, and a module gas discharge section that delays the discharge of flames and gases generated inside the module case and discharges the gases to the outside. The module gas discharge section is equipped with check valves installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case, thereby containing the flames inside the module case and uniformly discharging the gases inside the module case to the outside, thereby preventing the fire from spreading to the surrounding area.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0006]

[0001] This application claims priority benefit based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0105930 filed on August 11, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module capable of confining a flame inside a case of the battery module and uniformly discharging gas to the outside of the module case when a flame and gas are generated inside the case of the battery module, and a battery pack including the same.

Background Art

[0003] A rechargeable battery is a battery capable of being charged and discharged, unlike a non-rechargeable primary battery. A low-capacity rechargeable battery is used in small portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, notebook computers, and camcorders, and a high-capacity battery is widely used as a power source for motor driving such as in hybrid vehicles.

[0004] A rechargeable battery can be used in the form of a battery cell. A battery cell has a form in which a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode are sequentially stacked inside an exterior material, and the internal space of the exterior material is filled with an electrolyte. A plurality of battery cells can be electrically connected to form a battery module, and a plurality of battery modules can be electrically connected to form a battery pack.

[0005] As such, a battery pack including a large number of battery modules therein is vulnerable to a thermal chain reaction between the battery modules. For example, when a fire occurs inside any one of the battery modules, the fire may be propagated to the surrounding battery modules. Such propagation of the fire may lead to a thermal runaway phenomenon in which the battery modules in the battery pack explode.

[0006] Conventionally, various attempts have been made to delay such thermal runaway phenomena. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional battery module, showing that venting units are connected to both sides of the battery module in order to delay the thermal runaway phenomenon.

[0007] Specifically, a conventional battery module 10 may include a module case with venting holes 11 formed therein to expel flames (heat) to the outside in the event of a fire inside the module. A venting unit 12 is attached to the module case through which the flames expelled from the venting holes 11 pass, and a protruding path portion 13 can be formed on the venting unit 12. Here, since the flames inside the module case are expelled to the outside through the protruding path portion 13 formed on the venting unit 12, the transmission of flames to surrounding battery modules 10 can be delayed.

[0008] However, since the venting units 12 are attached to one side and the other side of the battery module 10, the flames discharged through the venting units 12 can be immediately transmitted to other battery modules 10 located on both sides of the battery module 10. In this case, although the discharge of flames from the battery module 10 is delayed, there is a problem that the discharged flames are immediately sprayed onto the surrounding battery modules 10. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a battery module and a battery pack including the same that can contain a flame inside the module case and uniformly discharge a gas to the outside of the module case when a flame and gas are generated inside the module case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell, a module case housing a plurality of the battery cells, and a module gas discharge section that delays the discharge of flames and gases generated inside the module case and discharges the gases to the outside, wherein the module gas discharge section includes check valves installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case.

[0011] A gas outlet for discharging gas to the check valve may be formed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case.

[0012] An installation groove for the check valve can be formed in each of the corners of the upper surface of the module case.

[0013] The check valve can be attached to each of the corners on the upper surface of the module case.

[0014] An adhesive layer can be formed between the installation groove and the check valve.

[0015] The check valve can be screwed into the mounting groove.

[0016] A clamping member for clamping a check valve installed in the installation groove can be installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case.

[0017] The check valve may include a lower unit having an opening (hereinafter referred to as a first opening), an upper unit having an opening (hereinafter referred to as a second opening) and provided above the lower unit, an intermediate member between the lower unit and the upper unit that surrounds a part of the lower unit and the upper unit, and a gas discharge member provided between the first opening and the second opening that opens the first opening only when the pressure of the internal gas in the module case is greater than a certain pressure.

[0018] The gas discharge member includes a spherical ball unit provided above the first opening and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first opening, and a spring whose upper end is coupled to the lower end of the upper unit, wherein the ball unit is coupled to the lower end of the spring and can move upward only when the internal gas pressure of the module case is greater than a certain pressure.

