Battery pack including fire extinguishing unit

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery pack that reduces the risk of secondary fire or explosion. The battery pack according to the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose includes: at least two battery modules, the at least two battery modules are arranged in one direction; and a fire extinguishing unit. The fire extinguishing unit includes: a linear temperature sensor, the linear temperature sensor is used to sense whether the temperature of one or more battery modules of the at least two battery modules is higher than a predetermined temperature, wherein a portion of the linear temperature sensor extends linearly along the at least two battery modules; a fire extinguishing tank, in which a fire extinguishing material is contained; a pipe, the pipe is connected to each of the at least two battery modules to supply the fire extinguishing material from the fire extinguishing tank to each battery module; and a valve, which is opened to supply the fire extinguishing material from the fire extinguishing tank to the battery module having a temperature higher than the predetermined temperature through the pipe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery pack including a fire extinguishing unit, and more particularly, to a battery pack that reduces the risk of secondary fire or explosion.

[0002] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0096939 filed in Korea on August 8, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries and lithium secondary batteries. Among them, lithium secondary batteries have attracted much attention due to their advantages such as free charging and discharging due to extremely small memory effect, very low discharge rate and high energy density compared to nickel-based secondary batteries.

[0004] Lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium oxides and carbon materials as positive electrode active materials and negative electrode active materials, respectively. Lithium secondary batteries include: an electrode assembly, in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with positive electrode active materials and negative electrode active materials, respectively, are arranged, and a separator is placed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate; and an exterior, i.e., a battery bag exterior, which is used to seal and store the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0005] Recently, secondary batteries are widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices, but also in medium or large devices such as vehicles and energy storage systems. When used in medium or large devices, a large number of secondary batteries are electrically connected to increase capacity and output. In particular, pouch-type secondary batteries are widely used in medium or large devices because they can be easily stacked.

[0006] Meanwhile, recently, due to the increasing demand for large-capacity structures as they are used as energy storage sources, the demand for battery packs including a plurality of secondary batteries electrically connected in series and / or parallel, a battery module accommodating the secondary batteries, and a battery management system (BMS) is increasing.

[0007] In addition, the battery pack generally includes a case made of a metal material to protect or store a plurality of secondary batteries from external impacts. Meanwhile, the demand for high-capacity battery packs is increasing recently.

[0008] However, since a conventional battery pack or a conventional battery rack has a plurality of battery modules, if a secondary battery in each battery module generates thermal runaway and causes fire or explosion, the heat or flame may be transferred to adjacent secondary batteries and cause a secondary explosion, and thus efforts to prevent secondary fire or explosion are increasing.

[0009] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a fast and complete fire extinguishing technology to take immediate action when thermal runaway occurs in some secondary batteries in a battery pack or battery rack. Summary of the invention

[0010] Technical issues

[0011] The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and thus the present disclosure aims to provide a battery pack that reduces the risk of secondary fire or explosion.

[0012] These and other purposes and advantages of the present disclosure can be understood from the following detailed description, and will become more fully apparent according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, it will be easily understood that the purposes and advantages of the present disclosure can be achieved by the means shown in the appended claims and their combinations.

[0013] Technical Solution

[0014] In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery pack, the battery pack comprising:

[0015] at least two battery modules, the at least two battery modules being arranged in one direction; and

[0016] A fire extinguishing unit having: a linear temperature sensor, which extends linearly partially along the at least two battery modules and is configured to sense whether at least one of the at least two battery modules has a temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature; a fire extinguishing tank, which is configured to contain a fire extinguishing agent therein; a pipe, which is connected to the fire extinguishing tank to supply the fire extinguishing agent from the fire extinguishing tank to each of the at least two battery modules; and a valve, which is opened to supply the fire extinguishing agent from the fire extinguishing tank to the battery module exceeding the predetermined temperature.

[0017] In addition, each of the at least two battery modules may have: a gas channel configured to discharge the gas generated in each battery module to the outside; and a plurality of exhaust holes formed at the ends of the gas channel and penetrated to communicate with the outside.

[0018] A portion of the linear temperature sensor may be located outside the two or more battery modules to face the exhaust holes respectively provided to the at least two battery modules.

