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

Abstract

A battery module according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a plurality of battery cell assemblies each including at least one battery cell, a heat sink disposed below the plurality of battery cell assemblies, and a coil resistor unit disposed in the heat sink and connected to at least one of the plurality of battery cell assemblies.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0139759, filed in Korea on October 26, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Secondary batteries, due to their product portfolio and electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are highly adaptable and therefore widely used not only in mobile devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by these batteries. Because secondary batteries can fundamentally reduce the use of fossil fuels and do not produce any byproducts associated with energy consumption, they are gaining attention as a new alternative energy source that improves eco-friendliness and energy efficiency.

[0004] Currently widely used types of rechargeable batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. A single rechargeable battery cell, or individual battery cell, operates at a voltage range of approximately 2.5V to approximately 4.5V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells can be connected in series to form a battery pack. Alternatively, a battery pack can be configured by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel according to the required charge / discharge capacity. Thus, the number of battery cells included in a battery pack can be set in various ways according to the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] When configuring a battery pack by connecting multiple battery cells in series or parallel, it is common practice to first configure a battery module that includes at least one battery cell, and then add other components using that at least one battery module to configure the battery pack.

[0006] A conventional battery pack consists of a battery module containing multiple individual battery cells. If an abnormal situation occurs in any battery module due to the expansion of a single battery cell, and this situation is not addressed promptly, it may lead to thermal runaway of surrounding battery cells or the battery module itself, potentially causing the battery module or battery pack to explode, thus posing a significant safety risk to the user.

[0007] Therefore, when an abnormal situation occurs in a specific battery cell of a battery module, the abnormal situation needs to be handled more quickly. In particular, it is necessary to prevent thermal runaway and ensure safety in advance before the abnormal situation causes thermal runaway of the surrounding battery cells or battery module and leads to the explosion or fire of the battery module or battery pack. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a battery module that can improve safety by preventing thermal runaway, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0010] Technical solution

[0011] In one aspect of this disclosure, a battery module is provided, comprising: a plurality of battery cell assemblies, each battery cell assembly including at least one battery cell; a heat sink located at the bottom of the plurality of battery cell assemblies; and a coil resistor unit connected to at least one of the plurality of battery cell assemblies.

[0012] The coil resistor unit can be placed inside the heat sink.

[0013] The coil resistor unit may include: a coil resistor member connected to at least one battery cell assembly; and a resistor housing covering the coil resistor member and fixed to a heat sink.

[0014] The coil resistor unit may include coil retainers disposed on both sides of the coil resistor member and connected to the resistor housing.

[0015] The coil resistor unit may include a sealing member disposed between the coil resistor member and the coil retainer.

[0016] The resistor housing can be formed of insulating material.

[0017] The coil resistor unit can be placed outside the heat sink.

[0018] The coil resistor unit can be located between the heat sink and multiple battery cell assemblies, and can be fixed to the top of the heat sink.

[0019] In another aspect of this disclosure, a battery pack is also provided, comprising: at least one battery module according to the above embodiments; and a battery pack housing for encapsulating the at least one battery module.

[0020] In another aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle is also provided, including at least one battery pack according to the above embodiments.

[0021] Beneficial effects

[0022] According to the above embodiments, a battery module capable of improving safety by preventing thermal runaway, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery pack can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, are intended to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not to be construed as limited to the drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a diagram used to describe a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2 It is used to describe Figure 1 A diagram of the main components of a battery module.

[0026] Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is used to describe Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the thermal runaway prevention mechanism of the battery module.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 6 It is used to describe Figure 5 A diagram of the main components of a battery module.

[0029] Figure 7 and Figure 8 It is used to describe Figure 5 A diagram illustrating the thermal runaway prevention mechanism of the battery module.

[0030] Figure 9 This is a diagram used to describe a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 10 This is a diagram used to describe a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0032] This disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concepts of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. This disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, to aid in understanding this disclosure, the drawings are not drawn to scale, but the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a diagram used to describe a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It is used to describe Figure 1 A diagram of the main components of a battery module.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2The battery module 10 may include a battery cell assembly 100, a heat sink 300, and a coil resistor unit 600.

[0035] The battery cell assembly 100 may include at least one or more battery cells 105. This embodiment will be described assuming that the battery cell assembly 100 includes a plurality of battery cells 105.