[0019] The diameter of the spring can decrease from the top to the bottom.

[0020] The lower unit and upper unit may be made of metal.

[0021] The lower and upper units may be made of stainless steel (SUS) or aluminum.

[0022] On the other hand, a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery module and a pack housing that houses a plurality of the battery modules.

[0023] The battery pack may further include a pack gas discharge section that delays the discharge of flames and gases generated inside the pack housing and discharges the gases to the outside.

[0024] The pack gas discharge section may include a check valve installed on at least one of the sides of the pack housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] The battery module according to the present invention includes a battery cell, a module case that houses a plurality of battery cells, and a module gas discharge unit that delays the discharge of flames and discharges gas to the outside among the flames and gas generated inside the module case. The module gas discharge unit includes check valves installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case. Thereby, there is an advantageous effect that it is possible to prevent a fire from spreading to the surroundings by confining the flames in the module case and uniformly discharging the gas inside the module case to the outside.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a conventional battery module and a venting unit for delaying the discharge of flames in the battery module. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing the battery module according to the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view in the Z-Z' direction of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 3. [Figure 5a] It is a cross-sectional view showing a shape in which an adhesive layer is formed between the installation groove portion and the check valve in the battery module according to the present invention. [Figure 5b] It is a cross-sectional view showing a shape in which a clamp member clamps a check valve in the battery module according to the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing a check valve attached to the battery module according to the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view showing a check valve attached to the battery module according to the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a view showing a shape in which gas is discharged through a check valve in the battery module according to the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a view showing a battery pack according to the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a view showing a shape in which gas is discharged through a check valve in the battery pack according to the present invention. [Figure 11]This is an enlarged view of section B in Figure 10. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] The present invention will be described in detail below, based on the attached drawings, so that it can be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. However, the present invention can be realized in various different forms and is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0028] To clearly illustrate the present invention, detailed descriptions of relevant prior art that are not relevant to the description or that may obscure the gist of the invention have been omitted. In this specification, when assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, the same or similar reference numerals are used throughout the specification for components that are the same or similar.

[0029] Furthermore, terms and words used in this specification and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but rather should be interpreted in a manner and concept consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that inventors may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their invention.

[0030] The battery module and battery pack including the same according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0031] Battery module Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2 in the Z-Z' direction, and Figure 4 is an enlarged view of portion A in Figure 3.

[0032] Figure 5a is a cross-sectional view showing the shape in which an adhesive layer is formed between the installation groove and the check valve in the battery module according to the present invention, and Figure 5b is a cross-sectional view showing the shape in which the clamp member clamps the check valve in the battery module according to the present invention.

[0033] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a check valve attached to a battery module according to the present invention, Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a check valve attached to a battery module according to the present invention, and Figure 8 is a diagram showing the shape in which gas is discharged through the check valve in the battery module according to the present invention.

[0034] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the battery module 10 according to the present invention includes a battery cell, a module case 100 that houses a plurality of battery cells, and a module gas discharge section that delays the discharge of flames and gases generated inside the module case 100 and discharges the gases to the outside. The module gas discharge section includes check valves 200 installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case 100.

[0035] A battery cell is a device in which a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator are impregnated with an electrolyte and housed inside a case such as a pouch. It can have a variety of structures. For example, a battery cell can have a stacked cell structure in which unit cells are stacked in one direction, or a jelly-roll structure in which a laminate of alternatingly stacked positive electrodes, negative electrodes, and separators is wound up.

[0036] When multiple battery cells are electrically connected, they constitute a battery module 10, and the battery module 10 may include a module case 100 that houses the battery cells. The module case 100 can have a variety of structures and shapes, and as shown in Figure 3, it can have a rectangular parallelepiped case structure that has a cell loading section 130 for loading battery cells inside.

