Battery module

Abstract

A battery module according to one embodiment of the present application includes a plurality of secondary battery cells including at least one sealing fragile portion, and a case unit accommodating the plurality of secondary battery cells, the case unit can include a flame discharge portion formed to face the sealing fragile portion to guide a flame or a discharge gas discharged from the sealing fragile portion to be discharged to the outside.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a battery module. BACKGROUND

[0002] As the technology development and demand for mobile devices, electric vehicles, etc. increase, the demand for secondary battery cells as an energy source is rapidly increasing. Since the mutual conversion between chemical energy and electrical energy of the secondary battery cell is reversible, the secondary battery cell is a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0003] Such a secondary battery cell includes a battery cell main part of an electrode assembly including an anode, a cathode, a separator, and an electrolyte, etc. as a main component of a secondary battery, and a multi-layered outer material (Laminated Film Case) that protects the electrode assembly.

[0004] In addition, a plurality of the secondary battery cells can be installed as a battery module in an electric vehicle or an energy storage device (ESS: Energy Storage System), etc.

[0005] However, such an electrode assembly generates heat during charging and discharging, and the temperature rise caused by such heat can reduce the performance of the secondary battery cell.

[0006] In addition, any one of the secondary battery cells can explode due to internal factors of the battery module such as temperature rise of the secondary battery cell, or any one of the secondary battery cells can explode due to external impact, and the secondary battery cells within the battery module can explode in succession.

[0007] In particular, since the gas and flame generated by the explosion of any one of the secondary battery cells cannot be quickly discharged to the outside, there is a problem that other secondary battery cells explode in succession.

[0008] Also, the thermal propagation, flame, or high-temperature high-pressure gas, etc. caused by the explosion of any one of the battery modules can affect other battery modules around, so that the battery modules explode in succession to cause a greater problem.

[0009] Therefore, in order to improve the above problems and limitations, research on the battery module is needed.

[0010] Prior Art Documents

[0011] Patent Documents

[0012] (Patent Document 1) KR 10-2017-0014309 A (2017.02.08) SUMMARY

[0013] (1) Technical problem to be solved

[0014] The object of the present application is to provide a battery module that improves the problem of successive explosions of surrounding other battery modules due to explosion of any one battery module.

[0015] On the other hand, the object of the present application is to provide a battery module that can rapidly discharge at least one of a flame and gas generated due to explosion of any one secondary battery unit from inside a case unit.

[0016] (2) Technical solution

[0017] The battery module according to one embodiment of the present application can include a plurality of secondary battery units including at least one sealing fragile portion, and a case unit accommodating the plurality of secondary battery units, the case unit can include a flame discharge portion formed to face the sealing fragile portion to guide a flame or discharge gas discharged from the sealing fragile portion to the outside.

[0018] In this case, the flame discharge portion of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present application can be formed at an upper edge portion of the case unit.

[0019] In detail, the flame discharge portion of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present application can include a discharge coupling tube coupled to the case unit, and a discharge guide tube coupled to the discharge coupling tube and formed to extend from the discharge coupling tube toward the sealing fragile portion.

[0020] In this case, the discharge guide tube of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present application can be formed in a shape in which a width thereof is gradually widened from the discharge coupling tube to the sealing fragile portion.

[0021] In addition, the flame discharge portion of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present application can be formed in an open shape at a portion of the case unit facing the sealing fragile portion, and can be provided with an opening and closing plate portion that opens and closes the open portion.

[0022] In addition, the case unit of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present application can include a bottom member on which the plurality of secondary battery units are seated, a front and rear member provided at an edge of the bottom member and coupled to an electrode lead portion of the secondary battery units, a side wall member provided at an edge of the bottom member and adjacent to the front and rear member, and a cover member provided at upper ends of the front and rear member and the side wall member, the flame discharge portion can be provided in at least one of a front and rear end portion of the cover member adjacent to the front and rear member and an upper end portion of the front and rear member adjacent to the cover member.