[0019] Moreover, the pipeline may include: a common pipeline connected to the outlet hole of the fire extinguishing tank, through which the fire extinguishing agent is output; and a distribution pipeline having a distributed structure to be connected from the common pipeline to the inlet hole of each of the at least two battery modules, through which the fire extinguishing agent is input.

[0020] Furthermore, the valve may include: a common valve located in a portion of the common pipe to open or close the common pipe; and a distribution valve located in a portion of the distribution pipe to open or close the distribution pipe.

[0021] Further, the distribution valve may be a passive valve configured to be opened so that the fire extinguishing agent is sprayed into the battery module exceeding a predetermined temperature.

[0022] In addition, at least a portion of the passive valve may be inserted into the inlet hole formed to communicate with a gas channel provided to the battery module.

[0023] Furthermore, the common valve may be an active valve configured to be opened when the linear temperature sensor senses a battery module exceeding a predetermined temperature.

[0024] Further, the fire extinguishing unit further includes a position calculation part configured to receive a signal from the linear temperature sensor and calculate a position of the battery module exceeding a predetermined temperature.

[0025] Furthermore, the battery module may have two or more inlet holes.

[0026] Furthermore, the distribution conduit may be connected to each of the two or more inlet openings.

[0027] Furthermore, any one of the two distribution pipes may include a passive valve configured to be opened when the battery module is heated above a predetermined temperature.

[0028] Further, the other distribution conduit of the two distribution conduits may include an active valve configured to be opened when the battery module is heated above a predetermined temperature.

[0029] Furthermore, the fire extinguishing unit further includes a smoke sensor configured to sense smoke exhausted from the at least two battery modules.

[0030] Moreover, in another aspect of the present disclosure, a battery rack is provided. The battery rack includes: a battery pack; and a battery rack housing configured to accommodate the battery pack.

[0031] Furthermore, in another aspect of the present disclosure, an energy storage system is provided. The energy storage system includes two or more battery racks.

[0032] Beneficial Effects

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the battery pack includes a linear temperature sensor linearly extending along at least two battery modules, the manufacturing cost of the battery pack can be reduced.

[0034] That is, when multiple temperature sensors are provided in the prior art, multiple temperature sensors and separate signal lines for connecting the multiple temperature sensors are required, but the manufacturing cost is increased due to the high material cost and long installation work. Meanwhile, the battery pack of the present disclosure uses only one linear temperature sensor to detect the temperature of multiple battery modules, so a separate signal line is not required, and easy installation is ensured due to the light and flexible design. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the battery pack can be greatly reduced.

[0035] In addition, even for one battery module, the linear temperature sensor can be used to set a plurality of points to more accurately sense the temperature. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the failure rate in detecting the occurrence of a fire in a battery module can be greatly reduced.

[0036] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if a portion of the linear temperature sensor is located outside two or more battery modules to face the exhaust hole provided to each of the at least two battery modules, when thermal runaway occurs at the battery cell assembly of the battery module, hot air with increased temperature is discharged through the exhaust hole, or hot gas generated during the ignition of the battery cell assembly is discharged through the exhaust hole, so the linear temperature sensor can sense the hot air or gas with rapid response. Therefore, by quickly responding to the thermal runaway of the battery pack according to the present disclosure, safety can be increased.

[0037] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since at least a portion of the passive valve is inserted into the inlet hole that is penetrated to communicate with the gas exhaust channel provided to the battery module, when thermal runaway occurs, the passive valve is opened so that the fire extinguishing agent can be sprayed only to the battery module where thermal runaway occurs. In addition, since the fire extinguishing agent can be directly sprayed into the battery module instead of being sprayed outside the battery module, it is possible to effectively extinguish and cool the fire of the battery module where thermal runaway occurs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] 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.