[0037] On the other hand, during the charging or discharging process of the battery cells in the battery module 10, flames (heat) and gases may be generated inside the module case 100 due to the chemical reaction of the battery cells. Module case 100 When it accumulates inside, Module case 100 There is a possibility that it will explode, and this is Module case 100The flames inside could spread to the surrounding area, potentially leading to a fire in the surrounding battery modules 10. To prevent this, Module case 100 A module gas discharge section can be formed to discharge internal gas to the outside.

[0038] especially, Module case 100 If the internal flames are discharged to the outside, the discharged flames will spread to the surrounding battery modules 10, thus promoting fires in the surrounding battery modules 10. Module case 100 It is important to delay the discharge of the internal flame as much as possible. Therefore, the module gas discharge section needs to discharge the internal gas of the module case 100 to the outside, while also suppressing the discharge of the internal flame of the module case 100 to the outside.

[0039] The module gas discharge section may include check valves 200 installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case 100. The check valves 200 are valves that can discharge fluid in one direction and can discharge high-pressure gas inside the module case 100 to the outside. Specifically, since the check valves 200 discharge only high-pressure fluid to the outside, the gas inside the module case 100 passes through the check valves 200 under high pressure, but the flames inside the module case 100 pass through the check valves 200 to a very limited extent.

[0040] Therefore, the battery module 10 according to the present invention includes check valves 200 installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case 100, thereby enabling the discharge of high-pressure gas from inside the module case 100 to the outside of the battery module 10 and the containment of flames inside the module case 100. Furthermore, since the check valves 200 are installed at all corners of the upper surface of the module case 100, high-pressure gas generated in the entire area inside the module case 100 can be discharged to the outside, and by eliminating pressure deviations inside the module case 100, the generation of heat flow from one side to the other inside the module case 100 can be suppressed.

[0041] Furthermore, if a long time has passed since a fire broke out in the battery module 10, the flames trapped inside the battery module 10 may be discharged to the outside through the check valve 200. However, even in this case, since the check valve 200 is formed on the upper surface of the module case 100, the flames can be discharged upwards from the battery module 10. Because the battery modules 10 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction inside the battery pack, the flames discharged upwards from the battery module 10 are not directly transmitted to the surrounding battery modules 10, thus minimizing the propagation of the fire to the surrounding battery modules 10.

[0042] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4, gas outlets 110 for discharging gas to the check valve 200 can be formed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case 100. The gas outlets 110 can be formed at positions corresponding to the opening formed on the upper side of the cell loading section 130. In this case, the gas and flame generated by the chemical reaction of the battery cells can flow into the lower part of the check valve 200 through the opening formed on the upper side of the cell loading section 130 and the gas outlets 110.

[0043] An installation groove 120 can be formed in each corner of the upper surface of the module case 100, in which a check valve 200 is installed. In this case, the lower region of the check valve 200 is fitted into the installation groove 120, so the check valve 200 can be firmly coupled to the module case 100. When high-pressure gas is discharged to the outside of the battery module 10, the high-pressure gas should pass through the check valve 200, so instantaneous pressure can be transmitted to the check valve 200 in the direction through which the high-pressure gas passes (upward direction). Since the check valve 200 is fitted into the installation groove 120 and firmly fixed to the upper surface of the module case 100, it is possible to prevent the check valve 200 from becoming detached even when it is subjected to upward pressure by the high-pressure gas.

[0044] Furthermore, the check valve 200 can be attached to each corner of the upper surface of the module case 100. In this case, since the check valve 200 is attached to the upper surface of the module case 100, it is possible to prevent the check valve 200 from detaching even when it is subjected to upward pressure by high-pressure gas.

[0045] Furthermore, the check valve 200 can be attached to the installation groove 120. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5a, an adhesive layer 140 can be formed between the upper surface of the installation groove 120 and the check valve 200 to improve the bonding force between the installation groove 120 and the check valve 200. In this case, since the check valve 200 is fitted into the installation groove 120 and attached to the adhesive layer 140 formed on the upper surface of the installation groove 120, it is possible to prevent the check valve 200 from detaching even when it is subjected to upward pressure by high-pressure gas.