[0023] In addition, the flame discharge portion of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present application can be connected to a plate member provided in the housing unit to extend a flame path.

[0024] In the battery module according to an embodiment of the present application, the plate member can include a first plate portion provided at one side, a second plate portion provided at the other side with a predetermined interval from the first plate portion, and a core portion provided between the first plate portion and the second plate portion and extending a flame or gas path.

[0025] In particular, the core portion of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present application can be formed in a pattern in which unit column portions of a hollow polygonal column shape are repeated.

[0026] In the unit column portion of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present application, a communication portion can be formed on at least two column surfaces.

[0027] In addition, in the unit column portion of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present application, a flame path can be zigzag-formed through a first communication portion formed adjacent to the first plate portion and a second communication portion formed adjacent to the second plate portion.

[0028] In addition, the plate member of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present application can include an accommodation member accommodated in a space between the first plate portion and the second plate portion and formed of a material performing at least one of a fire extinguishing function, a heat absorbing function, and a fireproof function.

[0029] (III) Advantageous Effects

[0030] The battery module of the present application can improve a problem in which other battery modules around a certain battery module explode in succession due to explosion of the certain battery module.

[0031] That is, the battery module of the present application can prevent thermal propagation to other battery modules in a situation in which thermal runaway occurs in a certain battery module.

[0032] On the other hand, the battery module of the present application can dissipate a flame generated due to explosion of a certain secondary battery unit.

[0033] Still on the other hand, the battery module of the present application can rapidly discharge at least one of a flame and gas generated due to explosion of a certain secondary battery unit from inside a housing unit.

[0034] That is, the battery module of the present application can minimize influence of at least one of a flame and gas generated due to explosion of a certain secondary battery unit on other secondary battery units.

[0035] However, various advantageous effects and advantages of the present application are not limited to the above and can be more easily understood from the detailed description of the embodiments of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module of the present application.

[0037] Figure 2 is a front view showing a secondary battery cell in the battery module of the present application.

[0038] Figure 3 is a front view showing a state in which a flame discharge portion in the battery module of the present application is disposed facing a sealing weak portion of a secondary battery cell.

[0039] Figure 4 is a front view showing an embodiment in which the flame discharge portion in the battery module of the present application includes a discharge coupling tube and a discharge guide tube.

[0040] Figure 5 is a front view showing an embodiment in which the flame discharge portion in the battery module of the present application includes an opening and closing plate portion disposed to be damaged by heat or pressure generated by explosion of a secondary battery cell.

[0041] Figure 6 is a front view showing an embodiment in which the flame discharge portion in the battery module of the present application includes an opening and closing plate portion disposed to be rotated by pressure generated by explosion of a secondary battery cell.

[0042] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a unit pillar portion of a core portion in the battery module of the present application.

[0043] Figure 8 is a plan view showing an embodiment in which a receiving member is provided in a plate member in the battery module of the present application.

[0044] Figure 9A and Figure 9B is a graph showing a temperature change of a secondary battery cell in an embodiment in which a flame discharge portion is located in a front and rear member and an embodiment in which the flame discharge portion is located in a cover member in the battery module of the present application.

[0045] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0046] 100: secondary battery cell 110: electrode lead portion

[0047] 120: sealing portion 200: case unit

[0048] 210: flame discharge portion 211: discharge coupling tube

[0049] 212: discharge guide pipe 213: opening and closing plate portion

[0050] 220: plate member 221: first plate portion

[0051] 222: second plate portion 223: core portion

[0052] 230: accommodation member DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the present application can be modified in various different ways, and the scope of the present application is not limited to the embodiments described below. In addition, the embodiments of the present application are provided in order to more completely explain the present application to those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present application pertains. In the drawings, the shapes and sizes of components and the like can be exaggerated to more clearly explain the present application.

[0054] In addition, unless otherwise defined in context, the singular expressions in the present specification include the plural expressions, and the same reference numerals or reference numerals assigned in a similar manner denote the same components or corresponding components throughout the specification.

