Battery rack and energy storage system including the battery rack

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery rack that can effectively prevent the spread of fire or heat and recover undamaged battery packs. In order to achieve the above purpose, the battery rack according to the present invention includes: a plurality of battery packs, the plurality of battery packs are arranged vertically, each of the battery packs includes a plurality of secondary batteries and a battery pack housing, the plurality of secondary batteries are stacked in one direction, and an internal space is formed in the battery pack housing to receive the plurality of secondary batteries, and the battery pack housing is configured to enable a fire extinguishing agent to be supplied to the interior of the battery pack housing when the temperature therein rises to a predetermined temperature or higher; and a battery rack housing having a receiving space, the plurality of battery packs can be received in the receiving space, and including a plurality of rack plates, each rack plate having a mounting surface and an extension portion, the battery pack is mounted on the mounting surface, and the mounting surface is inclined at a predetermined angle so that the height of the mounting surface gradually decreases toward one direction, and the extension portion has an end portion facing the one direction, and the end portion protrudes further in an outward direction than the battery pack located below.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery rack and an energy storage system including the battery rack, and more particularly, to a battery rack for effectively preventing the spread of fire or heat when fire or thermal runaway occurs during use and reusing undamaged battery packs.

[0002] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0027372 filed on March 4, 2020 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0003] At present, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among them, lithium secondary batteries have almost no or no memory effect. Therefore, compared with nickel secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries have the advantages of being able to be charged at any convenient time, having an extremely low self-discharge rate and a high energy density, and therefore are receiving more and more attention.

[0004] Lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium oxides and carbon materials as positive electrode active materials and negative electrode active materials, respectively. The lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and a package or battery bag shell, the electrode assembly includes a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with positive electrode active materials and negative electrode active materials, respectively, and a separator is placed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and the electrode assembly is airtightly received in the package or battery bag shell together with an electrolyte solution.

[0005] In recent years, secondary batteries are widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices, but also in medium and large devices such as vehicles and energy storage systems. In order to be used in medium and large device applications, multiple secondary batteries are electrically connected to increase capacity and output. In particular, pouch-type secondary batteries are widely used in medium and large devices due to their advantage of easy stacking.

[0006] Recently, with the use as an energy source and the growing demand for large-capacity structures, there is an increasing demand for battery racks including multiple battery packs, each of which includes multiple secondary batteries, a battery module, and a battery management system (BMS), and the multiple secondary batteries are electrically connected in series and / or in parallel, and the multiple secondary batteries are received in the battery module.

[0007] The battery rack generally includes a metal battery rack case to protect a plurality of battery packs from external impact or to receive and store the battery packs. Recently, as the demand for high-capacity battery racks has increased, the demand for battery racks including a plurality of battery packs has also increased.

[0008] However, when thermal runaway occurs in a secondary battery of any one of a plurality of battery packs in a battery rack and the secondary battery burns or explodes, a larger explosion may occur due to heat or flame transfer to adjacent secondary batteries, and therefore many attempts have been made to prevent the subsequent fire or explosion.

[0009] Therefore, a fast and complete fire extinguishing technology is needed to quickly deal with thermal runaway when thermal runaway occurs in secondary batteries within a battery rack.

[0010] When a fire or thermal runaway occurs in any one of a plurality of battery packs, the fire is suppressed by supplying a fire extinguishing agent to the battery pack where the fire or thermal runaway occurs, but the fire extinguishing agent is supplied to the battery pack where the fire does not occur, so the corresponding battery pack is contaminated with the fire extinguishing agent and cannot be reused. Summary of the invention

[0011] Technical issues

[0012] The present disclosure is designed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and thus the present disclosure aims to provide a battery rack for effectively preventing the spread of fire or heat when fire or thermal runaway occurs during use, and reusing undamaged battery packs.

[0013] These and other purposes and advantages of the present disclosure can be understood through the following description and will become apparent from the embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, it will be readily understood that the purposes and advantages of the present disclosure can be achieved by being set forth in the appended claims and their combinations.

[0014] Technical Solution

[0015] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, a battery rack according to the present disclosure includes: a plurality of battery packs, which are arranged vertically, each battery pack includes a plurality of secondary batteries and a battery pack housing, the plurality of secondary batteries are stacked in a certain direction, the battery pack housing has an internal space to accommodate the plurality of secondary batteries, and the battery pack housing is configured to be supplied with a fire extinguishing agent when the internal temperature is equal to or rises to above a predetermined temperature; and a battery rack shell, the battery rack shell has a receiving space to accommodate the plurality of battery packs, and includes a plurality of battery rack plates, each battery rack plate having a mounting surface and an extension portion, the battery pack is mounted on the mounting surface, and as the mounting surface moves in any direction, the mounting surface is inclined at a predetermined angle and the height decreases, and the extension portion has an end in any direction that extends further outward than the battery pack below.