[0039] Figure 1 is a front perspective view schematically showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view schematically showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 3 is a view schematically showing components of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 4 is a view schematically showing some components of a fire extinguishing unit employed at a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 5 is a rear perspective view schematically showing a partial internal structure of a battery module employed at a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 6 is a rear perspective view schematically showing a battery module employed at a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 7 is a front perspective view schematically showing a battery module employed at a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 8 is a partial rear view schematically showing a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Fig. 9 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Fig.10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal configuration of a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Fig.11 is a partial perspective view schematically showing pipes and valves used at a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Fig.12 is a rear perspective view schematically showing a battery module employed at a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Fig.13 is a partial perspective view schematically showing pipes and valves used in a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Fig.14 and Fig.15 1 and 2 are front and plan views schematically showing a smoke sensor employed at a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Fig.16 is a front view schematically showing an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] 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 of allowing the inventor to appropriately define the terms for the best interpretation.

[0055] Therefore, the descriptions presented herein are merely preferred examples for illustrative purposes only, 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.

[0056] Figure 1 is a front perspective view schematically showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 Schematically shows a rear perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a view schematically showing components of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Reference Figures 1 to 3 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery pack 400 includes: at least two battery modules 200 arranged in one direction; and a fire extinguishing unit 300 configured to extinguish a fire in the battery modules 200 .

[0058] Specifically, the fire extinguishing unit 300 may include a linear temperature sensor 310 , a fire extinguishing tank 320 , a pipe 330 , and a valve 340 .

[0059] First, the fire extinguishing tank 320 may contain a fire extinguishing agent (not shown). For example, the fire extinguishing agent may be a concentrated solution of an inorganic salt (such as potassium carbonate), a chemical foam, an air bubble, carbon dioxide, or water. In addition, the fire extinguishing tank 320 may have a compressed gas to spray or move the fire extinguishing agent along the pipeline 330 under appropriate pressure. For example, the capacity of the fire extinguishing tank 320 may be 59L, the compressed gas may be 8 bar of nitrogen, and the fire extinguishing agent may be 40L of water. Here, if the fire extinguishing agent is water, when the fire extinguishing agent is sprayed into the battery module 200, the fire extinguishing agent has a thermal protection effect as well as a fire extinguishing and cooling effect, so when high-temperature gas and flames are generated due to thermal runaway, this effectively prevents heat propagation. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent fire or thermal runaway from propagating between multiple battery modules 200.

[0060] The pipe 330 may be configured to be connected to supply the fire extinguishing agent to each of the at least two battery modules 200. For example, the pipe 330 may be made of a material that is not corroded by water. For example, the pipe 330 may be made of stainless steel. One end of the pipe 330 may be connected to the outlet hole 321 of the fire extinguishing tank 320. The other end of the pipe 330 may have a shape extending to the inside of each of the at least two battery modules 200.

[0061] For example, the pipeline 330 may include: a common pipeline 333 connected to the outlet hole 321 of the fire extinguishing tank 320 for discharging the fire extinguishing agent; and a distribution pipeline 336 having a distributed structure to be connected from the common pipeline 333 to the inlet hole 264 provided in each of the at least two battery modules 200. Figure 2 As shown, the pipe 330 may include one common pipe 333 connected to the outlet hole 321 of the fire extinguishing tank 320 and eight distribution pipes 336 branched from the common pipe 333. In addition, the eight distribution pipes 336 may be configured to be connected to the inlet holes 264 of eight battery modules 200.

[0062] In addition, the valve 340 may be configured to be opened to supply the fire extinguishing agent from the fire extinguishing tank 320 to the battery module 200 exceeding a predetermined temperature through the pipe 330. Specifically, the valve 340 may be an active valve capable of controlling the opening and closing of the valve 340 by receiving a signal from the fire extinguishing unit 300. More specifically, the active valve may be a control valve, an electric valve, a solenoid valve, or a pneumatic valve.

[0063] In addition, the linear temperature sensor 310 may be configured to sense whether at least one battery module of the at least two battery modules 200 has a temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature.

[0064] For example, the linear temperature sensor 310 may be configured such that when the heat sensing material coated on the two conductors reaches a temperature higher than a reference temperature, it melts to cause a short circuit between the two conductors, thereby sending a fire or overheating signal. For example, the heat sensing material may be a thermoplastic resin that melts at 70° C. to 100° C. For example, the thermoplastic resin may be a polyester resin or an acrylic resin. In addition, the linear temperature sensor 310 may further include an insulating coating material configured to surround the heat sensing material. The coating material may include polyvinyl chloride.