[0055] The present application relates to a battery module that can improve a problem in which surrounding other battery modules successively explode due to explosion of any one battery module, and thus can prevent heat propagation to other battery modules in a situation in which thermal runaway occurs in any one battery module.

[0056] On the other hand, the battery module of the present application can dissipate a flame generated due to explosion of any one battery module.

[0057] Still another aspect of the battery module of the present application can rapidly discharge at least one of a flame and gas generated due to explosion of any one secondary battery cell 100 from inside the case unit 200, and thus can minimize the influence of at least one of the flame and gas generated due to explosion of any one secondary battery cell 100 on other secondary battery cells 100.

[0058] Specifically, Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the battery module of the present application, Figure 2 is a front view illustrating the secondary battery cell 100 of the battery module of the present application.

[0059] In addition, Figure 3 is a front view illustrating a state in which the flame discharge portion 210 of the battery module of the present application is disposed to face the sealing fragile portion 100a of the secondary battery cell 100, Figure 9A and Figure 9Bis a graph showing temperature changes of the secondary battery cell 100 in the embodiment in which the flame discharge portion 210 is located at the front and rear member 200d and the embodiment in which the flame discharge portion 210 is located at the cover member 200c in the battery module of the present application.

[0060] Referring to the drawings, the battery module of the present application can include a secondary battery cell 100 and a housing unit 200, and in particular, the housing unit 200 can include a flame discharge portion 210.

[0061] Here, the secondary battery cell 100 can include at least one sealing fragile portion 100a. In addition, the housing unit 200 can accommodate a plurality of the secondary battery cells 100. The flame discharge portion 210 included in the housing unit 200 can be formed to face the sealing fragile portion 100a to guide the flame or discharge gas discharged from the sealing fragile portion 100a to the outside.

[0062] That is, in the battery module of the present application, since the flame discharge portion 210 is provided to face the sealing fragile portion 100a, the flame, gas, etc. discharged from the sealing fragile portion 100a can be rapidly discharged from the inside of the housing unit 200.

[0063] Accordingly, it is possible to improve the problem that the flame, gas, etc. generated due to explosion of any one of the secondary battery cells 100 remains inside the housing unit 200, so that the other secondary battery cells 100 are more rapidly exposed to a high-temperature and high-pressure environment, and thus successive explosions rapidly progress.

[0064] Here, a plurality of the secondary battery cells 100 can be accommodated in the internal space of the housing unit 200.

[0065] In addition, the secondary battery cell 100 can include an electrode assembly and a battery cell main body member covering the electrode assembly.

[0066] The electrode assembly substantially includes an electrolyte and is accommodated together in the battery cell main body member to be used. The electrolyte can include a lithium salt such as LiPF6 or LiBF4 in an organic solvent such as ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), or dimethyl carbonate (DMC). In addition, the electrolyte can be liquid, solid, or gel-like.

[0067] In addition, the battery cell main part is configured to protect the electrode assembly and to accommodate the electrolyte solution, for example, the battery cell main part can be provided as a pouch type part or a can type part. Here, the pouch type part has a form in which the electrode assembly is sealed and accommodated on three faces, and is configured as a part in which the upper face and the two side face parts, except for the one face part as the lower face part, are foldably joined and sealed in a state in which the electrode assembly is mainly accommodated inside. In addition, the can type part has a form in which the electrode assembly is sealed and accommodated on one face, and is configured as a part in which the upper face part, except for the three faces as the lower face and the two side face parts, is foldably joined and sealed in a state in which the electrode assembly is mainly accommodated inside.

[0068] However, such a pouch type secondary battery cell 100 and a can type secondary battery cell 100 are only one example of the secondary battery cell 100 accommodated in the battery module of the present application, and the secondary battery cell 100 accommodated in the battery module of the present application is not limited to this type.

[0069] In addition, in the secondary battery cell 100, a weakly sealed sealing weak part 100a can also be formed in the sealing part 120 for sealing around the electrode assembly.