[0016] The battery rack housing may include: a front frame, which is arranged at the front end of the plurality of battery packs and includes a pillar configured to support the ground; a rear frame, which is arranged at the rear end of the plurality of battery packs and includes a pillar configured to support the ground; and a fixed bracket, which is connected to the battery rack plate and decreases in height as the fixed bracket moves along any one direction, and is connected to the pillars of each of the front frame and the rear frame at a predetermined angle.

[0017] An extended end portion of the extended portion of a lower battery rack plate among the plurality of battery rack plates may be disposed at an inner position than an end portion of the extended portion of an upper battery rack plate.

[0018] An end portion in the any one direction of a lower battery pack among the plurality of battery packs may be disposed at an inner position than an end portion of an upper battery pack.

[0019] The battery rack plate may include a stopper to prevent movement of an installed battery pack in either direction.

[0020] The battery pack may further include a cover extending outward from an end of the battery pack to allow the fire extinguishing agent dropped from the battery rack plate above to flow outward.

[0021] The battery rack plate may have a guide groove to guide movement of the fire extinguishing agent removed from the battery pack housing.

[0022] The battery rack plate may include a discharge portion configured to receive a fire extinguishing agent dropped from an upper battery pack and allow the fire extinguishing agent to flow out.

[0023] The battery rack may include an absorption member between the secondary batteries disposed at opposite directions with respect to the either direction among the plurality of secondary batteries in the battery pack to absorb the fire extinguishing agent.

[0024] To achieve the above objectives, an energy storage system according to the present disclosure includes at least one battery rack.

[0025] Beneficial Effects

[0026] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the present disclosure includes a battery rack housing having a receiving space to receive a plurality of battery packs, and the battery rack housing includes a plurality of battery rack plates, the plurality of battery rack plates including a mounting surface and an extension portion, the battery pack is mounted on the mounting surface, the mounting surface is inclined at a predetermined angle and decreases in height as the mounting surface moves in any direction, the extension portion having an end in any direction extending further outward than the battery pack below, thereby preventing the fire extinguishing agent supplied to the specific battery pack from flowing into the battery pack below when thermal runaway or fire occurs in a specific battery pack among the plurality of battery packs. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem caused by the supply of the fire extinguishing agent, that is, the remaining battery packs except the battery pack in which the thermal runaway or fire occurs are wetted by the fire extinguishing agent and cannot be reused.

[0027] According to aspects of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an extended end portion of an extended portion of a lower battery rack plate among a plurality of battery rack plates is disposed at a position closer to the inside than an end portion of an extended portion of an upper battery rack plate. Therefore, when a fire extinguishing agent is supplied, the fire extinguishing agent moved out of the battery pack casing is discharged through the extended portion. In this case, since an extended length of the extended portion disposed at a lower position is shorter than an extended length of the extended portion disposed at a higher position, the lower battery pack can be avoided from being contaminated by the fire extinguishing agent dropped from the extended portion disposed at a higher position in the direction of gravity.

[0028] According to aspects of the present disclosure, in a plurality of battery packs, the ends of the lower battery packs in any direction are arranged at a position more inward than the ends of the upper battery packs, so that when the fire extinguishing agent is supplied to the battery packs, the fire extinguishing agent moved out of the battery pack housing does not flow to the lower battery packs, but can fall vertically by gravity. That is, the battery packs can be prevented from being contaminated by the fire extinguishing agent falling from the extension provided at a higher position in the direction of gravity.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the battery rack plate includes a guide groove configured to guide the movement of the fire extinguishing agent out of the battery pack housing, thereby controlling the movement of the fire extinguishing agent to a specific position of the battery rack plate and preventing the fire extinguishing agent from being supplied to the battery pack below due to accidental flow of the fire extinguishing agent. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery pack that has not experienced thermal runaway or fire from being contaminated by the fire extinguishing agent. The present disclosure enables the reuse of battery packs that have not experienced thermal runaway or fire. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the following detailed description, are used to provide a further understanding of the technical aspects of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Figure 1is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 2 is a schematic rear perspective view of a battery pack of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a single-unit assembly of a battery pack of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic partial rear perspective view of the internal components of the battery rack housing of the battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of components of a battery rack according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of components of a battery rack according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of components of a battery rack according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of components of a battery rack according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of components of a battery rack according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Fig.10 is a schematic rear perspective view of components of a battery rack according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of components of a battery rack according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Fig.12 is a schematic front view of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Hereinafter, the 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 or words used in the specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as limited to the general meaning and dictionary meaning, but are interpreted according to the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure based on the principle of allowing the inventor to appropriately define the terms to achieve the best interpretation.

[0044] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the illustrations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to fully describe the technical aspects of the present disclosure. It should be understood that various other equivalent schemes and modifications may have been made when the application is submitted.