[0046] Furthermore, the check valve 200 can be screwed into the installation groove 120. Specifically, threads are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lower region of the check valve 200 and the inner circumferential surface of the installation groove 120, allowing the check valve 200 to be screwed into the installation groove 120. In this case, since the check valve 200 is firmly coupled to the installation groove 120, it is possible to prevent the check valve 200 from becoming detached even when it is subjected to upward pressure by high-pressure gas.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5b, clamping members 150 can be installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case 100 to clamp the check valve 200 installed in the installation groove 120. The clamping members 150 rotate due to the rotation of a motor installed at the upper end of the installation groove 120, and can clamp the upper end of the check valve 200 fitted into the installation groove 120. In this case, since the check valve 200 is clamped by the clamping members 150 while firmly coupled to the installation groove 120, it is possible to prevent the check valve 200 from becoming detached even when it is subjected to upward pressure by high-pressure gas.

[0048] On the other hand, the check valve 200, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, may include a lower unit 210 having a first opening 211, an upper unit 220 having a second opening 221 and provided above the lower unit 210, an intermediate member 230 between the lower unit 210 and the upper unit 220 that surrounds a portion of the lower unit 210 and the upper unit 220, and a gas discharge member 240 provided between the first opening 211 and the second opening 221 that opens the first opening 211 only when the pressure of the internal gas of the module case 100 is greater than a certain pressure.

[0049] The lower unit 210 may include a lower body 212 that has a stepped shape and whose cross-sectional area decreases towards the top. The lower body 212 has a first opening 211 through which gas discharged from the inside of the module case 100 passes, and a gas discharge member 240 may be formed above the first opening 211. The gas discharge member 240 normally blocks the upper end surface of the first opening 211, but if the gas passing through the first opening 211 is above a certain pressure, the gas discharge member 240 can move upward. When the gas discharge member 240 moves upward, the first opening 211 is opened, and the gas can pass through the opened first opening 211.

[0050] The gas discharge member 240 may include a spherical ball unit 241 provided above the first opening 211 and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first opening 211, and a spring 242 whose upper end is connected to the lower end of the upper unit 220. In this case, the ball unit 241 provided above the first opening 211 can be connected to the lower end of the spring 242 in various ways. For example, the ball unit 241 may have a groove formed therein into which the lower end of the spring 242 is fitted, allowing the ball unit 241 and the spring 242 to be fitted together. Alternatively, the ball unit 241 may be attached to the lower end of the spring 242 with an adhesive or the like.

[0051] The upper end of the spring 242 is connected to the lower end of the upper body 222, but the spring 242 and the upper body 222 can be connected in various ways. For example, the upper end of the spring 242 can be fitted onto the lower end of the upper body 222, or the upper end of the spring 242 can be attached to the outer surface of the lower end of the upper body 222 with an adhesive or the like.

[0052] The diameter D1 of the ball unit 241 can be made larger than the diameter D2 of the first opening 211, and the diameter D1 of the ball unit 241 can be made larger than the diameter D3 of the second opening 221. In this case, it is possible to prevent the ball unit 241, which is provided between the first opening 211 and the second opening 221, from detaching to the lower part of the first opening 211 or the upper part of the second opening 221.

[0053] Furthermore, the distance between the upper end of the lower body 212 and the lower end of the upper body 222 can be smaller than the diameter of the ball unit 241. That is, the diameter of the ball unit 241 provided in the region between the first opening 211 and the second opening 221 is greater than the height of the empty space formed between the upper end of the lower body 212 and the lower end of the upper body 222, so that even if the ball unit 241 is separated from the lower end of the spring 242, it is possible to prevent it from separating to the left or right.