[0036] Multiple battery cell assemblies 100 can be installed. The multiple battery cell assemblies 100 can be installed inside the module housing 200 described below, and can be spaced apart from each other by a certain distance.

[0037] The plurality of battery cells 105, which serve as secondary batteries, can be pouch-type, prismatic, or cylindrical secondary batteries. This embodiment will be described assuming that the plurality of battery cells 105 are pouch-type secondary batteries.

[0038] The battery module 10 may include a module housing 200, a relay unit 400, and a battery management system (BMS) unit 500.

[0039] The module housing 200 can accommodate multiple battery cell assemblies 100, the relay unit 400 described below, the BMS unit 500, and various electronic components of the battery module 10.

[0040] A heat sink 300 for cooling multiple battery cell assemblies 100 can be disposed at the bottom of the multiple battery cell assemblies 100. Specifically, the heat sink 300 can be disposed below the module housing 200 and can contact the bottom surface of the module housing 200.

[0041] The radiator 300 may include a radiator housing 310, an internal channel 330, a cooling water inlet 350, and a cooling water outlet 370.

[0042] The radiator housing 310 can be disposed below the module housing 200 to contact the bottom surface of the module housing 200. The internal channel 330 for the flow of cooling water C, described below, can be disposed inside the radiator housing 310.

[0043] An internal channel 330 may be formed inside the radiator housing 310. Cooling water C for cooling the battery cell assembly 100 may flow through the internal channel 330.

[0044] The cooling water inlet 350 can communicate with the internal channel 330 and can be located on one side of the radiator housing 310. The cooling water inlet 350 can be connected to an external cooling water unit and can guide cooling water C into the internal channel 330 of the radiator 300.

[0045] Cooling water outlet 370 can communicate with internal channel 330 and can be located on the other side of radiator housing 310. Cooling water outlet 370 can be connected to an external cooling water unit and can discharge cooling water C in internal channel 330 to the outside of radiator 300.

[0046] A relay unit 400 for initiating an external short circuit in the event of an abnormal condition, such as overheating of a battery cell 100 in a battery cell assembly 100 of battery module 10, may be connected to at least one of the battery cell assemblies 100.

[0047] The relay unit 400 can be connected to at least one of the coil resistor unit 600 described below and the battery cell assembly 100. In the event of an abnormal condition, the switch of the relay unit 400 can be turned on to short-circuit the battery cell assembly 100 connected to the relay unit 400.

[0048] A BMS unit 500 for managing and controlling the battery module 10 can be disposed in the module housing 200. The BMS unit 500 can be electrically connected to the relay unit 400 described below and various electronic components of the battery module 10.

[0049] The coil resistor unit 600 for external short circuits can be connected to the relay unit 400 and can be disposed in the heat sink 300. The coil resistor unit 600 can be disposed in the internal channel 330 inside the heat sink 300.

[0050] The coil resistor unit 600 can be connected to at least one of the plurality of battery cell assemblies 100. For example, the coil resistor unit 600 can be connected to the middle battery cell assembly 100 located between the two outermost ones of the plurality of battery cell assemblies 100.

[0051] The coil resistor unit 600 may include a coil resistor member 610, a resistor housing 630, a coil retainer 650, and a sealing member 670.

[0052] The coil resistor 610 can be connected to the relay unit 400 and can be connected to at least one battery cell assembly 100. When the relay unit 400 is switched on, the coil resistor 610 can reduce the state of charge (SOC) of the battery cell assembly 100 connected to the relay unit 400 to below about 10%.

[0053] The resistor housing 630 can cover the coil resistor member 610 and can be fixed to the heat sink 300. Specifically, the resistor housing 630 can be fixed within the internal channel 330 of the heat sink 300. The resistor housing 630 can be formed of an insulating material.

[0054] The coil retainer 650 can be disposed on both sides of the coil resistor member 610 and can be connected to the resistor housing 630. The relay unit 400 can pass through the coil retainer 650, so that the relay unit 400 is connected to the coil resistor member 610.

[0055] A sealing member 670 for sealing the coil resistor member 610 can be disposed between the coil resistor member 610 and the coil holder 650. The sealing member 670 can improve the sealing force of the coil resistor member 610 in the resistor housing 630.

[0056] The thermal runaway prevention mechanism of the battery module 10 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0057] Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is used to describe Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the thermal runaway prevention mechanism of the battery module.