[0065] In addition, the linear temperature sensor 310 may have a structure that extends linearly along at least two battery modules 200 arranged in one direction. Figure 2 As shown, the battery pack 400 may include eight battery modules 200 arranged in a vertical direction. The linear temperature sensor 310 may be configured such that one end of the linear temperature sensor 310 is connected to the controller 350 and extends downward along the eight battery modules 200 arranged in a vertical direction, and the other end of the linear temperature sensor 310 is connected to the resistor 315 at the far end. At this time, a bracket (not shown) and a fixing buckle (not shown) may be used to partially fix the position of the linear temperature sensor 310.

[0066] Therefore, according to such a configuration of the present disclosure, since the battery pack 400 includes the linear temperature sensor 310 linearly extending along at least two battery modules 200 , the manufacturing cost of the battery pack can be reduced.

[0067] That is, when multiple temperature sensors are provided in the prior art, multiple temperature sensors and separate signal lines for connecting the multiple temperature sensors are required, which increases the manufacturing cost due to high material cost and long installation work. Meanwhile, the battery pack 400 of the present disclosure uses only one linear temperature sensor 310 to detect the temperature of the multiple battery modules 200, so no separate signal line is required, and easy installation is ensured due to the light and flexible design. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the battery pack 400 can be greatly reduced.

[0068] In addition, the linear temperature sensor 310 can set a plurality of points to more accurately sense the temperature even for one battery module 200. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the failure rate in detecting the occurrence of a fire in the battery module 200 can be greatly reduced.

[0069] Figure 4 is a view schematically showing some components of a fire extinguishing unit employed at a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 3 , the fire extinguishing unit 300 may include a controller 350. More specifically, the controller 350 may include a valve opening and closing part 353 and a position calculating part 356.

[0071] Specifically, the valve opening and closing part 353 may be configured to open the valve 340 when the linear temperature sensor 310 senses a temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature. For example, when the valve 340 is an active valve, the valve opening and closing part 353 may be configured to send a signal for controlling the active valve.

[0072] In addition, the position calculation part 356 may be configured to receive a signal from the linear temperature sensor 310 and calculate the position of the battery module 200 exceeding the predetermined temperature. More specifically, the position calculation part 356 may analyze the signal received from the linear temperature sensor 310. In addition, the position calculation part 356 may calculate the position to identify which battery module 200 of the at least two battery modules 200 is heated exceeding the predetermined temperature.

[0073] For example, if a temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature is detected in a portion of the entire length of the linear temperature sensor 310 , the position calculation part 356 may estimate the battery module 200 where thermal runaway occurs by calculating the distance between the detected portion of the linear temperature sensor 310 and the fire extinguishing unit 300 .

[0074] Figure 5 is a rear perspective view schematically showing a partial internal structure of a battery module employed at a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] Reference Figure 5 The battery module 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least two battery cell assemblies 100 and a module case 210 .

[0076] Each of the at least two battery cell assemblies 100 may include a plurality of secondary batteries 110 stacked in a front-to-rear direction. The secondary batteries 110 may be pouch-type secondary batteries 110. For example, Figure 5 As shown, when following Figure 1 When viewed in the F direction (from the front), each of the two battery cell assemblies 100 may be configured such that a plurality of pouch-type secondary batteries 110 are stacked side by side in the front-rear direction.

[0077] Meanwhile, in this specification, unless otherwise specified, the up, down, front, back, left, and right directions will be set based on when viewed in the F direction.

[0078] In particular, the pouch-type secondary battery 110 may include an electrode assembly (not shown), an electrolyte solution (not shown), and a pouch 116 .

[0079] In addition, the positive electrode lead 111 and the negative electrode lead (not shown) may be formed at the left and right ends of the secondary battery 110, which are opposite to each other based on the center of the secondary battery 110. That is, the positive electrode lead 111 may be disposed at one end of the secondary battery 110 based on the center of the secondary battery 110. In addition, the negative electrode lead may be disposed at the other end of the secondary battery 110 based on the center of the secondary battery 110.

[0080] However, the battery module 200 according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned pouch-type secondary battery 110 , and various secondary batteries known at the time of filing the present application may be employed.