[0070] The sealing weak part 100a is a part that inevitably occurs depending on the shape and structure of the secondary battery cell 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the top corner part of the secondary battery cell 100 can be weakly sealed, so that the sealing weak part 100a can be formed at the top corner part. Also, the sealing part 120 formed at the electrode lead part 110 connected to the electrode assembly can also be weakly sealed, so that the sealing weak part 100a is formed. Figure 2

[0071] The housing part functions as a main body of a battery module that accommodates a plurality of the secondary battery cells 100.

[0072] That is, the housing part has a configuration in which a plurality of secondary battery cells 100 are mounted, and functions to protect the secondary battery cells 100 while transferring electric energy generated in the secondary battery cells 100 to the outside or transferring electric energy from the outside to the secondary battery cells 100.

[0073] Here, the flame discharge part 210 facing the sealing weak part 100a of the secondary battery cell 100 can be formed in the housing part. Therefore, the flame, gas, etc. spouted from the sealing weak part 100a can be rapidly discharged from the inside space of the housing part 200.

[0074] ​Here, the flame discharge portion 210 of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present application can be formed at an upper edge portion of the housing unit 200.

[0075] The reason is that the sealing fragile portion 100a is mainly formed at an upper end corner portion of the secondary battery unit 100, and it is more advantageous to discharge the flame or gas at a portion adjacent to the upper end corner than other portions of the secondary battery unit 100 to delay the explosion transition time of the secondary battery unit 100.

[0076] This can be seen with reference to Figure 9A and Figure 9B Figure 9A is an embodiment in which the flame discharge portion 210 is formed adjacent to a center portion of the secondary battery unit 100, Figure 9B is an embodiment in which the flame discharge portion 210 is formed adjacent to an upper end corner of the secondary battery unit 100. In this regard, a summary is made in the following table. Here, the ignition time refers to a time point at which the temperature rapidly rises to the highest temperature, and the transition time refers to a time interval in which ignition occurs after the ignition time of the first battery unit.

[0077] [Table 1]

[0078]

[0079] Comparing the above cases, it can be confirmed that the ignition time is delayed in the case 4 to case 6 in which the flame discharge portion 210 is formed adjacent to the upper end corner of the secondary battery unit 100, compared to the case 1 to case 3 in which the flame discharge portion 210 is formed adjacent to the center portion of the secondary battery unit 100. Figure 9A Figure 9B

[0080] That is, it can be confirmed that, after the first battery unit explodes and ignites, the flame is transferred to the second and third battery units adjacent thereto, and the ignition time in which the second and third battery units explode becomes long.

[0081] ​​​This can be more easily seen by comparing the transition time based on the time of the first cell unit catching fire. That is, in the embodiment in which the flame discharge portion 210 is formed adjacent to the center portion of the secondary battery cell unit 100, the transition time for the second cell unit (case 2) to catch fire is 12 seconds, while in the embodiment in which the flame discharge portion 210 is formed adjacent to the upper end corner of the secondary battery cell unit 100, the transition time for the second cell unit (case 5) to catch fire is 24 seconds, which is 12 seconds longer than the former. Also, in the embodiment in which the flame discharge portion 210 is formed adjacent to the center portion of the secondary battery cell unit 100, the transition time for the third cell unit (case 3) to catch fire is 26 seconds, while in the embodiment in which the flame discharge portion 210 is formed adjacent to the upper end corner of the secondary battery cell unit 100, the transition time for the third cell unit (case 6) to catch fire is 60 seconds, which is 34 seconds longer than the former.

[0082] In addition, the housing member can include a bottom member 200a forming an internal space in which the plurality of secondary battery cell units 100 are accommodated, a front and rear member 200d, a side wall member 200b, and a cover member 200c.

[0083] The plurality of secondary battery cell units 100 can be disposed on the bottom member 200a. The front and rear member 200d can be provided at the edge of the bottom member 200a and join the electrode lead portions 110 of the secondary battery cell units 100. The side wall member 200b can be provided at the edge of the bottom member 200a and adjacent to the front and rear member 200d. The cover member 200c can be provided at the upper end of the front and rear member 200d and the side wall member 200b.