[0058] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 In battery module 10, overheating or thermal runaway may occur due to an abnormality in at least one battery cell 105 of battery cell assembly 100. For example, it may be due to... Figure 3 An abnormal situation occurred due to overheating of the battery cell 105 in the left battery cell assembly 100.

[0059] In this case, the relay unit 400 can be switched on by active control, such as the control of the BMS unit 500 or the operation of the temperature sensor, or by passive control at a preset temperature or higher.

[0060] Therefore, in the battery module 10, when the battery cell assembly 100 is connected to the relay unit 400, a closed circuit can be formed with the coil resistor unit 600, thereby reducing energy through an external short circuit.

[0061] Specifically, when an abnormality occurs in the battery module 100, the relay unit 400 can activate the intermediate battery cell assembly 100 (in) by forming a closed circuit with the coil resistor unit 600. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The energy consumption of the intermediate battery cell assembly 100 connected to the relay unit 400. Energy consumption can be carried out until the SOC (State of Charge) is between 0% and 10% to reliably prevent heat transfer.

[0062] When energy is consumed, the temperature of the coil resistor unit 600 itself will rise. This temperature increase may lead to a decrease in energy consumption performance.

[0063] In this embodiment, since the coil resistor unit 600 is located in the internal channel 330 of the heat sink 300, the coil resistor unit 600 can be continuously cooled by the cooling water C flowing through the internal channel 330 even when energy is consumed.

[0064] Therefore, in this embodiment, when energy is consumed, the temperature of the coil resistor unit 600 can be prevented from rising excessively, and the temperature of the coil resistor unit 600 can be effectively maintained or reduced within an appropriate range.

[0065] Therefore, in this embodiment, since the coil resistor unit 600 is cooled by the heat sink 300 during energy consumption, the energy consumption performance can be effectively maintained during external short circuits.

[0066] In this embodiment, by dissipating the energy of the coil resistor unit 600, thermal runaway to the surrounding battery cell assemblies 100 can be effectively prevented even when an abnormal situation occurs due to overheating of any battery cell assembly 100.

[0067] Therefore, in this embodiment, when any battery cell assembly 100 experiences thermal runaway, the external short circuit of the relay unit 400 and the coil resistor unit 600 can prevent heat from spreading to the surrounding battery cell assemblies 100 and can more fundamentally prevent a greater risk of thermal runaway of the battery module 10.

[0068] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 It is used to describe Figure 5 A diagram of the main components of a battery module. Figure 7 and Figure 8 It is used to describe Figure 5 A diagram illustrating the thermal runaway prevention mechanism of the battery module.

[0069] The battery module 20 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery module 10 of the above embodiment. Therefore, repeated descriptions of elements that are substantially the same or similar to those in the above embodiment will be omitted, and the differences from the above embodiment will be mainly described.

[0070] Reference Figures 5 to 8 The battery module 20 may include a battery cell assembly 100, a relay unit 400, a BMS unit 500, a module housing 700, a heat sink 800, and a coil resistor unit 900.

[0071] The battery cell assembly 100, relay unit 400 and BSM unit 500 are basically the same or similar to those in the above embodiments, so repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0072] The module housing 700 may include a battery support 750 and a resistor housing 770.

[0073] The battery support section 750 can support the battery cell assembly 100. For this purpose, a support space for supporting the battery cell assembly 100 can be provided in the battery support section 750.

[0074] The resistor housing 770 can be disposed below the battery support 750 and above the heat sink 800. The coil resistor unit 900 described below can be housed in the resistor housing 770.

[0075] A heat transfer member hole 775 can be provided in the resistor receiving portion 770. The heat transfer member 930 of the coil resistor unit 900 described below can be inserted into the heat transfer member hole 775.

[0076] The radiator 800 may include a radiator housing 810, an internal channel 830, a cooling water inlet 850, a cooling water outlet 870, and a fastening hole 890.

[0077] The radiator housing 810, internal channel 830, cooling water inlet 850 and cooling water outlet 870 are similar to those in the above embodiments, so repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0078] The fastening hole 890 can be provided on the top of the heat sink housing 810. The fastening member 950 of the coil resistor unit 900 described below can be fastened to the fastening hole 890 by means of fastening methods such as screws.

[0079] The coil resistor unit 900 can be disposed outside the heat sink 800. For example... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, similar to coil resistor unit 600, coil resistor unit 900 can short-circuit the battery cell assembly 100 connected to relay unit 400 externally in abnormal conditions.