[0054] On the other hand, the ball unit 241 coupled to the lower end of the spring 242 can move upward only when the pressure of the internal gas in the module case 100 is greater than a certain pressure. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the gas inside the module case 100 can pass through the gas outlet 110 and pressurize the ball unit 241 blocking the first opening 211 upward.

[0055] Here, since the ball unit 241 is coupled to the lower end of the spring 242, the ball unit 241 can only move upward by contracting the spring 242 if the pressure of the gas pressurizing the ball unit 241 upward is greater than a certain value. In this case, the gas pressurizing the ball unit 241 upward can be discharged to the outside through the gap created between the first opening 211 and the ball unit 241, passing through the second opening 221.

[0056] Subsequently, once the gas has been sufficiently discharged to the outside and the gas pressure pressurizing the ball unit 241 upwards falls below a certain value, the contracted spring 242 expands further, causing the ball unit 241 to move downwards and block the first opening 211. In this case, since the first opening 211 is blocked, the gas inside the module case 100 cannot pass through the first opening 211.

[0057] Furthermore, the diameter of the spring 242 connected to the lower end of the upper unit 220 can decrease from top to bottom. Specifically, the upper end of the spring 242 is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the upper body 222, and the lower end of the spring 242 is connected to the ball unit 241. However, since the diameter of the lower end of the spring 242 connected to the ball unit 241 is the smallest, even when pressure is transmitted to the ball unit 241 in an upward direction, the ball unit 241 cannot pass through the spring 242 and detach upward.

[0058] On the other hand, the lower unit 210 and the upper unit 220 can be made of metal. In particular, the lower unit 210 and the upper unit 220 can be made of stainless steel (SUS) or aluminum. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas inside the module case 100 is discharged to the outside through the first opening 211 formed in the lower unit 210 and the second opening 221 formed in the upper unit 220. However, if the lower unit 210 and the upper unit 220 are made of materials that are susceptible to heat and pressure, the lower unit 210 and the upper unit 220 may melt or deform due to the heat, potentially forming holes in the lower unit 210 and the upper unit 220 through which flames can be discharged. Therefore, if the lower unit 210 and the upper unit 220 are made of metal, it is possible to prevent holes from forming in the lower unit 210 and the upper unit 220 due to the high-temperature and high-pressure gas, and to contain the flames inside the module case 100 for a long period of time.

[0059] The intermediate member 230 can also be made of a metallic material, similar to the lower unit 210 and the upper unit 220. If the intermediate member 230 is made of a metallic material, it is possible to prevent deformation of the intermediate member 230 due to heat transmitted to it via the lower unit 210 and the upper unit 220. On the other hand, the intermediate member 230 can be made of various metallic materials. For example, the intermediate member 230 can be made of sax or aluminum.

[0060] The ball unit 241 and spring 242 of the gas discharge member 240 can each be made of a metallic material. In this case, deformation of the ball unit 241 and spring 242 due to high-temperature, high-pressure gas passing through them can be prevented. On the other hand, the ball unit 241 and spring 242 can be made of various metallic materials. The ball unit 241 can be made of sass or aluminum, and the spring 242 can be made of sass, aluminum, or carbon steel.

[0061] Battery pack Figure 9 shows a battery pack according to the present invention, Figure 10 shows a shape in which gas is discharged through a check valve in the battery pack according to the present invention, and Figure 11 is an enlarged view of portion B of Figure 10.

[0062] Referring to Figures 9 to 11, the battery pack 500 according to the present invention includes a battery module 10 and a pack housing 510 that houses a plurality of battery modules 10. Here, the pack housing 510 is a frame with an open upper end and can be made of various materials. For example, the pack housing 510 can be a stainless steel (SUS) or aluminum-based metal frame that has high thermal conductivity, is easy to process, and can ensure sufficient rigidity.

[0063] On the other hand, multiple module loading sections 511 can be formed on the lower surface of the pack housing 510, on which multiple battery modules 10 can be loaded. Each module loading section 511 is formed according to the size of the battery module 10, and the module loading sections 511 can be arranged in multiple rows on the pack housing 510. In this case, the multiple battery modules 10 loaded in the module loading sections 511 can be electrically connected.