[0045] Figure 1 is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic rear perspective view of a battery pack of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a single battery pack assembly of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For reference, Figure 1 The positive and negative X-axis directions in can be left and right directions. Figure 1 The positive and negative Z-axis directions can be up and down directions. Figure 1 The positive and negative Y-axis directions in can be the front-to-back directions.

[0046] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , the battery rack 300 of the present disclosure includes a plurality of battery packs 200 arranged vertically and a battery rack housing 310 .

[0047] Specifically, each battery pack 200 may include a plurality of secondary batteries 110 stacked in a certain direction. The secondary batteries 110 may be pouch-type secondary batteries 110 .

[0048] In particular, the pouch type secondary battery 110 may include an electrode assembly (not shown), an electrolyte solution (not shown), and a pouch 116 .

[0049] Each secondary battery 110 may be erected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ground, wherein when viewed from a direction F (in Figure 1 ), the two wide surfaces are arranged in the front-to-rear direction, and the sealing portion is arranged in the upper, lower, left and right directions. In other words, each secondary battery 110 can stand upright in the vertical direction. Unless otherwise specified herein, when viewed from direction F, the upper, lower, front, rear, left and right directions are defined.

[0050] Here, the bag may have a concave receiving portion. The electrode assembly and the electrolyte solution may be received in the receiving portion. Each of the bags may include an outer insulating layer, a metal layer, and an inner adhesive layer, and the inner adhesive layers are bonded to each other at the edges of the bag to form a sealing portion. A platform portion may be formed at each of the left and right ends of the positive lead 112 and the negative lead 111 forming the secondary battery 110.

[0051] The electrode assembly may be an assembly of an electrode plate coated with an electrode active material and a separator, and may include at least one positive electrode plate and at least one negative electrode plate, wherein the separator is disposed between the at least one positive electrode plate and the at least one negative electrode plate. The positive electrode plate of the electrode assembly may have a positive electrode tab, and at least one positive electrode tab may be connected to the positive lead 112.

[0052] Here, one end of the positive lead 112 may be connected to a positive electrode tab and the other end thereof may be exposed through the pouch, and the exposed portion may serve as an electrode terminal of the secondary battery 110 , for example, a positive terminal of the secondary battery 110 .

[0053] The negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly may have a negative electrode tab, and at least one negative electrode tab may be connected to a negative electrode lead 111. One end of the negative electrode lead 111 may be connected to the negative electrode tab, and the other end thereof may be exposed through the bag, and the exposed portion may be used as an electrode terminal of the secondary battery 110, for example, a negative terminal of the secondary battery 110.

[0054] like Figure 3 As shown in , when viewed from direction F, the positive lead 112 and the negative lead 111 may be formed at the left and right ends relative to the center of the secondary battery 110. That is, the positive lead 112 may be disposed at one end (left end) relative to the center of the secondary battery 110. The negative lead 111 may be disposed at the other end (right end) relative to the center of the secondary battery 110.

[0055] For example, Figure 3 As shown in , each secondary battery 110 of the cell assembly 100 may have a positive electrode lead 112 and a negative electrode lead 111 extending in the left-right direction.

[0056] Here, the terms indicating directions such as front, back, left, right, up and down may vary depending on the position of the observer or the placement of the elements described. However, in the specification, for ease of description, the front, back, left, right, up and down directions are defined when viewed from direction F.

[0057] According to such a configuration of the present disclosure, it is possible to increase the area of ​​the electrode leads in one secondary battery 110 without interference between the positive electrode lead 112 and the negative electrode lead 111 .

[0058] The positive electrode lead 112 and the negative electrode lead 111 may be formed in a plate shape. Specifically, the positive electrode lead 112 and the negative electrode lead 111 may extend in a horizontal direction (X direction) with a wide surface standing in a front-rear direction.

[0059] Here, the “horizontal direction” refers to a direction parallel to the ground when the battery pack 200 is placed on the ground, and may be referred to as at least one direction on a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0060] However, the battery pack 200 according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described pouch-type secondary battery 110 , but various types of secondary batteries 110 known at the time of filing the application may be used.

[0061] At least two single body assemblies 100 may be arranged in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction).

[0062] The battery pack 200 may include a bus bar assembly 270 including a bus bar frame 276 and at least one bus bar 272 configured to electrically connect a plurality of secondary batteries 110. Specifically, the bus bar 272 may have a conductive metal such as copper, aluminum, and nickel. The bus bar frame 276 may have a plastic material with low conductivity.

[0063] The battery pack housing 210 may have an inner space to receive the cell assembly 100 therein. Figure 3 When viewed from a direction F, the battery pack housing 210 may include a top cover 220 , a base plate 240 , a front cover 260 , and a rear cover 250 .