[0080] The coil resistor unit 900 can be located between the heat sink 800 and the multiple battery cell assemblies 100, and can be fixed to the top of the heat sink 800.

[0081] The coil resistor unit 900 may include a coil resistor component 910, a heat transfer component 930, and a fastening component 950.

[0082] The coil resistor component 910 can be located above the heat sink 800 and can be disposed in the resistor receiving portion 770 of the module housing 700.

[0083] The heat transfer member 930 may include a heat transfer material and may be located between the coil resistor member 910 and the heat sink 800. Specifically, the heat transfer member 930 may be inserted into the heat transfer member hole 775 of the resistor receiving portion 770. Therefore, the heat transfer member 930 may contact the coil resistor member 910 and the heat sink 800, thereby further improving heat transfer efficiency.

[0084] The fastening member 950 for fixing the coil resistor unit 900 to the heat sink 800 can pass through the coil resistor member 910 and the heat transfer member 930, and can be fastened to the fastening hole 890 of the heat sink 800 by using screws or the like.

[0085] In this embodiment, since the coil resistor unit 900 contacts the top surface of the radiator housing 810 outside the radiator 800, rather than in the internal channel 830 through which the cooling water C of the radiator 800 flows, dangerous factors such as potential electrical problems caused by collisions between the cooling water C and the coil resistor unit 900 can be further reliably prevented.

[0086] Figure 9 This is a diagram used to describe a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10 This is a diagram used to describe a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0087] Reference Figure 9 and Figure 10 The battery pack 1 may include at least one battery module 10, 20 according to the above embodiments and a battery pack housing 50 for encapsulating the at least one battery module 10, 20 according to the above embodiments.

[0088] Battery pack 1 can be installed in vehicle V as a fuel source for the vehicle. For example, battery pack 1 can be installed in vehicle V such as an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or other types of vehicles that can use battery pack 1 as a fuel source.

[0089] In addition to the vehicle V, the battery pack 1 can be installed in other devices, mechanisms or equipment, such as energy storage systems using secondary batteries.

[0090] Thus, since the battery pack 1 and the apparatus, mechanism or device (e.g., vehicle V) including the battery pack 1 according to this embodiment include battery modules 10 and 20, it is possible to achieve the battery pack 1 and the apparatus, mechanism or device (e.g., vehicle V) including the battery modules 10 and 20, which have all the advantages of the battery modules 10 and 20.

[0091] According to the various embodiments described above, battery modules 10 and 20 that can improve safety by preventing thermal runaway can be provided, battery pack 1 including battery modules 10 and 20, and vehicle V including battery pack 1.

[0092] Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as defined by the claims, and such modifications should not be understood independently of the technical features or prospects of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: Multiple battery cell assemblies, each of the battery cell assemblies including at least one battery cell; A heat sink is located at the bottom of the plurality of battery cell assemblies; A relay unit is connected to a predetermined battery cell assembly among the plurality of battery cell assemblies; as well as A coil resistor unit, connected to the predetermined battery cell assembly via the relay unit, is configured to be cooled by the heat sink. The relay unit includes a switch configured to activate when any one of the plurality of battery cell assemblies overheats, thereby causing an external short circuit to the predetermined battery cell assembly connected to the relay unit. In the event of an abnormal situation, energy is consumed through the predetermined battery cell assembly, and The battery cell assembly used for energy consumption will not be changed based on the battery cell assembly that experiences an abnormal condition.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The coil resistor unit is disposed inside the heat sink.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein, The coil resistor unit includes: A coil resistor component is connected to the at least one battery cell assembly; and The resistor housing covers the coil resistor component and is fixed to the heat sink.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein, The coil resistor unit includes coil retainers disposed on both sides of the coil resistor member and connected to the resistor housing.

5. The battery module according to claim 4, wherein, The coil resistor unit includes a sealing member disposed between the coil resistor member and the coil retainer.

6. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein, The resistor housing is formed of insulating material.

7. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The coil resistor unit is located outside the heat sink.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, wherein, The coil resistor unit is located between the heat sink and the plurality of battery cell assemblies, and is fixed to the top of the heat sink.

9. A battery pack, comprising: At least one battery module according to claim 1; as well as A battery pack housing for encapsulating at least one of the battery modules.

10. A vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to claim 9.

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