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

Abstract

Disclosed is a battery module including a battery cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells, a module case configured to accommodate the battery cell assembly, and an end cap unit coupled to the module case and configured to disperse a flame or gas when the flame or gas is generated within the module case and guide the flame or gas in a predetermined direction, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery pack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0073746, filed in Korea on June 7, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery pack. Background Technology

[0003] Secondary batteries, highly adaptable to various products and exhibiting superior electrical properties such as high energy density, are commonly used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by electric motors. As a new energy source that improves environmental friendliness and energy efficiency, secondary batteries are gaining attention because they can significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels and produce no byproducts during energy consumption.

[0004] Currently widely used rechargeable batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of a single rechargeable battery cell (i.e., a single battery unit) is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery units can be connected in series to configure a battery pack. Furthermore, depending on the required charge / discharge capacity of the battery pack, multiple battery units can be connected in parallel to configure a battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery units included in a battery pack can be set in various ways according to the required output voltage or the required charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] Meanwhile, when multiple battery cells are connected in series or parallel to form a battery pack, a battery module consisting of at least one battery cell is typically configured first, and then a battery pack or battery rack is configured by using at least one battery module and adding other components. Additionally, one or more battery racks, as described above, are configured to power the energy storage system.

[0006] Conventional battery modules are typically configured to include multiple battery cells and a module housing to contain them. In conventional battery modules, when a flame or gas is generated in at least one battery cell due to an abnormal situation within the module housing, most of the flame or gas remains inside the module housing. Therefore, there is a problem that the flame or gas in the module housing can raise the temperature of adjacent battery cells, potentially leading to thermal runaway of all battery cells and further explosion of the battery module.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to find a way to provide a battery module that can prevent thermal runaway when flames or gases are generated within the module housing, as well as a battery pack including the battery module and a vehicle including the battery pack. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] This disclosure aims to provide a battery module that can prevent thermal runaway when a flame or gas is generated within the module housing, as well as a battery pack including the battery module and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0010] Technical solutions

[0011] In one aspect of this disclosure, a battery module is provided, comprising: a battery cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; a module housing configured to house the battery cell assembly; and an end cap unit coupled to the module housing, wherein when a flame or gas is generated within the module housing, the end cap unit is configured to disperse the flame or gas and to guide the flame or gas in a predetermined direction.

[0012] End cap units can be located at both ends of the module housing and guide the flame or gas in the module housing to the upper side of both ends of the module housing.

[0013] The end cap unit may include caps mounted at both ends of the module housing, and the caps may have vent holes that open toward the upper side of the cap to vent flames or gases.

[0014] The end cap unit may include a first dispersion guide disposed to the cap body and configured to initially disperse a flame or gas; and a second dispersion guide disposed facing the first dispersion guide and configured to secondary disperse a flame or gas.

[0015] The first distributed guide can be positioned to face the battery cell assembly.

[0016] The first dispersion guide may be a mesh component made of metallic material.

[0017] The second dispersion guide may be provided as at least one and configured to be in fluid communication with the discharge orifice.

[0018] The second dispersion guide can be configured as a rib structure with a cyclone shape.

[0019] The end cap unit may include a directional guide arranged to face the second dispersion guide and configured to guide the direction of flame or gas emission.

[0020] The directional guide can be configured to be in fluid communication with the exhaust port and to direct the flame or gas toward the exhaust port.

[0021] The directional guide may include at least one misaligned fin.

[0022] In addition, this disclosure provides a battery pack, including: at least one battery module according to the above embodiments; and a housing configured to encapsulate at least one battery module.

[0023] Furthermore, this disclosure provides a vehicle including at least one battery pack according to the above embodiments.

[0024] Beneficial effects

[0025] According to the various embodiments described above, a battery module that can prevent thermal runaway when a flame or gas is generated within the module housing, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery pack can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0026] 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.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the battery module.

[0029] Figure 3 It is used for the illustrated coupling to Figure 2 A diagram of the end cap unit of the battery module.

[0030] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 Exploded perspective view of the end cap unit.

[0031] Figures 5 to 9 It is used for illustration when in Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the mechanism used to disperse and guide flames or gases when they are generated in a battery module.

[0032] Figure 10 This is a diagram used to illustrate a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 11 This is a diagram used to illustrate a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0034] This disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description of embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative for a better understanding of this disclosure, and that this disclosure can be modified in various ways. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, the drawings are not drawn to scale, but the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the battery module.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 and 2 The battery module 10 may include a battery cell assembly 100, a module housing 200, and an end cap unit 300.