[0064] Specifically, the base plate 240 may have an area larger than the size of the lower surface of the at least two cell assemblies 100 to mount the at least two cell assemblies 100 on the base plate 240. The base plate 240 may be in a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction.

[0065] The top 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 be in a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction to cover the top of the monomer assembly 100. The side wall 226 may be in a plate shape extending downward from left and right ends of the upper wall 224 to cover left and right sides of the monomer assembly 100.

[0066] The sidewall 226 may be coupled to a portion of the base plate 240. For example, Figure 2 As shown in , the top cover 220 may include an upper wall 224, which is a plate-shaped extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The top cover 220 may include two side walls 226, which extend downward from the left and right ends of the upper wall 224. The lower end of each of the two side walls 226 may be connected to the left and right ends of the base plate 240. In this case, the connection method may be a male-female connection or a welding connection.

[0067] 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 be in a plate shape having a size greater than that of the front sides of the plurality of secondary batteries 110. The plate may stand in a vertical direction.

[0068] The back cover 250 may be configured to cover the rear side of the cell assembly 100. For example, the back cover 250 may be in a plate shape having a size greater than that of the rear sides of the plurality of secondary batteries 110.

[0069] The battery pack housing 210 may have an internal space to receive the plurality of secondary batteries 110 and may be supplied with a fire extinguishing agent when the internal temperature is equal to or increases to or above a predetermined temperature. Here, the predetermined temperature may be 300° C. or higher.

[0070] Specifically, the rear cover 250 provided at the rear side of each of the at least two battery packs 200 may include a supply port 264 through which the fire extinguishing agent is supplied. The supply port 264 may be communicated with the refrigerant moving passage 211. That is, the supply port 264 may be communicated with the refrigerant moving passage 211 provided on both left and right sides of the cell assembly 100.

[0071] The battery pack housing 210 may receive the cell assembly 100 therein and have an opening 215 through which outdoor air enters and leaves the battery pack housing 210. Figure 2 As shown in , the opening 215 may include an inlet 213 and an outlet 212. Each of the inlet 213 and the outlet 212 may be formed in a portion of the battery pack housing 210. The inlet 213 may be configured to allow outdoor air to be supplied into the battery pack housing 210. The outlet 212 may be formed in a portion of the battery pack housing 210 and configured to allow the supplied air to exit.

[0072] Return to reference Figure 1 The battery rack 300 may include a fire extinguishing agent tank 320 , a pipeline 330 , and a fire extinguishing valve 343 .

[0073] First, the fire extinguishing agent tank 320 may store a fire extinguishing agent (not shown) therein. For example, the fire extinguishing agent may be a solution rich in inorganic salts (e.g., potassium carbonate), chemical foam, air foam, carbon dioxide, or water. The fire extinguishing agent tank 320 may store compressed gas therein to spray the fire extinguishing agent under appropriate pressure or to move the fire extinguishing agent along the pipeline 330.

[0074] For example, the capacity of the fire extinguishing agent tank 320 may be 59L, the compressed gas may be 8bar nitrogen, and the fire extinguishing agent may be 40L of water. Here, in the case of using water as the fire extinguishing agent, the water has a cooling and fire extinguishing effect as well as a heat insulating effect when it is sprayed into the battery pack 200, so that especially when high-temperature gas and flames are generated due to thermal runaway, heat can be effectively prevented from spreading. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent fire or thermal runaway from spreading between multiple battery packs 200.

[0075] The pipe 330 may be connected to supply the fire extinguishing agent from the fire extinguishing agent tank 320 to each of the at least two battery packs 200. For example, the pipe 330 may include a material having water corrosion resistance. For example, the pipe 330 may include stainless steel. One end of the pipe 330 may be connected to the outlet ( Figure 1 The other end of the pipe 330 may be connected to the supply port 264 of the battery pack housing 210.

[0076] When the gas (air) in the battery pack 200 rises above a predetermined temperature, the fire extinguishing valve 340 may be configured to supply the fire extinguishing agent from the fire extinguishing agent tank 320 to the battery pack 200. That is, the fire extinguishing valve 340 may be an active valve having an open outlet through which the fire extinguishing agent is supplied to the battery pack 200 at a predetermined temperature or higher. The active valve may be, for example, a remotely controlled control valve, a pneumatic valve, and a solenoid valve.