[0081] At the same time, refer again Figure 5 , the battery module 200 may further include a bus bar assembly 270. Specifically, the bus bar assembly 270 may include: at least one bus bar 272, the at least one bus bar 272 being configured to electrically connect the plurality of secondary batteries 110 to each other; and at least two bus bar frames 276, the at least two bus bar frames 276 being configured to mount the at least one bus bar 272 on the outside. At least two bus bar frames 276 may be disposed at the left and right sides of the battery cell assembly 100, respectively.

[0082] Meanwhile, the module housing 210 may have an inner space to accommodate the battery cell assembly 100 in the inner space. Figure 1 When viewed from the F direction, the module housing 210 may include an upper cover 220 , a substrate 240 , a front cover 260 and a rear cover 250 .

[0083] Specifically, the substrate 240 may have an area larger than the size of the bottom surfaces of at least two battery cell assemblies 100 so as to mount at least two battery cell assemblies 100 on the upper portion of the substrate 240. The substrate 240 may have a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction.

[0084] Here, the horizontal direction may refer to a direction parallel to the ground when the battery module 200 is placed on the ground, and may also refer to at least one direction on a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0085] In addition, the upper cover 220 may include an upper wall 224 and a side wall 226 extending downward from the upper wall 224. The upper wall 224 may have a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction to cover the upper portion of the battery cell assembly 100. The side wall 226 may have a plate shape extending downward from the left and right ends of the upper wall 224 to cover the left and right sides of the battery cell assembly 100.

[0086] In addition, the side wall 226 may be coupled to a portion of the base plate 240. For example, Figure 5 As shown, the upper cover 220 may include an upper wall 224 having a plate shape extending in the front, rear, left and right directions. The upper cover 220 may include two side walls 226 extending downward from the left and right ends of the upper wall 224, respectively. In addition, the lower ends of the two side walls 226 may be configured to be respectively coupled to the left and right ends of the base plate 240. In this case, the coupling method may be a male-female coupling method or a welding method.

[0087] In addition, the front cover 260 may be configured to cover the front sides of the plurality of secondary batteries 110. For example, the front cover 260 may have a plate shape larger than the size of the front surfaces of the plurality of secondary batteries 110. The plate shape may stand upright in a vertical direction.

[0088] In addition, the back cover 250 may be configured to cover the rear side of the battery cell assembly 100. For example, the back cover 250 may have a plate shape larger than the size of the rear surfaces of the plurality of secondary batteries 110.

[0089] In addition, the module housing 210 may have a gas channel 211 through which the gas generated from the battery cell assembly 100 flows. Here, the gas channel 211 may be a space elongated in the front-rear direction to communicate with the outside. The gas channel 211 may be provided at one of the left and right sides of the battery cell assembly 100 or at both the left and right sides.

[0090] More specifically, the gas channel 211 may be a space between the upper or lower portion of the battery cell assembly 100 and the module housing 210. That is, the gas generated from the battery cell assembly 100 accommodated in the battery module 200 may move to the left and right sides of the battery cell assembly 100 through the gas channel 211 located at the upper or lower portion of the battery cell assembly 100, and be discharged through a plurality of exhaust holes 212 formed at the ends of the gas channel 211 and penetrated to communicate with the outside of the battery module 200.

[0091] Figure 6 is a rear perspective view schematically showing a battery module used in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, Figure 7 is a front perspective view schematically showing a battery module employed at a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0092] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 as well as Figure 5 , an inlet hole 264 may be provided at the rear cover 250 located at the rear side of each of the at least two battery modules 200 so that the fire extinguishing agent is introduced through the inlet hole 264. The inlet hole 264 may be positioned to communicate with the gas channel 211. That is, the inlet hole 264 may be configured to communicate with the gas channel 211 located on the left and right sides based on the battery cell assembly 100.

[0093] For example, when following Figure 6When viewed in the R direction of FIG. 2 , the inlet hole 264 may be provided at the right side of the rear cover 250. In addition, the fire extinguishing agent introduced through the inlet hole 264 may move along the gas channel 211 located at the left side of the battery cell assembly 100, and then the fire extinguishing agent may move to the gas channel 211 located at the right side of the battery cell assembly 100 through the gas channel 211 located at the upper or lower part of the battery cell assembly 100. Through this process, a battery cell assembly 100 that is on fire or overheated inside the battery module 200 can be extinguished and cooled.