[0084] In addition, the flame discharge portion 210 can be provided in at least one of the front and rear end of the cover member 200c adjacent to the front and rear member 200d and the upper end of the front and rear member 200d adjacent to the cover member 200c.

[0085] As described above, the reason for limiting the position of the flame discharge portion 210 to the above-described position is that the formation of the flame discharge portion 210 adjacent to the upper end corner of the secondary battery cell unit 100 and the discharge of the flame or gas are advantageous in delaying the time of catching fire compared to other portions of the secondary battery cell unit 100. The reason for this has been described above.

[0086] In addition, a plate member 220 that extends the flame path can be provided in such a bottom member 200a, front and rear member 200d, side wall member 200b, and cover member 200c.

[0087] That is, the bottom member 200a, front and rear member 200d, side wall member 200b, and cover member 200c themselves can be formed of the plate member 220.

[0088] Accordingly, the ratio of the flame generated by explosion of the secondary battery cell 100 accommodated in the internal space of the case member to be discharged to the outside through the bottom member 200a, the front and rear member 200d, the side wall member 200b, the cover member 200c, etc. can be reduced. As the ratio of the flame to be discharged to the outside of the case member is reduced, the problem of the flame spreading to other adjacent battery modules to sequentially explode is improved.

[0089] Specifically, the plate member 220 of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present application can include a first plate portion 221, a second plate portion 222, and a core portion 223. The first plate portion 221 can be disposed at one side, and the second plate portion 222 can be disposed at the other side with a predetermined interval from the first plate portion 221. In addition, the core portion 223 can be disposed between the first plate portion 221 and the second plate portion 222, and can extend a flame or gas path.

[0090] For example, when the side wall member 200b is formed of the plate member 220, the first plate portion 221 can be disposed at one side to be exposed to the outside, and the second plate portion 222 can be disposed at an inner side closer to the secondary battery cell 100 than the first plate portion 221. That is, at least a portion of both end portions of the second plate portion 222 can be combined with the first plate portion 221, a central portion can be disposed with a predetermined interval from the first plate portion 221, and can be disposed closer to the secondary battery cell 100 than the first plate portion 221.

[0091] In addition, the core portion 223 can be disposed between the first plate portion 221 and the second plate portion 222. In addition, the core portion 223 can be formed in a structure to extend a path of the flame into between the first plate portion 221 and the second plate portion 222. A detailed explanation of the core portion 223 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4. Figure 7

[0092] In addition, the flame discharge portion 210 of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present application can be connected to the plate member 220 disposed in the accommodation unit 200 to extend a flame path.

[0093] That is, the flame discharge portion 210 can be disposed to face the sealing weak portion 100a, so that the flame, gas, etc. ejected from the sealing weak portion 100a can be rapidly transferred to the inside of the plate member 220.

[0094] Accordingly, the flame, gas, etc. via the flame discharge portion 210 is reduced in temperature while passing through the plate member 220, and then is discharged to the outside. Also, the flame can be dissipated as the temperature is reduced. ​

[0095] The flame discharge portion 210 can include a discharge coupling tube 211 and a discharge guide tube 212 to effectively discharge the flame, gas, etc. from the inside of the case unit 200, and detailed descriptions thereof will be made later with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. Figure 4 will be described.

[0096] Figure 4 is a front view illustrating an embodiment in which the flame discharge portion 210 in the battery module of the present application includes a discharge coupling tube 211 and a discharge guide tube 212, and the flame discharge portion 210 of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present application can include a discharge coupling tube 211 and a discharge guide tube 212 with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0097] The discharge coupling tube 211 can be coupled to the case unit 200, and the discharge guide tube 212 can be coupled to the discharge coupling tube 211 and can be formed to extend from the discharge coupling tube 211 toward the sealing weak portion 100a.