[0037] The battery cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 110.

[0038] The plurality of battery cells 110 are secondary batteries and can be configured as pouch-type secondary batteries, rectangular secondary batteries, or cylindrical secondary batteries. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, it will be described that the plurality of battery cells 110 are pouch-type secondary batteries.

[0039] Multiple battery cells 110 may be stacked to be electrically connected to each other. Each of the multiple battery cells 110 may include an electrode member, a battery housing for housing the electrode member, and a pair of electrode leads 115 protruding from the battery housing and connected to the electrode member. Here, the pair of electrode leads 115 may be arranged facing the end cap unit 300, as described below.

[0040] The module housing 200 can accommodate the battery cell assembly 100. To this end, a receiving space capable of accommodating the battery cell assembly 100 can be provided in the module housing 200.

[0041] The end cap unit 300 is coupled to the module housing 200, and when a flame or gas is generated within the module housing 200, the end cap unit 300 can disperse the flame or gas to guide it in a predetermined direction.

[0042] End cap units 300 can be arranged in pairs. Specifically, a pair of end cap units 300 are arranged at both ends of the module housing 200 and can guide the flame or gas in the module housing 200 to the upper side of both ends of the module housing 200.

[0043] The end cap unit 300 according to this embodiment will now be described in more detail.

[0044] Figure 3 It is used for the illustrated coupling to Figure 2 A diagram of the end cap unit of the battery module. Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 Exploded perspective view of the end cap unit.

[0045] refer to Figure 3 and 4The end cap unit 300 may include a cap body 310, a first dispersion guide 330, a second dispersion guide 350, and a directional guide 370.

[0046] The covers 310 are respectively installed at both ends of the module housing 200, and can be provided in a shape that can cover both ends of the module housing 200 respectively. The covers 310 may have vent holes 315 that open toward the upper side of the covers 310 to vent flames or gases.

[0047] A first dispersion guide 330 is disposed on the cover 310 and can initially disperse the flame or gas. The first dispersion guide 330 may be arranged facing the battery cell assembly 100. Specifically, the first dispersion guide 330 may be arranged facing the electrode leads 115 of the plurality of battery cells 110.

[0048] The first dispersion guide 330 may be configured as a mesh member made of metallic material and may be disposed on a surface of the cover 310 facing the battery cell assembly 100.

[0049] The second dispersion guide 350 is disposed on the cover 310, is arranged to face the first dispersion guide 330, and can disperse the flame or gas a second time.

[0050] The second dispersion guide 350 is integrally formed with the cover 310, is provided as at least one, and is in fluid communication with the discharge port 315. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the second dispersion guide 350 is described as being provided in pairs.

[0051] A pair of second dispersion guides 350 can be configured with rib structures in a cyclone shape. Therefore, the pair of second dispersion guides 350 can absorb flame length by rotating to guide and disperse flame or gas.

[0052] The directional guide 370 is arranged to face the second dispersion guide 350 and can guide the direction of flame or gas emission. The directional guide 370 can be inserted into the cover 310, is in fluid communication with the discharge port 315, and guides the flame or gas toward the discharge port 315.

[0053] The directional guide 370 may include at least one staggered fin. Furthermore, the directional guide 370 may be formed with a louver-shaped fin structure. Additionally, the directional guide 370 may have a non-uniform structure along the width direction of the cover 310.

[0054] The directional guide 370 allows flame or gas flowing through the second dispersion guide 350 to the discharge port 315, reduces gas pressure through pressure difference, further disperses the flame or gas, and further reduces the temperature of the flame or gas.

[0055] The mechanism for dispersing and guiding flames or gases when they are generated in the battery module 10 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail below.

[0056] Figures 5 to 9 It is used for illustration when in Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the mechanism used to disperse and guide flames or gases when they are generated in the battery module 10.

[0057] refer to Figure 5 Due to an abnormality in at least one of the battery cells 110 of the battery cell assembly 100 of the battery module 10, overheating may occur in the at least one battery cell where the abnormality occurs, and flames or gases may be generated.

[0058] Here, if the flame or gas remains inside the module housing 200, the flame or gas may raise the temperature of adjacent battery cells of multiple battery cells 110, which may lead to thermal runaway and further explosion of the battery module 10.