[0094] Figure 8 is a partial rear view schematically showing a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0095] Return to reference Figure 8 as well as Figure 5 , the linear temperature sensor 310 may be positioned so that a portion of the linear temperature sensor 310 faces the exhaust hole 212 provided to each of the at least two battery modules 200. For example, Figure 8 As shown, the exhaust hole 212 may be provided to the back cover 250 of each of the two or more battery modules 200 stacked in the vertical direction. In addition, the linear temperature sensor 310 may be provided at the outer side of each of the two or more battery modules 200 to face the exhaust hole 212.

[0096] Therefore, according to such a configuration of the present disclosure, if a portion of the linear temperature sensor 310 is located outside two or more battery modules 200 to face the exhaust hole 212 provided to each of the at least two battery modules 200, when thermal runaway occurs at the battery cell assembly 100 of the battery module 200, hot air with increased temperature is discharged through the exhaust hole 212, or hot gas generated during ignition of the battery cell assembly is discharged through the exhaust hole 212, so the linear temperature sensor 310 can sense hot air or gas with rapid response. Therefore, stability can be increased by rapidly responding to thermal runaway of the battery pack 400 according to the present disclosure.

[0097] Fig. 9 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0098] Reference Fig. 9 as well as Figure 7The valve 340 may include: a common valve 343, which is located at a portion of the common pipeline 333 to open or close the common pipeline 333; and a distribution valve 346, which is located at a portion of the distribution pipeline 336 to open or close the distribution pipeline 336.

[0099] For example, the common valve 343 may be an active valve capable of controlling the opening and closing of the valve 340 by receiving a signal from the valve opening and closing part of the fire extinguishing unit 300. For example, when at least one of the at least two battery modules 200 is heated above a predetermined temperature, the temperature is detected by the position calculation part 356 of the fire extinguishing unit 300, and the valve opening and closing part 353 may send an opening signal to the common valve 343 to open the common valve 343 so that the fire extinguishing agent can be discharged from the fire extinguishing tank 320. For example, the active valve may be a control valve, an electric valve, a solenoid valve, or a pneumatic valve.

[0100] Fig.10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal configuration of a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] Reference Fig.10 as well as Figure 8 , the distribution valve 346 may be a passive valve 347 configured to be opened so that the fire extinguishing agent can be sprayed into the battery module 200 exceeding a predetermined temperature. For example, the passive valve 347 may be configured to open the valve 340 when the internal temperature of the battery module 200 exceeds a predetermined temperature. For example, the passive valve 347 may include a glass bulb 347a and a predetermined fluid (not shown) contained in the glass bulb 347a. The glass bulb 347a may be configured to seal a channel 347c of the passive valve 347 through which the fluid flows.

[0102] In addition, the glass bubble 347a may be configured to rupture by volume expansion of a predetermined fluid exceeding a predetermined temperature (e.g., 70°C to 100°C). That is, if the passive valve 347 is located inside the battery module 200, when the internal temperature of the battery module 200 rises above a predetermined temperature, the glass bubble 347a blocking the channel 347c of the valve 340 (through which the fluid flows) may rupture to open the channel 347c of the valve. In addition, the passive valve 347 may further include a sprinkler head 347b having a dispersion pin to disperse the discharged fluid in all directions.

[0103] Fig.11 is a partial perspective view schematically showing pipes and valves used at a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0104] See also Fig.11 as well as Figure 5 and Figure 8 , the passive valve 347 may be configured to be at least partially inserted into an inlet hole 264, which is configured to communicate with a gas channel 211 provided to the battery module 200. For example, the pipeline 330 may include a plurality of distribution pipelines 336 along the common pipeline 333, and the distribution pipeline 336 may be a T-shaped pipe or an elbow pipe. In addition, the distribution valve 346 may be provided at the distal end of the distribution pipeline 336. The distribution valve 346 may be a passive valve 347. For example, the passive valve 347 may include a glass bubble and a sprinkler head. In addition, at least a portion of the distribution valve 346 may be inserted into an inlet hole 264, which is configured to communicate with a gas channel 211 provided to the battery module 200.