[0098] That is, a gap can be formed between the case unit 200 and the secondary battery unit 100, and since the discharge guide tube 212 is provided, the end portion of the flame discharge portion 210 can be made to be closer to the sealing weak portion 100a than the plate member 220 of the case unit 200.

[0099] Accordingly, the ratio of the flame and gas spouted from the sealing weak portion 100a to escape to other locations can be reduced. Accordingly, the problem that the flame, gas, etc. remaining inside the case unit 200 due to explosion of any one of the secondary battery units 100 causes other secondary battery units 100 to be more quickly exposed to a high-temperature high-pressure environment to rapidly progress successive explosions can be improved.

[0100] Here, the discharge guide tube 212 of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present application can be formed in a shape in which the width thereof is gradually widened from the discharge coupling tube 211 to the sealing weak portion 100a.

[0101] The shape of the discharge guide tube 212 is defined as described above in order to increase the area for accommodating the flame and gas spouted from the sealing weak portion 100a while guiding the flame and gas to the discharge coupling tube 211. For example, the discharge guide tube 212 can be a cone shape, etc. with an open end.

[0102] Figure 5 is a front view illustrating an embodiment in which the flame discharge portion 210 in the battery module of the present application includes an open-close plate portion 213 provided to be damaged by heat or pressure generated by explosion of the secondary battery unit 100, Figure 6This is a front view showing an embodiment of the flame exhaust section 210 in the battery module of the present invention, which includes an opening / closing plate section 213 configured to rotate under the pressure generated by the explosion of a secondary battery cell.

[0103] Referring to the accompanying drawings, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the flame exhaust portion 210 of the battery module may be formed in the shape of an opening in the portion of the housing unit 200 facing the sealing vulnerable portion 100a, and an opening / closing plate portion 213 is provided with an opening / closing opening portion 213a.

[0104] As described above, when the opening / closing plate 213 is opened by a high-temperature, high-pressure flame or gas discharged from the sealing vulnerable part 100a, the flame and gas are discharged from the interior of the housing unit 200 through the opening portion 213a of the flame discharge part 210.

[0105] In addition, the opening and closing plate portion 213 can prevent external foreign objects from flowing back through the plate component 220 and entering the internal space of the housing unit 200.

[0106] In order for the opening and closing plate portion 213 to be opened by the high temperature and high pressure flame, gas, etc. emitted from the sealed vulnerable portion 100a, the opening and closing plate portion 213 may be configured such that the opening and closing plate portion 213 is damaged by the heat or pressure of the flame or gas generated by the explosion of any of the secondary battery units 100 to open the flame exhaust portion 210.

[0107] In other words, the opening and closing plate 213 can be configured to melt and be damaged by the heat generated by the explosion of the secondary battery unit 100, thereby opening the flame exhaust section 210, or to be cracked and damaged by the high-pressure gas generated by the explosion of the secondary battery unit 100, thereby opening the flame exhaust section 210.

[0108] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the opening and closing plate portion 213 can be formed with a groove portion 214 on a part of the opening and closing plate portion 213, thus making it more susceptible to the influence of high-pressure gas compared to other portions.

[0109] Alternatively, for example, the opening / closing plate portion 213 can be configured as follows: Figure 6 The form of the door that is open and closed is shown.

[0110] That is, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the opening and closing plate portion 213 of the battery module can be configured such that one end is hinged to the second end 222, so as to rotate in the direction of the opening portion 213a of the flame exhaust portion 210 by the pressure generated by the explosion of any of the secondary battery units 100 to open the flame exhaust opening 210.

[0111] To this end, one end of the opening and closing plate part 213 is rotatable by being hingedly coupled to the second plate part 222, and an elastic member applying a predetermined elastic force in a direction to close the flame discharge part 210 can be coupled to the one end.

[0112] Therefore, when the secondary battery cell 100 accommodated in the internal space explodes and the internal space is formed as a high-temperature high-pressure environment, the opening and closing plate part 213 rotates in a direction to open the flame discharge part 210, while generally maintaining a state of rotating in a direction to close the flame discharge part 210. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a unit column part 223a of a core part 223 in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present application, and the battery module according to an embodiment of the present application is characterized in that the core part 223 is formed as a pattern in which hollow polygonal columnar unit column parts 223a are repeated.