[0064] Furthermore, an upper cover 512 can be attached to the open upper surface of the pack housing 510. The pack housing 510 and the upper cover 512 can be attached in various ways. For example, the upper cover 512 can be welded to a wall portion of the pack housing 510 that extends upward from the lower surface of the pack housing 510. Alternatively, the upper cover 512 can be screwed to the wall portion of the pack housing 510.

[0065] On the other hand, the battery pack 500 according to the present invention may further include a pack gas discharge section that delays the discharge of flames and gases generated inside the pack housing 510 and discharges the gases to the outside. Here, the pack gas discharge section may include a check valve 520 installed on at least one of the sides of the pack housing 510.

[0066] The check valve 520 is a valve capable of discharging fluid in one direction and can have substantially the same structure as the check valve 200 of the module case 100. Since the check valve 520 of the pack gas discharge section and the check valve 200 of the module gas discharge section are installed on one side and / or the other side of the pack housing 510 and on the corner of the upper surface of the module case 100, the check valve 520 of the pack gas discharge section and the check valve 200 of the module gas discharge section can have substantially the same internal structure, differing only in their installation location.

[0067] On the other hand, the gas discharged from inside the module case 100 through the check valve 200 of the module gas discharge section can move to one side and / or the other side of the pack housing 510 through the space between the upper surface of the module case 100 and the upper cover 512 of the pack housing 510. Here, the gas that has moved to one side and / or the other side of the pack housing 510 can be discharged to the outside through the check valve 520 of the pack gas discharge section only if the pressure is greater than a predetermined value.

[0068] In this case as well, since the check valve 520 at the pack gas discharge section discharges only high-pressure fluid to the outside, the gas inside the battery pack 500 passes through the check valve 520 at the pack gas discharge section under high pressure, but the flame inside the battery pack 500 passes through the check valve 520 at the pack gas discharge section in a very restricted manner.

[0069] Therefore, the battery pack 500 according to the present invention includes a check valve 520 installed on at least one of the pack housing 510's sides, which allows high-pressure gas inside the pack housing 510 to be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 500 and flames inside the pack housing 510 to be contained inside. Furthermore, since the check valve 520 is installed on one side and / or the other side of the pack housing 510, gas inside the pack housing 510 can be discharged in the left-right direction (width direction) of the pack housing 510.

[0070] In this case, since the upper cover 512 is attached to the top of the pack housing 510, the gas discharged to the outside via the check valve 520 will not pass through the upper cover 512. In this case, the pressure applied upward to the upper cover 512 can be minimized when discharging the gas, and the bonding force between the upper cover 512 and the pack housing 510 will not weaken due to the discharge of gas.

[0071] On the other hand, the check valve 520 can be attached to one side and / or the other side of the pack housing 510. In this case, since the check valve 520 is attached to the pack housing 510, it is possible to prevent the check valve 520 from detaching even if it is subjected to pressure in one and / or the other direction by high-pressure gas.

[0072] On the other hand, an installation groove for the check valve 520 can be formed on one side and / or the other side of the pack housing 510. In this case, a part of the check valve 520 is fitted into the installation groove, so the check valve 520 can be firmly coupled to the pack housing 510.

[0073] Furthermore, the check valve 520 can be installed by adhering it to the installation groove. An adhesive layer can be formed between the installation groove and the check valve 520 to improve the bonding force. In this case, since the check valve 520 is fitted into the installation groove and adhered to the adhesive layer formed in the installation groove, it is possible to prevent the check valve 520 from detaching even when it is subjected to pressure in one direction and / or the other direction by high-pressure gas.