[0077] Figure 4 is a schematic rear perspective view of the internal components of the battery rack housing of the battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of components of a battery rack according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] and Figure 1 Refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The battery holder housing 310 may have a receiving space having two open sides to receive and store each of the plurality of battery packs 200. The plurality of battery packs 200 may be vertically arranged in the battery holder housing 310 and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

[0079] The battery rack housing 310 may include a battery rack plate 312, and the battery pack 200 is mounted on the battery rack plate 312. Specifically, the battery rack plate 312 may include a mounting surface 312a and an extension portion 312b. More specifically, the area of ​​the mounting surface 312a may be equal to or greater than the lower surface of the battery pack 200. The mounting surface 312a may be inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the horizontal line P1, so that as the mounting surface 312a moves in any direction, the height of the mounting surface 312a decreases. That is, the battery rack plate 312 may be fixed to other components of the battery rack housing 310, wherein the height of the mounting surface 312a decreases as it moves in any direction. For example, as Figure 4 As shown in , the battery rack plate 312 can be fixed to each of the front frame 314 and the rear frame 316 of the battery rack housing 310 so that the height of the mounting surface 312a decreases as it goes backward. For example, the battery rack plate 312 can be tilted at 1° to 3° relative to the horizon.

[0080] The extension portion 312b of the upper battery rack plate 312 may have an end in any direction that extends further outward than the lower battery pack 200. For example, the battery rack plate 312 may include the extension portion 312b at the rear end. For example, the battery rack plate 312 may be configured to allow the fire extinguishing agent M1 to flow along the slope of the mounting surface 312a and flow out of the extension portion 312b in any direction.

[0081] According to such a configuration of the present disclosure, the present disclosure includes a battery rack housing 310 having a receiving space to receive a plurality of battery packs 200, and includes a plurality of battery rack plates 312, the plurality of battery rack plates 312 including a mounting surface 312a on which the battery packs 200 are mounted, the mounting surface being inclined at a predetermined angle, wherein the height of the mounting surface decreases as the mounting surface proceeds in either direction, and an extension portion 312b having an end in either direction extending further outward than the battery pack 200 below, thereby preventing the fire extinguishing agent M1 supplied to a specific battery pack 200 from flowing into the battery pack 200 below when thermal runaway or fire occurs in the specific battery pack 200 among the plurality of battery packs. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem caused by the supply of the fire extinguishing agent M1, that is, the remaining battery packs 200, except for the battery pack 200 in which the thermal runaway or fire occurs, are wetted with the fire extinguishing agent M1 and cannot be reused.

[0082] Return to reference Figures 1 to 5The battery rack housing 310 may include a front frame 314, a rear frame 316, and a fixing bracket 313. The front frame 314 may be disposed at the front end of the plurality of battery packs 200. The front frame 314 may include a support column 314p configured to support the ground.

[0083] The rear frame 316 may be disposed at a rear end of the plurality of battery packs 200. The rear frame 316 may include a support column 316p configured to support the ground.

[0084] The fixing bracket 313 may be coupled to the battery rack plate 312. That is, the battery rack plate 312 may be coupled to the bottom of the fixing bracket 313. For example, the battery rack plate 312 and the fixing bracket 313 may be welded to each other. The fixing bracket 313 may be in the shape of a plate bent by about 90° in the shape of a letter "L". The fixing bracket 313 may extend in the front and rear directions. The front and rear ends of the fixing bracket 313 may be bolted to the front frame 314 and the rear frame 316, respectively.

[0085] The fixing bracket 313 may be coupled to the pillars 314p, 316p of the front frame 314 and the rear frame 316. In this case, the fixing bracket 313 may be fixed to the pillars 314p, 316p of the front frame 314 and the rear frame 316 at a predetermined angle, and as the fixing bracket travels in either direction, the height of the fixing bracket decreases. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 3 , the front end of the fixing bracket 313 coupled to the front frame 314 may be coupled to a higher position than the rear end of the fixing bracket 313 coupled to the rear frame 316 .

[0086] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of components of a battery rack according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0087] and Figure 1 and Figure 4 Refer to Figure 6 In a battery rack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the extended end portion of the extended portion 312b2 of the lower battery rack plate 312A among the plurality of battery rack plates 312A may be disposed at a position closer to the inside than the end portion of the extended portion 312b1 of the upper battery rack plate 312A. Figure 6As shown in FIG. 3 , in the vertically arranged battery rack plate 312A, the battery rack plate 312A disposed at a lower position of the battery rack housing 310 may have an extension portion 312b1 that is shorter than the extension portion 312b2 of the upper battery rack plate 312A and extends backward (in the Y-axis direction). Therefore, the extension end portion of the extension portion 312b2 of the lower battery rack plate 312A may be disposed at a position more inward than the end portion of the extension portion 312b1 of the upper battery rack plate 312A.

[0088] The battery rack housing 310 may have an extension length of the extension portion of the battery rack plate 312A that gradually becomes shorter as it goes downward relative to the extension portion of the battery rack plate 312A on which the topmost battery pack 200 is mounted. That is, the extension length of the extension portion of the topmost battery rack plate 312A may be the longest, and the extension length of the extension portion of the bottommost battery rack plate 312A may be the shortest.