[0113] As described above, the core part 223 is formed of a plurality of the unit column parts 223a, and a flame moves while passing through the unit column parts 223a, and thus a flame path can be increased.

[0114] In addition, the core part 223 is disposed between the first plate part 221 and the second plate part 222, thereby functioning to support the first plate part 221 and the second plate part 222. Therefore, the plate member 220 can ensure structural rigidity under an environment of impact and vibration, etc. and can be light-weighted.

[0115] Here, the battery module according to an embodiment of the present application is characterized in that, in the unit column part 223a, a communication part 223b is formed on at least two column surfaces.

[0116] By this, a flame, gas, etc. flowing into the unit column part 223a of the core part 223 can be transferred again to an adjacent other unit column part 223a. Therefore, a flow path of the flame, gas, etc. into the core part 223 can be lengthened.

[0117] In addition, the battery module according to an embodiment of the present application is characterized in that, in the unit column part 223a, a flame path is formed in a zigzag shape by a first communication part 223c formed adjacent to the first plate part 221 and a second communication part 223d formed adjacent to the second plate part 222.

[0118] When the communication part 223b is formed in this shape, a flow path of a flame, gas, etc. is further lengthened, and an indirect cooling effect is also obtained. Therefore, a dissipation effect of the flame can be improved and a gas having a lower temperature can be formed.

[0119] For example, the flame, gas, etc. enters the unit column portion 223a through the first communication portion 223c, and the flame, gas, etc. is discharged to another unit column portion 223a adjacent thereto through the second communication portion 223d, so that the flow path of the flame, gas, etc. can be extended.

[0120] In addition, if the first communication portion 223c is a hole formed adjacent to the first plate portion 221 and the second communication portion 223d is a hole formed adjacent to the second plate portion 222, the flow path of the flame, gas, etc. in a direction crossing one plane in which the flame, gas, etc. passes through the unit column portion 223a horizontally to the first plate portion 221 or the second plate portion 222 can be secured, so that the effect of further extending the flow path of the flame, gas, etc. in a zigzag manner can be obtained.

[0121] In addition, when the first plate portion 221 or the second plate portion 222 is disposed adjacent to the outside where the temperature is low, the flame, gas, etc. passing through the first communication portion 223c or the second communication portion 223d also obtains a cooling effect.

[0122] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment in which a plate member 220 in a battery module according to the present application is provided with a receiving member 230, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1. The plate member 220 of the battery module according to one embodiment of the present application can include the receiving member 230, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0123] Therefore, when the first plate portion 221 or the second plate portion 222 disposed adjacent to the inside space of the case unit 200 is melted due to heat, flame, etc., the receiving member 230 is directly contacted with the heat, flame, etc. and exerts at least one of the extinguishment function, the heat absorption function, and the fire resistance function.

[0124] Although the above describes the embodiments of the present application, the scope of the right of the present application is not limited thereto, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present application pertains that various improvements and changes can be made to the present application within the scope of the technical idea of the present application described in the claims.