[0074] Furthermore, the check valve 520 can be screwed into the installation groove. Specifically, threads are formed on the outer surface of the check valve 520 and the inner surface of the installation groove, allowing the check valve 520 to be screwed into the installation groove. In this case, since the check valve 520 is firmly coupled to the installation groove, it is possible to prevent the check valve 520 from becoming detached even when it is subjected to pressure from high-pressure gas in one direction and / or the other.

[0075] Furthermore, clamping members can be installed on one side and / or the other side of the pack housing 510 to clamp the check valve 520 installed in the installation groove. The clamping members rotate as the motor rotates, and can clamp the check valve 520 fitted into the installation groove. In this case, since the check valve 520 is clamped by the clamping members while firmly connected to the installation groove, it is possible to prevent the check valve 520 from becoming detached even if the check valve 520 is subjected to pressure in one and / or the other direction by high-pressure gas.

[0076] On the other hand, the battery pack 500 according to the present invention may include other components besides the battery module 10, the check valve 520, and the pack housing 510. For example, the battery pack 500 according to the present invention may further include components of the battery pack 500 that are known at the time of filing of the present invention, such as a battery management system (BMS), busbars, relays, current sensors, and temperature sensors.

[0077] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, within an equivalent scope of the technical concept and the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10 Battery Modules 11 Venting Hall 12 Venting Units 13. Protruding path section 100 Module Case 110 Gas outlet 120 Installation groove section 130 Cell Loading Section 140 Adhesive layer 150 Clamp Member 200 Check valve 210 Lower Unit 211 First opening 212 Lower body 220 Upper Unit 221 Second opening 222 Upper body 230 Intermediate member 240 Gas discharge component 241 Ball Unit 242 Spring 500 Battery Pack 510 Pack Housing 511 Module Loading Section 512 Top cover 520 Check valve

Claims

1. Battery cell and A module case for housing multiple of the aforementioned battery cells, A module gas discharge unit that delays the discharge of flames and gases generated inside the module case and discharges the gases to the outside, Includes, The battery module is characterized in that the module gas discharge section includes check valves installed at each of the corners of the upper surface of the module case.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the corner portions of the upper surface of the module case has a gas outlet formed therein for discharging gas to the check valve.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the corner portions of the upper surface of the module case has an installation groove portion formed therein in which the check valve is installed.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that the check valve is attached to each of the corner portions on the upper surface of the module case.

5. The battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that an adhesive layer is formed between the installation groove and the check valve.

6. The battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that the check valve is screwed into the installation groove.

7. The battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that a clamping member for clamping a check valve installed in the installation groove is installed at each of the corner portions of the upper surface of the module case.

8. The aforementioned check valve is, A lower unit in which the first opening is formed, A second opening is formed, and an upper unit is provided above the lower unit, Between the lower unit and the upper unit, an intermediate member surrounds the lower unit and a part of the upper unit, A gas discharge member is provided between the first opening and the second opening, and opens the first opening only when the internal gas pressure of the module case is greater than a certain pressure. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized by including the following:

9. The aforementioned gas discharge member is A spherical ball unit provided above the first opening, having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first opening, A spring whose upper end is connected to the lower end of the upper unit, Includes, The battery module according to claim 8, wherein the ball unit is coupled to the lower end of the spring and moves upward only when the pressure of the internal gas in the module case is greater than a certain pressure.

10. The battery module according to claim 9, characterized in that the diameter of the spring decreases from the top to the bottom.

11. The battery module according to claim 8, characterized in that the lower unit and the upper unit are made of a metal material.

12. The battery module according to claim 11, characterized in that the lower unit and the upper unit are made of stainless steel (SUS) or aluminum.

13. A battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 12, A pack housing for housing multiple of the aforementioned battery modules, A battery pack, including the battery pack.

14. The battery pack according to claim 13, further comprising a pack gas discharge section that delays the discharge of flames and gases generated inside the pack housing and discharges the gases to the outside.

15. The battery pack according to claim 14, characterized in that the pack gas discharge section includes a check valve installed on at least one of the sides of the pack housing.

Images