[0059] refer to Figure 6 When such an abnormal situation occurs, the flame or gas G in at least one of the battery cells 110 where the abnormal situation occurs can first pass through the first dispersion guide 330 of the end cap unit 300. The first dispersion guide 330 can initially disperse the flame or gas G and guide the flame or gas G toward the second dispersion guide 350.

[0060] refer to Figure 7 Subsequently, the flame or gas G can be secondary guided and dispersed as it rotates through the cyclone-shaped second dispersion guide 350. At this time, the second dispersion guide 350 can absorb the flame length of the flame or gas G. Furthermore, the second dispersion guide 350 can reduce the temperature of the flame or gas G.

[0061] refer to Figure 8 Then, the flame or gas G can pass through the directional guide 370 for a third time. As the flame or gas G passes through the directional guide 370, the gas pressure can decrease due to the pressure difference, and the temperature of the flame or gas G can decrease. In addition, the directional guide 370 can guide the flame or gas G toward the discharge port 315.

[0062] refer to Figure 9 The flame or gas G can eventually be discharged from the battery module 10 through the exhaust port 315 of the end cap unit 300.

[0063] As described above, in the battery module 10 according to this embodiment, when a flame or gas G is generated in at least one of the battery cells 110 of the battery cell assembly 100 due to an abnormal situation, the flame or gas can be dispersed and guided in three steps via the end cap unit 300 to be discharged from the battery module 10.

[0064] Therefore, in the battery module 10 according to this embodiment, dangerous situations such as thermal runaway caused by the temperature of adjacent battery cells among the plurality of battery cells 110 being raised due to flame or gas G can be effectively prevented.

[0065] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating a vehicle V according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] refer to Figure 10 and 11 The battery pack 1 may include at least one battery module 10 according to the previous embodiment and a housing 50 for encapsulating at least one battery module 10.

[0067] Battery pack 1 can be supplied to vehicle V as a fuel source. For example, battery pack 1 can be supplied to electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and various other types of vehicles that can use battery pack 1 as a fuel source.

[0068] In addition to the vehicle V, the battery pack 1 can also be installed in other equipment, instruments or facilities, such as energy storage systems that use secondary batteries.

[0069] As described above, the battery pack 1 of this embodiment and the device, instrument or facility (such as a vehicle) having the battery pack 1 include the battery module 10 as described above, so that the battery pack 1 having all the advantages of the battery module 10 described above, and the device, instrument or facility (such as a vehicle V) having the battery pack 1 can be realized.

[0070] According to the various embodiments described above, a battery module 10, a battery pack 1, and a vehicle V including the battery module 10 can be provided to prevent thermal runaway when flames or gases are generated within the module housing 200.

[0071] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described, and various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure, and these modifications should not be understood solely from the technical ideas and viewpoints of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: A battery cell assembly, comprising multiple battery cells; The module housing is configured to house the battery cell assembly; as well as An end cap unit, coupled to the module housing, wherein when a flame or gas is generated within the module housing, the end cap unit is configured to disperse the flame or gas and guide the flame or gas in a predetermined direction. The end cap unit includes: A first dispersion guide is configured to initially disperse the flame or gas; and A second dispersion guide is arranged facing the first dispersion guide and configured to further disperse the flame or gas. The second dispersion guide has a cyclone-shaped rib structure.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The end cap units are disposed at both ends of the module housing and guide the flame or gas in the module housing to the upper side of both ends of the module housing.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, in, The end cap unit includes caps installed at both ends of the module housing, and The cover has a discharge port that opens toward the upper side of the cover to discharge the flame or gas.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The first dispersion guide is arranged to face the battery cell assembly.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The first dispersion guide is a mesh component made of metallic material.

6. The battery module according to claim 3, in, The second dispersion guide is provided as at least one and is configured to be in fluid communication with the discharge orifice.

7. The battery module according to claim 3, in, The end cap unit includes a directional guide arranged to face the second dispersion guide and configured to guide the emission direction of the flame or gas.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, in, The directional guide is configured to be in fluid communication with the discharge port and to direct the flame or gas toward the discharge port.

9. The battery module according to claim 7, in, The directional guide includes at least one misaligned fin.

10. A battery pack, comprising: At least one battery module as defined in claim 1; as well as The housing is configured to encapsulate at least one battery module.

11. A vehicle comprising at least one battery pack as defined in claim 10.

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