[0089] According to this construction of the present disclosure, the extended end of the extension portion 312b2 of the lower battery rack plate 312A among the multiple battery rack plates 312A is set at a position closer to the inside than the end of the extension portion 312b1 of the upper battery rack plate 312a. Therefore, when the fire extinguishing agent is supplied, the fire extinguishing agent moved out of the battery pack housing 210 flows along the inclined surface of the mounting surface 312a of the battery rack plate 312A and is discharged through the extension portion 312b1 in any direction. In this case, since the extension length of the extension portion 312b2 set at the lower position is shorter than the extension length of the extension portion 312b1 set at a higher position, the lower battery pack 200 can be avoided from being contaminated by the fire extinguishing agent falling from the extension portion 312b1 set at a higher position along the direction of gravity.

[0090] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of components of a battery rack according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] and Figure 1 and Figure 4 Refer to Figure 7 The plurality of battery packs 200B1, 200B2 and the plurality of battery rack plates 312B1, 312B2 disposed in the battery rack of the third embodiment of the present disclosure may have different positions. Figure 6 Contrary to the battery rack plate 312A of the second embodiment, the plurality of battery rack plates 312B1 and 312B2 provided in the battery rack of the third embodiment may have the same extension length.

[0092] Specifically, among the plurality of battery packs 200B1 and 200B2, the end of the lower battery pack 200B2 in any direction may be arranged at a position more inward than the end of the upper battery pack 200B1. That is, the extension lengths of the extension portions 312b of the battery rack plates 312 arranged in the battery rack of the third embodiment may be the same, but the higher battery rack plates 312 may be spaced apart from the lower battery rack plates 312 by a predetermined distance toward the front.

[0093] For example, Figure 7 As shown, among the plurality of battery packs 200 arranged vertically, the battery pack 200B1 may be disposed at a more forward position than the battery pack 200B2 below. That is, as the battery pack 200 is disposed at a lower position, the battery rack 300 of the present disclosure may enable the receiving position of the battery pack 200 of the battery rack housing 310 to be disposed at a more forward position. The position of the extension portion 312b of the battery rack plate 312 may gradually extend forward as it moves downward.

[0094] According to such a configuration of the present disclosure, among the plurality of battery packs 200, the ends of the lower battery packs 200 in any direction are disposed at a position more inner than the ends of the upper battery packs 200, so when the fire extinguishing agent is supplied to the battery packs 200, the fire extinguishing agent moved out of the battery pack housing 210 does not flow to the lower battery pack 200 and can fall vertically due to gravity. That is, the battery pack 200 can be prevented from being contaminated by the fire extinguishing agent falling from the extension portion 312b disposed at a higher position along the gravity direction.

[0095] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of components of a battery rack according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] and Figure 1 and Figure 4 Refer to Figure 8 The battery rack according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure may have a stopper 312c to prevent the mounted battery pack 200 from moving in any direction. For example, the stopper 312c may extend upward from the mounting surface 312a of the battery rack plate 312. The stopper 312c may be in the shape of a plate that stands to support the rear side of the battery pack housing 210 in the front.

[0097] According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the battery rack plate 312 includes a stopper 312c to prevent the mounted battery pack 200 from moving in any direction, thereby preventing the battery pack 200 from moving in any direction along the slope of the mounting surface 312a of the battery rack plate 312 and moving out of the battery rack housing 310. Therefore, the safety of the battery rack 300 of the present disclosure can be improved.

[0098] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of components of a battery rack according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0099] and Figure 1 and Figure 4 Refer to Fig. 9 When comparing the battery rack according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure with the battery rack 300 according to the first embodiment, the battery pack 200 may further include a cover 317 on the battery pack housing 210. The cover 317 may be configured to allow the fire extinguishing agent dropped from the upper battery rack plate 312 to flow outward.

[0100] The cover 317 may be in the form of a plate having a width similar to that of the battery rack plate 312. The cover 317 may extend outward from the end of the battery pack 200. Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , a cover 317 extending rearward from a rear end of the battery pack 200 may be provided at the rear end of the battery pack 200 .

[0101] According to such a configuration of the present disclosure, the battery rack according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cover 317 extending outward from the end of the battery pack 200 to allow the fire extinguishing agent dropped from the battery rack plate 312 to flow outward, thereby shielding the fire extinguishing agent dropped from the upper battery rack plate 312 and preventing the battery pack 200 that has not caused thermal runaway or fire from being contaminated by the fire extinguishing agent. Therefore, the battery pack 200 that has not caused thermal runaway or fire can be reused.