Claims

1. A battery module comprising: a plurality of secondary battery cells including at least one sealing weak portion; and a housing unit accommodating the plurality of secondary battery cells, the housing unit including a flame discharge portion formed to face the at least one sealing weak portion to guide a flame or a discharge gas discharged from the sealing weak portion to the outside of the housing unit, the flame discharge portion being connected to a plate member provided in the housing unit to extend a flame path, the plate member including: a first plate portion provided on one side; a second plate portion provided on the other side at a predetermined interval apart from the first plate portion; and a core portion provided between the first plate portion and the second plate portion and extending a flame or gas path, the core portion being formed in a pattern in which unit column portions of a hollow polygonal column shape are repeated, in the unit column portion, one end is connected to the first plate portion, the other end is connected to the second plate portion, and a communication portion is formed on at least two column faces, and a flame path is formed by a first communication portion formed adjacent to the first plate portion and a second communication portion formed adjacent to the second plate portion.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the flame discharge portion is formed in an upper edge portion of the housing unit.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the flame discharge portion includes: a discharge coupling tube coupled to the housing unit; and a discharge guide tube coupled to the discharge coupling tube and formed to extend from the discharge coupling tube toward the sealing weak portion.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein the discharge guide tube is formed in a shape in which a width thereof gradually widens from the discharge coupling tube to the sealing weak portion.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the flame discharge portion is formed in an open shape in a portion of the housing unit facing the sealing weak portion, and is provided with an opening and closing plate portion that opens and closes an opening portion.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the housing unit includes: a bottom member on which the plurality of secondary battery cells are disposed; front and rear members provided at edges of the bottom member and joining electrode lead portions of the secondary battery cells; side wall members provided at edges of the bottom member and adjacent to the front and rear members; and a cover member provided at upper ends of the front and rear members and the side wall members, the flame discharge portion is provided in at least one of a front and rear end portion of the cover member adjacent to the front and rear members and an upper end portion of the front and rear members adjacent to the cover member.

7. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a flame path is formed in a zigzag shape through the communication portion.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the plate member includes an accommodation member accommodated in a space between the first plate portion and the second plate portion and formed of a material that performs at least one of a fire extinguishing function, a heat absorbing function, and a fire resistant function.

9. A battery module comprising: A housing unit including a plate member including a first plate portion, a second plate portion, a core portion joining the first plate portion and the second plate portion together to form a path, and a flame discharge portion; a plurality of secondary battery cells disposed adjacent to each other within the housing unit, wherein each of the plurality of secondary battery cells includes at least one sealing fragile portion disposed adjacent to the plate member; and in the event that the sealing fragile portion of any one of the plurality of battery cells ruptures due to a malfunction, a flame or discharge gas escaping from the ruptured sealing fragile portion is discharged to the path of the plate member through the flame discharge portion, and is discharged to the outside of the battery module through the path of the plate member, the plate member includes: a first plate portion; a second plate portion disposed opposite and spaced apart from the first plate portion, the first plate portion and the second plate portion forming a flame or gas path; and a core portion disposed between the first plate portion and the second plate portion and extending the flame or gas path, the core portion includes a plurality of hollow polygonal columns adjacent to each other, unit column portions of the plurality of hollow polygonal columns form a communication portion on at least two column faces thereof, in the unit column portion, one end is connected to the first plate portion and the other end is connected to the second plate portion, the unit column portion includes a first communication portion formed adjacent to the first plate portion and a second communication portion formed adjacent to the second plate portion, thereby forming the flame or gas path.

10. The battery module according to claim 9, wherein the plate member includes a plurality of flame discharge portions, each of which is disposed adjacent to a corresponding sealing fragile portion of the plurality of battery cells.

11. The battery module according to claim 9, wherein the flame discharge portion is formed in an upper edge portion of the housing unit.

12. The battery module according to claim 9, wherein the housing unit includes: a discharge joining tube fluidly joined to the flame discharge portion; and a discharge guide tube fluidly joined to the discharge joining tube and extending toward the at least one sealing fragile portion.

13. The battery module according to claim 12, wherein a width of the discharge guide tube widens in a direction toward the at least one sealing fragile portion.

14. The battery module according to claim 9, wherein the plate member further includes: an opening and closing plate portion that opens and closes the at least one flame discharge portion.

15. The battery module according to claim 9, wherein the housing unit includes: a bottom portion member on which the plurality of secondary battery cells are disposed; a front and rear portion member disposed at an edge of the bottom portion member and joining electrode lead portions of the secondary battery cells; a side wall portion member disposed at an edge of the bottom portion member and adjacent to the front and rear portion member; and a cover portion member disposed at upper ends of the front and rear portion member and the side wall portion member, at least one of the bottom portion member, the front and rear portion member, the side wall portion member, and the cover portion member is the plate member.

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