[0105] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since at least a portion of the passive valve 347 is inserted into the inlet hole 264 (the inlet hole 264 is penetrated to communicate with the gas exhaust channel provided to the battery module 200), when thermal runaway occurs, the passive valve 347 is opened so that the fire extinguishing agent can be sprayed only to the battery module where thermal runaway occurs. In addition, since the fire extinguishing agent can be directly sprayed into the battery module 200 instead of being sprayed to the outside of the battery module 200, it is possible to effectively extinguish and cool the fire of the battery module 200 where thermal runaway occurs.

[0106] Fig.12 is a rear perspective view schematically showing a battery module used in a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, Fig.13 is a partial perspective view schematically showing pipes and valves used in a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0107] refer to Fig.12 and Fig.13 as well as Figure 3 and Figure 4, the battery module 200A of another embodiment may have two or more inlet holes 264. The distribution pipe 336A may be connected to each of the two or more inlet holes 264. Either of the two distribution pipes 336A may include a passive valve 347, which is opened when the battery module 200A is heated above a predetermined temperature. The passive valve 347 may be configured to be opened so that the fire extinguishing agent can be sprayed into the battery module 200A exceeding the predetermined temperature. For example, the passive valve 347 may be configured to be opened when the internal temperature of the battery module 200A rises above a predetermined temperature. The passive valve 347 may be located at the distal end of the distribution pipe 336A so that at least a portion of the passive valve 347 can be inserted into the inlet hole 264.

[0108] In addition, if Fig.13 As shown, the pipe 330A of the battery pack according to another embodiment includes a common pipe 333A and at least two or more distribution pipes 336A connected to the common pipe 333A. At this time, one of the two distribution pipes 336A can be connected to the passive valve 347, and the other of the two distribution pipes 336A can be connected to the active valve 348, and the active valve 348 is opened when the battery module 200A is heated above a predetermined temperature.

[0109] The active valve 348 may be configured to be opened when the linear temperature sensor 310 senses that the battery module 200A exceeds a predetermined temperature. Figure 4 and Fig.13 As shown, the active valve 348 may be configured to receive the valve opening and closing portion 353 ( Figure 4 ) is operated by an opening and closing signal. The active valve 348 may be, for example, an electric valve or a solenoid valve.

[0110] Therefore, according to this construction of the present disclosure, since one of the two distribution pipes 336A includes a passive valve 347 that is opened when the battery module 200A is heated above a predetermined temperature, and the other of the two distribution pipes 336A includes an active valve 348, even if the passive valve 347 is not opened when thermal runaway occurs in the battery module 200A, the fire extinguishing unit 300 can send a signal to the active valve 348 to open the active valve 348, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack 400.

[0111] Fig.14 and Fig.15 1 and 2 are front and plan views schematically showing a smoke sensor employed at a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0112] Reference Fig.14 and Fig.15 as well as Figure 3 The fire extinguishing unit 300 may further include a smoke sensor 370 configured to sense smoke emitted from at least two battery modules 200. Specifically, the smoke sensor 370 may be located at the uppermost portion T ( Figure 1 That is, if a fire occurs in the battery module 200, the generated gas may move upward, so it is preferred that the smoke sensor 370 is located at the uppermost portion T ( Figure 1 ) place.

[0113] In addition, the smoke sensor 370 may be configured to send a signal to the controller 350 of the fire extinguishing unit 300 when smoke is detected. The controller 350 may allow the valve opening and closing part 353 to open the common valve 343 and / or the distribution valve 346 according to the received signal.

[0114] Fig.16 is a front view schematically showing an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0115] Reference Fig.16 The battery rack 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a battery pack 400 and a battery rack housing 510 for accommodating the battery pack 400. The battery rack housing 510 may also be configured to accommodate the battery pack 400 in a state where a plurality of battery modules 200 are vertically stacked. Inside the battery rack housing 510, the battery module 200 may be installed such that the lower surface of the battery module 200 becomes parallel to a horizontal surface.

[0116] In addition, the battery holder housing 510 is configured to have at least one openable side, and the battery module 200 can be inserted into the internal space through the open side. However, the battery holder housing 510 may also be configured to allow such an open side to be closed.