[0102] Fig.10 is a schematic rear perspective view of components of a battery rack according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] and Figure 1 and Figure 4 Refer to Fig.10 , when Figure 4 When compared with the battery rack of the first embodiment, the battery rack according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a guide groove 312h, which is recessed inwardly in the battery rack plate 312C. Specifically, the guide groove 312h may be a groove extending linearly along the mounting surface 312a of the battery rack plate 312C. When the fire extinguishing agent is supplied in the event of thermal runaway or fire in the battery pack 200, the fire extinguishing agent moved out of the battery pack housing 210 may be allowed to move along the guide groove 312h of the battery rack plate 312C. For example, Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 3 , the battery rack plate 312C may be configured such that the fire extinguishing agent moved out of the battery pack housing 210 moves along the guide groove 312h to the extension portion 312b and is discharged through the rear end of the battery rack plate 312C.

[0104] According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the battery rack plate 312C includes a guide groove 312h configured to guide the movement of the fire extinguishing agent out of the battery pack housing 210, thereby controlling the movement of the fire extinguishing agent to a specific position of the battery rack plate 312C and preventing the fire extinguishing agent from being supplied to the battery pack 200 below due to an unexpected flow of the fire extinguishing agent. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery pack 200 that has not experienced thermal runaway or fire from being contaminated by the fire extinguishing agent. The present disclosure can reuse the battery pack 200 that has not experienced thermal runaway or fire.

[0105] Return to reference Fig.10 , when compared with the battery rack 300 of the first embodiment, the battery rack 300 according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure may include a discharge portion 312p configured to discharge the fire extinguishing agent falling from the upper battery pack 200. For example, the discharge portion 312p may be in the shape of a conduit with an open top, the conduit extending in an upward diagonal direction. When the fire extinguishing agent falls from the upper battery rack plate 312C under the action of gravity, the discharge portion 312p may guide the falling fire extinguishing agent to flow out to one side.

[0106] For example, Fig.10 As shown in, after the fire extinguishing agent moving along the guide groove 312h formed in the upper battery rack plate 312C falls from the rear end of the battery rack plate 312C under the action of gravity, at least a portion of the fire extinguishing agent can be received in the discharge portion 312p of the lower battery rack plate 312C, and the received fire extinguishing agent can move back to the right end along the conduit shape of the discharge portion 312p and can be discharged.

[0107] According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the battery rack plate 312C includes a discharge portion 312p configured to receive the fire extinguishing agent dropped from the upper battery pack 200 and discharge the fire extinguishing agent, thereby preventing the lower battery pack 200 where thermal runaway or fire has not occurred from being contaminated by the fire extinguishing agent. Therefore, the battery pack 200 where thermal runaway or fire has not occurred can be reused.

[0108] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of components of a battery rack according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0109] and Figure 2 and Figure 5 Refer to Fig.11 When compared with the battery rack 300 of the first embodiment, the battery rack according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an absorption member 319 in the battery pack housing 210 of the battery pack 200D. The absorption member 319 may be configured to absorb the fire extinguishing agent ( Figure 5M1 in). The absorption member 319 may be a sponge. Alternatively, the absorption member 319 may include a highly absorbent fiber formed by spinning a highly absorbent resin into a mesh. Here, the highly absorbent resin may be configured to absorb a fire extinguishing agent (water) that is approximately 500 to 1000 times heavier than its weight. For example, the highly absorbent resin may be a highly absorbent resin product from LG Chemical Co., Ltd. For example, the absorption member 319 may be made by simultaneously polymerizing acrylic acid and methyl acrylate as raw materials in water, extracting the resulting polymer, and spinning it into a mesh.

[0110] The absorbing member 319 may be disposed between the secondary batteries 110 disposed in opposite directions with respect to any one direction among the plurality of secondary batteries 110. Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 3 , when the battery rack plate 312 is tilted backward (in the Y-axis direction), the fire extinguishing agent in the battery pack housing 210 can fill the battery pack housing 210 from the rear.

[0111] Since the battery pack 200D is placed in a backward tilted manner, the level of the fire extinguishing agent at the front position in the battery pack housing 210 may be lower than the level of the fire extinguishing agent at the rear position in the battery pack housing 210. Therefore, the use of the absorbing member 319 makes it easy to sufficiently supply the fire extinguishing agent between the plurality of secondary batteries 110, thereby effectively achieving cooling or heat shielding of the secondary batteries 110 disposed at the front position in the battery pack housing 210.

[0112] According to such a configuration of the present disclosure, the battery pack 200D may include an absorption member 319 between the secondary batteries 110 disposed in the opposite direction with respect to any one direction among the plurality of secondary batteries 110 to absorb the fire extinguishing agent, thereby distributing the fire extinguishing agent into the battery pack case 210 despite the inclination of the battery pack 200D. Therefore, when thermal runaway or fire occurs in the secondary batteries 110 disposed in the opposite direction with respect to any one direction in the battery pack case 210, the fire or thermal runaway can be effectively suppressed through heat shielding by supplying the fire extinguishing agent.

[0113] Fig.12 is a schematic front view of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0114] and Figure 1 Refer to Fig.12 The battery rack 300 may further include other components, such as a battery management system (BMS) 350 located inside or outside the battery rack housing 310 .

[0115] The energy storage system 600 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least two battery racks 300. The at least two battery racks 300 may be arranged in a certain direction. Fig.12 As shown in , the energy storage system 600 may include three battery racks 300 arranged in a certain direction, and each battery rack 300 includes a battery rack housing 310. Additionally, the energy storage system 600 may include a separate BMS 350 to control the charge / discharge of each of the three battery racks 300. The energy storage system 600 may include a coupling member configured to couple adjacent battery rack housings 310.

[0116] Terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear used herein are only for convenience of description, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the terms may vary depending on the elements described or the position of the observer.

[0117] Although the present disclosure has been described above with respect to a limited number of embodiments and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made thereto within the technical aspects of the present disclosure and the equivalent scope of the appended claims.

[0118] Description of Reference Numerals

[0119] 300: Battery rack 600: Energy storage system

[0120] 200: Battery pack 100: Single cell assembly

[0121] 110: Secondary battery 210: Battery pack housing

[0122] 310: Battery rack housing 312: Battery rack plate

[0123] 312a: Mounting surface 312b: Extension

[0124] 314: front frame 316: rear frame

[0125] 313: Fixed bracket 312c: Stopper

[0126] 317: Cover 312h: Guide groove

[0127] 312p: discharge part 319: absorption member

Claims

1. A battery rack, comprising: a plurality of battery packs arranged vertically, each battery pack comprising a plurality of secondary batteries and a battery pack housing, the plurality of secondary batteries being stacked in a certain direction, the battery pack housing having an internal space to receive the plurality of secondary batteries, and the battery pack housing also having a supply port for supplying a fire extinguishing agent from a fire extinguishing agent tank to each battery pack when the internal temperature of the battery pack is equal to or rises to or above a predetermined temperature; as well as A battery rack housing, the battery rack housing having a receiving space to receive the plurality of battery packs, and comprising a plurality of battery rack plates, each battery rack plate having a mounting surface and an extension portion, the battery packs being mounted on the mounting surface, the mounting surface being inclined at a predetermined angle and decreasing in height as the mounting surface proceeds in any direction, the extension portion having an end in any direction extending further outward than the battery pack below, The extending end of the extending portion of the lower battery rack plate among the plurality of battery rack plates is arranged at a position closer to the inside than the end of the extending portion of the upper battery rack plate.

2. The battery rack according to claim 1, wherein: The battery rack housing comprises: a front frame disposed at a front end of the plurality of battery packs and including a support column configured to support the ground; a rear frame disposed at rear ends of the plurality of battery packs and including a support column configured to support the ground; and A fixing bracket is coupled to the battery rack plate and lowered in height as the fixing bracket travels in either direction, and is coupled to a support column of each of the front frame and the rear frame at a predetermined angle.

3. The battery rack according to claim 1, wherein: The battery rack plate includes a stopper to prevent the installed battery pack from moving in either direction.

4. The battery rack according to claim 1, wherein: The battery pack further includes a cover that extends outward from an end of the battery pack to allow the fire extinguishing agent dropped from an upper battery rack plate to flow outward.

5. The battery rack according to claim 1, wherein: The battery rack plate has a guide groove to guide the movement of the fire extinguishing agent removed from the battery pack housing.

6. The battery rack according to claim 5, wherein: The battery rack plate includes a discharge portion configured to receive the fire extinguishing agent dropped from the battery pack above and allow the fire extinguishing agent to flow out.

7. The battery rack according to claim 6, wherein: The battery rack includes an absorbing member located between secondary batteries disposed in opposite directions with respect to the either direction among the plurality of secondary batteries in the battery pack to absorb the fire extinguishing agent.

8. A battery rack, comprising: a plurality of battery packs arranged vertically, each battery pack comprising a plurality of secondary batteries and a battery pack housing, the plurality of secondary batteries being stacked in a certain direction, the battery pack housing having an internal space to receive the plurality of secondary batteries, and the battery pack housing also having a supply port for supplying a fire extinguishing agent from a fire extinguishing agent tank to each battery pack when the internal temperature of the battery pack is equal to or rises to or above a predetermined temperature; as well as A battery rack housing, the battery rack housing having a receiving space to receive the plurality of battery packs, and comprising a plurality of battery rack plates, each battery rack plate having a mounting surface and an extension portion, the battery packs being mounted on the mounting surface, the mounting surface being inclined at a predetermined angle and decreasing in height as the mounting surface proceeds in any direction, the extension portion having an end in any direction extending further outward than the battery pack below, Among the plurality of battery packs, an end portion in the one direction of a lower battery pack is disposed at a position more inner than an end portion of an upper battery pack.

9. An energy storage system comprising at least one battery rack according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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