[0117] In addition, the battery rack 500 may further include a battery management system 530 (BMS) and the like.

[0118] Meanwhile, the energy storage system 600 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include two or more battery racks 500. The two or more battery racks 500 may be arranged in one direction. Fig.16As shown, the energy storage system 600 may be configured such that three battery racks 500 are arranged in one direction. In addition, the energy storage system 600 may have a central controller (not shown) capable of controlling the charging and discharging of the three battery racks 500.

[0119] Meanwhile, even though terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear are used in the specification, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms merely indicate relative positions for convenience of explanation and may vary based on the position of the observer or the object.

[0120] The present disclosure has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, 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.

[0121] Reference numerals

[0122] 200: Battery module 100: Battery cell assembly

[0123] 110: Secondary battery 210: Module housing

[0124] 211: Gas channel 212: Exhaust hole

[0125] 264: Entrance hole

[0126] 300: Fire extinguishing unit 310: Linear temperature sensor

[0127] 320: Fire extinguisher 321: Exit hole

[0128] 330, 333, 336: pipeline, public pipeline, distribution pipeline

[0129] 340, 343, 346: valves, common valves, distribution valves

[0130] 350, 353, 356: Controller, valve opening and closing unit, position calculation unit

[0131] 370: Smoke sensor

[0132] 400: Battery pack 500: Battery rack

[0133] 510: Battery rack housing

[0134] 600: Energy Storage Systems

[0135] Industrial Applicability

[0136] The present disclosure relates to a battery pack. In addition, the present disclosure can be used in industries related to a battery rack including a battery pack and a large energy storage system including a plurality of battery racks.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: At least two battery modules, the at least two battery modules are arranged in one direction, each battery module includes at least two battery cell assemblies; as well as A fire extinguishing unit, the fire extinguishing unit comprising: a linear temperature sensor partially extending linearly along the at least two battery modules and configured to sense whether at least one battery module of the at least two battery modules has a temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature; a fire extinguishing tank configured to contain a fire extinguishing agent therein; a pipe connected to the fire extinguishing tank to supply the fire extinguishing agent from the fire extinguishing tank to each of the at least two battery modules; as well as a valve that is opened to supply the fire extinguishing agent from the fire extinguishing tank to the battery module exceeding the predetermined temperature, Wherein, each of the at least two battery modules has: a gas passage configured to discharge gas generated in each battery module to the outside; and a plurality of exhaust holes formed at the end of the gas passage and penetrated to communicate with the outside, wherein a portion of the linear temperature sensor is located outside the at least two battery modules to face the exhaust holes respectively provided to the at least two battery modules, wherein the pipe comprises: a common pipe connected to an outlet hole of the fire extinguishing tank through which the fire extinguishing agent is output; and a distribution pipe having a distributed structure to be connected from the common pipe to an inlet hole of each of the at least two battery modules, the fire extinguishing agent being input through the inlet hole; The valve comprises: a common valve located in a portion of the common pipeline to open or close the common pipeline; and a dispensing valve located in a portion of the dispensing conduit to open or close the dispensing conduit, and The fire extinguishing unit further includes a position calculation unit configured to receive a signal from the linear temperature sensor and calculate a position of the battery module exceeding the predetermined temperature.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The distribution valve is a passive valve configured to be opened so that the fire extinguishing agent is sprayed into the battery module exceeding the predetermined temperature.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: At least a portion of the passive valve is inserted into the inlet hole formed to communicate with the gas passage provided to the battery module.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, in, The common valve is an active valve configured to be opened when the linear temperature sensor senses the battery module exceeding the predetermined temperature.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The battery module has two or more inlet holes, the distribution pipe is connected to each of the two or more inlet holes, Any one of the two distribution pipes includes a passive valve configured to be opened when the battery module is heated above the predetermined temperature, and The other of the two distribution pipes includes an active valve configured to be opened when the battery module is heated above the predetermined temperature.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The fire extinguishing unit further includes a smoke sensor configured to sense smoke exhausted from the at least two battery modules.

7. A battery rack, comprising: The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 6; as well as A battery rack housing is configured to accommodate the battery pack.

8. An energy storage system comprising two or more battery racks according to claim 7.

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